SRT suspends scandal-hit signboard project at Bangkok’s central station
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) abruptly suspended the scandal-hit 33-million-baht project to change signboards at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station on Tuesday.
SRT governor Nirut Maneephan signed the order to suspend the project, which includes changing the main signboard at Thailand’s new rail hub to “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal”, the official name granted by His Majesty the King in September last year.
The order was addressed to the managing director of Unique Engineering and Construction Plc, which won the contract bidding with a proposed price of 33.16 million baht. The SET-listed company signed the contract with SRT on December 29.
Netizens quickly criticised the price as being too high, triggering widespread suspicion that SRT officials may have corruptly profited from the deal.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob ordered a seven-day probe of the project on January 3.
Two days later, the National Anti-Corruption Committee (NACC) launched its own investigation, focusing on the legality of the special “urgent” bidding process and the conduct of responsible officials.
Ministry probes claims that Thai academics are buying theses for promotion
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
Higher Education Minister Anek Laothamatas has ordered an urgent probe into claims that many university academics have purchased theses in a bid to gain promotion.
Anek announced the investigation on Tuesday after allegations raised by fellow academics were widely shared on social media.
The claims said that certain academics have either hired others to write research studies or merely purchased them to get their names published in international academic journals and claim credits needed for promotions at their universities.
“I would like to thank the academics and the media for showing concern and for pointing out loopholes in the publishing of academic work,” Anek said.
He also acknowledged that some academics may have presented others’ research work as their own.
“Universities must investigate this seriously and take swift action,” he said.
Ministry permanent secretary Siririrk Songwilai emphasised that Section 70 of the Higher Education Act explicitly bans people from hiring others to do research or writing in a bid to gain academic posts or promotions.
Siririrk said the same law prohibits people from selling their academic work or labour to others. The penalty for this practice is three years imprisonment or a maximum fine of 60,000 baht, he added.
Siririrk said he had told the Council of University Presidents of Thailand that universities must check their academics’ research and writing thoroughly.
He said the ministry has also dispatched teams to investigate universities and will pass on any evidence found to the council.
PM2.5 pollution hits unsafe levels in 19 Bangkok districts
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
Much of Bangkok was blanketed in hazardous smog on Tuesday morning, with monitoring stations in almost two dozen districts showing PM2.5 particles had exceeded the safe level of 50 micrograms per cubic metre.
The Bangkok Air Quality Division reported that 19 of its monitors showed PM2.5 dust in the 51-90mg/m3 range, where it starts to impact on health.
A level of more than 90mg/m3 is considered hazardous to health.
The 19 monitoring stations showing unsafe levels of PM2.5 were:
– Klong Sam Wa district office: 56mg/m3
– Pathumwan district in front of Samyan Mitrtown mall: 56
– Thonburi district at Mahaisawan Intersection: 55
– Wang Thong Lang district at Esso petrol station on Soi Lat Phrao 95: 54
– Nong Khaem district police booth on Ma Charoen Road: 54
– Lat Krabang district in front of Lat Krabang Hospital: 54
– Khlong San district under Taksin bridge: 54
– Bang Sue district office: 54
– Bang Phlat district office: 53
– Prawet district in front of Seacon Square mall, 53
– Yannawa district near Bank of Ayudhya head office: 53
– Samphanthawong district at Odeon roundabout: 53
– Bangkok Yai district at Tha Phra Intersection: 53
– Bueng Kum district office: 52
– Lak Si district office: 51
– Sathorn district office: 51
– Phasi Charoen district in front of Siam University: 51
YouTube scam: Teen’s suicide sparks hunt for Thai gang offering easy money
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau is seeking an arrest warrant for the leader of a group that allegedly deceives people into paying for a chance to start earning from YouTube.
The case came to light when a 15-year-old Mathayom 3 student, identified only as Arthit, hanged himself in a wooded area in Nonthaburi’s Pakkret district on Sunday afternoon.
Arthit’s suicide note included an apology to his mother for stealing up to 15,000 baht from her purse. Investigators later found that the victim had been deceived into investing with the criminals, who lured him by promising he could earn money by watching video clips on YouTube.
Nation TV’s Ittipat Pinrarod reported that the group’s administrator, “Admin Paopao”, usually handed out details of the so-called job, including the number of clips to watch, wages and fees. The exchange was usually conducted via Line.
The wages offered ranged between 400 baht for 10 clips and 5,000 baht for 50 clips, while the fee ranged between 100 and 1,000 baht.
“This group lured people by claiming they can earn easy money,” Ittipat said, adding that after hooking people, the group then talked them into investing money.
He said the group’s bank account, registered in the name of Opas Phalaprom, has been blacklisted.
Hunt continues for Romanian diver gone missing in Phuket seas
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
Phuket officials are continuing to search for a Romanian national who reportedly did not surface after diving near Koh Kaew Nok island on Sunday.
Sebastian Emil Somesan, 46, had dived down to a depth of about 30 metres to free a snagged anchor of his speedboat.
Somesan along with fellow Romanian Alexandru Florin Miron and Thai woman Saowalak Kanhawong had pulled out of Nai Harn Beach on his speedboat “Shonica” on Sunday.
His friends said they dropped anchor about 100 metres from the shore, but when they wanted to move on and found the anchor stuck, Somesan decided to dive down to free it. However, he did not resurface after the anchor was released.
Miron and Saowalak looked around for the missing man before calling emergency services.
A search was immediately launched for the missing man, with Rawai mayor Aroon Solos joining provincial agencies such as the Third Naval Area Command, marine police and Kusoldham Phuket Foundation.
A command centre has also been set up at Ya Nui Beach for the missing man’s friends and relatives to contact local officials.
A leader of the Kusoldham Phuket Foundation’s diving team said on Tuesday the search had to be called off on Monday due to poor visibility and strong tides.
“There’s a 20-30% possibility that the missing man will be found,” the leader said, adding that there is a possibility that strong currents will have swept him away.
Whistleblower Chuwit reassured after talk with PM Prayut on triad case
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
Ex-massage parlour tycoon and politician Chuwit Kamolvisit said he has received personal assurances from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that justice will be done in the Chinese triad case.
Whistleblower Chuwit talked with the PM on the sidelines of an event to unveil Prayut as a United Thai Nation Party member on Monday evening.
The meeting came after Chuwit expressed frustration with the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB)’s probe of the triad case, accusing MPB chief Lt Gen Thiti Saengsawang of “not investigating matters that need investigating”.
Chuwit sparked the police investigation in November after revealing information on alleged Chinese triads operating in Thailand. He blew the whistle following a police raid on a Bangkok nightclub linked to businessman Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant, who is suspected of being a triad kingpin.
Tuhao later surrendered after an arrest warrant was issued for him, but denies any wrongdoing.
After meeting with Prayut at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Monday, Chuwit said the PM had vowed to deal with the triad case but said it would take time as procedures had to be followed.
Chuwit praised Prayut for his sincerity and readiness to hear comments from people.
“Today, I was satisfied after hearing from General Prayut,” he said, adding that he would continue to help with the triad investigation.
“The PM also told me that he will punish suspects in the case if they are found guilty,” Chuwit added.
No vax needed for Thai travel but China arrivals must have Covid insurance
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Tuesday issued a new Notice to Airmen (Notam) that cancels mandatory Covid-19 vaccination.
The previous Notam, issued on Saturday, required airlines to check passengers for proof of at least two vaccine jabs and minimum health coverage of US$10,000 before boarding. Issued just two days before China removed restrictions on international travel, the “two-jab plus insurance” rule sparked a backlash from Thai tourism operators who complained it had forced many travellers to cancel flights and bookings.
The new Notam issued on Tuesday includes the following updates:
1. Vaccination is no longer required.
2. Passengers from countries that require an RT-PCR test on return are advised to have health insurance covering at least US$10,000 of Covid-19 treatment during their stay in Thailand, plus seven days.
2.1 Flight crew, students, and others on special business can use a letter from their host or other forms of insurance to cover the requirement.
2.2 Absence of health insurance is not a reason to deny boarding.
2.3 Passengers from countries that require an RT-PCR test will be checked randomly for proof of insurance. Those who cannot show proof will have to purchase health insurance before being processed by Thai immigration.
3. Thai passport holders and transit/transfer passengers are exempted from the health insurance check.
4. Airlines must comply with all regulations and guidance including asking passengers to wear masks at all times, except during meals or emergencies.
5. Passengers showing symptoms of Covid-19 during travel will be advised to test on arrival.
Travellers from China will need health insurance as their home country requires an RT-PCR test on re-entry.
Three firms approved for bidding in Sunday’s satellite auction
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has given the green light for three companies to bid in Sunday’s auction for satellite orbital slots, a commission member said on Wednesday.
Commissioner Thanapant Raicharoen said the telecom watchdog on Tuesday reviewed the qualifications of the three firms that had submitted bidding documents and gave them approval to bid in the auction.
The three companies are Space Tech Innovation, a subsidiary of satellite service provider Thaicom, Prompt Technical Services, a company registered in 2000 as an electrical installation service firm, and state-run National Telecom.
Approval was granted based on the qualifications, experience and financial capacity of the companies, Thanapant said.
The commission said the five satellite slot packages to be offered for leasing by Thailand are:
● Package 1: 50.5 degrees East slot with C1, N1 and P1R networks and 51 degrees East with 51 network. Bidding starts at 374 million baht.
● Package 2: 78.5 degrees East with A2B and LSX2R networks. Bidding starts at 360 million baht.
● Package 3: 119.5 degrees East with IP1, P3 and LSX3R networks and 120 degrees East with 120E network. Bidding starts at 397 million baht.
● Package 4: 126 degrees East with 126E network. Bidding starts at 8 million baht.
● Package 5: 142 degrees East with G3K and N5 networks. Bidding starts at 189 million baht.
Packages 2, 3, and 4 will likely draw the most interest and the commission expects to raise more than 800 million baht from auctioning them, Thanapant said.
He said the bidding will be completely transparent. The auction will follow the sequential ascending clock system, he said, adding that it gives bidders in each round 20 minutes to decide whether or not to raise their price – by as much as 5% of the minimum bid price.
None of the three firms will have advanced knowledge of how many packages their competitors are bidding for. The commission will determine the order in which the packages are offered on Sunday to prevent collusion and ensure transparency and fairness.
The commission cannot cancel the bidding and hand over the orbital slots to the National Telecom as the labour union of the state enterprise has demanded, Thanapant said, adding that the money raised from the bidding is state revenue and will be given to the Finance Ministry after costs are deducted.
The commission is legally required to ensure that the state receives the most money possible from auctions for access to the orbital slots.
If the auction is cancelled, the International Telecommunication Union may use it as a reason to take back the orbital slots from Thailand, Thanapant said.
Banpu NEXT continues to provide solar power to electricity-deprived schools
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023
With a belief that “Learning is the Power of Change and Development”, Banpu NEXT is making continuous progress in its “Light & Learn” project by bringing solar power systems to electricity-deprived schools in remote areas to help light up learning opportunities and benefit the children.
Most recently, the company took its employees on a field visit to join forces with highland teaching volunteers on the solar power system and storage battery installation for Ban Po Por Kee HACLC in Tak Province and hold edutainment activities for the children, which creatively taught them to appreciate nature and clean energy.
Over the past five years, it has already installed solar power systems for 73 schools in Tak, Mae Hong Son, and Kanchanaburi Provinces.
Sinon Vongkusolkit, Chief Executive Officer of Banpu NEXT, said, “During five years of Banpu NEXT’s Light & Learn project implementation, we installed solar power systems for a growing number of electricity-deprived schools in remote areas because we believe that light is empowerment for education. It brings sustainable benefits to Thai children and teachers in various aspects: 1) in terms of learning, it broadens the kids’ experiences for Thai language skills development and creativity; 2) in teaching, it enables the teachers to utilize a greater variety of learning media and keep abreast of the modern world; 3) on quality of living, it allows a more convenient life; 4) on the environmental front, using electricity from a clean energy source and playing their part in system maintenance will build the kids’ awareness of clean energy; and 5) mental well-being improves as it brings joy to children, giving them smiles and dreams to pursue as they learn from various learning media.”
To neutralize distance and deprivation that used to be learning barriers for the children, Banpu NEXT is making a change and helping them upgrade their learning. The company has already introduced solar power systems to 73 electricity-deprived schools in remote areas with more than 73,000 watts of installed capacity all combined, which benefits over 2,400 children altogether.
The company also provided satellite dishes and TV sets to enable their access to distance learning media, plus many other learning materials and necessities. Of these, Banpu NEXT installed solar power systems complete with storage batteries for 37 Mae Fah Luang HACLCs in 2017 and 2018; 15 schools within the precinct of Mobile Development Unit 36 under the 3rd Regional Development Office, Armed Forces Development Command in Mae Hong Son in 2019; and 15 schools in Kanchanaburi in 2021.
Most recently, it continued with the installation of five schools in Tak Province’s Tha Song Yang District and also took its employees there to, together with highland teaching volunteers, hold nature and solar energy learning activities for children of Ban Po Por Kee HACLC.
Focusing on giving the children a hands-on experience and promoting their creativity, a natural tie-dry fabric and paper mask-making workshop let them use natural materials to make a mask in their individual styles. Other activities include home-grown vegetable planting, educational solar power storytelling, charity lunch, and gift giveaway to the children.
Uthairath Sangprachan, Director of Tha Song Yang District Office of the Non-Formal and Informal Education (NFE), commented, “Ban Po Por Kee HACLC is located in a backcountry area. The kids who come to class here are from a Thai highlander community. They normally use their own dialect and cannot speak Thai, resulting in difficulty both in general communication and education. We appreciate the support of Banpu NEXT for lighting up this learning centre with solar power and provisioning TV sets and learning media. They will build an infinite learning opportunity, giving our kids more fun learning from quality audiovisual media that will help them practice speaking Thai with faster results. People in the community can also come here to watch news and entertainment. I believe that the ‘light’ and these media will give the children and the community a better quality of life.”
Thanawit Wiengkawee, a grade-6 student at Ban Po Por Kee HACLC, shared his joy that the learning centre would have the power supply for learning and other activities: “I will be able to watch news and movies. I will be able to sing and fully practice my Thai language. Moreover, people from Banpu NEXT also taught us how to use and take care of solar power systems to ensure that we will have electric power to use for a long, long time.”
“There are still so many schools out there in remote areas that have no access to electricity. Therefore, Banpu NEXT will keep this project running because electricity is a basic need for education and a decent quality of life. We hope to help the children grow into competent adults and use their knowledge for future development of themselves, their communities, and the nation,” Sinon concluded.
Finance Ministry extends relief for state banks to ease loan fears
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023
Four state banks will get another year of relief on contributions to the Specialised Financial Institutions Development Fund (SFIF), a Finance Ministry source said on Monday.
Approval to extend the reduction in contributions from 0.25% to 0.125% of total deposits to the end of 2023 was granted at a meeting of fund committees chaired by Finance permanent secretary Krisada Chinavicharana on Monday.
The SFIF is used to reduce the banks’ non-performing loans (NPLs) and relieve financial burdens on bank customers who are unable to make repayments. To be granted SFIF aid, customers must meet Fiscal Policy Office criteria aimed at identifying those most in need.
The extension will be sent to Cabinet for final approval soon.
Chatchai Sirilai, president of the Government Housing Bank and the Government Financial Institutions Association, said the reduction of SFIF contributions coupled with other Finance Ministry measures would enable banks to suppress interest rates to help customers pay back their debts.
Customers of state-run banks could be rest assured they would not suffer sharp hikes of reference interest rates such as MLR, MOR and MRR by 0.4% at a time, as with commercial banks, he said.
“State-run banks will only raise interest rates in line with market conditions and will try to minimise the impact on customers.”
Ministry permanent secretary Siririrk Songwilai emphasised that Section 70 of the Higher Education Act explicitly bans people from hiring others to do research or writing in a bid to gain academic posts or promotions.
SootinClaimon.Com 