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.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Jetstar set to transform airport experience for customers via efficient self-service check-in model USD $3.5 billion deal
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.”
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.”
Friday, January 29, 2010
Emirates Airline takes delivery of Airbus’ 6,000th aircraft
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.
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.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
THAI and Nok Air Join Force to Boost Domestic and Regional Air Traffic
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.
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
ETIHAD TO JOIN SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL USERS GROUP
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.
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
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.
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.
Friday, November 20, 2009
TNT steps up presence With new Penang International Gateway facility
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.”
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.”
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
NEW PHETCHABURI BOOMS WITH AIRPORT LINK
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.
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
SERVICES TO RESUME TODAY AS GOVT READY TO DEPLOY FORCES
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Magnificent seven
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
TRAIN DRIVER SACKED OVER ACCIDENT
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.
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.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
WHO'S TO TAKE BLAME FOR TRAIN ACCIDENT?
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.
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.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Derailment probe to be conclude Monday
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
SRT boss says driver passed out
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.
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.
Friday, October 2, 2009
NGV bus fares likely to rise just a little
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Mass pedal-power protest gets a reward
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.
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.
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