PM Prayut invokes Section 44 to speed up connection of Blue Line extensions and Purple Line

[webfact]

PM invokes Section 44 to speed up connection of Blue Line extensions and Purple Line



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the Mass Rapid Transit Authority board to open direct negotiation with operator of the Blue Line electric train service to run the two Blue Line extensions in order to speed up the rail service operation and fix the missing one kilometre connection of the Purple Line rail service.

The order, invoked by the prime minister under Section 44 of the interim constitution, was published in the Royal Gazette yesterday.

According to Bangkok Post, the move was to ensure no operational delays and ensure connection of the rail services operated by different operators.

Under the order, Gen Prayut told the MRT board to draw up revenue-sharing proposals and other related criteria for use in negotiating with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM), the Blue Line operator,to run two extended routes of the Blue Line – Bang Sue-Thaphra, and Hua Lampong-Bang Khae.

This step must be completed within 30 days after which the proposals must be forwarded to the transport minister for approval in no more than 15 days.

Once the transport minister endorses the proposals, the committee responsible for selecting the operator of the extended routes and a supervising committee are required to consider installation of rail systems for the extended routes within 30 days.

Following this, the MRTA is authorised to begin negotiating with the Blue Line operator to operate the extended routes and to amend the existing Blue Line operations contract to ensure management consistency.

Currently BEM is operating the Blue Line from Hua Lampong to Bang Sue.

It is also operating the Purple Line linking Tao Poon station with Bang Yai station in Nonthaburi.

However from Tao Poon station to Bang Sue, there is no rail connection on a one kilometre stretch.

But with the order of the prime minister, it was clear that the missing section would be soon connected and BEM would link the two services, the Blue Line and Purple Line, together.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-invokes-section-44-speed-connection-blue-line-extensions-purple-line/

-- Thai PBS 2016-07-22

[ratcatcher]

But with the order of the prime minister, it was clear that the missing section would be soon connected and BEM would link the two services, the Blue Line and Purple Line, together."

It takes Article 44 to complete a project which common sense would have planned and executed in the first place. Classic!

[Brer Fox]

Without Section 44 virtually nothing would happen. All public service and administration in Thailand runs on manana time. Excepting of course the monthly collection of donations to the Policeman's Ball.

[robblok]

But with the order of the prime minister, it was clear that the missing section would be soon connected and BEM would link the two services, the Blue Line and Purple Line, together."

It takes Article 44 to complete a project which common sense would have planned and executed in the first place. Classic!

Thank god for article 44, i live on this route and its useless as long as there is no connection. I still wonder how good this route is. I think going on the motorbike to Mochit and take the bts there is still faster (even in traffic) than using this new line.

[jerojero]

Really? Using the Almighty Big Stick for this purpose? What's next, Art 44 to speed up the toilet cleaners at Platinum?

[Thian]

But with the order of the prime minister, it was clear that the missing section would be soon connected and BEM would link the two services, the Blue Line and Purple Line, together."

It takes Article 44 to complete a project which common sense would have planned and executed in the first place. Classic!

Thank god for article 44, i live on this route and its useless as long as there is no connection. I still wonder how good this route is. I think going on the motorbike to Mochit and take the bts there is still faster (even in traffic) than using this new line.

Better pass mochit and park in the BigC at saphan kwai, guarded motocycle parking there.

I won't use this purple line because i don't want to change trains so many times.

Why not do it good and connect all the bts tracks to eachother? There is massive huge construction going on around Mochit and chatuchak,but they couldn't make it one big fast system of only elevated skytrains....

Now just use article 44 and extend the purple line with mochit, no matter how...This skytrain is gonna be there for another 100 years so better make it good now.

[chainarong]

Section 44 must be the most versatile piece of un-authorised legislation ever invented ,or is that abused legislation, it not only cured the elderly flower seller from selling flowers to some sections of the population ,it also keeps students in doors and studying ( generally new communication codes ) but now it has superseded all known aspects of law through the ages and has sored to new heights, even higher than the Hubble space telescope , now has been used to connect the blue and purple lines , will it be called the Green line , I tried to invoke section 69 around my place and all I got told was to go and suck on a spud.................................................

Edited July 22, 2016 by chainarong

[WhizBang]

Why is S44 even needed?

How about getting people to do their jobs properly by holding them ACCOUNTABLE?

Oh, silly me, I forgot where I was.

[chainarong]

Why is S44 even needed?

How about getting people to do their jobs properly by holding them ACCOUNTABLE?

Oh, silly me, I forgot where I was.

All Thai Junta's have a section 44, the only one who didn't was the Coup of 06 with General Prem , he had the foresight to appoint a civil government , General Prem's intentions were good, however like this latest crowd of spiffs, nothing was achieved .

[jmccarty]

One thing for certain, no Catch 22 with Section 44!

[williamgeorgeallen]

wonder if it is used too often if its effect will wear off/out.

[wvavin]

Live and die with Article 44!

[klauskunkel]

I propose to change the name "Blue Line" to "Section 44 Line"

[metisdead]

Offensive posts and nonsense posts have been removed.

[sahibji]

what is the likely time frame for completion

of the project with new efforts in place.

sooner this is done the better as huge amounts of money

have already been invested in the projects.

[natway09]

Our illustrious General has got a " thing" about trains.

When he successfully bankrupts this great country with train(s) infrastructure which only the top 15% of his people are going to be able to afford to ride, he may as well stay in power & reap what he has sown as no other political party will wish to be saddled with these massive costs'

SRT in reverse

[AlQaholic]

This reminds me of that expressway that was almost completed but not completed for many years in BKK. The road was unused for like 10 years or so....

[ratcatcher]

[bheard]

Two lines built but miss each other by a kilometre.

Bumbling is the word for it.

Bit like building a BTS and an MRT with different ticketing systems. Stupid Na?

[gandalf12]

Why is S44 even needed?

How about getting people to do their jobs properly by holding them ACCOUNTABLE?

Oh, silly me, I forgot where I was.

You should go in for stand up comedy, you are very funny

[BlindMagician]

Offensive posts and nonsense posts have been removed.

But they are the fun ones

[MikeN]

Our illustrious General has got a " thing" about trains.

When he successfully bankrupts this great country with train(s) infrastructure which only the top 15% of his people are going to be able to afford to ride, he may as well stay in power & reap what he has sown as no other political party will wish to be saddled with these massive costs'

SRT in reverse

Well this train (and other extensions under construction) was planned long before he came into power, but at least he is trying to make sure the money was well spent in this case, with an actual connection ....after the govt of a former police colonel changed the original route so that the two lines did not meet !

[NotThatGuy]

Offensive posts and nonsense posts have been removed.

You'd have to disable comments or invoke section 44 to get this task done.

[Jonmarleesco]

But with the order of the prime minister, it was clear that the missing section would be soon connected and BEM would link the two services, the Blue Line and Purple Line, together."

It takes Article 44 to complete a project which common sense would have planned and executed in the first place. Classic!

Common sense is responsible for planning and executing most things. But we aren't in Commonsenseland; we're in Thailand.

[Jonmarleesco]

Why is S44 even needed?

How about getting people to do their jobs properly by holding them ACCOUNTABLE?

Oh, silly me, I forgot where I was.

All Thai Junta's have a section 44, the only one who didn't was the Coup of 06 with General Prem , he had the foresight to appoint a civil government , General Prem's intentions were good, however like this latest crowd of spiffs, nothing was achieved .

The coup of '06 with General Prem? Sounds as though he led it.

[gunzel3808]

'A former police colonel' - yes, I believe that Takhsin would have preferred no skytrains/metros were ever built and the use of cars & by extension roads, be the primary form of public transport in the country for ever more.

Result total gridlock, but he wouldn't care as he would be flying overhead in his private helicopter or plane.

Good riddance to that shyster and spiv.

Without decent public transport, like metros and skytrains, Bangkok would be a total nightmare by now to get around. Everybody would be riding MC taxis with all the resulting death & injuries.

[MaiChai]

Falang no understand Thai trains. No need connect together.

Edited July 24, 2016 by MaiChai