bwiadca

After reading NOTAM for BKK I see that they are doing extensive prep work on runway 19L/01R, which is the East runway
Got scared for a minute. I've booked 2 hotels around runway 19R for my upcoming visit.
Now knowing that everything will land on 19R makes me happy

transpac

4 provincial airports to get B24 bln facelifts


The Department of Airports (DOA) plans to invest more than 24 billion baht to expand facilities at four airports around the country over the next five years.

DOA director-general Darun Saengchai said Wednesday his department is seeking government approval for the budget from fiscal year 2018 onward.

More passenger terminal buildings will be built at Krabi international airport, Nakhon Si Thammarat international airport, Trang airport and Khon Kaen airport, to serve increasing numbers of passengers, he said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...-bln-facelifts



U-tapao airport, economic zone move to top of agenda

The government is prioritising the overhaul of U-tapao international airport and the creation of a special economic zone, with the bidding and construction of the two projects expected to start within this year.

The move is an urgent project to build new industrial city with extra investment privileges to attract targeted high-tech investment to promote the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

"We would propose the government use Section 44 to order the overhaul of U-tapao and start the special economic zone in order to bring forward the EEC project," said Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...-top-of-agenda

transpac

It looks like there was some sort of work stoppage/action at SBIA/BKK last night, by "X-Ray staff". Not a lot of local English news on this, no clue what it means going forward, other than to say maybe allot some extra time, for both BKK and DMK. (some articles mention that they pulled staff from DMK to BKK, and maybe from HKT?)



http://news.sanook.com/2164190/

Employees airport baggage X-ray Strike causes discontent salary. Director. Suvarnabhumi Report on services

On 5 February 2560 at 22.00. The company employees. Jimenez Asia Securities Limited, a company security and luggage inside the airport. A subsidiary of Loxley Public Company Limited (), more than 300 people had gathered to protest the first floor of the terminal building. Suvarnabhumi Airport To claim the year-end bonuses and other benefits. After previous The company has announced that employees who work between 15 December 2551-15 January by a lack of late will have extra money to increase from last year to get another 3000 baht, but eventually the company to take leave and arrive late. of employees in 2551 to cut the money that employees will receive. It causes resentment until Mr. Sirote Duangrat director of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Traveling to meet with Mr. Kan's gold big Managing Director, Asia Pacific Managed Security Limited and administrators seek to expedite this matter.

http://www.komchadluek.net/news/regional/259141



Disruption And Delays At Suvarnabhumi As X-Ray Screening Staff Walk Out

https://www.stickboybangkok.com/news...ng-staff-walk/

transpac

X-ray staff at Suvarnabhumi airport on strike

About 300 luggage x-ray unit workers at Suvarnabhumi airport have gone on strike, but were replaced temporarily by staff from Don Mueang and other airports.

About 8pm on Sunday the striking workers gathered to voice their demands in front of the office of ASM Security Management, a subsidiary of Loxley Co contracted to operate the luggage x-ray unit, in front of the airport's Concourse A.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...port-on-strike

Kalboz

Thailand 'third most unequal'

Thailand has been ranked the world's third most unequal nation after Russia and India, with a constantly widening gap between rich and poor, despite the reduced number of poor living under the poverty...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...d-most-unequal

transpac

Phuket, Chiang Mai in queue for light rail

The government has vowed to kick-start light rail projects in Phuket and Chiang Mai this year as part of a push for local economic development.

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak told the Transport Ministry yesterday that the state hopes to launch at least two routes in provincial areas this year, probably starting with Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Investment in provincial mass transit is expected to take the form of public-private partnerships, depending on the preparedness of each province.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...for-light-rail

Kalboz

An interesting article from Reuters about the current affairs ...

http://in.reuters.com/article/thaila...-idINKBN15T0GR

restlessinRNO

Yes, an interesting discussion regarding the monarchy - a subject that otherwise receives little critical appraisal (for obvious reasons).

transpac

A couple of interesting articles from NM, as always, read the comments, where old-hands share decades of knowledge, experience and perspective.

The first has a "tourism" slant, the second might help people understand the current stand-off at Wat Dhammakaya.


Grieving as Thainess in 2017

http://www.newmandala.org/grieving-t...omment-1932719



Restoring Thailand’s spiritual realm

http://www.newmandala.org/restoring-...iritual-realm/

dsquared37

Not able to find an English version at the moment but BTS will stop taking credit cards for topup of Rabbit cards as of April 1.

How I wish this is an early April fool's prank.

transpac

Funeral plans released for Thailand’s late King

The Bangkok Post has released details for the five day funeral of Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the ceremony will take place at the end of December from the 25-29, 2017.

http://royalcentral.co.uk/internatio...ate-king-77450

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...-late-december

transpac

Qatar to fly to Chiang Mai

Qatar Airways is on track to provide Chiang Mai a direct air link to the Middle East later this year.

The northern Thai city is on the Qatari flag carrier's global network expansion plan covering 15 new destinations in 2017-18.

It plans to debut Doha-Chiang Mai non-stop from Oct 31 with four flights a week on an Airbus 330 wide-body jet, Terrence Yu, Qatar manager for Thailand and Myanmar, told the Bangkok Post.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...-to-chiang-mai

dsquared37

So indeed, as of April 1 Rabbits cards can not be topped up using a credit/debit card unless using 'trips'. BTS wants people to use their Rabbits to pay at other establishments but don't want to foot the CC fees.

So while BTS is now moving toward a similar pay scheme as HKG's Octopus, cash top ups, the main difference is, with Octopus, you can always turn into your card and get your money back. With BTS, uh, yeah right.

LIH Prem

I had no idea you could top up a rabbit card with a cc. Kind of moot, but where could you do that?

What's "trips"?

-David

dsquared37

You could use a credit card at any BTS station, minimum for the card's usage was 300 Baht.

There are two ways a Rabbit card can function. The first is obvious, the money is debited per ride. However there is a second way the card can be used, and that is based upon the number of trips per month (apparently that's a usage month).

http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/16-rabbitcard.aspx

The rates of the trips option go from 15 trips @ 30 baht per to 50 trips @ 25 baht per. Can only be used at the original stations.

So, if you're traveled daily (+/-) and going at least 5 stations each trip that would save you money.

Unfortunately I heard about the change on my way to the airport and won't be back until after April 1. Otherwise I would have just topped up to 4000 baht and used it over time.