A Cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved a move to fully utilise the land owned by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), said government spokeswoman Traisulee Taisaranakul on Tuesday.
Under the plan, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) will rent a piece of land totalling 466 square wah (1,867 square metres) from the MRTA at the rate of 124,290 baht per month.
The land is part of the 160-rai train depot in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district.
SAT will use a budget of 33.5 million baht to build a sport centre for youths from surrounding communities, comprising a playground and courts. The authority will also be responsible for all land and building taxes, as well as making sure the construction and the centre itself do not interfere with MRTA infrastructure.
Traisulee said the rental contract has no time limit, but SAT must return the land to the MRTA if the latter wants to use it to expand train system operations.
People across Thailand have been warned of possible flash floods and runoffs due to heavy rains on Wednesday.
The Thai Meteorological Department said abundant showers are likely across the country and isolated heavy to very heavy rains are possible in the North, the Northeast, the Central region, the East and the South, including Bangkok and its vicinity.
“People should beware of heavy rains and rain water accumulation that may cause flash floods and overflows, especially along the foothills near waterways and lowlands,” the department warned.
It also forecast strong winds and high waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf, saying waves could be 2-3 metres high and above 3 metres during thundershowers.
“All ships must proceed with caution, while small boats should keep ashore until Friday [September 9],” the department added.
Here’s the 24-hour weather forecast for different regions:
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rains.
North: Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Phrae, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.
Northeast: Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani.
Central: Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon.
East: Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat; waves 2-3 metres high and above 3 metres during thundershowers.
South (east coast): Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani. For Surat Thani and upwards waves about 2 metres high and above 2 metres during thundershowers; for Nakhon Si Thammarat and southwards waves 1-2 metres high and above 2 metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket and Krabi; Phuket upwards waves 2-3 metres high and above 3 metres during thundershowers; Krabi downwards waves about 2 metres high and above 2 metres during thundershowers.
A cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved in principle a draft of the Trial Procedures for Traffic Cases Act, with the aim to set up a specific justice division to process traffic cases instead of going through criminal trials, deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said on Tuesday.
The act also aims to allow the court to try traffic law violators without the police having to issue a ticket first in such violations as running a red light or speeding over the limit, she added.
Ratchada said the draft is in response to increasing traffic law violations, mostly due to motorists lacking understanding and discipline on the roads.
“Some motorists are not afraid of the legal punishment for traffic violations as the current law enforcement is not efficient enough,” she said.
“Many tickets have been issued but only a few people have actually paid the fine as there were no specific procedures for when violators oppose the charges or ignore the fine.”
Ratchada pointed out that currently if a violator ignores a traffic ticket, officials need to file a criminal case, which usually takes a long time to process.
The draft divides traffic cases into three categories and designates different trial procedures for each.
One is traffic violations with specific punishment, such as driving without a licence or during licence suspension, running red lights and exceeding the speed limit. Under the new act, violators of these laws will not be issued a ticket or fined by police, they will instead be ordered to report to the investigation officer, who will schedule a court hearing.
Another category covers violations of the Motor Vehicle Act, Land Transport Act, or Highway Act, excluding violations that result in damage to other people or property. Police will fine violators of these laws, or have the investigation officer schedule a court hearing in case they oppose the charge or refuse to pay the fine.
The third category comprises other serious offences not included in the previous two categories, such as driving under the influence, in which violators will be tried under criminal procedures.
The Trial Procedures for Traffic Cases Act also allows the court to impose additional punishment beside the punishment stipulated in each law, to be implemented on a case-by-case basis, such as suspending or revoking a driver’s licence, making violators perform community service, or making them undergo traffic law training, Ratchada added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Department of European Affairs, in collaboration with King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand, organized the “EV Hackathon: Future EV Mobility Creative Contest for Sustainability #EV4Sustain” on August 27-28 2022 in celebration of the 160th anniversary of the establishment of Thai-German diplomatic relations.
The competition was in line with the theme of the 160th Thai-German anniversary – “Partners for Sustainable Growth” and in support of the electric vehicle industries which is one of the trending approaches to cope with present global challenges such as energy, pollution and climate change issues.
Moreover, the competition presents a great opportunity for stakeholders and new generation in Thailand to acquire knowledge and modern technology in electric vehicles from the German side, furthering Thailand’s capability to be an EV production hub in Asia. The constructive and creative ideas from the contestants also promote the 30@30 policy of Thailand which aims to reach 30 percent of total EV car production by 2030.
The EV Hackathon received much attention from Thai and foreign students from various institutions. A total of 103 teams with 3 students per team (309 students) participated in the online training sessions. The teams then presented their ideas online during the elimitation round. 16 teams made it to the semi-finals, and after another round of presentations, 8 teams were selected for the grand final.
On August 27, during 21 hours of hackathon competition at the KMUTNB, the 8 finalist teams had brainstormed, while receiving guidance from 8 EV-related experts, to find solutions to the given problem on “Invent solution of sustainability in Bangkok Metropolis with EV Mobility Technology”.
The winners are as follows;
– The grand prize winner: Team ACDC from Chulalongkorn University.
The team’s solution involved the conversion of Thailand’s mini public transportation mobility called Krapor Car into Electric Krapor Car together with the Artificial Intelligence computing to find the shortest route to transfer passengers from small Sois or alleys to the destination or skytrain station. This solution aims to alleviate the traffic issues within Bangkok’s high density or Superblock areas.
– The first-runner up: Team PorMayJedai from King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok.
The team proposed the connection of KMUTNB and Skytrian station via E-Shuttle Bus and E-Scooter rental services by using mobile application to manage the reservation and rental E-Scooter.
– The second-runner up: Team Bangmod representative from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.
The team showcased the electric motocycle rental service for people who live in the Superblock areas around the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.
– The honorable-mentioned 5 teams: Team Thunder EV from Chulalongkorn University, Team EVT-028 from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Team Wagen Toretto from Chulalongkorn University, Team KUXEV from Kasetsart University, and Team CHARGEGEN from Chulalongkorn University.
In addition to receiving the award plaques and certificates for the top 3 teams, and certificates for the 5 honorable-mention teams, all 8 finalist teams received cash prizes as educational fund from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KMUTNB as follows: the grand-prize team received 100,000 baht, the first-runner up 50,000 baht, the second-runner up 25,000 baht, and honorable mention teams 15,000 baht each.
Keys to the competition’s success came from relevant stakeholders’ directives in pushing forward Thailand’s proficiency in EV innovation, as well as reflecting the commitment of Thailand and Germany to sustainably advancing the automotive industry with clean energy.
Ultimately, the competition’s success was made possible by not only the trilateral partnership of the Department of European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KMUTNB, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Thailand, as well as the nation-wide enthusiam of the participants, but also by the acknowledgment and participation of stakeholders from academic, public and private sectors such as Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT), KMUTNB ALUMNI Association, PORSCHE (Thailand) Ltd., Schaeffler Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Covestro (Thailand) Co. Ltd., BMW (Thailand) Co., Ltd., B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited, Robert Bosch Ltd., Symphony Communication Public Company Limited, QTC Energy Public Co., Ltd., Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited, Mercedes Benz (Thailand), Ltd., SCG Foundation, LAMY (Thailand), TUV RHEINLAND (THAILAND) CO., LTD., and SIEMENS Ltd.
Several areas in Bangkok have been hit by floods after heavy downpours since Tuesday evening and late into the night.
Many roads were cut off due to high water levels, causing drivers to abandon their cars on the streets and wait out until the flood subsided. Heavy traffic congestion has also been reported in several areas as people rushed home after work.
The 21st Signal Battalion of the First Army Area dispatched four-wheeler trucks to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat BTS station to pick up people who were stranded at the station due to high floodwater and drop them off at the entrance of sois on Ram Inthra and Chaeng Watthana roads.
On Tuesday the Thai Meteorological Department forecast that many parts of the country may be hit by flash floods until Friday due to an active monsoon trough covering the lower North and the Northeast, while a southwest monsoon trough prevails over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and other parts of the country.
The department expects more rain across Thailand, with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the North, the Northeast, the East, the South and the Central region, including Greater Bangkok.
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a central budget of 1.57 billion baht to boost government agencies’ water management potential until next year.
Of the total budget, 911.71 million baht will be allocated to three ministries: Agriculture and Cooperatives (192.07 million baht), Natural Resources and Environment (619.71 million baht) and Interior (99.92 million baht) to work on their 576 water management-related projects.
“Once the projects are completed, about 542 households will gain benefits, while the water reservoir volume will increase by approximately 3.32 million cubic metres,” Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said.
He added that the potential of nine water irrigation structures will be increased under those projects.
Meanwhile, another 663.87-million-baht budget will be handed out to the Royal Irrigation Department to procure 203 water pumps in a bid to boost their potential to tackle floods and drought.
Of the total, 67.13 million baht will be used to purchase 27 water pumps with pipe size at least 8 inches, 99.74 million baht for 34 pumps with pipe size at least 10 inches and 497 million baht for 142 pumps with pipe size at least 14 inches.
Earlier, the Budget Bureau said the the government still had 10 billion baht left in the central budget to tackle water-related issues.
A fish rots from the head down was the message delivered by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt as he launched an anti-graft drive on Tuesday.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Leaders and corruption suppression”, Chadchart identified three types of leader: those who are corrupt, those who allow corruption, and those who fight corruption.
The new governor was elected in May after promising to crack down on graft in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Chadchart noted that corruption often starts as a small irritant before growing into a cancer that consumes an organisation. However, effective suppression of corruption depended on the actions of leaders.
“Leaders are important because when they refrain from initiating corruption, they set an example for their subordinates to follow,” he said.
He added that a rigid hierarchy also aids corruption by suppressing transparency as well as questioning and whistle-blowers. He pledged to remove hierarchies in the BMA in order to help fight graft within the organisation.
Chadchart added that technology also has an essential role in detecting corruption and making organisations more transparent.
Earlier, the governor launched the Traffy Fondue app where Bangkok residents can report problems including corruption to the BMA.
He also highlighted the problem of city officials taking gifts in return for goods or services, saying they risked becoming the “slaves” of bribe-givers.
“So we have to make ourselves [as leaders] transparent and have no fear of anyone except the public we serve,” he said.
Meanwhile, all four sectors – the government, the private and public sectors and academia – must work together as a network to tackle corruption, he added.
The seminar was organised by the Anti-Corruption Organisation at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station.
Children were among dozens of Rohingya rescued off the coast of Satun province after their boat broke down on Tuesday.
Local fishermen reported they had found 10 famished Rohingya adrift in a boat off Langu district on Tuesday morning.
They were rescued from the sea and brought ashore for questioning by immigration police. The Rohingya told police they had set sail from Rakhine state in Myanmar bound for Indonesia. They said their boat was overloaded with passengers and suffered damage after encountering stormy weather.
Thai immigration officials then extended their search after receiving information that more Rohingya were stranded off Satun. Another 41 Rohingya were discovered abandoned on a small island off the coast of Thung Wa district. The group comprised 31 men, eight women and two children, all reportedly suffering from hunger and dehydration. The group was given food and drinks.
Police are investigating whether both groups came from the same boat and if they were dumped by human-traffickers.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will put one of the 17 trains donated by Japan on the track for special short trips from October onwards.
SRT governor Nirut Maneephan said the four-bogey train may be used for trips from Bangkok to places like Sai Yok Falls in Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin or the Pasak Dam in Lopburi.
“SRT hopes the KIHA 183 trains will play a big part in promoting tourism in Thailand,” he said. “They will offer tourists a brand new experience.”
He added that SRT has renovated 13 of the 17 KIHA 183 trains donated by the Hokkaido Railway Company.
Of the 17 air-conditioned diesel locomotives, eight can seat 40 passengers, eight can seat 68 passengers and one carriage has 52 seats. The trains arrived in Thailand on December 13.
Nirut said SRT spent 42.5 million baht bringing the trains to Thailand and will spend about 200,000 baht each on renovation. However, he said renovating a used train is 400-times cheaper than buying a new one, which can up to 100 million baht.
He added that SRT has successfully conducted test runs with the train on the Makkasan-Chachoengsao route and learned it can comfortably achieve a maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour.
He said 13 trains should be ready for short trips this year, adding that he is confident the locomotives will be in service for another 15 to 20 years.
In the second phase, the SRT will completely overhaul the trains by changing wheels, bearings, engines, electrical systems, brakes and air-conditioning so they can be used for long-haul services, Nirut said. The overhaul may take two years to complete, he added.
Six suspects were arrested on Monday for alleged looting at Chaweng Blue Lagoon The Teak Wing, a 384-room luxury hotel in Samui Island, Surat Thani province.
The arrest came after the hotel owner, Yomana Poolsawat, informed the police on Sunday, that many hotel assets, such as doors, utensils, windows, electric wires and lamps worth more than 70 million baht had been robbed.
She added that the hotel assets were robbed when the hotel was closed since 2020 as the 30-year hotel lease contract with a Swiss businessman had expired during that time.
Police seized the suspects’ equipment, stolen hotel assets and a six-wheel truck as evidence.
Bophut Police Station superintendent Pol Colonel Yuttana Sirisombat said the police will continue its investigation to seek more suspects and buyers of hotel assets.
He added that six suspects were charged for burglary at night using a vehicle.
“The police will do their best to find more suspects and bring back as many of the stolen assets as possible,” he said.
Ratchaporn Poolsawat
Meanwhile, Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association President Ratchaporn Poolsawat said that hotel operators who faced looting can contact the association, so the association will cooperate with Bophut Police Station in taking legal action.
He added that the association has also cooperated with security agencies in implementing measures to deal with similar incidents in a bid to regain the confidence of investors.
Nirut said SRT spent 42.5 million baht bringing the trains to Thailand and will spend about 200,000 baht each on renovation. However, he said renovating a used train is 400-times cheaper than buying a new one, which can up to 100 million baht.
In the second phase, the SRT will completely overhaul the trains by changing wheels, bearings, engines, electrical systems, brakes and air-conditioning so they can be used for long-haul services, Nirut said. The overhaul may take two years to complete, he added.
Ratchaporn Poolsawat
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