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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019799

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will put one of the 17 trains donated by Japan on the track for special short trips from October onwards.

SRT governor Nirut Maneephan said the four-bogey train may be used for trips from Bangkok to places like Sai Yok Falls in Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin or the Pasak Dam in Lopburi.

“SRT hopes the KIHA 183 trains will play a big part in promoting tourism in Thailand,” he said. “They will offer tourists a brand new experience.”

He added that SRT has renovated 13 of the 17 KIHA 183 trains donated by the Hokkaido Railway Company.

Of the 17 air-conditioned diesel locomotives, eight can seat 40 passengers, eight can seat 68 passengers and one carriage has 52 seats. The trains arrived in Thailand on December 13.

Nirut said SRT spent 42.5 million baht bringing the trains to Thailand and will spend about 200,000 baht each on renovation. However, he said renovating a used train is 400-times cheaper than buying a new one, which can up to 100 million baht.

He added that SRT has successfully conducted test runs with the train on the Makkasan-Chachoengsao route and learned it can comfortably achieve a maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour.

He said 13 trains should be ready for short trips this year, adding that he is confident the locomotives will be in service for another 15 to 20 years.

In the second phase, the SRT will completely overhaul the trains by changing wheels, bearings, engines, electrical systems, brakes and air-conditioning so they can be used for long-haul services, Nirut said. The overhaul may take two years to complete, he added.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019789

Six suspects were arrested on Monday for alleged looting at Chaweng Blue Lagoon The Teak Wing, a 384-room luxury hotel in Samui Island, Surat Thani province.

The arrest came after the hotel owner, Yomana Poolsawat, informed the police on Sunday, that many hotel assets, such as doors, utensils, windows, electric wires and lamps worth more than 70 million baht had been robbed.

She added that the hotel assets were robbed when the hotel was closed since 2020 as the 30-year hotel lease contract with a Swiss businessman had expired during that time.

Police seized the suspects’ equipment, stolen hotel assets and a six-wheel truck as evidence.

Bophut Police Station superintendent Pol Colonel Yuttana Sirisombat said the police will continue its investigation to seek more suspects and buyers of hotel assets.

He added that six suspects were charged for burglary at night using a vehicle.

“The police will do their best to find more suspects and bring back as many of the stolen assets as possible,” he said.

Ratchaporn Poolsawat

Meanwhile, Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association President Ratchaporn Poolsawat said that hotel operators who faced looting can contact the association, so the association will cooperate with Bophut Police Station in taking legal action.

He added that the association has also cooperated with security agencies in implementing measures to deal with similar incidents in a bid to regain the confidence of investors.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019788

The National Water Command Centre (NWCC) will appoint a frontline water management working unit to tackle floods in the Northeastern and Central regions.

Chayan Muangsong, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), said after a meeting on Monday that the NWCC had approved the setting up of frontline working units in risky areas in the Northeastern and Central regions.

They will prepare, monitor, analyse, and direct local organisations to manage the water until the situation improves.

The centre will present the plan to acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan for approval before setting up the first unit in Ubon Ratchathani province.

He explained that heavy rains are likely in the Chi and Mun river basins in the Northeast from Tuesday to next Monday (September 6-12).

The area might be hit by floods, while Ubon Ratchathani is an important economic zone where people would be affected.

The NWCC is expecting heavy rains from Tuesday to Friday in Suphanburi, Chai Nat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, and Saraburi provinces.

River basins in these areas might be affected by floods as they are lowlands, while Ayutthaya is an important historical site.

Meanwhile, the ONWR has joined hands with the Thai Meteorological Department and the Hydro-Informatics Institute to create One Map for predicting rains.

Chayan said heavier rains were expected this year according to One Map, so the NWCC is collaborating with related organisations to manage the water in the reservoirs in preparation for rains.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019784

A man was arrested on Monday night for allegedly lobbing rocks at cars parked near Wat Nong Kuti in Suphan Buri’s U Thong district.

Police rounded up the suspect after the owners of a grey pick-up truck and a white car filed a complaint saying that a man on a blue motorcycle had hurled rocks at their vehicles at around 7pm that day.

The grey truck’s roof was dented and the windscreen shattered, while the white car’s roof was also dented.

The victims led police officers to the suspect’s house nearby, where they found the blue motorcycle parked outside and the suspect hiding in a mango tree.

The suspect, later identified as Saranpat Boonchuay, refused to come down from the tree saying he was being bullied by big cars and ghosts. It took officers about an hour to coax him to come down.

Saranpat, whose age was not revealed, was found to be a drug addict and was taken to U Thong Police Station. He was initially charged with consuming narcotics and causing damage to other people’s property.

Investigators have said they will summon other victims for questioning and take further legal action.

The two victims have called on the police to set up lights and survey the area regularly to ensure such dangerous incidents do not occur again.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019782

TMB Thanachart Bank (ttb) has said it will work on boosting the stability and efficiency of its “ttb touch” mobile banking application after it crashed for two days last week.

The app blacked out on Thursday and Friday (September 1-2), affecting millions of ttb clients.

Piti Tantakasem, the bank’s chief executive officer, said on Monday that the app crashed because the number of transactions had exceeded the limit. The app’s latest version was launched in May this year and has more than 4.5 million users.

“The bank worked with related teams to solve the outage problem as soon as possible and has launched measures to mitigate the impact on customers,” he said.

He added that the bank has taken steps to compensate users, such as extending the working hours of branches outside shopping malls, as well as waiving fees for issuing debit cards, funds transfers and late loan payments.

He added that the bank was strictly complying with the Bank of Thailand’s regulations to improve the mobile banking system and has taken appropriate steps to ease customers’ inconvenience.

Piti also confirmed that he and other bank executives will be part of the team to work on improving the mobile app as planned.

“We apologise to the customers from the bottom of our hearts and are willing to hear their comments to improve and develop the app, so it is more efficient,” he said.

He also vowed to compensate customers affected by the app outage to the fullest.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019781

Many parts of Thailand may be hit by flash floods until Friday, the Thai Meteorological Department reiterated on Tuesday.

It said an active monsoon trough is covering the lower North and Northeast until Friday, while the southwest monsoon trough continues prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

The department expects more rain across the country, with isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the North, Northeast, East, South and Central region, including Greater Bangkok.

Strong winds are expected to create 2-3 metre high waves in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand and even higher during thundershowers.

Waves in the lower Andaman are expected to rise about 2 metres high, and higher during thundershowers.

The department warned people to beware of flash floods and overflows. Ships have been advised to proceed with caution and avoid thundershowers while small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and the Gulf are advised to stay onshore until Friday.

The affected areas are as followings:

Tuesday to Wednesday

North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

Northeast: Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani

Central: Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon including Greater Bangkok

East: Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

South: Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket and Krabi.

Thursday to Friday

North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

Northeast: Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani.

Central: Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon including Greater Bangkok

East: Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

South: Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Ranong, Phang Nga and Phuket

From Saturday to Sunday, the monsoon trough will move across the North and the Northeast while the moderate southwest monsoon will cover the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, causing heavy rains in some areas in Thailand.

The department added that the Hinnamnor typhoon is heading to South Korea and Japan, and will not affect Thailand.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019778

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is getting an appeal ready in case the court rules in favour of the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) over the BTS Green Line dispute.

The Central Administrative Court is expected to deliver a verdict on Wednesday.

In September last year, BTSC filed a lawsuit against BMA suing the city for the 12 billion baht it is owed for operating the Green Line extension and another 20 billion baht it is owed for the train operating system. The total debt plus interest now amounts to nearly 40 billion baht.

The Green Line extension runs from Mo Chit to Khu Khot and from Bearing to Samut Prakan.

“The BMA has been fighting this dispute for a few years now. Since I became governor [in May this year], I have been studying the contract between BTSC and Krungthep Thanakom to see how the city can settle this debt,” Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Monday.

“The issue must be considered carefully because it is a huge sum of money and will come from taxpayers’ pockets.”

Chadchart said if the court were to order BMA to pay up, then the city will file an appeal so it has a chance to provide additional evidence.

The governor explained that BMA will earn about 1 billion baht annually from fares collected from the Green Line extension, which are capped at 14 baht per station and a maximum of 44 baht. The 44-baht maximum fare will stay in place until the concession expires in 2029.

However, he said, the fee for operating the extension is 7 billion baht per year, which means the city will have to either raise the fare or use taxpayers’ money to cover the difference.

“This is a delicate matter that needs to be considered carefully so it is suitable and fair to every affected party,” he said.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019771

Former Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong on Monday demanded that the anti-graft agency and auditor-general look into why the roof of Phuket’s airport had sprung a leak on Friday.

“The roof at the passenger terminal should not be leaking after it was just built at a whopping budget of 5.14 billion baht,” Watchara said.

The incident took place on the night of September 2, when most of Phuket was hit by heavy rain. The leaking roof created a small flood in the passenger terminal.

“The National Anti-Corruption Commission and Office of the Auditor General should promptly investigate the case along with the Engineering Institute of Thailand to find out what went wrong. The airport is the face of Thailand and such incidents will only damage the country’s reputation.”

Watchara also called on the authorities to check if the passenger terminal was blocking any existing waterway that may create future flooding.

He said this incident was particularly shameful, especially since Phuket had been chosen to pilot the sandbox tourism scheme during the Covid-19 crisis as well as the sole destination where entertainment venues can operate until 4am.

“The province is also scheduled to host many exhibitions and expos in the coming months. Hence, the government should take immediate action to ensure Phuket is prepared to welcome tourists and event participants,” he added.

Watchara noted that Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Plc has been awarded both the construction and renovation contract for the airport buildings from 2011 to 2014. He also pointed to a similar incident in July when the new 12.2-billion-baht Parliament complex had sprung a leak after heavy rain. The Parliament complex was also built by the same firm.

Watchara, who had called on authorities to investigate the leak at Parliament, blamed both incidents on construction defects caused by insufficient quality control, use of substandard materials and poor specifications.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019770

A Bangkok tuk tuk driver has been slapped with four charges after a clip of him abusing a Singaporean couple went viral on Monday.

The caption with the clip, posted on Instagram by ‘singapore_incidents’, said the couple had taken the tuk tuk from CentralWorld shopping centre in Pathumwan district to BTS Chong Nonsi station at an agreed fare of 150 baht.

When they approached the destination, the passengers said they wanted to get off near Charoenrat Road. The driver then said the fare had to be raised to 200 baht as the new destination was farther.

The couple then refused to continue, demanding that they be let off the tuk tuk immediately at Soi Narathiwat 3 and paid the driver only 100 baht as they had not reached the destination.

This ignited an argument, with the tuk tuk driver flinging insults at the passengers, one of whom was recording the incident. The clip later went viral online, sparking widespread criticism.

The tuk tuk driver, identified as Thongkham Chardchai, 57, was detained by Tourist Police on Monday evening and taken to Thung Maha Mek Police Station for questioning.

Thongkham reportedly admitted to losing his temper and using bad language with the passengers when they refused to pay the agreed-upon fare.

He was quoted as saying that he was not scamming the passengers as they were the ones who had changed the destination.

After about an hour of interrogation, police slapped Thongkham with four charges, namely driving without a driver’s licence, operating a public vehicle without a licence, not wearing the uniform of a public vehicle driver, and failing to clearly display a copy of the vehicle registration papers. Each charge carries a maximum fine of 1,000 baht.

Apart from paying the penalty, Thongkham will also be required to undergo three hours of training on etiquette as a public vehicle driver.

Tourist Police said they will coordinate with the Singapore Embassy to discuss the incident with the couple in a bid to maintain a positive image of Thailand.

Published : September 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019762

Electric vehicle maker Tesla has launched a recruitment drive in Bangkok as part of plans to penetrate the EV market in Thailand.

Tesla’s website on Monday was advertising 16 positions ranging from public policy & business development manager to store manager, service manager, vehicle technician and adviser.

The move comes after Tesla registered as a company in Thailand on April 25. Tesla said it will operate a Thai business related to EVs, mounted energy storage and energy generation with initial registered capital of 3 million baht.

Tesla is one of the world’s most valuable companies and remains the world’s most valuable automaker with a market capitalisation of more than 30.4 trillion baht (US$840 billion).

The company leads worldwide sales of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in electric vehicles, capturing 21 per cent of the BEV (purely electric) market and 14 per cent of the plug-in market (which includes plug-in hybrids) in 2021.

Tesla Energy is also one of the largest global suppliers of battery energy storage systems, with 3.99 gigawatt-hours installed in 2021.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION