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.”
Friday, November 20, 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)