The Philippines' San Miguel Corp said yesterday it planned to buy a 35% stake in a consortium building a 15-billion pesos ($306 million) tollway project near Manila, marking its entry into the infrastructure sector.
San Miguel, Southeast Asia's largest food and drinks maker, is aggressively venturing out of its core food and beverage business into sectors such as power,oil refining and now infrastructure to feed future growth. It bought a 27% stake in power retailer Manila Electric Co for over $600 million last year and has a pending purchase of a major stake in the country's oil refiner Petron Corp.
In its statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange, San Miguel did not say how much it was paying for the stake in Private Infrastructure Development Corp, the consortium constructing the toll project north of Manila, nor disclose the terms of the deal.
The consortium groups First Balfour of the Lopez family, D.M. Consunji Inc (DMCI) of DMCI Group, EEI Corp, and seven other local firms engaged mainly in the construction business. San Miguel is buying the stake through its unit Rapid Thoroughfares.
On Wednesday, San Miguel won an auction for a diesel-fired power plant sold by the government for $13.502 million, and said it wants to buy more of the state's power facilities.
To fund its purchases, San Miguel is selling parts of its major subsidiaries through strategic partnerships or a share offering, retaining just 51% as it ventures further into heavy industry.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Airport crackdown gets boost
Airports of Thailand Plc plans to spend 15 million baht to extend its crackdown on unlicensed taxi drivers and tour guides at Suvarnabhumi airport.
The spending was approved yesterday to boost efforts to end illegal taxis and tour guides at the airport during the new fiscal year starting on Oct 1.
The campaign involves police responsible for the airport and tourism,Land Transport Department staff and airport authorities working around the clock, AoT chairman Piyapan Champasut said.
The drive was launched on July 31.As of Aug 9,437 taxi drivers and 221 tour guides operating illegally at Suvarnabhumi had been arrested.
Licensed taxis were now making more trips from the airport, up from 7,000 to 8,000 trips a day, Mr Piyapan said.
The number of official airport limousines leaving the airport had also increased, from 800 to 900-1,000 trips a day. Registered tour guides who have counters at the airport say their income has increased 14%.
The board also agreed to sell its shares in five companies which were granted concessions by the AoT. They are Airport Associate, in which AoT has a 10% stake,Airport Duty Free (10%), Thai Airport Ground Services (28.5%), King Power Duty Free (5%) and Fuel Pipeline Trans-portation (4.49%). Airport Associate runs a car rental and limousine service.
The book value of the shares was almost 400 million baht.
Mr Piyapan said the board could sell the shares without having to seek approval from shareholders. The decision to sell off its holdings was based on the companies' unimpressive returns. Some firms were also in dispute with the airport agency over concessions, he said.
After the shares from the firms were sold, AoT would still have shares in six other firms: Phuket Kitchen, Don Mueang International Amari Hotel, Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services, Trade Siam, Thai Aviation Refuelling and Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.
The spending was approved yesterday to boost efforts to end illegal taxis and tour guides at the airport during the new fiscal year starting on Oct 1.
The campaign involves police responsible for the airport and tourism,Land Transport Department staff and airport authorities working around the clock, AoT chairman Piyapan Champasut said.
The drive was launched on July 31.As of Aug 9,437 taxi drivers and 221 tour guides operating illegally at Suvarnabhumi had been arrested.
Licensed taxis were now making more trips from the airport, up from 7,000 to 8,000 trips a day, Mr Piyapan said.
The number of official airport limousines leaving the airport had also increased, from 800 to 900-1,000 trips a day. Registered tour guides who have counters at the airport say their income has increased 14%.
The board also agreed to sell its shares in five companies which were granted concessions by the AoT. They are Airport Associate, in which AoT has a 10% stake,Airport Duty Free (10%), Thai Airport Ground Services (28.5%), King Power Duty Free (5%) and Fuel Pipeline Trans-portation (4.49%). Airport Associate runs a car rental and limousine service.
The book value of the shares was almost 400 million baht.
Mr Piyapan said the board could sell the shares without having to seek approval from shareholders. The decision to sell off its holdings was based on the companies' unimpressive returns. Some firms were also in dispute with the airport agency over concessions, he said.
After the shares from the firms were sold, AoT would still have shares in six other firms: Phuket Kitchen, Don Mueang International Amari Hotel, Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services, Trade Siam, Thai Aviation Refuelling and Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
SRT contracts consultant for airport link
The State Railway of Thailand is paying a consultancy 85 million baht to help it prepare for its Airport Rail Link.
The overseas consultancy would train 450 staff and draw up instructions and regulations for the system, which would shuttle between the inner city and Suvarnabhumi airport from next April.
SRT chairman Thawalrat Onsira said the SRT board voted yesterday to hire DB International GmbH (DBI) for 85 million baht.
The consultancy would test the Airport Rail Link and train airport link staff over the course of its nine-month contract. It would also draw up instructions and regulations to run the trains.
Chulalongkorn University's Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration would recruit 450 staff for the SRT to operate the Airport Rail Link in particular, and the consultants would train them.
The SRT wanted to hire SRT, Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS) and Bangkok Metro Plc staff. The latter two operate electric railways in Bangkok.
Mr Thawalrat said construction company B Grimm International would hand the Airport Rail Link system together with trains to the SRT on Nov 6 this year and the first tentative operation was set for Dec 5.
After the one-day trial, officials would evaluate the operation and then resume trial runs from Dec 15 to April next year, when the service would open.
The number of passengers would be limited during the trial operation.Tickets would be distributed first to workers at Suvarnabhumi airport while the public could seek tickets at main stations of the link. Express trains would operate between Makkasan and the airport, a 15-minute journey without stops, while a trip on ordinary trains with stops at all stations en route would take 30 minutes.
The SRT would ask the cabinet to decide whether to support its plan to set up a subsidiary to run the Airport Rail Link or back the SRT labour union's demand for the state enterprise to establish a business unit to run the railway.
Meanwhile, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) yesterday signed a contract to hire CKTC Joint Venture for 14.29 billion baht to build the eastern section of the Purple Line electric railway from Bang Sue to Phra Nang Klao Bridge.
MRTA chairman Supoj Saplom said the contractor, made up of Ch Karnchang Plc and Tokyu Construction Co, would start construction in 60 days,with work lasting 3.5 to four years.
The eastern section would extend from the MRTA's present subway end in Bang Sue to Phra Nang Klao Bridge.
The MRTA would sign two more contracts for the rest of the Purple Line project, opening in 2014.
The second contract was for the 11km elevated western section across the Chao Phraya River from Phra Nang Klao Bridge to Klong Bang Phai canal in Nonthaburi's Bang Yai district.
Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction won the work, quoted at 15.32 billion baht.
The last contract is for a train depot and four park-and-ride buildings, won by PAR Joint Venture, which quoted 6.4 billion baht.
The overseas consultancy would train 450 staff and draw up instructions and regulations for the system, which would shuttle between the inner city and Suvarnabhumi airport from next April.
SRT chairman Thawalrat Onsira said the SRT board voted yesterday to hire DB International GmbH (DBI) for 85 million baht.
The consultancy would test the Airport Rail Link and train airport link staff over the course of its nine-month contract. It would also draw up instructions and regulations to run the trains.
Chulalongkorn University's Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration would recruit 450 staff for the SRT to operate the Airport Rail Link in particular, and the consultants would train them.
The SRT wanted to hire SRT, Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS) and Bangkok Metro Plc staff. The latter two operate electric railways in Bangkok.
Mr Thawalrat said construction company B Grimm International would hand the Airport Rail Link system together with trains to the SRT on Nov 6 this year and the first tentative operation was set for Dec 5.
After the one-day trial, officials would evaluate the operation and then resume trial runs from Dec 15 to April next year, when the service would open.
The number of passengers would be limited during the trial operation.Tickets would be distributed first to workers at Suvarnabhumi airport while the public could seek tickets at main stations of the link. Express trains would operate between Makkasan and the airport, a 15-minute journey without stops, while a trip on ordinary trains with stops at all stations en route would take 30 minutes.
The SRT would ask the cabinet to decide whether to support its plan to set up a subsidiary to run the Airport Rail Link or back the SRT labour union's demand for the state enterprise to establish a business unit to run the railway.
Meanwhile, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) yesterday signed a contract to hire CKTC Joint Venture for 14.29 billion baht to build the eastern section of the Purple Line electric railway from Bang Sue to Phra Nang Klao Bridge.
MRTA chairman Supoj Saplom said the contractor, made up of Ch Karnchang Plc and Tokyu Construction Co, would start construction in 60 days,with work lasting 3.5 to four years.
The eastern section would extend from the MRTA's present subway end in Bang Sue to Phra Nang Klao Bridge.
The MRTA would sign two more contracts for the rest of the Purple Line project, opening in 2014.
The second contract was for the 11km elevated western section across the Chao Phraya River from Phra Nang Klao Bridge to Klong Bang Phai canal in Nonthaburi's Bang Yai district.
Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction won the work, quoted at 15.32 billion baht.
The last contract is for a train depot and four park-and-ride buildings, won by PAR Joint Venture, which quoted 6.4 billion baht.
CKTC wins first purple line deal
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand yesterday officially awarded the first contract for Purple Line mass-transit rail construction, worth Bt14.292 billion, to CKTC Joint Venture.
CKTC is a joint venture between Ch Karnchang and Tokyo Construction.
Ch Karnchang chief executive officer Plew Trivisvavet said the consortium was required to finish the project within 1,350 days of the MRTA allowing it to start work.
The company will ask its construction-material suppliers to fix their costs for two years, so that it is able to control the overall project cost.
Plew said Ch Karnchang expected a net profit margin of more than 5 per cent from the contract.
The Purple Line project is divided into four civil-work contracts. Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, winner of the second contract, has agreed to reduce its bid price from Bt15.3 billion to Bt13.1 billion.
The Power Line Engineering-led consortium - winner of the third contract - also lowered its price, from Bt6.3 billion to Bt5.025 billion.
The fourth contract, which has yet to be put out to bid and involves installation of the rail system, will cost Bt4 billion.
The entire project costs Bt59.8 billion, which also includes Bt9.2 billion for land expropriation, Bt1.296 billion for project design consultancy and Bt13.243 billion for the signalling and train system.
CKTC is a joint venture between Ch Karnchang and Tokyo Construction.
Ch Karnchang chief executive officer Plew Trivisvavet said the consortium was required to finish the project within 1,350 days of the MRTA allowing it to start work.
The company will ask its construction-material suppliers to fix their costs for two years, so that it is able to control the overall project cost.
Plew said Ch Karnchang expected a net profit margin of more than 5 per cent from the contract.
The Purple Line project is divided into four civil-work contracts. Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, winner of the second contract, has agreed to reduce its bid price from Bt15.3 billion to Bt13.1 billion.
The Power Line Engineering-led consortium - winner of the third contract - also lowered its price, from Bt6.3 billion to Bt5.025 billion.
The fourth contract, which has yet to be put out to bid and involves installation of the rail system, will cost Bt4 billion.
The entire project costs Bt59.8 billion, which also includes Bt9.2 billion for land expropriation, Bt1.296 billion for project design consultancy and Bt13.243 billion for the signalling and train system.
Government looks to local companies for electric train parts
The government wants to attract more local companies to produce parts for its electric train project in order to cut costs and reduce imports, says a senior Industry Ministry official.
The Office of Industrial Economics will encourage other state agencies, such as the Board of Investment, to help local producers benefit from the government investment projects.
"The move is an attempt to help local industries gain from the 'Strong Thailand'investment scheme by providing those local [operators] opportunities to build new industry and to promote Thailand as an electric train production hub to serve Asean market in the future," said OIE director-general Arthit Wuthikaro.
The OIE today will discuss production capabilities for electric train parts with the Transport and Science and Technology ministries and the Federation of Thai Industries' plastic, and electrical and electronics clubs.
The Transport Ministry will disclose the trains' specifications and private operators will be allowed to bid for a supply contract if they meet the requirements.
The Industry Ministry will then propose policies, such as BoI incentives, to attract investment for the local production of electric train parts, while the Science Ministry will provide technical assistance to the firms.
"Putting local content usage in the terms of reference for bidders to comply with is against World Trade Organisation rules, but incentives granted through the BoI will make the costs cheaper for bidders and increase their chance to win the bid while local industries also benefit," said Mr Arthit.
He believes the initiative will establish policies to develop a local electric train and parts industry.
Wanlop Tiersiri, director of the Thai-land Automotive Institute supported the move, saying parts can be made locally.
The 11 electric train projects planned to link downtown Bangkok with the city's outskirts will create huge demand for train parts, and manufacturers would likely consider investing locally to benefit from this, he said.
"In the past, we only had limited routes, but this time the megaproject investment is clear. Many routes will be established with clear direction on the financing. When demand is clear, bidders will do whatever they can to win the bid," Mr Wanlop said.
Train manufacturers from Germany and Japan have expressed interest in joining the bidding because of the potential for strong demand in the Asean region, he said.
"They can see future demand for parts replacement in Thailand and neighbouring countries that plan to develop electric train routes," he said.
The Office of Industrial Economics will encourage other state agencies, such as the Board of Investment, to help local producers benefit from the government investment projects.
"The move is an attempt to help local industries gain from the 'Strong Thailand'investment scheme by providing those local [operators] opportunities to build new industry and to promote Thailand as an electric train production hub to serve Asean market in the future," said OIE director-general Arthit Wuthikaro.
The OIE today will discuss production capabilities for electric train parts with the Transport and Science and Technology ministries and the Federation of Thai Industries' plastic, and electrical and electronics clubs.
The Transport Ministry will disclose the trains' specifications and private operators will be allowed to bid for a supply contract if they meet the requirements.
The Industry Ministry will then propose policies, such as BoI incentives, to attract investment for the local production of electric train parts, while the Science Ministry will provide technical assistance to the firms.
"Putting local content usage in the terms of reference for bidders to comply with is against World Trade Organisation rules, but incentives granted through the BoI will make the costs cheaper for bidders and increase their chance to win the bid while local industries also benefit," said Mr Arthit.
He believes the initiative will establish policies to develop a local electric train and parts industry.
Wanlop Tiersiri, director of the Thai-land Automotive Institute supported the move, saying parts can be made locally.
The 11 electric train projects planned to link downtown Bangkok with the city's outskirts will create huge demand for train parts, and manufacturers would likely consider investing locally to benefit from this, he said.
"In the past, we only had limited routes, but this time the megaproject investment is clear. Many routes will be established with clear direction on the financing. When demand is clear, bidders will do whatever they can to win the bid," Mr Wanlop said.
Train manufacturers from Germany and Japan have expressed interest in joining the bidding because of the potential for strong demand in the Asean region, he said.
"They can see future demand for parts replacement in Thailand and neighbouring countries that plan to develop electric train routes," he said.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
NAMING OF NEW TOP OFFICIAL DEFERRED
The Commerce Ministry will seek Cabinet approval next week for the appointment of a new permanent secretary, a C-11 position for which Internal Trade Department director-general Yangyong Phuangrach is now the sole candidate.
The matter was taken off the agenda for yesterday's Cabinet meeting, as the Bhum Jai Thai Party wanted the name of the new permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry to be approved at the same time.
A source close to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said the Democrat Party had promised to give full authority to Bhum Jai Thai to appoint the heads of both ministries. The offer has been made in exchange for Bhum Jai Thai's non-intervention in the Democrats' authority to appoint a new national police chief.
The source also said Yangyong had strong support for highest position, as he is the most senior of the C-10 officials at the Commerce Ministry.
"Porntiva has favoured Yangyong for his energetic attempts to boost domestic economic growth," the source said.
The other main candidate for the top bureaucratic job at the ministry was Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the Department of Export Promotion (DEP).
However, he is one of the 44 defendants in the rubber-sapling corruption case, on which the court has delayed its final judgement to September 21.
Applied-law graduate Yangyong has served more than three decades as a distinguished civil servant in the Commerce Ministry.
Yangyong has the ability to compromise, as well as extensive experience in the ministry's many departments. He is an expert in commercial law and played a vital role in international negotiations under the World Trade Organisation and in intellectual-property cases.
Yangyong is also a former director-general of the Intellectual Property Department.
Previously, he told the media that if he were appointed to the post of permanent secretary, he would seek to balance the Kingdom's economic growth by aggressively promoting domestic consumption instead of relying solely on exports.
"I will continue to promote export growth, which is a key economic driver, as well as stimulating domestic spending and trying to ease the cost of living," said Yangyong.
Following an upcoming reshuffle of C-10 officials, Rachane is seen as having high potential to replace Yangyong at the Internal Trade Department.
A senior ministry source said Rachane had extensive experience in international trade and should be able to adapt his knowledge and skills to promote domestic growth.
Srirat Rastapana and Pimpapaan Chansilpa, both female and the current deputy permanent secretaries of the ministry, are on a shortlist to become the next director-general of the DEP.
The matter was taken off the agenda for yesterday's Cabinet meeting, as the Bhum Jai Thai Party wanted the name of the new permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry to be approved at the same time.
A source close to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said the Democrat Party had promised to give full authority to Bhum Jai Thai to appoint the heads of both ministries. The offer has been made in exchange for Bhum Jai Thai's non-intervention in the Democrats' authority to appoint a new national police chief.
The source also said Yangyong had strong support for highest position, as he is the most senior of the C-10 officials at the Commerce Ministry.
"Porntiva has favoured Yangyong for his energetic attempts to boost domestic economic growth," the source said.
The other main candidate for the top bureaucratic job at the ministry was Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the Department of Export Promotion (DEP).
However, he is one of the 44 defendants in the rubber-sapling corruption case, on which the court has delayed its final judgement to September 21.
Applied-law graduate Yangyong has served more than three decades as a distinguished civil servant in the Commerce Ministry.
Yangyong has the ability to compromise, as well as extensive experience in the ministry's many departments. He is an expert in commercial law and played a vital role in international negotiations under the World Trade Organisation and in intellectual-property cases.
Yangyong is also a former director-general of the Intellectual Property Department.
Previously, he told the media that if he were appointed to the post of permanent secretary, he would seek to balance the Kingdom's economic growth by aggressively promoting domestic consumption instead of relying solely on exports.
"I will continue to promote export growth, which is a key economic driver, as well as stimulating domestic spending and trying to ease the cost of living," said Yangyong.
Following an upcoming reshuffle of C-10 officials, Rachane is seen as having high potential to replace Yangyong at the Internal Trade Department.
A senior ministry source said Rachane had extensive experience in international trade and should be able to adapt his knowledge and skills to promote domestic growth.
Srirat Rastapana and Pimpapaan Chansilpa, both female and the current deputy permanent secretaries of the ministry, are on a shortlist to become the next director-general of the DEP.
Kiattana sets MAI IPO up to B4.8
Kiattana Transportation will price its initial public offering next month at 4.50 to 4.80 baht per share, according to financial adviser Phillip Securities.
The company, a transport and logistics operator specialising in industrial materials and hazardous chemicals, will hold its subscription period from Sept 10-11, with a listing on the Market for Alternative Investment on Sept 18.
A total of 40 million new shares will be offered with a par value of one baht each. Paid-up capital will increase to 200 million baht from 160 million after the offering.
Vicha Tomana, a vice-president at Phillip Securities, said an IPO price of 4.50 baht represented a discount of 25%from full value.
Phillip Securities is the lead underwriter for the offering, with Finansia Syrus Securities, Country Group Securities, KT-Zmico Securities and Globlex Securities as co-underwriters.
Mr Vicha said Kiattana expected profits of 134 million baht this year and 166 million in 2010, resulting in a price-toearnings ratio of 7.56 times for this year and 5.42 next year.
Kiatichai Monsereenusorn, the KIAT managing director and major shareholder, said first-half profits totalled 60.52 million baht, up from 13.61 million in the same period last year.
"The NGV transport contract is worth 250 million baht and will run until next year. Our existing customers are also increasing their activity as the economy improves," he said.
He said the company could negotiate transport prices with customers.
KIAT is bidding for two new NGV transport contracts, and will also expand its transport routes to Laos.
Phillip Securities projects KIAT profits of 73 million baht on revenues of 297.17 million in the second half. The broker projects full-year revenues of 550 million baht, up 27% from last year, and profits of 133 million, up 329% from 2008.
Revenues are projected to rise 10% in 2010, based on oil prices rising 12%. Net profits next year are projected at 165.6 million baht, up 23.97% from 2009, thanks to tax benefits from listing on the MAI.
The company, a transport and logistics operator specialising in industrial materials and hazardous chemicals, will hold its subscription period from Sept 10-11, with a listing on the Market for Alternative Investment on Sept 18.
A total of 40 million new shares will be offered with a par value of one baht each. Paid-up capital will increase to 200 million baht from 160 million after the offering.
Vicha Tomana, a vice-president at Phillip Securities, said an IPO price of 4.50 baht represented a discount of 25%from full value.
Phillip Securities is the lead underwriter for the offering, with Finansia Syrus Securities, Country Group Securities, KT-Zmico Securities and Globlex Securities as co-underwriters.
Mr Vicha said Kiattana expected profits of 134 million baht this year and 166 million in 2010, resulting in a price-toearnings ratio of 7.56 times for this year and 5.42 next year.
Kiatichai Monsereenusorn, the KIAT managing director and major shareholder, said first-half profits totalled 60.52 million baht, up from 13.61 million in the same period last year.
"The NGV transport contract is worth 250 million baht and will run until next year. Our existing customers are also increasing their activity as the economy improves," he said.
He said the company could negotiate transport prices with customers.
KIAT is bidding for two new NGV transport contracts, and will also expand its transport routes to Laos.
Phillip Securities projects KIAT profits of 73 million baht on revenues of 297.17 million in the second half. The broker projects full-year revenues of 550 million baht, up 27% from last year, and profits of 133 million, up 329% from 2008.
Revenues are projected to rise 10% in 2010, based on oil prices rising 12%. Net profits next year are projected at 165.6 million baht, up 23.97% from 2009, thanks to tax benefits from listing on the MAI.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
China nets 15,000 drink-drivers in one week
Chinese police caught 15,000 people in just the first week of a crackdown on drink-driving, organised in part to appease a public angered by a series of fatal accidents.
Drink-driving cases are concentrated in the nation's wealthy areas, with 3,075 reported in east China's Zhejiang province and 1,542 in Shanghai, the Xinhua news agency said yesterday, citing the Public Security Ministry. Despite the crackdown, there has been "no obvious drop" in the number of drink-driving cases, the ministry said.
China kicked off the two-month campaign on Aug 15, hoping to ensure safer roads before and during the Oct 1,60th anniversary of the communist state, the agency reported. It also follows public uproar after drink-driving resulted in several lethal accidents in recent months.
Earlier this month, a drink-driver in east China's Hangzhou city killed a 16-year-old girl, while in Shanghai another killed a boy aged four.
In a signal of a tougher approach,China handed down a death sentence last month to a motorist who killed four people after drinking "large quantities"of a strong Chinese spirit, the nation's first such use of capital punishment.The driver has appealed.
Drink-driving cases are concentrated in the nation's wealthy areas, with 3,075 reported in east China's Zhejiang province and 1,542 in Shanghai, the Xinhua news agency said yesterday, citing the Public Security Ministry. Despite the crackdown, there has been "no obvious drop" in the number of drink-driving cases, the ministry said.
China kicked off the two-month campaign on Aug 15, hoping to ensure safer roads before and during the Oct 1,60th anniversary of the communist state, the agency reported. It also follows public uproar after drink-driving resulted in several lethal accidents in recent months.
Earlier this month, a drink-driver in east China's Hangzhou city killed a 16-year-old girl, while in Shanghai another killed a boy aged four.
In a signal of a tougher approach,China handed down a death sentence last month to a motorist who killed four people after drinking "large quantities"of a strong Chinese spirit, the nation's first such use of capital punishment.The driver has appealed.
BMA to renovate flyovers
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will renovate 10 flyovrs (bridges over intersections) in Bangkok and demolish one to build a new flyover. The first flyover to be renovated will be te one at the Ratchayothin Intersection, beginning on 1 September 2009.
To ensure optimum safety to motorists and pedestrians, the BMA periodically renovates flyovers which are more than 10-15 years old, as their bases and surfaces tend to begin to detriorate after that time.
Curing the renovation period, the following flyovers will be closed to traffic as indicated:
Ratchayothin Intersection Flyover: Renovations will commence on 1 September 2009 and last for 30 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 15 days.
Bangphlat Intersection Flyover: Renovations will commence on 15 September 2009 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
Phong Phet Intersection Flyover: Renovations will commence on 1 October 2009 and for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
Rama Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 October 2009 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
Khlong Tan Intersection flyover: Renovations will start on 1 December 2009 and last for 180 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 90 days.
Wong Sawanng Intersection Flyover: Renovations wil start on 1 January 2010 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
Kaset Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 April 2010 and last for 30 days. Both sides of the flyovrwill be completely closed to traffic during that period.
Sam Liam Din Daeng Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 April 2010 and last for 30 days. Both sides of the flyover will be completely closed to traffic during that period.
Prachanukun Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 May 2010 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
The Phra Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 May 2010 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
While some renovations (painting, tightening bolts, drainagek repair and light systems maintenance) can be done without suspending traffic, other renovations (surface, beam base joint, railing and slope repair) require traffic to be suspended.
During all flyover repairs, the BMA will inform motorists in advance of closures and suggest viable alternate routes. The BMA will also work in cooperation with police and assistant city law enforcement officers to acommodate motorists as much as possible.
Durint the rnovation fo the Ratchayothin Intersection Flyover, motorists using Ratchadaphisek Road towards Rama 7 Road should turn left at the Ratchada-Lad Phrao Junction to the Lad Phrao entrance and take the Ratchavipha elevated bridge to the Rama 7 Bridge. In the opposite direction, motorists coming from Rama 7 Road should take the ratchavipha elevated bridge to the Viphavadi exit and proceed onto lad Phrao Road. Moreover, motorists can use three short-cut routes, including 1) Soi Phaholyothin 33-Ratchadaphisek 46;2) Soi Viphavadi 32-Soi Phaholyothin 23; and 3) Soi viphavadi 38,42-Soi Phaholyothin 35 or Soi Ratchadaphisek 46/1.
In order to reduce traffic congestion, BMA asks all motorists to avoid using the affected routes whenever possible.
For more information, please cal the BMA hot line at 1555.
Ponlawit Khayanngan
Public Relations Officer
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
To ensure optimum safety to motorists and pedestrians, the BMA periodically renovates flyovers which are more than 10-15 years old, as their bases and surfaces tend to begin to detriorate after that time.
Curing the renovation period, the following flyovers will be closed to traffic as indicated:
Ratchayothin Intersection Flyover: Renovations will commence on 1 September 2009 and last for 30 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 15 days.
Bangphlat Intersection Flyover: Renovations will commence on 15 September 2009 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
Phong Phet Intersection Flyover: Renovations will commence on 1 October 2009 and for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
Rama Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 October 2009 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
Khlong Tan Intersection flyover: Renovations will start on 1 December 2009 and last for 180 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 90 days.
Wong Sawanng Intersection Flyover: Renovations wil start on 1 January 2010 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
Kaset Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 April 2010 and last for 30 days. Both sides of the flyovrwill be completely closed to traffic during that period.
Sam Liam Din Daeng Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 April 2010 and last for 30 days. Both sides of the flyover will be completely closed to traffic during that period.
Prachanukun Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 May 2010 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
The Phra Intersection Flyover: Renovations will start on 1 May 2010 and last for 90 days. Each side of the flyover will be closed to traffic for 45 days.
While some renovations (painting, tightening bolts, drainagek repair and light systems maintenance) can be done without suspending traffic, other renovations (surface, beam base joint, railing and slope repair) require traffic to be suspended.
During all flyover repairs, the BMA will inform motorists in advance of closures and suggest viable alternate routes. The BMA will also work in cooperation with police and assistant city law enforcement officers to acommodate motorists as much as possible.
Durint the rnovation fo the Ratchayothin Intersection Flyover, motorists using Ratchadaphisek Road towards Rama 7 Road should turn left at the Ratchada-Lad Phrao Junction to the Lad Phrao entrance and take the Ratchavipha elevated bridge to the Rama 7 Bridge. In the opposite direction, motorists coming from Rama 7 Road should take the ratchavipha elevated bridge to the Viphavadi exit and proceed onto lad Phrao Road. Moreover, motorists can use three short-cut routes, including 1) Soi Phaholyothin 33-Ratchadaphisek 46;2) Soi Viphavadi 32-Soi Phaholyothin 23; and 3) Soi viphavadi 38,42-Soi Phaholyothin 35 or Soi Ratchadaphisek 46/1.
In order to reduce traffic congestion, BMA asks all motorists to avoid using the affected routes whenever possible.
For more information, please cal the BMA hot line at 1555.
Ponlawit Khayanngan
Public Relations Officer
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Truck pelted with rocks
A teenage gang pelted rocks at a 10-wheel truck early yesterday despite the presence of more police patrols on the roads.
Driver Tanongsak Kitimanuwong told police teenagers on two motorcycles sped towards his vehicle from the opposite direction.
One threw a rock at the windscreen,breaking it. The driver was unhurt.
The attack took place on the Asia 41 road in Surat Thani's Wiang Sa district.
The road has become popular with rock-throwing gangs who seek their targets there among motorists.
There have been reports of five vehicles being pelted with rocks in Muang, Ban Na San, Wiang Sa and Tha Chang districts of the province.
Police are patrolling the route more often, but the attacks persist.
Rock-throwers have also attacked vehicles in Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi,Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces.
Driver Tanongsak Kitimanuwong told police teenagers on two motorcycles sped towards his vehicle from the opposite direction.
One threw a rock at the windscreen,breaking it. The driver was unhurt.
The attack took place on the Asia 41 road in Surat Thani's Wiang Sa district.
The road has become popular with rock-throwing gangs who seek their targets there among motorists.
There have been reports of five vehicles being pelted with rocks in Muang, Ban Na San, Wiang Sa and Tha Chang districts of the province.
Police are patrolling the route more often, but the attacks persist.
Rock-throwers have also attacked vehicles in Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi,Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces.
RAIL PROJECT ON TRACK FOR TRANS-ASIAN XPANSION
For decades, travel and trade by rail in Thailand has been hemmed in by the politics and conflicts of its neighbours. Communist take-overs that resulted in a detente with Laos and civil wars in Cambodia, and a military junta in Burma virtually isolated the Kingdom from the rest of Asia.
Access is still limited, but peace and the opening up of Cambodia have cleared the way for completion of one of the region's greatest infrastructure projects, the TransAsia Railway.
The pan-Asian network uses existing and new rail lines to connect 28 countries across Asia with the Middle East and Western Europe through an agreement struck by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
However, plans to finally complete the line have hit a series of cost hurdles in Cambodia, according to one soon to be completed Chinese study, and would require additional funding, possibly from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Sources close to the Cambodian government said the study would also finalise the long awaited route, travelling 255km east from near the capital Phnom Penh to the Vietnamese border at a cost of US$500-600 million (17.1 billion baht).
It would also complete the narrow gauge link between Singapore and Kunming.
"Neither will want to go it alone at that price," the government source said."If it goes ahead it will have to find additional funding, and given that it will benefit the entire region it might find support from the ADB or the World Bank."
The final cost was due primarily to the high numbers of bridges that would have to be built to enable safe passage across the Mekong Delta and the river's many tributaries.
According to a Preliminary Technical Study Report, seen by Spectrum , a 1,000-metre bridge crossing the Mekong River and a 1,500-metre bridge over the Tonle Sap would be the big ticket items, with a combined cost of $262 million. The government source also said at least another $120 million would have to be spent on smaller bridges along the line.
The line is expected to head north from a junction to be built at Bat Doeng, just outside the capital on the existing line that stretches from Phnom Penh to the Thai border.
The new line crosses the Tonle Sap and heads east through Skon to the provincial city of Kampong Cham where it crosses the Mekong River. It then follows National Route Seven to Memut, Snoul and then turns southeast and crosses the border. It will then link-up with the Vietnamese rail network at Loc Ninh.
Touch Chankosal, under-secretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), said a previously unpublished report had also valued the Bat Doeng to Snoul line at $600 million.
"We're undecided what the government will contribute. We need to see the final report and how much it says it will cost," he said."The project will cost much."
The Cambodian government has divided the country's railway system in two. Australia's Toll Holdings will take control of the old French-built lines in the west, which run from the capital to the Thai border and south to Sihanoukville, home to one of the largest ports in the Gulf of Siam.
The China Railway Group has the contract to carry out the feasibility study that will link Phnom Penh with the Vietnam border.
Paul Power, an adviser to the Cambodian government and team leader for the ADB's involvement in the re-construction of Cambodia's railways, said the railway's economic benefit for the region and Cambodia would be enormous.
"It makes Cambodia the hub of transportation between China and Singapore and you would have a port link, you would have a link to Thailand, you'll have a link through to Vietnam," he said."The implications for that, for Cambodia in the region, are that Cambodia becomes the hub." He also said freight would provide the greatest economic benefits, particularly for shipping bulk goods like rice.
However, the contractors first must deal with the thorny issue of resettling people living along the route.
In Cambodia, poor landowners are often pushed out with little compensation to make way for commercial developments, causing considerable public anger.
Mr Power said the companies working on the railway are aware of the problems that have afflicted other projects and think they can avoid similar difficulties.
Touch Chankosal said other issues that need to be resolved include an agreement with Thailand over where the line will cross their shared border. A similar agreement was reached with Vietnam in 2007.
Border relations between the two have not been good recently, following the dispute and military stand-off over land surrounding the temple at Preah Vihear just inside Cambodia.
But Bangkok and Phnom Penh need to finalise exactly where stations and customs houses will be built, and at what point the railway will cross near the border town of Poipet.
"The railway will help the economy a lot.It will reduce heavy transportation on the roads and facilitate trade exchange between neighbouring countries and this will boost economic growth," he added.
If funding can be secured and resettlement and border issues resolved quickly then authorities hope the construction of the final link between Thailand and China and beyond as far as London, could start within the next 18 months.
Access is still limited, but peace and the opening up of Cambodia have cleared the way for completion of one of the region's greatest infrastructure projects, the TransAsia Railway.
The pan-Asian network uses existing and new rail lines to connect 28 countries across Asia with the Middle East and Western Europe through an agreement struck by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
However, plans to finally complete the line have hit a series of cost hurdles in Cambodia, according to one soon to be completed Chinese study, and would require additional funding, possibly from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Sources close to the Cambodian government said the study would also finalise the long awaited route, travelling 255km east from near the capital Phnom Penh to the Vietnamese border at a cost of US$500-600 million (17.1 billion baht).
It would also complete the narrow gauge link between Singapore and Kunming.
"Neither will want to go it alone at that price," the government source said."If it goes ahead it will have to find additional funding, and given that it will benefit the entire region it might find support from the ADB or the World Bank."
The final cost was due primarily to the high numbers of bridges that would have to be built to enable safe passage across the Mekong Delta and the river's many tributaries.
According to a Preliminary Technical Study Report, seen by Spectrum , a 1,000-metre bridge crossing the Mekong River and a 1,500-metre bridge over the Tonle Sap would be the big ticket items, with a combined cost of $262 million. The government source also said at least another $120 million would have to be spent on smaller bridges along the line.
The line is expected to head north from a junction to be built at Bat Doeng, just outside the capital on the existing line that stretches from Phnom Penh to the Thai border.
The new line crosses the Tonle Sap and heads east through Skon to the provincial city of Kampong Cham where it crosses the Mekong River. It then follows National Route Seven to Memut, Snoul and then turns southeast and crosses the border. It will then link-up with the Vietnamese rail network at Loc Ninh.
Touch Chankosal, under-secretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), said a previously unpublished report had also valued the Bat Doeng to Snoul line at $600 million.
"We're undecided what the government will contribute. We need to see the final report and how much it says it will cost," he said."The project will cost much."
The Cambodian government has divided the country's railway system in two. Australia's Toll Holdings will take control of the old French-built lines in the west, which run from the capital to the Thai border and south to Sihanoukville, home to one of the largest ports in the Gulf of Siam.
The China Railway Group has the contract to carry out the feasibility study that will link Phnom Penh with the Vietnam border.
Paul Power, an adviser to the Cambodian government and team leader for the ADB's involvement in the re-construction of Cambodia's railways, said the railway's economic benefit for the region and Cambodia would be enormous.
"It makes Cambodia the hub of transportation between China and Singapore and you would have a port link, you would have a link to Thailand, you'll have a link through to Vietnam," he said."The implications for that, for Cambodia in the region, are that Cambodia becomes the hub." He also said freight would provide the greatest economic benefits, particularly for shipping bulk goods like rice.
However, the contractors first must deal with the thorny issue of resettling people living along the route.
In Cambodia, poor landowners are often pushed out with little compensation to make way for commercial developments, causing considerable public anger.
Mr Power said the companies working on the railway are aware of the problems that have afflicted other projects and think they can avoid similar difficulties.
Touch Chankosal said other issues that need to be resolved include an agreement with Thailand over where the line will cross their shared border. A similar agreement was reached with Vietnam in 2007.
Border relations between the two have not been good recently, following the dispute and military stand-off over land surrounding the temple at Preah Vihear just inside Cambodia.
But Bangkok and Phnom Penh need to finalise exactly where stations and customs houses will be built, and at what point the railway will cross near the border town of Poipet.
"The railway will help the economy a lot.It will reduce heavy transportation on the roads and facilitate trade exchange between neighbouring countries and this will boost economic growth," he added.
If funding can be secured and resettlement and border issues resolved quickly then authorities hope the construction of the final link between Thailand and China and beyond as far as London, could start within the next 18 months.
Friday, August 21, 2009
TROUBLING TAXI SERVICES
Public taxis have come under fire during the past few months with news of alleged assaults and harassment making newspaper headlines, the most recent being passengers using Suvarnabhumi Airport's taxi service complaining about how taxi drivers were attempting to drug them. 'Muse' asked you last week, as passengers, how you can ensure your safety while using the taxi service. How would you protect yourself and your belongings while taking a taxi?
As a passenger, there are several factors that we should keep in mind to ensure our safety, especially since we are placing our lives in the hands of complete strangers. Here are your answers!
Muse's PICK
"
First and foremost, when taking a taxi we must make a note of the vehicle's information and number plate, which should clearly be displayed on the dashboard or on the passenger's side door, as this will help to easily identify the cab company. Secondly, this will also be very helpful in cases where we forget our belongings; a quick phone call to the taxi company will save us all a whole lot of trouble. Thirdly, we should be more mindful and check to see if the ID information and photo displayed on the dashboard matches the taxi driver. If they don't, then it's better to call a different taxi. Fourthly, before getting into the taxi make sure the driver knows where your destination is, and also make sure that he/she is willing to take you. This will save passengers from paying more money than they should. Fifthly, during the ride make sure you are familiar with the route that the driver is taking you. You can simply ask the driver to take the route you want him/her to, and they should comply with your request. Lastly, upon reaching your destination, remember to take a quick glance back at your seat to double check that none of your things have slipped out from your pocket or purse, including your mobile phone, wallet or any other important belongings."
NISHA GANDHI,
Housewife
"
I always write down the driver's name and the taxi's number plate. If I take a taxi at night or if it's a really long ride I always send an SMS of the driver's ID and taxi information to my family members, friends and boyfriend.
"This is my individual problem solving on the receiving end. But I think the authorities need to come up with a system to better screen applicants so that only quality drivers are given the job. It seems to me that anyone can become a taxi driver these days! Even ex-convicts can become a taxi driver as well as people coming from distant provinces despite the fact that they barely know the lie of the city and cannot understand or follow directions."
PORNPAN BOONMARK, 26,
Corporate employee
"
I protect myself by setting a curfew on when I can take a cab. I never take a taxi after 10pm. Never, ever! Once, I rode on a taxi at around 9pm and I made sure that my family and friends knew exactly where I was going and the driver's identity and taxi's license plate.
"I wish the authorities would do more to protect passengers. In the case of Suvarnabhumi Airport, licensed taxis should be equipped with a GPRS device or any other mechanism that can trace the exact location of the vehicle while ascertaining whether passengers arrive at their destination safely or not."
TAKSAPORN PATHANIBUL,
Corporate employee
Next week: With all the fuss about the giant pandas comes disgruntled voices from those committed to the welfare and conservation of our very own Thai elephants. News of troubled and injured elephants resurface alongside coverage on the developmental milestones of one baby panda. Mahouts are being targetted for bringing elephants into the city, but what alternatives do they have? 'Muse' asks you if the government should find ways to let the elephants and mahouts live with nature, and how? Send your answers along with your name, profession and contact information to muse@bangkokpost.co.th by August 26. A little prize awaits the person who gives us our favourite answer!
As a passenger, there are several factors that we should keep in mind to ensure our safety, especially since we are placing our lives in the hands of complete strangers. Here are your answers!
Muse's PICK
"
First and foremost, when taking a taxi we must make a note of the vehicle's information and number plate, which should clearly be displayed on the dashboard or on the passenger's side door, as this will help to easily identify the cab company. Secondly, this will also be very helpful in cases where we forget our belongings; a quick phone call to the taxi company will save us all a whole lot of trouble. Thirdly, we should be more mindful and check to see if the ID information and photo displayed on the dashboard matches the taxi driver. If they don't, then it's better to call a different taxi. Fourthly, before getting into the taxi make sure the driver knows where your destination is, and also make sure that he/she is willing to take you. This will save passengers from paying more money than they should. Fifthly, during the ride make sure you are familiar with the route that the driver is taking you. You can simply ask the driver to take the route you want him/her to, and they should comply with your request. Lastly, upon reaching your destination, remember to take a quick glance back at your seat to double check that none of your things have slipped out from your pocket or purse, including your mobile phone, wallet or any other important belongings."
NISHA GANDHI,
Housewife
"
I always write down the driver's name and the taxi's number plate. If I take a taxi at night or if it's a really long ride I always send an SMS of the driver's ID and taxi information to my family members, friends and boyfriend.
"This is my individual problem solving on the receiving end. But I think the authorities need to come up with a system to better screen applicants so that only quality drivers are given the job. It seems to me that anyone can become a taxi driver these days! Even ex-convicts can become a taxi driver as well as people coming from distant provinces despite the fact that they barely know the lie of the city and cannot understand or follow directions."
PORNPAN BOONMARK, 26,
Corporate employee
"
I protect myself by setting a curfew on when I can take a cab. I never take a taxi after 10pm. Never, ever! Once, I rode on a taxi at around 9pm and I made sure that my family and friends knew exactly where I was going and the driver's identity and taxi's license plate.
"I wish the authorities would do more to protect passengers. In the case of Suvarnabhumi Airport, licensed taxis should be equipped with a GPRS device or any other mechanism that can trace the exact location of the vehicle while ascertaining whether passengers arrive at their destination safely or not."
TAKSAPORN PATHANIBUL,
Corporate employee
Next week: With all the fuss about the giant pandas comes disgruntled voices from those committed to the welfare and conservation of our very own Thai elephants. News of troubled and injured elephants resurface alongside coverage on the developmental milestones of one baby panda. Mahouts are being targetted for bringing elephants into the city, but what alternatives do they have? 'Muse' asks you if the government should find ways to let the elephants and mahouts live with nature, and how? Send your answers along with your name, profession and contact information to muse@bangkokpost.co.th by August 26. A little prize awaits the person who gives us our favourite answer!
Bus firms apply for fare rise
The Private Bus Operators Association is seeking permission from the Transport Ministry to raise bus fares on interprovincial routes by three satang a kilometre.
Sujinda Cherdchai, chairwoman of Cherdchai Tour Co and president of the Private Bus Operators Association, said after a meeting yesterday the association had agreed to send letters to Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum and the Land Transport Department seeking permission to raise bus fares on Monday.
They will propose a rise of three satang a kilometre, she said.
Although the government earlier reduced diesel prices by two baht a litre,oil prices were still higher than the rate agencies use to calculate bus fares, Mrs Sujinda said.
"We are asking the government to understand our view and allow us to raise fares," she said.Sujinda:'Won't affect "The rise of passengers that much'three satang a kilometre won't affect passengers that much."
Operating costs were now very high,both in terms of maintenance and oil prices, she said.
Mr Sohpon yesterday said bus operators had the right to seek a fare rise, but the Transport Ministry and the Land Transport Commission would look into several factors before deciding whether to approve it.
The ministry's current policy is to maintain transport fares at present levels.
Chairat Sa-nguansue, director-general of the Land Transport Department and secretary of the Central Land Transport Control Commission, said it had already been decided to watch the direction of oil prices for two weeks before committing to a fare rise.
He warned private bus operators not to raise fares before the commission gave approval. If they did, they would face tough legal action.
Sujinda Cherdchai, chairwoman of Cherdchai Tour Co and president of the Private Bus Operators Association, said after a meeting yesterday the association had agreed to send letters to Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum and the Land Transport Department seeking permission to raise bus fares on Monday.
They will propose a rise of three satang a kilometre, she said.
Although the government earlier reduced diesel prices by two baht a litre,oil prices were still higher than the rate agencies use to calculate bus fares, Mrs Sujinda said.
"We are asking the government to understand our view and allow us to raise fares," she said.Sujinda:'Won't affect "The rise of passengers that much'three satang a kilometre won't affect passengers that much."
Operating costs were now very high,both in terms of maintenance and oil prices, she said.
Mr Sohpon yesterday said bus operators had the right to seek a fare rise, but the Transport Ministry and the Land Transport Commission would look into several factors before deciding whether to approve it.
The ministry's current policy is to maintain transport fares at present levels.
Chairat Sa-nguansue, director-general of the Land Transport Department and secretary of the Central Land Transport Control Commission, said it had already been decided to watch the direction of oil prices for two weeks before committing to a fare rise.
He warned private bus operators not to raise fares before the commission gave approval. If they did, they would face tough legal action.
Kiattana Transport to list on MAI on September 18
Kiattana Transport, a specialist in carrying petrochemicals and dangerous substances, will raise capital for expansion in neighbouring countries by listing on the Market for Alternative Investmetn on September 18.
"We're looking for new areas of services and marketswhere there is potential for growth," managing director Kiatichai Monsereenusorn said yesterday.
The proceeds from selling 40 million inital public offering (IPO)shares at a par valre of Bt1 apiece will be used for extending the company's transport and logistics services,especially to Vietnam from Laos and Cambodia, which it already serves, as well as for working capital.
The company also has high hopes the listing will help it increase and diversify its customer base.
The IPO will raise its paid-up capital from Bt160 billion to Bt200 million.
Kiattana, which has relied on only two clients for half of its business-Padaeng Industry and Vinythai-has tried to seek more clients to reduce its risk from cancellations by those clients. Now ithas succeeded in lowerin sales from major clients to 38 per cent of total sales, from 49 per cent last year.
Kiatichai said wholly owned subsidiary Chemtrans would help diversifty its parent's customer base away from large clients. This is not cannibalism, because Chemtrans's clientele, focusing on fuel and energy products, is different from that of its parent.
Chemtrans this year has started delivering natural gas for vehicles (NGV)to a major producer."There is potential for growth in NGV transport services, because of higher demand from the transport sector buoyed by the rising price of crude and refined oil,"he said.
Part of the company's policy is to support PTT's expansion plan for NGV stations in Bangkok and upcountry, from 303 now to 400 this year and 595 in 2012. This will be an opportunity for the company to grow.
Kiattana provides complete transportation services for zinc, heavy metal, chemicals and dangerous goods with a fleet of more than 300 venhicles, including 10-and 22-wheel lorries, trailers and rescue lorries.
It also links its six regional branches in Rayong, Ayutthaya, Kamphaeng Phet, Samut Prakan, Saraburi and Tak provinces to the head office in Bangkok with an advanced online system.
"We're looking for new areas of services and marketswhere there is potential for growth," managing director Kiatichai Monsereenusorn said yesterday.
The proceeds from selling 40 million inital public offering (IPO)shares at a par valre of Bt1 apiece will be used for extending the company's transport and logistics services,especially to Vietnam from Laos and Cambodia, which it already serves, as well as for working capital.
The company also has high hopes the listing will help it increase and diversify its customer base.
The IPO will raise its paid-up capital from Bt160 billion to Bt200 million.
Kiattana, which has relied on only two clients for half of its business-Padaeng Industry and Vinythai-has tried to seek more clients to reduce its risk from cancellations by those clients. Now ithas succeeded in lowerin sales from major clients to 38 per cent of total sales, from 49 per cent last year.
Kiatichai said wholly owned subsidiary Chemtrans would help diversifty its parent's customer base away from large clients. This is not cannibalism, because Chemtrans's clientele, focusing on fuel and energy products, is different from that of its parent.
Chemtrans this year has started delivering natural gas for vehicles (NGV)to a major producer."There is potential for growth in NGV transport services, because of higher demand from the transport sector buoyed by the rising price of crude and refined oil,"he said.
Part of the company's policy is to support PTT's expansion plan for NGV stations in Bangkok and upcountry, from 303 now to 400 this year and 595 in 2012. This will be an opportunity for the company to grow.
Kiattana provides complete transportation services for zinc, heavy metal, chemicals and dangerous goods with a fleet of more than 300 venhicles, including 10-and 22-wheel lorries, trailers and rescue lorries.
It also links its six regional branches in Rayong, Ayutthaya, Kamphaeng Phet, Samut Prakan, Saraburi and Tak provinces to the head office in Bangkok with an advanced online system.
WE FLUNK ROAD SAFETY TEST
Thailand's road safety rules do not measure up against international standards, especially for baby seats.
Under a fivepoint test from the World Health Organisation, all existing measures in Thailand failed in all conditions.
In the baby safety seat category, Thailand scored zero out of a possible 10 points, WHO expert Maureen Bermingham told a seminar yesterday.
Lax enforcement of the standard speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour won only two points, she said, adding that the high speed limit still posed a huge risk and should be lowered to only 50km/h like in many developed countries.
On measures to curb drunkdriving, lax enforcement and other negative factors earned five points although the legal blood alcohol level is as low as other countries.
The safety helmet and seatbelt categories scored four and five respectively. The rate of motorcycle passengers wearing helmets is still much lower than the acceptable standard.
The Interior Ministry's Road Safety Centre said it was working on new measures to reduce road accidents from 22.21 per 100,000 persons five years ago to 14.15 by 2012.
The Transport Ministry said it would raise the standard of tests in driving schools and would change mandatory inspection of all public transport to twice a year from once a year.
The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand said it would devise a new medevac system relying on military helicopters to reach serious patients within 10 minutes.
Another project is to ensure "one district one fullyequipped ambulance" and "one tambon one rescue team" across the country.
Under a fivepoint test from the World Health Organisation, all existing measures in Thailand failed in all conditions.
In the baby safety seat category, Thailand scored zero out of a possible 10 points, WHO expert Maureen Bermingham told a seminar yesterday.
Lax enforcement of the standard speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour won only two points, she said, adding that the high speed limit still posed a huge risk and should be lowered to only 50km/h like in many developed countries.
On measures to curb drunkdriving, lax enforcement and other negative factors earned five points although the legal blood alcohol level is as low as other countries.
The safety helmet and seatbelt categories scored four and five respectively. The rate of motorcycle passengers wearing helmets is still much lower than the acceptable standard.
The Interior Ministry's Road Safety Centre said it was working on new measures to reduce road accidents from 22.21 per 100,000 persons five years ago to 14.15 by 2012.
The Transport Ministry said it would raise the standard of tests in driving schools and would change mandatory inspection of all public transport to twice a year from once a year.
The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand said it would devise a new medevac system relying on military helicopters to reach serious patients within 10 minutes.
Another project is to ensure "one district one fullyequipped ambulance" and "one tambon one rescue team" across the country.
Taxi alternatives take off
Getting to the airport on the outskirts of town used to be a simple proposition - catch a taxi, even if it meant sitting in traffic.
But in recent years the number of options has grown, especially at some of the biggest airports, with direct trains and shared-ride services. The additional options are cheaper and also more reliable, in many cases, if there is a lot of traffic on the highways.
Shared-ride transfers offered by firms like SuperShuttle in the US and Go Airport Shuttle, which operates in North America and Britain, can be more time-consuming than a taxi or limousine ride, but are significantly less expensive. And fast trains - like the Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express in London and AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark in the New York area - are less expensive than a taxi and often faster.
These alternative modes of transport are becoming more attractive to business travellers, said Dave Kilduff, managing director of ground transportation consulting for the CWT Solutions Group,because in "this type of economic environment, corporations are turning over every rock to save money."
And services like the Heathrow Express "are not only faster, they're keeping people off the road,they're environmentally friendly," he added.
In the first six months of this year, the number of travellers whose flights ended at Heathrow was down 8.9 per cent from the period a year earlier. But Heathrow Express's share of those passengers rose 1.6 per cent in that period. Similarly,passenger traffic at La Guardia, Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International airports declined 9.4 per cent in the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2008.
But passenger traffic on the Kennedy and Newark AirTrains was 1.4 per cent higher in the first five months of this year than the same period last year.
William DeCota, director of aviation at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, estimates that during peak travel times on weekdays, one-third to one-half of passengers on the Kennedy and Newark trains are business travellers.
Perhaps the biggest attraction is the cost savings. A single on the AirTrain JFK, which picks up travellers at the Howard Beach and Jamaica train and subway stations, costs $5(171 baht).People flying out of Newark can take a New Jersey Transit train from Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan to Newark Liberty International Airport,where they pick up AirTrain Newark;the one-way fare for the trip is $15.
By contrast, a one-way cab ride from midtown Manhattan to Kennedy Airport is $45, plus tolls and tip, while a oneway taxi ride from the midtown area to Newark can go as high as $90, plus tolls and tip. Depending on traffic, an AirTrain transfer can also be quicker than a cab.
Kenneth Lin, a senior planning manager in New York for Parsons Brinckerhoff, consultants to the Port Authority on construction of the AirTrain JFK, says he's a fan of public transport,including AirTrain JFK."It's cheaper than a taxi and more reliable during rush hour. It reduces stress, as it is less idiosyncratic than taxis, and it usually arrives on time."
The Heathrow and Gatwick rail links - both of which have economy and first-class cars - offer significant time savings: the Gatwick Express travels to Victoria Station in 30 minutes, while the Heathrow Express takes only 15 minutes to get to Paddington Station. During rush hour, those journeys could take triple the time in a taxi. A return economyclass fare on the former costs ฃ28.80 (1,604 baht) and a return first-class fare,ฃ48. The economy fare on the latter is ฃ32 return, with ฃ50 for first-class return.
Money saved by using these trains is also significant: During rush hour, a cab ride from Heathrow to Paddington can cost as much as ฃ80, without a tip, while one from Gatwick to Victoria Station can cost as much as ฃ90 without a tip.
To lure business travellers, Heathrow Express has installed Wi-Fi and mobile phone service; Gatwick Express offers mobile phone service and refreshments.
The two top providers of shared-ride service are SuperShuttle, which is owned by Veolia Transportation and serves 33 airports in 26 markets in the US, and Go Airport Shuttle, a group of franchised operators that serve 80 airports in 36 cities in the US plus Toronto and London.
Both companies set a 15- to 20-minute window of time for collecting people from their homes, offices or hotels.Passengers travel to the airport in a van with others picked up along the way.
A taxi ride may be faster, but will certainly be more expensive. A one-way SuperShuttle ride to La Guardia from the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in midtown Manhattan is $14.15, and slightly higher from a Manhattan home or office.SuperShuttle typically requires a pickup three hours before a flight departure.
ShuttleFare.com, a web site that lets travellers book many types of airport transfers, including those offered by SuperShuttle and Go, recently introduced a corporate discount programme that waives its normal $4 service fee per booking, and discounts fares by seven per cent.
Matthew Holdrege, director o f international sales for Strix Systems, a wireless broadband manufacturer in Newbury Parks, California, said he found train transfers particularly attractive "as long as you travel light." But, he added,"If I'm travelling with my wife, who can have a lot of luggage, she may prefer the princess treatment. So forget about public transportation."
But in recent years the number of options has grown, especially at some of the biggest airports, with direct trains and shared-ride services. The additional options are cheaper and also more reliable, in many cases, if there is a lot of traffic on the highways.
Shared-ride transfers offered by firms like SuperShuttle in the US and Go Airport Shuttle, which operates in North America and Britain, can be more time-consuming than a taxi or limousine ride, but are significantly less expensive. And fast trains - like the Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express in London and AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark in the New York area - are less expensive than a taxi and often faster.
These alternative modes of transport are becoming more attractive to business travellers, said Dave Kilduff, managing director of ground transportation consulting for the CWT Solutions Group,because in "this type of economic environment, corporations are turning over every rock to save money."
And services like the Heathrow Express "are not only faster, they're keeping people off the road,they're environmentally friendly," he added.
In the first six months of this year, the number of travellers whose flights ended at Heathrow was down 8.9 per cent from the period a year earlier. But Heathrow Express's share of those passengers rose 1.6 per cent in that period. Similarly,passenger traffic at La Guardia, Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International airports declined 9.4 per cent in the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2008.
But passenger traffic on the Kennedy and Newark AirTrains was 1.4 per cent higher in the first five months of this year than the same period last year.
William DeCota, director of aviation at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, estimates that during peak travel times on weekdays, one-third to one-half of passengers on the Kennedy and Newark trains are business travellers.
Perhaps the biggest attraction is the cost savings. A single on the AirTrain JFK, which picks up travellers at the Howard Beach and Jamaica train and subway stations, costs $5(171 baht).People flying out of Newark can take a New Jersey Transit train from Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan to Newark Liberty International Airport,where they pick up AirTrain Newark;the one-way fare for the trip is $15.
By contrast, a one-way cab ride from midtown Manhattan to Kennedy Airport is $45, plus tolls and tip, while a oneway taxi ride from the midtown area to Newark can go as high as $90, plus tolls and tip. Depending on traffic, an AirTrain transfer can also be quicker than a cab.
Kenneth Lin, a senior planning manager in New York for Parsons Brinckerhoff, consultants to the Port Authority on construction of the AirTrain JFK, says he's a fan of public transport,including AirTrain JFK."It's cheaper than a taxi and more reliable during rush hour. It reduces stress, as it is less idiosyncratic than taxis, and it usually arrives on time."
The Heathrow and Gatwick rail links - both of which have economy and first-class cars - offer significant time savings: the Gatwick Express travels to Victoria Station in 30 minutes, while the Heathrow Express takes only 15 minutes to get to Paddington Station. During rush hour, those journeys could take triple the time in a taxi. A return economyclass fare on the former costs ฃ28.80 (1,604 baht) and a return first-class fare,ฃ48. The economy fare on the latter is ฃ32 return, with ฃ50 for first-class return.
Money saved by using these trains is also significant: During rush hour, a cab ride from Heathrow to Paddington can cost as much as ฃ80, without a tip, while one from Gatwick to Victoria Station can cost as much as ฃ90 without a tip.
To lure business travellers, Heathrow Express has installed Wi-Fi and mobile phone service; Gatwick Express offers mobile phone service and refreshments.
The two top providers of shared-ride service are SuperShuttle, which is owned by Veolia Transportation and serves 33 airports in 26 markets in the US, and Go Airport Shuttle, a group of franchised operators that serve 80 airports in 36 cities in the US plus Toronto and London.
Both companies set a 15- to 20-minute window of time for collecting people from their homes, offices or hotels.Passengers travel to the airport in a van with others picked up along the way.
A taxi ride may be faster, but will certainly be more expensive. A one-way SuperShuttle ride to La Guardia from the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in midtown Manhattan is $14.15, and slightly higher from a Manhattan home or office.SuperShuttle typically requires a pickup three hours before a flight departure.
ShuttleFare.com, a web site that lets travellers book many types of airport transfers, including those offered by SuperShuttle and Go, recently introduced a corporate discount programme that waives its normal $4 service fee per booking, and discounts fares by seven per cent.
Matthew Holdrege, director o f international sales for Strix Systems, a wireless broadband manufacturer in Newbury Parks, California, said he found train transfers particularly attractive "as long as you travel light." But, he added,"If I'm travelling with my wife, who can have a lot of luggage, she may prefer the princess treatment. So forget about public transportation."
Blue Line bidding open to foreign firms
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority's board has agreed to open bidding for the Bt76-billion Blue Line urban electric-train project to foreign as well as local contractors.
"We opted for international bidding rather than an electronic auction as the project size is huge, and foregin contractors should be allowed to participate," Tawalyarat Onsira, an MRTA director, said after the board's meeting yesterday.
The meeting discussed both sections of the Blue Line, from Bang Sue to Tha Phra and from Hualamphong to Bang Khae.
The MRTA will now update the project cost, and the terms of reference should be ready for the board's consideration next month.
If the Comptroller-General's Office approves the international-bidding method, the bid documents should be available in October.
The Public Debt Management Office yesterday informed the MRTA's board that the Blue Line's constructin would be financed by domestic borrowing. This will shorten the bidding process to between three and six months, said Tawalyarat.
If the Finance Ministry sought financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the process could take eight to 12 months.
Tawalyarat said the bidding results should be known by next February. Bidders will be required to pass general qualification criteria, meet the technical construction requirements and quote competitive prices.
Of the current Blue Line project cost of Bt76 billion, Bt48.8 billion is for civil works and Bt25 billion for rolling stock.
Board member Chairat Chumwong will chair a committee to take care of land expropriation for the construction of the Blue and Purple lines. About 30 per cent of the land to locate the Purple Line is yet to be expropriated.
The board yesterday gave its stamp of approval to the qualifications of four companies - AEC, Thai MM, Systra snd PPS - bidding for the Purple Line's construction-project management contract, worth Bt1.3 billion.
"We opted for international bidding rather than an electronic auction as the project size is huge, and foregin contractors should be allowed to participate," Tawalyarat Onsira, an MRTA director, said after the board's meeting yesterday.
The meeting discussed both sections of the Blue Line, from Bang Sue to Tha Phra and from Hualamphong to Bang Khae.
The MRTA will now update the project cost, and the terms of reference should be ready for the board's consideration next month.
If the Comptroller-General's Office approves the international-bidding method, the bid documents should be available in October.
The Public Debt Management Office yesterday informed the MRTA's board that the Blue Line's constructin would be financed by domestic borrowing. This will shorten the bidding process to between three and six months, said Tawalyarat.
If the Finance Ministry sought financial support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the process could take eight to 12 months.
Tawalyarat said the bidding results should be known by next February. Bidders will be required to pass general qualification criteria, meet the technical construction requirements and quote competitive prices.
Of the current Blue Line project cost of Bt76 billion, Bt48.8 billion is for civil works and Bt25 billion for rolling stock.
Board member Chairat Chumwong will chair a committee to take care of land expropriation for the construction of the Blue and Purple lines. About 30 per cent of the land to locate the Purple Line is yet to be expropriated.
The board yesterday gave its stamp of approval to the qualifications of four companies - AEC, Thai MM, Systra snd PPS - bidding for the Purple Line's construction-project management contract, worth Bt1.3 billion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)