Latest news with #Chadchart
Bangkok Post
21 hours ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
BMA chief voices train fare compensation concerns
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt has urged the government to clarify compensation terms for the 20-baht electric train fare policy, warning unclear details could expose the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to potential legal risks. Mr Chadchart expressed support for the government's second phase of the 20-baht maximum fare policy for electric trains across the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR), saying that this initiative will help ease financial burdens on commuters. However, he noted that the current concession agreements with private train operators involve average fares of around 34 baht per passenger. With roughly 700,000 passengers, a figure likely to increase, the concessionaires could face a substantial revenue loss as the Ministry of Transport's compensation estimate appears low. The BMA has also hired private firms to operate some train lines at an annual cost of around eight billion baht while collecting only about two billion baht in fare revenue. Mr Chadchart said the compensation must also be fair in this case as well. "What we're a little bit worried about is the contracts between the private concessionaires and the BMA. Clear discussions are needed because if they can't agree on a certain compensation, the BMA could be sued," Mr Chadchart said. Meanwhile, Gp Capt Anudith Nakornthap, the Kla Tham Party's strategic chairman, defended the policy against critics who argue it is unfair to taxpayers outside the capital. Gp Capt Anudith said that the 20-baht fare benefits all Thais, not just Bangkok residents, as anyone from across the country who works or visits the capital will also be able to enjoy lower fares. He said that Bangkok contributes nearly 48.3% of national tax revenue -- far more than other regions -- demonstrating the city's critical role in national financing. He warned against a view that public spending in Bangkok is designed to be regionally biased. "This isn't about favouring just Bangkok," he concluded. "It's about reducing transport costs for everyone, which is a way to stimulate the economy by increasing people's purchasing power."
Bangkok Post
11-07-2025
- Health
- Bangkok Post
Novo Nordisk Brings Cities for Better Health to Bangkok
Bangkok, July 11, 2025 — Following a visit to Copenhagen, Denmark, to collaborate on enhancing urban health, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Novo Nordisk will launch the Cities for Better Health (CBH) programme in Bangkok in 2025. The BMA delegation, led by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and introduced to best practices in sustainable urban development, circular economy models, and health promotion through public-private partnerships. During the visit, the delegation explored Spor 10, a CBH programme site in central Copenhagen developed by Novo Nordisk. This innovative initiative has successfully transformed an underutilised area into a vibrant and healthy community space, featuring a basketball court, outdoor gym equipment, and other recreational zones that promote community engagement and safe, enjoyable physical activity. Spor 10 exemplifies the power of collaboration among the public and private sectors, civil society, and international organisations in fostering healthier urban communities. 'By learning from a pioneer in healthy urban development such as Spor 10 in Copenhagen, the BMA can replicate similar public-private partnerships for the benefit of Bangkok residents,' said Governor Chadchart. 'The CBH programme will empower our citizens to lead healthier lives and embrace more active lifestyles within their communities.' The delegation also met with representatives from Novo Nordisk, Denmark's Gladsaxe Municipality, and the C40 network. Discussions focused on the CBH programme and the development of community spaces that foster social interaction and promote active living, aligned with C40 initiatives such as the Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods programme. Governor Chadchart also highlighted the transformation of Benjakitti Park in Bangkok, where a former tobacco factory was converted into an expansive green public space. He expressed a strong interest in implementing the CBH model in the Thai capital. Implemented in more than 50 cities worldwide, the Cities for Better Health programme promotes healthy lifestyles and aims to prevent chronic diseases through a holistic and sustainable approach powered by cross-sector partnerships. With over 40% of Thais living with overweight or obesity—and approximately 57% of Bangkok adults affected—the need to 'bend the curve' on chronic diseases has never been more urgent. As part of efforts to address obesity in the capital, Novo Nordisk has been working closely with the BMA to implement CBH-related projects in 2025, with a strong focus on prevention and health equity. H.E. Mr Danny Anan, Danish Ambassador to Thailand, remarked, 'Copenhagen has been ranked the world's most liveable city in 2025. Denmark and Thailand share a common vision for healthy urban living. The collaboration between Novo Nordisk and Thai authorities such as the BMA reflects the strong and dynamic relations between our nations.' Ms Selina Christodoulakis, Director of Market Access and Public Affairs at Novo Nordisk Thailand, added, 'Novo Nordisk is proud to support health initiatives alongside our partners in Thailand. The CBH programme reflects our ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes and fostering sustainable practices in urban environments, where chronic diseases have the greatest impact. We look forward to working collaboratively to place Bangkok firmly on the CBH network map.'
Gulf Today
01-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Woman pulled alive from quake rubble after 60 hours in Myanmar
Rescuers freed a woman from the ruins of a hotel in Myanmar, officials said on Monday, a glimmer of hope three days after a massive earthquake that killed around 2,000 as searchers in Myanmar and Thailand raced against time to find more survivors. The woman was pulled from the rubble after 60 hours trapped under the collapsed Great Wall Hotel in the city of Mandalay after a 5-hour operation by Chinese, Russian and local teams, according to a Chinese embassy Facebook post. It said she was in stable condition early on Monday. Mandalay is near the epicentre of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday that wreaked mass devastation in Myanmar and damage in neighbouring Thailand. In Bangkok, Thailand's capital, emergency crews using cranes and dog sniffers on Monday continued a desperate search for 76 people believed buried under the rubble of an under-construction skyscraper that collapsed. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said rescuers are not giving up despite the conventional-wisdom window for finding people alive fast approaching. "The search will continue even after 72 hours because in Turkey, people who have been trapped for a week have survived. The search has not been cancelled," Chadchart said. He said machine scans of the rubble indicated there may still be people alive underneath, and dog sniffers are being dispatched to try to pinpoint their locations. "We've detected weak life signs and there are many spots," he said. Thailand's official death toll was at 18 on Sunday, but could shoot up without more rescues at the collapsed building site. In Myanmar, state media said at least 1,700 people have been confirmed dead. The Wall Street Journal, citing the ruling military junta, reported the death toll had reached 2,028 in Myanmar. Reuters could not immediately confirm the new death toll. The United Nations said it was rushing relief supplies to estimated 23,000 quake-hit survivors in central Myanmar. "Our teams in Mandalay are joining efforts to scale up the humanitarian response despite going through the trauma themselves," said Noriko Takagi, the U.N. refugee agency's representative in Myanmar. "Time is of the essence as Myanmar needs global solidarity and support through this immense devastation." India, China and Thailand are among Myanmar's neighbours that have sent relief materials and teams, along with aid and personnel from Malaysia, Singapore and Russia. The United States pledged $2 million in aid "through Myanmar-based humanitarian assistance organizations". It said in a statement that an emergency response team from USAID, which is undergoing massive cuts under the Trump administration, is deploying to Myanmar. The quake devastation has piled more misery on Myanmar, already in chaos from a civil war that grew out of a nationwide uprising after a 2021 military coup ousted the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. One rebel group said Myanmar's ruling military was still conducting airstrikes on villages in the aftermath of the quake, and Singapore's foreign minister called for an immediate ceasefire to help relief efforts. Critical infrastructure - including bridges, highways, airports and railways - across the country of 55 million lie damaged, slowing humanitarian efforts while the conflict that has battered the economy, displaced over 3.5 million people and debilitated the health system rages on. Reuters
Globe and Mail
01-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Bangkok reviews construction safety after a high-rise was crumpled by an earthquake 800 miles away
BANGKOK (AP) — Thai authorities said Monday they are investigating why a single office tower block under construction in Bangkok collapsed during Friday's earthquake that otherwise caused limited damage in the capital. Bangkok Gov. Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site as heavy equipment pulled away rubble from the 30-story State Audit Office building in hopes of finding the 78 people still missing. "Even one life saved is worth all the effort, so I think we have to move on, carry on,' he said. But in the longer run it's important to ensure building safety in the city, where millions of people live and work in thousands of high-rise buildings. The magnitude 7.7 quake, which was centered more than 800 miles (1,200 kilometers) away, killed more than 2,000 people in Myanmar and at least 18 in Thailand, most at the Bangkok construction site near the popular Chatuchak Market. 'I think we need to find the root cause so at least we can learn some lessons and improve building regulations," Chadchart said. 'In the end, we will have some results that will improve safety in Bangkok.' Shares in the property developer handling the project, Italian Thai Development, fell 27% in trading Monday as questions were raised about the building's design, enforcement of construction safety codes, and the state-run Chinese contractor building the State Audit Office. The construction company, a subsidiary of state-run China Railway No. 10 Engineering Group, last year posted a video online celebrating the 137-meter-tall (about 450 foot) structure's topping out, showing plenty of drone footage and boasting about the quality of the design, construction and management of the project. Questions over safety and quality Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, whose family owns one of Thailand's largest construction conglomerates, told reporters he has ordered an investigation committee to be set up and to report the results back to him within seven days. He pointed to three possible factors behind the collapse: the designer, the inspectors or the builders. 'We will definitely find the true reasons as to why this building has collapsed, because it's all scientific,' Anutin said. While not on a geologic fault, Bangkok is built on relatively unstable alluvial soil, on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. That can amplify ground motion for tall buildings. The city has long been sinking under the weight of its skyscrapers, leading authorities to restrict the use of groundwater to help reduce subsidence. Friday's earthquake gave the Thai capital an unusually long and strong jolt, causing water from rooftop pools to cascade down skyscrapers, light-rail trains to rock on their tracks, and millions of people to flee homes and offices. People waited for hours outside in the blazing midday heat for buildings to undergo safety checks. A warning of aftershocks Monday caused a brief panic, with some people again heading to the streets. Questions about enforcement of safety and quality standards in Bangkok were raised earlier by the collapse of parts of a highway under construction in the city's outskirts that killed several construction workers. One potential concern was the quality of the steel rods embedded in concrete slabs and pillars to reinforce them. Most other damage in the city appeared to be superficial, such as fallen ceiling panels and fittings and cracked plaster, and mainly in relatively newer buildings put up by private developers. Revised construction standards Chadchart said building owners need to inspect their properties to determine whether any cracks were old or new. The Thailand Structural Engineers Association was recruiting volunteers to help with inspections. Recently, it urged a review of all large-scale projects in the city. Most buildings in Bangkok were built before the government revised construction standards to require meet earthquake safety requirements, said Christian Malaga-Chuquitaype, a lecturer in civil and environmental engineering at the Imperial College in London. Many structures are constructed without beams using 'flat slabs' and slender columns, which maximizes open floor space and minimizes costs, he noted. The company building the State Audit Office boasted in its video that it used a beamless design. 'While this design has cost and architectural advantages, it performs poorly during earthquakes, often failing in a brittle and sudden (almost explosive) manner,' he wrote in an analysis. "A thorough forensic analysis is needed, but this building type is no longer recommended in earthquake-prone areas.' ___
The Guardian
29-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Myanmar earthquake: death toll rises to almost 700 as search for survivors continues
The death toll from a huge earthquake that hit Myanmar has reached almost 700, as rescuers dig through the rubble of collapsed buildings in a desperate search for survivors. The shallow 7.7-magnitude quake struck northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar in the early afternoon, followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The quake destroyed buildings, downed bridges, and buckled roads across swathes of Myanmar, with severe damage reported in the second biggest city, Mandalay. At least 694 people were killed and nearly 1,700 injured in Myanmar's Mandalay region – believed to be the worst affected – the ruling junta said in a statement. About 10 more deaths have been confirmed in Bangkok, the Thai capital, where a high rise building under construction collapsed. But with communications badly disrupted, the true scale of the disaster has yet to emerge from the isolated military-ruled state, and the toll is expected to rise significantly. It was the biggest quake to hit Myanmar in over a century, according to US geologists, and the tremors were powerful enough to severely damage buildings across Bangkok, hundreds of kilometres (miles) away from the epicentre. Rescuers in the Thai capital laboured through the night searching for workers trapped when a 30-storey skyscraper under construction collapsed, reduced in seconds to a pile of rubble and twisted metal by the force of the shaking. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt told AFP that about 10 people had been confirmed killed across the city, most in the skyscraper collapse. But up to 100 workers were still unaccounted for at the building, close to the Chatuchak weekend market that is a magnet for tourists. 'We are doing our best with the resources we have because every life matters,' Chadchart told reporters at the scene. 'Our priority is acting as quickly as possible to save them all.' Bangkok city authorities said they will deploy more than 100 engineers to inspect buildings for safety after receiving over 2,000 reports of damage. Up to 400 people were forced to spend the night in the open air in city parks as their homes were not safe to return to, Chadchart said. Significant quakes are extremely rare in Bangkok, and Friday's tremors sent shoppers and workers rushing into the street in alarm across the city. While there was no widespread destruction, the shaking brought some dramatic images of rooftop swimming pools sloshing their contents down the side of many of the city's towering apartment blocks and hotels. Even hospitals were evacuated, with one woman delivering her baby outdoors after being moved from a hospital building. A surgeon also continued to operate on a patient after evacuating, completing the operation outside, a spokesperson told AFP. But the worst of the damage was in Myanmar, where four years of civil war sparked by a military coup have ravaged the healthcare and emergency response systems. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing issued an exceptionally rare appeal for international aid, indicating the severity of the calamity. Previous military regimes have shunned foreign assistance even after major natural disasters. The country declared a state of emergency across the six worst-affected regions after the quake, and at one major hospital in the capital, Naypyidaw, medics were forced to treat the wounded in the open air. One official described it as a 'mass casualty area'. 'I haven't seen [something] like this before. We are trying to handle the situation. I'm so exhausted now,' a doctor told AFP. Mandalay, a city of more than 1.7 million people, appeared to have been badly hit. AFP photos showed dozens of buildings reduced to rubble. A resident reached by phone told AFP that a hospital and a hotel had been destroyed, and said the city was badly lacking in rescue personnel. A huge queue of buses and lorries lined up at a checkpoint to enter the capital early on Saturday. Offers of foreign assistance began coming in, with President Donald Trump on Friday pledging US help. 'It's terrible,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office about the quake when asked if he would respond to the appeal by Myanmar's military rulers. 'It's a real bad one, and we will be helping. We've already spoken with the country.' India, France and the European Union offered to provide assistance, while the WHO said it was mobilising to prepare trauma injury supplies.
