Channel 0135 Public Transit

Changi Airport Group and Jetstar Group sign air hub deal supporting flights growth

2010-02-07T02:17:00.001-08:00

Jetstar to make Changi Airport its largest hub in Asia

Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Jetstar signed an agreement today to launch a strategic partnership that will see Jetstar continue to make Singapore Changi Airport its largest air hub in Asia for both short and long haul operations. As part of the agreement, Jetstar will operate its highest number of services and base its largest number of A320-family aircraft in Asia at Changi. It also commits to introduce long haul services using wide body aircraft out of Singapore.

Under the three-year agreement, the Jetstar Group – which includes Jetstar in Australia and Jetstar Asia/ Valuair based in Singapore – is committed to increase existing flight frequencies and offer more destinations from Singapore.

Jetstar’s projected growth at Changi will include additional A320-family narrow body services and, for the first time, wide-body A330-200 medium and long haul flights to and from destinations in Asia and beyond. Jetstar also aims to grow the percentage of transit and transfer traffic through Changi among its passengers.

CAG will support Jetstar’s continued growth at Changi Airport with various incentives under the Changi Airport Growth Initiative which was introduced on 1 January 2010. The incentives will enable Jetstar to lower its cost of operations at Changi. It will also receive additional incentives for launching services to cities not currently connected to Changi. This will provide more offerings and new exciting destinations for passengers travelling via and out of Singapore.

As a partner, CAG will work closely with Jetstar to explore route opportunities to grow its traffic out of Changi. CAG will also support Jetstar’s operational needs, such as to improve its ground operations and to enhance the airport experience of its passengers, for example by introducing an early check-in option for Jetstar passengers travelling on the same day.
Growing at Changi, together

Welcoming CAG’s partnership with Jetstar, CAG Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lee Seow Hiang, said, “We are honoured that Jetstar has chosen Changi Airport to be its largest hub in Asia. We are committed to supporting Jetstar’s growth at Changi by helping it to grow traffic and to keep costs low. By hubbing at Changi, Jetstar will gain from inter-lining opportunities with the many airlines that fly here, including its parent, Qantas, which already uses Changi as an Asia hub.

“For Changi Airport, it will benefit from Jetstar’s increased number of flights and destinations, which will contribute to higher passenger traffic and a stronger connectivity network. And, importantly, this partnership is also beneficial for air travellers in the region who will enjoy a greater choice of low-fare travel options through Changi.”

Mr Lee added, “Our agreement with Jetstar signals CAG’s strong desire to work with our airline partners to grow the pie at Changi. We are ready to develop customised partnerships with airlines based on their business models and growth plans, whether they are full service or low cost carriers.”

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Mr Bruce Buchanan said the new agreement would support significant growth opportunities for Jetstar and its networks linking Singapore.

“This agreement is most important to us and provides a platform for sustainable future growth throughout Asia,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Partnerships like this with Changi Airport Group allow us to invest in both existing and new flying markets and present opportunities from Singapore for us to drive growth.

“Singapore is of high strategic importance to Jetstar and equally of great importance to the Qantas Group. This agreement provides further leverage to us now seeking the full benefits of a burgeoning hub operation in Singapore.

“The clear operational advantages of Singapore as a hub and primary access point into Asia are clear and can now be further built upon as a result of this agreement.”

Jetstar, a pioneer in Asia’s low cost carrier sector, operates 408 flights each week to and from Changi, offering its passengers a varied menu of 23 destinations. Its future planned growth is supported by fleet expansion plans to beyond 100 aircraft by 2014/15.

Jetstar set to transform airport experience for customers via efficient self-service check-in model USD $3.5 billion deal

2010-02-05T22:49:00.000-08:00

Jetstar set to transform airport experience for customers via efficient self-service check-in model USD $3.5 billion deal with International Aero Engines (IAE) signed

Low fares leader Jetstar will set about transforming the check-in experience for its Australian and New Zealand domestic customers during 2010 by unveiling a new approach towards the airport experience for customers with a target of 100 per cent customer self service.

The proposal builds upon existing customer self service technology now in place for Jetstar’s domestic passenger base including Web Check and Self Service Kiosks at some Airports.

This will be complemented by the introduction of world-first SMS Boarding Pass technology during the first 2010 quarter and automatic Web Check and pre-enrolment for flights at time of booking.

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan announced the airline’s plans during an address to the Low Cost Airlines World Asia Pacific 2010 Conference in Singapore.

In a series of announcements the Pan Asian carrier also secured Agreements valued at up to USD $3.5 billion with the International Aero Engines (IAE) consortium to have the latest V2500 SelectOne™ engine power a new fleet of 50 additional Airbus A320 family aircraft for the Jetstar Group, with options and purchase rights on up to 40 more aircraft.

The major deal, one of the largest in Jetstar’s history, includes an Engine Purchase Agreement valued around USD $1.5 billion if all options and purchase rights are exercised to be distributed amongst the mainline Jetstar fleet based in Australia and New Zealand, as well as with Jetstar Asia/Valuair of Singapore and Jetstar Pacific, based in Vietnam,.

A long-term USD $2 billion Aftermarket Services Agreement will cover these new engines and those installed on 40 IAE-powered aircraft that the Jetstar businesses currently operate.

Mr Buchanan said over the term of the Agreements significant savings would be generated and solidified a long term strategic commercial relationship with IAE to help support Jetstar’s continued growth, including its Pan Asian network plans.

“The Agreements reflect Jetstar’s continued focus on cost-competitive outcomes and fostering long term partnerships that help deliver sustainable low fares and growth,” Mr Buchanan said.

Jetstar’s move to help put people back in control of their airport experience during domestic travel will incorporate a more streamlined and hassle-free customer airport experience supported by:

Doubling the number and footprint of Self-Check Kiosks across Jetstar’s Australian and New Zealand domestic networks. Kiosks will cover all domestic ports in Australia and NZ;

Introduction of world-first SMS boarding pass technology across Jetstar’s domestic Australian & New Zealand ports during 2010 and fitted to all Jetstar Self-Check Kiosks;
Enhanced web tools such as Automatic Web-Check at Jetstar.com;

Redeploying existing Jetstar staff from primarily check-in duties to customer service and revenue generating activities.

Mr Buchanan said the airline’s fresh approach towards allowing its domestic customer base greater choice in self service prior to their travel would balance the efficient application of new technology for air travelers with strong customer service outcomes.

“Through our growing suite of innovative new customer facing applications at Airports we are seeking to ensure that the airport experience is increasingly convenient, easier and more hassle-free than before,” Mr Buchanan said.

“The approach we are taking is firmly designed around improving, not reducing, the customer service and airport experience at increasingly busy terminals, and of empowering both regular and irregular Jetstar flyers to use technology to take control of the airport experience.

“This is an extremely positive and exciting step forward for our airline as well as for our employees that will greatly enhance customer service levels.

“There will be no change in our Airport staffing numbers under this model, meaning our Airport Customer Service personnel can move beyond the check-in counter to spend more effective time directly with our customers prior to flying.”

Jetstar passengers who Web-Check for Australian domestic flights will soon be given the option to have their boarding pass and unique boarding code sent to their mobile phone via a standard text SMS message.

The SMS technology has been developed by Melbourne-based company Sissit Group with which Jetstar has a Research and Development arrangement.

Unlike some other airlines who have introduced this technology to WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) or internet enabled handsets, in a global first, any mobile phone will be able to accept the Jetstar boarding pass on a domestic flight via the common text message.

This will allow customers who purchase fares via Jetstar.com to request at the time of booking for the airline to automatically check the passenger(s) in 24 hours prior to their Jetstar flight departure with the boarding pass to then be sent via email or SMS text message.

Mr Buchanan said SMS boarding pass technology would be further trialled on Sydney-Melbourne (Avalon) flights from late February 2010, with a staged roll-out across Jetstar’s domestic Australian and New Zealand networks during the 2010 calendar year.

He said automatic check-in when purchasing a fare at Jetstar.com had commenced earlier this month.

“Automatic check-in for the airline’s Australian and New Zealand domestic services allows passengers at the time of booking to choose to check-in and have their boarding passes automatically sent to them via email 24-48 hours before flight departure,” Mr Buchanan said.

“The new technology will be further enhanced when SMS boarding pass technology is fully activated, meaning a boarding pass can then be delivered direct to the future passenger’s mobile phone.

“By introducing applications such as Automatic Web-Check and SMS Boarding Passes, Jetstar saves real costs, which we are able to directly pass on to our customers with our low fares.”

Emirates Airline takes delivery of Airbus’ 6,000th aircraft

2010-01-29T21:25:00.001-08:00

Emirates Airline and Airbus have marked a major achievement, by celebrating the hand-over of the 6,000th aircraft in the airframe manufacturer’s 40 year history. The aircraft, an A380, was handed over to Emirates Airline in a ceremony in Hamburg. The aircraft is Emirates’ eighth A380.

Accepting delivery of the new aircraft, Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President, Emirates' Engineering and Operations, said: “The A380 represents the future of air travel and our strength and determination to drive forward, alongside Airbus, to meet our ambitious expansion plans and traffic demand. If a powerful demonstration of the resilience of the aviation industry was required, today has provided that. All who have flown the A380 will realise that this is a very special aircraft, embracing the latest in passenger comfort, technology and environmental credentials.”

“Today’s delivery is our 25th A380 so far, and more importantly, the 6,000th Airbus produced in our 40 year history. It is particularly significant that it is both an A380 and for Emirates, as they were involved in its development from early on. We are proud to have the words ‘Airbus 6,000th Aircraft’ inscribed alongside the Emirates livery,” said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO.

With a total order for 58 aircraft, Emirates is the single largest customer for the A380. Established in 1985, Emirates became an Airbus operator from the outset. Today, Emirates’ Airbus fleet has grown to 55 aircraft with a further 121 on order.

Airbus was formed in 1969, and by 2005 had reached more than 50 per cent of worldwide deliveries in a single year, of all aircraft of more than 100 seats. It also took Airbus some 30 years after its initial creation to bypass its main competitor in terms of sales and remain at around half the market share.

THAI and Nok Air Join Force to Boost Domestic and Regional Air Traffic

2010-01-02T04:49:00.000-08:00

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is joining force with Nok Air. From 1 March 2010, Nok Air will operate flight to some of THAI’s domestic destinations: Phitsanulok, Ubol Ratchathani, and Mae Hong Son. This cooperation will increase competitiveness of both airlines, and passengers will be able to take advantage of more convenient travel at low-fare prices while still maintaining THAI’s high safety standards.

Mr. Piyasvasti Amranand, THAI President, said that the Company’s policy to form cooperation with Nok Air is based on its Two-Brand Strategy. Through this strategy, there will be increased cooperation in the services offered on secondary domestic and regional routes. Through THAI and Nok Air’s cooperation, passengers on these routs will continue to receive the same standard of services that they currently receive on THAI, such as: 1. Same flight frequencies, whereby there are no less flights than previously operated, 2. Same standards of aircraft maintenance, and 3. Same cockpit crew standards. THAI has made careful studies thoroughly assessed the flight sectors concerned to prevent negative impacts on customers. Connecting traffic between domestic routes from Nok Air to THAI international flights have been worked out. The cooperation will add more connecting points in the secondary domestic and regional destinations to THAI and Star Alliance’s global network. THAI will be able to better utilize its aircraft by offering more flight option to high-demand destinations, while still emphasizing its premium service standards to passengers based on its strategic plan.

The Company has conducted a study on the performance of its domestic routes during the past 10 years, particularly on secondary routes which was unprofitable for several years but operations were sustained for the travelling public. However, in order to meet demands of a continually changing international airline industry, airlines across the world, including THAI, had to adjust their strategic planning on the recovering world economy: fluctuating world fuel prices that are on the rise, and Influenza A (H1N1), in order to surpass the financial crisis and further its business operations. The Company, therefore, had to establish its corporate strategy and make adjustment on its cost to meet increased competitiveness. Over the past 5 years, losses were incurred for operational results on flights to Phitsanulok at the average of 86.3 million baht per year, to Ubol Ratchathani at 74.9 million baht per year, and to Mae Hong Son at the average of 49.9 million baht per year.

Passengers can be confident on Nok Air’s standards of flight operations and services that will be supported by THAI which is recognised for its high safety standards. In addition, passengers will continue to receive the same standards of service that they previously received from THAI, including the flight frequency and seat capacity at attractive prices.

Asian Countries Agree to Pursue Treaty on Dry Ports to Promote Regional Integration

2010-01-02T01:37:00.000-08:00

Transport Ministers Forum concludes first session at ESCAP in Bangkok

Transport ministers from across Asia have agreed to work on a treaty to promote the development of dry ports – inland transport and logistics hubs – to spur intraregional trade and growth.

The agreement came at the end of the first session of the Forum of Asian Ministers of Transport, which concluded today at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok.

In the Bangkok Declaration on Transport Development in Asia, the ministers agreed to develop an intergovernmental agreement on dry ports to provide connectivity and integration of the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway networks, creating an international integrated intermodal transport and logistics system.

Under the auspices of ESCAP, countries in the region have already adopted two intergovernmental agreements - on the Asian Highway and the Trans-Asian Railway networks - to promote the development and standardization of 141,000 kilometers of roadways and 114,000 kilometers of railways, linking the continent with Europe and serving as arteries for international trade, especially for landlocked countries in the region.

Dry ports will play an important role in integrating modes of transport, reducing border crossing and transit delays, facilitating the use of energy-efficient and lower emission means of transport, and creating new clusters of economic growth and job creation in local areas.

The first session of the Forum brought together 27 countries in Asia. In his opening message on Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that “enhanced regional connectivity is especially important” in addressing development issues.

In her opening address, Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, spoke of the vital role of the transport sector in providing physical connectivity required for promoting domestic demand and intraregional trade as new sources of growth.

“The economic crisis has shown that relying mainly on exports to western markets comes with inherent risks. Our region will need to diversify the drivers of growth. This must include strategies for promoting increased intra-regional trade and domestic consumption,” said Dr. Heyzer.

The Forum was created by member governments of ESCAP at their annual meeting last April. During the week-long session, delegates discussed issues pertaining to transport development in the region, including the implementation of the Busan Declaration on Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific, and the Regional Action Programme for Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific.

ETIHAD TO JOIN SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL USERS GROUP

2009-12-15T19:28:00.001-08:00

Etihad Airways has joined the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG), an airline-led industry working group established in 2008 to accelerate the commercialisation and availability of sustainable biofuels.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said: ““Etihad recognises the need for step-changes in aviation to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and meet our industry’s carbon reduction goal. We also recognise that any fuel alternatives must be morally, socially and environmentally acceptable, while not compromising the future sustainability of the aviation industry.”

SAFUG members are bound by stringent criteria for the development of non fossil fuels, including the following:

The development of plant sources must be undertaken in a manner that is non-competitive with food, with biodiversity impacts minimised and without jeopardizing drinking water supplies. The total lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from plant growth, harvesting, processing and end-use should be significantly less than that from fossil sources. In developing economies, development projects should include provisions or outcomes that improve socio-economic conditions for small-scale farmers and their families and that do not require the involuntary displacement of local populations. High conservation value areas and native eco-systems should not be cleared and converted for jet fuel plant source development.

Each SAFUG member has pledged to work through the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB), a global multi-stakeholder initiative consisting of leading environmental organizations, financiers, biofuel developers, biofuel-interested petroleum companies, the transportation sector, developing-world poverty alleviation associations, research entities, and governments.

“Abu Dhabi, our home base, has itself made a strong commitment towards sustainability and in the promotion of renewable energy through the establishment of Masdar City, which will the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency,” Mr Hogan said.
About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to over 55 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.

Google is first to offer seamless integration of transit and traffic information of Bangkok on Google Maps to help travelers get around faster and eas

2009-12-15T05:02:00.001-08:00

Partnering with all major Bangkok transport agencies, Google is the only organization that provides walking and driving directions, public transit route planning and traffic information in one easy-to-use platform

Bangkok, November 25, 2009 - What do 1.7 million daily public transit riders per day. Combined total of BTS, MRT and BMTA passengers per day. And over 5 million motorists in Bangkok have in common? They can now use Google Maps to plan their trips around the city through a unique collaboration between Google and the following land transportation organizations in Bangkok: Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS) and Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, Metro Operator (MRT). Mapping, directions and route planning for the various forms of land transportation in Bangkok - from our own two feet to buses, trains and cars - are now all available for free in Thai on Google Maps. Transit and traffic information are also available on mobile devices with Google Maps for Mobile, so commuters and motorists can check the latest updates on their cellphones to make route changes on-the-go.

Today at Siam Square, overlooking one of Bangkok's busiest transportation hubs, Wisit Wongsaroj, Head of the office of Information Technology, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), Kobkul Mothana, Director-technology information, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Arkom Baramichai, Chief Administrative Officer, Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS), Witoon Hatairatana Marketing and Commercial Development Division Director, Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, Metro Operator (MRT), Andrew McGlinchey, Head of Product Management, Google Southeast Asia, and Pornthip Kongchun, Thailand Marketing Head, Google Southeast Asia, launched this new service, which can be accessed through Google Maps at maps.google.co.th/transport.

Under this collaboration, Google is the first organization to officially receive bus/train schedules, locations and routes from the BMTA, BTS and MRT. Google also worked with the OTP to integrate live traffic data into the popular and familiar user interface of Google Maps. None of the local partners are incurring any costs for the partnership with Google.

Whether a private car owner switching to go by bus or BTS or MRT, or a public transit rider choosing to drive or take a taxi, or even one of 10 million international visitors Office of Tourism Development, Thailand who land in Bangkok each year finding their way around, the Bangkok public can now use Google Maps to plan their routes and make an informed decision on the quickest and most convenient way to reach their destinations. Each time a Google Maps user requests driving directions, the user will also be given the opportunity to plan the same trip using public transit which is very useful when the traffic route is highlighted as red or heavy congestion.

"Each day, millions of commuters travel the streets of Bangkok using BMTA buses. With the launch of transit information on Google Maps for Bangkok with step-by-step instructions in Thai, it is now even easier to go green and take public transportation around the city. We are delighted to be collaborating with Google and our other local partners to provide residents and visitors in Bangkok a comprehensive, easy-to-use trip planner that links BMTA buses to the rest of the city's other public transit options," said Wisit Wongsaroj, Head of the office of Information Technology, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).

"Our office is excited to have worked closely with Google to make it easy for Bangkok motorists to access current traffic conditions on their computers or mobile phones," said Kobkul Mothana, Director-technology information, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). "In accordance with our mission to ensure an efficient transportation system in Thailand, we believe that the traffic layer on Google Maps will help drivers in Bangkok save on commuting time and expenses by letting them plan their travel routes in advance or change them on-the-go to avoid congested areas."

"This year marks our 10th anniversary of operations in Bangkok and we are pleased to be joining Google and our other transportation colleagues in announcing the availability of transit information on Google Maps," said Arkom Baramichai, Chief Administrative Officer, Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS). "The train routes and schedules from BTS have been integrated into the transit information on Google Maps to better inform Bangkok commuters about which mode of transportation to use on any given day. We hope that everyone in Bangkok uses the tool in order to make their daily commutes easier."

"Our mission has always been to provide mass transit services to the public that are safe, fast, reliable and punctual. This transit feature integrates MRT data on Google Maps to enhance commuters' experience by making it easy for them to plan their trips across multiple forms of public transit. Whether it's trying to get to the Thai Cultural Center on Rajadapisek road or grabbing a bite to eat at Japanese restaurant near Silom Station, Google Maps will help commuters get to their destinations as quickly as possible," said Witoon Hatairatana Marketing and Commercial Development Division Director, Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, Metro Operator (MRT).

"Google's goal is to bring accurate, comprehensive land transport information from OTP, BMTA, BTS and MRT together on a global mapping platform for easy access, search and use on PCs or mobile phones by millions of Bangkok residents and Google Maps users around the world," said Pornthip. “Google is currently the only organization that has combined all the forms of land transportation in Bangkok into one easy-to-use Thai interface. We're very excited to be launching this service today in Bangkok and we hope that residents and visitors to the city, whether they are traveling by foot, bus, train or car will find it helpful in getting to their destinations."
Google Maps for Mobile offers transit, traffic and driving information on-the-go

Google Maps for Mobile extends the dynamic search capabilities of Google Maps to mobile phones, allowing anyone in Thailand to locate addresses and navigate maps while on the go. Google Maps for Mobile also has the My Location feature, which shows your location on the map even if your phone does not have GPS, and lets you look up business listings in relation to where you are (e.g. type "restaurants" into the map search box and it will display nearby restaurants).

When in Bangkok, users can now also use the traffic and transit features in Google Maps for Mobile to plan their travel while on the move. Google Maps for Mobile is free to download on your phone at http://m.google.co.th/maps. It also comes pre-installed on many web-enabled handsets. The services on Google Maps for Mobile are free; however, standard mobile data fees charged by the telecoms carriers will apply.
About Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP)

The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Ministry of Transport, is responsible for recommending policies and formulating transport, traffic and transport safety plans in line with master plans for policy integration purposes
About Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) was established by a Royal Decree Establishing the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, B.E. 2519. Beginning operations the following October, the BMTA undertook to provide bus service to commuters in six provinces, i.e. Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan.
About Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS)

BTSC operates one of the safest and most punctual mass transit systems in the region, and plays a crucial role in helping to ease Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams while providing an environmentally friendly transport alternative for Bangkok’s commuters.
About Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, Metro Operator (MRT)
MRT: safe, fast, convenience, trustworthy, and punctual
About Google Inc.

Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.google.co.th.

Google and Google AdWords are registered trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

TNT steps up presence With new Penang International Gateway facility

2009-11-20T22:23:00.000-08:00

TNT, one of the world’s leading providers of integrated express services, has increased its presence in Malaysia with the opening of a new facility today – The TNT Penang International Gateway. Located at Kompleks Kargo Kedua, next to the airport runway, the integrated air and road facility – the first in northern Malaysia - will improve the transit times of goods passing through Penang and will increase the company’s capability to handle a greater volume of goods. The new facility will provide significant opportunities and benefits businesses in the hi-tech industry, specifically the electronic, computing, telecommunications and semi-con sectors.

TNT’s Penang International Gateway was officially opened today by Y.A.B. Mr Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang. Y.A.B. Mr Lim said, “The fact that TNT is investing in yet another facility in Penang despite the challenging economic times is a big confidence boost to doing business in Penang and also Malaysia. The electrical and electronics industry is a key pillar of Malaysia’s economy and forms a significant portion of Penang’s total trade . TNT’s top-notch services and the attention it pays to providing a high level of security meets the demands of the industry especially in North Malaysia.”

Speaking at the official ceremony, Onno Boots, Regional Managing Director for TNT Southeast Asia and India said, “It is important for TNT to stay nimble and adaptable during these challenging times but also to stay focused on further developing our infrastructure and integrated air-and-road networks in the region. The opening of our Penang Gateway facility is yet another demonstration of our commitment to grow in Malaysia and the region. We understand the needs of our customers especially in the hi-tech sector and want to offer them the most cost-effective supply chain solutions for their business.’

Alan Miu, Managing Director of TNT in Thailand said, “The new Penang TNT facility provides an important and timely boost to our already well established Asia Road Network (ARN) of which TNT Thailand is an integral part. With direct road links to Thailand it reduces transit times for our in and out bound services through Malaysia by a whole day, enabling us to offer our ARN customers an even speedier service.”

NEW PHETCHABURI BOOMS WITH AIRPORT LINK

2009-11-04T06:53:00.001-08:00

       Bangkok property firm Fragrant Property says a survey of property and land prices on New Phetchaburi Road has shown that prices there have risen steadily, thanks to the development of public utilities and transport.
       It says the increases have resulted from the expansion of real estate business away from Sukhumvit and Sathorn roads, which are considered to be Bangkok's central business district, because property prices have soared in these areas despite the economic crisis.
       CEO James Duan said land prices in the central business district had been sharply adjusted upwards with no tendency to decline despite the economic conditions. The amount of available land is rather limited and most of it is held by private owners who will not rush to sell until the price is high enough.
       Therefore, project-development expansion has moved into neighbouring places, especially those with convenient transportation. For example, the price of land on Makkasan Road stood at Bt200,000 per square wah in 2006 and has now risen to Bt300,000 per square wah. In some places, particularly near Airport Rail Link stations, the price is even higher.
       The company's survey found that five condominiums, together worth Bt13 million, will be built on New Phetchaburi Road between the Makkasan intersection and Klong Tan intersection. Some have already been launched and others are in the development process and are expected to be completed before the end of 2012.
       The projects will offer a total of 2,755 units with prices starting at Bt1.8 million. The price per square metre ranges from Bt79,000 to Bt110,000.
       Earlier, property experts and analysts revealed that demand for land along the Airport Rail Link route was very active, resulting in rising land prices, particularly on New Phetchaburi Road between the Makkasan intersection and the Asoke-New Phetchaburi intersection.
       Developments in this area are not restricted to residential projects, but include hotel projects serving tourists and investors. Negotiations are in progress for several land plots and it is believed that there will be at least 1,500 residential units developed in the area in the next one or two years.
       "Regarding condominium prices in this area, it was found that projects near to train stations, Makkasan station and Asoke intersection, have higher prices than others," Duan said.
       "Although some people remark that New Phetchaburi Road is full of old commercial buildings and entertainment clubs, it should be pointed out that five new projects are aimed at high-end customers and the response to project launches has been good.
       "Therefore, we expect that the image of New Phetchaburi Road will change, especially when the Airport Rail Link opens in the middle of next year," he said.

Green fund plans win approval

2009-11-04T06:52:00.000-08:00

       The cabinet yesterday approved in principle investment plans for low-carbon technologies proposed by the Finance Ministry that would use funding from the World Bank's Clean Technology Fund (CTF).
       The investment plans are mainly for developing environment-friendly energy and for transport projects that reduce the use of fuel oil.
       The World Bank has told the Thai government it would offer as much as US$300 million in credit to the public and private sectors, said Vachara Kannikar, a deputy government spokesman.
       The CTF was set up by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and International Financial Corporation to provide funds mainly to support reductions in greenhouse gas impacts.
       The cabinet yesterday also approved plans by state-owned companies including the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand to borrow an additional $1.35 billion from overseas lenders to help finance infrastructure projects.
       The Mass Rapid Transit Authority will seek a loan of $563.9 million from the Japan International Co-operation Agency to finance an electric rail line, an the upgrade of its mobile-phone network to third-generation (3G) technology.
       Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said the cabinet yesterday also gave a green light for the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC)to set aside 60 billion baht in credit to help prop up rice prices during the current harvest.
       Loans of 20 billion baht guaranteed by the Finance Ministry will be extended to the Marketing Organisation for Farmers and the Public Warehouse Organisation to buy rice directly from farmers. Another 20 billion baht in loans to rice millers will improve their liquidity on condition that they buy rice from farmers at prices set by the Commerce Ministry. The government will cover loan interest of 2% and the millers will pay loan interest at 2.75%.
       The BAAC will set aside another 20 billion baht for a rice mortgaging scheme to help farmers who need money but prefer not to sell when prices are low.

SERVICES TO RESUME TODAY AS GOVT READY TO DEPLOY FORCES

2009-10-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

       All trains, including those on southern route, will resume normal operations today, as the government is ready to deploy police and military forces to end the five-day strike that has inconvenienced commuters and other travellers and disrupted goods shipments.
       State Railway of Thailand (SRT) chairman Tawalyarat Onsira said workers at all main stations, apart from those in Hat Yai, had agreed to cooperate.
       Patrol police will escort trains past Hat Yai, where most of the rebellious union members are stationed, to the southernmost station in Sungai Kolok, in Narathiwat province.
       "The southern trains had been stopped at Surat Thani out of fear that when they reached Hat Yai, the locomotives would be seized by the workers there. To date, they have seized four locomotives. But tomorrow, the services will resume, as the government has to ease the troubles of commuters, particularly those riding on free trains," Tawalyarat said in a phone interview yesterday.
       He said the SRT had the government's green light to resume services, as yielding to the union's demands would pose a long-term problem for nationwide train services.
       He added that the authorities' filing of a charge on Monday had scared off the union, which did not in the event seize control of the country's main station at Hualamphong as it had threatened to do.
       While stating that the trouble was partially caused by Sawit Kaewwan, the union leader who is also chairman of the SRT's savings cooperative, the state rairoad chief said the SRT was ready for damage claims from those inconvenienced by the strike.
       Transport Minister Sophon Ssaram yesterday said on television that the ministry would use police and military force to seize the locomotives confiscated by the striking workers.
       He also accused union leader Sawit of lying by stating that all the locomotives were in need of repair.
       The Cabinet yesterday endorsed a revision of the SRT's recruitment rules, alloing the agency to hire retired drivers and 170 graduates from the train academy for a short period.
       Sophon urged all drivers to return to work.
       "Our policy is to seek compromise, but this depends on the rules. Service must be resumed, and then there can be negotiations. All drivers need to uphold their duty and cannot [in effect] take passengers hostage," he said.
       He said since the accident in Prachuap Khiri Khan on October 4, the ministry had been ordered by the Cabinet to complete the SRT's restructuring plan within three weeks. He said a restructuring of the agency was essential.
       PORTS REPORT DELAYS
       Meanwhile, the Port Authority of Thailand reported the rail strike had led to delays in shipments destined for Klong Toei and Laem Chabang ports, as they were stuck at Surat Thani train station.
       The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning yesterday suggested the SRT be upgraded into a department of the Transport Ministry.
       Deputy director Chula Sukmanop said the upgrade would lead to better management of the national railroad network, while its funding costs would be lower.
       "[Due to its importance], the SRT should be like the Highways Department and the Airport Transport Department, as it is supposed to be the regulator and not just the operator of rail services," he said.
       A study by the Thailand Development Research Institute showed the proposed railway department under the ministry should be responsible for development of rail infrastructure, as well as signalling, stations and other key components of the rail service.
       It should also have subsidiaries for running the train service, property management and so on.
       In the next stage, the government should invite private firms to form joint ventures to run the rail service, the study said.

Magnificent seven

2009-10-14T23:57:00.000-07:00

       In the most important, most revered event since the invention of the brontosaurus trap,Microsoft shipped the most incredibly fabulous operating system ever made; the release of Windows 7 also spurred a new generation of personal computers of all sizes at prices well below last month's offers.The top reason Windows 7 does not suck: There is no registered website called Windows7Sucks.com
       Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
       Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
       Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
       Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
       The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
       The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
       Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
       The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
       The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.

TRAIN DRIVER SACKED OVER ACCIDENT

2009-10-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

       The State Railway of Thailand has dismissed the train driver and cut the salary of the train mechanic and caretaker by 15 per cent for 10 months after concluding they were responsible for the accident in Prachuab Khiri Khan on October 5.
       SRT Deputy Governor Pakorn Tangjetsakao said the investigating committee had interrogated eight witnesses and concluded that the accident had been caused by human error because the signalling, rail and locomotive systems were functioning properly.
       The driver, Rerngsak Phanthep, admitted that he had fallen asleep when the train was passing the red light at Wang Phong Station. He also testified that he had taken an antihistamine pill for his flu before he went on duty that day and that he didn't hear the warning on the walkie-talkie due to low battery. It was discovered that Rerngsak suffers from high-blood pressure and was not under the influence of alcohol. It was also discovered that he had only had one day off, on September 14, from the beginning of September until the day of the accident.
       The train's mechanic, Bowarnrat Suatim, and caretaker Uthai Raksaket said they did not hear the warning either.
       Meanwhile, Pakorn said the committee proposed that Rerngsak be fired and Bowornrat and Uthai get their salaries docked for failing to monitor signals and train carriages. The punishment will go into effect as soon as the disciplinary committee, which will be formed in the next few days, approves it. All three employees have been suspended with immediate effect.
       More than 80 members of the SRT labour union yesterday petitioned with Transport Minister Sophon Saram that he fire SRT Governor Yuthana Thapcharoen. Union leader Sawit Kaewwan said Yuthana had failed to do his job and that it was wrong of him to announce that the accident had been caused by human error before the investigation was launched. Sawit also noted that the condition of the equipment be studied and that authorities be fair to the employees.

WHO'S TO TAKE BLAME FOR TRAIN ACCIDENT?

2009-10-11T23:45:00.000-07:00

       The transport minister and SRT governor |share moral responsibility The recent derailment of the Trang-Bangkok train in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Khao Tao station (about 20km south of Hua Hin), which left eight people dead and more than 80 injured, is yet another case, among the many, of the poor service standards of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).
       At this stage, all fingers point to the driver Roengsak Panthep. He allegedly jumped the signal and dozed off minutes before the accident.
       It is believed the driver had been unwell and taken some medicine before the train went off the rails. Transport Minister Sophon Saram has promised to reveal the result of the investigation by his committee tomorrow.
       Eagerly awaiting the result of the probe, the public cannot help but wonder, why is it that we still haven't heard of any offer to resign by either the transport minister or SRT governor Yuthana Thapcharoen?
       There was sufficient reason for both to have taken moral responsibility earlier for what was one of the most serious accidents in the history of the SRT.
       Clearly both of them have not read recent news reports about some of the good examples set elsewhere by railway chiefs and transport ministers, who resigned to take responsibility for a major railway accident. They did it of their own will, too.
       In July, Croatia's Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development Minister Bozidar Kalmeta resigned after a train accident killed six and injured at least 50. That same month, the managing director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) promptly resigned from his post to take moral responsibility after the collapse of an under-construction bridge that killed five people in the Indian capital.
       So far the minister and the governor have only expressed their sorrow and regret for what happened. If the results of the investigation point to human error, the top-ranking officials should still resign from their posts as it is clear that they failed to ensure the safety of hundreds of lives who travelled on that doomed train.
       The SRT's ageing fleet has been legendary.
       Most of its 256 locomotives are very old, ranging in age from 13 to 45 years. Given the current demand for railway travel, the SRT would ideally need at least 155 locomotives per day in service. In reality, it is already struggling with 137.
       Meanwhile, its first class air-con passenger carriages are on average 12 years old, the second-class AC cars, 23-34 years old, and the third-class cars, 27-94 years old. In fact, some of the trains will be a hundred years old very soon.
       As for the railroads, only 24 per cent of the network is in a very good condition, 38.6 are deemed in good condition and 28.5 per cent are usable.
       What's more, there are 2,449 railway crossings around the country, and 1,009 of which still do not have safety barriers.
       Whether or not the SRT is understaffed or overloaded with incompetent staff is debatable. The SRT has 2,200 drivers who handle 200 trains and 2,000 engineers. As it turns out, the SRT's labour union has complained that the present workforce is not sufficient. It is estimated that the SRT needs 300 more drivers and 500 additional engineers.
       As a result, most drivers have to subject themselves to double shifts. Worse, the SRT has been forced by a Cabinet resolution on July 28, 1998 to replace only 5 per cent of staff who retire or resign.
       There is an endless stream of complaints from train travellers. Toilets on the second-class AC and third-class carriages are dirty and stinking.
       Ageing locomotives can still be seen belching black plumes of smoke. Trains hardly run on time during rush hours.
       All this adds up to some shocking statistics.
       Last year, there were 143 cases of derailment, resulting in five people dead and 17 injured, compared to 111 cases, 71 injured and six dead a year earlier. There is every chance of a similar accident happening again.
       All the SRT needs is a complete overhaul. Incompetent staff, no matter who they are, should not be kept on, and old fleet should be replaced with new ones. Above all, concerned parties should consider taking moral responsibility for things gone wrong in their organisation. As it turns out, it's the low-ranking officers who are fired. It's time for a top-down reform at the SRT.

Derailment probe to be conclude Monday

2009-10-09T22:51:00.001-07:00

       An investigation into the recent derailment in Prachuap Khiri Khan, which killed 10 people, will be concluded on Monday, the State Railway of Thailand said yesterday.
       The extraction of information from the black box of train 84, which travels between Bangkok and Trang and derailed in Hua Hin district on October 5, is under way, said SRT governor Yutthana Thabjaroen.
       An internal SRT investigation has initially established that Rerngsak Phanthep, the chief driver, became drowsy and incapable of operating the train because of medication he was taking.
       Pluem Phetthongklaing, a superior of Rerngsak, said the driver had not fled the scene and had turned up for work regularly since the accident.
       Provincial police chief Pol MajGeneral Rungroj Saengkhram said that besides Rerngsak, the engineer working with him at the time would be prosecuted for causing death and injury through recklessness, if the SRT investigation found he was at fault in carrying out his duties.

SRT boss says driver passed out

2009-10-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

       The driver of the train which derailed in Prachuap Khiri Khan on Monday has admitted he passed out and caused the fatal accident, rail authorities say.
       Yuthana Thapcharoen, governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), yesterday said Roengsak Panthep, the driver of the train, had been located after disappearing when the train derailed early on Monday.
       The governor said Mr Roengsak insisted he did not run away.
       He suffered from a chronic illness which might have caused him to pass out while driving the express train from Trang to Bangkok, the governor said.
       Seven passengers died and 88 were injured when the speeding train jumped the rails at Khao Tao station in Hua Hin district in the early hours of Monday morning.
       Mr Yuthana said he was ready to listen to the driver's explanation and would guarantee justice for all parties.
       Uthai Raksakhet, a train attendant being treated at Hua Hin Hospital, yesterday said he was in the second carriage and felt the train approaching Khao Tao station too quickly.
       Radio communication from Wang Phong station, which the train had passed earlier, ordered the driver to stop but he did not respond. Seconds later, the train derailed, Mr Uthai said.
       It was reported staff at Khao Tao station tried to switch the express train on to another track to prevent a collision with an oncoming freight train.
       Meanwhile, the families of two of the seven dead victims called for action to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.
       Chatchai Wongtadlong, whose mother Oraphin Chaichit,44, and one-year-old cousin Kanoklak Thawornboonruang,were killed in the derailment, called at the funeral of the two victims yesterday on authorities to pay close attention to the problems besetting the country's railway operations
       Mr Chatchai said he could not be compensated for his loss with any amount of assistance money.

NGV bus fares likely to rise just a little

2009-10-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

       Bus users may be feeling a little more at ease as the fares for the new naturalgas fuelled buses, which are set to replace old green minibuses, are expected to go up only slightly.
       Cheap natural gas prices will likely offset the high cost of obtaining the new buses, Chairat Sanguanchue,director-general of the Land Transport Department, said yesterday.
       The fare is forecast to rise to slightly over seven baht from 6.5 baht currently.
       "We have to discuss with related parties and consider many factors before coming up with a standard price which is not expected to increase much as natural gas prices are lower than petrol which will help balance out the cost of buying the new buses," Mr Chairat said.
       Many minibus operators have yet to comply with the state policy that requires public bus operators to replace their buses with new natural gas for vehicles (NGV) buses by August this year due to a lack of financial support.
       The policy took effect in 2007 with the purpose of lifting the standard of public buses and promoting the use of alternative fuels.
       The deadline has been extended to June 2010 to allow more time for minibus operators to replace their buses.
       Sombat Laksana-Apinyo, one of the owners of Patchara Bus which operates five minibuses, said although he agreed with the replacement policy as new airconditioned buses will be welcomed by passengers, the timing was not right.
       The economy is still bad and banks tend to lend to big firms like bus manufacturers and distributors, not small operators like him, Mr Sombat said. It would have been better to have waited another two years until the economy had fully recovered.
       He said the company spent about 3 million baht per natural gas bus, and his company has already ordered five of them to replace its old minibuses.
       Meanwhile, the Islamic Bank of Thailand yesterday launched its third auto hire-purchase loan programme aimed at lending 1.5 billion baht to support minibus operators to switch to NGV buses.
       Suthep Suebsantiwong, an executive of the Islamic Bank, said loan requests worth 500 million baht requested by 10 minibus operators are being considered.
       Mr Suthep said operators will benefit from the replacement as it is a longterm investment. Existing buses consume 3-4 baht worth of petrol per kilometre, while natural gas buses will only cost one baht per kilometre.
       The Finance Ministry has directed the Islamic Bank to increase its loan target for this year to 33.7 billion baht from 20.7 billion baht set earlier. The state-owned bank lent 18 billion baht in the first nine months of the year.
       Regarding the government's approval for the lease of 4,000 natural gas-fuelled buses, Mr Chairat expects to see the terms of reference (TOR) completed in the next two months in order to arrange orders by the end of the year. Buses are expected to be on the road in 15 months.
       With regard to e-tickets, Mr Chairat said e-tickets should not be used with existing public buses as suggested by the National Economic and Social Development Board since the system is not yet ready.
       He suggested e-tickets should be used along with the new buses.
       Thawatchai Phaolueangthong, a minibus operator under a concession of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), said even though the Land Transport Department's policy is to replace green minibuses with airconditioned natural gas-powered buses from Aug 16, most bus operators are reluctant to take out loans to replace their buses.
       This is because they were still waiting for a clearer direction for the government's 4,000 natural gas bus leasing project.
       Some were afraid they might not be able to run their new buses on certain routes once the BMTA launches its own natural gas bus lease project, said Mr Thawatchai.

Buffett hammered on Forbes rich list

2009-10-02T21:00:00.001-07:00

       The super-rich are getting poorer with the 400 wealthiest Americans losing $300 billion of net worth in the past year, hurt by sagging capital and real estate markets, according to the annual Forbes magazine ranking.The Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans, released on Wednesday, said Warren Buffett was the biggest loser, with the famed investor shedding $10 billion in net worth as shares in his firm Berkshire Hathaway tumbled.
       The list of top 10 richest Americans remained virtually unchanged from the 2008 list, with Microsoft Corp founder Bill Gates in the top spot with a fortune of $50 billion, down $7 billion from last year. Buffett was No.2 with $40 billion and Oracle Corp founder Lawrence Ellison was No. 3, with his fortune unchanged at $27 billion. Ellison was the only member of the top 10 who did not suffer significant losses.
       The US stock market, as measured by the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, slid about 43% from September 2008, when the financial crisis erupted, through March - shedding $5 trillion in market value.
       The wealth estimates were made according to asset values on Sept 10. Many at the top saw their net worth rise since March, when Forbes published its list of the world's richest people, coinciding with the bottom of the bear market.
       The top 10 combined lost almost $40 billion, said Matthew Miller, editor of the Forbes list, in what he called a "bloodbath" of wealth destruction for America's rich and not-so-rich alike. The net worth of all 400 combined fell 19%,to $1.27 trillion from $1.57 trillion.
       "No one is going to cry for any of these super-rich guys, because even the ones who dropped from $2 billion last year to $100 million still have a very nice lifestyle," Miller said.
       But he warned about a trickle-down effect since many of these executives wield economic power, including control over thousands of jobs.
       "It really doesn't spell anything good for any of us," he said."If they're getting poorer, we're likely getting poorer."
       Four descendants of Wal-Mart Stores Inc founder Sam Walton returned this year at positions four through seven,with fortunes between $21.5 billion and $19 billion.
       Completing the top 10 were New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, with a fortune of $17.5 billion from the news and financial data empire that bears his name, and brothers Charles and David Koch, who run manufacturing and energy company Koch Industries and are valued at $16 billion each.
       This marked the fifth time since 1982 - when the business magazine began chronicling the fortunes of America's richest people - that their collective wealth fell.
       About 314 members of the Forbes 400 saw their fortunes shrink, lowering the price of admission to the list to $950 million, from $1.3 billion a year ago.
       The list includes 19 new members such as Isaac Perlmutter, chief executive of Marvel Entertainment Inc, which recently agreed to be bought by Walt Disney Cos for $4 billion, and Jeffry Picower, a longtime investor with Bernard Madoff who is accused in a civil lawsuit to have profited by at least $5 billion from the Madoff fraud.
       One newcomer, banker Andrew Beal,tripled his net worth to $4.5 billion by buying cheap loans and assets.
       Thirty-two people fell off the list, including former Citigroup Inc chief executive Sanford Weill, accused swindler Allen Stanford, who has been in a Texas jail since June, and brothers Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, whose Station Casinos Incfiled for bankruptcy during the past year.
       The full Forbes 400 list can be seen at www.forbes.com/400richest.

Man killed, floods spread in Ketsana path

2009-10-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

       Storm Ketsana continued its destructive path across the country yesterday, killing a man in Pattani and causing floods in many parts.
       Authorities are attempting to assess the damage from Ketsana which began as a typhoon before being downgraded to a depression on Wednesday and a low pressure system as it moved across the country yesterday.
       In Pattani, a palm tree fell on an unidentified couple riding their motorcycle on the Kapho-Bacho Road in Kapho district. The husband was killed and the wife seriously injured.
       Ketsana also destroyed 40 houses and uprooted rubber trees in the district.
       Throughout the country, damage was less than expected.
       The Meteorological Department said Ketsana entered the country in Ubon Ratchathani, bringing with it persistent downpours in the Northeast, the East and the Central Plains including Bangkok.
       The storm left many northeastern provinces flooded. Hard hit were Muang,Prakhon Chai, Krasang, Nong Ki and Satuk districts of Buri Ram; Muang and Khukhan districts of Si Sa Ket; and Ban Khwao and Muang of Chaiyaphum.
       Schools in downtown Chaiyaphum have been closed and will reopen on Monday.
       In the North, floods submerged parts of Muang, Thoen, Wang Nua, Muang Pan, Mae Mo and Mae Phrik districts of Lampang, and Mae Sariang and Sop Moei districts of Mae Hong Son.
       In the eastern province of Chon Buri,strong winds and high seas forced fishing boats in Si Racha district to remain at anchor.
       Ferries between the district and Si Chang island, a popular tourist attraction,were suspended yesterday.
       Many small fishing boats reportedly sank.
       Royol Chitradon, director of the Science and Technology Ministry's Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute,warned of more wet weather ahead.Several storms were brewing in the Pacific Ocean and could head for the southern parts of China.
       The storms may affect weather conditions over much of the country in the coming days.

Mass pedal-power protest gets a reward

2009-09-24T23:51:00.001-07:00

       Over 10,000 cyclists gathered in the centre of the Hungarian capital on Tuesday evening to push for a better deal for the city's cyclists.
       The annual event organised by the cycling pressure group Critical Mass to mark World Car-free Day had a political edge this year.
       Riders encircled the town hall to protest the cancellation of one of two planned cycle lanes to be laid out as part of the renovation of a major bridge across the Danube river.
       Police warnings that motorists should steer clear of the city centre in the evening proved wise as cyclists, from families with young children to the odd pensioner,filled the roads in one colourful, tooting and bell-tinkling mass.
       Earlier in the day, government officials cycled from the Hungarian parliament building to the city centre to announce a 1.3-billion-forint (238.5 million baht)city bicycle programme. Almost threequarters of the funding will come from government and European Union sources, the prime minister's chief of staff Csaba Molnar said.
       Mr Molnar said that more than 1,000 bikes will be made available for free public use, to be picked up and dropped off at any of 73 planned bicycle stations around the city.
       Gabor Bihari, a spokesman for Critical Mass Hungary, the local arm of the global cycling movement, welcomed the news.
       He said that he believed it was no coincidence that the government announcement came on the day of a high-profile demonstration.
       "We very much look forward to all promises being delivered," he said.

MRTA backs rail arbitration

2009-09-24T23:49:00.000-07:00

       The Mass Rapid Transit Authority is asking the cabinet to accept arbitration in disputes involving its Purple Line electric railway project, to help secure financing.
       The creditor, Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), wants recourse to arbitration in the event of a dispute.
       But in a July 28 decision, the cabinet decided to exclude the arbitration option.
       MRTA chairman Supoj Saplorm met Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum yesterday to discuss the cabinet's decision to exclude the option of an arbitration committee to resolve any dispute involving the Purple Line which will link Bang Sue and Bang Yai.
       Mr Supoj asked the minister to try to convince the cabinet next Tuesday to restore the arbitration condition in the 50 billion baht electric railway project,because without the condition Jica would not finance the work.
       An arbitration committee would consist of a representative of the government,a representative of its contractor and a third member acceptable to the government and the contractor.
       Mr Sohpon said arbitration was an internationally recognised mechanism to speed up the process of dispute resolution which otherwise could become bogged down in court.
       However, the cabinet decided to exclude arbitration from governmentprivate projects because the mechanism had failed in the past to benefit the state.
       "Arbitration is an international principle," the minister said.
       "It is applied overseas without a problem but it always causes problems in our country and the government is at a disadvantage.
       "I know well what is going on but cannot elaborate. The problems rest with the people who implement it. As there are problems, the government resolved to exclude it and ordered compliance with Thai law in the event of a dispute."
       MRTA deputy governor Chukiat Photayanuwat said Jica believed the contracts for the Purple Line project were international agreements and should include the arbitration option.
       MRTA chairman Supoj said with the arbitration issue unsettled, work on the Purple Line could not start even though the MRTA had signed one of three contracts for the project.

CHINA PUTS FEASIBILITY TALKS ON HOLD

2009-09-24T23:48:00.001-07:00

       China has decided to put on hold talks regarding the rail line that would link the main-land to Thailand. According to the Transport Ministry, the 300-kilometre double-track line will link Den Chai to Chiang Khong, before it links up with a line to Kunming, in China's Yunnan province.
       Chula Sukmanop, deputy director-general of the Office of Transport, Traffic Policy and Planning, confirmed yesterday that the Chinese government had postponed discussions about the project's feasibility with its Thai counterparts.
       The idea of getting China to invest in the railway line was brought up during Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's visit to Beijing from June 24 to 27.
       "The Chinese government has postponed the ministerial-level discussion and has not yet informed us when it will be ready to open talks. However, Thailand has been ready for negotiations since July," Chula said, adding that due to this delay, the project could not be concluded on a government-to-government policy level in terms of setting an investment model.
       He said the route proposed by the Transport Ministry would link Den Chai in Phrae province to Chiang Khong district in Chiang Rai. Since there are no such links at present, it would be easy to garner investment in forms of both public-private partnership and concessions.
       "According to initial evaluations, the 300-kilometre route should cost around Bt30 billion," Chula said.
       The route will come under the supervision of the State Railway of Thailand, especially in terms of land expropriation and concession. A source at the Transport Ministry added that this route would be of added interest to China because not only would it link up to Thailand's nationwide railway system, it would also allow easy access to the soon to be set up Pak Bara port in Satun province.
       "The rail route will allow goods to be easily moved from China via Thailand before they are loaded onto ships at the port on the Andaman coast," the source said, adding that this transportation route would be much quicker than the one currently used via Melaka in Malaysia.
       The route will also boost trade between Asean countries, including China and India.
       A source said Bt85 million had been earmarked for the design of the double-track Den Chai-Chiang Khong rail line, which should be completed in a year.
       The source added that the negotiations had probably been delayed because China wanted to wait for its leader to announce the country's planned financial aid for Asean countries during the grouping's summit in Cha-am next month. China is expected to set up two funds: the US10-billion (Bt336 billion) China Asean Fund to be used for infrastructure and logistics-related development-especially in terms of the China-Singapore rail-way project-as well as the $15-billion China Asean Loan.

US transit systems terror alert

2009-09-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

       Counterterrorism officials are warning US mass transit systems around the nation to step up patrols because of fears an Afghanistan-born immigrant under arrest in Colorado may have been plotting with others to detonate backpack bombs aboard New York City trains.
       Investigators say Najibullah Zazi, a 24-year-old shuttle van driver at the Denver airport, played a direct role in a terror plot that unravelled during a trip to New York City around the anniversary of the Sept 11,2001 attacks. He made his first court appearance on Monday and remained behind bars.
       Mr Zazi and two other defendants have not been charged with any terrorism counts, only the relatively minor offence of lying to the government. But the case could grow to include more serious charges as the investigation proceeds.
       Mr Zazi has publicly denied being involved in a terror plot, and defence lawyer Arthur Folsom dismissed as "rumour" any notion that his client played a crucial role.
       The investigation into Mr Zazi's role and how many others may be involved was ongoing. Two law enforcement officials said late on Monday that more than a half-dozen individuals were being scrutinised in the alleged plot.
       The FBI said in a statement that "several individuals in the United States,Pakistan and elsewhere" were being investigated.
       Backpacks and cellphones were seized last week from apartments in Queens where Mr Zazi visited.
       In a bulletin issued on Friday, the FBI and Homeland Security Department warned that improvised explosive devices are the most common tactic to blow up railways and other mass transit systems overseas. And they noted incidents in which bombs were made with peroxide.
       In the bulletin, officials recommended that transit systems conduct random sweeps at terminals and stations and that law enforcement make random patrols and board some trains and buses.
       The effects of the warning were not immediately clear on Monday. New York's transit agency said it was in touch with an FBI-NYPD (New York Police Department) task force but wouldn't comment further.
       The task force feared Mr Zazi may have been involved in a potential plot involving hydrogen peroxide-based explosives, according to two law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
       Investigators said they found notes on bomb-making instructions that appear to match Mr Zazi's handwriting,and discovered his fingerprints on materials - batteries and a scale that could be used to make explosives.He also made a trip to Pakistan last year in which he received al-Qaeda explosives and weapons training.
       A strange sequence of events began to unfold nearly two weeks ago when Mr Zazi, a legal resident of the US who immigrated in 1999, rented a car in Colorado and made a 2,560km trek across the heartland to New York. He said he went to New York to resolve an issue with a coffee cart he owned.
       He was briefly stopped entering the city as part of what was believed to be a routine drug check, and proceeded to his friend's place in Queens. Once there, his car was towed and authorities confiscated his computer. He was told by an NYPD informant that detectives were asking about him, and decided to cut the trip short and fly back to Colorado, authorities said.
       Officials speeded up the investigation and launched raids on several Queens apartments in a search for evidence of explosives.
       Since 2001, counterterrorism officials have shifted their approach and made the disruption of plots in their early stages a top priority.

BMA cleared of negligence in BTS dispute

2009-09-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

       The Administrative Court has cleared the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and three other defendants of any responsibility in not providing suitable facilities for disabled people at skytrain stations.
       The case went to court in September 2007 when Suporntham Mongkolsawat,the secretary-general of the Council of Disabled People of Thailand, and two others filed a lawsuit naming the BMA,the Bangkok governor, the chief of the Civil Service Commission which comes under the BMA and Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc as defendants.
       The four were accused of neglecting their duty by not setting up proper facilities for disabled people, such as lifts and ramps, and providing other facilities.
       The BMA granted the concession to run the skytrain to BTS.
       Hundreds of disabled people attended the court yesterday to hear the verdict.
       The court ruled that although the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act was enacted in 1991, a year before construction work began on the skytrain, there was no regulation at the time demanding that special facilities be installed for disabled people in buildings, public places and the transport sector.
       The Interior Ministry issued the appropriate regulation after the con-struction of the skytrain had begun.
       The court said the BMA fulfilled its duty later by installing elevators for disabled people at five of the most crowded stations -Asok, Onnuj,Chong Nonsi, Mor Chit and Siam Square - in 1999.
       This showed the BMA was not neglecting its duty, the court said.
       Mr Suporntham said he would lodge an appeal against the Administrative Court ruling with the Supreme Administrative Court on behalf of all networks for disabled people.
       The fight was to ensure equality for disabled people and to encourage government agencies and the private sector to pay more attention to the problems of the underprivileged, the elderly,children and pregnant women, he said.
       Mr Suporntham said even though there were many programmes to help disabled people, they were of no use if disabled people were unable to venture out of their homes because of poor facilities.
       All networks of disabled people would be asked to conduct a survey and circulate pictures of public places lacking in suitable facilities, he said.
       "All humans are born free but the disabled are being deprived of their freedom by a disabled-unfriendly environment," he said."To use the BTS is more difficult than taking a plane and flying overseas these days."
       Udomchok Churut, president of the Independent Living Pilot Project in Thailand, a non-governmental organisation supporting disabled people, said five disabled-friendly stations were not enough to help disabled people use the entire skytrain network.

GRIDLOCK IN BANGKOK AFTER BIG STORM

2009-09-24T23:44:00.001-07:00

       Heavy rain deluged many parts of Bangkok yesterday evening, paralysing traffic across the city.
       Traffic moved at a snail's pace on Lat Phrao Road, which was partly flooded.
       Gridlock was reported on main roads like Suksawad, Bang Na-Trat and Srinakarin.
       After standing still since 5pm, traffic from Bang Na to Suhumvit started to ease around 9pm.
       At press time, many company employees were still staying put inside their offices to avoid heavy rain and the traffic nightmare.
       The worst traffic congestion was at Sri-Udom intersection, where a tunnel-construction project was in progress and police were hard stretched trying to direct the traffic flow.
       Hail was reported in the Udomsuk area, and on the Srinakarin Road the rainstorm uprooted trees.
       Meanwhile, three villages in Tambon Nasao in Nan's Mueang district were hit with flash floods early yesterday.
       Water and mud swept through 80 houses leaving residents'belongings underwater and sweeping away livestock and chickens. Paddies were inundated and road surfaces damaged.
       A villager, Thawat Kongchoom said drinking water was in short supply after sources were contaminated with mud.

RAIL-LINK LAUNCH NOT DELAYED BY PHEU THAI COMPLAINTS, SAYS SRT

2009-09-24T23:42:00.000-07:00

       The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is insisting the launch of the airport-link service will not be delayed by the opposition Pheu Thai Party's complaints about the premier and the interior minister allowing conflicts of interest in the project.
       Suphoth Sublom, an SRT board director, said yesterday the project had made a lot of progress and the civil construction work was complete. The SRT is expected to officially start testing the system on December 5, which will run for three months. The service will be officially launched in April.
       On Monday, a Pheu Thai MP filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission saying that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul had allowed conflicts of interest in the project because Chaovarat's family members held shares in a construction company.
       Pheu Thai's Lamphun MP Sanguan Pongmanee and the party's spokesman Prompong Nopparit claimed that Chaovarat's wife and children held shares in Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, which won the Bt408-million project contract for adding more trimmings to the rail link. The Cabinet had approved the budget on March 10.
       Chaovarat, also leader of Bhum Jai Thai Party, argued he had already declared his assets and has had nothing to do with the company for a long time now.
       Moreover, he said, since Sino-Thai was a public company, anybody could buy its shares and as his children were all adults, they could do what they wanted with their money.
       On March 10, the Cabinet approved the Transport Ministry's request for an additional Bt115 million to hire a consultant to supervise the construction of elevated paths linking the Phya Thai Skytrain station and the Petchaburi subway station to the airport-rail link at Makkasan. This is part of the connection between airport-rail link and the SRT transportation system in the city.
       It also approved Bt11 million and Bt87 million for the construction of the paths from Phya Thai station and Petchaburi subway station respectively.
       The government will cover the cost of the construction, which should be completed in 15 months.
       The Cabinet also approved the expenditure of Bt195 million for the services of an independent safety and system certification engineer for three years. The government will be responsible for this cost as well.
       The Cabinet has acknowledged the relocation of public facilities near the airport-rail link, which would cost Bt140 million. The Metropolitan Water Works Authority and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority each will be responsible for relocation costs of Bt83 million and Bt57 million, respectively.

LAND-PRICE TUMBLE SLOWING IN JAPAN

2009-09-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

       Land prices in Japan have fallen their most in five years as the recession has discouraged buyers and tighter credit markets have choked off funding to developers.
       Average prices declined 4.4 per cent in the 12 months to the end of June. It was the 18th consecutive annual decline, said the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry. Values fell in all but three of the 22,435 locations surveyed.
       Land value are now about half of what they were at the hight of Japan's bubble economy of the 1980s. However, the decline may slow as the nation emerges from its deepest postwar recession. An 18-month climb in Tokyo office vacancies ended last month and the number of unsold condominiums on the market is down 43 per cent since last December.
       "There are signs the deline in land prices in Tokyo and other big cities is coming to a halt," said Mizuho Financial Group real-estate analyst Takashi Ishizawa, in Tokyo.
       "It's possible Tokyo prices could even rise next year, but the regional districts will continue to see declimes."
       Price declines in Japan have been less severe than those in other markets that have rallied in recent years.
       The value of ocmmercial property in Japan dropped 5.9 per cent year on year in the 12 months to the end of June. In the United States, commercial real-estate values fell 27 per cent in the same period.
       Prices in residential and commercial districts fell in all of Japan's 47 prefectures for the first time since the ministry began compiling the data in 1975.
       Values in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, the three major metropolitan areas, declined 6.1 per cent, breaking a three-year gaining streak. Prices in rural districts dropped 3.8 per cent.
       Property developers and managers accounted for eight of the 10 biggest bankruptcies of listed Japanese companies this year, stoking consumer concern about job security and deterring banks from refinancing loans to the industry.
       KK daVinci Holdings, which manages property assets worth more than Yen1 trillion (Bt365 billion), said last week it might not be able to reach and agreement with creditors to extend a loan secured by its Pacific Century Place building in central Tokyo because of the market slump.
       The most expensive piece of commercial property remains Tokyo's Ginza shopping district, where land can cost as much as Yen25 million a square metre. The value has declined 17 per cent year on year.
       The capital's Chiyoda ward, where the Imperial Palace is located, has the most expensive residential land, even after values have fallen 11 per cent to about Yen3 million a square metre.
       Average prices in Tokyo's commercial districts dropped 8.9 per cent, reversing a4-per-cent gain the previous year, as companies relocated or negotiated lower rents.
       The ministry said in June that commercial property prices in the Tokyo metropolitan area were still at the same level they were 35 years ago, after the collapse of the real estate bubble of the 1980s erased what had been a four-fold increase.
       Office vacancy rates rose for 18 straight months to the end of July, said office-brokerage company Miki Shoji. The rate was unchanged at 7.57 per cent last month.

AIRPORT RAIL LINK CREATES NEW CONDOMINIUM CLUSTER

2009-09-22T19:29:00.001-07:00

       The route of the Airport Rail Link, between Makkasan and Suvarnabhumi, is rapidly becoming a focal area for the development of new residential projects in Bangkok.
       A survey by The Nation last week found projects worth nearly Bt10 billion under construction or on drawing boards. Popular locations include Asoke, Phetchaburi, Rajprarop and Makkasan, at the city end of the link.
       Property developers began launching residential projects around the Airport Link when its construction began two years ago. Among the early projects were The Complete Rajprarop by Prinsiri, which is worth Bt1 billion and offers 547 units; Ideo Verb Rajprarop by Ananda Development, which offers 447 units and has a market value of Bt1.5 billion; and Chiwathai Rajprarop, which has 329 units and a value of Bt1.3 billion.
       The Fragrant Property Group launched a condominium project, The Circle, last year. With a market value of Bt4 billion, 90 per cent of its 901 units have already been sold.
       Last year's starters also included My Resort by Equity Residential, offering more than 200 units on Phetchaburi Road, and a 400-unit condominium called True Thonglor, developed by Pool Asset.
       Meanwhile, test runs are expected to start on the completed Airport Link in December. As the rail link builds up to full services, two more major projects worth a combined Bt6.3 billion will be gaining momentum.
       Asian Property Development introduced its latest luxury condominium, the Address Asoke-Phetchaburi, last week. With a market value of Bt3.3 billion, it offers 574 units at a starting price of Bt5.23 million per unit.
       TCC Capital Land, a joint venture between Singaporean-based CapitaLand and TCC Land, which is owned by beverage tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, will launch Villa Asoke, with a market value of Bt3 billion, this weekend. It will offer 525 units at a starting price of Bt2.99 million per unit.
       Alan Lin, CEO of real-estate firm Harrison, said the area around the Airport Rail Link was a new focal destination for property developers because of the convenient transportation offered by the rail service.
       The company is currently negotiating management deals with developers who own four land plots near the Airport Link and plan to launch residential projects worth nearly Bt5 billion next year, he said.
       "We believe that this location will continue to be popular through 2010. More than five projects are currently being planned that will offer a total of 4,400 units between now and 2011," he said.
       Condominium units in the area have starting prices between Bt75,000 and Bt150,000 a square metre.
       Asian Property Development's managing director Pichet Vipavasuphakorn said his company had launched The Address Asoke-Phetchaburi because the location would become a new destination for home-buyers when the Airport Link was complete and there was easy transportation in the area.
       Land prices in the area also remain lower than those in the Sukhumvit, Sathorn and Silom areas. Home-buyers around the Airport Link will be offered new condominium units at lower prices than those in the inner central business district, although the inner CBD will be within easy reach, he said.
       Bookings for The Address Asoke-Phetchaburi have now reached about 60 per cent of its units, following the opening of presales last week, Pichet said.
       TCC Capital Land chief executive Soammaphat Traisorat said that after introducing Villa Asoke to the market earlier this month, a number of customers had shown enough interest to visit the project. As a result, the company believes that when bookings open this weekend, there will be positive feedback from customers.
       "We believe that this area will be the new destination for residential development after the Airport Link starts operations," he said.
       Agency For Real Estate Affairs managing director Wasan Kongchan said demand for residences around mass transit systems continued to grow despite the economic downturn. The behaviour of many home-buyers has changed away from single detached houses to condominiums because of last year's spike in fuel prices.
       The popular Sukhumvit, Silom and Sathorn areas now have less land available for residential development, and some projects are demanding prices above Bt100,000 per square metre. Property developers have therefore moved to new locations, especially around the Airport Link because it is close to a new mass-transit system and land prices continue to be lower than those in the central business district, he said.
       "We believe this is a good time to buy a residence around the Airport Rail Link, before land and condominium prices in the area begin to rise," he said.
       Wasan said when the Airport Rail Link began full operations, nearby land and residential prices would rise 10-20 per cent, depending on supply in the market.

SRT to seek bigger budget for double-track project

2009-09-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

       The State Railway of Thailand plans to seek more funds soon for the double-track Kaeng Koi-Klong 19-Chachoengsao project.
       "The SRT will propose to the transport minister to consider the increased budget first before seeking Cabinet approval," SRT Governor Yuthana Thapcharoen said yesterday.
       The 106-kilometre route is part of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning's three-part development stretegy and 20 projects worth Bt350 billion designed to improve rail transport eficiency.
       The SRT has increased the estimated construction cost for the route from Bt7.65 billion to Bt10 billion after completing its feasibility study.
       The route would be extended to avoid passing near the Phra Phutthachai Temple located in Kaeng Koi.
       After the Kaeng Koi-Khlong 19-Chachoengsao route is expanded from single track to paralkel tracks, freight capacity is expected to more than double from 28 trains daily to 60 daily or from 250,000 tonnes of freight per year to 570,000 tonnes of freight per year.
       The SRT would seek approval for Bt5 billion in working capital loans from the Cabinet meeting today.
       Previously, the authority received approval for loans with the same liquidity purpose of a total of more than Bt5 billion.
       For the double-track Chachoengsao-Sri Racha-Laem Chabang route, construction has been delayed more than 40 per cent as expected.
       However, the SRT has assigned agencies to speed up the contractor, TSC Joint Venture, to complete the construction by the due date.
       The route is 78 kilometres long with a construction budget of Bt3.93 billion, he added.

Forget the car, get on your bikes

2009-09-20T02:36:00.000-07:00

       The whole point of World Carfree Day is to remind us all that Homo sapiens really do not need cars to get from point A to point B, and that alternative low or zero-emission means _ like walking, cycling or taking public transport _ should be used instead whenever possible.
       GREEN COMMUTERS: Drive a car or ride a bike—it’s your choice, but I hope you opt for the cleaner option.
       Some may think it's sloth _ one of Christianity's seven deadly sins _ or just plain laziness that people so easily become addicted to the painless mobility of driving or riding in a car.
       As ever, most activities for Carfree Day in most countries revolve around a cycle rally where cyclists roam from one side of town to the other in the hope of garnering attention from the general public and car drivers.
       And the message does get across if members of the public learn that all those cyclists took the effort to swap their cars for a noiseless, pollution-free mode of transport and were still able to get to work as usual.
       The Thai Carfree Day is, however, a bit of a sloth, since the activities are held on the Sunday closest to Sept 22, and this year, that's today.
       I almost joined them last year when I weakened after interviewing a spokesperson for one of the Carfree Day event organisers.
       PORTABLE: Easy to use folding bikes make car-free commuting more practical.
       But my conscience stopped me when I was searching through the picture archive to find accompanying pictures for last year's Carfree Day story.
       I came across several of photos of the Bangkok governor riding a women's bike, all smiles, promoting cycling in the city with a bunch of civil servants and politicians. What a load of fakes!
       They gave a speech, cut a ribbon, said a few nice things about why we should ride and not drive to work, rode a couple of kilometres and finished.
       And how did the governor get to the event? By car.
       And how did the governor go home after the event? By car. And the other 364 days a year they still drive their cars to work _ what a load of hypocrites!
       Most of the cyclists you see in public parks drive there, so how does that help?
       The point of Carfree Day is not to drive at all, not to show off on a bicycle at a public gathering.
       Sure, there are cyclists who do ride from home to the park at weekends, and I sincerely respect them for taking the effort, but their numbers are likely to be very low.
       That's why I won't join in such a hypocritical activity just for the sake of indulging my ego or for publicity.
       POCKET-SIZE: If we all drove small, zeroemission cars, that would be a good start.
       Some people criticised Khun Heart (the TV celebrity and former pop singer) for pretending to be environmentally conscious by showing off his folding bike on the Skytrain.
       Let's be fair, if he was a nobody, would he still have been accused of showing off?
       It's fine that people look in to using their car less for the betterment of the environment and their personal health.
       But next year, can we please have some more productive and meaningful Carfree Day activities _ such as having it on Sept 22 for a start, no driving to bike rides and no governor or celebrities acting pretentiously?
       Better yet, don't wait for Carfree Day to pretend to do something good for your health and the environment. Do it whenever you can for the cause and not just to make a statement.

STREET LEGAL, AT LONG LAST

2009-09-20T02:34:00.000-07:00

       Life Lesson number three: Good things come in small denominations. How many life experiences can one learn in one day? Surely two is already one too many, but little do I know I'm about to learn a third.
       ‘‘ It does make you wonder just how many drivers out there put a purple note into the short fat man’s hand to earn their right to speed, kill, maim and drink-drive on the streets of Bangkok.
       I didn't come here to learn truisms about my very existence. I just want to drive on the damned roads with my new company car. Instead, the whole fiasco is turning into a dreary chapter out of Zen and the Art of Motorcar Maintenance.
       "Do you need a hand?" a short fat man asks me, jolting me out of my daydreams as I approached the testing centre.
       "Sorry?"
       "Do you need some help in passing the driving test? 500 baht ensures you will pass," he says softly yet earnestly.
       The implication of his words goes right over my head. "Thank you but no. I've already been driving for nearly 10 years. I know how to drive."
       The short fat man disappears as quickly as he manifested himself. I continue on my merry path to the driving test area towards the back of the grounds.
       And what's this? A temple fair? It's as if the testing centre has been thrown a challenge: Construct a cute little road far removed from the reality of Bangkok streets as you possibly can. Not 200 metres away, the cacophony of Sukhumvit Road roars and turns itself inside out with the clanging and charging of maniacs zipping in and out between lanes at breakneck speeds. I'd assumed I'd be joining that madhouse on wheels as part of my driving test.
       Not so. Here out the back is a gorgeous little road with a mini stop sign, a cute little bridge and all sorts of other replicas of things that would not seem out of place on the set of the Teletubbies. The city with the world's worst traffic jams makes you do your driving test on a carriageway I fully expect to see adorned with chocolate trees and flowers made out of cupcakes topped with hundreds and thousands, while nursery rhymes seep out of gaily-coloured loudspeakers.
       If this is all I have to do, then the driving test is a piece of cake.
       There is a wizened old driving instructor sitting at an equally wizened old wooden table in a cement office. He is an unhappy looking fellow, and he scowls as he takes my application form. "Get your car and bring it around to the start of the road," he says in Thai. English translation: "I hate farangs."
       Another official explains that I have to drive around at a very slow speed, stop at a stop sign, cross the bridge, and then park no more than two metres from the kerb. I could have done the whole thing with a blindfold, and within minutes I am happily chugging through the course singing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to myself.
       It's all over in five minutes. I'm filled with elation that finally my dream of having a Thai driving license is becoming a reality; that soon I would be joining the ranks of legalised madmen raping and pillaging every road rule known to mankind on the streets of Bangkok. I stride confidently to the wizened old driving instructor.
       "You failed," he says in Thai. English translation: "And I really hate bald ones."
       With a flushed face, shocked and angry, I leave the driving centre with an appointment to return for my second try the following week.
       It's a very long seven days between driving tests, although the seven nights were good as I dreamed of various methods to slowly torture wizened old driving instructors. The movie Se7en starring Brad Pitt came out the year after and it reminded me of all the fantasies I'd had in that week. The official reason I'd failed was I had parked too far away from the kerb, but my Thai co-workers were unanimous in their judgement: If only I'd paid the short fat man 500 baht.
       You have to understand I had only been in Thailand five years, and I was young and foolish and still possessing the western mentality that bribery was bad. Fifteen years have passed since that day, and no doubt if it was today I'd have gladly passed him 500 baht - maybe even 600 baht - if he could guarantee I'd have my license in an hour.
       But back then I was determined not to pay, and on the morning of my new driving test I had a brainwave.
       Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire.
       I arrived with the same bright smile I put on the week before. I waved away the short fat man who attempted to approach me as I walked confidently towards Khun Wizened.
       Confidently, because other than my official papers and my car, I was also carrying something else. My office photographer.
       As I started the car and drove around the course, my photographer was conspicuous in his click-click-clicks. He clicked me at the stop sign. He clicked me at the bridge.
       The wizened instructor was not happy.
       "Who are you? What are you doing?" he barked.
       "I work for a news magazine with Khun Andrew," my photographer replied. "I'm taking some pictures ... for a story."
       As I approached the kerb to park not more than two metres away, my photographer went in for the kill, standing right by the car and clicking away as if every second was yet another Kodak moment, which it wasn't, which was just as well because there was no film in the camera.
       But there was really no need. Even before I'd crossed the cute little bridge I'd passed, with a hurried angry signature of the wizened instructor on my documents.
       It took a lot of sweat, patience, confusion and wasted energy to get my license all those years ago. In all fairness, the system has changed a lot since then. Gone is the motorcycle taxi driver doubling as a doctor. The test papers have been cleaned up and translated into readable English. The wizened media-shy instructor is long-since retired, and one can only hope the short fat man learned about Jenny Craig and found a nice pair of pumps.
       Instead is a far more streamlined clean process in place, as I witnessed earlier this month when I went back to renew my license.
       And while it would have been nice to buy my license for 500 baht, it does make you wonder just how many drivers out there put a purple note into the short fat man's hand to earn their right to speed, kill, maim and drink-drive on the streets of Bangkok with as little effort as possible.
       Oh no. I guess that constitutes Life Lesson Number four. Way too much for one day! No more preaching - enjoy your Sunday.

PPP model planned for Purple Line

2009-09-20T02:33:00.000-07:00

       The government will use a public-private partnership (PPP) model for train operations and signalling systems used with the new Purple mass-transit rail line in Bangkok.
       Talks have already been opened with four or five Japanese trading conglomerates about investing in the 50-billion-baht Purple Line, said Theeraj Athanavanich, director of the public infrastructure financing bureau of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).
       The PDMO plans to use the PPP model for two phases of the Purple line, covering train operations and investments in the signalling system, which combined are projected to cost 13 billion baht.
       Mr Theeraj said the PDMO would sound out potential investors worldwide about participating in the programme later this year.
       Under a PPP, the private sector enters into a contract with a public authority to provide a service or project in return for set compensation. The contract typically stipulates minimum service quality that the private operator is obliged to provide over the term of the agreement.
       Mr Theeraj said that while the process of opening bids for a contractor for Purple Line currently was under way, the PPP guidelines for the two elements of the project must be done in advance, as it may take at least 12 to 15 months before completion before going before the cabinet.
       The Mass Rapid Transit Authority has already awarded a 14-billion-baht construction contract for the Purple Line to CKTC, a joint venture between Ch.Karnchang and Tokyo Construction.Sino-Thai Engineering won a second contract worth 13 billion baht, with Power Line Engineering willing a third contract worth 5 billion.
       Two of the contracts have yet to be signed, and are awaiting final approval from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the lender for the project.
       Mr Theeraj said potential bidders for the PPP projects had already expressed the view that the Thai government may have to offer guarantees on revenues and ridership to attract interest.
       Ultimately, the government may have to offer subsidies to operators to help keep fares low to encourage public use,while at the same time giving a fair rate of return to the private operator.

Skytrain link tests delayed

2009-09-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

       Testing on the BTS Sukhumvit line extension will probably be pushed back until late 2011 due to delays in the procurement of signalling and electrical systems, says deputy Bangkok governor Teerachon Manomaipibul.
       Procurement should have taken place nine months ago if the original December 2010 deadline for the test run was to be met. But purchasing of the operating systems for the 5km extension from Onnuj to Soi Baring, or Sukhumvit Soi 107, has not been approved yet, said Mr Teerachon, who is responsible for mass transit projects.
       The senior City Hall official responsible for making the purchase has apparently stalled the scheme over fears of being investigated if something went wrong with the purchase, he said.
       The official in question is due to retire and does not want to take risks despite being told the scheme is strictly in line with regulations, said Mr Teerachon.
       Former city clerk Khunying Nathanon Thavisin was accused of irregularities over the purchase of fire trucks and boats by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
       City Hall retroactively fired her from the post this week.
       Mr Teerachon said he cannot be sure the test run can take place by mid-2011 as the consulting and bidding process normally takes about seven months.
       Construction of the superstructure and stations by contractor Italian-Thai Development Plc is about 95% complete.

FASHION SHOPS PLANNED FOR SKYTRAIN

2009-09-20T02:31:00.000-07:00

       ICC International, the trading and manufacturing arm of Saha Group, is interested in opening permanent shops for branded fashion products at Skytrain stations.
       "Similar to the Japanese, Bangkokians today have a rushed lifestyle and always require greater convenience," executive director Nonglak Techabunanek said yesterday.
       It would be the first time for ICC to tap the new sales channel of mass rapid transit, which carries heavy traffic of potential shoppers. The Skytrain retail outlets would cater very well to their changing urban lifestyle, she said.
       About 80-90 per cent of the company's sales are from department stores, and 10 per cent from other modern retail channels such as hypermarkets.
       The company also started a TV-shopping channel at the beginning of this year, but the sales contribution is still small.
       Community centres are another potential retail channel of interest to the company.
       "Our sales in the first eight months are flat compared to the same period last year. We also expect our full-year sales to be flat or enjoy slight growth to about Bt10.05 billion this year," she said.
       Surapong Laoha-unya, director and chief operating officer of Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), the operator of the Skytrain, said the transit system now attracts 400,000-500,000 passengers a day on average, which is up from about 380,000 last year.
       "Our passengers have increased significantly by 5-7 per cent year on year in the first eight months of this year. We expect our sales to reach nearly Bt4 billion this year, of which over 90 per cent will be from passenger tickets and the rest from the lease of retail and advertising space to vendors," he said.
       ICC International, in cooperation with BTS and VGI Global Media, will organise the "ICC Sky Shopping Rally" at three major stations - Siam, National Stadium and Ploenchit - from September 28-October 4.
       All major fashion brands manufactured and distributed by ICC - including BSC, Wacoal, Arrow, Guy Laroche, Getaway, Elle, Naturalizer, Speedo, Absorba and Enfant - will be available at the stations for the first time at a huge discount of 30-60 per cent.
       Marut Arthakaivalvatee, CEO of VGI Global Media (Thailand), said the company had been appointed by BTS to manage the marketing, shop areas and advertisements at its stations.
       Specialising in transit and in-store media, VGI Global Media expects its overall sales to grow 15-20 per cent this year to about Bt1.2 billion.
       "Our direction is to focus on our specialised format of digital-based semi-outdoor media," he said.

Baby rides for free

2009-09-16T20:26:00.001-07:00

A baby girl was born on Monday on a high-speed train linking Paris and Brussels, the first such case since the Thalys rail service was created in 1996. The baby was delivered by two doctors and two nurses who were on board, as the train was travelling at around 300kph.The baby was born without complications, just before the train came to a halt in the Belgian capital, where fire services and an emergency medical team were waiting. Thalys chief Olivier Poitrenaud gave the newborn a life-time free rail pass.

Biker "half to blame"

2009-09-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

A German court said a motorcyclist who collided with a drunken pedestrian during the Munich beer festival was partly to blame because she should have expected the road to be full of partygoers. The female biker, who was driving within the speed limit at 40-50 km per hour, hit a man who was crossing the road on a red light during the beer fest which attracts millions of revellers every year. The court ruled she "was 50% responsible" for the accident, and ordered her to pay half the damages from the accident (around $3,600). The court said "the motorcyclist should have adjusted her speed to be able to avoid" large numbers of drunk people on the streets at night, who can not be trusted to observe the rules of the road.

Thailand slips in popularity poll

2009-09-16T20:24:00.002-07:00

       In third place last year, Thailand has slipped twelve places to 15th in the latest "favourite destination" survey conducted by the UK edition of Conde ' Nast Traveller Magazine to determine the winners of this year's Readers' Travel Awards.
       Readers of the magazine voted Italy their favourite destination, the country scoring highly for its food, restaurants, culture and climate, while Kenya and Mexico were best value for money, Brazil offered the warmest welcome and hospitality, South Africa had the greatest variety, and India the most glorious scenery.
       The awards announced annually extend to various other categories including favourite cities hotels, spas, airlines and airports.
       Leading the "favourite cities" category was New York followed by Paris, Rome, Sydney and Barcelona (same scores), Venice, San Francisco, Cape Town, Hong Kong and Amsterdam.
       Sicily was their favourite island, followed by Maldives, Barbados, the Cyclades (in the Greek archipelago), Cuba, Seychelles, Mauritius, Phuket (13th last year), Koh Samui (6th last year) and Cyprus.
       Their favourite airport was Beijing for flight information/clarity of signs and accessibility, Dubai for shopping, Kuala Lumpur for baggage handling while Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi failed to figure even in the top-15.
       The airline category was segmented into short-haul leisure, long-haul leisure, business and low-cost airline.
       THAI placed 9th in long-haul leisure segment, Virgin Atlantic took the honours for flight service and lounge facilities, Qantas for in-flight entertainment, Air New Zealand for catering and Singapore Airlines for service/staff.
       Seven Thai hotels figured among the top-20 in the "overseas leisure hotels" category: Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai (3rd, up from 15th last year), the Chedi Phuket (6th, down from 2nd), Six Senses Hideaway in Samui (8th, top of the list last year), Amapuri in Phuket (10th, down from 4th), Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai (11th, down from 5th), Six Senses Hideaway, Hua Hin (16th, up a notch) and Anantara Phuket Resort and Spa (20th).
       "The Chedi Phuket has the most appetising food and Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai has the most polished service/staff," the survey said.
       Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin ranked second (up from 5th), behind Zara Spa in Jordan.
       For the complete list, visit http://www.cntraveller.com/ReadersAwards/2009.
       Airports tap AIS
       Airports of Thailand (AoT) has joined hands with I-Access and AIS to launch flight information service via mobile phones.
       Called "Airports Flight Info," the service provides quick access to check flight information via SMS and WAP or mobile Internet website, said AoT President Serirat Prasutanond. "The wireless service is regarded as an alternative to access information in response to people's lifestyle today which is always on the move."
       The information includes flight schedules, check-in counter numbers, boarding gates and carousel numbers of airlines landing at the following airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai.
       "There are plans to improve and develop facilities so as to make Suvarnabhumi among world's 10 best airports in terms of service by the end of this year. Already, it's handling more than 100,000 passengers and 700 flights daily," said Nirandra Theeranartsin, Suvarnabhumi's general manager.
       To check flight schedule, one is required to type flight details and send it to 471-4714. The fee is six baht. The information can also be accessed through WAP Portal of mobileLIFE by dailing *702# to get the link to "Airports Flight Info" page.
       Aviation and travel business operators needing information on a regular basis can apply for Smart SIM based on Dynamic SIM Tool Kit technology equipped with built in application for information search. The SIM is convenient when accessing through WAP and SMS and the cost is one baht at a time.
       Airports Flight Info SIM will hit the market this month.
       Bus service to Laos
       Chaipattana Transportation, a major operator of public buses in north Thailand, plans to launch a service linking Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang in Laos next year.
       According to company Managing Director Somchai Thongkumkoon, the idea to launch a bus service on this route was spurred by boom in passenger traffic on the R3A highway that links Thailand, Laos and China.
       It hopes to ply the route using a fleet of five coaches. Currently the company operates boat cruises and buses to Luang Prabang in tandem with a company in Laos. Travel time is two days by boat and 12 hours by bus.
       Balloon festival
       Following its resounding success in Khao Yai last year, this time the Thailand International Balloon Festival travels to Ayutthaya where it will be held from Dec 3-6.
       Organised by Earth Wind & Fire and backed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the event drew 300,000 spectators last year and this time it should go one better as some ranking international balloonists and their crew are expected to converge on Ayutthaya, the ancient Thai capital that's now a World Heritage site, for the three-day spectacle.
       To mark the occasion, the organisers have joined hands with Krungthai Bank and MasterCard to launch the "Magic 9 Campaign", a photo contest, in which holders of KTC-MasterCard credit cards are invited to send nine photographs together with captions to the web site http://www.ktcworld.co.th.
       At stake is about 900,000 baht in prize money. The deadline for sending entries is Nov 1, and the winners - nine in all - will be announced on Nov 25 via the portal http://www.ktcworld.co.th. They qualify for free balloon rides during the festival.
       Korean Air seat upgrade
       Korean Air is refurbishing some 9,720 seats on 32 mid- and long-haul Boeing 777 and Airbus 330 aircrafts.
       As part of the refurbishing, it is installing lie flat seats in first and business class, while seats in economy class will have a new design. Latest audio and video systems are part of the package that is expected to cost US$200 million (6.8 billion baht) by the time it is completed in April 2011.
       If you have any comments or news to share, send them to karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th.

Samoans switch to driving on the left

2009-09-16T20:24:00.001-07:00

       Church bells rang out across Samoa as the island nation joined its South Pacific neighbours in driving on the left of the road instead of keeping to the right as former colonial master Germany did a century ago.
       Ignoring express instructions from Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele to observe a two-day public holiday and stay home, Samoa's 20,000 motorists couldn't wait to try out the new experience.
       "Do not drive if you are 15 or 16, only those over 21 should drive,and don't drive if you are sleepy, drunk or have just had a fight with your wife," Tuilaepa instructed the nation in a broadcast.
       Extra speed bumps, lower speed limits and a ban on the sale of alcohol helped Samoans prepare for becoming the first country since Ghana in 1974 to change sides in traffic.
       The move divided this legendarily happy-go-lucky country with two-thirds of the 180,000 population signing a petition drawn up by People Against Switching Sides (PASS) that rejected parity with Australia and New Zealand.
       The prime minister's argument was that importing vehicles from the United States was unnecessarily expensive and could be avoided by sourcing cars from neighbouring countries, Australia and New Zealand.
       PASS brought out the biggest crowds since independence from New Zealand in 1962 for street protests urging Tuilaepa to think again.
       New road signage was defaced and road markings giving the new directions painted over.
       "There are some of you who ruined the signs," Tuilaepa said in his changeover broadcast."This is not good."
       But predictions of civil unrest and traffic chaos have not come to pass, with Apia, the capital, in party mode and no serious accidents reported in the island paradise located midway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific.
       The prime minister was taking no chances. Despite promising to be behind the wheel for the big switch, Tuilaepa opted to be chauffeur-driven on his official changeover road trip around Upolu,the main island and home to two-thirds of the population.

Airport Rail Link dispute goes off the rails

2009-09-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

       Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum's claims he has solved the industrial dispute surrounding the embattled airport rail link have left the SRT and the powerful rail union baffled.
       Mr Sophon said he had held "informal negotiations" with a leading State Railway of Thailand unionist over the Suvarnabhumi airport rail project.
       He said the talks had led to an agreement that the union would allow the Airport Rail Link project to be set up as part of a new SRT subsidiary.
       However, SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen yesterday said he was not aware of any talks between the minister and the union.
       SRT union leader Sawit Kaewwan also denied the workers had reached an agreement with the ministry.
       But Mr Sophon insisted the issue had been settled.
       "I have reached an agreement with the union representative, whom I did not want to identify by name," Mr Sohpon said."The talk led to an understanding and the union agreed to soften its position."
       The union previously wanted the debtridden railway agency to set up a business unit to handle the new project to make sure it would remain under the SRT's direct control.
       But under the SRT's restructuring plan,the agency is to set up a subsidiary responsible for commercial and freight services.

Passenger trains to take freight

2009-09-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

       The debt-ridden State Railway of Thailand plans to use its passenger trains to transport goods from the upper South in a bid to increase revenue.
       The scheme, which was raised at a meeting of the logistics development committee chaired by permanent secretary for transport Surachai Tharnsithipong, calls for passenger trains to carry freight on separate goods cars.
       The upper South has been targeted because it is an important source of farm produce. Goods would be transported initially between Tha Ma Mao station in Prachuap Khiri Khan and the goods packaging and transporting station in Lat Krabang in suburban Bangkok.
       The SRT favours this method because it does not have enough locomotives.Making better use of its passenger trains seemed a good solution, said Jura Sukamanop, deputy director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning."The method would somewhat affect our service," he admitted.
       However, he said, the SRT would develop its goods unit to handle the job once all resources were ready. It plans to increase its service efficiency by repairing old locomotives and renting new equipment from Malaysia.
       To complete the goods service facility the SRT plans to develop container yards,which would be located 50 to 70 kilometres from factories, Mr Jura said.
       The government would finance the construction while private companies would be invited to invest in resources such as lifting equipment.

Airport needs long-term fix

2009-09-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

       It is encouraging that the Airports of Thailand Plc has shown willingness to put its money where its mouth is. The war it is waging on unlicensed taxi drivers, tour guides, touts and other shady operators at Suvarnabhumi Airport was originally expected to last a month. Instead, it is now entering its seventh week after netting over 1,200 illegal drivers and tour guides and exceeding the time frame allotted for similar crackdowns in the past.
       Now the airport authorities have set aside another 15 million baht to finance continued efforts by police,security personnel, Land Transport Department officials and airport staff who say they will work around the clock until the clean-up is complete. Clearly they are serious about this, but the key question of what happens when funds do eventually run out and the crackdown tapers off remains unanswered.
       If recent history is any guide, the unlicensed blackplate taxis and illegal tour guides will return as soon as the pressure is off. That is what happened in 2007 when police mounted a 15-day blitz against them. On their return the gangs even blockaded the airport for several hours in a show of force.
       This demonstrates how essential it is that a campaign be sustained for as long as it takes to eradicate the problem, even if it means a dedicated task force has to be established to patrol the airport for years, or even throughout its lifetime if it becomes necessary. For this reason the proposal to set up an independent police station within the airport grounds is an extreme step but a welcome one. Short-termmeasures will not solve this problem.
       The debacle a couple of years ago was entirely predictable given the misguided optimism displayed by police that the unlicensed black-plate taxis, ticket brokers and illegal tour guides could all be driven out for good in such a short space of time. After all, decades had been devoted, with little success, to attempts to eliminate similar problems at the old international terminal at Don Mueang, but these efforts were constantly thwarted by "men in uniform" and other influential figures.
       First-time tourists and businessmen, tired after a long flight and confronted with unfamiliar surroundings and a strange currency, are an exposed target and not difficult to cheat, fleece or overcharge. Since first impressions are the ones that stick in the mind, such despicable activity gives an appalling image of the country they are visiting. Airport gangs do not care about this, nor do they care whether the tourist family they have just exploited ever comes back. That is why they must be stopped before they do any further damage.If a 1,000-baht fine is an insufficient deterrent then increase it substantially and start impounding illegal vehicles, towing them away if necessary. Keep up the pressure and tighten security. With all the new cameras being installed, it should not be difficult to keep tabs on touts or baggage handlers acting suspiciously, and direct a security team to investigate. Other airports have had similar problems and overcome them, with perhaps Manila being the most recent example.
       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is a driving force behind the move to clean up the airport and has made tourism promotion an important policy goal. If, despite all these measures, precautions and expenditure, those preying on tourists return and appear to be operating with impunity, then the airport management itself must come under scrutiny on suspicion of collusion.
       If that happens, the prime minister has the authority to do what is necessary. He has already made it clear he has the resolve.

HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE

2009-09-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

       The Highways Department yesterday signed 462 contracts for highway maintenance worth Bt6.12 billion, which is part of the government's Thai Khemkhaeng package.
       The department is to sign additional 335 projects worth Bt3.9 billion by the end of this month. For the 2010 fiscal year, the department has been given Bt12.5 billion, of which Bt10.5 billion has been allocated for highway maintenance, Bt1.5 billion for community roads and Bt500 million for security improvement.
       "After the contracts are signed, contractors will submit details of the construction work for the department's consideration before the first amount - 15 per cent of the projects' value or Bt1.875 billion - is disbursed in October. This will also help inject money into the economy," Supoj Saplom, director-general of the department, said. He is confident that budget disbursement would go as planned.
       Meanwhile, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said the government would focus on medium and long-term measures to boost the economy and increase the nation's competitiveness. He said short-term measures, such as the handouts given to nearly 10 million people early this year, would no longer be implemented.
       He said the TKK package would definitely boost the economy, because at least 85 per cent of |the Bt300 billion investment would be disbursed between 2009 and 2010.

BECL SAYS TRAFFIC VOLUME STAGNANT

2009-09-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

       Bangkok Expressway (BECL), the country's biggest private toll road operator, expects zero growth in traffic volume this year as the world oil price remains sensitive to demand.
       Panan Tosuwanthaworn, BECL senior managing director for finance, said yesterday that the company expects no growth this year in its traffic volume of 924,000 vehicles daily.
       However, the toll revenue for the year is expected to record a 6-per-cent growth.
       BECL reported traffic volume of 934,647 vehicles and toll revenue of Bt20.50 million daily in the first half of this year, a 9.28-per-cent growth on year to Bt3.71 billion. Net profit in the first half surged 38.96 per cent on year to Bt881 million. Earnings per share were Bt1.14.
       "The actual figures are near our targets," said Panan.
       She said the company's revenue grew nearly 10 per cent in the first half while the target for the whole year is 6 per cent growth. The company increased its toll rate for the expressway system by Bt5 in September last year.
       Panan said the average traffic volume in the suburban sector grew higher than the urban sector. He added that this was not a significant income contribution to the company as the toll rate of the suburban sector (Bt10 to Bt15 per car) is lower than that of the urban sector (around Bt45 per car).
       Of the total revenue, about 67 per cent came from the urban sector with the suburban sector contributing the balance 23 per cent.
       To ensure toll revenue covers its debt repayment totalling Bt22.69 billion, Panan said BECL closely monitors interest rate movement all the time. The company's debt-service-coverage ratio as of June 30 was 1.57 times.
       "If the interest rate tends to move down, the company might raise more funds via debentures but with coupon rate of not more than 5 per cent annually," she said.
       Recently, BECL issued two tranches of debentures amounting to Bt2 billion. The first Bt1-billion tranche, with a maturity of three and a half years and coupon rate of 4.1 per cent annually, was offered to private investors. The Bt1-billion second tranche, which has a four-year maturity, was offered to public investors with a coupon rate of 4.2 per cent annually.

People pray for safety in "driving on the left"

2009-09-07T20:26:00.000-07:00

       Samoans went to church on Sunday to pray that an impending switch to driving on the left will not spark a surge in deaths and injuries on their roads.
       The Pacific Island nation of around 180,000 yesterday would be the first country in the world to change driving sides since the 1970s.
       Bitter political battles over the move have died down since a court late last month overthrew a legal challenge to the switch, and the country has pulled together in a bid to ensure a smooth changeover.
       Thousands in the devout Christian nation went to church on Sunday, praying for a changeover "free of injury and,heaven forbid, death", an editorial in the Samoa Observer newspaper said."All of those who have the safety of our people - and especially our children - in their hearts will echo those prayers by asking the Almighty to calm our tempers and reduce our speed from tomorrow."
       The switch officially took place at 6am local time yesterday.

Ferry sinks, at least 5 dead

2009-09-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

       Five people were killed and dozens were left missing after a ferry carrying nearly 1,000 passengers sank in darkness off the southern Philippines yesterday, officials said.
       In the latest tragedy to hit the Philippines' notoriously dangerous maritime transport industry, survivors reported mass panic as the Superferry 9 began to tilt sharply.
       "They told us to stay calm but we could see no sign of rescue. Not for two hours," survivor Manuel Malicsi told radio station RMN.
       Nine hundred people on board were rescued but five were confirmed killed and by late yesterday afternoon 63 passengers and crew members remained unaccounted for, the Philippine coast guard said in a statement.
       "We are searching all possible areas [for the missing people]," coast guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said.
       "Navy ships [and] airforce aircraft are still scouring the area," he added.
       Adm Tamayo offered hope for the relatives of those still missing, saying some may have drifted away in life rafts or been picked up by private boats that took part in the rescue.
       Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro also said local officials were checking to see if any survivors had already reached shore.
       At Zamboanga City, stunned survivors disembarked from the boats that rescued them, many of them still half-naked and bare-foot after leaping into the water.
       The ferry issued a distress call around 3.30am yesterday,11km off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula, 19 hours after leaving General Santos City.
       Philippine Maritime administrator Elena Bautista warned that criminal charges would be filed if negligence were found to have caused the accident.

AIRPORT LINK TO START ON KING'S BIRTHDAY

2009-09-06T05:35:00.001-07:00

       The long-delayed Airport Rail Link, to and form Suvarnabhumi Airport, will start with free service to the public from December 5, to coincide with the birthday celebrations for His Majesty the King.
       Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Yuthana Tupcharoen, said people interested in free rides on December 5 may apply for tickets from October 1 at either the Airport Rail Link office or SRT head-quarters.
       Test runs of the system have been conducted since February by Siemens, the manufacturer and installer of the rail system, and no problems have been found. Independent engineers will do safety inspections of for the next three months and if no problems are found, the rail link will be set to start.
       The SRT board has hired Deutsche Bahn International of Germany to train Airport Rail Link staff, in a Bt85-million deal.
       The 28-km rail link connects Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan province to the City Air Terminal in Bangkok's Makkasan area.
       The Airport Rail Link is owned and will be operated by SRT, through a subsidiary company, which will administer the overall operations.
       According to a preliminary study, the fare for an express trip will be Bt150 per person, while fares for City Line commuter trips, will vary from Bt30-50 per passenger.
       Transport for airport express ridders and local commuters will run on the same track with the same equipment, but with a staggered schedule.
       The premium-fare express services will run on the hour between Suvarnabhumi Airport and City Air Terminal, while the City Line service will stop at six local stations along the route.

       The express service will cost Bt150 and run on the hour; commuters will pay Bt30-50 for trips to six local stations, from December 5.

SanMig in tollway deal

2009-08-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

       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.

Airport crackdown gets boost

2009-08-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

       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.

SRT contracts consultant for airport link

2009-08-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

       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.

CKTC wins first purple line deal

2009-08-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

       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.

Government looks to local companies for electric train parts

2009-08-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

       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.

NAMING OF NEW TOP OFFICIAL DEFERRED

2009-08-25T23:34:00.001-07:00

       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.

Kiattana sets MAI IPO up to B4.8

2009-08-25T23:32:00.000-07:00

       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.

China nets 15,000 drink-drivers in one week

2009-08-23T23:44:00.001-07:00

       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.

BMA to renovate flyovers

2009-08-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

       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

Truck pelted with rocks

2009-08-23T23:41:00.000-07:00

       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.

RAIL PROJECT ON TRACK FOR TRANS-ASIAN XPANSION

2009-08-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

       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.

TROUBLING TAXI SERVICES

2009-08-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

       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!

Bus firms apply for fare rise

2009-08-21T00:29:00.000-07:00

       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.

Kiattana Transport to list on MAI on September 18

2009-08-21T00:28:00.000-07:00

       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 FLUNK ROAD SAFETY TEST

2009-08-21T00:27:00.000-07:00

       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.

Taxi alternatives take off

2009-08-21T00:26:00.000-07:00

       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."

Blue Line bidding open to foreign firms

2009-08-21T00:23:00.000-07:00

       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.