Anything & Everything About Thailand

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Report from The Nation dated Thursday 6 April 2006 :-

Tourism: TAT guidebook showcases 50 places to stay for less than Bt1,000 a night

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced its new hotel discount guide book, "Little Paradise", featuring 50 hotel prices less than Bt1,000 per night.

Written by Surachit Jamormarn, the book sells for Bt250 at all Se-Ed Book Centres throughout the Kingdom.

TAT deputy governor Juthaporn Rerngronasa said the book would help tourists find cheaper accommodation in every part of the country. The discounts are being offered until next February.

Participating hotels include North Triyanarot Colonial House, Sawai Rieng Chiang Mai, Baan Nam Ping, Suan Doi House, Pagoda Inn, Doo Dio Suay Resort, Seashell Village Resort, Jungle Bay Resort, The Bay Sea, Baan Rabieng Dao Garden and Resort, and Judo Resort.

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 6 April 2006 :-

Thaksin to return after PM named

Outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will return to work as the leader of the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party and a member of parliament (MP) after a new prime minister is elected, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam said today.

Mr Thaksin on Wednesday assigned caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya to serve as premier from April 6, as he wants to rest.

Responding to the former opposition Democrat Party's criticism that Mr Thaksin should resign, instead of authorising Pol. Gen. Chidchai to take his tasks, Mr Wissanu argued that should Mr Thaksin resign, the whole caretaker cabinet's term must end, which would affect the state administration at the moment.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the party would continue to monitor the performance of the TRT-led government and its policies, as well as Mr Thaksin's role after his stepping down from office to see whether he would still be a top policy maker behind the scene.

Mr Abhisit also urged the public to keep a close watch of Mr Thaksin's post-premiership role as well.

The Democrat Party leader, however, praised Mr Thaksin's decision to step down, saying the move had helped ease the country's political tension and was a good start of national reconciliation although the so-called "Thaksin Rule" would continue.

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 6 April 2006 :-

Police bust Bangkok Airport theft ring

Bangkok Police and officials of the Airport of Thailand said today they have broken up an airport gang that was stealing items from travellers suitcases and selling them to Rangsit department stores.

In a press release that was almost free of facts, AoT managing director Chotisak Asupwiriya nevertheless assured the public that travel is now safer because of the breakup of the ring.

The release did not say if anyone was arrested, where the gang was working, or whether gang members were either allied with, or part of the customs and security departments at the airport.

Indeed Mr Chotisak raised more questions than he answered when he said that breaking up the gang would result in better security, "not only to prevent stolen goods, but to guard against explosives and narcotics."

Critics and security experts have long questioned the effectiveness of anti-terrorist and anti-hijacking operations at the airport.

According to the official release, the 2nd Metropolitan Police Bureau and AoT smashed the burglary ring, and recovered property apparently stolen from travellers, including numerous camcorders, cameras and laptop computers.

"The items were found in department stores in the Rangsit area," said the press release.

Mr Chotisak promised to upgrade security and to add more security officers.

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

Thaksin warned not to pull strings : Abhisit says meddling will imperil democracy

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva gives a big smile to the crowd during yesterday's celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the party. — APICHIT JINAKUL

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday warned caretaker Prime Minister and Thai Rak Thai party leader Thaksin Shinawatra not to ''pull strings'' from behind the scenes in the new government or risk endangering democracy. If Mr Thaksin continues to exercise influence on the new government, Mr Abhisit said he will ask the people and government officials to help end the ''Thaksin regime''.

Mr Abhisit was commenting on Mr Thaksin's Tuesday night announcement that he will ''take a step back from politics'' by not accepting a third term in office.

Many people, especially members of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), have expressed scepticism that Mr Thaksin will steer clear of directing the new government from behind the scenes.

Speaking in an address to mark the Democrat party's 60th anniversary at the party's headquarters in Bangkok yesterday, Mr Abhisit warned Mr Thaksin not to step back only to a position where he could continue to exercise power over the new man who would take his place.

''That will be a great danger to the democratic system with a constitutional monarchy because he will be in a position to exert power without having to take any responsibility at all.

''If that happens, it will concern everyone. There will be more conflict and violence in society will become more serious,'' Mr Abhisit said.

The PAD, meanwhile, will today announce at Sanam Luang its goal to push for political reform that is free of influence from politicians and government officials. It will also press for a probe into Mr Thaksin's alleged abuses of power.

The group said it decided to move its rally venue from Ratchadamnoen avenue to avoid the misunderstanding it was continuing to exert pressure on Mr Thaksin even after he had taken a step back.

Looking to the future, the Democrat party leader vowed to join forces with the masses, the media and government officials to eradicate ''Thaksinocracy''.

He praised the recent popular protests against Mr Thaksin's rule as a progressive movement that was peaceful and gave people access to information and facts.

Mr Abhisit urged government officials not to bow to improper orders or to someone pulling the strings.

The Democrat leader said Thailand had suffered a great deal under the Thaksin regime which had been prone to using force, violating public freedoms, abusing power and intimidating the media.

''The fact that the person in power has abused his authority without being investigated or held responsible proves the presence of a vicious regime and has led the nation into a crisis.

''This cannot be solved with an election, especially if the election is staged by an organisation that is not impartial or independent and is used to whitewash someone,'' Mr Abhisit said.

He urged the Election Commission to do its duty with sincerity, especially in probing the accusations that Mr Thaksin's conduct in the poll campaign was illegal.

Thai Rak Thai deputy secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej dismissed Mr Abhisit's concerns, insisting Mr Thaksin would not manipulate the new government even though he remained party leader.

On media activist Sondhi Limthongkul's call for Mr Thaksin to resign as party leader, Mr Prommin said that would depend on the decision of 14 million Thai Rak Thai party members.

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

GIVING FOOD FOR THOUGHT : Ex-insurgency suspect now runs restaurant serving message of peace

Story by WASSANA NANUAM

A restaurant which opened in Narathiwat yesterday is giving customers food for thought by serving up ''southern troubles'' dishes, with the aim of helping to bring peace to the restive region. The downtown restaurant is run by a former insurgency suspect who offers a unique menu featuring Thai food with names reflecting the three southernmost provinces - Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani - and a hope for peace.

Tom Yam Nam Kon Yala (Yala's sour, spicy cream soup), Tom Yam Nam Sai Narathiwat (Narathiwat's sour, spicy clear soup), Po Taek Pattani (Pattani's hot and sour seafood soup), Yam San Sai Yai Thai Rom Yen (Thai unity spicy salad), and Pad Phrik Santipap (Peaceful stirred fried capsicums) are all on the menu.

''Birds of Peace is the name of my restaurant,'' said owner and chef Masakri Dorloh, 43, as he welcomed people to try traditional Thai food at the opening.

The name was inspired by the 2004 state project that urged people nationwide to fold thousands of paper cranes, which were dropped by planes on the three provinces to promote peace. That, he said, led him to surrender to the police in February last year after fleeing and spending two years in Malaysia's Selangor state, where he ran a small restaurant.

Mr Masakri had been charged with gun robbery and a reward of 500,000 baht was offered for anyone identifying his hideout.

''The paper cranes just took me home,'' Mr Masakri said.

He decided to surrender to the police through the state-run Flower and Paper Crane for Peace Foundation.

Mr Masakri, a former village head in tambon Dusongyor and a close friend of former Thai Rak Thai MP for Narathiwat Najmudin Uma, was accused of involvement in the January 2004 gun robbery at the 4th military development unit in Narathiwat's Cho Airong district.

''I had to flee to Malaysia because it was safer than living here,'' he said, insisting that he was innocent.

''There were many people who did nothing wrong but were maligned by some officials, prompting them to flee to Malaysia.''

The court later dropped the charge, and his new life has begun.

Yesterday his restaurant was packed with many guests and people who wanted to try the food.

A lot of paper cranes and small pink flags that symbolise peace were used to decorate the restaurant.

Among his waiters are men who were also charged with involvement in the unrest in the deep South.

Waiter Romueli Jaeali, 33, also surrendered to the police through the Narathiwat-based Peace Foundation after hiding for two years.

He was charged with involvement in a gunfight at Aiyerweng police station in Betong district in Yala. He denied the charge.

''Being a suspect was very stressful for me, despite the fact that I am totally innocent. I feared coming back. I am afraid of the police and soldiers.

''Sometimes I thought that I should become a thief as there was no difference between being a bad person or an innocent one,'' Mr Romueli said.

Foundation staff member Suriya Tawanchai said 15 insurgency suspects had so far surrendered to the police through his foundation

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

Democrat seeks to halt by-elections

Former Democrat MP Thaworn Senniam has asked the Central Administrative Court to prohibit the planned by-elections in 38 constituencies on April 23, alleging the Election Commission decisions violate electoral laws.

The by-elections followithe failure of 38 Thai Rak Thai party candidates--whose races were uncontested--to win a minimum of 20 per cent of total eligible voters in the April 2 general election.

The Democrat said no by-election can be legally held without a prior royal decree in accordance with the organic law of the Constitution.

Besides, Mr Thaworn said, the Election Commission may be accused of doing undue favours for the Thai Rak Thai Party headed by caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra simply by going ahead with the planned by-elections.

Additionally, the Court might act after the by-elections have been held, only to declare them retroactively null and void, Mr. Thaworn said, suggesting that while such action by the agency would only waste taxpayer's money.

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

Cost of repairing Chatuchak Park put at B10m

It will cost an estimated 10 million baht to repair damage to Chatuchak Park and pay water and power bills left behind by the pro-Thaksin Caravan of the Poor and other protesters. The Caravan of the Poor, which had camped at the park for nearly a month, ended its activities yesterday and protesters dismantled their tents, packed their bags and left. City Hall is now seeking an emergency budget for the park's restoration.

Thirachai Thiansanchai, director of the city's environment protection office, said the use of Chatuchak park as a rally and camp site by members of the Caravan of the Poor and the Democracy Protection Federation had caused about 10 million baht in damage.

The lawn and shrubs were severely damaged, some lamps and large trees were broken and electricity and tap water bills were sky-high as all six toilets in the park had been in use around the clock.

Mr Thirachai said he would notify Bangkok Metropolitan Administration executives of the damage and seek an emergency budget - the first of its kind in the BMA's history. The popular park would be returned to normal as soon as possible, he said. A special plan had been drawn up to repair the lawn, shrubs and trees and generally beautify the landscape.

Yesterday morning, a number of Caravan of the Poor members stayed behind and helped collect garbage and clean up the park while police stood guard.

The signs of damage were clearly visible, especially the dead grass and scattered plastic bags and other rubbish.

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

Boots Thailand plans to open 40 new stores

Boots, a British retailer of health and personal-care products, plans to open 20 new outlets in Thailand this fiscal year, starting this month and ending in March 2007. Another 20 stores or more would open over the company's next fiscal year, according to Ian Hunter, new managing director of Boots Retail (Thailand) Ltd, a subsidiary of Boots in the UK.

''Our parent firm has continuously invested and expanded business in Thailand because it is the biggest market for Boots International,'' Mr Hunter said.

He said that if the business plan could be achieved, the total number of Boots outlets in the Thai market would reach 138, up from the 98 recorded for the 2005 fiscal year that ended in March 2006.

Most of the new outlets will be in Bangkok, with products aimed at women over age 25.

The company projected that investment per store would be between three million and five million baht for outlets with retail space of between 70 and 100 square metres.

The company has opened six new stores since January: four in Bangkok and one each in Koh Samui and Hua Hin. It will open its 100th outlet at the Q House Building Lumpini in May.

Apart from outlet expansion, Boots' parent firm plans to support its Thai operation with an IT system and new Boots brands. By the end of 2006, more than 400 items will have been introduced to Boots shops.

As Thai people are becoming more concerned about their health, the company sees huge market potential for its personal and health-care products in the Kingdom.

Mr Hunter has three years' marketing experience with Boots International and plans to implement company best practices in Thailand. He aims to get more people to visit Boots outlets and increase their shopping frequency each month.

According to a survey conducted by a market research firm, customers visited Boots once a month to buy products.

Recently, the company launched a 10-million-baht health campaign titled ''Change Just 1 Thing'', aimed at reinforcing its position as a personal health-care and beauty specialist. It was also expected to generate double-digit growth in health-care sales for 2006.

''We expect the campaign to encourage higher health awareness among Thai people and to respond to rising demand from health-conscious people,'' said Mr Hunter.

The company also aims to lift recognition of the Boots brand in terms of quality at good prices. If people think about health care, it wants Boots to be at the top of their mind.

A free 24-hour pharmacy hotline is part of the initiative.

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Report from The Nation dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

Toys 'R' Us has big Asian ambitions

After it opens a 2,300-square metre Toys "R" Us store at Central World Plaza this summer, Toys Retailing (Thailand) plans to open at least two more branches in Bangkok before 2007.

That would bring to five the number of stores the company operates in Thailand.

However that is but a small part of the company's plans. The company aims to have more than 50 stores in operation in Asia, not including Japan, by the end of next year. The next store will open in the Philippines in two months.

Li and Fung (Retailing) owns Toys Retailing and the licence to operate Toys "R" Us stores in Asia except in Japan. The company currently operates 36 Toys "R" Us stores in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. Thailand is the fifth country in the region to receive one of the giant toy shops.

Manit Lertsakornsiri, country manager of Toys Retailing (Thailand), said the company expected to achieve sales of between Bt300 million and Bt400 million this year.

It opened the first local outlet, a 2,000-square metre store, on the sixth floor of Central City Bang Na shopping complex last December, followed by the 1,100-square metre store at Carrefour on Rama IV.

"We had a good welcome from Thai shoppers and expatriates, especially during the school holidays. Each store is attracting thousands of shoppers a day. Both branches are expected to break even within two years," said Manit.

Opening stores in Bangkok costs between Bt40 million and Bt50 million each.

Manit said that its retail partners, Central and Carrefour, had offered space in their shopping complexes in north and western Bangkok.


Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation

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Report from The Nation dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

Songkran revellers go overseas

Unsettled by the political turmoil in the past three months, more domestic travellers will spend their Songkran holidays overseas, leading to a significant drop in domestic hotel bookings.

Bookings in Thailand are 10 per cent lower than the same period last year, according to the Thai Hotel Association (THA). Hoteliers made the assessment during the association's 2006-2008 committee elections and annual general meeting recently, ahead of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's announcement of his decision to step down.

When releasing the hotel booking figures for Songkran, which runs from April 12 to 16, hoteliers blamed the slump on growing political unrest, particularly sentiment against the Thaksin government.

Chanin Donavanik, THA's president, warned that the situation could worsen through the low season.

Chanin said that he was concerned that the political situation would deter tourism and cause security concerns for recreation and incentive events.

"Even local events are being hurt, like government, corporate and private meetings. If the situation continues to worsen over the next two or three months, business will drop," said Chanin.

He added that political unrest in Thailand was not common so it was difficult to assess lost revenue. He said Songkran bookings were especially slow in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Accor's online reservations indicate customers are shifting destinations from Thailand to Vietnam, said ML Hathaijanok Kritakara, a THA committee member and Accor executive. Since the start of the year Vietnam's hotel occupancy has increased 21 per cent.

The THA reported that hotel occupancy during the low season from May to August normally averages 50 per cent, with events keeping numbers up. "If the political scene is not clear, occupancy during the low season will be lower than 50 per cent," Chanin said.

While many expect Thaksin's departure to end the political turmoil, some businessmen are not totally optimistic. They are now concerned about the public's acceptance of the new prime minister and the future role Thaksin will play in politics.

However, businesses on Khao San Road expect a stellar business during the Songkran holiday after Thaksin's decision to step down. Prayuth Singdamrong, executive director of the association of business operators on Khao San Road, told the Krungthep Turakij newspaper that both Thais and foreigners have booked 80 per cent of the hotel rooms available on the leisure strip.

He said the Tourism Authority of Thailand gave bookings a boost when it announced a plan to re-install the giant fountain on the adjacent Rajadamneon Road. Meanwhile, beer-maker San Miguel plans a foam party on Khao San Road. Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola are also promoting the Songkran festival celebration.

"Local and foreign travellers want to join the water party," Prayuth said.

Piriya Vatchitphan, a spokesman for the association, said thousands of people would be seen there during the holiday season.


Suchat Sritama
The Nation

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Report from The Nation dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

Aksa Road to be closed for Songkran celebration

The government is organising traditional Songkran Festival celebrations along Aksa Road next Wednesday and Thursday.

The road will be closed to traffic for the celebrations, in which thousands of people asking for blessings are expected to shower nine auspiciously named sacred Buddha statues with water to mark the traditional Thai New Year.

"The sacred statues will be brought from nine different temples," Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said Friday.

He said next week would be the first time the government had hosted Songkran celebrations on Aksa Road, which boasts scenic landscaping with fountains, flowerbeds, shady trees, a cascading waterfall and ornate lampposts.

Suwat, who supervises the National Buddhism Bureau, added that 999 monks would collect alms on Aksa Road on the morning of April 13.

"Please come and join the traditional celebrations," he said.

The Songkran Festival, celebrated across the country, has been increasingly associated with water fights in recent years. Scenes of water throwing sometimes overshadow the religious rituals of Songkran.

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya Friday said the authorities had plans to cut the road toll during this year's Songkran Festival.

During the festival, hundreds of thousand of people usually head upcountry for a break from the city or to visit their hometowns. Road casualties are always shockingly high.

Chidchai said relevant authorities would try to bring death tolls below 506 during the 10-day period starting on April 7.

He said the government was also hoping to keep injuries below 6,194.

"We have set up 876 centres and 3,009 checkpoints across the country to promote road safety," said Chidchai.

He said the road-safety campaign would focus on motorcyclists, because past statistics showed they accounted for at least 70 per cent of deaths and injuries during the Songkran period.

Chidchai also called on the media to help encourage people not to drink and drive.

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Report from The Nation dated Friday 7 April 2006 :-

Ancient stone found in Roi Et

The Fine Arts Department has discovered an ancient stone inscription in Roi Et province that hints at the past glory of an area that is today known for its barrenness.

The ancient inscription was found by officials working on an excavation site in the northeastern province's Nong Hee subdistrict, the department's permanent secretary, Khunying Tipavadee Meksawan, announced yesterday.

"The officials found the inscription in three pieces, but when assembled they form a stone column about 50 centimetres high, 45 centimetres wide and 15 centimetres thick," Tipavadee said.

She said the inscription was discovered near a pond that is believed to have been used in sacred rituals because the base for the Hindu phallic symbol of creative power was also found there.

Kongkaew Weeraprachak, a linguist at the National Library, said the inscription was in the Pallawa language and talked about King Chitsen, a great ruler from an ancient Khmer kingdom.

"This has a great significance because such a great king would not have expanded his kingdom to a barren land," the expert in ancient languages said.

Roi Et is now a part of a region called Thung Kula Ronghai, known for its barrenness and lack of water.

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Report from The Nation dated Saturday 8 April 2006 :-

Fight not over yet: PAD

50,000 gather in city to celebrate Thaksin's departure; protesters say goal now is 'real' political reform; donations still pouring in

Leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) vowed before a crowd of 50,000 last night to continue their fight until "the Thaksin regime is overthrown and the election result is invalidated".

They said the goal now was to bring about "real political reform" in Thailand.

The group also issued a statement saying Thaksin Shinawatra's departure was no guarantee that he would not be pulling strings behind a new government and the political-reform efforts. The statement also detailed its mission of bringing about real political reform.

"I swear before the Emerald Buddha and the City Pillar Shrine that I will fight on until the Thaksin regime is overthrown, although I may get killed," said Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the PAD leaders.

Other PAD leaders pointed to the need to "uproot the Thaksin regime".

Chamlong Srimuang said: "As long as the Thaksin regime exists, we'll fight on. Take it easy. We'll eventually win although it may take some time."

Somsak Kosaisuk, another PAD leader, urged the group's supporters to be on stand-by and ready to join its next rally whenever it was called.

Having declared its initial victory last night, the PAD will now turn itself into the People's Assembly for Democracy and cooperate with the opposition parties and people around the country to push for political reform, its coordinator said yesterday.

Suriyasai Katasila, who also acts as PAD spokesman, said the group would restructure its organisation by increasing its leaders from five to nine or 11.

It will expand its countrywide network by encouraging member registration, especially in the North and Northeast, Thai Rak Thai voter bases where many of the party's candidates won despite heavy abstentions in Sunday's election.

Among nominees for additional leaders are the head of Chulalongkorn University's Department of Government Administration Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, former senators Nirun Pithakwatchara and Chirmsak Pinthong and Thammasat University law lecturers Banjerd Singkaneti and Prinya Thewanaruemitkul. Kotchawan Chaiyabutr, secretary-general of the Students' Federation of Thailand, has been proposed as a student representative, Suriyasai said.

He said the group would hurl itself into the fight against the administrative tradition of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with frequent mobile rallies in the provinces.

At Sanam Luang yesterday, Senator Kaewsan Atibhodi warned the protesters that though Thaksin had decided to step down as prime minister, the fight to uproot the Thaksin order is not yet over.

"We have only gone through one battle ... We won the battle, though, and 10 million free spirits have awoken," he said in reference to the 10 million who voted against Thaksin by casting a "no vote" option. "The dictatorial system is still around, however. And it's not taking a break [along with Thaksin]."

He defended anti-Thaksin protesters from charges of not respecting electoral rules by saying the election had been distorted into a referendum on Thaksin and what the protesters did was to rescue democracy.

Kaewsan said people should understand Thailand does not need a politician like Thaksin.

The celebration by the anti-Thaksin protesters began early with music interspersed with speeches as people near the stage danced and waved the national flag. Earlier, the famous Caravan band went on stage and later in the evening some English pop music was even sung.

On the very top of the stage's billboard stood a banner that read: "Bring Down the Thaksin Order".

Small balloons in blue and white were given away to protesters with messages like "Thanks to People Power" and "We shall disperse today only to regroup again when it's necessary again in the future".

Free food and water were also distributed but a surplus amount of anti-Thaksin T-shirts were not selling well now that the campaign to oust him is partially accomplished. Donations still kept coming, as Suwit Watnoo, one of the PAD leaders, made frequent announcements on stage. Dozens of black-clad PAD guards carrying black flags received applause from protesters as they marched past them.

"We have to fight on and dismantle the Thaksin order, which is the system of nepotism, and induce people's participation," said Nantaporn Techaprasertsakul, one of the protesters and a staffer at Thai Volunteer Service, a developmental NGO.

The Teachers Front for National Salvation went on stage to declare victory for the people but warned this was only the beginning of a struggle against Thaksin. "The government must introduce educational reform and the second round of political reform," the group said.

Porntip Fonwarnfah, coordinator of the Budhikarn Buddhist network, is spear-heading the collection of a contact list of protesters who want to be updated on the progress in dismantling the "Thaksin order" through non-violent means. By early evening, some 3,000 people had signed up, she said.

"We'll provide information to the people. Thaksin must be scrutinised," she said, adding measures such as continued boycotting of Shin Corp products and possible tax-payment delays were some of the means to achieve the goal. "I'm worried that Thaksin's replacement will be a mere proxy. Thaksin is still powerful," she said.

Some of the demonstrators came straight from their offices. One official from the Ministry of Justice, who asked not to be named, was wearing the familiar "national salvation" yellow bandana over his head.


Pravit Rojanaphruk & Bancha Khaengkhan
The Nation

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Report from The Nation dated Saturday 8 April 2006 :-

New airport'will not be open in July'2006 : Construction delays, cost increases blamed

The contractor has admitted that Suvarnabhumi Airport cannot open in July, as caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced, due to delays in construction and cost increases. A source at the Transport Ministry said the new airport could not meet the July opening schedule because many construction jobs were delayed, which held up operational tests.

To speed up construction, parties responsible for the project intend to divert over 40 construction contracts to fast outsourcing, without open bidding contests. The practice could lead to favours of specifications for particular contractors, the source said.

''All parties know that the airport cannot open this July but no one dare speak out, fearing that it could deal a blow to Mr Thaksin, who made the announcement.

''If the opening was postponed until December, those 40 contracts would be subject to open bidding contests,'' the source said.

Many airlines had expressed concern over the delay and doubted the airport would open in July, the source added.

A source in ITO Joint Venture, the constructor of the airport, said it needed another three to four more months to finish work and officials responsible for the project were already aware of the situation.

A source at Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) said that, apart from delayed construction, ITO Joint Venture was demanding an additional six billion baht from AOT for increasing construction work at the new Bangkok airport.

The joint venture led by Italian-Thai Development Plc said it had to do more work than specified in its original contract but AOT has not agreed to the additional sum. The dispute is also delaying completion of the airport.

According to the source, more construction work was assigned because the government wanted to increase the capacity of the new airport from 30 million passengers a year to 45 million.

Higher costs of raw materials also add to the dispute.

To settle the issue, AOT asked a committee of outsiders to examine the additional construction work and compared the cost claim with market prices.

The committee consists of representatives from the Engineering Institute of Thailand, the Association of Siamese Architects, the Council of Engineers, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Comptroller-General's Department and the ministries of transport and commerce.

Earlier the joint venture demanded an extra two billion baht, but the AOT approved only 600 million baht. The final additional cost should not reach the six-billion-baht claim, the source said.

The original cost of the new airport stood at 120 billion baht.

Suvarnabhumi Airport director Somchai Sawasdeepon said verification of the extra money claimed would delay the airport's opening but careful consideration was worth the time.

However, caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal insisted yesterday that the airport could open in July and Don Muang airport would close at that time.

He said luggage conveyors and scanners next to the western runway have been tested, but the tests for those near the eastern runway had just started. The tests will be completed next month.

Signalling systems for aprons and taxi-ways have been tested and the airport hotel will open next month when the public will be welcomed to visit the new airport, he said.

The roofing of the concourse buildings will be replaced in June simultaneously with repairs to leaks in the roof of the airport information management system building.

Tests of aircraft refuelling systems will start next month

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Saturday 8 April 2006 :-

Road gang unearths dinosaur fossils in Udon Thani : Bones looted before geologists get to site

Udon Thani - Construction of the Nong Bua Lam Phu-Udon Thani highway came to a halt after dinosaur fossils were unearthed nearby in the Phu Phan mountain range. The suspension was ordered by Nong Bua Lam Phu Governor Torpong Ampan to make way for the fossil excavation.

At the excavation site in front of a forest fire-control centre, seven geologists are busy digging up fossils from sandstone using hammers and drills. The work drew many curious onlookers. These fossils are thought to belong to the 'Phuwiangosaurus Sirindhornae' dinosaur family, geologist Pratchaya Bamrungsuk of Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum in Khon Kaen said.

Dinosaur remains were discovered in three large deposits, about 20-30 metres apart, which were unearthed by backhoes during construction of the Nong Bua Lam Phu-Udon Thani road in tambon Noan Tan of Nong Bua Lam Phu's Muang district.

Workers left the fossils untouched and shifted the work to other locations.

Mr Pratchaya and his team arrived seven days after the discovery.

However, he was told fossil pieces had been looted by villagers by the time his team arrived.

''A large leg fossil in the first deposit hole was gone when we arrived. We spotted smaller leg fossils in the second hole with various chin, rib, backbone and tail parts scattered in the third,'' Mr Pratchaya said.

They resemble the 130-million-year-old ''Phuwiangosaurus Sirindhornae'' dinosaur fossils extracted from sandstone in Phu Wiang district's 150-million-year-old fossil-shell graveyard only one kilometre away.

Mr Pratchaya said the fossils possibly belonged to herbivorous sauropod dinosaur, aged around 120-150 million years, which lived in the area during the Jurassic era. Sauropods are long-necked, lumbering giants standing many metres high.

Some fossils will be kept at the office of the tambon Non Tan administration organisation, while the others will go to the laboratory for further examination, he said.

Contractors were commissioned to lay the four-lane 50km road, with a stretch spanning 10km cutting through the Phu Phan mountain range.

The work has carried on for three months with nine more months to go. Construction teams working on the road, in the meantime, are racing against time to finish the project.

The project, which was included in the 2004 National Economic and Social Development Plan, had been frozen due to economic sluggishness.

It was approved during one of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's upcountry trips, to Wat Ban Tad.