Thailand | Our Neighbouring Country

[Wisarut]

comparisons of the average ticket rates:
Japanese Shinkansen: 9.5 Baht/km
Taiwan Shinkansen: 5 Baht/km
South Korean KTX: 3.4 Baht/km
Mainland China: 2 Baht/km
Thailand: (Proposal): 2.50 Baht/km - BKK to Chiang Mai at 1700 Baht per trip and BKK to Nong Khai at 1537 Baht

Note: This is the way to force Thailand to purchase ONLY Chinese rolling stocks for High Speed.
http://www.prachachat.net/news_detai...&subcatid=2002

[Wisarut]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ceremony for connecting 4th Friendship Bridge connecting Chiang Khong district of Chiang rai and Huay Sai district of Bo kaew province at 12.12 PM of 12 Dec 2012 - However, the bridge is not done until the end of June 2013 - 2 Lane traffic with the length of 480 meter and price tag of 1.6 billion Baht - paid by Thailand and Mainland China at 50:50 ratio with supports from Asian Development Bank

http://www.dailynews.co.th/thailand/172043

Negotiation with Lao government for the tariff clearance for Thai exports to China via Laos - want to eliminate the redundant taxing along the way to reduce the exportation cost
Furthermore, Thai and Lao government agrees to make an unofficial opening of the 4th Friendship Bridge across Mekong in April 2013 along with the 4-lane highways from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong and Phayao to Chiang Rai.

Even more so, Thai government has to speed up the proposed Denchai -Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong to allow better cargo exportation along with the study of High Speed from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai to create the Triangle Railway network as the way to allow Chiang Mai to reap the benefit from the trade with Laos and China via Chiang Rai-Chiang Khon ... Denchai - Chiang Rai line will brign the benefits to Bangkokians which really upset those who live in Chiang Mai since they consider Chiang Mai as the center of their universe while looking down upon those Bangkokians as the ones who deprive benefit from the trade with China and Laos for themselves instead of allowing Chiang Mai people to get a fair share of the trade.

http://www.manager.co.th/iBizChannel...D=955000015089

[Wisarut]

Ministry of Finance has approved the contractor (STEC- UNIQ) who won the bidding of the first contract (Construction of Bangsue Central station) - at 29 billion Baht
Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport, and SRT still need to negotiate with ITD who won the second contract to reduce the bidding for the construction of stations and tracks from Bangsue to Rangsit (except Bangsue Central) from 24 billion Baht to 21.2 billion Baht

the First Contract must be signed by the end of next week or the end of December 2012 since the first and the second contract have been delayed for too long.

The third Contract (Electrification from Bangsue central to Rangsit, Bangsue central to Taling Chan along with the new signal system) at 28 billion Baht can be waited since the bidding for the 3rd contract has to be cancelled due to the violation of the Anti Collusion Act and Thai government has to explain about the Anti Collusion Act to JICA so they have to set the new criteria for bidding of the 3rd contract to be in line with the Anti Collusion Act.
http://www.thairath.co.th/content/region/312958

[Wisarut]

Transportation Committee insisting MRTA to extend the Pink Monorail route to Suwinthawongse road (Highway 304) at all cost since Transportation Committee want to fulfill election promise with their men in constituencies at all cost despite of the obvious delay and cost overrun
http://www.naewna.com/business/33611
http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewN...=9550000150568

Minister of Transport telling Transportation Committee that the route to Minburi market is so vital as a transportation hub that it is foolish to be cancelled despite of the plea from Transportation Committee to scrap the route to Minburi market and construct the route to go along Suwinthawongse road (Highway 304) instead.

Nevertheless, Minister of Transport may ask MRTA to construct the branch line of Pink Monorail to go along Suwinthawongse road (Highway 304) ONLY IF the demands from those who live along Suwinthawongse road (Highway 304) are high enough.

Nevertheless, the relatively short distance of the route to Suwinthawong (800 meter) may cause the consideration of feeder bus as the substitute for the branch line. The final decision will have to be waited until MRTA will come up with the decision so the bidding will be called in Feb 2013. There will be 6 contracts for this Pink Monorail ... while the bidding green line to Saphan Mai and Khoo Khot has been delayed by 2 months ...

http://www.thairath.co.th/content/eco/312932

[Wisarut]

Transportation Co.Ltd. Offering the international bus service on Bangkok- Siemriap route with the distance of 420 km and Bangkok - Phnom Penh with the distance of 680 km - started on 29 December 2012

1. Bangkok - Aranyaprathet - Poipet - Phnom Penh route at 900 Baht/person or 30 US Dollars -> Started in Bangkok at 7 AM for the trip to Phnom Penh and Started from Phnom Penh at 7 AM

2. Bangkok - Aranyaprathet - Poipet - Siem Reap route at 750 Baht/person or 25 US Dollars -> Started in Bangkok at 6 AM and 4 PM for the trip to Siem Reap and Started from Siem Reap at 6 AM and 3 PM

http://www.sadoodta.com/content/%E0%...B8%A9%E0%B9%8C

[Wisarut]

After Transportation Committee getting the message from Minister of Transport that the route to Minburi market is so vital as a transportation hub that it is foolish to be cancelled, Transportation Committee and those PT men from Minburi gone mad to the point that Minister of Transport and MRTA governor have taken bribery from capitalists who run Minburi Market
http://www.dailynews.co.th/thailand/172287

MRTA negotiated with Bangkok Land to obtain 30 Rai of land within Muang Thong Thani to built up the depot and the monorail tracks along with 2 new stations to connect with Pink Monorail with an investment of 1.5 Billion Baht - with a hope to start calling a bidding for contractors in June 2013

Green line from Mochit to Khookhot via Saphan Mai and Phahonyothin road will be on bidding in early 2013 while the Orange line will be on bidding by the end of 2013
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...count=1&ref=nf

[Wisarut]

Miss Pongkwan Lassus, Archetech who is a member of The Association of Siamese Architects Under Royal Patronage has given a suggestion that Makkasan Complex should NOT have ONLY commercial space alone. it is necessary to have the recreation space around Makkasan Lake - Just Railway Museum near the old red brick building (passenger carriage factory shop opened in 1922 - now the storage building for Royal carriages) is not enough.
https://www.facebook.com/MakkasanHope
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...count=1&ref=nf

[Wisarut]

Here is the advertising of 100-year Siam Cement Group - founded on 8 December 1913 - with the first Cement factory at Bangsue [the present HQ of Siam Cement Group] opened in 1915 - First building used Siam Cement is Siam Electricity Co.Ltd. at Wat Liab (Now MEA - Metropolitan Electric Authority) with the building opened on 5 September 1916.

[Wisarut]

Angry children of victims by Southern Insurgency lambasting Yinglux for her own hypocritical treatments of victim families - by endlessly broken promises - this happened to both Buddhist and Muslim victims, even armed force men and police, teachers are not the exception

New bridges across Golok river at Sugei Golok - Rantau Panjang and Ban Taba (Takbai) - Pengkalan Kubur has been signed with the budget of 21 million Baht - paid by Thai and Malaysian government at 50:50 rate - started in 2014 while the new checkpoints are to be opened in Feb 2013

For the matter relating to Thai - Malaysian railway, Malaysia government asking Thai government to tell SRT run the railway service from Padang besar - Hat Yai - BKK all the way to Chiang Mai while Thai government asking Malaysia government to ask KTMB to run the railway service from Sugei Golok to Tumpat - revival of the line indeed

For security checking, Malasian immigrant going to use Biometric while Thai immigration is going to use the fingerprint scan
http://thaiinsider.info/news2012b/th...neral/20892--2

[Wisarut]

Thai-Cambodia buses ready to roll
Bangkok Post 14 December 2012 at 08:03 PM

Thailand and Cambodia will launch the first bus services linking Bangkok with Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in the next two weeks.

The first bus service between the two countries will debut on Dec 29, said The Transport Co, a state enterprise under the Transport Ministry.

The service includes the Bangkok-Siem Reap route, a 424-kilometre trip that takes about seven hours. The two countries will provide two trips a day. The fare will be 750 baht or US$25.

The Bangkok-Phnom Penh service, covering 719km and taking 11 hours, will run once a day with a fare of 900 baht or $30.

Air-conditioned buses will serve both routes, which will run through Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo province.

Siem Reap, the home of Angkor Wat, is the most popular tourist destination for Thai and foreign travellers visiting Cambodia.

Transport Co managing director Wutthichart Kalayanamit signed an agreement with Natthakarn (Cambodia) Co at the state enterprise's head office in Bangkok on Friday.

Transport Co plans to eventually provide as many as 20 trips a day on both routes if needed to meet the rising demand of travellers between the two countries.

Niyom Waiyaratpanich, vice-president of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the Thai-Cambodian bus routes reflected the goal of Asean to build more links among its 10 members.

The new bus routes will help accommodate an expected upturn in travel when the Asean Economic Community is launched in late 2015, he added.

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Transport Co is planning to open more international routes in 2013 in addition to BKK - Phonom Penh with the distance of 719 km and BKK - Siem Reap with the distance of 424 km such as

1. Siem Reap - Sisaket - Ubon Ratchathani
2. Siem Reap - Pataya
3. Battambang - Chanthaburi via pong Namron
4. Sihanukville - Trat

In 2014, Transport Co is planning to open more international routes to Burma and Vietnam to boost more trades such as
1. Mae Sod - Myawaddy
2. Chiang Rai - Kentung
3. BKK - Yangon

However, the routes to Vietnam require negotiation with Laos to allow Thai aircon buses to cross the border to Vietnam without changing the buses

http://www.prachachat.net/news_detai...&subcatid=0000

[Wisarut]

The decision to deal with the extension from Minburi intersection to Suvinthawongse via Highway 304 will be held in 20 December 2012
If MRTA decides NOT to extend to Suwinthawongse as requested by Traffic committee as well as PT men who run Minburi as their own fiefdom, the feeder bus arrangement from Minburi market from BMTA bus depot at Minburi market will be in use.
http://www.thaipost.net/news/171212/66725

PT men who run Minburi still insist that Pink Monorail must run through Suwinthawongse at all cost, not that Damning Minburi market - due to their hatred toward the study results by Democrat men.
http://breakingnews.nationchannel.co...?newsid=662770

[Wisarut]

Benefits of the 4th Thai-Lao bridge across mekhong - connect to R3A highway to China
http://www.thairath.co.th/content/region/313727

[Wisarut]

Slum Dwellers from Photharam Neighborhood, Ayodhaya Town Municipal (East of Northern Railway track), Phai Ling commune, Mueang District of Ayutthaya making a point on the case of land exappropriation for the High Speed train to Ayutthaya [the first 54 km] - no more violent removal just like what happen Rama 6 Neighborhood under Rama 6 bridge during the construction of red line commuter
http://www.dailynews.co.th/thailand/172853

[Wisarut]

Low interest on pawning (1% a month) has encouraged more Thai and Burmese workers in Ranong who manage to obtain gold as the store of their wealth to pawn their gold necklaces and other gold ornaments for the new year expenditure - including the trade of Thai products to their fellow Burmese at home.

Nowadays, the main customers of gold shops are those Burmese workers who manage to save enough to buy Thai gold as store of values
http://breakingnews.nationchannel.co...?newsid=662791

[atom]

New challenges awaiting capital

The next Bangkok governor will have AEC concerns to add to the city's list of tasks

Published: 15/12/2012 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: News

Bangkok has served as Thailand's capital for 230 years and although it has developed in many good ways, the city is confronting several problems, ranging from crime and pollution to poor town planning and slums.


An elderly woman sells a garland on a Bangkok road. A civic group says the capital’s growing elderly workforce is among a list of concerns the next city governor will need to address. ANAKPONG SONGSAKUL

Concerned by the problems and challenges that lie ahead, a group of civil activists has launched a project called ''Agenda Bangkok 2012'' to identify the top 10 policies Bangkok should implement for the well-being of its people and to maintain its identity.

The activists will propose those issues to candidates contesting the Bangkok governor election early next year.

The term of Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra ends on Jan 10 and the city poll is tentatively set for Feb 17.

Under the project, which is jointly conducted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Noviscape Consulting Group Co and Siam Intelligence Unit Co, various groups of people, including academics, former city governors, councillors, private sector figures and civil movement representatives, have been asked what they think the crucial issues are for the city administration.

Pimrapat Dusadeeisariyakul, programme manager of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Bangkok, said the Agenda Bangkok 2012 project, launched in March, held brainstorming sessions and public forums to seek views on what the future policies of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should be under its next chief.

The project has determined that the new governor should come up with policies that focus on 10 categories, which were revealed on Wednesday.

The 10 categories are: Asean Community; sexual diversity; next-generation labour; Bangkok's identity; artistic impression; cyber crime; creation of inclusive space; low-carbon society, civil rights; and the Bangkok governor's leadership.

Pun-Arj Chairatana, managing director of Noviscape Consulting Group, said drawing up policies in these categories was necessary as the establishment of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 would affect the city's social, economic, political and environmental aspects.

In preparation for the AEC, the next Bangkok governor should develop a mechanism that functions in a similar manner to the government's Foreign Ministry, as the BMA will have to foster relations among other mega-cities in the bloc.

Regarding sexual diversity, the rights of people of different sexualities and gender identities must be respected, the group said, and representatives of these groups should enter politics in a bid to break down existing prejudices.

On next-generation labour, Mr Pun-Arj said the number of alien workers in the labour market will increase as a result of the the AEC's launch.

The city administration should be prepared to deal with cultural and linguistic differences in the business, education and other sectors.

The elderly workforce is also growing as Thailand is increasingly an ageing society.

The city administration should prepare a policy to take care of the elderly, Mr Pun-Arj said.

He said the next governor should promote Bangkok's identity. As Bangkok was becoming an increasingly mixed pot of cultures and religious beliefs, the city's unique identity was being eroded.

He said Bangkok's identity should be promoted with a ''city tolerance campaign'' in which people are urged to respect the cultural, religious and linguistic differences of others.

This would allow Bangkok to retain its own identity even as it embraces the various cultures that call the city their home.

On inclusive spaces, or accessible open spaces that belong to everybody, the city must revitalise old building structures or deserted land plots and turn them into public parks, sports fields, public libraries or cultural centres, Mr Pun-Arj said.

He added that the new governor should raise awareness among city dwellers about environmental concerns. Communities should be encouraged to initiate projects aimed at creating a green and low-carbon society. Designs of houses and office buildings should be in line with the low-carbon concept.

On the governor's leadership, Mr Pun-Arj said the city's leader should possess good management skills and have a creative mind.

The governor must be ready to deal with changes in city innovationand and have a good understanding of the most important concerns, such as disasters, safety and other security issues.

In some metropolises around the world, for example Los Angeles in California, a chief innovation officer has been appointed to assist the city governor, he said.

Peerapong Sirikasem, director of the BMA's Geographic Information Division, said City Hall is prepared for the new challenges that will arise when the AEC is formed.

Former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin said policies can be achieved if people sharing the same views joined forces to push for them.

He cited the example of the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre, which was set up after artists from various fields had fought for decades to have an art museum built in the city.

To develop Bangkok, brainstorming sessions should not only focus on the views of city residents. Opinions from other groups, including foreign tourists, should be considered as Bangkok is truly an international city, Mr Apirak said.
www.bangkokpost.com

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Arts of the Kingdom Breathtakingly alive at dusit palace

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn opened a magnificent exhibition at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, featuring stunning works of traditional art from Thai artisans trained at the Sirikit Institute

Published: 9/12/2012 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: Brunch

On Saturday, Dec 1, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the official opening ceremony of Arts of the Kingdom VI, as the representative of his His Majesty the King. The exhibition, which is open to the public at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall at Dusit Palace, showcases choice artworks and handicrafts from the Sirikit Institute.


HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn views the ‘Arts of the Kingdom VI’ exhibition at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.

Arts of the Kingdom displays exquisite pieces produced by villagers from around the country who have been given the opportunity by Her Majesty the Queen to learn ancient Thai crafts, perfect their techniques and eventually to create beautiful works of art at the Sirikit Institute, formerly known as Support (Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques) Training Centre at Chitralada Villa.

The skills take many years to perfect, and in its three decades of existence the institute has trained and produced many artisans of the highest level.

To honour three auspicious occasions _ His Majesty the King's seventh cycle birthday anniversary in 2011, Her Majesty's 80th birthday anniversary and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's fifth cycle birthday in 2012_ the Sirikit Institute has created nine new masterpieces to be displayed in the Arts of the Kingdom VI exhibition alongside those of previous years.

The nine new additions are a carved wooden screen with scenes from the folk tale Sang Thong and the mythical Himmavanta Forest; an embroidered screen themed around the Thai play Inao; a gold niello screen with scenes from Ramakien; a triple-spired "Busabok" throne; a gold khram damascene inlay "Kong" throne; models of the Sri Prapatsorachai and Mongkol Suban royal barges; an intricate design incorporating emerald-hued beetles' wings; and the poem Arts of the Kingdom inscribed in gold khram damascene.

Arts of the Kingdom VI is open to the public at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Dusit Palace, from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Tickets are 150 baht for the general public and 75 baht for students with a valid student ID.


www.bangkokpost.com

[Wisarut]

^
Find better photo instead of those broken links

[Wisarut]

ITD is willing to cut the cost for the 2nd contract from 24,102 Million to 21,235 Million Baht to be in line with 10% maximum limit principal for bidding. After this agreement, Railway Board is going to send the bidding result to JICA to get the green line so SRT can sing up with ITD in early Jan 2013 before reporting to Cabinet. On 25 Dec 2012, SRT is going to report about the case of the first bidding won by STEC + Unique Engineer so SRT can sign up the contract by the end of December 2012.

For the 3rd contract (Electrification and Signals), it can be delayed while the first and second contract cannot be delayed - we know that It hurts the interests of contractors who pay the contribution to politicians to delay the projects.


http://itrading.bualuang.co.th/%E0%B...0%B8%941093954

[Wisarut]

Bidding for the first section of High Speed train started in 3rd quarter of 2013

The section from BKK to Ayutthaya have to be elevated tracks for a good reason - high density and flood prone area ... after that the elevated track will be down until it reached at Grade level in Lopburi before
being elevated track again at Nakhon Sawan to Uttaradit (flood prone area) - construction cost for the Northern line from BKK to Chiang Mai (down from 745 km to 685 km) will be at 442 Million Baht per km

Section from Uttaradit to Chiang Mai (about 20% of distance) will need 2 new and long tunnels to go through with land exappropriation for 20-meter wide strips of land as the way to cut down the distance from 745 km to 685 km and allow max speed of 250 kph

For the section from BKK to Nong Khai (615 km) will follow the same old route with the construction cost at 198 billion Baht (average 330 million Baht per km) - ONLY The section through Dong Phraya yen need land exappropriation on 4 cement factories (Siam Cement - Kaeng Khoi factory, Jalaprathan Cement, Siam City Cement - Map Krabao factory, TPI Cement - Hin Lap factory) to construct the new tunnel and the section for High Speed train outside the railway land will be 20 meter wide. Those Cement factory owners are very reluctant to allow such exappropriation though.

For the passenger fee at 2.50 Baht per km, Section from BKK to Chiang Mai (685 km) will be at 1712.50 Baht while the section from BKK to Phitsanuloke (328 km) will be at 820 Baht per and the section from BKK to Nong Khai (615 km) will be at 1537.5 Baht while the section from BKK to Nakhon Ratchasima (256 km) will be at 640 Baht - cheaper than low cost airline

However, the first section of BKK to Ban Phachi Junction with the distance of 81.8 km with the price tag of 35 Billion Baht will have to be construct FIRST and it has to be double elevated tracks since both Northern line and Northeaster line are sharing the common line from BKK to Ban Phachi ... After that, the section from Ban Phachi to Nakhon Rachasima and Ban Phachi to Phitsanulok will be the next.

The bidding for this high speed train networks will be started by the end of October 2013 - First section to be on bidding will BKK - Ban Phachi - Phitsanuloke (342 km from BKK) first and next on the line is from Ban Phachi to Nakhon Ratchasima (256 km - from BKK) ... After that, BKK to Rayong via Pataya (200 km) and BKK to Hua Hin (225 km) will follow with the investment funds of 300 billion Baht. If the first section from BKK to Ban Phachi is done, it will be open around 2018-19 - 5 years after bidding.

If the full 2593 km High speed train networks are done, it will be the investment of 970 billion Baht

http://its.in.th/index.php/component...ws/10795--204-
http://mgr.manager.co.th/Home/ViewNe...=9550000154021

[Wisarut]

Ai Wicharn (EE Sudarat's man who control Minburi as his own fiefdom) is giving an ultimatum that MOT and MRTA must change the route of Pink Monorail (Kae rai - Minburi) to terminate at Suwinthawongse instead of Minburi Market but MOT and MRTA still insisting that they cannot do that since they are about to call a bidding in February 2013.
Note: many pointing out that Ai Wichan is very selfish PT men since he is the one behind the obstruction against BMA who was going to drain flood water since flood water is going to hurt his area. Bangkokians in Klong Sam Wah and Minburi still never forgive Ai Wicharn
http://www.manager.co.th/iBizChannel...=9550000155050