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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024046

Bangkok taxi fares to start rising from today

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023

Bangkok passengers can expect the cost of taxi rides to start rising from today as the new fare structure comes into effect.

The Transport Ministry updated Bangkok taxi fares with an announcement published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday.

However, fares will increase gradually as taxi drivers must first apply for meter adjustment and verification from the Department of Land Transport (DLT).

The DLT is offering this service to all Bangkok taxi drivers at Bang Sue Grand Station from January 16 to 28.

“The meter adjustment and verification are available at the station from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm,” said Piya Yoma, DLT Passenger Transport Bureau director.

The flag-fall for ordinary taxis remains at 35 baht but the fare for subsequent kilometres has been increased by 1 baht.

The new fares for metered taxis in Bangkok are as follows:

• 6.5 baht/km for kilometres 2-10

• 7 baht/km for kilometres 11-20

• 8 baht/km for kilometres 21-40

• 8.5 baht/km for kilometres 41-60

• 9 baht/km for kilometres 61-80 (unchanged)

• 10.50 baht/km for kilometres 81 and above (unchanged)

The charge for traffic congestion and when the vehicle travels at less than 6km/hour has been increased by 1 baht to 3 baht per minute.

Call taxis will cost an additional 20 baht in service fees, while taxis to and from Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports will cost an additional 50 baht.

Also, the flag-fall for large cabs will rise to 40 baht.

Related stories:

• Bangkok taxis become more expensive with fares now starting at THB40
• Bangkok taxi fares set to rise
• Bangkokians all for legalising motorcycle taxis, poll shows

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024037

Lunar surge may surpass 1.8 million passengers at airport

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

As many as 1.81 million passengers are expected to pass through Suvarnabhumi international Airport during the Chinese New Year festival from January 16 to 28, the airport’s general manager, Kittipong Kittikachorn, said on Sunday.

The airport will see 10,965 flights during the festival: 7,635 international and 3,330 domestic flights, he said.

Ten airlines have asked for 86 extra and charter flights: 84 international and two domestic, Kittipong said.

“The top three airlines that requested extra and charter flights are T Way (26 flights), Jeju Air (24 flights) and Xiamen Airlines (10 flights),” he added.

Kittipong said more check-in counters for 16 airlines had been added, while the number of ground staff was being increased to reduce congestion.

Chinese interpreters will be out in full force and shop operators have been asked to use Chinese-language banners during the festival,

“The airport will show Chinese-language video clips to introduce visitors to public transport services,” Kittipong said.

He said passengers should arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure, adding that the biggest crowds are expected between 7pm to 9pm.

Related stories:

• Fukushima eager to welcome Thais back to reconstructed prefecture
• TAT working on increasing flights, longer visa on arrival to hit 25m target
• Google reveals top places in Thailand on Google Maps in 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024036

Upgrade aims to create highway to prosperity in North

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

The Highways Department has finished a 699.54 million baht upgrade of a critical section of Highway No 1 in Phayao province to better facilitate transport and tourism in the North.

The department announced that it had finished re-paving 27.88 kilometres of the four-lane roadway, also known as Phaholyothin highway.

The highway is a major route connecting Thailand and Laos. The highway has been repaved from kilometre markers 814+000 to 881+325, passing through Ngao district in Lampang, Muang and Mae Jai districts in Phayao, and Phan district in Chiang Rai, officials said.

Each side of the road has two lanes that are 3.50 metres wide. The upgrade made the asphalt 15 centimetres thick.

The Highways Department said it had upgraded the highway to increase safety because it is a route connecting Thailand and Laos. The upgrade is also part of the government’s policy to accelerate Thailand integration in the Asean Economic Community.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024027

Thai beauty queen wins leadership award at Miss Universe pageant

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

Thai beauty queen Anna Sueangam-iam won the Transformational Leadership Award at the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans on Saturday night, even though she failed to make the final round of 16 contestants.

It was the first time the award was presented as a collaboration between the Miss Universe pageant and ImpactWayv, a global social impact platform that says it unites people, businesses and nonprofits to accelerate their collective impact.

JKN CEO Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip presented the award to Anna.

JKN acquired the Miss Universe pageant on October 25 for 800 million baht. It announced plans to grow the brand by 40% as part of its effort to become a major player in the global content industry.

American beauty queen R’Bonney Gabriel was crowned Miss Universe on Saturday night (Sunday morning Bangkok time) in New Orleans. Representatives from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, Amanda Dudamel and Andreína Martínez, were named first and second runners-up, respectively.

Gabriel was born in Houston, Texas to a Filipino father, Remigio Gabriel, and an American mother, Dana Walker. She has three older brothers.

She graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design. She now works as a designer creating eco-friendly clothing, and as a model.

Related stories:

• Thai beauty queen wows New Orleans with glittering gown made from pull tabs
• Thai Miss Universe hopeful uses shawl to celebrate unity in racial diversity
• Thai beauty queen says no bias from new owner of Miss Universe

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024025

Catamaran lost in Phuket found adrift near Indonesia

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

A catamaran that had gone missing late last month was spotted floating near Indonesian waters.

The Phuket Marine Office said on Saturday that the catamaran had been spotted by the captain of a fishing boat on the edge of Thai territorial waters.

The catamaran named Marcopolo had been reported missing by owner Marco Ceferin on December 30. Ceferin told Phuket’s Chalong police that the catamaran had disappeared from its dock in Nai Harn Bay.

Chalong police then called on the network of fishing boats in Phuket and nearby provinces to keep an eye out for the missing boat.

At 8am on Friday, the Phuket Marine Office received a call from the manager of a fishing boat, who said the boat’s captain had spotted the catamaran adrift near Indonesian waters.

The manager was then advised to have the catamaran tied to her boat to prevent it from floating away. Nobody was found aboard the catamaran and the fishing boat crew confirmed it was Marcopolo.

The marine office has asked for the catamaran to be towed back to shore and has informed its owner to retrieve it on Sunday.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024023

Loss of balance lands Bangkokian in muck and mud

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

It took rescuers more than half an hour to pull a heavy set man out of a muddy watercourse in Soi Samsen 28 in Bangkok’s Dusit district.

The victim, identified as 48-year-old Punarat Maneewong, reportedly lost his balance while crossing the small bridge on Saturday afternoon. The motorbike, which he tried to grab, then landed on top of him.

Rescuers, led by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, first removed the motorcycle and then pulled Punarat up using a rope pulley.

The man was later taken to Vajira Hospital for treatment.

Related stories:

• 8 injured as treat-filled helicopter gets dangerously close at Chanthaburi Children’s Day event
• Bentley driver faces more charges after narcotic found in his blood
• Agony as foreign tourist breaks back at Pai waterfall

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024022

8 injured as treat-filled helicopter gets dangerously close at Chanthaburi Children’s Day event

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

Eight people, five of them children, were injured when a tent in Chanthaburi’s Muang Tha Chang subdistrict collapsed under the rotor downwash of a helicopter that got too close.

The accident happened when a navy helicopter arrived to scatter flowers and treats during the National Children’s Day event on Saturday.

“Eight people were sent to hospital for treatment and six of them have been discharged,” Muang Tha Chang Subdistrict Municipality Office told the press on Saturday afternoon.

The office apologised for the accident, as did the Royal Thai Navy.

Navy officials also visited the victims and handed them compensation. The local authorities have been advised to monitor the victims’ condition closely.

Related stories:

• Bentley driver faces more charges after narcotic found in his blood
• Agony as foreign tourist breaks back at Pai waterfall
• Backlash surges online over ‘drunk’ millionaire’s car crash

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024020

Cool temperatures in most of Thailand forecast for next week

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023

A high-pressure system from China and the South China Sea will bring cold, strong winds to upper Thailand, pulling the temperature down by several degrees for most of next week.

“The temperature will drop by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius in the Northeast,” the Thai Meteorological Department said on Sunday. Temperatures in the North, East and Central regions, including Greater Bangkok will drop by 2-4 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, isolated heavy rain has been forecast for the South as the northeast monsoon across the Gulf of Thailand and the South will strengthen. Flash floods and runoffs have also been predicted, while waves in the upper Gulf are expected to be about 2 metres high and higher in thundershowers.

“In the lower part of the Gulf, the waves will be 2-3 metres high and higher during thundershowers,” the department said.

People along the east coast of the South of Thailand have also been warned of inshore surges.

“Ships in both the Gulf and Andaman Sea should proceed with caution and small boats should stay ashore,” the department added.

Related stories:

• Frost may return to hilltops in North as temperatures drop, flash floods threaten South
• Temperature to dip 3-5C in Bangkok, upper Thailand this week: forecast
• Prepare for rain and temperature drop this week: Thai Met Dept

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024014

Bangkok beware! Heavy PM2.5 pollution expected next week

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

Large areas of Bangkok will be hit by heavy PM2.5 fine dust on Monday and Tuesday due to the lack of breeze and airflow.

The city administration’s Environmental Office said on Saturday that the lack of wind and breeze in Bangkok essentially traps the pollution within the city.

The areas expected to be hit by high accumulation of PM2.5 are downtown Bangkok and the northern and southern zones of Thon Buri to the west of the city, the office warned. The unit comes under the jurisdiction of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

PM2.5 is fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter and can be hazardous to people with lung and respiratory problems. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the annual average level of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre of air (μg/m3).

Bangkok’s reading on Saturday was 24.8μg/m3, the BMA’s Air Quality Information Centre reported.

The BMA expects weather conditions in the city to improve between January 18 and 20, with stronger airflow brought by northeasterly winds.

The Thai Meteorological Department, meanwhile, said on Saturday that light breezes in Bangkok over the next few days are not good for the city’s air pollution problem, as fine dust will create a cloud of smog in the morning.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40024012

Bentley driver faces more charges after narcotic found in his blood

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2023

The driver of a luxury car involved in an accident on a Bangkok expressway last Sunday will face additional charges after traces of a narcotic were found in his blood, the chief of the national police said on Saturday.

Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas said that police would summon businessman Suthat Siwapiromrat to hear the additional charges after traces of the unidentified narcotic were found in the blood sample taken after the accident at Police General Hospital.

A Bentley driven by Suthat, a major financier of a Thai political party, was blamed for the accident, which involved three vehicles and injured eight people.

After the accident, the businessman reportedly left his car before walking down the expressway and hailing a taxi in an apparent attempt to flee the scene.

Police officers dealing with the case managed to have him undergo a blood test several hours later, according to social media users who accused police of showing leniency to the rich and influential.
 

On Wednesday, police said the blood test found an alcohol level lower than the legal limit in Suthat’s blood. However, the test was conducted more than three hours after the crash, and blood alcohol levels can fall swiftly.

Damrongsak said on Saturday that the Metropolitan Police Bureau had set up a fact-finding committee to determine why officers did not conduct an alcohol test on the driver immediately after the crash.

If any officers are found to be negligent, they will face disciplinary action, he said.

The fact-finding panel will also determine if criminal action should be taken against those involved. According to the police chief, the immediate supervisor of officers at the scene would also be held responsible if they were found to be negligent.

Damrongsak also said that while serving as a deputy national police chief, he had issued an order for breathalyser tests to be conducted immediately after road accidents in which drivers were suspected of drunk driving.

Any driver who refuses to undergo a breathalyser test must be considered drunk, he said.