Bangkok creating more bureaucracy to undercut #freetransit program

The Nation: ""The government isn't thinking of cancelling free bus/train services, but PM Prayut wants it to truly aid low-income persons and for the budget management to be financially efficient," he said. "

West, Gulf complicity in oil-fuelled genocide of Myanmar’s Rohingya

@nafeezahmed middleeasteye: "The State Department report focuses on the need for Myanmar to continue neoliberal “economic reforms” to open up the country to foreign investors.

Rather than acknowledging the junta’s culpability, the document makes passing reference to “political violence,” characterised ‘neutrally’ as “anti-government insurgent activity in various locations,” and “inter-communal violence… between Buddhists and Muslims”.

A report by the UK government’s department for Trade and Investment (UKTI) was similarly breathless: “Burma is estimated to possess 3.2 billion barrels of oil and 18 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas reserves… Its unproven resources may be vastly greater.”

These resources make Burma “among the world’s top fifth nations in terms of its proven reserves”."

Vietnam students abroad don't come home because..... traffic!

tuoitrenews : "“There are some reasons why overseas students do not return to Vietnam, including an unqualified educational environment, which can impact on the future of their children, an unstable lifestyle with a high level of air pollution, traffic jams, and road accidents,” said Vo Duy Khang, now a chief technology officer at Zappasoft, an Australian software company."

Saigon Registers 900 New Vehicles Everyday

Saigoneer: "Though registration prices are now climbing instead of the cost of the vehicles themselves – in September, fees hit VND11 million, five times more expensive than before – the continued onslaught of cars suggests this registration hike may not be enough to stem Saigon's deluge of four-wheeled vehicles. Taking into account the 7.2 million locally registered vehicles in Saigon, another million vehicles entering the city from other provinces and drivers like these on the road, it might just be better to stay off the streets altogether."

Free bus service in PJ area getting thumbs up

MBPJ: "Since it started in May 14 last year, the free bus service provided by the Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) is receiving positive response, The Malay Mail reports. In addition, a survey notes that the service has even converted motorists into commuters."

Fare-free bus service attracts 9,000 riders a day, 19% from cars, motorcycles.

Malay Mail Online: "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — A free bus service offered by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has converted a good number of motorists in the area into public transport users, according to a recent survey."

[Singapore] Govt should run public transport system

Channel NewsAsia: "“If you tell a private corporation that I’m going to judge you on the basis of your quarterly results and your bonus is based on your quarterly results, why would you want to spend money on long-term maintenance? That only adds costs and doesn’t shore up my quarterly results,” he said.

“I hope as we write our economic history, we can honestly admit that we made mistakes … The question is: Have we learnt from our mistakes and are we prepared to move ahead?”"

Government investment is putting money in, so public gets a benefit. Private investment is putting money in to get more money out, regardless of public benefit.