Dark Days Loom For Late-night Swingers

[george]

Dark days loom for late-night swingers

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is looking at more energy-saving measures to cut ballooning oil-import bills, which are slowing economic growth, officials said yesterday.

Thais may have to pay more for electricity, cut out evening trips to the golf-driving range or even stay home on Monday nights as bars and clubs are forced to close if the Cabinet approves a new raft of proposals, they said.

“We are testing the water with different ideas, to sound out which measure can be implemented,” Pornchai Rujiprapha, a senior Energy Ministry official said.

“For golf-driving ranges, as an occasional swinger I don’t think 9pm is the time to play,” Pornchai said.

Other proposals included obliging petrol stations to close at 10pm, instead of midnight and raising duties on, or banning cars with 1.8-litre engines or bigger, he said.

Pornchai said his ministry was working on estimating the amount of money the country could save from these measures, some of which have proved effective in the past.

“When we decided to close service stations from midnight to 10, oil demand went down by three to four per cent,” he said, referring to a voluntary campaign two years ago.

“So this time we expect demand to fall by at least two per cent after we close the pumps at 10,” he said.

It was not immediately clear which proposals the Cabinet might approve at its meeting next week.

Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak had opposed restricting oil imports and lowering strategic oil reserves and told reporters on Monday that such proposals had been dropped.

The government launched a voluntary campaign last month urging motorists to drive below 90kph, turn off air-conditioning during lunch breaks and switch off at least one light.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed disappointment at the results and threatened tougher measures unless people fell into line.

The government has spent Bt92 billion in subsidising retail fuel prices since January 2004, most of it on diesel used by millions of farmers who make Thailand the world’s biggest rice exporter.

It ended the subsidy on petrol in October and is phasing out that on diesel.

Thailand, which imports 90 per cent of its crude oil, spent Bt1 trillion on all fuels last year, the equivalent of 15 per cent of its gross domestic product, Energy Minister Viset Choopiban said last week.

“Revenues from our annual rice sales could pay for less than two months of crude purchases,” he told a business seminar on energy consumption.

“Oil prices will continue to keep their upward trend and will rise even further when the winter comes, therefore we must save now,” he said.

Chaipranin Visudhipol, president of the Advertising Association of Thailand, expressed support for the Energy Ministry’s proposal for lights on outdoor billboards to be turned off at 9pm.

“It’s a good measure. During this period of economic difficulty, it is the duty of everybody to help save energy,” said Chaipranin, who is also managing director of advertising agency TBWA\Thailand Co Ltd.

Chaipranin said the restriction would not create any difficulties for outdoor-media businesses or their clients. The hours after 9pm are not a prime-time period for billboards and few vehicles are on the road at that time, he said.

Chatchai Wiratyosin, marketing manager of Boonrawd Brewery Co Ltd, the maker of Singha Beer, said his company, which employs outdoor billboards as a major advertising medium, had no problems with the restriction.

“It doesn’t make much difference whether you turn the lights out at 9pm or midnight. People usually see the billboards in the daytime,” he said.

--The Nation 2005-07-06

[Insight]

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed disappointment at the results and threatened tougher measures unless people fell into line.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Insert several profanities that would have me banned from this forum within seconds

[Tornado]

Other proposals included obliging petrol stations to close at 10pm, instead of midnight and raising duties on, or banning cars with 1.8-litre engines or bigger, he said.

banning cars with 1.8 litre engines or bigger? yeah right, what a load of puss!

I can see Thaksin driving around in a Mira.

[terdsak_12]

I've got a 3.0L V6, does that mean that the boys in brown will come round and take my car away???

[Tornado]

Sorry Tourism is closed on Mondays as all the lights are out

[Tornado]

I've got a 3.0L V6, does that mean that the boys in brown will come round and take my car away???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am also on the wait list for a new Fortuna 3.0L

No TV, no going out after 9pm, no no no...............

well he has just got back from seeing his homeland, maybe he is starting to accpet the ideals of China?

I wonder why he is at his lowest in the polls at the mo

[terdsak_12]

No, Ford Escape.

[Membrane]

What? Is it April Fools again--already??

[mnoorsapl]

Other proposals included obliging petrol stations to close at 10pm, instead of midnight and raising duties on, or banning cars with 1.8-litre engines or bigger, he said.

banning cars with 1.8 litre engines or bigger? yeah right, what a load of puss!

I can see Thaksin driving around in a Mira.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mr.T driving around in a Mira. , that's setting a very good example.

[samiotis]

Dark days loom for late-night swingers

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is looking at more energy-saving measures to cut ballooning oil-import bills, which are slowing economic growth, officials said yesterday.

makes me thinking back to the 70's when we had carfree sundays in switzerland. he could save a month worth energy in one sunday and let the people do there work. -- can you see the picture of BKK without cars on the streeet -- I can imagine how the people in phuket and kao lak think about it. they have no tourism anymore, but the few coming back, get told, 'sorry we can not serve you on mondays'.

there is also the plan with the odd and even numbers. worked well in athens, same system as parking on the right or left side of the street. one day the odd numbers are on the street, next day the others. Very good for the environement.

Energy saving can only be done by educating people. not by buying big airplanes for the own fun, just becouse george has one, i want one.

instead of buying Liverpool, one could spend the money on a education campaign to tell people to turn the lights off if they leave a room, turn their engines off on a redlight and and and....

Cutting down the night entertainment any further will result in a loss of tourism and as thailand is not the most popular destination at the moment anyway i dought that this is the right thing to do.....

Do i get sacked now???

[sabaijai]

I wonder if anyone at the top is bothering to research actual energy consumption in Thailand. Approximately 85% of the national energy budget is consumed by air-conditioning. They could save a ton of money by simply installing thermostats at Bangkok International Airport to keep the temps at a reasonable 25-deg level. It's freezing in that airport, esp at night. I've been in many banks and gov't offices in Bangkok where there's a similar arctic chill.

The general rule now seems to be to run the air at a level that allows everyone to wear thick polyester jackets and ties. Setting the thermostats at reasonable levels and letting everyone wear lighter, more casual clothing could save millions of baht.

[Darkling]

I was going to fly in on Mon evening. Sod that if there`s no runway lights

[Rags]

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed disappointment at the results and threatened tougher measures unless people fell into line.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Insert several profanities that would have me banned from this forum within seconds

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[WhiteShiva]

I wonder if anyone at the top is bothering to research actual energy consumption in Thailand. Approximately 85% of the national energy budget is consumed by air-conditioning. They could save a ton of money by simply installing thermostats at Bangkok International Airport to keep the temps at a reasonable 25-deg level. It's freezing in that airport, esp at night. I've been in many banks and gov't offices in Bangkok where there's a similar arctic chill.

The general rule now seems to be to run the air at a level that allows everyone to wear thick polyester jackets and ties. Setting the thermostats at reasonable levels and letting everyone wear lighter, more casual clothing could save millions of baht.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh no, Sabaijai - there you go, ruining a perfectly good topic by bringing in common sense and logic.

Seriously though - sometimes I am just amazed at the vacuum brained statements these guys get away with.......

[Sangsom]

Isn't this what they call "Penney wise pound foolish?"

Saving some money in electricity spending by closing the bars etc. and loosing a huge amount in revenues? May be not only the revenues of one night but may be of many more nights as specially tourists might soon go and look for another more welcome destination!

[huski]

I've got a 3.0L V6, does that mean that the boys in brown will come round and take my car away???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

no, at the toll booths police will just disconnect one of your spark plug wires - after 9pm.

[Jai Dee]

I was going to fly in on Mon evening. Sod that if there`s no runway lights

That's gotta be a candidate for TV's quote of the day!

[huski]

I was going to fly in on Mon evening. Sod that if there`s no runway lights

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[hilly]

<snip>

As for this nonsense it was never said that over 1800cc cars were to be banned. They were talking about stopping future imports of gas guzzlers but even that idea was dropped yesterday.

The three things that are left on the list for discussion are garages closing at 10pm till 5am excepting those on major routes.

Billboard lights to be turned off at 9pm.

Major shopping centres have to be provided with meter taxi parking and the police will have to arrange this.

So as usual it was a load of &lt;deleted&gt; and please try to get yourselves up to date guys as this sort of posting causes unnecessary worry and grief.

Edited July 6, 2005 by george

[bajajvivek]

The motive is good but the way of doing it is too bad. I don't think its going to help like this. people will rebel and do otherwise. I've already read a lot of members of this group saying in different posts that if such restrictions will be forced they'll try to do whatever possible not to obey them. Is this the kind of attitude anyone should expect form educated people??? No, a Big No!!

We as sensible human beings should understand that the resources of this planet are very limited. Its not the duty of Governments to save energy. Its our duty before them.

If you really wanna do something, suggest Governments with your creative suggestions. I know you all have got plenty of them.

A couple from my side.

1. Instead of forcing people, try educating them. People learn more with Love than force.

2. HH King if speaks to people about this subject, people of thailand always listen to him.

plus I promise that I'll do everything possible to conserve enery.

switch off unwanted lights, try travelling in public transport as mucs as possible.

If we all try, we can have a safer happier, healthier world.

Thanks and regards

Vivek

[dereklev]

Isn't this what they call "Penney wise pound foolish?"

Saving some money in electricity spending by closing the bars etc. and loosing a huge amount in revenues? May be not only the revenues of one night but may be of many more nights as specially tourists might soon go and look for another more welcome destination!

Agreed, save a little electricity and alienate the tourists.

Not very logically, but TIT! !

[Crushdepth]

Promoting use of insulation in buildings might save more than a few baht...

[Jai Dee]

I've already read a lot of members of this group saying in different posts that if such restrictions will be forced they'll try to do whatever possible not to obey them.

Really?

Examples please...

[RamTodatry]

Why are they pussyfooting around this issue and screwing up tourist traffic which generates revenue.

They can implement some very simple measures:

1. Increase the tax on petrol/gasoline/benzene so that the price per litre is gradually increased by 25%, 50%, 75% and then 100% - which would effectively double the price of today. Will definitely help the coffers, and make many people think before they start their car. Don't forget what it might do to traffic.

2. This would foil the plans of all those stupid people who rush out and buy a car as soon as they get a 10,000 Baht/Month job.

3. This will also force others to use the Skytrain and the Underground more - improving traffic on those lines, as well as profitability. Although I think it is time (may be long overdue) that Skytrain(BTS) added another carriage to all their trains, as it is not practical to only add carriages during peak time.

4. Increase the Sales Tax(VAT) on new cars only. This would piss off Toxins's cronies. Hey but we are trying to save the country.

5. Drivers turning off their engines at intersections like Asoke/Sukhumvit or Rama IV/Tarua Road as the wait is more than 5 minutes during peak hours (sorry do not know the name of the road, the one going to the port). Appreciate the new displays that gives me wait times which are supposed to encourage drivers to turn off their engines, but they do not work most of the time. These have already been identified as 2 of the 6 worst intersections in BKK.

[Chiangmai Paul]

<snip>

As for this nonsense it was never said that over 1800cc cars were to be banned. They were talking about stopping future imports of gas guzzlers but even that idea was dropped yesterday.

The three things that are left on the list for discussion are garages closing at 10pm till 5am excepting those on major routes.

Billboard lights to be turned off at 9pm.

Major shopping centres have to be provided with meter taxi parking and the police will have to arrange this.

So as usual it was a load of &lt;deleted&gt; and please try to get yourselves up to date guys as this sort of posting causes unnecessary worry and grief.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes thanks Hilly for the clarification

What i read sometimes seems like the brain is not engaged before opening mouth

Lets cut down on fuel usage i have a non imigrate O class visa so every 3 months from what i understand i must cross the border so why not let visa holders like myself just get a stamp from the local immig office instead of having to travel so much

It surely can't be to hard

[bajajvivek]

I've already read a lot of members of this group saying in different posts that if such restrictions will be forced they'll try to do whatever possible not to obey them.

Really?

Examples please...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=37750

kindly read this post if you think I did't mean what I said

[sonnyJ]

I wonder if anyone at the top is bothering to research actual energy consumption in Thailand. Approximately 85% of the national energy budget is consumed by air-conditioning. They could save a ton of money by simply installing thermostats at Bangkok International Airport to keep the temps at a reasonable 25-deg level. It's freezing in that airport, esp at night. I've been in many banks and gov't offices in Bangkok where there's a similar arctic chill.

The general rule now seems to be to run the air at a level that allows everyone to wear thick polyester jackets and ties. Setting the thermostats at reasonable levels and letting everyone wear lighter, more casual clothing could save millions of baht.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly what I've been trying to say. But been out of words, it's the words saving time too, not the hub of words saving, but anyway..

Don't save your words here.

Great point by Sabaijai.

[Jai Dee]

5.  Drivers turning off their engines at intersections like Asoke/Sukhumvit or Rama IV/Tarua Road as the wait is more than 5 minutes during peak hours (sorry do not know the name of the road, the one going to the port). Appreciate the new displays that gives me wait times which are supposed to encourage drivers to turn off their engines, but they do not work most of the time. These have already been identified as 2 of the 6 worst intersections in BKK.

&lt;deleted&gt;?

And sit there without air conditioning... suffocating in fumes?

You've got to be kidding...

[albert dickinson]

i'mstill suprised that no one has come up with my suggestion of altering the clocks by one hour.albert shy ted

[Jack Jones]

That's my Monday night sorted, I'm going to sit in with the candles on, toasting marshmellows. I was struggling for something to do before.