Transport
Speed limit on Thailand’s highways to be increased to 120 kilometres an hour

The government has approved an official increase in the upper speed limit on Thailand’s national and rural highways, with the aim of improving traffic flow. The new maximum speed limit of 120 kilometres per hour has been confirmed by spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul, after the Cabinet approved a draft regulation proposed by the Transport Ministry.
If you’ve ever driven on a Thai freeway or motorway you’d already know that much of the traffic drives in excess of 100 kilometres an hour and sometimes even more than the new 120 kph limit.
According to a Bangkok Post report, the new speed limit is applicable only to highways with at least 2 lanes travelling in the same direction and traffic islands that have barriers. It will not apply in the case of roads that have U-turns at ground level.
The upper speed limit will not apply in the case of all vehicles. Trucks that weigh over 2,200 kilograms, and buses carrying more than 15 passengers, cannot exceed 90 kilometres an hour. Buses with between 7 – 15 people on board can travel at speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour. The exception is school buses, which cannot exceed 80 kilometres an hour (even if they wanted too!).
In the case of motorbikes, smaller bikes cannot go above 80 kilometres an hour. Bikes with 400cc engines, or 35-kilowatt (47hp) engines or above, cannot exceed 100 kilometres an hour. Meanwhile, vehicles in the furthest right-hand lane must maintain a speed of no less than 100 kilometres an hour.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Thailand
Thailand News Today | Covid testing for visas, Business impact, Vaccine approval | January 19

Confusion reigns today over if Covid-19 tests will be required for visa extensions.
While Phuket News spoke with an immigration official who said “no… you don’t need a Covid-19 test to extend your visa or apply for a work permit”, Khaosod English wrote an article headlined “Covid-19 test will be mandatory for all visa extension”.
The Thaiger also contacted a respected visa agent who said Covid-19 tests are now required for applying for both visa extensions and work permits including renewals.
The Thai Immigration Bureau has not made any official announcement regarding mandatory Covid-19 tests. Talk about Covid-19 tests for foreigners was brought up after a rule was published in the Royal Gazette last month, officially adding Covid-19 to a list of dangerous diseases, prohibiting those infected with any of the listed illnesses from entering the country.
Immigration Police Bureau spokesperson Archayon Kraithong told Khaosod English that proof of a negative Covid-19 test will be required for visa extensions, regardless of how long a foreigner has stayed in Thailand.
Medical exams are currently already required for most work permit applicants (including tests for Syphilis and Elephantiasis). A visa agent told The Thaiger that Covid-19 tests have been added to the medical examination requirements.
We’ll bring you any further clarification on that issue as it becomes available.
Research shows that online learning causes a 50% drop in mathematical comprehension, and a 30% drop in reading literacy among Thai students.
Research presented by the government’s Equitable Education Fund indicates that months of home-learning cannot match in-school study and in fact, can cause a deterioration in students’ ability. With schools currently closed in 28 Thai provinces, thousands of children across the country are joining in with online classes.
The EEF says home-schooling, with the use of screens, also has a negative effect on students’ mental health and their social and emotional development. The research, carried out by the Northwest Evaluation Association, echoes a study done by Massachusetts’ Institute of Technology, which demonstrates that learning through technology is no match for face-to-face learning in the classroom.
Home schooling has been shown to contribute to a decline in overall knowledge, as well as affecting access to quality nutrition, age-appropriate learning, and social experiences.
The EEF says online learning will only serve to widen the gap between rural children and those in the cities by about 2 years, potentially leading to economic disparity and fuelling a cycle of poverty for generations.
With the number of Covid-19 infections among migrant workers in Samut Sakhon failing to drop significantly, the PM is instructing officials to make sure companies are not still hiring illegal workers.
Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke to the deputy governor by video conference from Government House yesterday.
The central province of Samut Sakhon is considered the epicentre of Thailand’s current surge of Covid-19 infections, following an outbreak at the provinces coastal fish markets last month.
The resurgence is linked to migrant workers who were smuggled into the Kingdom illegally, bypassing health checks and the mandatory quarantine requirements. The companies are always seeking cheap labour for the competitive seafood market and have long flouted Thailand’s labour laws with hundreds of cases of forced labour and slavery coming out of the sector.
Samut Sakhon’s own governor tested positive for the virus and remains under hospital care, although he’s now off the ventilator.
As the devastating economic effects of Covid-19 restrictions persist, a record number of Thai tourism operators are quitting the sector for good.
The number of tourism companies surrendering their licences peaked last month, and around 70% of outbound agents have now shut up shop indefinitely. The final nail in their collective coffins has been the latest Covid-19 resurgence, which was detected on December 20 last year in the central province of Samut Sakhon and has now spread to over 60 Thai provinces.
The president of the Thai Travel Agents Association says around 10% of outbound tour operators have returned their licences to the Tourism Department. 2,598 tourism operators have left the sector for good, unable to survive having no international tourists for nearly a year now. The last quarter of 2020 also saw the highest number of companies de-registering, at 765. Of those, 293 quit last month.
Pundits predict that domestic tourism may pick up again by April, but this depends on how effective the government is at bringing the second wave of the virus under control. The TTAA adds, that with the arrival of spring in many parts of the world in the coming months, global infections may fall, but it’s still a waiting game.
The TTAA says that in 2019, 11 million Thai tourists spent 430 billion baht on overseas trips. Last year, that plummeted to 1 million spending only 50 billion baht, and most of that was in the first couple of months of the year.
In the midst of a new wave of Covid-19 infections, the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is expected to be approved for emergency use and injections could begin next month in Thailand.
The local roll out would start with vulnerable groups who are in the 5 coastal provinces under maximum control to contain the coronavirus – Samut Sakhon, Trat, Chon Buri, Chanthaburi and Rayong.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the vaccine for emergency use this week. The FDA is examining documents as part of the registration process and to declare the vaccine’s efficacy and safety.
Thailand had earlier secured 26 million doses of the vaccine, which is developed by British-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and the UK’s Oxford University. The Thai company Siam Bioscience is also poided to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine. Injections for the general public are projected to start in the second half of 2021.
Thailand has also secured 2 million doses of China’s Sinovac BioTech vaccine. The first batch of 200,000 doses is expected to arrive in February. 800,000 more doses will arrive in March and 1 million doses in April.
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Thailand
Thai FDA files complaint against TV celebrity for false advertising

A well-known TV host in Thailand is under fire after she made advertisements saying health supplement products could change a person’s face shape and even help people recover from Covid-19. The Thai Food and Drug Administration filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division against TV star Patcharasri “Kalamare” Benjamach for false advertising.
Kalamare advertised Botera “power shots.” The drinks are said to promote healthy skin as well as overall health. According to the Nation Thailand, Kalamare is seen in video clips advertising the products, claiming the drinks can “sharpen” a person’s facial features and even change the shape of the nose and eyelids. In other clips, she says the drinks can help people recover for Covid-19 and cancer, Nation Thailand reports.
The FDA say they want the celebrity to be charged with violating Thailand’s Food Act for false and deceptive advertising. The law carries a penalty of up to 3 years in prison and a fine up to 30,000 baht.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Thailand
Woman sentenced to 43 years in prison for violating lèse majesté law

The Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced a former public official to more than 4 decades in prison for violating the country’s strict lèse majesté law on insulting or defaming the Thai Monarchy.
The woman, a former Revenue Department official known as Anchan, was found guilty on 29 counts of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lèse majesté law, as well as the Computer Crime Act. She was sentenced to 43 years and 6 months in prison.
Anchan had posted audio clips on Facebook and YouTube of a man making comments considered critical of the Thai Monarchy. The man has been arrested, but officials haven’t released any other details.
The ruling comes during an ongoing pro-democracy movement raising subjects that are considered taboo in Thai society. In recent months, dozens of protesters have been charged with violating the lèse majesté law. A senior researcher from the Human Rights Watch as the recent sentence sends a “spine-chilling” message.
“Today’s court verdict is shocking and sends a spine-chilling signal that not only criticisms of the monarchy won’t be tolerated, but they will also be severely punished.”
Section 112 of the Criminal Code:
Those who defame, insult or threaten the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent shall be punished by a jail term of between three to 15 years.
SOURCES: Thai Enquirer | Bangkok Biz News| Independent
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Mister Stretch
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 10:54 am
I already drive 110-120km on the highway.
It will be good to pick up the overall highway movement.
Timmytime
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:04 am
Just the recommended speed limit i guess, not like anyone is paying the speed limits on any road any attention whatsoever anyway. How about do something about drunk driving instead.
Fabian
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:06 am
A great way to try and decrease the death toll… oh my god.
Look at how they drive in Thailand. Random speeds at random lanes. That’s so dangerous and it’s just going to get worse.
Morgan Dernsjoe
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 6:26 pm
Yes!!!! Scrap the drug and alko tests, then increase speed limits!!
Please give me the logic!? It’s not bad enough as it is?
COMPLETLY UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
Issan John
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:26 am
About time and a good move, with a “slow” lane and a “fast” lane, not an “overtaking” lane.
Fabian
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:38 am
In theory yes, but who abides by the rules? That’s the problem. It’s the wild East here on the road.
Issan John
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:27 am
Any confirmation when it starts?
Peter
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:43 am
Well I suppose it’s a reliable way of tackling over population without the political repercussions of advocating culling. I find it quite hilarious that the country with the second worse road deaths statistics in the world actually increases the speed limits, instead of increasing the proper enforcement of existing road safety laws and driver standards training.
Bob
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Welcome to Thailand LOS. Lots Of Speed
Mike
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:49 am
This is a really good idea. With Thailand having the most dangerous roads in the World, this way the Police will have less paperwork to do and fines to fiddle/pocket. Unfortunately for the long-suffering Thai people the death toll on the roads will continue to rise.
The Thai people deserve better
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 11:52 am
Am I allowed this speed limit on my bicycle?
Steve
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Only as long as you are not carrying more than 4people and not wearing a crash helmet
Toby Andrews
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 4:24 pm
I think I can manage that, and I suppose it will be ok to text while I am cycling.
Fabian
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 5:12 pm
Only when you have a 60.000.000 baht + medical coverage in your insurance. Then they don’t care. I mean, then they welcome you to do so.
Jesus Monroe
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 5:43 pm
Shit most will have to slow down that means…….
Wayne
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 8:58 pm
KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING … that’ll save lives on the road AND speed cameras. Thet started enforcing it this year – got 2 x 500bht speeding tickets in the mail … oh, and stop handing out drivers licences in corn flake packets. While you’re at it – build barriers on every highway to stop bikes, cars, buses and trucks hitting trees, poles, on-coming traffic, or even 20′ gullies. That’ll save most of the unreported 60,000 deaths a year … at home we lose a thousand people a year – not here: A THOUSAND PEOPLE A WEEK!!! INFRASTRUCTURE BOYS – get 40-50,000 people employed on a national roads campaign and STOP KILLING THAIS WITH YOUR PATHETIC INACTION – SHAME ON YOU! (Lost 2 family members in head-on crash that should never have happened) SHAME ON YOU!
Issan John
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2:07 am
Sorry, but I strongly disagree that “KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING” saves lives.
All the evidence I’ve seen suggests the opposite, that it costs lives as it makes the left lane far more crowded with vehicles travelling much closer together, with reduced stopping distances, and vehicles constantly changing lanes.
On the other hand having a ‘fast’ and a ‘slow’ lane divides the vehicles between the two lanes so you have bigger gaps between vehicles and increased stopping distances, and less lane changes to overtake.
What’s that obviously strong opinion based on?
James
Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 2:36 am
Highways with no ground lever U-Turns? That means 90% of Thai ‘Highways’ will still have to use the current sped limit then.
What about ‘highways’ with traffic lights, do they have to stick to the current speed limits?
Most so-called ‘highways’ in Thailand are no more than glorified A-roads in Europe.
I use the Southern Highway between Krabi and Surat Thani quite a lot, can we start by first stopping people using each side of the highway as separate two-way roads.
Every time I use it I see headlights coming towards me as the car is being driven the wrong way down the highway, they do use the cycle section of the road thinking that makes it much safer.
I have not had an accident yet but lots of close ones, but I have seen lots of accidents, you have to drive in a defensive way, no 120 KMH for me.
But I must admit it is fun driving in Thailand, it is like driving bumper-cars at a funfair.
Social Observer
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 1:36 am
If the limit is 100 they will drive 120. If the limit is 120 they will drive 140. The accidents will be even more deadly.
Issan John
Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 2:16 am
I’d suggest that with a ‘slow’ lane and a ‘fast’ lane (rather than an ‘overtaking’ lane) that should make things safer.
Tony
Monday, December 7, 2020 at 9:26 am
Until the Thai police start enforcing the driving laws and the Thai people have more respect for them
Nothing will change they will still drive like idiots