BTSC under pressure to meet bus deadline

BTSC under pressure to meet bus deadline
Surapong: ‘ Good for missing date ‘

Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc ( BTSC), the BTS Skytrain operator, is racing against time to supply Bangkok’s Bus Rapid Transit ( BRT ) electric buses and have them up and running by the Sept 1 deadline.

On April 30th, BTSC signed a contract with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) to supply the 23 EV buses for the BRT and run them for five years at a cost of 478 million baht.

After being purchased, the cars must pass a one-month trial period, which raised fears that the automobiles might not be ready for launch.

Surapong Laoha- Unya, CEO of BTSC, stated that the company is purchasing framework from China and that the cars will then be assembled in Thailand.

He acknowledged that the company was concerned about missing the deadline because of the month’s trial and a sophisticated production process. He added that the Chinese manufacturer had promised to deliver the vehicle on-time.

The BTSC will pay the BMA a contractual fine if the EV buses do n’t return to service by the deadline, according to Mr. Surapong. The BTSC is accelerating the operation and pulling every last glimmer to ensure that everything is ready by September 1. Additionally, the fare will no longer get pre-paid at the place but rather on the vehicle.

Sitthiporn Somkitsan, assistant chairman- general of the BMA’s Traffic and Transport Department, said the 24- seater, lower- floor buses will remain fueled by a 150 kWh lithium- ion- phosphate battery.

Universal design tools will be put in place to accommodate travellers.

Wisanu Subsompon, the lieutenant governor of Bangkok, stated that the BRT activity would be made more flexible. The BRT cars will make stops outside of their BRT-exclusive lanes to hold more commuters.

For people to exchange with the MRT Blue Line at Lumpini Station, the road, which is 15.7 kilometers long, will also be extended by 2 miles between Sathon Road and Rama IV Road.

Mr. Wisanu stated that the BRT may have windows on both sides, with one opening for regular bus starts on the straight and the other for BRT stations on the left.

Continue Reading

PM plans more regional cooperation at trade meet

Srettha Thavisin, the government’s spokesman Chai Wacharonke, stated yesterday that the prime minister has pledged to strengthen cooperation under the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement ( AANZFTA ), maintain existing markets, and find new economic partners.

The Commerce Ministry and the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) made the announcement after representatives from the 22nd Asean- Australia- New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee ( FJC) Meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand, on May 26 and 31 attended the meeting.

Mr Srettha is promoting economic relations with foreign nations, seeking new funding options, and maintaining existing business relationships, he said.

Under the foundation of new financial ties, the premier said he is willing to advance Thailand’s AANZFTA cooperation in order to stay current with the changing global environment.

Thailand even pledged to support the launch of this year’s expanded AANZFTA.

The most recent completely business deals have facilitated trade restraints and tax relief. Additionally, they are anticipated to boost domestic financial cohesion while boosting financial assistance.

Additionally, discussions arose about advancing initiatives to strengthen local collaboration, increase the functions of people in businesses, and update the taxes reduction obligations that were highlighted in the agreements.

” Mr Srettha sees AANZFTA as a wonderful opportunity to lift the country’s global trading quantities”, he added.

According to the DTN, from January to April, Australia and New Zealand were ranked as Thailand’s sixth and 31st biggest trading partners both.

During that period, Thailand’s trade with Australia and New Zealand came to US$ 7.1 billion, up 0.74 % from the same period last year.

Thailand’s exports to Australia were for US$ 4.1 billion baht, an increase of 22 %. The major exports were cars, auto parts and accessories, air conditioning, and laptops and computer parts.

The government’s exports to New Zealand during the time were valued at US$ 529 million, up 17 %. Related items were most frequently exported to Thailand, similar to those to Australia.

However, Saudi Arabia has given the natural light to the transfer of life cattle, sheep and goats from Thailand, according to the business secretary.

According to Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture received the approval through the Thai and Saudi Arabian international departments.

He claimed that the live wildlife may be imported from Thailand and therefore kept and slaughtered in Saudi Arabia.

Importers and exporters you apply for business authorizations at the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture’s Naama Platform.

Mr. Phumtham claimed that prior to the Saudi Arabian Food and Drug Authority’s ( SAFDA ) approval, Thai chicken exporters could export fresh, finished, and cooked chicken to Saudi Arabia through all checkpoints.

Last year business worth between Thailand and Saudi Arabia amounted to US$ 8.79 billion, including imports from Saudi Arabia fair$ 6.13 billion.

For the first four months of this year, it was$ 2.59 billion, down by 17 % year- on- year, including 66 billion baht worth of imports from Saudi Arabia, down by 28 %. Thai exports to Saudi Arabia were estimated at$ 926 million, up 12 %.

Continue Reading

BMA, businesses join hands in dengue war

As circumstances rise, community knowledge is required.

BMA, businesses join hands in dengue war
To eliminate mosquito larvae, a dry material is sprinkled on water that has accumulated around the Thai-Japanese Stadium compound. It is a part of the City Hall’s effort to stop mosquito fever that started in March of last year. ( Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut )

As dengue fever becomes more prevalent as a result of climate change, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) and the Department of Disease Control are working together to raise awareness of the disease.

To mark Asean Dengue Day, which falls on June 15, BMA and DDC, along with Kao Industrial ( Thailand ) Co Ltd, Takeda ( Thailand ) Limited and other corporate partners, organised an event called” Dengue Heroes towards Zero Death”.

The event, which was held at Airawat Pattana building at the City Hall complex in Din Daeng, was organised to support the World Health Organization’s ( WHO ) goal of zero dengue- related deaths by 2030.

Local residents were urged to take protective measures to prevent the spread of the disease, including ensuring adequate drainage and sanitation so that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes ca n’t breed there.

Participants were advised that this is mainly crucial, especially given the shorter but more frequent bursts of rainfall that are common during the El Nino trend frequently result in pools of clear, stagnant water that mosquitoes need to breed.

Between January and May this year, almost 30, 000 cases of dengue disease were reported. Twenty-nine people have died from the illness, but according to the DDC, that amount is expected to rise to 280 by the end of the year.

Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, DDC chairman- standard, stressed the importance of public involvement in breaking the mosquito distribution pattern. ” By becoming’ mosquito champions’ in their communities, everyone is assist”, he said.

At the occasion, Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt highlighted the state’s efforts to prevent the spread of the disease, which include effective surveillance, destruction of breeding places, and society wedding. ” Our goal is to ensure everyone in the area is informed and vigilant”, he said.

The occasion was also supported by the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, Amata Plc, and CP ALL Plc.

Continue Reading

“No delay” to Senate poll result

Numerous well-known celebrities fail to pass through.

'No delay' to Senate poll result
Ittiporn: Desires for rapid probes

According to Election Commission Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, an investigation into complaints raised by the Senate election wo n’t delay the deadline for announcing the results.

He made the remarks after Sunday’s municipal- quality Senate vote. As of Sunday, the EC received 80 concerns about irregularities and collaboration at both the city and municipal levels.

Within three weeks of the election day, Mr. Ittiporn said issues may be submitted to the EC or the Supreme Court.

Of the 80 complaints, 78 were filed by candidates at the region- level Senate vote and the others stemmed from the municipal- level vote.

The majority of the 78 issues involve election laws breaches, with some candidates being accused of being hired to participate in the ballot, according to Mr. Ittiporn. &nbsp,

He stated that as scheduled, the Senate vote results may be released on July 2.

‘ ‘ No elements may delay the statement of the outcome. We will make every effort to finish an investigation into problems right away. We may ensure justice for all individuals,” the EC president said.

A full of 23, 645 candidates who passed the area- level selection process on June 9 took part in Sunday’s municipal- level vote in 77 provinces.

After Sunday’s voting, a total of 3, 080 candidates will now be shortlisted to fight for 200 votes at the regional level on June 26 at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi. On July 2, the poll results will be released.

A number of well-known candidates were unable to win the municipal election. &nbsp,

Santhana Prayoonrat, a former Special Tree officer and candidate for the Bangkok Senate election, is one of them who raised concerns that cooperation might be a factor in the Senate vote.

He said he will rush before submitting a complaint to the ballot company until the EC releases the poll results.

Another candidates who could not make it through to the nationwide- level vote include a former vote director, Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, and Sonthiya Sawasdee, a former adviser to the House committe on law, justice and human rights.

According to the 2017 law, the novel Senate to achieve the junta- appointed chamber may include 200 members selected from 20 expert groups, with 10 seats available for each group. They wo n’t be formally elected by the electorate.

Candidates choose between themselves from their own group and other professional organizations at the district, provincial, and national levels through a three-phase process led by the Election Commission (EC ).

At the district level, there was an intra-group election in which five candidates with the most votes each group took the lead in an inter-group election. In the inter- group poll, the three candidates with the highest number of votes were shortlisted per group, or 60 across 20 groups.

The shortlisted candidates went through the same selection process as they did on Sunday at the provincial level, but this time, during the inter-group poll, only the two candidates with the most votes in each group advance to the top 10 senators from each of the 20 groups.

Prior to now, caretaker senator Somchai Swangkarn claimed provincial-level voting in the Senate election would reveal that several people were hired to participate in the process just to support candidates supported by particular interests or parties. &nbsp,

Mr. Somchai claimed that there are concerted efforts to influence the outcome of the Senate election.

Continue Reading

Teachers get power to seize e-cigarettes

Teachers get power to seize e-cigarettes
In the Bang Kapi city, there is a no-smoking sign up entrance of Banbangkapi School. ( Bangkok Post report image: Varut Hirunyatheb)

To give teachers across the nation the whole legal right to seize e-cigarettes in schools, the Education Ministry has joined forces with the Commerce Ministry.

Thee&nbsp, Pawangkanan, assistant secretary- standard of the Office of the Basic Education Commission ( Obec) said the present e- smoke, baraku, and e- baraku situation among children and teenagers is troubling as students continue to bring these items to school.

Smoking electronic- smoking is harmful to their health, intellectual and emotional growth, he said.

He said although Obec works closely with authorities in protection and security, such as by raiding electronic- cigar stores near schools, it is still unable to solve the problem properly. Because they do n’t have the right to seize the item when they see students or parents visiting schools with e-cigarettes, they do so. They must request officers assistance with the spasms.

Therefore, the Education Ministry and the Commerce Ministry now have the authority to seize e-cigarettes and barakus found in schools because they violate Section 17 of the Export and Import of Goods Act ( 1979 ) together.

According to Mr. Thee, this is a proactive e-cigarette suppression measure in schools, adding that teachers wo n’t have to do more work because it is their responsibility to look after students and protect them in any way.

The government of Bangkok Chadchart Sittipunt recently directed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to make all school operations e-cigarette completely.

He gave the institutions complete authority to check individuals ‘ carriers and seize e-cigarettes, as well as to have experts educate them about the health risks associated with smoking products.

Continue Reading

Maritime route to link Trat islands with Cambodia, Vietnam

Maritime route to link Trat islands with Cambodia, Vietnam
Koh Mak in Trat territory is seen at low tide, with much beaches. ( File photo: Karnjana Karnjanatawe )

Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are working together to create a nautical link between the islands close to Trat territory, Sihanoukville province in Cambodia, and Kiên Giang province in Vietnam.

The plan is to boost trade, investment, tourism and the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions ( Mice ) industry.

At the CVTEC- Trat Business Roadshow 2024, Trat Governor Natthapong Sanguanjit just presided over a conference about the program.

The lieutenant governors of six of the three countries, as well as Thailand’s Tourism Council president Chamnan Srisawat and senior vice president Puripan Bunnag, the three countries ‘ hospitality committee members, also attended the meeting.

Mr Chamnan said the TCT has been pushing for a Cambodia- Vietnam- Thailand Economic Corridor ( CVTEC ) event, with the TCEB as a co- administrator and major partner.

Their aim is to push for the sea route linking the three states, which will create a business under the concept of” One Business, Three Destinations”, he said.

The maritime route will serve as both a wonderful tourist destination and a stunning natural and cultural destination, according to Mr. Chamnan.

Finding a way to promote tourism that connects the three countries ‘ eastern coastal locations via the sea route is crucial, according to Mr. Natthapong.

Representatives from the private and public sectors of the three countries have signed a memorandum of understanding ( MoU) to promote trade, investment, tourism, and the Mice industry in the regions along the route.

He claimed that the conference created a strategy to promote tourism and the Mice market along the sea route to advance the initiative.

According to TCEB assistant director Apichai Somboonpakorn, Thailand is available for this job, and if it succeeds, it did allow tourists to travel from Pattaya to Laem Chabang, where they will then transfer to Trat, Sihanoukville, and Kiên Giang, and vice versa.

Wiyada Suang, vice chairman of the Tourism Council of Trat state, said the coastal tourism road did available during this year’s great season in November.

Continue Reading

Chiang Mai, Phuket, Khon Kaen to vie for 2025 InterPride meet

Chiang Mai, Phuket, Khon Kaen to vie for 2025 InterPride meet
At a” Proud Pride Month” event held at Bangkok’s Mahanakhon Skywalk, Calypso Cabaret performers present their skills. The efficiency, which is co-organized by King Power, is taking place on the skywalk every Friday this quarter. ( Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut )

According to Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, chairman of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Khon Kaen may engage to sponsor the 2025 InterPride World Conference.

He claimed that the government will choose the victor on July 11 before TCEB’s request to hold the meeting in Colombia in October will be made public there.

The InterPride World Conference, an annual event that takes place every five days and features representatives from roughly 600 Pleasure organizations from 40 different nations, is a forum for discussion about the state of LGBTQ motions and exchange stories about achieving gender equality.

The event has been held 41 days since 1982, mainly in Europe and North America, but never in Asia.

The event will be the first time it will be held in Asia, according to Mr. Chiruit, if Thailand is chosen as the number next month.

He claimed Thailand’s support for sex diversity can be demonstrated by the organization’s bid to host the 2025 InterPride World Conference.

For Phuket’s arrangements, Pattanachai Singhavara, chairman of the TCEB’s southwestern region business, will boost awareness about the meeting among citizens.

Phuket is a nicely- known destination with sun, sand, sea, excellent local food and facilities to help foreign conferences.

” We hope that Phuket may remain selected”, said Mr Pattanachai.

WorldPride in 2030 is another celebration that Thailand’s government wants to network.

It is among the most important occasions for LTBGQ internationally, hosted by InterPride, said Mr Chiruit.

It did entice a large population to Thailand, which may bring in a lot of money for the nation.

He claimed that about one million people attended the WorldPride function last year in Australia, which made a sizable profit.

Mr. Chiruit, who spoke on Thailand’s preparation for the WorldPride bet, stated that the nation had made significant progress in terms of gender equality, including the passage of the Marriage Equality Law, which is anticipated to become law this yr.

Continue Reading

Thailand jumps 11 to 75th place in Global Peace Index

Thailand jumps 11 to 75th place in Global Peace Index
On July 7, 2022, two girls enjoy snow product at a home in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district’s Sam Phraeng neighborhood. Thailand jumped 11 sites in this year’s Global Peace Index. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

Thailand is now higher in the Global Peace Index, but the country is still in the middle of the pack in the most recent Global Peace Index ( GPI ) edition.

The 2024 GPI&nbsp, showed Thailand was the 75th most tranquil country, a wave of 11 holes from last year, according to the just released report.

The Institute for Economics & Peace’s ( IFEPP ) survey surveyed 163 nations and territories, which make up 99.7 % of the world’s population.

Thailand ranked in the top two spots in the institute’s social safety and security and continued domestic and international problems based on three factors. However, the nation placed in the top 20 for militarisation, citing military preparation, systems, and military might.

Thailand was only one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations individuals above the Philippines and Myanmar. Singapore was the most tranquil country in the region, followed by Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos and Cambodia. Brunei was the only Asean part who did not participate in the survey.

Singapore ranked second worldwide, while neighbouring Malaysia was in the 10th place, according to the study.

Iceland and Yemen were the least risky nations in the world, while the Middle East and North Africa were the most risky regions. ” It is home to four of the ten least tranquil countries in the world, including the two least quiet, Sudan and Yemen”, the statement said.

The report warned that the world was being threatened by more issues than it had been since the GPI’s founding in 2008, with 92 nations having engaged in more than one issue outside of their edges. The fall of middle level powers, which are becoming more active in their respective areas, is credited with contributing to the internationalization of conflict.

Continue Reading

3 vessels carrying contraband diesel found near Malaysia

3 vessels carrying contraband diesel found near Malaysia
Prior to the three of them missing, confiscated vessels were seen anchored at the sea police wharf in Chon Buri’s Sattahip area. ( Photo supplied )

According to authorities, three vessels apparently carrying 330 000 litres of illicit fuel that went missing last week from a policeman pier in Chon Buri are close to Malaysian waters.

The three boats that vanished from the sea police wharf in Chon Buri on Wednesday next year entered Vietnamese and Thai waters before being located off southwestern Thailand, according to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, assistant director of the Central Investigation Bureau, on Sunday.

Thai authorities and their neighbors worked together to compel those aboard the three vessels to turn themselves in. They are cooperative, and the potential outcome is good, according to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat.

The deputy commissioner stated that because they could n’t tolerate the theft from the marine police unit in Chon Buri, they were making an effort to follow the vessels.

According to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat, the officers officials responsible for the loss of the seized warships will face charges of dereliction of duty and causing serious harm to the authorities.

Marine police, according to Pol Maj Gen Pritthipong Nuchanart, the captain of the sea police.

He claimed that there were no checked reports that the three vessels were in Thai waters and that there were reports that they were still in the high seas close to Malaysia.

The value of the illegal oil on the three vessels was not that great, according to the sea police chief, because it had a sector price of about 3 million baht in full or about 10 to 12 baht per litre.

Because the value of the boats was estimated at about 5 million ringgit each, he did not believe the criminals who were the criminals had remove the illicit oil from the boats onto different vessels. The fuel may be stolen and the ships would be useless, according to Pol Maj Gen Pritthipong.

Three of the five modified hunting boats that were taken from an oil smuggling event were reported missing at 6am last year, according to the nearby coastal police station in Sattahip. They were moored about 100 meters from the sea police wharf in a” safe region.”

The missing boats have been identified as the J. P. with 80, 000 litres of illegal oil and seven team members, the Seahorse with 150, 000 litres of nontaxable oil and six staff, and the Daorung with 100, 000 litres of untaxed fuel and five team.

Police said that on Sunday, storms and strong winds hit Sattahip. The pier’s five confiscated vessels could not safely be anchored, so marine police ordered them to be anchored about 100 meters away.

All five vessels at the Sattahip pier had been seize in connection with oil smuggling.

Continue Reading

Thaksin irrelevant in tight Pathum Thani election race: poll

Previous leader’s visit seen having no effect on Pheu Thai member

Thaksin irrelevant in tight Pathum Thani election race: poll
During a march on Friday to rally support the Pathum Thani Provincial Administration Organization election scheduled for June 30, Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang owing attendees from a delivery vehicle. ( Photo: Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang Facebook account )

According to a poll conducted by Nida, Kamronwit Toopkrajang was only slightly ahead of his arch-rival Chan Puangpetch in the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization ( PAO ) race for the top position.

The poll released on Sunday showed that Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit received 31.87 % of the surveyed voters, while Mr. Charn received 28.68 %. Two weeks are still until the PAO chairman election in Pathum Thani.

The outcome of an election could depend on two groups of citizens. Additionally, according to the poll, 8.98 % of voters still have to choose who to cast their ballot, and 17.43 % said they would exercise their right to vote but would not support any of the candidates.

In the vote scheduled for June 30th, Pol Lt. Gen. Kamronwit and Mr. Charn are among the four candidates running for the placement of PAO president. The different two candidates are viewed as also-runs with much help in the poll.

1, 067 available citizens in Pathum Thani were asked on Tuesday and Wednesday by the National Institute of Development and Administration about their options and ideas.

Political experts say the provincial’s local election will show how influential former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been since returning to Thailand from self-exile.

The Pheu Thai Party is asking Mr Charn, a former three- day PAO chair, in a charge to get revenge on Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit, who well defeated him in the 2020 election.

Prior to the two’s split, Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit was again a police officer who was devoted to Thaksin. He previously acknowledged that the former prime minister who was convicted assisted him in rising to the position of chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. ” I have come this far because of the help from my sibling”, he again said, referring to Thaksin.

Thaksin sent a clear indication of his backing for Mr. Charn. On June 8, the former prime minister on probation presided over a religious festival in Pathum Thani’s Thanya Buri area for a child of the Thanya Buri governor, with Mr. Charn also present.

A swarm of red-shirt people waited to greet Thaksin at the location.

However, a surprising finding was that the June 8 visit to the state by Thaksin would have no effect on the surveyed electors in the June 30 vote, with almost 82 % of those who voted in favor of the candidate’s election finding that their choice may be unimportant.

The Move Forward Party swept Pheu Thai out of Pathum Thani in the federal election last month, taking only one of its seven tickets. The majority both went to Walk Forward.

Continue Reading