Young employees working regular five-day weeks told TODAY recently that they largely welcome the notion of a shorter work week. However, given that they already frequently work beyond their official hours to complete their tasks, they dread having to stretch their work days even longer to make up for theContinue Reading
COE controls car ownership in Singapore, while ERP aims to limit congestion by charging a fee to those who drive to high-traffic areas during peak hours.
If road users were charged for the distance travelled under ERP 2.0, could that be a viable alternative to COE? How would such a system work? CNA asked the experts.
ERP 2.0 can technically replace car ownership restrictions in Singapore, but there will be knock-on effects on parking and congestion, experts said.
First off, congestion would be much worse, said Associate Professor Raymond Ong of the National University of Singapore (NUS). This is especially as ERP prices may not increase much initially due to resistance from the public.
Associate Professor Walter Theseira, who teaches economics at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), said other costs associated with driving would rise if buyers no longer need to get a COE.
“Such a system would likely require much more extensive ERP charges throughout Singapore, as well as substantially higher charges to control congestion,” he said, pointing to London’s congestion charge of £15 (S$25) a day.
By comparison, the most expensive ERP charge at a single gantry in Singapore is S$6.
In theory, the new ERP system means the authorities can dynamically change the price being charged and where the virtual “gantries” are, said Dr Terence Fan, an assistant professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at Singapore Management University.
A virtual gantry could be set up overnight just by changing something in the system, he said. “When we go through that particular point, even though there’s nothing there, automatically the drivers will be charged.”
He gave the example of traffic jams along Orchard Road during the year-end season when Christmas lights are on display.
“They can dynamically adjust the gantry and say well, they’re going to start by charging S$40 to enter, or even S$100 to deter people from going into it,” said Asst Prof Fan. But he added that road users would want advance notice of such changes.
Another problem is the lack of parking space if Singapore’s car population increases in response to the removal of the COE system, said Assoc Prof Theseira.
Some Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and private residential estates are “already straining at the seams with insufficient car park provision”, he said.
“It’s likely that implicit controls on vehicle ownership would simply shift to parking controls instead.”
Invitees discuss novel ways of recycling
PUBLISHED : 25 Sep 2023 at 04:52
The weekend’s sixth Sustainability Expo (SX) Talk Series highlighted a number of projects set to be showcased in the Sustainability Expo 2023 (SX2023) at the end of this month.
The “Sustainability for Better Me, Better Living, and Better Community” chat event was held on Saturday at Samyan Mitrtown and served as a pilot for SX2023, the largest sustainability event in the Asean region, which begins on Friday and runs until Oct 8 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
At the forum, there were booths to showcase sustainable ideas from ThaiBev Can, a leading aluminium cans and ends manufacturer, Fashion Revolution Thailand, Oishi and Warrix Spots.
Warrix Sports showcased its clothing upcycling campaign called “Change”, said the company CEO Wisan Wanasaksrisakul. He said the company has a mission to make its employees and customers happy to care for the environment. To help reduce plastic waste, the company produces sports clothes made of fabric produced from Polyethylene terephthalate or PET bottles and also has an upcycling campaign in which it encourages participants at its running events to “turn in” their unworn running clothes for recycling.
The company also came up with football shirts made from 100% recyclable material which were donated to the National Football Team for the players to wear in the 2023–2024 season, said Mr Wisan.
Kitiya Santaveesuk, Head of Sustainability at Thai Beverage Can Co Ltd, said that the company participates in the expo every year not only for an eye-opening experience but also to check if its sustainable projects are moving in the right direction. The more the company participate in the event, the better ideas it has, she said.
SX2023 is an annual expo that encourages visitors to participate in and work on sustainable practices and knowledge through a series of power-packed seminars, innovation, activities and goods.
No public vote on proposed drafts
PUBLISHED : 25 Sep 2023 at 04:48
Any new constitution draft may be fine-tuned to cancel the requirement for referendums on possible amendments, according to former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
He was speaking after the committee drawing up a referendum on a charter rewrite announced it was limiting the number of members to no more than 30 lawmakers and people from various professions.
Mr Wissanu, a well-known legal expert, said on Sunday he agreed with the government’s plan to be selective in terms of which sections of the charter to amend.
Changes may be made to many sections at the same time. However, a referendum will need to be conducted if changes are made to Chapters 1, 2 and 15, he said.
Chapter 1 contains sections defining Thailand as a single, indivisible kingdom with a democratic regime and the King as the head of state.
Chapter 2 stipulates sections pertaining to royal prerogatives.
Chapter 15 pertains to the changes to the powers and duties of the independent agencies.
The government has already announced it will leave Chapters 1 and 2 untouched.
Mr Wissanu said that since any changes to Section 15 may affect the powers and duties of independent agencies, amendments in such areas should be avoided for the time being.
No referendum is compulsory for alterations to Section 3 on people’s rights and freedom, Section 4 on the state’s duties, Section 5 on the duties of the people, Section 6 on the state policies, Section 7 on parliament, Section 8 on the cabinet, Section 9 on conflicts of interest and Section 10 on the courts.
There would also be no need to organise a referendum on future amendments if the upcoming changes remove the requirement, Mr Wissanu said.
The referendum requirement is contained in Section 256.
Mr Wissanu added that two referendums are to be conducted under the current plan.
First, voters must decide if they want the charter to be rewritten and, after the amendment is drafted, a second referendum will gauge whether to adopt it.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party acting leader Jurin Laksanawisit said he opposed using the abrogated 1997 constitution as a prototype, saying it gives too much power to the executive branch and inhibits the opposition’s ability to keep tabs on the government’s work.
Major tourism cities expect to see a rise in the number of Chinese tourists when the visa-free scheme for this segment of international arrivals kicks off on Monday.
Announced in the Royal Gazette last week after gaining cabinet approval on Sept 13, nationals of China and Kazakhstan can apply for up to 30 days of visa-free stay in the kingdom until Feb 29 next year.
The policy to woo back major international tourist segments is aimed at “quick win” tourism stimulation by easing entry restrictions to boost tourist numbers and give the economy a shot in the arm.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will arrange a ceremony to welcome the first group of visa-free tourists on Monday at four major international airports across the country: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
The ceremony will include a welcoming billboard and cultural performances. The tourists will also be presented with jasmine garlands and elephant-motif pants, a popular souvenir.
In Chiang Mai, Suladda Sarutilawan, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai Office, said the province expected 164 Chinese passengers on its first two visa-free flights.
The TAT Office expected the number of Chinese tourists to Chiang Mai will jump from the 130,000 of the past eight months to 280,000 for the whole year.
If the target is achieved, it will represent a rebound of 20% or 1.2 million Chinese visitors to Chiang Mai from pre-pandemic numbers, according to Ms Suladda.
Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai, Provincial Police Region 5 commissioner, said officers will also look out for criminals trying to use the scheme to gain entry.
So far this year, Chiang Mai Airport has welcomed 143,225 Chinese visitors, bringing 1.387 billion baht in revenue to the province.
PUBLISHED : 25 Sep 2023 at 04:30
The Royal Thai Army is looking into the disappearance of over 200,000 litres of diesel fuel from its depot in Saraburi last year, an army spokeswoman said yesterday.
The move came after a report published by ThaiPBS said 215,897 litres of B7 diesel fuel went missing from a facility under the 18th Military Circle there.
Maj Gen Sirichan Ngathong, a deputy spokeswoman for the army, said a special team would look into alleged irregular usage of diesel fuel at the Ordnance Material Rebuild Centre between August and September last year.
The army typically sends its in-house audit teams to check on important supplies, such as fuel oils, explosives, weapons and ammunition stored on bases nationwide.
The army became aware of the findings in ThaiPBS’s report in May this year, and a preliminary investigation was launched in June, she said. Maj Gen Sirichan said the army will speed up its investigation.
Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, said the army owes the public an explanation. “It didn’t just evaporate,” he said.
Jirat Thongsuwan, also an MFP MP, said the Defence Ministry received a high score of 94.91 out of 100 in the Integrity and Transparency Assessment against Corruption in State Agencies report by the National Anti-Corruption Commission this year.
As such it must strive to make the investigation transparent, he said.
PUBLISHED : 25 Sep 2023 at 04:30
The Lawyers Council of Thailand expects to start filing lawsuits free of charge for victims of the firework warehouse explosion in Narathiwat from next week.
Wichien Chubthaisong, president of the council, said about 50 volunteer lawyers were gathering documents from victims to prepare for their lawsuits against a couple who owned the warehouse and seven companies that smuggled fireworks and illegally kept the merchandise there near the border with Malaysia.
The assistance was intended to cover the cases of 11 people killed in the warehouse blast near the Muno market in Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat on July 29 as well as 389 injured people, 649 damaged houses and three devastated schools. Damage caused was about 240 million baht.
“The information is complete. Some lawsuits should be filed next week,” Mr Wichien said.
The couple who owned the illegal warehouse were identified as Piyanuch Puengwirawat and her husband Sompong Nakul, both 42. They surrendered to police early last month.
Among the victims, Hilwanee Yuso said she was grateful to the Lawyers Council of Thailand for helping locals, who would be otherwise unable to sue on their own.
PUBLISHED : 25 Sep 2023 at 04:30
The Royal Thai Army is looking into the disappearance of over 200,000 litres of diesel fuel from its facility in Saraburi last year, an army spokeswoman said yesterday.
The move came after a report published by ThaiPBS claimed 215,897 litres of B7 diesel fuel went missing from a unit under the 18th Military Circle there.
Maj Gen Sirichan Ngathong, a deputy spokeswoman for the army, said a special team would look into alleged irregular usage of diesel fuel at the Ordnance Material Rebuild Centre between August and September last year.
The army typically sends its in-house audit teams to check on important supplies, such as fuel oils, explosives, weapons and ammunition stored on bases nationwide.
The army became aware of the findings in ThaiPBS’s report in May this year, and a preliminary investigation was launched in June, she said. Maj Gen Sirichan said the army will speed up its investigation.
Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, said the army owes the public an explanation. “It didn’t just evaporate,” he said.
Jirat Thongsuwan, also an MFP MP, said the Defence Ministry received a high score of 94.91 out of 100 in the Integrity and Transparency Assessment against Corruption in State Agencies report by the National Anti-Corruption Commission this year.
As such it must strive to make the investigation transparent, he said.
Major companies set to invest US$5bn
Thailand can expect to receive at least US$5 billion in investments from Tesla, Google and Microsoft in the coming years, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Sunday.
He announced the pledges in Bangkok after attending the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week.
On the sidelines of the summit, Mr Srettha also met top executives from leading companies to get them to invest in the kingdom.
“Tesla is looking at building an EV [electric vehicle] manufacturing facility, while Microsoft and Google are looking at establishing data centres,” he said upon arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday, though he stopped short of fleshing out the figure.
Tesla, Google and Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The prime minister is keen to court foreign investments in an effort to boost Thailand’s flagging economy, which is expected to grow just 2.8% this year — less than previously projected — due to weaker exports.
In the US last week, Mr Srettha spoke with Tesla CEO Elon Musk about the prospects of the EV sector.
Thailand, Asia’s fourth-largest automobile assembly hub, has been offering incentives to EV and battery makers to establish a production base in the country.
At the same time, it is offering tax cuts for local EV buyers, in a bid to become the region’s leading EV market.
Mr Srettha also told the waiting press that he is planning to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Meeting, which is set to take place in San Francisco in November.
At the meeting, the premier, who will be accompanied by Thai business figures, plans to meet executives from other leading global companies to discuss investment opportunities both in the US and Thailand.
“If foreign companies want to set up branches in Thailand, they will also need financial support.
“International investors need a liaison who is well-versed in financial affairs,” Mr Srettha said.
He said he also met representatives from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to discuss the possibility of publicly listing Thai companies in the US.
“We’ve never had a Thai company on the NYSE. I hope that at least one Thai company will be listed there this year,” Mr Srettha said.
Asked if there are any laws that pose hurdles to foreign investment, Mr Srettha said: “Nothing in particular. But we have not done business with some countries in a long time, so some companies have concerns about investing in Thailand.
“Standard rules [regarding the conduct of business] are already in place. But we may have to look at them in detail and fine-tune them,” he said.
While Mr Srettha appeared upbeat about the investment pledges, Tawisant Lonanurak, a former secretary-general of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s northeastern chapter, said major foreign companies have to carefully consider many factors before deciding to invest abroad.
“They will not rush to invest just because they were invited to do so,” he said, noting investors will take into account a country’s political stability, taxes and rule of law before deciding to jump in.
“Thailand is plagued with political instability and corruption. Often, foreign investors have to pay kickbacks to agencies, in return for the ease of doing business.
“Currently, international investments are slowing down because investors worldwide are struggling with the global economic slowdown.
“But if the prime minister can convince a few of the world’s leading companies to invest in Thailand, that will be great,” Mr Tawisant said.
He also stressed the need for the government to prioritise the negotiation of more free trade agreements with Thailand’s trading partners worldwide; otherwise, he said, they will move their investment elsewhere.
The storming of a north Kosovo monastery has thrown attention on persistent trouble in the ethnic Serbian-majority region 15 years after Pristina declared independence. Here are facts about the unrest. WHAT IS BEHIND THE FRICTION? Independence for ethnic Albanian-majority Kosovo came on Feb 17, 2008, almost a decade after aContinue Reading