http://www.biz-day.com/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/ Business Day Shipping, Logistics & Transportation Headlines en-us PATTAYA, Oct 28 - The demand for natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in Thailand is expected to rise in response to rising oil prices, and in anticipation some fuel refiners have already started to up their production output to cope with the coming demand. 'Led by Metta Banturngsuk, director-general of the Energy Business Department, Thai government Energy Ministry officials on Sunday inspected a large automobile garage and service centre in this eastern resort which also offers a specialised... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/29_oct_07/e5sni-2/ngv_producers_boost_output_meet_demand.htm BANGKOK, Oct 4 - Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um on Thursday revealed he would seek Cabinet approval for a master plan on the logistic system network development within two weeks after the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office reached a conclusion on investment figures. 'Delivering a keynote speech at a seminar on "Logistics Asia 2007: Go Regional," held by the Thai Chamber of Commerce, he reiterated Thailand needs to complete the development of logistics in each... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/05_oct_07/c8xzq-2/logistics_system_master_plan_go_before_cabinet.htm BANGKOK, Sept 23 - Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. (THAI), the country's flag carrier, opposes the idea of reinstating Bangkok's former Don Muang airport --now serving airliners for domestic routes -- as another international airport to ease traffic congestion at Suvarnabhumi international airport. 'THAI president Apinan Sumanaserani said Suvarnabhumi international airport -- which celebrates its first anniversary of commercial opening September 29 -- is busy during heavy... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/23_sep_07/hnfug-j/thai_opposes_don_muang_international_airport.htm BANGKOK, Feb 7 - The Thai Airfreight Forwarders Association (TAFA) will submit a list of airfreight problems found at Suvarnabhumi Airport to the government for short- and long-term solutions, TAFA'chairman Kovit Thanyarattakul said here Tuesday.'Mr. Kovit said since the moving of Bangkok's international airport from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi in September, the airfreight forwarders as well as importers and exporters had faced 50 per cent higher'costs.'The higher overhead came from... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/06_feb_07/bkecc-9/suvarnabhumi_airfreight_complaints_go_government.htm Bangkok, Feb 4: Coast guard officials from Japan, Malaysia and Thailand on Friday staged their first joint exercise to fight piracy in the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest waterways and key to Asian trade.'The three-hour drill in calm waters between Thailand's island of Phuket and Malaysia's Langkawi island began with "pirates" hijacking a Japanese supertanker and kidnapping some of its crew. Malaysia's police commandos later stormed the tanker before arresting the "kidnappers".... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/03_feb_07/gxgkn-i/japan_malaysia_thailand_stage_maiden_piracy_drill.htm Bangkok, Feb 3: Something is definitely rotten at Bangkok's brand new 3.9-billion-dollar Suvarnabhumi Airport, and it's not just the lack of sufficient toilets. 'The airport, which opened last September to huge publicity after years of delay and bad press, has had to partially close because cracks have appeared on some runways. 'Thailand's transport ministry is to recommend some domestic flights be transferred from Bangkok's new airport to the decommissioned old one. 'Suvarnabhumi... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/02_feb_07/eucu2-d/suvarnabhumi_airport_closes_after_just_five_months.htm BANGKOK, Jan 29 - A meeting Monday between Thailand's Ministry of Transport and other agencies concerned agreed to transfer domestic flights without ongoing connections to Bangkok's former international airport, Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen said.'Speaking to journalists after meeting with representatives from the Civil Aviation Department and the Airports of Thailand (AOT), Admiral Thira said his ministry will submit the proposal for Cabinet approval next week.' 'The transfer is... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/29_jan_07/dycg7-h/some_domestic_flights_shift_don_muang.htm BANGKOK, Jan 27 - The government fully supports further development of an integrated mass transit system in the Thai capital and its outskirts, as well as the much delayed Southern Seaboard project, and hopes to attract foreign investment, Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula said on Saturday.'Pridiyathorn, also finance minister, said investor confidence will improve following the government's recent announcement that it will push for full implementation of all three mass transit... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/27_jan_07/ek2b4-y/govt_boosts_bangkok_southern_seaboard_mass_transit.htm BANGKOK, Jan 20 - A meeting Friday between Thailand's Ministry of Transport and representatives of domestic and international airlines could not agree on the future use of Bangkok's former international airport, Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen said.'Admiral Thira said he would consult with his deputy and government agencies involved before submitting a proposal to the Cabinet in the next few weeks.'The minister added that the purpose of Friday's meeting was for him to listen to both... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/20_jan_07/dz6ge-4/no_conclusion_yet_future_use_of_don_muang_airport.htm BANGKOK, Jan 3 - Security is being stepped up at bus terminals, skytrain and subway stations as well as Suvarnabhumi international airport, following the New Year's Eve bombings in the capital city which killed three people and injured more than 30 others. ' 'Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen said the cabinet had instructed the authorities concerned to step up security measures at and around such public places for fear of repeated violence as the New Year holiday has ended and... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/03_jan_07/dyxwg-3/security_stepped_up_monitors_installed_at_transit.htm BANGKOK, Dec 23 - Security measures at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi airport will be increased as it is expected that the passenger load will rise by about 10 per cent during the New Year holiday, according to airport general manager Somchai Sawasdeepon. 'The current daily average passenger flow is about 100,000 persons while it is forecast that the overall number will rise 10 per cent from December 28 to January 3 as more people travel during the New Year holiday weekend, Mr. Somchai... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/22_dec_06/zqskx-w/suvarnabhumi_airport_boosts_security_at_new_year.htm Bangkok, Dec 11: India's largest private airline Jet Airways on Monday said it will launch direct daily flights to Bangkok from New Delhi and Kolkata beginning on January 23. '"Bangkok will be the 50th destination on our network and the third destination in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region," IANS quoted Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, the chief executive of the airline as saying. '"Jet Airways will be operating 14 direct flights per week to Bangkok, seven each from Delhi... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/10_dec_06/hjccy-a/jet_airways_plans_daily_flight_thailand.htm Bangkok, Nov 17: Thai Airways has warned European aircraft manufacturer Airbus that delay in delivery of the six A380 superjumbo jets purchased by the airline could result in a cancellation of the entire order. 'Airbus, said in October that problems with the A380 would lead to two-year delivery delays and a future profit shortfall of 6.1 billion dollars. 'Thai Airways is expected to make a decision regarding the purchase in early 2007. 'The warning follows a decision earlier this month... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/17_nov_06/bbhss-4/thai_airways_threatens_cancel_airbus_order.htm Bangkok, Nov 8: Thailand's interim government has given the green light to build five new subway and elevated rail lines that will link central Bangkok with surrounding areas, pushing ahead with plans to expand the Thai capital's public transportation system. 'The 165.4 billion baht project, will be completed within the next 6 years, includes four elevated rail lines that will be added to Bangkok's Skytrain system and one subway line, said Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. 'The mass... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/07_nov_06/iuxqy-9/government_set_unveil_new_mass_transit_system_by_2012.htm BANGKOK, Oct 21 - Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula has ordered officials of Airports of Thailand (AOT) to improve services at Suvarnabhumi airport before thinking of building a third runway. 'The order was made yesterday during a meeting with senior Transport Ministry and airport officials as Pridiyathorn was said to be not happy about the facilities available at the airport which has been officially opened late last month.'Chalor Kotcharut, acting... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/21_oct_06/fscmh-4/aot_ordered_improve_services_at_suvarnabhumi_airport.htm Bangkok - Less than a month into its commercial opening, the Aviation Department is already planning expansion of Bangkok's newly opened Suvarnabhumi International Airport to accommodate the rapid growth of passenger traffic, the head of the department said Monday.'Department of Aviation director-general Chaisak Angkasuwan said he will propose to the Transport Ministry and Airports of Thailand Plc.(AOT), which manages the airport, to speed up the feasibility study to build a new passenger... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/16_oct_06/dgun5-d/government_planning_suvarnabhumi_airport_expansion.htm BANGKOK, Oct 1 - Many shipping companies could not clear their goods from Suvarnabhumi airport transported by the Bangkok Flight Services (BFS) due to technical glitches in computer systems.'The BFS computer system could not be linked with that of the Customs Department, resulting in failure to process customs formalities that have to be completed for the release of these goods.'The resulting complication meant that shippers could not load their export cargos aboard the aircraft. BFS was... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/01_oct_06/bfs3z-u/computer_glitches_at_suvarnabhumi_delay_cargo_release.htm BANGKOK, Sept 29 - Long delays in collecting passenger baggage appeared as a big problem needing urgent solution on the first day of regular operations for Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday.'The troubles were evidenced in a protest staged by around 200 Korean passengers of One-Two-Go by Orient Thai Airlines, who waited for up to four hours for their baggage but found they were missing.'The baggage collection process is part of ground service provided by Thai Airways... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/29_sep_06/erkwz-c/baggage_delays_mar_suvarnabhumi_takeoff.htm Bangkok, Sept 13: US Energy Initiatives has bagged a 54,000,000 dollars agreement to convert 10,000 buses from diesel to the company's patent dual-fuel diesel to natural gas systems over the next five-years. 'The Tampa-based company has an exclusive license through its sub licensee GreenGas Ltd. to PS Natural Gas Co. Ltd Thailand. 'PSGas was formed in 2006 specifically to address the conversion of buses from diesel to operate on natural gas. It has partnered with PTT Public Co. Limited,... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/12_sep_06/c5vjc-v/us_company_bags_54mn_contract_convert_buses_natural_gas.htm Thoresen Thai Agencies Plc, Thailand's second-largest shipping company by value, said its third-quarter profit fell 47 percent as freight income declined.'Net income fell to 703 million baht ($19 million), or 1.09 baht a share, in the three months ended June 30, from 1.32 billion baht, or 2.05 baht, a year earlier, the Bangkok-based company said today in a Thai stock exchange filing. Freight sales fell 25 percent to 2.93 billion baht.'Higher fuel costs and greater capacity are squeezing... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/13_aug_06/fvxpw-x/thoresen_profit_falls_47_rates.htm Bangkok Expressway Plc, Thailand's largest private toll-road operator, said profit rose 6.4 percent in the second-quarter on higher revenue.'Net income rose to 374.9 million baht ($10 million), or 0.49 baht a share, in the three months ended June 30, from 352.3 million baht, or 0.46 baht a share, a year earlier, the company said in filing to the Thai stock exchange on Friday.'Toll revenue rose 2.2 percent to 1.66 billion baht, from 1.624 billion baht in the second quarter last year. http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/13_aug_06/jexrh-n/bangkok_expressways_q2_profits_rise.htm Bidding for firms interested in constructing Thailand's three extended electric train routes, earlier scheduled to be opened in July, has been postponed, Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal announced here on Monday.'The minister said the cabinet had not yet approved the terms of reference (TOR) of the first phase of the electric train's three extended routes, worth around Bt200 billion (about USA$5.3 billion) in total. 'The agencies concerned, including the state-run Mass Rapid Transit... http://www.biz-day.com/read/shipping_logistics_and_transportation/11_jul_06/e7q7s-m/train_route_bidding_hold.htm