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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017478

The Central Administrative Court ruled on Thursday that last year’s decision by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to cancel the bidding for the Orange Line project was unlawful. The MRTA has 30 days to appeal the verdict.

Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) chief executive Surapong Laoha-Unya, who attended the verdict reading, said that it had to be seen how the latest court ruling would affect the ongoing bidding process for the mass-transit project.

He praised the court for “ensuring justice” to the relevant parties.

“This court verdict should be regarded as a precedent for similar biddings. We don’t know if we are going to win or lose in the bidding. What we want is transparency, fairness and an accountable process,” the executive said.

The BTSC, which runs the Skytrain mass-transit system in the city, took part in the Orange Line bidding.

The 35.9-kilometre Orange Line, which runs from Bang Khunnon in the west to Minburi in the east, is estimated to require a budget of 145 billion baht to build.

The BTSC had taken the case to court against the Orange Line bidding selection committee and the MRTA, which issued an order in February last year to cancel the bidding.

The court on Thursday ruled that the order was unlawful and voided the selection committee’s decision to cancel the bidding.

Surapong told the media on Thursday that as the new round of bidding for Orange Line has different terms than the cancelled one, he wondered how the ongoing bidding process would be affected by the court ruling.

“We may have to wait for a decision by the MRTA regarding this matter,” he said.

In his view, the cancelled bidding is not considered conclusive following the court verdict.

“The court also pointed out that the new round of bidding can also be cancelled,” the BTSC top executive added.

Published : July 07, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017473

Mobile network operators could face a hefty fine of at least 1 million baht per day for failing to follow regulations aimed at preventing phone scams.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) passed the resolution at its meeting on Wednesday.

In setting the administrative fine, the regulator took into account the severity of the problem caused by “call centre” scams and the widespread impact on mobile-phone users across the country, according to an informed source.

Scammer gangs posing as officials or staff members of state agencies use various tricks to deceive victims into transferring money to them.

NBTC regulations require that mobile network operators make sure that each person registers no more than five mobile-phone numbers with SIM distributors, using their ID cards. Those who want to register more than five numbers are required to do so at the service centres of the network operators.

This requirement is aimed at preventing criminal gangs from using their hoarded SIMs for their call-centre scams.

However, on many occasions, the NBTC found that small SIM distributors were not strict about this requirement, allowing many people to register more than five SIMs each.

The NBTC board resolved that mobile network operators would be allowed to rectify the issue within 30 days, and if they fail they would face an administrative fine of at least 1 million baht.

Also on Wednesday, the NBTC convened a meeting of relevant state agencies and mobile network operators regarding the issue of call centre and SMS scams. Among the participants were representatives of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Bank of Thailand, Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), AIS, True, DTAC, and National Telecom.

Meanwhile, TCSD police arrested four suspects and confiscated 43 IP PBX telephone switching machines during their searches at eight Bangkok locations in Bang Na, Huai Kwang and Lat Phrao areas. They were allegedly used by call-centre gangs.

The suspects were charged with public embezzlement and committing a computer crime and could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and/or a maximum fine of 200,000 baht, according to Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Kornchai Klayklueng.

Published : July 07, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017464

Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief General Narongpan Jitkaewthae and six other high-ranking officers tested positive for Covid-19 on returning from an official visit to Malaysia.

The visit came in response to an invitation by the Malaysian army chief from June 30 to July 1.

The Army announced on Thursday that while General Narongpan was being treated, deputy army chief General Apinan Khampeo was tasked with attending a meeting of national security chiefs on his behalf at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters on Wednesday.

The commander-in-chief has also assigned General Siripoj Rampaikul, chairman of the Army’s advisory board, to perform duties scheduled on Thursday on his behalf, including welcoming the Spanish ambassador.

Other officials who accompanied Narongpan to Malaysia have been ordered to self-isolate and monitor their symptoms.

Last week Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from Europe and the United Kingdom, respectively. On Sunday Industry Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced that he too had tested positive for Covid-19.

Published : July 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017465

The national cybersecurity agencies of Thailand and Israel have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cybersecurity cooperation.

The MoU signing ceremony was held in Bangkok on Wednesday with Israeli ambassador to Thailand Orna Sagiv signing it for the Israeli National Cyber Directorate.

General Pratya Chalerwat, secretary-general of the National Cyber Security Agency, signed the MoU for Thailand.

The MoU is aimed at facilitating cooperation between the two agencies by exchanging information and policies as well as developing personnel and cooperation in education and cyber industries of the two countries.

The Israeli ambassador said her country has created new innovations that can enhance cybersecurity for various organisations.

She said the world has became more vulnerable to cyber-threats because of the increasing focus on digital operations.

She said cyber-threats would be dangers without borders, so countries should join hands to fight them by exchanging information and learning from one another.

She said the MoU between the two countries served to affirm the friendship and trust between the two nations.

“The MoU points out that we will join hands to face new challenges together,” the ambassador added.

Published : July 07, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017461

The Bangkok open-air movie festival that will screen films for free starts tonight at the Lan Khon Muang ground in front of City Hall with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt promising to be present.

Employees of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are making preparations for the movie screening since Thursday morning. They have set up a giant movie screen and an open air sound system and cordoned off the cement ground with metal barriers to welcome movie-goers in the evening.

The BMA is collaborating with the Thai Film Directors Association, the Thai Film Archive and the open-air movie club to screen movies for free at various spots in Bangkok on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays starting from July 7 till the end of this month. The first movie of the night will be screened at 7pm.

The cooperation is aimed at stimulating the economy and promoting the Thai movie industry as well as providing moral support to Bangkokians hit by Covid-19 and the economic crises, the organisers said.

Chadchart, who came to jog at the Lan Khon Muang at 5am, told reporters that he will come to see the movie with heartthrob actor Jesdaporn “Tik” Pholdee.

The programmes of the first two weeks are:

Lan Khon Muang:

July 7: 2499 Anthapal Krong Muang (1956 – Year of Hooligans)

July 8: Wela Nai Khuad Kaew (Time bottle)

July 9: Prae Dam (Black satin)

True Digital Park in Phra Khanong district

July 7: Rot Fai Fa Ma Ha Na Ther (Riding the Skytrain to see you)

July 8: 36

July 9: Mae Nak Phra Khanong (Nak, the ghost of Phra Khanong)

Klong Toey Youth Centre in Klong Toei district

July 14: RRR

July 15: Mon Rak Transistor (Love comedy of transistor radios)

July 16: Boonchu Phu Narak (Lovely Boonchu)

Rot Fai Park in Chatuchak district

July 14: 4 Kings

aJuly 15: Portrait of a Lady on Fire

July 16: Sawan Mued (Dark heaven)

Published : July 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017460

National artist in literature Sombat Plainoi, 93, best known by his pen name “Sor Plainoi”, passed away on Wednesday.

Anews source revealed he died three days after being admitted to Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital for Covid-19.

Born on May 24, 1929, in Ayutthaya, Sombat graduated from middle and high school at Ayutthaya Witthayalai School and later earned a vocational degree in elementary education there.

During his career as a teacher, Sombat applied for a composition and journalism postal programme offered by Pluang Na Nakhon, a prominent literature scholar and author of several dictionaries, who had driven him to focus on becoming a writer.

Pluang later invited Sombat to work at the Education Ministry’s Office of the National Culture Committee with the task of writing articles, play scripts, documentaries and short stories for the ministry’s journals, as well as to host an educational radio programme.

In 1985 Sombat went into early retirement to become a full-time writer, and was named a national artist in literature in 2010.

He had written more than 100 books on Thai history, culture, tradition, geography and biographies of historical figures. Among them are a biography of King Taksin the Great, Lao Ruang Bangkok (the Bangkok chronicles), Lao Ruang Myanmar, and the Encyclopedia of Thai History.

Sombat is survived by his wife Jongkol and son Apijai.

Published : July 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017456

Various organisations in Phuket were ordered to prepare for a tsunami even though the situation is “not of high concern” at the moment.

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew on Wednesday ordered the deputy governor to cooperate with the local disaster prevention and mitigation office and related organisations to monitor the situation closely and be prepared.

They have also been instructed to visit the area immediately if a disaster occurs.

The Andaman Sea saw as many as 32 earthquakes from Monday to Wednesday, 500 kilometres northwest of Phang-nga.

A resulting rise in seawater flooded several areas in Phuket, leading to public anxiety that a tsunami could hit the province.

Narong said the situation was not worrying at the moment, but he was nevertheless prepared in case “something” occurred.

The governor said Phuket residents, having experienced the tsunami in 2004, are “not careless”.

He reiterated that the province has prepared equipment while staff are ready to help the public.

Meanwhile, Phuket Disaster Prevention and Mitigation chief Udomporn Kan said the southwest monsoon is intense, with the amount of rainfall exceeding normal standards. To add to this, seawater levels were high since Sunday.

But Udomporn said the high sea level is not related to a tsunami as these occur only from an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude or higher.

As for concern over out-of-position tsunami buoys, he said the warning system is still effective because it also uses up-to-date data from foreign countries. Besides, the National Disaster Warning Centre has inspected several earthquake zones and Thailand has not been affected so far.

The centre is always monitoring the situation, he said. It also tested alarms in 19 spots around Phuket on Wednesday.

In an actual emergency, an alarm will be broadcast in five languages – Thai, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.

On Wednesday, Phang-nga also announced it had made preparations for a tsunami after several earthquakes in the Andaman Sea.

Read More: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017431

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) meanwhile said that if there is an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude or higher, a warning will be immediately sent to 130 alarm towers in Ranong, Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Phuket.

Staff are monitoring the situation 24 hours a day via tsunami detection buoys, the DDPM said. If a tsunami approaches, the buoys will send out an alarm to the National Disaster Warning Centre and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA).

If the Thai buoys are not in place at the time, buoys from other countries will send a warning to the NOOA, so Thailand will definitely be alerted quickly, the department assured the public.

It also confirmed that the alarm system was “working properly” and it would inform the public swiftly if any evacuation was needed.

The department added that it had prepared enough staff and equipment to deal with a disaster in the six high-risk provinces and had undertaken tsunami evacuation drills since May.

Published : July 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017450

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s move to test drive a Switzerland Embassy red Mini Cooper at Government House in Bangkok went viral on Wednesday.

The premier took the car for a spin after retiring Swiss Ambassador Helene Budliger Artieda met him.

Prayut got behind the wheel of the solar-powered car in a garden in front of the Thai Khu Fa building with Artieda seated beside him.

However, what Thai netizens zeroed in on was the car’s “Tor 1002” licence plate as red is considered an auspicious colour. They are dearly hoping the number will be the winning one in the July 16 lottery draw.

Published : July 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017446

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Wednesday proposed a draft budget of 79 billion baht for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for fiscal 2023.

Chadchart said the budget for next year was prepared under a balanced budget policy to ensure that all agencies have enough money on hand for their operations and projects.

This is how the budget will be divided:

> Operational costs for each district office – 17.41 billion baht, or 22.04 per cent of the total budget

> Overall administration costs – 14.5 billion baht, or 18.36 per cent

> City development – 10.55 billion baht, or 13.37 per cent

> Natural resource and environment – 10.11 billion baht, or 12.8 per cent

> Public health – 2.01 billion baht, or 2.55 per cent

> Social and community development – 933.52 million baht, or 1.18 per cent

> Economic and commerce budget – 193.95 million baht, or 0.25 per cent

> Security, law and order – 166.35 million baht, or 0.21 per cent

> Education – 644.11 million baht, or 0.8 per cent

> Debt repayment – 5.12 billion baht, or 6.49 per cent

> Budget for other agencies under the BMA – 2.95 billion baht, or 3.74 per cent

> Central budget expenditure – 14.37 billion baht, or 18.19 per cent.

Chadchart pointed out that although preparation for the 2023 budget draft had begun since November last year, before he took office on June 1, 2022, he adjusted some of the details to suit his vision and policy for the Bangkok administration.

“I want Bangkok to be a livable city for everyone and have employed the Global Liveability Index of EIU [economist intelligence unit] to form 200 policies across nine dimensions to achieve such a goal,” the governor said.

“The nine dimensions are environment, public health, transport, security, administration, structure, economic, creativity, and education,” he added.

Members of the city council will consider the budget draft on Thursday, with the meeting expected to wind up at around 8pm.

Published : July 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017442

Zone C parking at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be free during two sets of long holidays this month in a bid to boost tourism and reduce the financial burden on travellers.

Free parking will be allowed for Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent, from midnight on July 12 to midnight July 18 (7 days in total), and on the occasion of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s birthday, from midnight on July 27 to August 1 midnight (a total of 6 days).

Suvarnabhumi operator Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced on Wednesday that waiving of parking fees at Zone C, which is designated for long-term parking and has a capacity for 718 vehicles, aims to reduce the financial burden for travellers and promote tourism during the holidays.

The airport will also provide free shuttle bus services from the parking lot to passenger terminals. The bus leaves every 15 minutes and is available 24 hours a day during the above-mentioned periods.

AOT urged passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure time for international flights and at least two hours for domestic flights as it expects a high volume of travellers for the long holidays.

For more information, contact call centre 1722 or 0 2132 9511.

Published : July 07, 2022

By : THE NATION