The Administrative Court has cleared the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and three other defendants of any responsibility in not providing suitable facilities for disabled people at skytrain stations.
The case went to court in September 2007 when Suporntham Mongkolsawat,the secretary-general of the Council of Disabled People of Thailand, and two others filed a lawsuit naming the BMA,the Bangkok governor, the chief of the Civil Service Commission which comes under the BMA and Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc as defendants.
The four were accused of neglecting their duty by not setting up proper facilities for disabled people, such as lifts and ramps, and providing other facilities.
The BMA granted the concession to run the skytrain to BTS.
Hundreds of disabled people attended the court yesterday to hear the verdict.
The court ruled that although the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act was enacted in 1991, a year before construction work began on the skytrain, there was no regulation at the time demanding that special facilities be installed for disabled people in buildings, public places and the transport sector.
The Interior Ministry issued the appropriate regulation after the con-struction of the skytrain had begun.
The court said the BMA fulfilled its duty later by installing elevators for disabled people at five of the most crowded stations -Asok, Onnuj,Chong Nonsi, Mor Chit and Siam Square - in 1999.
This showed the BMA was not neglecting its duty, the court said.
Mr Suporntham said he would lodge an appeal against the Administrative Court ruling with the Supreme Administrative Court on behalf of all networks for disabled people.
The fight was to ensure equality for disabled people and to encourage government agencies and the private sector to pay more attention to the problems of the underprivileged, the elderly,children and pregnant women, he said.
Mr Suporntham said even though there were many programmes to help disabled people, they were of no use if disabled people were unable to venture out of their homes because of poor facilities.
All networks of disabled people would be asked to conduct a survey and circulate pictures of public places lacking in suitable facilities, he said.
"All humans are born free but the disabled are being deprived of their freedom by a disabled-unfriendly environment," he said."To use the BTS is more difficult than taking a plane and flying overseas these days."
Udomchok Churut, president of the Independent Living Pilot Project in Thailand, a non-governmental organisation supporting disabled people, said five disabled-friendly stations were not enough to help disabled people use the entire skytrain network.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Grandma Hai wins B1.2m in damages
Eighty-year-old grandmother Hai Khanjanta is being awarded 1.2 million baht in compensation after having fought for 30 years to reclaim her land after the construction of a dam.
The cabinet has agreed to pay Mrs Hai, Sua Khamphan and Fong Khanjanta a combined 4.9 million baht for their opportunities lost during the dam construction.
Mr Sua will receive 2.4 million baht and Mr Fong 1.3 million baht.
Mrs Hai opposed the building of Huay Ra Ha dyke from the very start of the project in 1977. The dam, built to provide drinking water to Na Tan district of Ubon Ratchathani, flooded her farm at Ban Non Tan.
She and other villagers had their land returned after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered the demolition of the dam in 2004. However, no compensation was paid to affected residents to rehabilitate their paddy fields.
Yesterday's cabinet approval for the financial compensation did not come easily.
PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said some state agencies argued that the payments would set a precedent for other groups to claim compensation.
"Some state agencies said this case would set a precedent for other affected groups [to claim compensation from the state]," Mr Sathit said."But we don't think so because there will be no other dams that will be ordered demolished by the state."
Mrs Hai praised the Democrat-led government for paying attention to the plight of the poor.
She was glad the government had addressed the problems raised by the Assembly of the Poor.
The woman, who joined the assembly to fight for her land, said past governments had ignored the problems of rural poor.
Asked whether the amount was enough for her family, she said it was not huge as she had fought for 32 years to receive justice.
But she insisted she would not make further demands.
She said she would give the money to her children.
The cabinet has agreed to pay Mrs Hai, Sua Khamphan and Fong Khanjanta a combined 4.9 million baht for their opportunities lost during the dam construction.
Mr Sua will receive 2.4 million baht and Mr Fong 1.3 million baht.
Mrs Hai opposed the building of Huay Ra Ha dyke from the very start of the project in 1977. The dam, built to provide drinking water to Na Tan district of Ubon Ratchathani, flooded her farm at Ban Non Tan.
She and other villagers had their land returned after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered the demolition of the dam in 2004. However, no compensation was paid to affected residents to rehabilitate their paddy fields.
Yesterday's cabinet approval for the financial compensation did not come easily.
PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said some state agencies argued that the payments would set a precedent for other groups to claim compensation.
"Some state agencies said this case would set a precedent for other affected groups [to claim compensation from the state]," Mr Sathit said."But we don't think so because there will be no other dams that will be ordered demolished by the state."
Mrs Hai praised the Democrat-led government for paying attention to the plight of the poor.
She was glad the government had addressed the problems raised by the Assembly of the Poor.
The woman, who joined the assembly to fight for her land, said past governments had ignored the problems of rural poor.
Asked whether the amount was enough for her family, she said it was not huge as she had fought for 32 years to receive justice.
But she insisted she would not make further demands.
She said she would give the money to her children.
RAIL-LINK LAUNCH NOT DELAYED BY PHEU THAI COMPLAINTS, SAYS SRT
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is insisting the launch of the airport-link service will not be delayed by the opposition Pheu Thai Party's complaints about the premier and the interior minister allowing conflicts of interest in the project.
Suphoth Sublom, an SRT board director, said yesterday the project had made a lot of progress and the civil construction work was complete. The SRT is expected to officially start testing the system on December 5, which will run for three months. The service will be officially launched in April.
On Monday, a Pheu Thai MP filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission saying that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul had allowed conflicts of interest in the project because Chaovarat's family members held shares in a construction company.
Pheu Thai's Lamphun MP Sanguan Pongmanee and the party's spokesman Prompong Nopparit claimed that Chaovarat's wife and children held shares in Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, which won the Bt408-million project contract for adding more trimmings to the rail link. The Cabinet had approved the budget on March 10.
Chaovarat, also leader of Bhum Jai Thai Party, argued he had already declared his assets and has had nothing to do with the company for a long time now.
Moreover, he said, since Sino-Thai was a public company, anybody could buy its shares and as his children were all adults, they could do what they wanted with their money.
On March 10, the Cabinet approved the Transport Ministry's request for an additional Bt115 million to hire a consultant to supervise the construction of elevated paths linking the Phya Thai Skytrain station and the Petchaburi subway station to the airport-rail link at Makkasan. This is part of the connection between airport-rail link and the SRT transportation system in the city.
It also approved Bt11 million and Bt87 million for the construction of the paths from Phya Thai station and Petchaburi subway station respectively.
The government will cover the cost of the construction, which should be completed in 15 months.
The Cabinet also approved the expenditure of Bt195 million for the services of an independent safety and system certification engineer for three years. The government will be responsible for this cost as well.
The Cabinet has acknowledged the relocation of public facilities near the airport-rail link, which would cost Bt140 million. The Metropolitan Water Works Authority and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority each will be responsible for relocation costs of Bt83 million and Bt57 million, respectively.
Suphoth Sublom, an SRT board director, said yesterday the project had made a lot of progress and the civil construction work was complete. The SRT is expected to officially start testing the system on December 5, which will run for three months. The service will be officially launched in April.
On Monday, a Pheu Thai MP filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission saying that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul had allowed conflicts of interest in the project because Chaovarat's family members held shares in a construction company.
Pheu Thai's Lamphun MP Sanguan Pongmanee and the party's spokesman Prompong Nopparit claimed that Chaovarat's wife and children held shares in Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, which won the Bt408-million project contract for adding more trimmings to the rail link. The Cabinet had approved the budget on March 10.
Chaovarat, also leader of Bhum Jai Thai Party, argued he had already declared his assets and has had nothing to do with the company for a long time now.
Moreover, he said, since Sino-Thai was a public company, anybody could buy its shares and as his children were all adults, they could do what they wanted with their money.
On March 10, the Cabinet approved the Transport Ministry's request for an additional Bt115 million to hire a consultant to supervise the construction of elevated paths linking the Phya Thai Skytrain station and the Petchaburi subway station to the airport-rail link at Makkasan. This is part of the connection between airport-rail link and the SRT transportation system in the city.
It also approved Bt11 million and Bt87 million for the construction of the paths from Phya Thai station and Petchaburi subway station respectively.
The government will cover the cost of the construction, which should be completed in 15 months.
The Cabinet also approved the expenditure of Bt195 million for the services of an independent safety and system certification engineer for three years. The government will be responsible for this cost as well.
The Cabinet has acknowledged the relocation of public facilities near the airport-rail link, which would cost Bt140 million. The Metropolitan Water Works Authority and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority each will be responsible for relocation costs of Bt83 million and Bt57 million, respectively.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
DUST-FREE ROADS PROJECT ROLLS ON WITH E-AUCTION BIDS
The Rural Roads Department is moving ahead with the first phase of its national sealed road project by taking bids via e-auction.
The e-auction opened on September 8. The second round will be held today and the last on September 21.
Vicharn Kunakoolsawad, director-general of the department, said yesterday the department expects to ink agreements with the bid winners on September 23.
The first phase covers 3,246 kilometres on 901 roads with a budget of Bt14.83 billion, including consulting fees. The work is expected to be complete in the upcoming fiscal year.
The department will construct other phases including 1,983.5 km for Bt1 billion each in 2011 and 2012.
"More than 700 contractors have been registered by the department. We want to allow the public to crosscheck the quality and safety of the projects," Vicharn said.
The government initiated the dust-free road project to create about 70,517 jobs as well as to push its income distribution policy.
It is also expected to save Bt683 million in public health spending caused by dust, Bt484 million in car maintenance costs and Bt5.67 billion per year in fuel consumption by rural people.
The e-auction opened on September 8. The second round will be held today and the last on September 21.
Vicharn Kunakoolsawad, director-general of the department, said yesterday the department expects to ink agreements with the bid winners on September 23.
The first phase covers 3,246 kilometres on 901 roads with a budget of Bt14.83 billion, including consulting fees. The work is expected to be complete in the upcoming fiscal year.
The department will construct other phases including 1,983.5 km for Bt1 billion each in 2011 and 2012.
"More than 700 contractors have been registered by the department. We want to allow the public to crosscheck the quality and safety of the projects," Vicharn said.
The government initiated the dust-free road project to create about 70,517 jobs as well as to push its income distribution policy.
It is also expected to save Bt683 million in public health spending caused by dust, Bt484 million in car maintenance costs and Bt5.67 billion per year in fuel consumption by rural people.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
PLAN TO TACKLE LITTER BUGS IS A GOOD MOVE
People who discard garbage in public places to face fines from next month; provinces should follow suit The city administration has revived a campaign against littering in public places. Since the beginning of this month, pedestrians, commuters and motorists have been warned against discarding garbage in public places. And starting on October 1, offenders will be fined Bt100 for each offence and the fine will be increased after three months, according to Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon.
The Public Cleanliness and Orderliness Act of 1992 sets a maximum fine of Bt2,000 for littering on the road and Bt10,000 for throwing garbage into a waterway. There has been headlines at times when foreign tourists were fined for dropping cigarette butts on the street, but the law has rarely been enforced.
Thirachon warned that city officials may use megaphones to humiliate litterbugs publicly. The tactic was employed when a city-wide campaign against littering was last carried out during the governorship of Bhichit Rattakul about a decade ago. Some Bt5 million in fines were collected from litterbugs at that time.
Fining is done by officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's City Law Enforcement Department, who are known in Thai as "tamruat tessakit", and not by police. The "municipal police" will get half of the fines.
Strict enforcement of the anti-littering law will initially begin at major landmarks and main thoroughfare in all 50 districts of Bangkok.
Bangkok streets are cleaner than they were a few decades ago. In many areas, most of what is strewn on pavements is dead leaves falling from roadside trees.
Visitors from some neighbouring countries express amazement that Bangkok's pavements are mostly free of litter. Possible explanations are that city street sweepers are efficient and most local residents are less inclined to throw garbage out. The actual reason may be one of these or both of them.
But there are still places badly strewn with litter, namely Sanam Luang and the Victory Monument, where several thousands of people travel by, wait for buses and sell things. They are among the most littered places in the city and will be among the locations where the anti-littering law will be strictly enforced.
While pavements are generally clean of litter, pedestrian flyovers and canals are often strewn with discarded objects. Garbage is carelessly dumped on unused land in areas deeper into lanes. The city authorities should also focus on these areas in the next stage of strict law enforcement.
It is really difficult, if not impossible, to make a city of more than 10 million inhabitants be perfectly clean of garbage. However, at least this new campaign is a good beginning towards a cleaner Bangkok. It is an efficient way to discourage people from throwing garbage carelessly.
Strict enforcement of the public cleanliness law should not be limited just to the capital either. Authorities in the provinces must also make use of the law to keep their public places clean.
Citizens should also be educated about public discipline and social responsibility, at which many Thai people are poor. Such education should start at a young age and schoolchildren should be instilled with the benefit of cleanliness and orderliness, both at home and in public places.
The Public Cleanliness and Orderliness Act of 1992 sets a maximum fine of Bt2,000 for littering on the road and Bt10,000 for throwing garbage into a waterway. There has been headlines at times when foreign tourists were fined for dropping cigarette butts on the street, but the law has rarely been enforced.
Thirachon warned that city officials may use megaphones to humiliate litterbugs publicly. The tactic was employed when a city-wide campaign against littering was last carried out during the governorship of Bhichit Rattakul about a decade ago. Some Bt5 million in fines were collected from litterbugs at that time.
Fining is done by officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's City Law Enforcement Department, who are known in Thai as "tamruat tessakit", and not by police. The "municipal police" will get half of the fines.
Strict enforcement of the anti-littering law will initially begin at major landmarks and main thoroughfare in all 50 districts of Bangkok.
Bangkok streets are cleaner than they were a few decades ago. In many areas, most of what is strewn on pavements is dead leaves falling from roadside trees.
Visitors from some neighbouring countries express amazement that Bangkok's pavements are mostly free of litter. Possible explanations are that city street sweepers are efficient and most local residents are less inclined to throw garbage out. The actual reason may be one of these or both of them.
But there are still places badly strewn with litter, namely Sanam Luang and the Victory Monument, where several thousands of people travel by, wait for buses and sell things. They are among the most littered places in the city and will be among the locations where the anti-littering law will be strictly enforced.
While pavements are generally clean of litter, pedestrian flyovers and canals are often strewn with discarded objects. Garbage is carelessly dumped on unused land in areas deeper into lanes. The city authorities should also focus on these areas in the next stage of strict law enforcement.
It is really difficult, if not impossible, to make a city of more than 10 million inhabitants be perfectly clean of garbage. However, at least this new campaign is a good beginning towards a cleaner Bangkok. It is an efficient way to discourage people from throwing garbage carelessly.
Strict enforcement of the public cleanliness law should not be limited just to the capital either. Authorities in the provinces must also make use of the law to keep their public places clean.
Citizens should also be educated about public discipline and social responsibility, at which many Thai people are poor. Such education should start at a young age and schoolchildren should be instilled with the benefit of cleanliness and orderliness, both at home and in public places.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Infrastructure in Bangladesh ranks among worst
Infrastructure in Bangladesh ranks among the worst in the world, ranking 126th among 133 nations, according to the Global Competitiveness Report 2009-10.
Bangladesh ranked 122nd out of the 134 countries surveyed last year.
However, the country moved up 5 notches in the overall index, from last year's 111th position.
Bangladesh lags behind its South Asian neighbours: India ranked 49, a step better than last year, Pakistan remained unchanged at 101 and Sri Lanka stood at 79, down from last year's 77th position.
"The Global Competitiveness Report" (GCR) is an annual publication of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a partner organisation of the WEF, also released the "Bangladesh Business Environment Study 2009" that it conducted simultaneously. Infrastructure is one of the 12 parameters taken into account for the report.
"The poor supply of electricity was the major concern for almost all respondents [98 per cent]," the report says.
More importantly, a significant deterioration in the level of perception occured in 2008.
"The caretaker government failed to narrow the yawning demand-supply gap in electricity, although a number of electricity generation projects, with a total capacity of 1,200 megawatts, were initiated in 2007 and 2008," the report says.
The GCR shows more than 80 per cent businessmen said infrastructure remained largely underdeveloped in 2008. They also said railroads and air transport facilities remain poor in the country.
"Bangladesh performs well in the worst group," said Bhattacharya.
"Infrastructure is the number one threat, even a more serious problem than corruption," he said.
Bangladesh can attribute advancements in the overall ranking to progress made in macroeconomic stability, government and other public institutions and improvements in the financial market, despite global meltdown.
Most respondents said foreign direct investment-related rules were favourable to attract investment.
Two-thirds of the respondents also said an access to bank finance with a good business plan is not enough.
On the business operation and sophistication index, over 60 percent of the companies found there was fierce competition in the local market.
Bangladesh did not demonstrate improvements in education, human capital and corruption indicators.
Bangladesh ranked 122nd out of the 134 countries surveyed last year.
However, the country moved up 5 notches in the overall index, from last year's 111th position.
Bangladesh lags behind its South Asian neighbours: India ranked 49, a step better than last year, Pakistan remained unchanged at 101 and Sri Lanka stood at 79, down from last year's 77th position.
"The Global Competitiveness Report" (GCR) is an annual publication of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a partner organisation of the WEF, also released the "Bangladesh Business Environment Study 2009" that it conducted simultaneously. Infrastructure is one of the 12 parameters taken into account for the report.
"The poor supply of electricity was the major concern for almost all respondents [98 per cent]," the report says.
More importantly, a significant deterioration in the level of perception occured in 2008.
"The caretaker government failed to narrow the yawning demand-supply gap in electricity, although a number of electricity generation projects, with a total capacity of 1,200 megawatts, were initiated in 2007 and 2008," the report says.
The GCR shows more than 80 per cent businessmen said infrastructure remained largely underdeveloped in 2008. They also said railroads and air transport facilities remain poor in the country.
"Bangladesh performs well in the worst group," said Bhattacharya.
"Infrastructure is the number one threat, even a more serious problem than corruption," he said.
Bangladesh can attribute advancements in the overall ranking to progress made in macroeconomic stability, government and other public institutions and improvements in the financial market, despite global meltdown.
Most respondents said foreign direct investment-related rules were favourable to attract investment.
Two-thirds of the respondents also said an access to bank finance with a good business plan is not enough.
On the business operation and sophistication index, over 60 percent of the companies found there was fierce competition in the local market.
Bangladesh did not demonstrate improvements in education, human capital and corruption indicators.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Indian villagers take over govt road project
Frustrated villagers in northeast India have grabbed spades and axes and started building their own road to the local town after 20 years of government delays, a newspaper reported yesterday.
About 750 residents from seven villages are working on the 25km route to connect them to Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya, said the Hindustan Times ."Last month, we decided that we had waited long enough," Tyllilang Mukhim,a village elder from Nonglatem, told the newspaper, which published pictures of dozens of women preparing the rough ground using basic hand tools.
"Almost all of us grow a variety of vegetables, rice, ginger ... and it is not possible to take them to the market before they rot," Mr Mukhim said.
The villagers plan to finish the job within 25 days. The road-building project was first started by the state government in 1989. State government officials blamed lack of funds for their failure to complete the job.
About 750 residents from seven villages are working on the 25km route to connect them to Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya, said the Hindustan Times ."Last month, we decided that we had waited long enough," Tyllilang Mukhim,a village elder from Nonglatem, told the newspaper, which published pictures of dozens of women preparing the rough ground using basic hand tools.
"Almost all of us grow a variety of vegetables, rice, ginger ... and it is not possible to take them to the market before they rot," Mr Mukhim said.
The villagers plan to finish the job within 25 days. The road-building project was first started by the state government in 1989. State government officials blamed lack of funds for their failure to complete the job.
Monday, September 7, 2009
FIRST INFRASTRUCTURE FUND TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT YEAR
Thailand's first ever infrastructure fund - to finance construction of the 34-kilometre Srirasmi Expressway from Bang Sue to Taling Chan - will be unveiled around the second or third quarter next year.
Prapa Puranachote, senior executive vice president and chief provident-fund business officer at Krung Thai Asset Management (KTAM), said the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) would take responsibility for paying an annual dividend to unit-trust holders of the fund during the construction period, which is expected to last four years. KTAM will manage the Bt20-billion fund.
However, whether the minimum annual guarantee will be provided to the unit-trust holders has not yet been determined.
EXAT will manage fresh capital arising from the fund sales. For instance, the company might utilise 10 per cent of the capital to finance construction in the first year and it might allocate the remainder in other investment instruments to pay dividends to the unit-trust holders.
KTAM has jointly worked out details of the 30-year-maturity fund issuance to finance the Srirasmi Expressway with EXAT over the past three to four years.
The Securities and Exchange Commission gave the nod last October to asset-management companies setting up infrastructure funds to invest in completed projects generating revenue or projects under construction and scheduled to start operations.
An infrastructure fund based on existing projects should have a minimum size of Bt5 billion and must have at least 250 unit-trust holders, with limits on the maximum shareholding of any one investor. Foreign investors are restricted to holding 49 per cent of total outstanding units.
Prapa said the authorities planned to expropriate land from those who live in the construction area next year. The expropriation will be subject to Cabinet approval.
"The government will support the expropriation budget of Bt9 billion, while the construction budget of Bt20 billion will be raised in one transaction," she said.
The expected return for the 34-km expressway is based on an assumption of initial traffic of around 80,000 vehicles a day with 2-per-cent growth per year.
Investors will be able to select whether they want a fixed or floating return. The floating return will be tied to the minimum lending rate.
Prapa added that the return should be half a percentage point higher than the 30-year government bond, now being offered at 4.8 per cent per annum.
EXAT can make early redemption but the company would have to specify the price in advance.
On a separate matter, Prapa said KTAM would this year roll out a Bt1.7-billion property fund to invest in a high-end hotel in Phuket. The hotel's occupancy rate now stands at 65 per cent and the minimum room rate is higher than Bt10,000 per night for a standard room.
Most of the hotel's customers are foreign tourists.
"Currently we are negotiating with the hotel owner about the minimum return guarantee that will be offered to investors," Prapa said.
KTAM will launch another property fund at the beginning of next year. The fund of more than Bt5 billion will invest in a luxury hotel in Chiang Mai.
The Securities and Exchange Commission gave the nod last October to asset-management companies setiing up infrastructure funds to invest in completed projects generating revenue or projects under construction and scheduled to start operations.
Prapa Puranachote, senior executive vice president and chief provident-fund business officer at Krung Thai Asset Management (KTAM), said the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) would take responsibility for paying an annual dividend to unit-trust holders of the fund during the construction period, which is expected to last four years. KTAM will manage the Bt20-billion fund.
However, whether the minimum annual guarantee will be provided to the unit-trust holders has not yet been determined.
EXAT will manage fresh capital arising from the fund sales. For instance, the company might utilise 10 per cent of the capital to finance construction in the first year and it might allocate the remainder in other investment instruments to pay dividends to the unit-trust holders.
KTAM has jointly worked out details of the 30-year-maturity fund issuance to finance the Srirasmi Expressway with EXAT over the past three to four years.
The Securities and Exchange Commission gave the nod last October to asset-management companies setting up infrastructure funds to invest in completed projects generating revenue or projects under construction and scheduled to start operations.
An infrastructure fund based on existing projects should have a minimum size of Bt5 billion and must have at least 250 unit-trust holders, with limits on the maximum shareholding of any one investor. Foreign investors are restricted to holding 49 per cent of total outstanding units.
Prapa said the authorities planned to expropriate land from those who live in the construction area next year. The expropriation will be subject to Cabinet approval.
"The government will support the expropriation budget of Bt9 billion, while the construction budget of Bt20 billion will be raised in one transaction," she said.
The expected return for the 34-km expressway is based on an assumption of initial traffic of around 80,000 vehicles a day with 2-per-cent growth per year.
Investors will be able to select whether they want a fixed or floating return. The floating return will be tied to the minimum lending rate.
Prapa added that the return should be half a percentage point higher than the 30-year government bond, now being offered at 4.8 per cent per annum.
EXAT can make early redemption but the company would have to specify the price in advance.
On a separate matter, Prapa said KTAM would this year roll out a Bt1.7-billion property fund to invest in a high-end hotel in Phuket. The hotel's occupancy rate now stands at 65 per cent and the minimum room rate is higher than Bt10,000 per night for a standard room.
Most of the hotel's customers are foreign tourists.
"Currently we are negotiating with the hotel owner about the minimum return guarantee that will be offered to investors," Prapa said.
KTAM will launch another property fund at the beginning of next year. The fund of more than Bt5 billion will invest in a luxury hotel in Chiang Mai.
The Securities and Exchange Commission gave the nod last October to asset-management companies setiing up infrastructure funds to invest in completed projects generating revenue or projects under construction and scheduled to start operations.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Ministry of Commerce commits 2 billion baht to drive Thai logistics
Logistics is one of the key elements of trade and investment relations being developed by ASEAN, including ASEAN+3, ASEAN+6 and ASEAN-China and in relation to ASEAN countries around the Mekong Region.
Related projects being discussed at the ASEAN level cover border agreements dealing with cargo. A network of distribution centres, transit stations and cargo portals supporting international trade is also being developed. Various projects will also support maritime trade, including adoption of incoterms and multiple transport forms. Collaboration between the public and private sectors in developing infrastructure and providing logistics is being encouraged.
In this connection. the Thai government has devoloped a program of related economic incentives involving a budget of over US$2 billion. The money will be used to develop logistics systems around the country, with emphasis on improving rail and water transportation. The possibility of joint venture projects with private companies in China under the supervision of the Chinese government to develop high-speed rail systems and para-rail systems linking maritime transport with rail systems in southern China is also being looked at. Meanwhile, the rail system from northeast Thailand to Laem Chabang Deep-Sea Port is also being developed and both projects are expected to progress considerably following the impending visit of Thai Commerce Minister, Korbsak Sabhavasu, to China.
The Deputy Minister added that: By the end of this year, our logistics trade policies will be implemented in two ways, offensively and defensively. Defensive implementation involves creating new logistics pathways to target countries, including both standard and advanced formats, so as to stimulate trade in various targeted regions."
Defensive implementation will also extend to encouraging Thai logistics companies to find solutions to their liquidity problems with help from the Small and Medium Enterprises Devolopment Bank of Thailand (SME Bank). A logistics management network will be established under two groups, namely Thai Logistics Alliance Co., Ltd. (TLA), comprising 31 members, and Siam Logistics Alliance Co., Ltd. (SLA) comprising 26 members. The objective here is to expand water - and rail-based transportation services and encourage more widespread use by reducing costs and increasing efficiency and customer service.
Among the top priority projects is Pakbara Deep-Sea Port in Satun province which will be developed as part of efforts to open up trade routes to the BIMTEC group comprising India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand. Backed by full business incentives, the new port will be a gateway to economic development for the five southern border provinces of Thailand. It will promote trade between Thailand and India, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, thereby advancing Thailand's competitiveness in doing business with the West.
The Thai economy and society are inextricably linked to the rest of the world. Therefore, we must adapt in order to develop. It we make the most of the opportunities presented by globalisation now by enlisting the help and cooperation of all citizens, our prospects for the future should be brighter than ever.
Ministry of Commerce
www.moc.go.th
As Chairman of Logistics Trade, Deputy Commerce Minister Mr. Alongkorn Pollabutr said: "We expect to see rapid progress in implementing the free trade plans within 2009. Thailand will become capable of providing far more sophisticated logistics services to ASEAN members. In order to build the momentum for more active ASEAN markets, we will encourage the private sector to get involved. With this in place, we expect to see Thailand's intra-ASEAN trade growing at a rate of at least 10-20% annually"
Related projects being discussed at the ASEAN level cover border agreements dealing with cargo. A network of distribution centres, transit stations and cargo portals supporting international trade is also being developed. Various projects will also support maritime trade, including adoption of incoterms and multiple transport forms. Collaboration between the public and private sectors in developing infrastructure and providing logistics is being encouraged.
In this connection. the Thai government has devoloped a program of related economic incentives involving a budget of over US$2 billion. The money will be used to develop logistics systems around the country, with emphasis on improving rail and water transportation. The possibility of joint venture projects with private companies in China under the supervision of the Chinese government to develop high-speed rail systems and para-rail systems linking maritime transport with rail systems in southern China is also being looked at. Meanwhile, the rail system from northeast Thailand to Laem Chabang Deep-Sea Port is also being developed and both projects are expected to progress considerably following the impending visit of Thai Commerce Minister, Korbsak Sabhavasu, to China.
The Deputy Minister added that: By the end of this year, our logistics trade policies will be implemented in two ways, offensively and defensively. Defensive implementation involves creating new logistics pathways to target countries, including both standard and advanced formats, so as to stimulate trade in various targeted regions."
Defensive implementation will also extend to encouraging Thai logistics companies to find solutions to their liquidity problems with help from the Small and Medium Enterprises Devolopment Bank of Thailand (SME Bank). A logistics management network will be established under two groups, namely Thai Logistics Alliance Co., Ltd. (TLA), comprising 31 members, and Siam Logistics Alliance Co., Ltd. (SLA) comprising 26 members. The objective here is to expand water - and rail-based transportation services and encourage more widespread use by reducing costs and increasing efficiency and customer service.
Among the top priority projects is Pakbara Deep-Sea Port in Satun province which will be developed as part of efforts to open up trade routes to the BIMTEC group comprising India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand. Backed by full business incentives, the new port will be a gateway to economic development for the five southern border provinces of Thailand. It will promote trade between Thailand and India, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, thereby advancing Thailand's competitiveness in doing business with the West.
The Thai economy and society are inextricably linked to the rest of the world. Therefore, we must adapt in order to develop. It we make the most of the opportunities presented by globalisation now by enlisting the help and cooperation of all citizens, our prospects for the future should be brighter than ever.
Ministry of Commerce
www.moc.go.th
As Chairman of Logistics Trade, Deputy Commerce Minister Mr. Alongkorn Pollabutr said: "We expect to see rapid progress in implementing the free trade plans within 2009. Thailand will become capable of providing far more sophisticated logistics services to ASEAN members. In order to build the momentum for more active ASEAN markets, we will encourage the private sector to get involved. With this in place, we expect to see Thailand's intra-ASEAN trade growing at a rate of at least 10-20% annually"
Friday, September 4, 2009
Remain calm amid chaos, says governor
Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra is calling on motorists to remain calm after roadworks on the Ratchayothin flyover caused chaos during rush-hour traffic.
The one-month closure of the flyover's inbound section on Ratchadaphisek Road started yesterday.
The flyover crosses Phahon Yothin Road, a traffic hotspot during rush hour.
MR Sukhumbhand said the closure of the inbound lanes heading to the Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection would lead to severe delays from 7am to 8.30am.
Motorists should be patient as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had to make the repairs for safety reasons after parts of the flyover's surface had eroded, revealing steel plates which became slippery when wet, he said.
Deputy Bangkok police chief Phanu Kerdlarppol said the traffic backup on Phahon Yothin Road yesterday stretched for several kilometres from 7am to 7.30am.
Repairs on the inbound lanes were scheduled to be finished and the flyover reopened to traffic within 15 days.
The outbound lanes would then be closed for repairs for the next 15 days.
Vehicles using the half-closed flyover were given a longer green light to relieve traffic.
But this meant a longer wait for traffic on the intersecting Phahon Yothin Road,Pol Maj Gen Phanu said.
Traffic police would adjust the traffic flow in the area to reduce congestion,the officer said.
Motorists should avoid the area and use the adjacent Vibhavadi Rangsit Road instead, he said.
Maintenance of the flyover started by removing the worn surface, which would later be relaid and increased to a thickness of 25 millimetres from eight millimetres.
City Hall would not repaint the flyover as it would be pulled down when the MRT Green Line was completed.
The project would involve building an underpass at the Ratchayothin intersection.
The city administration plans to close 13 flyovers for maintenance or reconstruction over the next 10 months.
The one-month closure of the flyover's inbound section on Ratchadaphisek Road started yesterday.
The flyover crosses Phahon Yothin Road, a traffic hotspot during rush hour.
MR Sukhumbhand said the closure of the inbound lanes heading to the Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection would lead to severe delays from 7am to 8.30am.
Motorists should be patient as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration had to make the repairs for safety reasons after parts of the flyover's surface had eroded, revealing steel plates which became slippery when wet, he said.
Deputy Bangkok police chief Phanu Kerdlarppol said the traffic backup on Phahon Yothin Road yesterday stretched for several kilometres from 7am to 7.30am.
Repairs on the inbound lanes were scheduled to be finished and the flyover reopened to traffic within 15 days.
The outbound lanes would then be closed for repairs for the next 15 days.
Vehicles using the half-closed flyover were given a longer green light to relieve traffic.
But this meant a longer wait for traffic on the intersecting Phahon Yothin Road,Pol Maj Gen Phanu said.
Traffic police would adjust the traffic flow in the area to reduce congestion,the officer said.
Motorists should avoid the area and use the adjacent Vibhavadi Rangsit Road instead, he said.
Maintenance of the flyover started by removing the worn surface, which would later be relaid and increased to a thickness of 25 millimetres from eight millimetres.
City Hall would not repaint the flyover as it would be pulled down when the MRT Green Line was completed.
The project would involve building an underpass at the Ratchayothin intersection.
The city administration plans to close 13 flyovers for maintenance or reconstruction over the next 10 months.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
BT20-BN HIGHWAY REPAIR PLAN IN PIPELINE
The Highways Department is speeding up spending of its Bt20-billion budget to repair highways nationwide as part of its 'Straighten Thailand' scheme.
The first agreement for repairing highways is to be signed on September 9, department director-general Supoj Saplom said.
The Cabinet recently approved the economic stimulus package II under the 'Strong Thailand' scheme. Out of the total Bt200-billion package for the first allotment, about Bt23.63 billion has been allocated for the Highways Department. The amount would be used for repairing highways nationwide from now to next year.
Supoj said the first priority is to repair highways nationwide with a total budget of Bt20 billion. The rest of the budget will be used for other programmes related to highways improvement.
He said the department would sign a contract each for fixing highways in all provinces. Repairs and construction will be completed in four to six months.
About 63,000 kilometres of the highways would be repaired with a total budget of Bt13.53 billion, of which Bt10.15 billion will be used up this year and Bt3.39 next year.
For the main highways, there will be 22 projects, including road networks for a combined 291.14 kilometres worth Bt1.56 billion, of which Bt353 million will be used this year and the remaining Bt1.21 billion for next year. The highways improvement plan for 27 provinces will comprise 36 projects.
The first agreement for repairing highways is to be signed on September 9, department director-general Supoj Saplom said.
The Cabinet recently approved the economic stimulus package II under the 'Strong Thailand' scheme. Out of the total Bt200-billion package for the first allotment, about Bt23.63 billion has been allocated for the Highways Department. The amount would be used for repairing highways nationwide from now to next year.
Supoj said the first priority is to repair highways nationwide with a total budget of Bt20 billion. The rest of the budget will be used for other programmes related to highways improvement.
He said the department would sign a contract each for fixing highways in all provinces. Repairs and construction will be completed in four to six months.
About 63,000 kilometres of the highways would be repaired with a total budget of Bt13.53 billion, of which Bt10.15 billion will be used up this year and Bt3.39 next year.
For the main highways, there will be 22 projects, including road networks for a combined 291.14 kilometres worth Bt1.56 billion, of which Bt353 million will be used this year and the remaining Bt1.21 billion for next year. The highways improvement plan for 27 provinces will comprise 36 projects.
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