Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Rail station name shame
Oped, Editorial, Published on 07/01/2023
» At a cost of 33 million baht, the nameplate and logo redesign for Bang Sue Grand Station has triggered public suspicion that requires not only a clear explanation from the State Railway of Thailand and the Transport Ministry but also prompt and thorough scrutiny from related agencies.
Common ticket vows fall flat
News, Editorial, Published on 14/06/2020
» Earlier this month, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha inaugurated a 4.3-kilometre extension of the BTS Skytrain from Kasetsart University to the Royal Forest Department. The event was marked with official fanfare but city residents had little reason to cheer. Over the past year, various extensions have sprung across the city connecting commuters from all corners to the mass transit system. However, transit operators have not been able to get one crucial thing right -- introducing a robust common ticketing system.
Our car-free days just token effort
News, Editorial, Published on 22/09/2019
» For another year, today's Bangkok Car Free Day, the local version of an annual awareness-raising event observed in cities across the world, has been reduced to a PR stunt by the city administration and central government.
Cheaper fares need thought
News, Editorial, Published on 30/07/2019
» The Transport Ministry's plan to make electric trains more accessible by lowering fares is noble, but any such move must be grounded in reality and be practical.
It's time to tackle tourist scammers
News, Editorial, Published on 21/07/2019
» A tourist scam in Phuket has prompted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to raise concern about the adverse impact such incidents may have. He has warned tourist operators not to exploit tourists or the province's reputation will be tarnished.
Diversify the duty-free ops
News, Editorial, Published on 06/04/2019
» Starting in September of next year, all duty-free shops at Suvarnabhumi airport will be owned and run by one company for a period of 10 years, if the Airports of Thailand (AoT) insists on going ahead with the monopolistic concession model that it has been using since 2006.
Opening up duty-free
News, Editorial, Published on 01/11/2018
» As the auction for the concession to operate the duty-free zone at Suvarnabhumi airport comes closer, the fate of an underachieving industry hangs in the balance. The state-run Airports of Thailand (AoT) has not yet revealed whether it will do away with the current monopolistic concession model that has allowed only the sole operator, King Power International, to grow richer -- at the cost of both the state and shoppers.
Riled at poor BTS service
News, Editorial, Published on 30/06/2018
» After almost four days of rush-hour delays, the BTS Skytrain operator managed to "assure" passengers on Thursday that a solution to the problem had been found.
Airport prices won't fall
News, Editorial, Published on 18/01/2018
» Another investigation of airport food and beverage prices is under way. Officials claim to be shocked at some of the price tags they have seen. Of course the inspecting officials, including cabinet ministers, do not have to mingle with common vendors when they fly.
Power crash a major flaw
News, Editorial, Published on 13/02/2016
» The power outage at Krabi International Airport early this week which forced immigration authorities to let in about 2,000 travellers without properly vetting their personal data reveals an appalling lack of standards in operating an airport.