Service Charge Now Imposed On Helpline '1133'

[george]

Service charge now imposed on helpline '1133'

BANGKOK: -- A service charge is now imposed on one of Thailand's most popular helplines, 1133, after members of the general public could access to the service free of charge over the past 40 years.

The service provider, TOT Corporation Public Company Limited (TOT), began to impose the service charge--Bt3 per minute nationwide--from February 1.

TOT president Thirawat Charuwat told journalists that the company could no longer provide the service free of charge, as its operational costs, including computerized database system installation and staff's payrolls, had surged to Bt233 million monthly amid growing number of calls to use its service--from 6 million a month previously to 10 million currently.

He said the company's recent survey of its clients found that most of them are willing to pay the fee in exchange for faster and more diverse services.

The 1133 helpline, formerly 13, provides the public with a 24-hour search of unknown telephone numbers of individuals, business firms and organizations throughout the kingdom.

Mr. Thirawat said, however, that the public would still access to the company's service through its website [ http://www.tot.co.th ] --free of charge.

--TNA 2006-02-01