National Telecom investigating new business opportunities
State telecom enterprise National Telecom (NT) is eager to join the smart meter project operated by Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) by providing the two state enterprises with data communications services. According to the state enterprise, creating new revenue streams is one of its critical goals this year. New chairman Nattapon Nattasomboon said NT approached MEA and PEA regarding their guidelines for the development of the smart meter project. Mr Nattapon said NT would optimise its 700-megahertz spectrum network capacity to provide the connectivity to support the smart meter project. Telecom operators have to pay a rental fee to the single last mile provider at the standard rate.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2024 13:04 UTC
Govt military budget slammed
"But when I look at the Defence Ministry's budget allocations, I wonder whether the armed forces will be able to reshape themselves," he said. He said the Defence Ministry has requested 198 billion baht, an increase of 3.8 billion baht from the 2023 fiscal year. A breakdown of budget spending shows that spending on military personnel alone was increasing every year and was now 55% of the total, and in particular, the army has spent about 64% of the total budget, he said. According to sources, the Defence Ministry's budget allocations were often slashed during past economic crises. Mr Aekkarat also criticised the Defence Ministry's secret budget, saying the law does not allow parliament to scrutinise this budget.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2024 10:05 UTC
Government defends 20-baht fares
A sign promotes the 20-baht flat fare now in effect on Red Line trains at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. The two rail lines are therefore expected to start making profits soon, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Thursday. Before the 20-baht flat-rate fare was introduced, the two rail lines were losing about 6.9 million baht per day, said Mr Suriya. The Red Line is operated by the State Railway of Thailand, which already has debts exceeding 200 billion baht. They are the two most heavily used rail lines in the capital.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 05, 2024 04:42 UTC
PTT sets up logistics venture to tap BRI
PTT sets up logistics venture to tap BRIThe pilot transportation of agricultural goods from Thailand to China's Chengdu by rail. GML aims to help develop Thailand into a regional logistics hub to connect the local logistics system with global logistics networks, said Chansak Chuenchom, PTT's senior executive vice-president for engineering and infrastructure and chairman of GML. GML aims to transport goods through the rail system under the BRI that connects China with Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. The company partners with Pan-Asia Silk Road, a logistics and cargo transport company, to transport goods via Laos to southern China. "Using a rail system for freight transport can save 20% of costs compared to road transport.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 04, 2024 12:00 UTC
Key reforms needed in Thailand
Bold reforms are now needed to make the recovery more solid and inclusive, according to a new report by the Organisation for Co-operation and Development (OECD). Private consumption is projected to remain strong, despite the gradual phase-out of government relief measures and high levels of household debt. Further policy action to raise productivity will be key to support convergence towards higher income levels amid a declining working-age population. Recent developments have high- lighted the need for Thailand to build a more comprehensive social safety net to support vulnerable households. Stronger incentives are needed for both domestic and foreign investment in higher energy efficiency, renewables and green innovation.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 03, 2024 11:40 UTC
Yellow alert: Another monorail mishap
Wheel falls off Yellow Line train and hits taxi, just 9 days after Pink Line conductor rail incidentPolice inspect the wheel that fell from a Yellow Line monorail train on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakan on Tuesday night. (Screenshot from Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda Kamakorn Khao Facebook page)A wheel fell off a Yellow Line monorail train and hit a taxi on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakan on Tuesday evening. It was reported that the Yellow Line service continued and the damaged train had already entered its depot. The 30.4-kilometre MRT Yellow Line serves Bangkok and Samut Prakan, with 23 stations along the Lat Phrao and Srinakarin Road corridors. The Yellow Line is operated by Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co Ltd and the Pink Line by Northern Bangkok Monorail Co Ltd.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 03, 2024 05:50 UTC
Booze tax cuts approved to spur tourism
(Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)The cabinet has approved tax cuts on alcoholic beverages, with wine prices set to fall significantly, in order to boost tourism. As well, the excise tax on entertainment venues would be halved to 5% of gross revenue to help operators still feeling the after-effects of the pandemic. The figure included 64.17 billion baht from alcoholic beverages, 86.5 billion from beer and 26.95 billion baht from other beverages. The current excise tax structure is divided into two tiers. However, excise tax is also applied to the volume and degree of alcohol.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 02, 2024 19:22 UTC
Rescuers rush to reach survivors of Japan's quake
At least 30 people were killed after a powerful earthquake hit Japan on New Year's Day, with rescue teams on Tuesday (January 2) struggling to reach isolated areas where buildings had been toppled, roads wrecked and power cut to tens of thousands of homes.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 02, 2024 07:38 UTC
2024: the year it got (really) hot
But 2023 ended up at around +1.4°C, with huge wildfires, massive floods and storms, killer heat waves -- and Dr Hansen says 2024, with the El Niño boost, will be much worse. Then after the El Niño finishes, it will drop back -- but it's not going to drop all the way back to 1.2°. Dr Mann responded to Dr Hansen's paper within a few days of its publication in November. Neither is very optimistic about our ability to deal with the climate threat: even Dr Mann, dismissing Dr Hansen's arguments, says "It's bad enough already." Dr Hansen has been kind enough to give us a tool.
Source:Bangkok Post
January 01, 2024 03:11 UTC
Malaysians and Chinese top foreign arrivals in 2023
Malaysians and Chinese top foreign arrivals in 2023Thais and Malaysians worship deities in Hat Yai district of Songkhla during the Vegetarian Festival in October. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Thailand welcomed more than 27 million visitors this year with Malaysians forming the biggest group, followed by those from China, according to a government spokesman. Spokesman Chai Wacharonke said that from Jan 1 to Dec 24, there were 27.25 million visitors. The figure met the government's target of 25-28 million visitors for 2023. Next year the government intends to raise revenue to 3.5 trillion baht with tourism stimulus measures nationwide.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 31, 2023 19:18 UTC
NGV prices capped for up to 2 years
NGV prices capped for up to 2 yearsProtesters hold up a sign bemoaning the price of natural gas for public transport vehicles. Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga wrote on Facebook on Sunday that the measure came in response to a petition from truck, bus and taxi drivers last month asking for help as market prices for natural gas for vehicles (NGV) exceeded 20 baht per kilogramme. For buses in other provinces, PTT's NGV price will be 18.59 baht/kg until Dec 31, 2025. The state-run company is to cap sales of NGV at 12,000 baht per month for taxis and 10,000-40,000 baht per month for buses of different sizes. For other vehicles, the NGV price will be capped at 19.59 baht/kg from Jan 1 to May 15, 2024.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 31, 2023 13:38 UTC
Flooded tunnel near London disrupts Eurostar train
Flooding in a railway tunnel near London forced the cancellation of more than a dozen trains linking Britain with the European mainland early on Saturday (December 30), international rail operator Eurostar said. Daniel, a passenger travelling to Paris said not many information has been given while they wait at London's St. - REUTERS
Source:Bangkok Post
December 31, 2023 04:49 UTC
Day 1: 34 dead in New Year road accidents
(Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)Thirty-four people were killed and 335 injured in road accidents nationwide on Friday, the first day of the government’s road safety campaign. A total of 339 road accidents were reported on Friday, said Chotenarin Kerdsom, deputy permanent secretary for the Ministry of Interior, citing figures from the Road Safety Directing Centre. Those aged 20 to 29 accounted for the highest number of injuries or deaths by age group. Khon Kaen in the Northeast registered the highest number of road accidents at 24 and the highest number of injuries at 23. During the “seven dangerous days” between Dec 29, 2022 and Jan 4, 2023, a total of 2,440 road accidents were reported, with 317 dead and 2,437 injured.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 30, 2023 22:13 UTC
Flooding disaster death toll rises to 12
Flooding disaster death toll rises to 12Railway officials send a vehicle to evacuate villagers at flood-hit Balo village in Raman district, Yala on Thursday. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)The death toll from the floods in three deep South provinces has risen to at least 12. Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew has received a report saying the death toll has reached 12, with eight people dead in Narathiwat, three in Yala and one in Pattani. Eleven public health service centres in Narathiwat, 12 in Yala and 11 in Pattani have been closed due to the floods. In Pattani, the flood situation is still critical, with overflow from the Pattani and Sai Buri rivers inundating Pattani town on Friday.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 30, 2023 10:33 UTC