Woland

Riders question safety of Bhumjaithai flood-relief deliveries Delivery riders have raised concerns over the Bhumjaithai Party’s free-meal programme with GrabFood in flood-hit Bangkok, citing possible vehicle damage and falling acceptance rates when they reject orders. One rider said he rejected the same delivery to Eua Arthorn housing in Bueng Kum ten times; another said his acceptance rate had fallen to 50%. Grab’s published motorcycle service standards require an acceptance rate above 50% and a cancellation rate no higher than 10%, with repeated breaches potentially leading to suspension. Riders can cancel accepted jobs without affecting their cancellation rate when flooding or road closures prevent access, provided they select the truthful reason. Riders questioned who would pay for damaged vehicles and suggested setting up kitchens closer to flooded communities. GrabCare advertises disaster assistance of up to 5,000 baht, including vehicle repairs, subject to approval. #Thailand #Bangkok #น้ำท่วม #น้ำท่วม69 #น้ำท่วม2569 #น้ำท่วมกรุงเทพ #พรรคภูมิใจไทย #ครัวภูมิใจไทย

Thailand is moving toward a grid buyback scheme that would allow households to sell excess electricity back to the national grid, marking a significant shift in its energy strategy aimed at boosting resilience and supporting long-term, sustainable growth. The proposed reform, which builds on new tax incentives for rooftop solar adoption, is part of a broader government push to turn global economic volatility into opportunity. Officials say the move could help households generate income, reduce reliance on imported energy, and accelerate the country’s transition toward a cleaner, more decentralized power system. Link - thaienquirer.com/69014/thail… #Thailand #SolarEnergy #SolarRooftop #โซลาร์รูฟท็อป #พลังงานแสงอาทิตย์

The second reading of the Clean Air Bill began today, though the final vote in the lower house has not yet taken place. Key discussions focused on two provisions: - Article 24 on the structure of provincial clean air committees. Committee members, including Woraphob Wiriyaroj and Phattharapong Leelaphat from the People’s Party, argued that PAO presidents should chair the committees, citing their longer terms, stronger local accountability, larger budgets, and better knowledge of local conditions compared to provincial governors. The majority supported this approach, noting that it strengthens local roles while the central government retains full policy authority. The outcome was agreement to designate PAO presidents as committee chairs, described as a significant step forward in Thailand’s air pollution management framework. - Article 30/2 granting clean air officers the authority to inspect and control pollution sources. Opponents, including MPs from the Ruam Thai Sang Chart and Bhumjaithai parties, argued that the provision gave excessive powers beyond those of the police, risked abuse, conflicted with constitutional rights, and overlapped with existing laws. Supporters, including vetting committee members and Pheu Thai MPs, countered that the powers were consistent with existing environmental law and necessary for enforcement, with further revisions still possible in the Senate. Debate on Article 30/2 lasted nearly two hours. The House ultimately approved the provision by majority vote: 155 in favor, 115 against, 20 abstentions, and 1 not voting. The second and third readings of the bill are set to continue tomorrow. #Thailand #ประชุมสภา #พรบอากาศสะอาด

Nothing will stop this Thai rider in Surin’s Sangkha District from reaching his destination—not even shelling from Cambodia. #Thailand #Cambodia #ไทยกัมพูชา #ชายแดนไทยกัมพูชา

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has failed to enforce key conditions tied to the 2022 merger between telecom giants True and DTAC. On top of that, the commission is now preparing to ease those conditions, said Sittipol Wibulthanakul, list-MP for the People's Party and chairperson of the House Committee on Economic Development. He said the move to relax the conditions would directly harm consumers, noting that most of the merger requirements remain unmet after three years. The NBTC originally approved the merger despite widespread public and expert opposition, which warned that reducing the number of major mobile operators from three to two would diminish competition and negatively affect service quality and pricing. To address those concerns, the NBTC imposed a set of specific measures as conditions for the merger: - Average service fee reduction: The merged company was required to lower average service fees by at least 12%. However, public feedback suggests that prices have instead risen. - Preservation of existing contract terms: True-DTAC was obligated to maintain the terms and benefits of existing customer contracts. In practice, many users have reported that older promotions were canceled or that they were forced to switch to new packages. - Brand separation: Both brands were required to remain separate for three years to maintain brand-level competition. But there are concerns about whether brand separation under a single ownership truly preserves meaningful competition. - Support for MVNOs: The merged entity was supposed to establish a business unit to provide network access to Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), in order to promote competition among smaller players. To date, there has been little visible progress in this area. - Monitoring service quality and 5G investment: The NBTC required regular tracking of service quality and progress toward 5G infrastructure investment. Yet users continue to face frequent network outages and poor signal quality. Sittipol said nearly all of these commitments remain unfulfilled. In many cases, the NBTC’s enforcement has amounted to little more than hiring consultants. The agency has yet to review cost structures or assess service levels before and after the merger—both essential for meaningful oversight. He warned that relaxing the conditions now, without evidence of compliance, would let the operators off the hook and erode public trust. He urged the NBTC to fulfill its regulatory duty: monitor performance, include experts and consumer representatives in oversight, and impose penalties where conditions are not met. In a market where telecom services are essential and competition is limited, Sittipol said regulators must act in the public interest—not retreat. #Thailand #Telecoms #TrueDTAC #TrueDTACmerger #กสทช #ทรูดีแทค #ควบรวม

The draft solar bill gives broad powers to the energy minister, raising concerns about transparency and increased burdens on the public, said Treerat Sirichantaropas, CEO of New Energy Plus Solutions and former deputy secretary-general of the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party. Although promoted as a measure to support solar adoption, the bill—currently in public consultation until May 30—could instead impose new burdens on citizens and increase the risk of corruption, Treerat said. Key points of concern include: - The energy minister would have sole authority to issue regulations, approve solar installation sites (beyond homes or businesses), and define technical standards. - The minister could appoint non-utility entities, such as local officials, to handle grid connections—adding complexity and potential for abuse. - The minister would have the power to determine who can buy and sell electricity, set purchase rates, and appoint officers to inspect or dismantle systems—even in private homes. - All solar installations would require prior approval—at least 30 days in advance—from the Director-General of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), under rules that have not yet been released. - Non-compliance could result in the forced removal of systems at the owner's expense. Treerat warned that the bill risks becoming a tool for political gain rather than serving the public interest. Instead of making solar energy more accessible, it may introduce excessive bureaucracy and increase costs for citizens. He called for the rejection of the current draft, arguing that it concentrates too much unchecked power without clear regulatory safeguards. #Thailand #Energy #SolarEnergy #พรบโซลาร์เซลล์

Biomass burning is a major contributor to fine dust pollution in northern Thailand, while air pollution in Bangkok is driven by both human activities and biomass burning, according to data from the ASIA-AQ project survey conducted in March 2024. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), in collaboration with NASA and other agencies, has been analyzing air quality data collected during a series of flights. A DC-8 aircraft, departing from U-Tapao Airport, tracked dust levels along a route from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, passing through several airports. Flights took place twice daily for four days in March 2024, gathering data at altitudes ranging from just 50 meters near airports to as high as 3,000 meters. In addition, a G-III aircraft conducted flights over Bangkok and neighboring provinces. Following these flights, GISTDA worked with universities, the Pollution Control Department, and other agencies to process and analyze the data. Early results show that dust levels are highest at lower altitudes, with dust above 2 kilometers likely originating from external sources. These preliminary findings were presented at the ASIA-AQ Science Team Meeting in January 2025 in Malaysia, where GISTDA scientists met with NASA experts to review the data. The findings confirmed that biomass burning is a primary source of dust in northern Thailand, as evidenced by measurements of organic aerosols and combustion-related compounds. In contrast, air pollution in Bangkok is driven by a mix of human activities, such as vehicle emissions and industrial processes, in addition to biomass burning. These findings underscore the need for tailored strategies to address pollution sources in different regions. The study also highlighted the role of secondary aerosols in PM2.5 pollution. A large portion of PM2.5 particles are formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere, primarily influenced by human activities and biomass burning. Ground-level ozone, a particularly harmful pollutant in Bangkok, is formed from vehicle emissions and industrial activities, further exacerbating health risks. Seasonal trends were observed: Bangkok experienced higher dust levels from November to January, while northern Thailand saw increased pollution from March to May. Ground-based data confirmed the significant role of biomass burning in Chiang Mai, where organic aerosol levels were notably higher than in Bangkok. GISTDA plans to share the findings with government agencies and the public in mid-March 2025. The agency is also working to involve more researchers to strengthen efforts in tackling air pollution. #Thailand #Bangkok #ChiangMai #AirPollution #ฝุ่น #ฝุ่นกรุงเทพ #ฝุ่นกทม #ฝุ่นpm #ฝุ่นpm25 #ฝุ่นภาคเหนือ

Crop burning in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka District yesterday, despite a government ban. Report such incidents to the Pollution Control Department's hotline at 1650. #Thailand #AirPollution #ฝุ่น #ฝุ่นPM25 #ฝุ่นพิษ