Politician seeks budget to repair potholed Bangkok road near Bang Sue Grand Station

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023756

Politician seeks budget to repair potholed Bangkok road near Bang Sue Grand Station

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

A concrete road damaged during the construction of a Bangkok expressway has been lying in a state of disrepair for almost 10 years, an MP-aspirant politician said on Thursday.

Sanyakorn Singhaweratham, from the Chart Pattana Kla Party, said that he found the road, which leads to the Chotiwat community in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district, full of potholes for a distance of over a kilometre. Sanyakorn visited the area on Thursday.

The road is located beneath the Prajim Ratthaya Expressway.

The young politician, who has offered himself as the party’s Bangkok MP candidate at the next general election, said that community residents told him the concrete road used to be in good condition before the construction of the expressway passing over the area. During the construction, the road was used by heavy trucks, which caused severe damage to its surface.

He quoted local residents as saying the potholes had caused several road accidents and made it difficult to transport patients to the hospital.

“This road is located just a few kilometres from the Bang Sue Grand Station, but its condition is as bad as ones in rural areas,” Sanyakorn said.

He quipped that if just a third of the 33-million-baht budget set aside to acquire a new name post for the station were allocated for repair work, the community would get a new road.

“I appeal to the authorities involved to spend the budget carefully and take care of the nearby areas,” the politician said.

The State Railway of Thailand has come under fire for its plan to spend 33.1 million baht for replacing the massive letters that form the name of the station, which is now officially called Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

Caffeine rush caused minister to change Bang Sue Station’s name, MP alleges

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023757

Caffeine rush caused minister to change Bang Sue Station’s name, MP alleges

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

A single caffeine rush may have cost taxpayers 33 million baht.

That was the theory Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan gave for the decision to change the name of Bang Sue Station.

He told the House of Representatives on Thursday that Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob was drinking coffee when it suddenly occurred to him to rename the rail station.

Jirat made the comment while demanding that Saksayam explain why the 33 million baht contract for redesigning the station’s logo and installing new signage was awarded to Unique Engineering and Construction Plc without a tender.

Sajsatam said the contract was awarded to the company quickly because it built the station and the period for the company to guarantee the quality of its work has not yet expired.

Saksayam said modifications to Bang Sue Station carried out during the guarantee period in the contract with Unique Engineering and Construction went to the company. As a result, when the signage and logo had to be redesigned, the project was awarded to the contractor, he explained.

Jirat noted that the public was wondering whether it really costs 33 million baht to redesign a logo and change signage from “Bang Sue Grand Station” to “Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal”.

The amount is being paid by the State Railway of Thailand to Unique.

Jirat said the public had doubts about the transparency of the procurement process. Unique was awarded the project without having to compete in a bidding process, he noted.

The State Railway of Thailand signed a contract with the construction company that includes the installation of two new SRT logos as well as a three-metre high sign above its entrance with 48 Thai and 62 English letters.

Jirat said that after the alleged caffeine rush inspired the minister to change the station’s name, he ordered the State Railway of Thailand to rush the project through.

The Cabinet Secretariat was then asked to seek a new name from His Majesty the King and the project was awarded to Unique Engineering and Construction two weeks later.

Saksayam said he had set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the project and would have more details within 15 days.

Saksayam said he would have to wait for the committee’s report before determining whether the price was too high.

Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission announced it had started an inquiry into the Unique contract.

Commission secretary-general Niwat Kasemmongkok said the anti-graft body was gathering information.

It wants to find out whether the procurement process violated the law and what criteria were used for hiring the contractor, Niwat said.

State Railway of Thailand’s labour union earlier said the cost was too high and called on the Transport Ministry to investigate.

On Wednesday, the State Railway of Thailand defended the contract, saying the price was based on the median set by a committee.

It said the contract was awarded by what it referred to as the “specific” method of bidding because it had to be implemented urgently. Still, the process adhered strictly to the Comptroller General’s Department’s procurement regulations, the agency said.

The cost also included the removal of the old signage, the agency explained.

Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country: TDRI

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40023792

Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country: TDRI

FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023

Nongluck Ajanapanya

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has urged the government and the private sector to place more focus on equipping people with digital knowledge and human soft skills to accelerate the country’s transition to a high-income country.

The suggestion is part of TDRI’s latest study, “A Portrait of High-Income Thailand: Future Labor Market Outlook”, which was released on Friday. The goal of this research is to find the best solution for labour policies and measures in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report paints the picture of a changed labour landscape as a result of digital technology and innovation. This disruption has speeded up global activity than ever before. Meanwhile, people are realising that one set of skills is never enough and that knowledge could get outdated.

One of the researchers, Nattanan Wichitaksorn, stated that not only does the country require new business models to sustainably expand its economy, but Thailand also requires a new formula to incubate its citizens to meet the market’s needs.

He noted that in order to become a high-income country with people earning at least $15,000 per year by 2042, the country must focus on the development of five green S-curve industries: green energy, green agriculture and food, green technology, medical and tourism, and digital industry.

The labour market requires people to fill positions in all those industries, particularly the digital industry, in which Thailand is most lacking, he explained.

Amornthep Chawla

Amornthep Chawla, chief economist at CIMB Thai Bank, stated that the country’s old economy is heavily reliant on tourism and exports. Although these two industries can still propel the country forward, the pace is slow, as a result Thailand would lag behind its neighbours.

“Slow growth always means going backwards in the long run,” he said.

While digital technology may eliminate some jobs, he believes that human workforce will never disappear. So, people must unlearn and relearn new skills that machines are incapable of performing. For example, while AI can analyse data and make more accurate predictions than analysts, it cannot explain those facts in a funny or interesting way as analysts.

Meanwhile, Bowornnan Thongkalaya, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s labour and skill development committee, indicated that taking action is the best way to build a skilled workforce.

He explained that the private sector must collaborate with schools and universities to develop a formula for educating people to have skills and knowledge that meet market requirements to become a high-income country.

Besides, Thailand must prioritise encouraging a growth mindset and eagerness for lifelong learning.

“We must abandon old myths about perfect living, in which all one has to do is study, work, and retire. Our way of life should be to learn, work, live, and make positive contributions to society,” Bowornnan stated.

Poonsak Koseeyaporn from the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Office, added that merely increasing people’s income was not sufficient. Thailand must modify and update its regulations in order to keep people happy and ensure their well-being.

“The law must be strong enough to require employers to treat employees fairly while remaining flexible enough to allow employees to select benefits that meet their needs,” he said.

Amornthep said that for Thailand to become a high-income country, it needed flexible labour regulations that would reward workers who kept learning and kept improving their human soft skills.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

First case of new Delta-Omicron hybrid found in Thailand

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023790

First case of new Delta-Omicron hybrid found in Thailand

FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023

The first case of a new hybrid Covid-19 variant has been found in Thailand, Department of Medical Sciences director-general Dr Supakit Sirilak said on Friday.

XAY.2, a Delta and Omicron mash-up, was discovered during a monitoring operation involving the department and a network of relevant agencies, he said.

The department has reported its discovery and submitted the virus’s sequencing information to GISAID, a global science initiative that has become the world’s largest repository for SARS-CoV-2 strain sequences since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Supakit said that XAY.2 is a hybrid between Delta’s subvariant AY.45 and Omicron’s BA.4/5. A total of 344 cases have been reported globally.

In response to concerns of a potential outbreak of Covid-19 mutations in Thailand with an expected influx of Chinese tourists, he said that the currently dominant variants in China are BA.5.2 and BF.7, which are not newer or spread faster than the existing variants in Thailand.

“So, there should be no cause for concern,” the medical expert said.

He also said that the latest Omicron offshoot, XBB.1.5, which is spreading fast in the United States, has not been found in Thailand.

The dominant variant in Thailand is now Omicron’s BN.1.3, an offshoot of BA.2.75, which spreads as quickly as XBB.1.5, he said.

“The Department of Medical Sciences and our network are closely monitoring the mutation of Covid-19. Preventive measures like wearing a mask, sanitising one’s hands and getting booster shots are still necessary,” Supakit said.

He advised people who had got their previous Covid-19 vaccine shot more than four months ago to get a booster shot to reduce the risk of infection and severe illness in case of infection.

Covid-19 precautions to be strictly followed at Blackpink concert this weekend

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023786

Covid-19 precautions to be strictly followed at Blackpink concert this weekend

FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023

People attending Blackpink’s concert this weekend would be required to wear a face mask as part of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the organisers said on Friday.

The organisers also said they reserved the right to deny entry to anyone with fever and body temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius, and there would be no refund for the ticket.

Blackpink – a South Korean girl group consisting of Jisoo, Jennie, Rose, and Thai singer Lisa – will perform their Born Pink World Tour concert at Bangkok’s Suphachalasai National Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to wearing a mask, the audience is also required to follow social distancing and sanitise their hands with alcohol gel provided at the venue. They will not be allowed to move or swap seats during the concert.

Concert-goers have been advised to take public transport, particularly the BTS Skytrain. They can get off at the National Stadium station and take Exit 2.

Motorists and commuters are advised to avoid roads around the concert venue, including Phya Thai, Rama I, Banthad Thong, and Soi Chula 5, 6, and 12, between 11am and 11pm.

Glittering goddess: Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023784

Glittering goddess: Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant

FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023

Thailand’s entrant for Miss Universe 2022, 24-year-old Anna Sueangam-iam, will be dressed in a shimmering silver creation inspired by the mystical seven Songkran ladies from Thai folklore.

Dubbed “Songkran Devi”, the glittering dress was fashioned by Thai artisans to capture the concept of “flowing water”, pageant organiser Miss Universe Thailand said in a Facebook post.

“The dress was embellished with embroidery, beads, crystals, sequins and discarded bottles,” the post read.

Anna will also be carrying a beautifully crafted silver bowl used in the annual water festival to symbolise Thailand’s life, culture, tradition and local wisdom.

“It reflects the bliss, love, humility and beauty of Thai culture passed down from generation to generation,” the post read.

This costume apparently depicts “Kimita Devi”, the mythical Songkran goddess for Friday.

The 71st Miss Universe 2022 pageant will be held on January 15 in New Orleans.

Related stories:

Jack Ma seen ‘ready to spar’ with legendary Muay Thai fighter in Bangkok

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023782

Jack Ma seen ‘ready to spar’ with legendary Muay Thai fighter in Bangkok

FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023

Chinese billionaire Jack Ma was spotted watching a Muay Thai match at Rajadamnern Stadium on Thursday.

He appeared in the VIP section of the stadium, and was photographed with his fists raised while facing legendary Muay Thai boxer Buakaw Banchamek.

Ma is the co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group, a Chinese multinational tech conglomerate specialising in e-commerce.

He has been living in Tokyo with his family for more than six months, after disappearing from public view following China’s crackdown on the tech sector, according to recent media reports. During his stay in Japan, Ma also reportedly travelled to the United States, Spain, and Israel.

He has kept a low profile since the crackdown, which saw Chinese regulators scrapping the initial public offering of his Ant Group and slapping Alibaba with record fines.

In October 2020, Ma criticised China’s financial regulators, accusing state banks of having a “pawnshop mentality” and calling for bold new players that could extend credit to poor people who lack collateral.

14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023780

14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022

FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023

As many as 939,713 road accidents were reported in Thailand last year, up 4.7% from 2021, the Thailand Road Accidents Data Centre for Road Safety Culture (ThaiRSC) said.

According to data revealed by ThaiRSC on Friday, road accidents claimed 14,737 lives and injured 924,799 in Thailand last year. Of them, 536 deaths and 7,885 injuries were foreigners.

ThaiRSC said that the average damage incurred per accident was about 200,000 baht, while most accidents occur during morning rush hour, especially from 10am to 11am.

Statistics show that more than half of the accidents (55.9%) involved motorbikes.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s Road Safety Centre reported 2,440 road accidents during the annual “7 dangerous days” (December 29 to January 4) when people head to their hometowns to mark the New Year.

The accidents resulted in 2,437 injuries and 317 deaths, with Surat Thani having the highest number of accidents at 79 and Kanchanaburi the highest number of injuries at 81. Chiang Rai recorded the most deaths at 15.

New Year holiday death toll at 282 after six of ‘7 dangerous days’

Thailand’s ‘7 dangerous days’ road toll rises to 218, with 66 deaths on New Year’s Day

Motive for murder unclear as police hunt for killer of retired British engineer

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023779

Motive for murder unclear as police hunt for killer of retired British engineer

FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023

Police in Chonburi province are hunting for the gunman who shot dead a retired British engineer on Thursday night.

Neil Lewis Roger, 71, was found dead beside his scooter with four bullet wounds on his back in an alley in Chonburi’s Bang Lamung district.

His 38-year-old Thai wife, Thitipan Kammalas, said Roger had just returned from England on Wednesday after visiting his ill sister.

She said that he went out on Thursday evening to party with his friends in Pattaya City. She did not know if he had any serious dispute with anyone that could have led to his murder.

Pol Maj-General Thirachai Chamnanmo, commander of the Investigation Division Provincial Police’s Region 2, said on Friday that the investigators would focus on adultery as a possible motive although they have not ruled out other motives.

“We are now collecting evidence and witness accounts,” he said.

Thirachai, who chaired a meeting of Chonburi police investigators on Friday, said that he had instructed them to solve the case and find the gunman as soon as possible.

Underground tunnels open portals to Bangkok’s historic attractions

Posted on January 6, 2023 by SoClaimon

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023777

Underground tunnels open portals to Bangkok’s historic attractions

FRIDAY, JANUARY 06, 2023

Tourists in Bangkok are discovering two new pedestrian tunnels to historic attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the City Pillar Shrine and the Sanam Luang royal ceremonial ground.

The two air-conditioned tunnels were opened on January 1 in the Old Town district of Phra Nakhon to provide residents and tourists with convenient and safe alternatives to the roads above.

The tunnels’ construction was initiated in July 2020 by former Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang at a cost of 1.1 billion baht. The two underground passageways can accommodate more than 35,000 pedestrians per day.

The first tunnel is 96 metres long and lies 6.6 metres underground at the intersection of Na Phra Lan and Na Phra That Roads, with entrances close to Wat Phra Kaew and Sanam Luang. It features waiting areas, 21 male toilets and 51 female toilets, two elevators, a staircase and three escalators at each of the four entrances.

The second tunnel is 90 metres long and lies 4.7 metres under Maharat Road. The tunnel also features waiting areas, 15 male toilets and 20 female toilets, two elevators and escalators at each of the two entrances.

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Category Archives: The Nation

Politician seeks budget to repair potholed Bangkok road near Bang Sue Grand Station

Politician seeks budget to repair potholed Bangkok road near Bang Sue Grand Station

A concrete road damaged during the construction of a Bangkok expressway has been lying in a state of disrepair for almost 10 years, an MP-aspirant politician said on Thursday.

Caffeine rush caused minister to change Bang Sue Station’s name, MP alleges

Caffeine rush caused minister to change Bang Sue Station’s name, MP alleges

A single caffeine rush may have cost taxpayers 33 million baht.

Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country: TDRI

Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country: TDRI

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has urged the government and the private sector to place more focus on equipping people with digital knowledge and human soft skills to accelerate the country’s transition to a high-income country.

First case of new Delta-Omicron hybrid found in Thailand

First case of new Delta-Omicron hybrid found in Thailand

The first case of a new hybrid Covid-19 variant has been found in Thailand, Department of Medical Sciences director-general Dr Supakit Sirilak said on Friday.

Covid-19 precautions to be strictly followed at Blackpink concert this weekend

Covid-19 precautions to be strictly followed at Blackpink concert this weekend

People attending Blackpink’s concert this weekend would be required to wear a face mask as part of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the organisers said on Friday.

Glittering goddess: Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant

Glittering goddess: Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant

Thailand’s entrant for Miss Universe 2022, 24-year-old Anna Sueangam-iam, will be dressed in a shimmering silver creation inspired by the mystical seven Songkran ladies from Thai folklore.

Jack Ma seen ‘ready to spar’ with legendary Muay Thai fighter in Bangkok

Jack Ma seen ‘ready to spar’ with legendary Muay Thai fighter in Bangkok

Chinese billionaire Jack Ma was spotted watching a Muay Thai match at Rajadamnern Stadium on Thursday.

14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022

14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022

As many as 939,713 road accidents were reported in Thailand last year, up 4.7% from 2021, the Thailand Road Accidents Data Centre for Road Safety Culture (ThaiRSC) said.

Motive for murder unclear as police hunt for killer of retired British engineer

Motive for murder unclear as police hunt for killer of retired British engineer

Police in Chonburi province are hunting for the gunman who shot dead a retired British engineer on Thursday night.

Underground tunnels open portals to Bangkok’s historic attractions

Underground tunnels open portals to Bangkok’s historic attractions

Tourists in Bangkok are discovering two new pedestrian tunnels to historic attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the City Pillar Shrine and the Sanam Luang royal ceremonial ground.

Politician seeks budget to repair potholed Bangkok road near Bang Sue Grand Station

A concrete road damaged during the construction of a Bangkok expressway has been lying in a state of disrepair for almost 10 years, an MP-aspirant politician said on Thursday.

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Caffeine rush caused minister to change Bang Sue Station’s name, MP alleges

A single caffeine rush may have cost taxpayers 33 million baht.

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Thailand needs greater emphasis on digital skills to become high-income country: TDRI

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has urged the government and the private sector to place more focus on equipping people with digital knowledge and human soft skills to accelerate the country’s transition to a high-income country.

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First case of new Delta-Omicron hybrid found in Thailand

The first case of a new hybrid Covid-19 variant has been found in Thailand, Department of Medical Sciences director-general Dr Supakit Sirilak said on Friday.

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Covid-19 precautions to be strictly followed at Blackpink concert this weekend

People attending Blackpink’s concert this weekend would be required to wear a face mask as part of measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the organisers said on Friday.

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Glittering goddess: Miss Universe Thailand unveils national costume for 2022 pageant

Thailand’s entrant for Miss Universe 2022, 24-year-old Anna Sueangam-iam, will be dressed in a shimmering silver creation inspired by the mystical seven Songkran ladies from Thai folklore.

Share this:

Jack Ma seen ‘ready to spar’ with legendary Muay Thai fighter in Bangkok

Chinese billionaire Jack Ma was spotted watching a Muay Thai match at Rajadamnern Stadium on Thursday.

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14,737 lives lost on Thai roads in 2022

As many as 939,713 road accidents were reported in Thailand last year, up 4.7% from 2021, the Thailand Road Accidents Data Centre for Road Safety Culture (ThaiRSC) said.

Share this:

Motive for murder unclear as police hunt for killer of retired British engineer

Police in Chonburi province are hunting for the gunman who shot dead a retired British engineer on Thursday night.

Share this:

Underground tunnels open portals to Bangkok’s historic attractions

Tourists in Bangkok are discovering two new pedestrian tunnels to historic attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the City Pillar Shrine and the Sanam Luang royal ceremonial ground.

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