Sukhumband meets with UK ambassador Mark Kent over BMA projects

[webfact]

Sukhumband meets with UK ambassador over BMA projects

BANGKOK, 10 September 2014 (NNT) – UK ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, met with Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra to discuss the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s ongoing projects after he recently resumed his term in office.

Mr. Kent congratulated the governor on his return to the City Hall after 5 months of suspension pending a court decision. He also noted that British-Thai relations remain strong with a reported rise in tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom to Thailand and a rise in the number of UK investments.

During the meeting, Mr. Kent was also interested in the progress of the construction of MRT train lines in the capital. The BMA is set to initiate three more MRT lines in the near future.

The ambassador expressed concern over the flood situation this year due to the increasing amount of rainfall in important areas. However, the BMA assured Mr. Kent that Chao Phraya River’s water level is not considered high and the City Hall is fully equipped to promptly deal with flooding in most areas.


-- NNT 2014-09-10

[Greenhill]

And a good time was had by all??!!!!!

[Pib]

Why would the UK Ambassador care about BMA projects? UK companies involved in the construction? Maybe just something, anything to talk about.

[pinkynz]

Maybe hes just a train spotter.

[Cuchulainn]

.........The BMA is set to initiate three more MRT lines in the near future..............

Yeah. Uh huh. Whatever.

(initiate = 15 years to plan)

[Jeremy50]

.....The British Ambassador later returned to his spacious and luxurious apartment at the Embassy, and smugly reflected on his successful day. He hoped that his 'concerned' comments about the possibility of flooding this year hadn't appeared a little naive given that it is the rainy season, and it is raining such a lot nearly every day. 'Oh, the pressures of this job. Never mind, maybe later on I might sneak out for a quick soapy', he chuckled to himself.

[Upset]

I am waiting for the appointment of the new Scottish Ambassador to Thailand soon.

[BuckBee]

.........The BMA is set to initiate three more MRT lines in the near future..............

Yeah. Uh huh. Whatever.

(initiate = 15 years to plan)

Some work for this in terms of extension & new line feed from Hua Lampong has been ongoing for last 18months.

[Cuchulainn]

I know, but I remember back in 2004, they were promising new underground lines soon.

[Bakseeda]

I am waiting for the appointment of the new Scottish Ambassador to Thailand soon.

I put my name forward... but so far no interview.... time will tell and I come cheap...

[Baerboxer]

I am waiting for the appointment of the new Scottish Ambassador to Thailand soon.

Don't hold your breath.

[Baerboxer]

I know, but I remember back in 2004, they were promising new underground lines soon.

They promised the BTS would be extended out near us by 2011. The signs advertising where the new station near us was going were very nice and colorful. No sign of any progress, and no sign of the signs anymore!

[KhunBoy]

Say la la la to the bludger

[Arkady]

I am waiting for the appointment of the new Scottish Ambassador to Thailand soon.

Also waiting for Scots who were born there to parents also born in Scotland to find out that they are no longer entitled to British nationality under the curent 1981 UK Nationality Act. Scots living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will mostly be eligible to apply for naturalisation as British citizens but those living overseas will not, unless there is an amendment to the Nationality Act to facilitate them.

[Arkady]

Why would the UK Ambassador care about BMA projects? UK companies involved in the construction? Maybe just something, anything to talk about.

He likes riding on the BMA and MRT with his backpack and hasn't been kidnapped yet. MR Sukhumbhand is a Cambridge graduate who has a far better command of English that most native speakers. I have heard make a speech to foreign investors where many people were looking around in confusion at the long words he was using.

It's called diplomacy. The ambassador smoozes with a prominent anglophile who might be help make an introduction or two to British firms. No harm in that. Who knows Sukhumbhand might be a minister again in future. Always a useful contact.

[Baerboxer]

I am waiting for the appointment of the new Scottish Ambassador to Thailand soon.

Also waiting for Scots who were born there to parents also born in Scotland to find out that they are no longer entitled to British nationality under the curent 1981 UK Nationality Act. Scots living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will mostly be eligible to apply for naturalisation as British citizens but those living overseas will not, unless there is an amendment to the Nationality Act to facilitate them.

I'm sure Presidente Salmond will say "it's a special case and rules can just be re-written to accommodate whatever he and the SNP want" - just like keeping the pound, making the Queen "Queen of Scots", telling NATO they are still members (but you're not allowed to put nukes on our soil), telling EU parliament "we're still in the EU, we haven't really left and we'll tell you the knew rules". Everyone is just going to let Salmond tell them how it is to accommodate his wishes.

In reality a complete shambles - around 5 million voting on the future of 65 million. Very democratic.

What's next the ISIS Caliphate of South Yorkshire?

[webfact]

Britain's Ambassador meets Bangkok Governor
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 11 -- British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent called on Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paripatra to congratulate him on his return to the position, while vowing to increase cooperation on tourism but voiced that he is concerned about a possible flood threat to the city.

The Bangkok governor welcomed Ambassador Kent yesterday for a 40-minute talk on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) work in progress.

Mr Sukhumbhand said that two points were discussed, including Mr Kent's warm congratulations for the governor's return to his position and that Britain is ready to give full cooperation to the BMA on tourism.

The number of British visitors to Thailand has increased by 7 per cent, due to the stronger ties between both countries, the governor said, prompting both sides to help ensure the safety of the travelers to rebuild their confidence in visiting the Thai capital.

The talks also covered the flood situation in Bangkok, as Mr Kent expressed concern that it might repeat that of three years ago, when the capital was heavily inundated.

Mr Sukhumbhand said that Bangkok would not face such flooding again soon, as all indications are that the flood threat is under control.

In addition, they discussed City Hall's plan to build a monorail serving suburban Bangkok. Mr Kent said Britain has special interest in the project and that the British government would be pleased to assist Thailand if needed. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-11

[Dah fahrang]

Why would the UK Ambassador care about BMA projects? UK companies involved in the construction? Maybe just something, anything to talk about.

Well, since the abandonment of dealing with UK passport applications, and the aberration of other Ambassadorial duties, the bloke has to meet somebody, and do something for his crust, and to occupy his time. So, why not have a UK tax payer funded chat about mass transit trains? And gain this ridiculous propaganda.

Maybe they are both rail enthusiasts?

[Arkady]

I am waiting for the appointment of the new Scottish Ambassador to Thailand soon.

Also waiting for Scots who were born there to parents also born in Scotland to find out that they are no longer entitled to British nationality under the curent 1981 UK Nationality Act. Scots living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will mostly be eligible to apply for naturalisation as British citizens but those living overseas will not, unless there is an amendment to the Nationality Act to facilitate them.

I'm sure Presidente Salmond will say "it's a special case and rules can just be re-written to accommodate whatever he and the SNP want" - just like keeping the pound, making the Queen "Queen of Scots", telling NATO they are still members (but you're not allowed to put nukes on our soil), telling EU parliament "we're still in the EU, we haven't really left and we'll tell you the knew rules". Everyone is just going to let Salmond tell them how it is to accommodate his wishes.

In reality a complete shambles - around 5 million voting on the future of 65 million. Very democratic.

What's next the ISIS Caliphate of South Yorkshire?

Think that's about right. I saw an answer on the Scottish govt website to some one who was concerned about losing the right to live and work in the EU. They said there was no need to worry because Scotland would still be a part of the EU. However, Spain would definitely block that to pre-empt Catalonia from doing the same thing.

Off topic but interesting.