News from Thailand – September 15, 2013
This is it, the damaged painting that – so the superstition goes – is responsible for the many derailments on Thailand's rail network. The 48-year-old painting hangs in the headquarters of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). It is clearly visible that it is damaged at the rails - and that cannot be a coincidence (see also photo homepage).
Starting tomorrow, the SRT will repair the section of track between Sila-art station (Uttaradit) and Chiang Mai for 45 days. This is where most of the derailments took place. In the first phase of the work, sharp bends will be corrected [?] and old sleepers and rails will be replaced.
In phase 2, after 15 days, the four tunnels on the route will be overhauled: the partly earthen bed on which the rails lie will be reinforced and the wooden sleepers will be replaced by concrete ones. According to the article, they are slightly higher than the wooden ones, so it is hoped that after repairs the train will still be able to pass through the tunnels. Or are we now getting trains that get stuck against the tunnel roof? The longest tunnel of the four, the Khan Tan, measures 1 kilometer.
Ten buses are deployed between the two stations. They have to transport the 2.000 passengers who normally travel between Bangkok and Chiang Mai every day. Two train services are canceled altogether due to the unfavorable arrival time: the 18pm train from Bangkok (arrival Silpa-art 1.57:19.35am) and the 3.27:XNUMXpm train (XNUMX:XNUMXam).
– More than six hundred rubber farmers erected two roadblocks in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday: on highway 41 and at the Khuan Nong Hong intersection, 10 kilometers away, places they had previously occupied. The farmers demand that Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok, who is in charge of the rubber issue, sign an agreement with the farmers.
But the peasant front is divided. Yesterday, representatives of fourteen southern provinces, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi met in Nakhon Si Thammarat with Thawach Boonfueang, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister. Five provinces signed an agreement with him, the remaining eleven refused because Pracha was not there. According to the dissidents, they are nevertheless satisfied with the government's offer: a subsidy of 2.520 baht per rai, provided that it also applies to farmers who do not own their plantation.
And that's where the shoe pinches. Pramuan Pongtawaradej, Member of Parliament for Prachuap Khiri Khan (Democrats), said numerous farmers have long been involved in legal proceedings with the government over land ownership. According to those farmers, they were already working on the land before it was declared a protected forest area. Without clear guidelines from the government, he expects new protests to flare up.
Three hundred farmers gathered at the Thammarat market in Bang Saphan (Prachuap Khiri Khan) yesterday. They demanded clarity from the government about the decision [which would have been taken] to also pay the subsidy to farmers who do not own the land. According to them, it concerns an area of 160.000 rai in Bang Saphan and Bang Saphan Noi.
– The Board of Directors of Thai Airways International (THAI) has decided not to sell a written-off Airbus A340-500s to the British company AvCon Worldwide Ltd, which acts on behalf of a Saudi Arabian prince. The book value of the device is $66 million, but THAI would only get $23 million for it.
According to the consultant, that book value is grossly exaggerated. The current market price, taking into account the number of flight hours, ranges from 15 to 18 million dollars. In addition, the aircraft in question is poorly maintained and the permit to fly has expired. A source at THAI confirms that the book value is too high, but the Board nevertheless thinks the offer is too low. A deposit has already been made on the device. THAI tried to refund it, but AvCon didn't take the money back. The device should have been delivered at the end of last month.
THAI put up for sale four written-off Airbus A340-500s at the beginning of this year. AvCon had wanted to buy all four, but THAI only agreed to sell one device. According to THAI President Sorajak Kasemsuvan, THAI was not aware that the Saudi prince was the buyer, but an AvCon source says the prince had confirmed the purchase in writing and that confirmation was attached to AvCon's formal offer.
A PR man from AvCon says the Saudi prince hoped the sale would improve relations between the two countries. It has been seriously disrupted since 1989 when a Thai man who worked in Prince Faisal's palace stole jewelry. And there is also an issue with Saudis murdered in Bangkok. In both cases, Thailand has not brought any clarity. A source at THAI believes the buyer's name was disclosed by AvCon in an effort to keep the sale price low.
– Two soldiers were killed and four others injured in a bomb attack in Khok Pho (Pattani) yesterday morning. The soldiers were in a pickup truck. The message gives no further details.
Since violence erupted in the South in 2004, 5.377 people have been killed and 9.513 injured, according to Deep South Watch figures. Government employees have been the main target for the past eight months. Until August 18 this year, 226 people were killed and 550 people were injured: 98 civilians and 128 people in public service. It is the first time that the number of civilian casualties is smaller than the number of casualties among government employees. Most incidents occurred on routes that are regularly patrolled. Narathiwat province had the highest number of attacks.
According to the Royal Thai Police, the insurgents are now mainly killing government officials in an attempt to gain support from the population and strengthen their negotiating position in the peace dialogue with the government.
– Parts of Koh Chang (Trat) are under water, making some tourist attractions inaccessible, such as Ban Salak Kok, Ban Salad Petch and Ban Jek Bae. There is 80 cm of water as a result of water that has flowed from the mountains. When the water continues to rise, access to Khlong Plu waterfall will be closed.
The National Disaster Warning Center has issued heavy rain warnings for four eastern provinces: Trat, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri and Chanthaburi.
– Chairman Prasong Weruwana of the TAO Tha Dokkam (municipal council) in Bung Kan province has some explaining to do because his house is protected phayung found: 600 blocks worth 500 million baht. They would be smuggled into Laos.
– In Wat Bot (Phitsanulok) large amounts of burnt rice were found on the side of a road. The authorities are investigating whether there has been fraud in the rice mortgage system. A man who has a paddy field nearby has seen men dump sacks and set them on fire on a plot owned by a rice miller.
– The poachers who killed two forest rangers in Umphang Game Reserve (Tak) on Thursday are willing to turn themselves in. They have informed the village chief of Ban Sibabo, but time and place are not yet confirmed. A poacher was also killed in the firefight and two forest rangers were wounded. The poachers are said to be Hmong. One of the poachers was arrested Friday. The reserve is still being combed for the three remaining poachers.
– During a forum yesterday about the admission system of universities, speakers have called for an end to the universities' own entrance exams, outside of the central exam. This would favor children from wealthy families, as they can pay the exam fees and afford the additional expenses (tutoring, travel and accommodation costs).
Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng (Education) has instructed the relevant education services to better link the central exam to what the students learn at school, so that students do not have to take extra lessons.
The president of the Parent-Youth Network for Education Reform is challenging the minister to set a quota for the universities. He points out that they earn well from their own entrance exam.
Varies
– Bangkok now has more than 8 million registered cars, including the 715.000 registered in July. Last year, 1.072.040 cars were registered after the government's first-car program came into effect. A report from the municipality's Traffic and Transportation Department shows that the average speed of cars during rush hours has decreased over the past 3 years.
The top five where the decrease was highest: Ngam Wong Wan Road (from 39,95 km/h to 24,34 km/h), Si Ayutthaya Road (18,6-14,34), Sukhumvit Road (16,16 -13.15), Phahon Yotin Road (25,32-22,02) and Ratchadaphisek Road (40,42-33,34).
September 22 is World Car Free Day. The municipality hopes that Bangkokians will leave their cars behind that day and take public transport. The municipality sells pins ad 50 baht with the text 'Bangkok Car Free Day 2013'. The proceeds go to the Chaipattana foundation. Those who wear a pin are entitled to free public transport from 6am to midnight on the 24nd.
Cyclists gather at Sanam Luang in the morning for a trip to CentralWorld. 20.000 cyclists are expected. They are going to form a formation on Sanam Luang that symbolizes the Thai flag. A cycling tour is also being held today; which leads on a historic route.
Comments
– Thailand has reached a 'point of no return', writes guest columnist Songkran Grachangnetara Bangkok Post from September 14. He refers to Thai Airways International, environmental pollution and rampant construction projects, defrauding tourists, charlatan monks and the legal system that lets the rich and influential go free.
These are subjects that have been covered countless times in the newspaper, so I will limit myself to the praise he pays. The first is the National Anti-Corruption Commission ('worth its weight in gold'), which puts criminals where they belong: behind bars. Thanks to the NACC, former Secretary of State Pracha Maleenont was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Unfortunately, he fled the country, something Thai politicians are very good at.
That is why Apirak Kosayodhin (involved in the same case: corruption in the purchase of firefighting equipment) gets a thumbs up from Songkran. He did not run away and awaited the judgment of the Supreme Court. He was acquitted.
Opposition leader Abhisit also receives praise from Apirak, although he is not a fan of his. Instead of running abroad, he is fighting against the dubious murder charge of the Department of Special Investigation for the deaths of protesters in 2010. "You can say a lot about Abhisit, but he is not a murderer."
Speaking of murderers, writes Songkran, convicted murderer Somchai Khunpleum ("the godfather of Chon Buri"), who fled last year while out on bail and has been apprehended again, is living a comfortable life at Chonburi Hospital, where he is being pampered by a bevy of nurses and "tortured by the undignified treatment of the best medical care money can buy."
How many more of these things can we bear, Songkran sighs. Is it indeed too late for Thailand to change? Let's hope that institutions like the NACC can save us from the dereliction of duty by many of our leaders, who do not deserve to be called 'public servant'.
Political news
– The Constitutional Court is getting busy. Opposition party Democrats goes to the Court to put a stop to the proposal to borrow 2 trillion baht for infrastructure works. This will happen after parliament has discussed and approved the proposal in three readings. Parliament will consider it in second and third reading on Thursday and Friday. 144 MPs have indicated that they wish to take the floor.
The Democrats have a laundry list of objections. The loan increases the national debt to more than 50 percent of gross domestic product. The investments, mainly in high-speed lines, only break even after 500 years and, when interest is included, after 600 years. The high-speed lines are also not cost-effective as the lines do not connect Thailand to other countries.
Korn Chatikavanij, former finance minister in the previous (Democratic) government, estimates that they make an annual loss of 20 to 35 billion baht. According to Korn, the proposal violates Article 8 of the constitution, which deals with fiscal and monetary discipline. He calls borrowing money outside the budget 'unconstitutional'.
The Democrats are also already turning to the Court to block the proposal to change the Senate election (see Yesterday's News from Thailand).
Economic news
– Eight out of ten people in four Asian countries who shop online are dissatisfied with their purchase. This is according to a survey by Japan's Rakuten Inc of 2.000 online shoppers in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan. Rakuten is Japan's largest e-company and owner of the Thai marketplace Rakuten Tarad.com.
According to director Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, the poll shows that the quality of the purchased products leaves something to be desired and that websites provide too little detail about products. Something needs to be done about this quickly, he says. It would help if customers could return the purchased product within two weeks if they are dissatisfied.
The main criteria that determine a purchase are the quality of the product, detailed photos, clear prices and a good return policy.
– The housing market of Pattaya will not be overflooded with condominiums, because projects with a large number of unsold condos will not get off the ground. Four projects totaling 1.700 condos are currently on hold because less than the 50 percent of condos typically required by the bank have been sold.
In the second half of last year and the first half of this year, 13.152 condos were completed: 8,1 percent less on an annual basis. The so-called take-up rate is 48 percent. 526 units were purchased per month compared to 658 a year earlier.
According to property developer Raimon Land Plc, interest from Bangkok buyers is on the rise due to Bangkok-based property developers promoting projects in Pattaya. Thais account for 54 percent of purchases, 31 nationalities have bought condos, with the largest group being Russians (13 percent). Emerging markets are Japanese and Chinese buyers.
The average selling price rose 21,2 percent to 71.357 baht per square meter, mainly due to higher land prices and development costs.
– Ch. Karnchang Plc (CK), the builder of the controversial Xayaburi dam in Laos, is targeting 2 trillion baht infrastructure works projects. Parliament is expected to give the green light this month, after which tenders can take place later this year. Most of the money goes to the construction of high-speed lines.
CK has already prepared finances, machinery and personnel for the tender. The company has sufficient working capital and does not need to recapitalize, says vice president Prasert Marittanaporn. Bangkok Metro Plc recently signed a contract with Karnchang for the construction of the Purple Line's Yai-Rat Burana and Bang Sue-Bang Yai section. Four banks finance the line.
– ANA Holdings Inc, the parent company of All Nippon Airways, Japan's largest airline, is considering building a pilot training center in Thailand. The company is already in the process of acquiring Pan Am Holdings Inc, a pilot training company. According to Boeing Co, Asian airlines will need 20 pilots over the next 192.300 years to keep up with the purchase of new aircraft.
www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post
As usual, the Thais do not look for the culprits of train derailments and plane crashes within their own ranks, but elsewhere. Usually foreigners get the Black Pete, but that is too complicated in these cases. So these accidents are the fault of ghosts. And they say nothing back.
That even a president of Thai Airways participates in this superstitious nonsense makes one think. Immediately relieve him of his duties and lock him up with the people who think that a damaged painting is the cause of the daily derailments.
Moderator: You are chatting.
Dear Hans,
Your response shows very little empathy with the way Thais solve this problem. Of course, the problem is also being sought internally. In recent train accidents, it has already been reported that the cause lies in inadequate maintenance of the trains (there is no money for that, they say) and too few qualified personnel (the link with poor education in this country is evident). That is why heads will certainly roll (transfers) at the railways and at Thai. It takes a while to obscure the direct link with the mistakes made. (loosing face).
In addition, it does not (or never) hurt to take a good look at the presence of good and / or evil spirits. And that happens throughout Thai society and at all levels, up to the political top level. To call this superstition is to ignore the fact that there is more between heaven and earth than rational Western science.
Exactly right. I have absolutely no empathy with the way Thai people deal with serious accidents and disasters. Heads roll? I don't think so, at most some lower level scapegoats.
I honestly have to laugh at your advice to look for the presence of good and/or evil spirits. Assuming that every belief is superstition, heaven does not exist and therefore there is no question of anything more. With airplanes and trains I assume objectively verifiable technical science and not hocus-pocus or witchcraft.
Well… if all faith is superstition, so is faith in technology. There is no objectively verifiable technical science.
I am not concerned with whether there is belief or superstition, but with the Thai's disregard for dealing with such things as ghosts.
It is certain that heads will roll at a high level. Take that from me. However, that does not mean that the problem of incompetence and corruption has been solved. Perhaps the Thai's hope for good spirits is not so bad in that regard and may be more effective.
For a scientist like you, I think it is bad, dear Chris, that you put 'belief in ghosts' and 'belief in technology' on the same level. 'Believe in ghosts' means: I am convinced that spirits exist that influence our lives. 'Believe in technology' means: I am convinced that technology can help us solve problems in this life in a rational manner. Two kinds of 'faith'.
And then your 'ignorance of the Thai to deal with things like ghosts'. You apparently think that's fine, but it's nonsense to tar all 'Thai' over the same brush. I only know Thai people who laugh at using 'mind houses' to prevent accidents, accidents that clearly have a verifiable technical cause. When they're done laughing they say something like, 'Let them set up ghost houses if it isn't used as an excuse for doing nothing. After setting up ghost houses, let them roll up their sleeves. Ghosts can't mend sleepers.' Here respect goes hand in hand with practicality. Down to earth people those ordinary Thais. They only invoke spirits when something happens for which they cannot come up with a rational explanation.
Dear Tino. Apparently all 'infidel' Buddhist Thai live in the north of the country and all 'superstitious' Thai in the rest of Thailand. It amazes me that someone like you who is so well versed in the ups and downs of Thailand has absolutely no regard for the belief of a large portion (I dare say) of the Thai in matters not immediately measurable and scientifically proven. (at least according to Western standards) and therefore not true for you.
There are professors from renowned universities in Europe and America who find this subject really interesting. Me, too. Before I came to Thailand I had never heard that you can train your brain through forms of meditation. However, I now know that you can; scientifically probably nonsense according to you.
Moderator: Chris and Tino. Please end the chat session now.
Chris,
No railroad can be maintained with meditation! However? But training your brain and then also using it could also prevent many problems here in Thailand.
I really hope that a little more attention and common sense will be used now, because the way things are going here with maintenance is really crying with a hat on.
I think it is your right to believe only in technology.
However, it is true that this is Thailand and every country has its own religion.
For you it's technology, for the west it's jesus, for the muslims it's allah, for the people of india it's shiva, for the thai it's buddha and for the americans it's the dollar.
For now, however, you are in the minority with your idea that there is nothing left between heaven and earth.
Which doesn't necessarily mean you're wrong.
This concerns regular/preventive maintenance. But that is something that is not a generally accepted principle in Thailand: you only fix something when it no longer works. And then preferably a number of times provisionally. Only when there is absolutely no other option should drastic measures be taken, such as closing a busy rail connection for 6 weeks!!??!! Suppose that in the Netherlands the Leeuwarden-Amsterdam train connection is out of service for 6 weeks: parliamentary questions, dismissal from Prorail, etc.
Combine the lack of regular/preventive maintenance with construction in the cheapest way (while officially the top price is paid, but that includes what is that kind of money called again? Right?). And you have a guarantee for a problematic and therefore much too expensive and unreliable operation.
I really look forward to the realization (??) of the HSL plan: but without me as a passenger!
I would quickly restore this painting. The necessary work may also be carried out by the spirits. In the west we call on the gnomes, but everyone knows this is a joke.