The debt-ridden State Railway of Thailand plans to use its passenger trains to transport goods from the upper South in a bid to increase revenue.
The scheme, which was raised at a meeting of the logistics development committee chaired by permanent secretary for transport Surachai Tharnsithipong, calls for passenger trains to carry freight on separate goods cars.
The upper South has been targeted because it is an important source of farm produce. Goods would be transported initially between Tha Ma Mao station in Prachuap Khiri Khan and the goods packaging and transporting station in Lat Krabang in suburban Bangkok.
The SRT favours this method because it does not have enough locomotives.Making better use of its passenger trains seemed a good solution, said Jura Sukamanop, deputy director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning."The method would somewhat affect our service," he admitted.
However, he said, the SRT would develop its goods unit to handle the job once all resources were ready. It plans to increase its service efficiency by repairing old locomotives and renting new equipment from Malaysia.
To complete the goods service facility the SRT plans to develop container yards,which would be located 50 to 70 kilometres from factories, Mr Jura said.
The government would finance the construction while private companies would be invited to invest in resources such as lifting equipment.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Airport needs long-term fix
It is encouraging that the Airports of Thailand Plc has shown willingness to put its money where its mouth is. The war it is waging on unlicensed taxi drivers, tour guides, touts and other shady operators at Suvarnabhumi Airport was originally expected to last a month. Instead, it is now entering its seventh week after netting over 1,200 illegal drivers and tour guides and exceeding the time frame allotted for similar crackdowns in the past.
Now the airport authorities have set aside another 15 million baht to finance continued efforts by police,security personnel, Land Transport Department officials and airport staff who say they will work around the clock until the clean-up is complete. Clearly they are serious about this, but the key question of what happens when funds do eventually run out and the crackdown tapers off remains unanswered.
If recent history is any guide, the unlicensed blackplate taxis and illegal tour guides will return as soon as the pressure is off. That is what happened in 2007 when police mounted a 15-day blitz against them. On their return the gangs even blockaded the airport for several hours in a show of force.
This demonstrates how essential it is that a campaign be sustained for as long as it takes to eradicate the problem, even if it means a dedicated task force has to be established to patrol the airport for years, or even throughout its lifetime if it becomes necessary. For this reason the proposal to set up an independent police station within the airport grounds is an extreme step but a welcome one. Short-termmeasures will not solve this problem.
The debacle a couple of years ago was entirely predictable given the misguided optimism displayed by police that the unlicensed black-plate taxis, ticket brokers and illegal tour guides could all be driven out for good in such a short space of time. After all, decades had been devoted, with little success, to attempts to eliminate similar problems at the old international terminal at Don Mueang, but these efforts were constantly thwarted by "men in uniform" and other influential figures.
First-time tourists and businessmen, tired after a long flight and confronted with unfamiliar surroundings and a strange currency, are an exposed target and not difficult to cheat, fleece or overcharge. Since first impressions are the ones that stick in the mind, such despicable activity gives an appalling image of the country they are visiting. Airport gangs do not care about this, nor do they care whether the tourist family they have just exploited ever comes back. That is why they must be stopped before they do any further damage.If a 1,000-baht fine is an insufficient deterrent then increase it substantially and start impounding illegal vehicles, towing them away if necessary. Keep up the pressure and tighten security. With all the new cameras being installed, it should not be difficult to keep tabs on touts or baggage handlers acting suspiciously, and direct a security team to investigate. Other airports have had similar problems and overcome them, with perhaps Manila being the most recent example.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is a driving force behind the move to clean up the airport and has made tourism promotion an important policy goal. If, despite all these measures, precautions and expenditure, those preying on tourists return and appear to be operating with impunity, then the airport management itself must come under scrutiny on suspicion of collusion.
If that happens, the prime minister has the authority to do what is necessary. He has already made it clear he has the resolve.
Now the airport authorities have set aside another 15 million baht to finance continued efforts by police,security personnel, Land Transport Department officials and airport staff who say they will work around the clock until the clean-up is complete. Clearly they are serious about this, but the key question of what happens when funds do eventually run out and the crackdown tapers off remains unanswered.
If recent history is any guide, the unlicensed blackplate taxis and illegal tour guides will return as soon as the pressure is off. That is what happened in 2007 when police mounted a 15-day blitz against them. On their return the gangs even blockaded the airport for several hours in a show of force.
This demonstrates how essential it is that a campaign be sustained for as long as it takes to eradicate the problem, even if it means a dedicated task force has to be established to patrol the airport for years, or even throughout its lifetime if it becomes necessary. For this reason the proposal to set up an independent police station within the airport grounds is an extreme step but a welcome one. Short-termmeasures will not solve this problem.
The debacle a couple of years ago was entirely predictable given the misguided optimism displayed by police that the unlicensed black-plate taxis, ticket brokers and illegal tour guides could all be driven out for good in such a short space of time. After all, decades had been devoted, with little success, to attempts to eliminate similar problems at the old international terminal at Don Mueang, but these efforts were constantly thwarted by "men in uniform" and other influential figures.
First-time tourists and businessmen, tired after a long flight and confronted with unfamiliar surroundings and a strange currency, are an exposed target and not difficult to cheat, fleece or overcharge. Since first impressions are the ones that stick in the mind, such despicable activity gives an appalling image of the country they are visiting. Airport gangs do not care about this, nor do they care whether the tourist family they have just exploited ever comes back. That is why they must be stopped before they do any further damage.If a 1,000-baht fine is an insufficient deterrent then increase it substantially and start impounding illegal vehicles, towing them away if necessary. Keep up the pressure and tighten security. With all the new cameras being installed, it should not be difficult to keep tabs on touts or baggage handlers acting suspiciously, and direct a security team to investigate. Other airports have had similar problems and overcome them, with perhaps Manila being the most recent example.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is a driving force behind the move to clean up the airport and has made tourism promotion an important policy goal. If, despite all these measures, precautions and expenditure, those preying on tourists return and appear to be operating with impunity, then the airport management itself must come under scrutiny on suspicion of collusion.
If that happens, the prime minister has the authority to do what is necessary. He has already made it clear he has the resolve.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
The Highways Department yesterday signed 462 contracts for highway maintenance worth Bt6.12 billion, which is part of the government's Thai Khemkhaeng package.
The department is to sign additional 335 projects worth Bt3.9 billion by the end of this month. For the 2010 fiscal year, the department has been given Bt12.5 billion, of which Bt10.5 billion has been allocated for highway maintenance, Bt1.5 billion for community roads and Bt500 million for security improvement.
"After the contracts are signed, contractors will submit details of the construction work for the department's consideration before the first amount - 15 per cent of the projects' value or Bt1.875 billion - is disbursed in October. This will also help inject money into the economy," Supoj Saplom, director-general of the department, said. He is confident that budget disbursement would go as planned.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said the government would focus on medium and long-term measures to boost the economy and increase the nation's competitiveness. He said short-term measures, such as the handouts given to nearly 10 million people early this year, would no longer be implemented.
He said the TKK package would definitely boost the economy, because at least 85 per cent of |the Bt300 billion investment would be disbursed between 2009 and 2010.
The department is to sign additional 335 projects worth Bt3.9 billion by the end of this month. For the 2010 fiscal year, the department has been given Bt12.5 billion, of which Bt10.5 billion has been allocated for highway maintenance, Bt1.5 billion for community roads and Bt500 million for security improvement.
"After the contracts are signed, contractors will submit details of the construction work for the department's consideration before the first amount - 15 per cent of the projects' value or Bt1.875 billion - is disbursed in October. This will also help inject money into the economy," Supoj Saplom, director-general of the department, said. He is confident that budget disbursement would go as planned.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said the government would focus on medium and long-term measures to boost the economy and increase the nation's competitiveness. He said short-term measures, such as the handouts given to nearly 10 million people early this year, would no longer be implemented.
He said the TKK package would definitely boost the economy, because at least 85 per cent of |the Bt300 billion investment would be disbursed between 2009 and 2010.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
BECL SAYS TRAFFIC VOLUME STAGNANT
Bangkok Expressway (BECL), the country's biggest private toll road operator, expects zero growth in traffic volume this year as the world oil price remains sensitive to demand.
Panan Tosuwanthaworn, BECL senior managing director for finance, said yesterday that the company expects no growth this year in its traffic volume of 924,000 vehicles daily.
However, the toll revenue for the year is expected to record a 6-per-cent growth.
BECL reported traffic volume of 934,647 vehicles and toll revenue of Bt20.50 million daily in the first half of this year, a 9.28-per-cent growth on year to Bt3.71 billion. Net profit in the first half surged 38.96 per cent on year to Bt881 million. Earnings per share were Bt1.14.
"The actual figures are near our targets," said Panan.
She said the company's revenue grew nearly 10 per cent in the first half while the target for the whole year is 6 per cent growth. The company increased its toll rate for the expressway system by Bt5 in September last year.
Panan said the average traffic volume in the suburban sector grew higher than the urban sector. He added that this was not a significant income contribution to the company as the toll rate of the suburban sector (Bt10 to Bt15 per car) is lower than that of the urban sector (around Bt45 per car).
Of the total revenue, about 67 per cent came from the urban sector with the suburban sector contributing the balance 23 per cent.
To ensure toll revenue covers its debt repayment totalling Bt22.69 billion, Panan said BECL closely monitors interest rate movement all the time. The company's debt-service-coverage ratio as of June 30 was 1.57 times.
"If the interest rate tends to move down, the company might raise more funds via debentures but with coupon rate of not more than 5 per cent annually," she said.
Recently, BECL issued two tranches of debentures amounting to Bt2 billion. The first Bt1-billion tranche, with a maturity of three and a half years and coupon rate of 4.1 per cent annually, was offered to private investors. The Bt1-billion second tranche, which has a four-year maturity, was offered to public investors with a coupon rate of 4.2 per cent annually.
Panan Tosuwanthaworn, BECL senior managing director for finance, said yesterday that the company expects no growth this year in its traffic volume of 924,000 vehicles daily.
However, the toll revenue for the year is expected to record a 6-per-cent growth.
BECL reported traffic volume of 934,647 vehicles and toll revenue of Bt20.50 million daily in the first half of this year, a 9.28-per-cent growth on year to Bt3.71 billion. Net profit in the first half surged 38.96 per cent on year to Bt881 million. Earnings per share were Bt1.14.
"The actual figures are near our targets," said Panan.
She said the company's revenue grew nearly 10 per cent in the first half while the target for the whole year is 6 per cent growth. The company increased its toll rate for the expressway system by Bt5 in September last year.
Panan said the average traffic volume in the suburban sector grew higher than the urban sector. He added that this was not a significant income contribution to the company as the toll rate of the suburban sector (Bt10 to Bt15 per car) is lower than that of the urban sector (around Bt45 per car).
Of the total revenue, about 67 per cent came from the urban sector with the suburban sector contributing the balance 23 per cent.
To ensure toll revenue covers its debt repayment totalling Bt22.69 billion, Panan said BECL closely monitors interest rate movement all the time. The company's debt-service-coverage ratio as of June 30 was 1.57 times.
"If the interest rate tends to move down, the company might raise more funds via debentures but with coupon rate of not more than 5 per cent annually," she said.
Recently, BECL issued two tranches of debentures amounting to Bt2 billion. The first Bt1-billion tranche, with a maturity of three and a half years and coupon rate of 4.1 per cent annually, was offered to private investors. The Bt1-billion second tranche, which has a four-year maturity, was offered to public investors with a coupon rate of 4.2 per cent annually.
Monday, September 7, 2009
People pray for safety in "driving on the left"
Samoans went to church on Sunday to pray that an impending switch to driving on the left will not spark a surge in deaths and injuries on their roads.
The Pacific Island nation of around 180,000 yesterday would be the first country in the world to change driving sides since the 1970s.
Bitter political battles over the move have died down since a court late last month overthrew a legal challenge to the switch, and the country has pulled together in a bid to ensure a smooth changeover.
Thousands in the devout Christian nation went to church on Sunday, praying for a changeover "free of injury and,heaven forbid, death", an editorial in the Samoa Observer newspaper said."All of those who have the safety of our people - and especially our children - in their hearts will echo those prayers by asking the Almighty to calm our tempers and reduce our speed from tomorrow."
The switch officially took place at 6am local time yesterday.
The Pacific Island nation of around 180,000 yesterday would be the first country in the world to change driving sides since the 1970s.
Bitter political battles over the move have died down since a court late last month overthrew a legal challenge to the switch, and the country has pulled together in a bid to ensure a smooth changeover.
Thousands in the devout Christian nation went to church on Sunday, praying for a changeover "free of injury and,heaven forbid, death", an editorial in the Samoa Observer newspaper said."All of those who have the safety of our people - and especially our children - in their hearts will echo those prayers by asking the Almighty to calm our tempers and reduce our speed from tomorrow."
The switch officially took place at 6am local time yesterday.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Ferry sinks, at least 5 dead
Five people were killed and dozens were left missing after a ferry carrying nearly 1,000 passengers sank in darkness off the southern Philippines yesterday, officials said.
In the latest tragedy to hit the Philippines' notoriously dangerous maritime transport industry, survivors reported mass panic as the Superferry 9 began to tilt sharply.
"They told us to stay calm but we could see no sign of rescue. Not for two hours," survivor Manuel Malicsi told radio station RMN.
Nine hundred people on board were rescued but five were confirmed killed and by late yesterday afternoon 63 passengers and crew members remained unaccounted for, the Philippine coast guard said in a statement.
"We are searching all possible areas [for the missing people]," coast guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said.
"Navy ships [and] airforce aircraft are still scouring the area," he added.
Adm Tamayo offered hope for the relatives of those still missing, saying some may have drifted away in life rafts or been picked up by private boats that took part in the rescue.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro also said local officials were checking to see if any survivors had already reached shore.
At Zamboanga City, stunned survivors disembarked from the boats that rescued them, many of them still half-naked and bare-foot after leaping into the water.
The ferry issued a distress call around 3.30am yesterday,11km off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula, 19 hours after leaving General Santos City.
Philippine Maritime administrator Elena Bautista warned that criminal charges would be filed if negligence were found to have caused the accident.
In the latest tragedy to hit the Philippines' notoriously dangerous maritime transport industry, survivors reported mass panic as the Superferry 9 began to tilt sharply.
"They told us to stay calm but we could see no sign of rescue. Not for two hours," survivor Manuel Malicsi told radio station RMN.
Nine hundred people on board were rescued but five were confirmed killed and by late yesterday afternoon 63 passengers and crew members remained unaccounted for, the Philippine coast guard said in a statement.
"We are searching all possible areas [for the missing people]," coast guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said.
"Navy ships [and] airforce aircraft are still scouring the area," he added.
Adm Tamayo offered hope for the relatives of those still missing, saying some may have drifted away in life rafts or been picked up by private boats that took part in the rescue.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro also said local officials were checking to see if any survivors had already reached shore.
At Zamboanga City, stunned survivors disembarked from the boats that rescued them, many of them still half-naked and bare-foot after leaping into the water.
The ferry issued a distress call around 3.30am yesterday,11km off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula, 19 hours after leaving General Santos City.
Philippine Maritime administrator Elena Bautista warned that criminal charges would be filed if negligence were found to have caused the accident.
AIRPORT LINK TO START ON KING'S BIRTHDAY
The long-delayed Airport Rail Link, to and form Suvarnabhumi Airport, will start with free service to the public from December 5, to coincide with the birthday celebrations for His Majesty the King.
Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Yuthana Tupcharoen, said people interested in free rides on December 5 may apply for tickets from October 1 at either the Airport Rail Link office or SRT head-quarters.
Test runs of the system have been conducted since February by Siemens, the manufacturer and installer of the rail system, and no problems have been found. Independent engineers will do safety inspections of for the next three months and if no problems are found, the rail link will be set to start.
The SRT board has hired Deutsche Bahn International of Germany to train Airport Rail Link staff, in a Bt85-million deal.
The 28-km rail link connects Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan province to the City Air Terminal in Bangkok's Makkasan area.
The Airport Rail Link is owned and will be operated by SRT, through a subsidiary company, which will administer the overall operations.
According to a preliminary study, the fare for an express trip will be Bt150 per person, while fares for City Line commuter trips, will vary from Bt30-50 per passenger.
Transport for airport express ridders and local commuters will run on the same track with the same equipment, but with a staggered schedule.
The premium-fare express services will run on the hour between Suvarnabhumi Airport and City Air Terminal, while the City Line service will stop at six local stations along the route.
The express service will cost Bt150 and run on the hour; commuters will pay Bt30-50 for trips to six local stations, from December 5.
Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Yuthana Tupcharoen, said people interested in free rides on December 5 may apply for tickets from October 1 at either the Airport Rail Link office or SRT head-quarters.
Test runs of the system have been conducted since February by Siemens, the manufacturer and installer of the rail system, and no problems have been found. Independent engineers will do safety inspections of for the next three months and if no problems are found, the rail link will be set to start.
The SRT board has hired Deutsche Bahn International of Germany to train Airport Rail Link staff, in a Bt85-million deal.
The 28-km rail link connects Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan province to the City Air Terminal in Bangkok's Makkasan area.
The Airport Rail Link is owned and will be operated by SRT, through a subsidiary company, which will administer the overall operations.
According to a preliminary study, the fare for an express trip will be Bt150 per person, while fares for City Line commuter trips, will vary from Bt30-50 per passenger.
Transport for airport express ridders and local commuters will run on the same track with the same equipment, but with a staggered schedule.
The premium-fare express services will run on the hour between Suvarnabhumi Airport and City Air Terminal, while the City Line service will stop at six local stations along the route.
The express service will cost Bt150 and run on the hour; commuters will pay Bt30-50 for trips to six local stations, from December 5.
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