News
Thailand pushes for high-speed rail link with China to be used for freight
The first phase of a delayed high-speed rail link between China and Thailand is back on track after its environmental impact assessment was approved – but now doubts have been cast over whether it will have enough passengers to warrant its US$5.2 billion price tag.[]It ...
Wendy Wu
Slight delay in Thai high speed rail project due to environmental impact study
Construction work has been delayed until the middle of next month for the initial 3.5-km stretch of the Thai-China high speed railway (HSR) in Thailand’s north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, Bangkok Post daily reported on Thursday.[] The full line will span 873 km, linking Thailand and ...
Strait Times Reporter
Mekong sand-mining claims probed
Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda said on Tuesday that he had ordered an investigation into allegations that some sand-mining boats on the Mekong River had dug up sand outside of the areas allowed under their permits.Keep reading ...
The Nation Reporter
Firms act on ocean plastic from Southeast Asia
Two initiatives involving industry aim to stop ocean plastic pollution at the source.[] The project aims at the root of the problem, the partners say. They say only five countries—China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—are responsible for 8 million metric tons of ocean plastic ...
Alexander H. Tullo
Water resource bill: death of small-scale rice farmers?
[] Last month, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) introduced a Water Resource Bill. Although the bill seems to target large industries, the bill will also charge 0.50 baht per cubic metre of water from rice farmers with more than 50 rai (8 ...
World Bank cuts growth forecast for Myanmar amid slowing investments
[] “Myanmar’s macroeconomic environment remains stable, though economic growth is slowing to 5.9pc in 2016-17 compared to 7pc in 2015-16, weighed down by slower investment demand,” the Washington-based lender noted.Despite notable reforms and strong foreign investment commitments, investment demand decelerated as private investors bided their time ...
Thompson Chau
Thailand warned over firms fleeing abroad
Political uncertainty over planned reforms and public infrastructure projects are perceived as the top concerns for investors considering doing business in the country, according to the World Bank’s latest Thailand economic monitor. As Thai companies spend less at home, they are shifting to invest in opportunities ...
Jesus Alcocer
Southeast Asia faces more currency risk than rest of region, World Bank says
Malaysia, and to a lesser degree Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, remain more exposed to exchange rate risk than other developing economies in East Asia and the Pacific as global financial conditions tighten, the World Bank said. Keep reading ...
Karl Lester M Yap
Shell says cancels sale of Thai gas field stakes to Kuwait's KUFPEC
Royal Dutch Shell said on Wednesday it has cancelled a $900 million deal to sell its gas field stakes in Thailand to Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC). Shell and KUFPEC announced the deal in January, and it was due to be completed in the first ...
Florence Tan
Mekong clearance will destroy 'a few islets'
Ling Leehua, president of CCCC Second Harbour Consultants Co Ltd, which won the concession from Beijing to conduct the survey, said only those islets obstructing the route would be removed, with some shallow sections of the river also being dredged. Keep reading ...
Bangkok Post News Staff