BTS Joins Hands With Malaysia For Light Rail Transport Project
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
On September 15, Keeree Kanjanapas, Chairman Of BTS Group Holdings Plc And Kavin Kanjanapas, BTS Group Holdings CEO And Chief Officer Of MATCH Business, Together With Company Executives Met With Dato’ Avinderjit Singh A/L Harjit Singh And Dato’ Siew Ka Wei In Malaysia.
During the meeting, both parties exchanged views and progress in the feasibility study of the light rail transport system project that will connect Singapore’s RTS (Rapid Transit System) Link to Johor Bahru town in Malaysia. The project also aims to promote transit-oriented development in the communities around the transit system in Johor Bahru.
Since March 2022, BTS Group Holdings Plc has entered the Heads of Agreement with Sinar Bina Infra Sdn. Bhd., Ancom Berhad, Nylex (Malaysia) Berhad and LBS Bina Group Berhad to jointly operate the light rail transport system linking Singapore RTS Link to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The project is part of the company’s Move business plan that BTS has expertise in and has been operating continuously in the past 20 years through the BTS train system, which has now expanded to cover a distance of 135 kilometres, including routes under construction namely Pink Line (Kae Rai-Min Buri) and Yellow Line (Lat Phrao – Samrong).
BTS Group Holdings aims to provide door-to-door services to passengers via a variety of transport modes covering rail, road, marine and air channels to create a perfect journey from the first to last steps in both Thailand and other countries. The company believes that the light rail transport system will help complete the transport need of passengers in Singapore and Malaysia, in compliance with the objectives of Move business which focus on providing convenient and safe transport that improve people’s quality of life.
Sino-Thai Digital Cooperation ‘To Play Key Role In Sustainable Development’
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
Digital Cooperation With China Would Lead To Sustainable Development Of The Two Countries, Thailand’s Digital Economy And Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn Said On Friday.
He was speaking in a pre-recorded video message that was played during the opening ceremony of the 5th China-Asean Information Harbour Forum in Nanning, the capital of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China on Friday.
In the video message, Chaiwut congratulated the organisers for holding the event, which he said would be a venue for exchanging information on digital technologies as well as a venue for cooperation between China and Asean nations on technologies and digital economy developments.
Chaiwut said Thailand was steering towards a digital economy with its policies and the 20-year national development plan for creating digital infrastructure and digital safety for the public.
He added the the development plans would transform Thailand into a digital economy with sustainability.
“I would like to hereby stress that digital economy cooperation between Thailand and China would be a new driving force for sustainable development of the two countries,” Chaiwut said.
On Saturday, Chaiwut also sent a video message to participate in the opening ceremony of the China-Asean Silk Road e-Commerce Forum 2022, which was the 19th China-Asean Trade Fair, also in Nanning.
In his video message, Chaiwut said the application of digital technologies had helped Thailand survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also pledged cooperation with other Asean nations and China to develop a good digital ecosystem that would help Asean and China benefit from sustainable e-commerce trade in the future.
Steel Bar-Makers To Seek Government Nod For Price Hike
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
Manufacturers Of Steel Bars Are Planning To Approach The Thai Government And Seek Its Permission To Raise Prices As Production Costs Have Been Rising.
Prawit Horrungruang, an adviser to the steel bar manufacturers’ association, said that the steel used to make the bars has seen a 42-per-cent price hike from last year, while the manufacturers are also facing rising costs of electricity, transportation and wages.
Prawit said the steel raw material required for making bars now sells at about US$658 (24,300 baht) per tonne, compared to $464 last year.
The rising power bill also added another 700 to 800 baht to the cost of making one tonne of steel bars, Prawit added.
He said the manufacturers would not survive without raising the prices but they need to first receive approval from the Internal Trade Department as steel bars and other steel products’ prices are under the control of the department.
He added that the rising cost of energy has affected steel prices worldwide. For example, manufacturers in Turkey have announced price hikes of $20 to $40 per tonne.
Prawit said the prices of steel bars in Thailand were lower than those in other countries. For example, steel bars in Singapore are priced at $738 per tonne, at $740 in Turkey and at $852 in China while it sells at $699 in Thailand.
Prawit also advised construction firms to use higher-grade steel bars to save cost. He said although the higher-grade bars were more expensive, construction firms would save money as they would need to use lesser quantities of the bars.
SEC Advises People To Be Cautious About Investing In Foreign Exchange
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
The Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC) On Monday Warned Thais To Cross-Check With The Bank Of Thailand Before Buying Or Investing In Foreign Currencies.
The SEC posted on its website an article warning against investing in unauthorised foreign exchange schemes.
The SEC explained that it has no authority to supervise foreign exchange, and that it supervises only the stock exchange and the trading of corporate bonds and digital currency tokens.
The article was apparently referring to a high-profile scam — the Forex-3D online Ponzi fraud.
About 9,000 complaints have been registered so far with the Department of Special Investigation, regarding losses of about 2 billion baht after investing in the Forex-3D scheme.
The case captured public attention after popular actress-singer Savika Chaiyadej, her mother and her brother were charged and denied bail on charges of operating the scam.
The SEC noted that the currency exchange law requires transactions of foreign currencies to be done with entities approved by the finance ministry, such as commercial banks and finance companies.
The SEC added that so far no foreign currency exchange rights has been given to any individual or legal entity that are not banks or finance companies.
The Internal Trade Department Has Said It Will Initially Work On Modernising 10 Of 69 “Farm Outlets” Across The Country To Draw More Customers.
Wattanasak Sur-iam, the department’s director-general, said the aim is to make these shops more attractive and offer a greater variety of products. He said souvenirs and handicrafts will also be added to the shelves.
The director-general explained that the department will start off by overhauling 10 outlets from next year. He said the aim is to add value to farm produce, especially organic items and community products.
The department will also help manufacturers receive the stamp of approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration as well as get “halal” certification.
The director-general said producers will also be encouraged to register their brands and trademarks.
The 10 outlets will be linked up, so they can exchange goods to enhance sales and reduce waste.
The Internal Trade Department plans to expand sales channels for farm products by seeking shelf space in department stores and supermarkets, as well as launching campaigns to promote awareness.
The department has been helping farmers open farm outlets since 2009. So far, 69 such outlets have been established in 40 provinces and they earn between 50,000 and 1.5 million baht per month, Wattanasak said.
Pattaya Hotel CEO Urges Govt To Keep Offering Subsidies As Industry Not Out Of Red Yet
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
THE NATION
A Hotel Operator In Pattaya Is Urging The Government To Extend Its Tourism Subsidy Scheme “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) And Introduce New Measures To Help The Industry.
The “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” scheme is set to expire by the end of this month.
Vitanart Vathanakul, CEO of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall, said on Sunday that the tourism industry in the resort town was nearing pre-pandemic levels, with hotel occupation rate rising to around 50 per cent. Hotel occupation before Covid-19 was recorded at 60 to 70 per cent.
“The government needs to maintain these tourism promotion measures as the industry still needs help. These measures will help generate income for the local economy and soften the impact of the rising cost of living,” he said.
Vitanart said the travel scheme should be extended as the 1.5 million rights offered had been snatched up almost immediately, well before the September 30 deadline.
The scheme offers registrants a 40 per cent discount on hotel rooms and restaurants, capped at 3,000 baht a night. They will also receive an e-voucher when checking into a hotel as well as a 40 per cent flight refund when they check out.
Vitanart said he also wanted to see more measures promoting the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) industry, as not only will this attract a larger audience but people in this group have higher purchasing power.
He said the government could offer tax incentives or other benefits to both foreign and Thai companies if they hold meetings or events at hotels in tourist destinations.
“The authorities should also promote other activities available at hotels, like sporting events and exhibitions, for foreigners, so Thailand can attract a wider group of people apart from just tourists,” he said.
Vitanart said that at present, some 75 per cent of hotel guests in the eastern resort town are Thai, while 15 per cent are from the West and India, and some 10 per cent are from Asean countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.
“We expect the ratio of foreign tourists to rise once China allows its citizens to travel overseas freely,” he added.
Four Banks To Suspend Mobile Services For A Few Hours This Month
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022
THE NATION
Customers Of Four Banks Are Advised To Be Prepared And Make Necessary Transactions In Advance As The Banks Plan To Suspend Mobile Services On A Few Days This Month To Improve Security And System Performance.
The four are Bank of Ayudhaya, or Krungsri; Krung Thai Bank (KTB); Government Savings Bank (GSB) and Tisco Bank.
The GSB announced it would suspend services on Wednesday from 11pm to midnight to improve its system.
The following services would be affected:
– MyMo MyCash withdrawals
– GSB debit card services in the country or abroad
– ATM and ADM (automated deposit machine) services
– Fast Funds services receiving money transferred from abroad.
Krungsri said it would halt its mobile and internet banking services for system improvements on Saturday from 2am to 4am and on Sunday from 2am to 4am.
The following services will be affected:
– Krungsri mobile application
– Internet banking via www.krungsrionline.com
– The “Kep by Krungsri” mobile banking service
– Credit card and debit card services at Krungsri’s ATM, CDM and RATM machines.
The KTB meanwhile said it would suspend services on Sunday from 1.30am to 6.30am to improve security.
The following services will be affected:
– Krung Thai ADM
– Krung Thai ATM
– Cash withdrawal cards
– A Money cards
– Nergn Tid Lor cards
– Withdrawals through AEON – Your Cash cards
– Withdrawals via JCB and UPI cards.
KTB added that it would also close its banking system to improve its Krungthai Next application on Tuesday, September 20, from midnight to 3am.
Tisco Bank announced it, too, would stop services on Saturday and Sunday and September 25 to improve system performance and service efficiency.
On Saturday, the bank will suspend services from midnight to 9.30am, which will affect:
– ATM machines, which cannot be used for PromptPay registrations or transfer services
– Tisco My Wealth service
– Tisco PromptPay service.
On Sunday, the bank will suspend services from 1.30am to 7.30am and on September 25 from midnight to 7am.
Ajinomoto Invites Everyone To Visit The “Green Factory Model For Sustainable Environment” Via A Virtual Platform
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
THE NATION
Ajinomoto (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Aims To Conduct Business In Line With The Bio-Circular-Green Economy Concept While Also Promoting Sustainable Environmental Management.
Recently, the company launched a new “Virtual Factory Visit Platform” by introducing the Ajinomoto “Kamphaeng Phet Factory” as the greenest factory model among the Ajinomoto Group of Companies in Thailand that allows everyone to visit in 360° through online and smart devices. This online program tour can offer the visitor an edutainment activity as it is “easy, fun, and enjoyable everywhere, every time,” reflecting on our company’s image as a leading food company with an in-depth understanding of consumers’ needs.
This new “Virtual Factory Visit Platform” is designed as one of the channels to promote environmental awareness through business activities that contribute to the environmental impacts. The exemplary showcases reflect effective management starting from the procurement of raw materials, the production of products, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alternative or renewable energy usage, waste management, and efficient use of water resources. In particular, the success of implementing biomass cogeneration technology instead of fossil fuels, which was able to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, a key driver of climate change and global warming.
The Ajinomoto Group aims to become a “solution-providing group of companies for food and health issues” by working to reduce environmental impacts by following “The Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Value (ASV)” as a conceptual framework for the Ajinomoto Group’s work worldwide.
Consumer Councils Nationwide Are Looking To Sue NBTC Over True-Dtac Merger
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
THE NATION
The Thailand Consumers Council Has Joined Consumer Organisations In 14 Provinces With The Intent To Sue The NBTC For Dereliction Of Duty In Protecting The Public Interest And Favouring Investors, And Abandoning The Issue Of Service Charges And Telecom Marketing In A Permanent Monopoly. NBTC Is Challenged To Debate The Issues With A Diverse Range Of Voices Before Passing A Resolution.
Miss Supinya Klangnarong, chair of the telecom subcommittee of the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) spoke at a seminar, “Impacts of mobile phone monopolies on citizens’ rights to 5G.” She said that the issue of the business merger between True Corporation PCL and Total Access Communication PCL or Dtac was now with the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), who were considering a resolution in this matter, as soon as the Council of State issued an opinion concerning NBTC’s powers to consider that matter.
Personally, she felt that NBTC’s execution of its duties had not been as stated in the Constitution, which required it to take the public’s side, and operate in the best interests of the general public, national security and the public interest, including ensuring that the public obtain the benefits from radio frequency spectra. Therefore, TCC and a network of consumer protection organizations in 14 provinces were petitioning NBTC concerning NBTC’s obligations to consider this merger.
Also, Supinya stated that it was necessary to create awareness in every sector about this deal, because it is not only the consumer sector that is impacted. There are also labourers for whom a 10-20 THB increase in service charges would affect their lives, and there is also the vulnerable group of disabled people for whom it is necessary to use Internet networks in the main for communication. Thus, if the merger goes ahead and prices go up, these groups must not be overlooked.
“We have proposed that the NBTC establish forums to hear opinions on this matter in the provinces, because this merger has affected people nationwide.
“NBTC is being proposed to hold forums to listen to opinions on this matter in the provinces, because the merger impacts the whole country. NBTC has 20 regional offices, and the NBTC board should be giving policy, because it must not be forgotten that there are many dimensions in the public sector, and every group should have the right to express their intentions.”
Supinya also said that the TCC’s demands were not only from the perspective of the merger deal. Another one or two years into the future, the world will be fully in the age of IoT, which will further increase reliance on the Internet following the global dynamic. As a consequence, it is crucial that citizens’ rights and voices are given priority by NBTC, or even the government, rather than neglected. This unity between TCC and the consumers’ network in 14 provinces will amplify our voices. Before NBTC passes a resolution on the True-Dtac merger, it should listen to the voice of the people, and must be open to participation from the public down to the grassroots, to express a broad spectrum of opinions in this matter.
TCC hits back with five reasons from consumers to the deal makers, and attacks propaganda which only refers to private sector interests
Miss Sari Ongsomwang, TCC Secretary-General, added that besides TCC and the network in 14 provinces suing NBTC, TCC would also join the Move Forward Party in suing NBTC to carry out its duties on this occasion. As for topics concerning the True-Dtac deal, she would like to explain from the perspective of consumers. True had previously sent out PR news about five good points of the merger, while from a contradictory perspective it had to be seen what consumers would lose if the merger was allowed to proceed. TCC has prepared five reasons for not approving the merger.
1. Service charges would certainly increase, because according to the report from NBTC’s economic and consumer protection subcommittee established by NBTC itself, this stated that service charges are trending to maximise, which is consistent with many bodies who have stated that they could rise by anything from 12 to 224%. When NBTC still lacked guarantees that service charges would not increase, promotions and distribution channels must not increase the burdens on consumers. NBTC has no concrete plan. Therefore the merger should not be allowed.
2. The perspective merger is between the number 2 and number 3 operators in the market, and after such a merger only two large operators will remain, AIS and the new company formed from True and Dtac. The latter will have a market share exceeding 50%, meaning consumers will not have choices in using services. Despite the claim that there also remain National Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (NT) and two other MVNO companies, this does not reflect true competition. If the merger is allowed, market conditions will become a permanent monopoly.
3. Private sector claims were not completely true that the merger is required because the telecom business has not yielded profits, so becoming a technology company required a merger. This was because at present, although revenues from voice services have been recently reduced, revenues from data services are still at a high level. This shows that operators are still able to generate revenues from this business, and telecom networks are still considered key infrastructure to generate revenues.
4. The group of low-income consumers and students who required the Internet for their studies would have to top up an extra 30 THB per day or 900 THB per month. On this issue, NBTC and neither of True or Dtac however had a plan or measures to protect this group. A successful merger would be the cause of major impacts among this group of people.
5. This merger cannot be implemented because NBTC has the authority pursuant to the Announcement not allowing telecom operators to perform any monopolistic actions, or reduce or eliminate competition in the provision of telecom services. This includes giving orders to “approve” or “disapprove” the business manager of these telecom operators. NBTC also has the duty to apply the criteria in the anti-monopolistic Announcement of 2006 and the Announcement on mergers of 2018.
“NBTC should open up a debate forum on the pros and cons of the merger, and allow consumers to have maximal participation. This is because consumers are the group who must shoulder the eventual burden. Once the debate forum has been held, people will talk about the impacts from allowing the merger. Will NBTC not listen to the voice of the people? Will it have an opinion completely different to that of the public? NBTC should maintain its reputation for the greatest benefit of the public and the nation.”
GQ Perfect Stretch Light Chino™ Shorts: For The Comfort Of All Lifestyles
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
THE NATION
GQ Introduces The New Perfect Stretch Light Chino™ Shorts That Fix Common Problems Faced By Shorts Wearers Such As Ripped Crotch, Inflexibility, Items Falling Out From Pockets, And Lack Of Expandable Waist.
Made from high-quality fabric with water-repellent capability, GQ Perfect Stretch Light Chino™ Shorts are light, breathable, and flexible in four directions for maximum comfort. The pockets are deep and can block radiation from mobile phones, while the waist is adjustable up to two inches. GQ Perfect Stretch Light Chino™ are truly the shorts for everyday activities.
GQ Perfect Stretch Light Chino™ Shorts come in several colours and seven sizes for the perfect fit. Available at GQ shops in leading department stores and online shop at https://gqsize.link/PNQv9W
“I would like to hereby stress that digital economy cooperation between Thailand and China would be a new driving force for sustainable development of the two countries,” Chaiwut said.
The 10 outlets will be linked up, so they can exchange goods to enhance sales and reduce waste.
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