$6.6bn budget needed to upgrade Thailand’s railway
The nearly Bt200 billion allocated by the government to improve Thailand’s railway system and finance a five-year restructuring plan will involve the purchase of new locomotives, construction of parallel railways

The nearly Bt200 billion allocated by the government to improve Thailand’s railway system and finance a five-year restructuring plan will involve the purchase of new locomotives, construction of parallel railways, improvements of existing rail track, signal system and telecommunications, according to State Railway of Thailand (SRT) deputy governor Viroj Triampongpan.
The investment budget is Bt176.8 billion and the improvements and restructuring are expected to take several years to complete.
Mr Viroj said the SRT will fully utilise its resources to improve service for passengers, starting with developing railway service on four important routes: Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai-Bangkok, Bangkok-Butterworth and Butterworth-Bangkok.
The SRT will emphasise cleanliness, punctuality and friendly service, he said, adding that internet wi-fi will also be available on the four routes.
via Mammoth budget asked to revamp Thailand’s railway service.

National
Human trafficking cases in Thailand hit decade low due to COVID-19
Thailand has pointed to improved efforts to stop trafficking in recent years, under scrutiny from the United States and following criticism of its failure to tackle abuses in its lucrative seafood and textile sectors, as well as the sex trade.

BANGKOK, Jan 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Police in Thailand last year launched the lowest number of human trafficking investigations in a decade as coronavirus restrictions on businesses and borders hindered criminal networks, according to a soon-to-be released government report.
(more…)Economics
Thai economy to grow 4% in 2021 following 6.5% decline in 2020
The World Bank is now expecting the Thai economy to see 4% growth this year, and a 4.7% growth in 2022, despite current challenges from the new wave of COVID-19 infections.

The World Bank now expects that the Thai economy to expand by 4 per cent in 2021, according to the latest World Bank Thailand Economic Monitor report “Restoring Incomes, Recovering Jobs” released on Wednesday (Jan 20).
(more…)News
Thailand new coronavirus cases -59- down to two digits
Of the new cases, 28 were exposed to the virus while visiting high-risk areas. The province with the highest number of infections is Bangkok (10), followed by Samut Sakhon (7).

Thailand confirmed 59 new coronavirus cases and one additional death on Wednesday, taking its total infections to 12,653 and fatalities to 71, the first day Covid infections are down to two digits since the beginning of the second Covid-19 outbreak in the country in December.
(more…)-
Forex5 days ago
Leverage from Forex Brokers & How Beginners Can Benefit from It
-
National2 days ago
Human trafficking cases in Thailand hit decade low due to COVID-19
-
Economics2 days ago
Thai economy to grow 4% in 2021 following 6.5% decline in 2020
-
Banking4 days ago
Can Fintech drive a strong post-COVID-19 recovery in Asia?