Thailand
BTS Skytrain’s Green Line maximum fare to rise, Rail Transport Department disagrees with the move

After the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agreed to raise the maximum fare on the BTS Skytrain’s Green Line from 59 baht to 158 baht, the Rail Transport Department is calling on city officials to suspend the maximum fare ceiling, saying it would put an unfair burden on passengers.
Bangkok Governor Aswin announced earlier that the maximum fare of 158 baht is to be imposed on February 16, but a discount to 104 baht is offered during the Covid-19 outbreak. The City Hall needs to increase the fare rate because it can’t pay the debt to Bangkok Mass Transit System.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says the BMA should halt its policy on the new BTS maximum fare and wait for other authorities to find proper solutions.
The Chairman of a House committee on transport, Sophon Sarum, a former transport minister, dismisses the BMA’s claim of its financial inability to repay the Green Line’s loans while suggesting the BMA to manage the Green Line’s finances by raising funds from banks and other financial institutions.
The Rail Department and BMA will meet to discuss the maximum fare ceiling this week.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post | Coconuts Bangkok
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Crime
Bangkok police raid house where model died after playing hostess

Bangkok police are investigating a model’s death after raiding a Chatuchak district house where the model died after being hired as a hostess. The model, Whitchayaporn ‘Wa’ Visessombut, was hired along with other women to serve drinks and entertain guests at a private residence last Monday. Then, the next day, she died of respiratory failure after being brought unconscious to Paolo Hospital Kaset.
Investigators say they obtained a text chat history between the 33 year old model and her agent the day she was hired for the job. The chats revealed a receipt for a 30,000 baht money transfer to 4 hostesses, including Whitchayaporn, for their work. 6 other hostesses from a different agency were also hired to work the party.
Police say between 5 and 7 men were at the party along with 10 women with the use of drugs allegedly being involved.
Police say they are still are waiting for the autopsy results of the dead woman. Her relatives have already begun seeking assistance as they are afraid her case could turn out to be as complicated as that of model Thitima ‘Lunlabelle’ Noraphanpiphat, who was found dead in a similar situation back in 2019.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
PM to receive AstraZeneca vaccine on Sunday

The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha will receive the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday, while Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will receive the Chinese jab. According to a Bangkok Post report, Sopon Mekthon from the sub-committee on vaccine management says both politicians will receive their vaccines at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute. On Monday, the vaccination of priority groups in specific provinces will get underway.
Speaking about the arrival of the long-awaited vaccines yesterday, Anutin said the first batch would be distributed free of charge, with costs covered by the government.
“The vaccines are for Thais and those living in the country. Anyone who charges for the vaccine will face legal action.”
Thailand has taken delivery of 200,000 doses of the Chinese Sinovac jab and 117,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The arrival of the AstraZeneca jab took many by surprise, with no mention of its imminent arrival, unlike the PR hoopla surrounding the arrival of its Chinese counterpart. Another 800,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine are expected next month, followed by a further 1 million in April. After that, the rest of Thailand’s vaccines will be from AstraZeneca, with 26 million locally-manufactured doses expected to be available from May to June and another 35 million after that.
Nakorn Premsri from the National Vaccine Institute says the AstraZeneca vaccines arrived this week as a result of a commitment by the pharmaceutical giant to ensure equal access to Covid-19 vaccines.
“The AstraZeneca vaccines that arrived in Thailand must receive a lot release certificate from the Department of Medical Sciences before distribution to priority groups designated by the Department of Disease Control.”
Meanwhile, Thares Karasnairaviwong from the Department of Health Service Support says over 1.5 million village health volunteers are educating local residents about the importance of vaccination and establishing how many people fall into the priority groups who will be first to be inoculated.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Tourism
Day trip to Bangkok’s closest island – Koh Si Chang | VIDEO

Ko Si Chang (or Koh Sichang) is a district of Chon Buri Province, Thailand. It consists of the island of Ko Si Chang and its adjoining islands. Ko Si Chang is in the Gulf of Thailand, 12 kilometres off the shore of the Si Racha District coastline. It’s the closest island to Bangkok and a popular weekend away for Bangkokians. Pangrum takes us on a quick visit to the island with today’s latest Thaiger Vlog.
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Ian
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 6:25 pm
Raise fairs for banks and other financial institutions ????? 555 who might they be
Ben
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10:03 pm
A 168% increase on the maximum fare? Seems unconscionable.
There are missing details that would help make sense of this type of increase. Don’t they raise fares annually? Who at the BMA is getting rich? Something is definitely off.
Ben
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 10:05 pm
A 168% fare increase? Seems unconscionable.
There are details missing from this story on why this increase makes sense. Don’t they raise fares annually? Who at BMA is getting rich from this? Something is definitely off.
Mr cynic
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 4:23 am
Given the vast majority of the debt is in foreign currency and taking into account the year in year out increase in the strength of the baht something does not add up here?
James Pate
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 5:24 am
A bit more detail would be nice. I believe the Green Line is just from Bearing to Keha, not to be confused with the Light Green (Sukhumvit) line correct? Yes, it sounds a bit pricey. What commuters need is a monthly pass, fully-integrated, with options each person needs for their daily commute, with all rail and bus lines included as needed. Options could range anywhere from around 1000 for a short commute to 9000 a month for an almost inconceivably long one. Yes, the feudalistic turf wars between overlapping jurisdictions and authorities is always problematic in Thailand. Let the computers do the work instead of picking numbers out of the sky.???????
Sam
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 7:53 pm
Screw the BTS!! This will knock down the already overpriced condos on the edge of city on this line
James Pate
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 9:29 pm
You’re right. Prices around Samrong, for example, (which used to be the edge of the universe) are stupid expensive. However, anyone who can afford them won’t mind the increased fares. The folks who live in more humble dwellings, in the shadows of those condos, need a lower, fair fare. Otherwise, the main purpose of mass rail transit is defeated and they should not be condemned to long bus rides in heavy traffic.????