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MRT offers special deals to make life easier for Bangkokians

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By The Nation

In a bid to reduce the cost of living, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) is launching special cards and top-up options.

The promotion includes:

Purple Line Adult Pass (applicable only to MRT Purple Line)

Bt450 for 15 trips (Bt30/trip)

Bt700 for 25 trips (Bt28/trip)

Bt1,040 for 40 trips (Bt26/trip)

Bt1,150 for 50 trips (Bt22/trip)

Bt1,200 for 60 trips (Bt20/trip)

This promotion brings the average fare down from Bt40 and will run from February 1 to July 31. The 23-kilometre Purple Line runs from Tao Poon to Khlong Bang Phai.

Blue Line Adult Pass (applicable only to MRT Blue Line)

Bt450 for 15 trips (Bt30/trip)

Bt700 for 25 trips (Bt28/trip)

Bt1,040 for 40 trips (Bt26/trip)

Bt1,250 for 50 trips (Bt25/trip)

This promotion brings the average fare down from Bt42 and will run from March 1 to August 31. The 48km MRT Blue Line runs from Hua Lamphong to Tao Poon.

Multi-line Adult Pass (Applicable to both Purple and Blue Lines)

Bt810 for 15 trips (Bt54/trip)

Bt1,300 for 25 trips (Bt52/trip)

Bt2,000 for 40 trips (Bt50/trip)

Bt2,250 for 50 trips (Bt45/trip)

This promotion brings the average maximum fare down from Bt70 and will run from March 1 to August 31.

These promotions can be applied to other MRT passes, including MRT Plus, and must be used within 45 days from top-up. Trips are valid for 30 days, except for Purple Line Adult Passes, which are valid for 60 days. All cards and top-ups are non-refundable. Students are still eligible for a 10 per cent discount, while seniors and children will continue getting a 50 per cent discount.

The scheme is launched in collaboration with the Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company (BEM).

Call BEM information centre at (02) 624 5200 or visit MRT Bangkok Metro on Facebook and Twitter, or mrt_Bangkok on Instagram or download the smartphone application Bangkok MRT.

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New business registration in EEC drops almost 16%

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

Registration of new businesses in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) fell by 15.85 per cent in 2020 from a year earlier, the Department of Business Development reports.

A total of 6,104 businesses were registered last year in the EEC, which covers the three eastern provinces of Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong.

“New EEC businesses in 2020 registered combined capital of Bt17.53 billion, a fall of 34.99 per cent from the previous year,” said department director-general Thossapol Thangsubutr. “Chonburi saw the highest number of new businesses registered with 4,294, or 70.34 per cent of total new businesses in the EEC.”

As of December 31, 2020, the EEC was home to 72,629 businesses with combined registered capital of Bt1.97 trillion. Of these, 52,798 (72.7 per cent) are located in Chonburi, 13,939 (19.19 per cent) are in Rayong and 5,892 (8.11 per cent) are in Chachoengsao.

Most of the new businesses in 2020 are in the service sector (60.65 per cent), followed by retail and wholesale (24.17 per cent) and manufacturing (15.18 per cent).

“Foreign companies account for 40.97 per cent of total capital in the EEC, most coming from Japan (47.36 per cent), followed by China (11.41 per cent) and Singapore (5.39 per cent),” added Thossapol. “Industries with the highest foreign investment are automotive parts (Bt77.54 billion), aluminium products (Bt38.72 billion) and tyres and inner tubes (Bt31.79 billion).”

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Border trade screeches to a halt after Myanmar military takeover

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By The Nation

Tension has been brewing at the Thailand-Myanmar border since the military took over Myanmar’s elected government on Monday morning and put senior leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, under arrest.

Myanmar posted three military units in Tachilek, a border town close to Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, and also blocked several important checkpoints. Under new regulations, the general public in Myanmar is prohibited from travelling.

Thailand shares a 2,400-kilometre border with the neighbouring country.

All communication systems in the country have been blocked, except for Tachilek, where people normally use signals from Bangkok.

As of 9.30am on Monday, trucks were blocked from crossing the bridge over from Tachilek to Mae Sai, while military units in Thailand’s border towns have been instructed to be prepared for any problem that may arise.

Though life in Tachilek reportedly continued as normal, it is feared that the border closure will result in the loss of Bt1 billion per month, affecting businesses on both sides of the border and some 200 truck drivers.

Meanwhile, Pakaimas Vierra, vice-chairperson of the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, believes border trade will not be affected in the long term, because both countries rely on it. However, she said, the authorities need to wait for the Myanmar military’s next step.

Separately, border trade via Tak’s Mae Sot district has been valued at Bt80 billion per year.

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Schools in Mae Sot shut 1 hour after reopening as 5 children test positive

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

All 15 schools in Mae Sot were ordered to shut down on Monday morning less than an hour after reopening, following the discovery that several children had tested positive for Covid-19.

Mae Sot district in Tak province shares a border with Myanmar.

Today is the first day that schools nationwide were permitted to reopen by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), after the new wave of virus cases reported since December subsided.

A news source revealed that the order came after a merchant in Mae Sot district tested positive for Covid-19 and was taken to Mae Sot Hospital along with 25 people who were in close contact with him.

“Last night [January 31], further test results showed five children who are related to the patients are also infected,” said the source. “This led to the shutdown of the community where the patients live as well as 15 schools in the municipality.”

As of Monday, Tak has reported 144 cases during the fresh Covid-19 outbreak, with 49 patients currently being treated, 93 recovered and discharged, and two deaths.

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Bangkok schools reopen despite worries

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By The Nation

Schools in Bangkok reopened on Monday after a long break since the New Year’s break, but under strict instructions to follow Covid-19 prevention measures.

Silpsuay Raweesangsoon, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) permanent-secretary, said schools have been told to limit classrooms to 25 students, avoid gatherings and ensure students wear masks at all times. She said schools can arrange alternative teaching schedules in case there aren’t enough classrooms.

Schools are also required to set up temperature screening and handwashing points outside all classrooms.

She visited schools in Bangkok’s Bang Na district on Monday to ensure measures have been put in place.

Silpsuay also called on schools to explain to parents that it is necessary to ensure their children are infection-free when taken to school. If a child is at risk or has symptoms, then parents need to coordinate with the school and report to the nearest mobile medical unit set up by the Public Health Ministry.

She also recommended that both teachers and parents install the BKK Covid-19 smartphone application to make risk management easier.

Some parents of primary school students, meanwhile, said they were glad that schools have reopened and that they were not concerned because plenty of measures have been put in place.

However, parents of kindergarteners said they were worried because their children were too young, and age-related behaviour may be riskier than other students. They were concerned that their child would come in contact with unclean things and put unclean hands in their mouth. Also, some activities require close physical contact.

Meanwhile, hashtags like #สนับสนุนเลื่อนเปิดเทอม [#SupportPostponeSchoolOpening] show that people are generally worried about the Covid-19 situation, especially since the number of new cases reported daily appears to be rising.

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AOT diversifies into agricultural certification for export

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

Airports of Thailand (AOT) is planning to set up a new subsidiary to serve as a certification hub for agricultural products before they are exported, AOT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said.

“The new company will be 51 per cent owned by partners who are experts in the field and 49 per cent owned by AOT,” he said.

“The major partner will be Thai Airfreight Forwarders Association [TAFA], whose members export large quantities of products every year and are in need of certification services,” Nitinai said.

The subsidiary, AOT TAFA Operator (AOTTO) will focus on products such as vegetables, fruit, foods as well as drugs that require a temperature-controlled environment, added Nitinai.

“We aim to promote AOTTO to be a regional hub for agricultural certification by following the standards of the European Union, which will help facilitate entrepreneurs in Thailand and Asean in exporting their products to the EU without having to go through reinspection at the destination countries,” added Nitinai.

AOT had earlier established two subsidiaries in security and ground service businesses — AOT Aviation Security and AOT Ground Aviation Services. The latter is also providing services relating to Covid-19 prevention and disinfection of business venues.

“We expect the revenue from non-aeronautical businesses in 2021 would help make up for lost revenue during the outbreak and in the future will contribute half of AOT’s total revenue,” Nitinai said.

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836 new cases, mostly in Samut Sakhon, found via proactive testing

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday reported 836 new cases, of whom only four were returnees.

Apisamai Srirangsan, assistant spokesperson for CCSA, said Thailand found its first domestic Covid-19 case – a taxi driver who contracted without travelling aboard – exactly one year ago.

Of the new cases, 39 had been exposed to the virus while visiting high-risk areas, with Samut Sakhon leading the list with 32 cases, followed by five in Bangkok and two in Ratchaburi.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of 793 cases, with as many as 782 found in Samut Sakhon alone.

Of the four returnees, two are Thais returning from Malaysia and the UK. An American man and a Belgian engineer who flew in from their respective nations also tested positive.

Meanwhile, 899 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand has risen to 19,618. Of these, 17,155 contracted the virus locally, including 10,077 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,463 are returnees. So far, 12,514 have recovered and been discharged, 7,027 patients are still in hospital and the death toll remains at 77.

According to CCSA statistics, 42 provinces haven’t reported new cases for more than seven days and 14 provinces are still free from infections since the second wave broke out in December. Meanwhile, cases are being found in 14 provinces regularly over the past three days.

Apisamai said a cluster in Ratchaburi linked to people who travelled from Maha Sarakham province reported three new cases, including a four-month-old infant. This brings the number of Covid-19 cases in Ratchaburi to 31. She urged people to avoid travelling between provinces and continue wearing masks and maintain hygiene practices.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am, the number of confirmed cases globally has risen to 103.53 million (up by 396,465), 75.13 million have recovered, 26.15 million are active cases (107,956 in severe condition) and 2.24 million have died (up by 9,292).

Thailand ranks 116th on the global list of most cases. The US tops the list with 26.76 million, followed by India 10.76 million, Brazil 9.2 million, Russia 3.83 million and the United Kingdom 3.8 million.

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Pollution in and around Bangkok hits unsafe levels

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By The Nation

Air pollution in 50 areas in and around Bangkok hit unsafe levels on Monday morning with PM2.5 readings coming in at 41 to 74 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), according to the Pollution Control Department’s Air Quality and Noise Management Bureau.

Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) is 50μg/m3, while the World Health Organisation sets it at 25μg/m3.

The areas affected are:

Bangkok:

Bang Khunthien (59μg/m3)

Thonburi (51μg/m3)

Wang Thonglang (60μg/m3)

Din Daeng (57μg/m3)

Phra Khanong (63μg/m3)

Dusit (53μg/m3)

Pom Prab Sattru Phai (56μg/m3)

Samphanthawong (51μg/m3)

Phya Thai (52μg/m3)

Yannawa (58μg/m3)

Thawee Watthana (55μg/m3)

Suan Luang (59μg/m3)

Bang Na (68μg/m3)

Chatuchak (55μg/m3)

Sai Mai (72μg/m3)

Bang Kapi (62μg/m3)

Lat Krabang (73μg/m3)

Min Buri (65μg/m3)

Nong Chok (74μg/m3)

Prawet (73μg/m3)

Khlong San (52μg/m3)

Bangkok Yai (55μg/m3)

Bangkok Noi (52μg/m3)

Taling Chan (58μg/m3)

Phasi Charoen (52μg/m3)

Nong Khaem (62μg/m3)

Bang Bon (60μg/m3)

Thung Khru (52μg/m3)

Bang Khen (62μg/m3)

Bang Phlat (52μg/m3)

Don Mueang (61μg/m3)

Khan Na Yow (62μg/m3)

Huai Khwang (53μg/m3)

Klong Toei (61μg/m3)

Bang Sue (55μg/m3)

Lat Phrao (57μg/m3)

Lak Si (59μg/m3)

Saphan Sung (53μg/m3)

Bueng Kum (62μg/m3)

Klong Sam Wa (67μg/m3)

Chom Thong (60μg/m3)

Bang Khae (54μg/m3)

Samut Prakan:

Phra Pradaeng (53μg/m3)

Muang (52μg/m3)

Bang Sao Thong (64μg/m3)

Nonthaburi:

Muang (51μg/m3)

Samut Sakhon:

Krathum Baen (55μg/m3)

Muang (64μg/m3)

Pathum Thani:

Khlong Luang (57μg/m3)

Nakhon Pathom:

Muang Nakhon Pathom (67μg/m3)

People in areas where PM2.5 levels are high have been advised to monitor their health and reduce the time spent outdoors, especially the elderly, children and patients with respiratory diseases.

The PM2.5 problems can be tracked via Air4Thai.com and bangkokairquality.com websites or the Air4Thai and AirBKK smartphone applications.

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DPO targets 500 ‘Milk Land’ shops in five years, eyes 10 per cent boost in sales

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

The Dairy Farming Promotion Organisation (DPO), a state enterprise under the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and producer of Thai-Danish milk, is planning to open 500 branches of “Milk Land” nationwide within the next five years to sell its milk products.

“After DPO had appointed Tea Story Rama IX to manage its subsidiary — Thai-Denmark Milk Land — in May 2020, the number of Milk Land branches has jumped from 102 to 132 in less than a year,” said DPO’s acting director, Suchart Jariyalertsak.

“We aim to open at least 70 new branches yearly and hope to achieve 500 in five years and will increase DPO’s revenue from milk sales by 10 per cent.

“DPO’s Milk Land is distinguished from other brands because we use 100 per cent fresh milk and no powdered milk,” he added.

“We aim to open new branches in community areas, schools and universities, shopping malls, office buildings, and hospitals both in Bangkok and upcountry.”

Thai-Denmark Milk Land will also employ integrated marketing strategy to maximise target coverage, including advertising on digital billboards, BTS Skytrain, mobile media and bus media.

“We aim to attract new generation consumers by using ‘Ma Ma Milk’ music video by popular idol group BNK48, who is also Milk Land’s brand ambassador,” added Suchart.

DPO had been managing Milk Land franchise since its establishment in 2018 before subcontracting to Tea Story, who will be managing the franchise for the next five years.

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Baht strengthens, but all eyes on central bank meeting this week

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 29.89 to the US dollar on Monday, strengthening from Friday’s close of 29.97.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.85 and 30.15 this week and between 29.95 and 30.05 on Monday, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

This week, most of the market players were in risk-off state. Poon forecast that the market could fluctuate in case economic numbers turn out be negative.

In Thailand, most players are waiting for the result of Bank of Thailand’s meeting. The market strategist forecast that the central bank’s view towards the economy would change due to the second Covid-19 wave that began in December last year. The interest rate will likely be frozen at 0.50 per cent.

In the US, service businesses were pressured by the virus crisis, despite an overall recovery of businesses. The Non-Manufacturing ISM in January decreased from 57.7 points last month to 56.7 points. Meanwhile, the ISM Purchasing Managers’ Index stayed at 60 points this month.

Non-farm payrolls increased only by around 50,000 positions.

In the EU, the economy in the fourth quarter of 2020, contracted by 5 per cent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The Bank of England stayed its interest rate at 0.10 per cent.

Poon said that the dollar would tend to move sideways in the short-term. In case the market is disappointed with US stimulus measures, the Covid-19 crisis intensifies, or vaccine distribution is slow, the US currency would strengthen.

The dollar will weaken in case the market feels relaxed about economic recovery and US stimulus measures.

In Thailand, no factor could influence the baht, except the dollar’s movement and foreign fund flow, he said.