Council approves big BMA debt fufilment budget
PUBLISHED: 23 Nov 2024 at 06: 10
The Bangkok Metropolitan Council has approved the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s request for a 14.54 billion-baht budget to pay Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain’s operator, Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc ( BTS ).
Bangkok’s governor Chadchart Sittipunt presented a draft ordinance for an additional$ 14.54 billion baht budget allocation for the 2025 fiscal year at a council meeting on Friday.
According to a decision from the Supreme Administrative Court in July, the funds are intended to settle outstanding obligations related to the operation and maintenance of the BTS Green Line.
As of Nov 1, the BMA’s financial resources for the 2025 governmental month amounted to 81.43 billion baht, with unfettered cash totalling 38.3 billion ringgit.
While this allocation will address a part of the city’s economic duty, council Napapol Jirakul, representing Bangkok Noi area, pointed out that the BMA’s total liabilities are around 40 billion rmb, incurring daily interest charges of 7 million baht.
He emphasized that paying off the interest on the loan may save more than 100 million baht, which could be diverted to other development tasks.
A 24-member ad-hoc committee was set up to evaluate the law after the council unanimously approved Mr. Chadchart’s proposal by a majority of 37 members. To finalize the document, the committee has 45 days to explicit and a 10-day time for amendments.
The government claimed that the Supreme Administrative Court had already decided to dismiss more appeals because the NACC’s studies had already been taken into account in its discussion.
But, requests for information on the observations from the NACC were denied.
Govt approves big BMA debt fufilment budget
PUBLISHED: 23 Nov 2024 at 06: 10
The Bangkok Metropolitan Council ( BMC) has approved the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s ( BMA ) request for a 14.54-billion-baht budget for paying the debt owed to Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc ( BTSC), the operator of the BTS Skytrain.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt presented a draft ordinance for an additional$ 14.54 billion baht budget allocation at a meeting held on Friday by the BMC.
According to a decision from the Supreme Administrative Court in July, the funds are intended to settle outstanding obligations related to the operation and maintenance of the BTS Green Line.
As of Nov 1, the BMA’s financial resources for the 2025 governmental month amounted to 81.43 billion baht, with unfettered money totalling 38.3 billion ringgit.
While this allocation will address a part of the city’s economic duty, BMC part Napapol Jirakul, representing Bangkok Noi area, pointed out that the BMA’s total liabilities are around 40 billion rmb, incurring everyday interest charges of 7 million baht.
He emphasized that paying off the interest on the loan may save more than 100 million baht, which could be diverted to other development tasks.
A 24-member ad-hoc committee was established to examine the law after the BMC unanimously approved Mr. Chadchart’s proposal by a majority vote of 37 users. To finalize the document, the committee has 45 days to explicit and a 10-day time for amendments.
Mr. Chadchart claimed that the Supreme Administrative Court has now decided to dismiss further appeals because it already had to do so.
But, requests for information on the results from the NACC were denied.
Govt willing to explain agreement’s benefits
PUBLISHED: 23 Nov 2024 at 05: 58
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra demands that the government support a Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Cambodia regarding their intersecting maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand.
A joint technical committee (JTC ) is expected to be formed this month, she said.
Mr Paetongtarn on Friday responded to a complaint submitted by Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, deputy director of the Thai Pakdee Party, and a group of patriots, calling for the replacing of the MoU.
Sompas Nilphan, a management advisor to the PM’s office’s continuous minister, received the complaint.
The 2001 Thai-Cambodian Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU 44 ), which serves as the framework for discussions about Thailand and Cambodia’s overlapping claims to the continental shelf, should be canceled, according to Dr. Warong in the petition.
He claimed that the withdrawal had safeguard Thai sea resources.
The organization claimed in the complaint that negotiations should only be supported if they are supported by international law.
The group demanded that Phnom Penh’s government fully adhere to the 1982 treaty establishing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS ) first and that Cambodia be accused of deliberatingly drawing maritime boundaries.
The petition urges the Thai authorities to refuse to share the benefits of nautical power exploration in the contested area, fearing that this will result to Thailand losing its maritime territory.
Dr. Warong claimed that the current government had often resisted criticism of Cambodia during the earlier JTCs and that they had been ineffective.
He also challenged the state to a public discussion, saying its one-sided tale has caused distress.
Responding to Dr Warong’s complaint, Ms Paetongtarn said:” We did not share places, but we share common interests in terms of healthy oil”.
Sharing rewards is a crucial issue that we must examine based on the MoU, according to Ms. Paetongtarn.
She even questioned the plaintiffs ‘ motivations for wanting to withdraw the MoU.
She emphasized that there will be conversations and the important theories regarding the matter, and that a new JTC may be established this month.
Government willing to explain agreement’s benefits
PUBLISHED: 23 Nov 2024 at 05: 58
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra demands that the government support a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) between Thailand and Cambodia regarding their overlapping maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand.
A joint technical committee (JTC ) is expected to be formed this month, she said.
Mr Paetongtarn on Friday responded to a complaint submitted by Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom, deputy director of the Thai Pakdee Party, and a group of patriots, calling for the replacing of the MoU.
Sompas Nilphan, a management advisor to the PM’s office’s continuous minister, received the complaint.
The 2001 Thai-Cambodian Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU 44 ), which serves as the framework for discussions about Thailand and Cambodia’s overlapping claims to the continental shelf, should be canceled, according to Dr. Warong in the petition.
He claimed that the withdrawal had safeguard Thai sea sources.
The organization claimed in the complaint that negotiations should only be supported if they are supported by international law.
The group demanded that Phnom Penh’s government fully adhere to the 1982 treaty establishing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS ) first and that Cambodia be accused of deliberatingly drawing maritime boundaries.
The petition urges the Thai authorities to refuse to share the benefits of nautical power exploration in the contested area, fearing that this will result to Thailand losing its maritime territory.
Dr. Warong claimed that the current government had often resisted criticism of Cambodia during the earlier JTCs and that they had been ineffective.
He also challenged the state to a public discussion, saying its one-sided tale has caused distress.
Responding to Dr Warong’s complaint, Ms Paetongtarn said:” We did not share places, but we share common interests in terms of natural oil”.
Sharing gains is a crucial issue that we must examine based on the MoU, according to Ms. Paetongtarn.
She even questioned the plaintiffs ‘ motivations for wanting to withdraw the MoU.
She emphasized that there will be debate and the important theories regarding the matter, and that a new JTC may be established this month.
Ex-PM proposes reforms amid global shifts
Central company’s focus’ stalled development ‘
Thailand should be prepared for political change, according to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has proposed financial reform.
At the Ritz Carlton in Bangkok on Thursday evening, Thaksin gave a speech at the Forbes Global CEO Conference.
Now in its 22nd season, the meeting convenes world-leading CEOs, tycoons, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to discuss important issues of global issue and develop new partnerships.
During the episode and Gala Dinner Session, Thaksin was invited to have a one-on-one speech with Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media.
The former prime minister suggested that the Thai government be prepared for upcoming political conundrums by proposing a number of economic reforms to boost Thailand’s market.
Thailand’s central bank was extremely concerned about the country’s economic problems, according to Thaksin, who claimed the government’s business had not improved significantly over the previous ten years.
He claimed that as a result, some commercial lenders under the control of the central bank did not lend to small businesses and those in need, leading to a lack of cash flow in the nation.
Thus, the central bank is simply duty-bound to oversee the commercial lenders, he said.
They should n’t have been overly protective, he claimed, which might have helped to boost foreign currency.
The central banks is an independent body, but it occasionally needs to speak up and interact with business interests to understand their problems.
” Besides, the central bank requires practical solutions to increase the cash flow in Thailand”, he said.
Thaksin said Thai businesses, regardless of size, want to reassess their business model.
Because of the increased competition in the economy, he claimed they may have fresh ideas, like using technology to support their work. The Taiwanese e-commerce program Temu and how it gained popularity were finally given as examples.
Plus, the government must safeguard local businesses as it seeks to attract more foreign investment. For instance, the government lately instituted a taxation policy for foreign investors who invest in Thailand, he said.
When Thaksin inquired about Thailand’s plan to construct a land bridge to connect the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, Thaksin said that the country should prioritize constructing a area bridge otherwise.
‘ ‘ We need to have engagement from the exclusive market in the building ]of that land bridge], in which they need to be concerned about the business validity while worried about the government’s benefit”, he added.
In politics, Thaksin was asked his opinion about what would happen if US President-elect Donald Trump imposed 10 % taxes on imported goods to the US and up to 60 % tariffs on Chinese products.
He claimed that US consumers may be forced to spend more for imported goods if Mr. Trump raises these taxes.
At the same time, if the US-China business war intensifies, Thaksin suggested that Thailand does expect more companies to come to the country.
He argued that Thailand needs strong tax incentives to entice more foreign investments from different global markets.
Additionally, he claimed that this financial union would help rebalance international funds within the next five times as Brics become more prevalent.
Brics is an international organisation comprising nine nations– Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brics was founded to recognize different investment opportunities at its beginning.
He noted that Asean needs to be more unified by having the same level of consensus as” One Asean,” despite Thailand’s participation in the regional frameworks Asean and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC ).
‘ ‘ Apec may allow small economic people to have the opportunity to obtain larger areas ]which may help them to grow faster], “he added.
New ambulance traffic priority system for life-threatening cases activated 76 times in three months
When an emergency is within 200m of these intersections, its on-board system may be activated. The ambulance’s traffic lights will then be switched on due to the technology.
The afflicted traffic light junctions continue to operate normally with the same sequence of lights, but with shorter certain phases as the concern system is activated.
It will be used solely in lethal cases, said SCDF.
During the first step, roads technology was installed in the vicinity of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, which lies within the “response limit” of the two fireplace facilities.
HOW IT HAS HELPED Clients
The customers goal system, according to paramedics, is crucial in serious situations.
The program was successful for professional Sharon Tan in a case involving a woman who was in her 50s in September.
In about six hours, the unconscious woman was transported from a Jurong West space board to the clinic, which is faster than the , typical day for that way.
” I find that the ( traffic priority system ) is quite beneficial in terms of pre-hospital care”, explained SGT3 Tan. It makes it possible for us to get to the doctor as quickly as possible. For these kinds of situations, especially when it involves an instrument like the spirit, every minute counts.
Upon arriving at the hospital, the unconscious girl regained her pulse.
Trials were conducted at prospects crossings close to NTFGH and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital due to step 1, which showed “environ 30 to 100 hours per transfer” were indicated.
In the second phase, on-board products may be installed for all other SCDF vehicles.
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Changi General Hospital, and National University Hospital will also be covered by the new program. By the end of the second third of 2025, this is expected to be finished.
By the third quarter of the following year, all remaining public hospitals will be included in the final stage.
By 2026, the , customers focus program is expected to be completely rolled out. This will include the outfitting of all SCDF disaster ambulances and 47 customers junctions that serve all nine public hospitals.
What are the positives and negatives as Malaysian PM Anwar’s government marks two years in power?
In the statement, Muhammadyiddin Yassin and Najib Razak ranked fourth and fifth, both.  ,
According to the report,” Leaders like Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Mahathir Mohamad made more significant improvement within comparable time frames,” adding that even Mr. Anwar’s performance was subpar in comparison to that of Najib’s first expression despite his administration’s position at the bottom due to Najib’s subsequent steps in undermining important organizations for his political gain during his second term.  ,
” The Unity Government’s optimistic and progressive view has slowed reform momentum and diminished people confidence”, added the document.
A post-election coalition government, according to Mr. Ooi, should not be an excuse to break all reform commitments, noting that BN and PH shared four key promises that have n’t fully been broken.  ,
He claimed that legislative scrutiny of significant appointments at public institutions like the MACC and EC was one of the common guarantees made by both coalitions in their manifestos. However, this has not yet been the case.
In May of this year, Mr. Baki was reappointed as MACC’s key director without going through legislative attention.  ,
In Jan. 2022, Rafizi Ramli, secretary of economy, claimed that some of the MACC’s actions against PH were political harassment and that he would be interrogated if the government was created.  ,
Election proposals are bound even when parties form coalitions. Partnerships may be formed to expand and accomplish these goals, not to set them aside”, said Mr Ooi.  ,
Following the 15th General Election, which failed to produce a clear win and ended in a hung parliament, Mr. Anwar was sworn in as prime minister on November 24, 2022.  ,  ,
He leads a unity government comprising Pakatan Harapan ( PH), previous ruling coalition Barisan Nasional ( BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah ( GRS ) and Parti Warisan ( Warisan ) among others.  ,
Some of the government’s plans and ideas have likewise drawn criticism.  ,
Malaysia is being” smoking backward,” according to Ms. Sophie Lemière, an adjunct fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies ‘ Southeast Asia Program. Among the proposed reforms are the” Mufti bill,” amendments to its citizenship bills, and other proposed changes.
In an article published on November 1, she stated that” the security of the state and the present desperate need for financial recovery are the repetitive political arguments that justification cooperating with existing energy structures while satisfying the most liberal segments of society,” even if that means compromising civic liberties.  ,
The” Mufti Bill” aims to define the role and responsibilities of the Islamic jurors in the Federal Territories, which include Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.  ,
Mr. Anwar told the legislature on Thursday that the government was still in its early stages and was improve over time as a result of BERSIH’s marking.  ,
” About BERSIH’s ( rating ), it’s okay if they want to give us a ‘ D’. At least it’s not an’ F’. ( If in UPSR ) we get a’ D’, later during SPM we should get an’ A’. ( Because ) we are still very new”, he was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini.  ,
The SPM is the same as the O-levels test taken by fifth-year secondary school students, but the UPSR refers to the today discontinued open exam for major students.  ,
Healthcare costs are rising in Singapore. Is there really nothing we can do about it?
Press Factors FOR Clinics
The largest percentage of Singapore’s medical expenses, at 60 per share, is the cost of labor.
And a lack of labor is pushing up pay, said Wong Soo Min, the party chief financial officer of the National University Health System, which manages NUH, AH, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and National University Polyclinics, among other medical institutions.
Drugs, products and data technology-related costs account for the remaining 40 per cent of medical expenses. ” With prices as well as higher logistics and supply chain charges, we do notice higher drug charges”, she added.
Hospitals are under pressure from higher operating expenses, but medical officials are looking into proactive cost management strategies.
One of the things they are doing is” switching from marketed to general drugs, with the same efficacy”, said Wong.
She cited two instances where the change has resulted in 20 % benefits for the patient, both cholesterol and high blood pressure medications. She continued,” And this is also reflected in the amount that the person pays.”
In terms of workforce productivity, technology provides yet another set of options. For instance, AH is testing wearable technology on beds and intelligent wards to monitor patients while using smart sensors.
Commentary: US bribery case against Indian tycoon Adani is bad news for Modi
POTENTIAL FOR A FULL-BLOWN DOMESTIC SCANDAL
India may experience the same repercussions as the event. So much it’s generally Gandhi pounding the furniture. For regional opposition leaders, Adani’s link with Modi has n’t exactly been a hot-button issue.
In a recent report in August, Hindenburg claimed that Madhabi Puri Buch, the head of the Securities and Exchange Board of India ( SEBI ), had a potential conflict of interest, leaving questions about the validity of SEBI’s ongoing investigation into Adani.
The SEBI key skipped a scheduled look before a lawmakers ‘ committee in October, and Buch and the controller denied the allegations.
But the new US costs change everything. Since at least March of last year, when Federal Bureau of Investigation agencies served Sagar with a search warrant in the US, the accusation claims Adani has kept the “bribery system” a secret from investors and financial owners.
Bribery is anything every politician understands, despite the fact that concepts like conflicts of interest and alleged securities laws breaches require a small amount of financial education. About US$ 228 million, the DOJ says, was offered to just one man, identified in the courtroom issuing as Foreign Official# 1 from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
There’s lots here for a full-blown home incident. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party may wonder how long it may help a prime minister who is 74 years old if the investigation drags on into the poll in 2029.
In other words, Gandhi’s intelligence to stick to the reported Modi-Adani connection as a talking point in election activities may have been vindicated. In a press event Thursday, the Congress Party president called for Buch’s treatment and Adani’s arrest.
While the DOJ accusation came too late to influence the ballot in Maharashtra, it may yet put a longer darkness- both on India’s national elections, and relationships with Washington next month.
Experts in medicine and public health honoured
PUBLISHED: 23 Nov 2024 at 04: 45
On Thursday, the names of the two medical and public health honoreees of the Prince Mahidol Award this year were revealed.
This week’s Prince Mahidol Award in healthcare goes to Biology Prof Dr Tony Hunter, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and Alternative Professor, University of California in the US. Dr. Jonathan P. Shepherd, the director of the Institute for Crime, Security, and Justice Innovation at Cardiff University in the UK, was the recipient of the other nomination for public health.
Prof. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, vice president of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, and Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, head of the global award council of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, announced the 33rd Prince Mahidol Award Laureates for 2024 on Thursday.
Shepherd: Wins in open heath
According to the charity’s website, Prof. Dr. Hunter’s notable study accomplishments included his knowledge of phosphorylation and tyrosine kinase enzymes. The government’s well-being is greatly improved by the use of such study, and it has also helped to advance cancer research and treatment internationally.
The” Cardiff Model for Violence Prevention” was developed and put into practice, which was Prof. Dr. Shepherd’s notable accomplishment.
His study has identified a link between the great individual volumes in hospital emergency departments and the intensity of violent crime issues. According to the study, 75 % of these situations are undetected to law enforcement and government.
Therefore, a data connection was established between hospitals and the officers to assess frequent occurrence locations, times, and the level and types of violence. This led to the creation of the unit, which was used for planning crime prevention.
In consequence, there were significantly lower patient numbers in need of emergency room services by 42 %, lowering significantly healthcare costs related to injuries.