Business
MRT to start passenger Test Runs late July on Blue Line extension
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) commenced internal test runs on the MRT Blue Line’s Hua Lamphong – Bangkae extension on 1st July this year.
BANGKOK, 07 July 2019 (NNT) – The Mass Rapid Transit Authority is set to open the MRT Blue Line Thaphra extension for passenger test runs in late July.
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) commenced internal test runs on the MRT Blue Line’s Hua Lamphong – Bangkae extension on 1st July this year. The early phase of the test is intended to ensure the preparedness of officials to cope with situations which may arise with train operations, to test the stability of the signalling and train control systems, and to set an appropriate train speed for safety.
Once the new tracks and trains have passed the initial testing stage, the MRTA is expected to allow passengers to travel between Hua Lamphong and Thaphra station free of charge as part of the test run in late July.
More stations will incrementally be opened for free introductory trips, before the scheduled launching of the service in September this year.
During the trial, trains will run back and forth only on the new extension tracks, requiring passengers to change to another train at Hua Lamphong to travel to other stations on the current Blue Line Network.
The extension will be linked to the original section, allowing for through operations, once signalling tests on the extension are completed.
The opening of these extensions will make the Dark Blue Line the first circular line in Bangkok. This will make Bangkok a more connected city, opening new opportunities for development.
At present, the MRT Dark Blue Line is the second most popular mass transit line in Bangkok with 19 trains carrying 350,000 passengers per weekday.
Business
Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Hits new Record Low in May
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) has reported that Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for May fell to its lowest level ever due to COVID-19 concerns.
BANGKOK (NNT) – The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) reported on Thursday that consumer confidence hit a record low in May, due to the country’s latest and biggest COVID-19 outbreak so far.
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Thailand Approves Latest Economic Relief Package for Businesses
Some 250 billion baht (US$8 billion) was allocated for soft loans while the remaining 100 billion baht (US$3.2 billion) will go towards an ‘asset warehousing’ program whereby debtors can use their assets as loan collateral but will have the right to redeem their assets under a specific time frame.
On March 23, 2021, Thailand’s government approved its latest economic relief package, valued at 350 billion baht (US$11.2 billion), to support businesses in the country.
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