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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022440

Long-distance trains switch from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue in Jan

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022

Most of Thailand’s long-distance, rapid and express trains will switch from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station to Bang Sue Grand Station in January next year.

Fifty-two trains will switch over to the new 15-billion-baht national rail hub in mid-January, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) decided on Thursday.

Only eastbound trains will continue to use Hua Lamphong after that date, said a source familiar with the matter.

Bang Sue Grand Station (aka Krungthep Aphiwat Central Station) opened in November last year and began serving passengers on the SRT’s two urban Red Lines.

SRT had planned to move all 66 long-distance trains, apart from eastbound services, to Bang Sue but the plan was delayed due to the Covid-19 situation. Fifty-two of the 66 routes have now reopened – 14 to the North, 20 to the South, and 18 to the Northeast.

The SRT will advertise the change of terminal station in December, so that passengers reserving tickets can plan their travel accordingly.

Meanwhile, urban trains, ordinary trains and trains on tourism routes are still operating from Hua Lamphong station as usual.

From mid-January, trains bound for the North and Northeast will use the elevated railway from Bang Sue Grand Station to Rangsit station. They will no longer stop at five stations, namely Nikhom Rotfai, Thung Song Hong, Bang Khen, Laksi, and Kan Kheha. Don Muang Station will instead serve as the stop between Bang Sue and Rangsit stations.

Related Stories

Train tickets to most parts of Thailand now available at Bang Sue Grand Station

SRT ready to send 1 donated Japanese train off on short trips from Oct

SRT slams brakes on train services to Sungai Kolok and in Narathiwat

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022433

Minister threatens to replace THAI baggage handler after Suvarnabhumi delays

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has called an urgent meeting with Thai Airways International (THAI) and Worldwide Flight Services Bangkok Air Ground Handling Co Ltd (BFS Ground) over delays in luggage handling at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Saksayam visited the airport on Thursday in response to complaints that passenger services were suffering long delays at peak times as flight schedules return to normal after Covid-19.

Saksayam reported that congestion at passport control for arriving passengers had eased significantly.

It was now taking an average of 15 minutes for each passenger to pass through passport control, he said.

However, passengers were still waiting up to 1.5 hours for their luggage to arrive on the carousel, when the target should be 15 minutes, he added.

THAI and BFS Ground representatives told Saksayam that baggage handling was taking longer due to staff cuts amid rising operational costs. The cuts mean that a large passenger plane is now unloaded by only one ground service team instead of three teams as in the past.

Saksayam ordered the airline and baggage handler to come up with a plan to fix the problem within one month, or the ministry would find a new baggage handling firm.

“There are many operators out there who are capable of handling large volumes of luggage in time,” he said.

Saksayam also ordered the airport to deploy more staff at taxi ticket machines and waiting areas to prevent passenger crowding, as well as open more traffic lanes for taxis during rush hours. The aim is to reduce the taxi waiting time to 10 minutes per passenger.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is expected to welcome 130,000 passengers per day in December as the tourism season peaks, a rise of 13% from November’s 115,000 per day.

Related Stories

Rebound earns Thai Airways profit of THB3.92 billion in Q3

Japan and Singapore ‘top tourism destinations for Thai people’

Canine unit sniffs out bags of smoked bat, ham, bacon smuggled from Kunming

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022431

World Cup now available on all internet TV platforms as True loses exclusive rights

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022

Thai internet TV providers other than True Corp can now broadcast the whole 2022 Fifa World Cup, the National Broadcast and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) announced on Thursday evening.

In an urgent notification to internet protocol TV (IPTV) operators, the telecom regulator said that under the “must carry” rule, the tournament must also be made available on IPTV platforms including 3BB TV, NT-TOT IPTV, and AIS Playbox.

The notification effectively cancels True Corp’s exclusive broadcasting rights for half of this year’s World Cup matches via its IPTV and other online platforms.

True had signed a contract with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) for exclusive broadcast of 32 matches after contributing 300 million baht to SAT’s 1.4-billion-baht purchase of the broadcasting rights.

But from now on, fans in Thailand can also watch the matches via other IPTV platforms.

The “must carry” rule dictates that major sports events like the World Cup must be broadcast for free across all platforms in Thailand.

The NBTC also ordered IPTV operators to employ Fifa-standard encryption to ensure that match broadcasts are limited to Thailand.

On Wednesday, Fifa threatened to revoke Thailand’s World Cup broadcasting rights after it found Thai broadcasts of matches were being watched in neighbouring countries.

Related Stories

True says it has signed contract with SAT for exclusive online World Cup broadcasting rights

NBTC tells True to return exclusive broadcast rights for 16 World Cup matches

Fifa warns it will revoke Thailand’s World Cup broadcast rights over encryption failures

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022425

Organisers credit ‘Thai unity’ for success in hosting Apec Summit

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

People responsible for organising the recently completed Apec Summit in Bangkok attributed its success to the contributions of “Team Thailand” who work behind the scenes.

The 29th Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting and Related Meetings were held from November 14 and 19 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) under the theme of “Open. Connect. Balance.”

Thanatip Upatising, head of the Apec 2022 Task Force, said that the conference’s success was a result of cooperation of all parties involved from the public and private sectors that were making preparations for years.
“Also, Thai people in general should be credited for playing good hosts and impressing the visitors,” he said.
 

“As head of the Apec 2022 Task Force, I am grateful for all the contributions to help create history by successfully hosting the Apec 2022,” said Thanatip, a former Thai ambassador.

He said the success was a testament to Thailand’s potential to organise international conferences, thanks to the country’s world-class convention centres, modern facilities, professional personnel, and warm hospitality.
The QSNCC served more than 5,000 people, including delegates and media people from all 21 member economies, during the Apec 2022.

Sakchai Pattarapreechakul, president of NCC Management & Development Co Ltd, which manages the QSNCC, said that a wide selection of Thai tradition and fusion food was provided to the delegates and media people during the Apec week.

Meanwhile, NCC executive vice president MR Swasdivudh Svasti-vatana credited contributions from everyone in Team Thailand, including chefs, food stylists, artisans and students who worked behind the scenes to ensure Apec 2022 went on smoothly.

“This success would not have happened without those people, and not just QSNCC teams,” he said.
The executive also said that another pride for QSNCC was that Thai soft power was presented through food made with ingredients from local communities.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022424

TAT’s new travel route brings tourists to places of worship linked to Naga

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)’s Udon Thani provincial office has come up with a new travel route created specifically for those looking to visit places linked to superstitious beliefs.

Thanaporn Poonperm, director of the TAT’s Udon Thani office, said that this was part of the “Isaan In Love” campaign aimed at attracting tourists to places in the northeastern provinces through interests in nature, culture and Buddhism.

“We present a travel route that connects with unique local identities to offer a meaningful travel experience to tourists,” she said.

The Udon Thani office’s new travel route involves visits to places of worship in Udon Thani, Nong Khai and Bueng Kan provinces with statues of the mythical serpent Naga, which has been deeply enshrined in the local beliefs.

The new campaign is expected to draw about 120 million baht to the Northeast by February next year.
Thanaporn noted that Naga was recently declared Thailand’s mythical animal by the Cabinet, which she said provided the Northeast with a good opportunity to promote tourism to locations linked to Naga.

According to Hindu and Buddhist mythology, Naga is a semi-divine race of half-human, half-serpent creatures that are protectors of Gods and Buddhism.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022421

Suan Luang Rama IX Park’s famous floral fair makes a comeback

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

The annual colourful floral fair at Suan Luang Rama IX Park is returning this year after it was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Bangkok’s well-known winter fair, “Phanmai Ngam Aram Suan Luang Ror Kao” (Beautiful Flora at Suan Luang Rama IX Park), will be held from December 1-10 from 8am to 7pm. The annual fair has been held since the park’s establishment in 1987.
This year’s highlights include the display of a wide variety of flowers and decorative plants including rare lotuses, musical performances, traditional shows, firework displays, and exhibitions.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand organised a fair featuring traditional markets from Thailand’s four regions, Thai traditional music shows, and cultural performances including Khon mask dance.

Fortune-telling services by 10 famous astrologers are also available at the price of 300 baht each.
Among the musical feasts are performances by the Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Thai Police bands, shows by Surasak Montri School’s award-winning marching band, and a performance by Kasetsart University.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022418

Thailand has the means to develop green, sustainable economy: symposium speakers

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

Jarupong Krisanaraj

Thailand has the advantage in developing a green, clean and sustainable economy, speakers said at the “Decarbonise Thailand Symposium 2022” at True Digital Park in Bangkok on Thursday.

Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO) executive director Kiatchai Maitriwong said the country emitted 372 million tonnes of greenhouse gas in 2018, accounting for 0.8% of global emissions of 50 billion tonnes per year.

“Greenhouse gas emitters in Thailand include electricity generation, transportation, industrial and agriculture sectors,” he explained. “However, Thailand has an advantage as its forests can absorb 86 million tonnes of greenhouse gas.”

Kiatchai said the key to tackling climate change is maintaining the balance between greenhouse gas emissions and storage, such as increasing forest areas, saving energy, adding renewable energy and using the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) system.

“With cooperation between the government and the private sector, Thailand has a high chance of becoming the leader in green economy development,” Kiatchai said.

Thailand is working on a number of issues, such as campaigning among companies to undertake carbon footprint calculations, setting up a platform to facilitate carbon credit trade, and training climate change experts, he said.

Voluntary regulations will become compulsory to ensure Thailand can work with other countries to effectively and smoothly tackle climate change, Kiatchai said.

“The TGO is responsible for specifying regulations related to carbon footprint calculations in a bid to gain confidence among banks and investors,” he pointed out.

He also urged organisations to cooperate in enabling Thailand to achieve its net zero carbon emissions goal.

“We believe Thailand can do it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Energy minister’s secretary, Pisut Painmanakul, said greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced as much as possible to achieve the net zero emissions goal by 2050.

He provided five milestones which would enable the country to achieve the goal, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, electrification, hydrogen fuel and the CCUS system.

“Hydrogen fuel is useful as it can power gas turbines and vehicles,” he noted.

Thailand also has an advantage in biology and attractiveness in drawing investments, he said.

“With smart technology, mechanisms and the Bio-Circular-Green economy model, Thailand can develop a green, clean and sustainable economy,” Pisut added.

Meanwhile, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul said the industrial sector is adapting itself toward carbon neutrality as the country relies on exports.

He said world leaders already knew climate change could not be overlooked as it would result in exports disruption.

“To cope with this disruption, we need next-generation industries and the BCG economy model to develop Thailand’s economy so it becomes green, clean and sustainable,” he said.

The FTI has established a climate-change institution to advise industries on greenhouse gas reduction and carbon credit trading, Kriengkrai said.

He urged industries to adapt and adjust so Thailand can become the leader in a BCG economy.

Related stories:

• ‘Climate change poses challenges but offers opportunities for positive change’
• Tackling climate change a united battle, Varawut says at COP27
• Varawut, special US envoy discuss reduction of methane emissions

Jarupong Krisanaraj

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022417

Arrests over World Cup gambling rise to over 1,200

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

More than 1,200 people have been arrested for alleged involvement in illegal gambling since the Fifa World Cup kicked off last Sunday, police said on Thursday.

Pol Lt-General Panurat Lakboon, assistant commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police, said that a total of 1,154 people had been arrested from November 19 and 23 in connection with illegal gambling based on the results of the ongoing 2022 World Cup matches.
Among those arrested were 21 gambling hosts, 1,126 bettors, and seven bet receivers, he said.

In addition, 120 people have been arrested for illegal gambling of World Cup results through the internet — seven of them hosts and 113 bettors — Panurat said.
Altogether, 1,274 people have been arrested and 61,410 baht in cash have been confiscated, involving bets totalling 258,913 baht, he said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022414

Uthenthawai Campus students protest to demand resumption of on-site classes

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

Students of engineering and architectecture at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai Campus, rallied in front of the university to demand resumption of on-site classes.

About 400 students of all years of Uthenthawai Campus’ Faculty of Engineering and Architecture rallied to demand a meeting with the dean to press their case for resumption of on-site teaching.

The students said the faculty should resume on-site classes for all years of students now that Covid-19 pandemic has ended.

They said their studies required use of facilities at the university and sometimes they did not thoroughly understand the online teaching of the lecturers.

The students alleged that the university had forced them to buy their own computers to study although they should have been allowed to use computers and other facilities of the campus as they have paid their tuition fee.

The students said the first-year students of the faculty should be allowed to enter the campus to engage in social activities like students of other faculties, but they are prohibited from entering the campus and some first-year students were suspended just because they came to the campus to file their homework.

Initially, the students rallied on the pavement in front of the university and demanded to meet the dean, Asst Prof Thongpool Thasiphet.

Pathumwan Police Station acting chief Pol Colonel Thammasak Saraboon led a team of policemen and lecturers of the faculty to meet the students and asked them to appoint representatives to hold talks with the faculty and end the rally.

But the students refused to talk to the lecturers and demanded to meet the dean.

At 11.30am, the students moved from the pavement to occupy the Phya Thai Road and blocked the road for 100 metres in front of the university.

Thongpool eventually came out to meet the students and asked them to send representatives to hold talks with him in his office provided they ended the rally.

The students agreed to end the rally after they submitted their demand to the dean for the resumption of on-site classes.

Thongpool promised to hold a meeting of the faculty with representatives of the students.

Thongpool explained that only first-year students are required to study online because they have no lab courses at the university.

He denied that some first-year students were fired or suspended just because they came to the campus to file their homework. He said the university has record that could justify the penalties but he did not elaborate.

A lecturer, who requested anonymity, said the university decided to hold online classes for first-year students to protect them. The lecturer said the university feared the first-year students would be lured by their seniors to commit wrongdoings that could create losses.

The lecturer was hinting at the long history of inter-institution feud between the campus and Pathum Wan Institute of Technology. Students from the two institutes often engaged in street fights, resulting even in loss of lives.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022411

Renovated Peacemaker aircraft back in service 50 years after being first commissioned

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2022

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has recommissioned eight renovated AU-23A Peacemaker gunships — the world’s last military fleet still in operation.

RTAF commander-in-chief ACM Alongkorn Wannarot on Thursday presided over the 50th anniversary of the American-made aircraft’s first commission in Thailand, at Wing 5 Air Force Base in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Thirty-three Peacemaker counter-insurgency, utility transport aircraft were first commissioned in Thailand in November 1972 as part of US military assistance during the Vietnam War.
At present, only 12 are still in use. Eight of them have been renovated and the remaining four are under renovation, which is scheduled for completion in September next year.

The Air Force chief said that the commission of Peacemaker aircraft can be extended as their condition is mostly unaffected by long use, unlike fighter jets, such as F-5s or F-16s which have to be decommissioned after a specific period of use.
The renovation of AU-23A Peacemaker aircraft involved replacing its analogue systems with digital ones, in addition to general refurbishments of the body and internal systems.
The aircraft have been used mainly for reconnaissance, rain-making and announcement.
The RTAF plans to use the renovated Peacemaker aircraft for at least 15 years, with the assessment of their capabilities conducted every five years, according to the chief.
“We improve our existing resources to extend their useful life so that we do not have to always buy new ones,” he said.