Despite efforts to improve service efficiency, the Airport Rail Link (ARL) in Thailand continues to face challenges, including declining ridership and significant financial losses. The ARL, operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), has reported a staggering monthly loss of 70 million baht, primarily due to a drop in passenger numbers compared to pre-pandemic times. In 2019, approximately 2.5 million commuters utilized the ARL each month. However, this number has plummeted by 25%, with only 1.87 million passengers per month currently. The decrease in ridership has been attributed to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted travel plans and activities around the world. To address these challenges, the SRT decided to join forces with a private company, Asia Era One. In October 2021, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that allowed Asia Era One, the concessionaire for the high-speed rail system linking the three airports, to…
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A tragic incident occurred in Sangkhla Buri district of Kanchanaburi province late Wednesday night, when an illegal migrant from Myanmar was killed and 10 others were apprehended following the overturning of a pickup truck smuggling them. A police officer was also injured after being struck by one of the three pickup trucks involved in the smuggling operation. At around 10pm, a joint team consisting of soldiers, police, and local authorities noticed three suspicious pickup trucks speeding along a local road at Sanehpong village, Moo 3, in tambon Nong Lu. The officers signaled the vehicles to halt for an inspection; however, the drivers chose to accelerate and evade capture instead. During the pursuit, one of the trucks hit Pol Capt Pathiphan Yawan, deputy crime suppression chief at Sangkhla Buri station, resulting in his urgent transportation to Sangkhla Buri Hospital for treatment. Not long after the initial confrontation, the team was alerted…
The Election Commission has recently made the decision to dismiss multiple petitions that urged the examination of the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign promise of providing a 10,000-baht digital handout to all citizens aged 16 and above. These petitions inquired if this bold promise was in violation of Section 73 of the Member of Parliament election laws. Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a former election nominee of the Palang Pracharath Party, and Sonthiya Sawasdee, a former consultant to the House committee on law, justice, and human rights, were the individuals who initiated these petitions. Section 73 of the law clearly forbids election contenders or anyone acting on their behalf from promising voters any form of assets, money, or other advantages. Moreover, it bans them from providing misleading information about their policies. This section also states that a political party may be dissolved…
The Cabinet recently approved the extension of employment contracts for over 200,000 migrant workers, allowing them to retain their jobs until the new government assumes office, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam announced. The decision extends the employment opportunities for workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Initially, the Cabinet had denied the Labour Ministry’s request for an extension, as they believed it could impose an excessive burden of responsibility on the upcoming government, which should make its decision regarding the matter. However, the Cabinet changed its position and granted the extension due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the government’s formation, which could result in a significant labor shortage. Wissanu explained that if the extension wasn’t granted, migrant workers would have had to return to their home countries and wait for the government to take power before resuming their jobs in their host nation. He emphasized that the contract extension would only…
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on revealed that he plans to resign as Democrat secretary-general after the party chooses its new leader and executives on July 13. The decision on whether to select a younger individual as the party’s new leader will be left to a committee during the general assembly. Jurin Laksanawisit announced his resignation as party leader after the May 14 election’s unofficial results revealed the country’s oldest party had won far fewer House seats than anticipated. When questioned about the likelihood of the party forming a political alliance with Pheu Thai, should the Move Forward Party fail to obtain sufficient support from parliament members for a new coalition, Mr. Chalermchai said such an arrangement would require approval through a formal party resolution. Upon leaving his role as secretary-general, Mr. Chalermchai plans to continue as a general member. He also dismissed rumors that the Democrats have engaged in…
The island province of Phuket has experienced a significant increase in Covid-19 infections over the past month, according to the Provincial Public Health Office. Deputy Chief Dr. Muanprae Boonlorm cites the prevalence of cases treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital following the Songkran holiday in mid-April as a major contributor to this surge. Furthermore, the number of hospitalizations for pneumonia and Covid-19-related fatalities have risen compared to the February to March period. Dr. Muanprae suggests that this surge in cases is likely due to the populace’s complacency regarding preventative measures and a lack of fourth or fifth booster shots. Many of those who have succumbed to the infection between April and the present month were part of the “608” at-risk group, which includes individuals aged 60 and older, those with underlying conditions, and pregnant women. A large portion of this group was found to be either unvaccinated or under-vaccinated, with some…
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) are joining forces with Interpol to create a coordination center focused on combating human trafficking rings in Southeast Asia. In a recent meeting at the Interpol Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore, high-ranking police officials discussed the pressing issue of human trafficking and online sexual abuse of minors, which has become rampant in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, assisting human trafficking victims has become increasingly challenging, and the number of crime syndicates continues to grow. Interpol’s assistance, however, remains crucial through its coordination with international police based in Thailand and the RTP. Together, Thai police and Interpol have closed 12 human trafficking cases in Myanmar and have provided aid to 88 victims of different nationalities. Efforts are ongoing in nine other cases. In order to strengthen the fight against human trafficking, Interpol plans…
As pressure continues to build on the operators of Bangkok’s Green and Yellow lines, calls for the construction of a vital 2.6-kilometer link between the two electric train systems are growing louder. This missing link would significantly simplify the commuting experience for passengers wishing to change lines at Ratchayothin and Lat Phrao stations. Set to begin operations later this year, the Yellow Line monorail will serve as a crucial mass-transit connection for commuters residing in Bangkok’s northern and eastern suburbs. Currently, without the missing link in place, passengers must reroute their journeys through the Blue Line to transfer from the Green Line to the Yellow Line, which subsequently increases their travel expenses. A proposal for the construction of the missing link between these lines, which had already been approved in an environmental impact assessment (EIA) six years prior, has seemingly stalled. As per the proposal, the missing segment would span…
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat recently held a press conference and shed light on the ongoing developments of his party, particularly on the matter of the House Speaker post. He emphasized that the Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai Party will exclusively address this issue. “Regarding the House Speaker, the Pheu Thai Party and Move Forward Party will engage in discussions, with the shared understanding that it will not impede the formation of the government,” Mr Pita stated. The remarks followed a meeting among seven coalition partners to discuss ministry quotas at the Prachachart Party meeting room. Although the House Speaker issue was scheduled, it was not discussed during the gathering. Mr Pita explained that the primary focus of the coalition partners is to ensure that they are well-prepared to govern the country and act in the best interests of the people. As the Election Commission (EC) has…
The Department of Healthcare Services has expanded its coverage to include 50 items, up from the previous 30, with updated rates effective from June 1st. This decision was made in response to the significant advancements in medical practices, as explained by Kulaya Tantitemit, the department director-general. The aim is to ensure that eligible individuals and their families have access to necessary and appropriate medical services, in line with recent developments in the healthcare sector. The updated coverage mainly affects Category 8, which pertains to diagnostic imaging and radiation treatment services. A working committee, comprising representatives from various healthcare organizations in Thailand, is currently tasked with the responsibility of reviewing and updating the list and rates for healthcare services eligible for reimbursement under the government officials’ healthcare benefits program. As part of the updated coverage, the number of eligible radiation treatment services will be increased from 30 to 50 items. This…