Walk-in renewal service for driver’s licence resumes at DLT office
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2022
THE NATION
People can now renew their expired driver’s licence without having to pre-register online, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) announced on Tuesday.
The department said the licence renewal service will be available for walk-in candidates at all branches of DLT nationwide. The online pre-registration requirement, which had been implemented to prevent crowding at DLC offices during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been scrapped due to the improving situation as seen in a significant decline in confirmed cases as well as the severity of the infection.
Besides renewal of licence for personal vehicle, other walk-in services available at DLT offices include:
— Changing licence type from two years to five years (for licence that expired less than one year ago)
— Applying for international driving licence
— Applying for licence replacement in case of loss, damage or change of details
— Applying for driving certificate in Thai or English
— Applying for or renewal of public vehicle licence
To renew a licence, the candidate must first pass the e-learning course provided via the website www.dlt-elearning.com.
The department advised walk-in candidates to bring along these documents: ID card, current driver’s licence, certificate of online class graduation, and medical certificate.
The DLT added that it would prioritise candidates who pre-register via the DLT Smart Queue mobile application.
Walk-in candidates who do not receive the service before the office closes on that day, will be issued a queue card for another day.
People evacuated following gas leak at vehicle LPG station in Surin
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2022
THE NATION
Local residents were safely evacuated from a vehicle LPG station in Muang district of Surin province on Tuesday morning after a gas pipe leakage caused an explosion scare.
Rescue officials took over two hours to shut off the valve of the LPG storage tank at the station, stopping the leakage at a pipe leading to a gas dispenser.
Officials said the gas pipe leak at the station on the Surin-Lam Chi Road in Ban Takhian village in Tambon Khor Kho was caused by a subsiding concrete floor that collapsed onto the pipe.
Officials said that section of the road was under water and the concrete floor of the gas station collapsed because of the weight of the flood water, causing the pipe to leak.
The leaked gas could be smelt about 300 metres around the station.
While rescue workers tried to shut off the valve, police cordoned off the station. Local residents were moved to at least 500 metres away for fear of a gas explosion.
White fumes of the leaked gas were clearly visible above the hole. Rescue workers doused the hole with water while some were sent to shut off the valve.
They said the operation took time because the floods hampered their work.
Commuters warn of dangers after tyres burst on potholed Rama II highway
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2022
THE NATION
Many cars suffered from flat front tyres as they drove over long, narrow pits on Rama II highway in Samut Sakhon on Tuesday morning.
Members of the Karn Kusol Samut Sakhon Foundation rushed to kilometre marker 37 on the inbound Rama II highway at 6am to help motorists change their front tyres. The volunteers reported they had found four or five 20- to 30-centimetre-deep holes that were just wide enough for the wheels to fall into. The holes were also quite close to each other in a long line and were located opposite the Esso petrol station in Bang Krachao subdistrict.
The volunteers helped replace tyres in cars that had spares, while those that did not had to wait for their car to be hauled away.
A Nation reporter at the scene said he witnessed several cars getting flat tyres as they drove over these holes, and some burst quite loudly.
Local residents said that there are similar holes on the frontage roads of the highway and that they have informed the authorities, but nothing has been done so far.
One motorist said he was driving at about 60 kilometres per hour when his front wheel fell into a hole and the tyre burst. He said he managed to manoeuvre the car to the side of the road only to find several other cars had suffered the same fate.
Another motorist said the holes were in a long line in the middle of the road, so it was difficult for motorists to avoid them. He said he noticed several vehicles lined up on the roadside and was wondering what had happened before he experienced the mishap himself.
Local residents say the Rama II highway has become very dangerous with endless accidents from falling construction debris to cavities in the road.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is visiting Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani provinces on Tuesday to inspect the flood situation.
Prayut flew from Bangkok on Tuesday morning to visit the area for the first time after resuming his duties as prime minister on Monday.
He travelled with Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda, Labour Minister Suchat Chomklin, Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Deputy Defence Minister Chaichan Changmongkol, and Deputy Transport Minister Athirat Ratanaset.
In Khon Kaen, the officials explained to the PM their water management plan and the flood situation in the province.
Prayut inspected the high-pressure water pump at Bueng Nong Khot and visited people who were affected by floods at Wat Thep Nimit Wararam in Muang Khon Kaen district in Khon Kaen.
In the afternoon, he will travel to Ubon Ratchathani and oversee the flood situation as well as the water management plan.
He also will visit the help centre and houses in Warin Chamrap district before travelling back to Bangkok.
On Monday, Prayut had made it clear that he did not want people carrying welcoming signs when he visited these two provinces.
He said that he was coming for work and he could take care of himself while officials should focus on people affected by floods.
Chao Phraya, Pa Sak rivers to rise as dam discharge doubles this week
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2022
THE NATION
The Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has warned that the levels of Pa Sak and Chao Phraya Rivers will rise substantially once Pasak Chonlasit Dam doubles its discharge rate.
Chayan Muangsong, ONWR deputy secretary-general, said on Tuesday that Pa Sak River will rise by 0.4 to 1 metre from Lopburi’s Phattana Nikhom district to Ayutthaya’s Tha Ruea district, while the water level at the end of Rama VI Dam will rise by 0.4 to 0.6 metres.
With heavy rain forecast until Sunday in most parts of Thailand, ONWR speculates that 400 million cubic metres of water will flow through Pasak Chonlasit Dam in Lopburi this week. Hence, the Royal Irrigation Department needs to gradually increase the dam’s drainage gradually from 400 to 800 cubic metres per second.
ONWR also said the water level at the confluence of the Pasak and Chao Phraya rivers in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya will rise by 0.25 to 0.5 metres.
He said some 3,300 to 3,500 cubic metres per second of water will flow through Ayutthaya’s Bang Sai district and may cause flash floods. He added that the agency tried to divert the water to Thung Bang Rakam in Phitsanulok, but the Ping River has overflowed on its way to the Chao Phraya.
Therefore, ONWR has tried to reduce the effect on lowland areas from Chai Nat to Samut Prakan by maintaining the water flow through Chao Phraya Dam at around 2,800 cubic metres per second.
This will cause the water level above the dam from Chai Nat’s Muang and Manorom districts and Uthai Thani’s Muang district to rise by 0.3 metres.
Meanwhile, ONWR has issued the following instructions for relevant agencies to follow:
Monitor the situation closely, inspect and reinforce water protection buildings and embankments in areas at risk.
Prepare equipment to provide immediate help to flood victims.
Adjust water-management plans at reservoirs and dams, while using lowland areas to divert waterflow and prepare for flash flooding.
Issue warnings for people living in areas at risk of flooding.
Monday’s marathon downpour brings more flood misery for Bangkokians
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 04, 2022
THE NATION
More than three hours of heavy rain on Monday night left several areas of Greater Bangkok flooded, including Pak Kret district in Nonthaburi province.
Chaeng Wattana Road leading to Vibharam Pak Kret Hospital in Nonthaburi was under 30 centimetres of floodwater, disrupting traffic. Over a dozen motorcycles were stranded on the roadside as water clogged their engines. Meanwhile, vendors in Pak Kret Municipal Market closed their shops early and move merchandise to higher ground after being inundated by water up to 40cm deep.
Pak Kret Municipal Office has dispatched officials and water pumps to help drain water from roads and flooded areas.
The Bangkok Flooding Prevention Centre reported on Monday night that rainfall had eased in Lat Krabang, Saphan Sung, Prawet, Bang Na, Phra Khanong, and Phra Nakhon. Lak Si district reported the highest rainfall on Monday, at 165.5mm.
Bangkokians woke up to clear skies on Tuesday as the flooding receded.
However, the Thai Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rain for many parts of the country, including Greater Bangkok, for most of this week.
Korean temple food from nun-cum-chef Jeongkwan brings smiles to monks at Wat Arun
MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022
The Korean Cultural Centre in Thailand provided a delicious Korean meal cooked by nun-cum-chef Jeongkwan to 111 Thai monks at Bangkok’s Wat Arun on Monday morning.
Jung Kwan, a Korean Buddhist nun, treated Thai monks to a meal with H.E. Mr Moon Seoung-Hyun and the head of Korean organizations in Thailand, the Korean Ambassador.
The Korean temple food includes Kimchi, Braised Shiitake Mushrooms with Rice Malt, Assorted Root Vegetables with sweet and sour source, Steamed Korean Zucchini and Tofu, Fresh vegetable Kimchi with soybean curd source, Dried persimmons and cucumber salad, Mung bean pancake, Fried Lotus Root, and Pickles was cooked in front of Wat Arun’s sanctuary, and served by Korean wood plates and Thailand’s Khan Tok tray to each monk.
The event started with a Buddhist chant of 9 monks, and an opening speech by Phra Sophonwachiraphon, serving meals and gifts followed.
Jung Kwan is the master of the Cheonjinam Hermitage at the Baekyang Temple and has been globally known by the popular Netflix show ‘Chef’s Table’.
In June, Jung Kwan have been named Masters of Korean Temple Food by the Jogye Order, which is the largest Buddhist sect in Korea.
“Thank Buddha, Embassy and the Korean Cultural Center to make an alliance with Thai monks by this event” the Venerable Jeongkwan said “As a gift, I put Jo-chung (Korean grain syrup) I made in Korea, pine nut and Black sesame porridge which Korean food company Ottogi packed for this event.”
Phra Sophonwachiraphon, a representative monk of Wat Arun said “Buddhism culture of both countries have lots in common such as sharing and using moktak (a wooden gong). I celebrate Korean national day on 3- Oct. I believe the bilateral exchange of Korea and Thailand is developed and expanding by the effort of the embassy and the Center.”
H.E. Mr Moon said, “It is a great honour to treat healthy and eco-friendly Korean temple food, as fulfilment has graciousness for life and the cook. I hope this event will contribute to the Buddhism culture exchange between Korea and Thailand.”
Ramping up cross-border freight along South-east Asian roads
MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022
The globalisation of trade is one of the driving forces of the world economy and has created an interconnected global trading system. Endless opportunities have been created as decision-makers can now reach new customers and secure a diverse selection of new staff, materials, and products regardless of time zones.
However, with supply chain volatility across costs and shipment times, alongside inflation concerns, many logistics players are now rethinking their strategy to mitigate the impact that the pandemic has on their networks.
The solution is no longer as simple as increasing the capacity of container ships or booking planes ahead of time, as there are obstacles that are out of one’s control. The undeniable truth is that disruptions will remain as challenges such as increased extreme weather events or closures due to COVID-19 outbreaks continue to push up logistics costs, and manufacturing prices and extend supplier delivery times.
Today, international transportation is done mainly via the ocean with 90% of trade goods carried over the water. However, cross-border freight is essential when approaching ports or for home deliveries. By having a mix of cross-border, air, and ocean freight, companies can unlock endless business opportunities and potential in Southeast Asia.
The end of the “one size fits all” era
Ocean and air freight are the go-to transport modes for international freight, with the latter often seen as the favoured mode for industries such as fast-moving consumer goods, or e-commerce sellers. However, business leaders may miscalculate the actual time needed for goods to complete their journey which could lead to higher costs in their supply chain. Similarly, relying only on ocean freight can lead to delays should there be unexpected inclement weather or a lack of vessel back-ups.
Multimodal transport provides the ability to customise routes based on the nature of the goods being shipped. For example, the transportation of car tires is not as urgent or timely as pharmaceutical products. In other words, industry leaders can look at more affordable alternatives, such as shipping the cargo via air from city to city, before leveraging land transport from city to smaller towns or districts.
By implementing cross-border freight as part of their logistics strategy, chief supply chain officers can have better control and understanding of how goods move throughout the network. Within Asia, cross-border shipping that leverages both truck and railway can become a strong viable alternative as opposed to solely relying on air or ocean shipping for international transport, mitigating the effects of global supply chain disruptions.
Those who lack the resources can rely on third-party logistics providers who are able to support end-to-end shipment management and customised route solution design and help them gain a competitive edge to stay ahead of disruptions. As logistics networks in the region evolve, new rail+truck services will provide more transport options that can help foster greater connectivity for businesses and facilitate trade across borders.
Customising logistics journey for seamless and efficient transportation
Cross-border freight faces fewer restrictions on the types of items delivered compared to shipping the freight via air or ocean. Goods transported via air are subjected to aviation safety standards, so certain items such as liquids and flammables require more paperwork, which can exacerbate any ongoing delays in the network.
Organisations should see cross-border freight as a complimentary transport mode within their intra-Asia logistics strategy, in tandem with air and ocean freight. For example, the transnational China-Laos railway continues to strengthen China’s connectivity with members of Asean and signatories of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (Rcep). With multiple weekly departures, logistics players can easily make bookings to transport goods via land if there are any blockages at ports. For customers, cross-border freight is also more affordable in terms of cost per volume, without sacrificing too much speed for the Southeast Asian lanes it is available for. Instead of dealing with containers stuck at ports or airports, goods can be redirected via land to the next nearest destination.
Achieving sustainability goals in an unpredictable industry
To meet customer demand, businesses are often offering consumers the choice to opt for faster and more convenient shipping alternatives, but this can promote unsustainable consumption. As more people seek faster delivery, the delivery lead time for logistics companies shortens, resulting in more frequent and carbon-intensive delivery trips. In fact, air cargo contributes to 2 percent of global carbon emissions and 4 percent for ocean freight.
With governments implementing tighter sustainability regulations such as the Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development in Asia and the Pacific, companies are keen to go green and logistics departments are not spared from this go-green plan.
Cross-border freight can help businesses achieve their sustainability goals. For example, railway services can reduce CO2 emissions by 25 per cent as compared to ocean shipping and emit 12 times less CO2 than air freight. Moreover, more third-party logistics providers are tapping on the China-Laos railway service to provide access to more sustainable services and wider coverage. Policy measures, like maintaining essential services at the borders, promoting multimodal transport, efficiently regulating cross-border freight, and promoting digitalisation, have allowed goods to flow across borders despite domestic lockdowns and other restrictive measures.
Cross-border freight: The key to multimodal logistics
It is too risky to keep supply chain eggs in just one basket, such as only relying on air or ocean freight. By ramping up on cross-border freight, you can implement a multimodal strategy that addresses your business goals and challenges.
Moving forward, efficient and resilient transport and logistics networks are key for economic growth, and by relying on multimodal logistics, business leaders can engage in more affordable and environmentally sustainable logistics services.
Shawn Chen, Vice President Southeast Asia, C.H. Robinson
Meet over 80 top universities from the UK, US and Australia in Bangkok at ‘Hands On Study Abroad Exhibition 2022’
MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022
THE NATION
Hands On, the leading education consultants in Thailand, are proud to bring to you one of the largest study abroad exhibitions in the country: Hands On Study Abroad Exhibition 2022
Date: Saturday November 5, 2022 Time: Noon – 6pm Venue: The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok (BTS Asoke / MRT Sukhumvit) Admission is FREE Register: https://bit.ly/3E9LAIe For more detail, click here.
Why attend?
• Top universities in the world: Over 80 universities from the UK, USA, and Australia including 12 Top 100 universities from the QS World University and Times Higher Education rankings.
• Seminar to prepare for studying abroad
UK Alumni Talk – Find out more about life and study abroad from UK alumni.
IELTS by British Council IELTS
Study in Australia by Austrade
Study at Oregon State University by INTO
Postgrad Business School and Undergrad scholarship by Kaplan
• Get direct feedback on your SoP and/or GTE, and advice on how to improve it
• Speak to an experienced counsellor about your study options and the application process
Example universities attending:
UK
Durham University King’s College London University of Birmingham University of Bristol The University of Edinburgh The University of Manchester University of Leeds University of Sheffield University of Southampton University of Warwick And many more
USA
Clark University Hult International Business School Northeastern University Shoreline Community College St. George’s University – School of Medicine
Australia
Curtin University Griffith University Macquarie University Monash University Murdoch University Swinburne University of Technology The University of Adelaide University of New England (Australia) University of Wollongong UNSW Sydney
Hands On Education Consultants – Thailand’s official representative of universities in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Helping students from Thailand through the application process to further their studies at Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate level, as well on English language courses, completely free of charge.
Experience the technology and NFT use cases on Bitkub Chain at the “Crypto Expo 2022” from Oct 6-9
MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022
THE NATION
Bangkok, September 30, 2022 — Bitkub Blockchain Technology would like to invite you to experience the technology and NFT use cases on Bitkub Chain at Crypto Expo 2022. The expo will take place at Hall 5–6 of Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from October 6 to 9, 10.00 am. – 8.00 pm.
The global adoption of blockchain technology could eventually have a significant impact on every sector of business and industry. Therefore, Crypto Expo 2022 aims to offer an in-depth understanding of blockchain technology and it is an amazing opportunity for users to explore the digital world. In the event, the users can enjoy activities and open a new experience at the Bitkub Chain booth by accomplishing the mission from the EarnKUB platform and claiming special rewards. In addition, after participating in the EarnKUB mission, the users can use their NFT(s) to vote and participate in more activities from Social DAO’s polls and earn special rewards from Bitkub Chain. The NFT airdrop called “Golden Time’’ will be distributed to the participants via QR code scanning on Bitkub NEXT wallet.
On the other part of the event, you could meet up with special speakers such as Mr. Passakorn Pannok, Chief Executive Officer of Bitkub Blockchain Technology to share useful information under the topic “The era of Technological Transformation and the Future of Blockchain”. As blockchain technology and cryptocurrency grow by leaps and bounds, several partners from Bitkub Chain will also attend this event as special guest speakers.
The leaked gas could be smelt about 300 metres around the station.
White fumes of the leaked gas were clearly visible above the hole. Rescue workers doused the hole with water while some were sent to shut off the valve.
One motorist said he was driving at about 60 kilometres per hour when his front wheel fell into a hole and the tyre burst. He said he managed to manoeuvre the car to the side of the road only to find several other cars had suffered the same fate.
Local residents say the Rama II highway has become very dangerous with endless accidents from falling construction debris to cavities in the road.
