U-tapao Airport receives new life

Raimond Honing, Managing Director of LTU Asia (left) and Sutham Phantusak (right), the main men who have worked so hard to make the dream of U-tapao Airport come true.

Great news for Pattaya! Raimond Honing, Managing Director of LTU Asia, announced that weekly LTU flights from Germany to U-tapao Airport will begin as early as next November. If these flights prove to be successful, they may open the gates for U-tapao to become a regular international destination.
The first flight of LTU to U-tapao is scheduled to depart Berlin, via Abu Dabi, on Friday, November 7, 1997, and arrive in U-tapao Saturday, November 8, 1997, at 7:05 p.m.
Flights back to Germany will be every Saturday at 8:20 p.m. Passengers will have a choice of three destinations in Germany; Düsseldorf, Munich and Berlin, by changing planes in Abu Dabi to their preferred destination. All three flights leave at approximately the same time from Abu Dabi.
These “test” flights are scheduled to last for 26 weeks. The last flight to Germany will leave on Saturday, April 25, 1998. However, consideration is being given to continuing the flights during the low season, but according to Honing, “We have to see first how it works.”
Pattaya Mail asked Honing about the reason for the flights to U-tapao: “Pattaya is still the main destination in Thailand for LTU passengers. Therefore, we would like to give them special service to avoid the long bus drive from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya. Also, many of our customers like to book flights from Thailand to Germany and now it is possible, since these flights are regular and not charter flights.”

Reporter chased by gunman

“Hired gunman” Chanan Jaritngarm just before his release on bail. The officer to the left is holding Chanan’s weapon.

A local reporter feared for his life last week when he noticed someone following him as he drove his automobile down Pattaya Center Road. Seeing the man had a gun, he called police for assistance.
When police arrived on the scene, which was in front of the Leng Kee boiled rice shop, the armed man, later identified as Chanan Jaritngarm, attempted to get in his automobile and drive away.
Before the police were close enough to intervene, the newspaper reporter shouted for Chanan to stop but Chanan reached for his gun. The reporter managed to wrest the gun away from him, after which the police jumped into the fray. Chanan was carrying a .38 calibre pistol.
At the police station, Chanan told the police that he had a lot of connections. These powerful connections had sent him to Chonburi to ‘work’, but he refused to reveal what type of work.
Later, a woman came to see Police Lt. Colonel Suphathee Thipsukh, insinuating that the police had planted the gun on Chanan. Her attempts were thwarted though, as police had many witnesses to prove their charge.
The mysterious woman threatened police further by telling them that she was friendly with a Lt. Commander in the Navy. She said she would like to post bail for Chanan. Police agreed. Chanan was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm without a permit, then released on bail.

German pot dealer arrested

Marco Busch was arrested for possession of 5 kilos of Marijuana.

Marco Busch, 24, a German national, was arrested on Tuesday, May 20 for possession of 5 kilos of Cannabis Sativa, or Marijuana, a schedule 5 controlled substance.
During the search of Busch’s flat on Soi 12 Banglamung, ordered by General Wanarat Khacharat, Head Investigations of the Crime Suppression Division, police found the drug wrapped in two huge Thai sticks, weighing approximately 2 kilograms each. Police also found 40 plastic bags containing the same drug. Busch was arrested and taken to Pattaya Immigration Headquarters.
He confessed that he had bought the Marijuana in Mukdahan province, which is on the Thailand-Lao border. He brought the drug to Pattaya and then packaged it in plastic bags for retail sale. His customers were foreign tourists at beer bars and discotheques. He sold the pot for 100 baht a bag and was making a pretty profit as he had paid only 8,000 baht for the five kilograms he bought.

Prime Minister to chair business summit in Pattaya

Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyud will chair the “Thailand Business Summit” in Pattaya on May 25.
The summit, which is being organized by the Commerce Ministry, will invite 30 of the kingdom’s top business leaders representing export-oriented industries and banks here to discuss export problems with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Amnuay Viravan. Commerce Minister Narongchai Akra-sanee will be the secretary of the meeting.
Business leaders expected at the summit include Vichien Tachapaiboon, president of the Board of Trade; Chokechai Aksaranan, president of the Federation of Thai Industries; Olarn Chaiprawat, president of the Bankers Association of Thailand; Pramon Suteewong of Siam Cement Group; Jirayudh Vasuratna; Viroj Putrakul; Chatchai Boonyarat; Vorapong Pichapongsa, president of the Rice Exporters Association; Vaiyavuth Sinchareankul; Erwin Muller; Boonchai Srichaiyongpanich; Vilai Kiatsrichat; Adirak Sripratak; Surapol Vong-wattanajoj, president of the Food Industry Club, FTI; and Viroj Amatakulchai, president of the Federation of Textile Industry of Thailand.
Sompol Kiatpaibool, permanent secretary of the Commerce Ministry, said that the summit will be informal in order to encourage the business leaders to discuss their problems and visions for Thailand’s international trade.
“The summit will concentrate on Thailand’s international trade. The businessmen and the prime minister will try to find a strategy for accelerating exports and resolving international barriers to Thai trade,” Sompol said.

HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn scheduled to open JCI-ASPAC ‘97 in Pattaya

HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, honorary member of the Junior Chamber Thailand, was scheduled to open JCI-ASPAC ‘97 in Pattaya on Thursday, May 22.
Pattaya is greatly honoured to host the 47th Asia Pacific Conference from May 22-25. Over 2,500 members of the Junior Chamber International are expected to turn out for the General Assemble for Area B. JCI Senator Prasan Klavikarn will be the Conference Director for ASPAC ‘97.
The genesis of the Jaycees conference in Pattaya began when Suchai Rujivanichkul, the President of the foreign department of the Jaycees of Pattaya went to the Asia Pacific meeting which the organisation held in Chiang Mai in 1991.
He thought it would be a good idea for Pattaya to host a conference and he presented it to the assembly at that time. He presupposed this again at the national Jaycee conference in Phuket and received permission.
Since then, he has done the public relations organisation and co-ordination during the past few years. He then made the official proposal for Pattaya to host the conference at the Asia-Pacific conference in 1995 and received permission.
Through all the stages of preparation and co-ordination, Suchai has been a veritable Rock of Gibraltar in his unmoving and unwavering devotion to the conference in Pattaya.
The city owes him a debt of thanks for his confidence in Pattaya’s viability as a vital venue for the various member countries to meet.
He has been instrumental, keeping in close contact with the administrative heads of the organisations in various regions of the world.

Canadian Navy to visit Sattahip

Sattahip - Canada’s Ambas-sador, Manfred G. von Nostitz, announced that two Canadian warships will be in Sattahip from May 22-26 for an official visit with the Royal Thai Navy. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Huron and Vancouver are visiting Thailand and five other Asia-Pacific nations - Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines - where they will engage in bilateral military exchanges and training. An at-sea passage exercise with the Royal Thai Navy is planned for May 26.
“Canada is an active member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the visit of these ships reflects our engagement in regional defence and security issues. A key element in building confidence between ARF members is deepening the relations and co-operation between Asia Pacific navies” said Ambassador von Nostitz.
HMCS Vancouver, one of twelve Halifax class Canadian Patrol Frigates, is one of the most advanced warships in the world. A general purpose frigate, HMCS Vancouver carries sophisticated anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface weapons and sensors and is equipped with modern anti-aircraft warfare systems. The ship carries one Sea King helicopter.
HMCS Huron is one of four modernised Iroquois class air defence destroyers in the Canadian Navy. Built in the early 1970s, it was extensively converted in the 1990s and refitted with sophisticated anti-air weapons systems, an improved propulsion plant, and advanced weapons and communications systems. HMCS Huron is capable of carrying up to two Sea King helicopters.
Both ships are equipped with a helicopter detachment from 443 Maritime Heli-copter Squadron, which flies Sea King helicopters. The Sea King Helicopter is a five-bladed, twin engine (turbine), multi-role heli-copter which can operate from either ashore or on the deck of Canadian warships. The helicopter’s Canadian designed and manufactured landing system enhances the Sea King’s all-weather, day-night capability by enabling the helicopter to land in the roughest of seas.
This is the third year of a long term annual visits programme launched by the Canadian Navy in 1995 to establish closer ties with the navies of other Pacific nations and to demonstrate Canada’s continued interests in Asia-Pacific defence and security issues.

Forefather of modern day journalism passes away

Prasit Lulitanon
(1910-1997)
Prasit Lulitanon, founder of the Bangkok Post and one of the Kingdom’s forefathers of modern day journalism, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 1997, of leukemia.
Prasit founded the Bangkok Post with Major Alexander MacDonald and friends after the Second World War, and fiercely defended freedom of the press. He spent nine years in Bang Kwang prison as a political prisoner from 1948 to 1957 for publishing his views that were deemed unacceptable by the dictator at the time.
Prasit was a founding member of the Journalists Association of Thailand and served as its president in 1971 and 1972. He was also a founding member of the Phud Hong Foundation for lepers and a former President of the Rotary Club of Thonburi and the YMCA.
Prasit was chairman and director of Post Publishing Co. from 1957 to 1982. At the time of his death, he was honorary president of Post Publishing Co. and director of Siam Chemicals Co.
Among his many decorations were; Companion Fourth Class of the Most Nobel Order of the Crown; Third Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan; Companion Fourth Class of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant; the Red Cross Commendation Medal and the Red Cross Award Medal.
Prasit Lulitanon was a true leader, outstanding in his field, and a person all journalists in Thailand owe a huge debt of gratitude for the decades of service he dedicated to the profession.
The entire staff of Pattaya Mail wish all the best for his surviving family and offer our sincere condolences to the loss of a truly great man.

“Mr. Pattaya” receives PATA Award of Merit

Alois X. Fassbind, Executive Vice President of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, was recently honoured with the Pacific Asian Travel Association (PATA) Award of Merit at the opening ceremony of the 46th Annual PATA Congress in Beijing.
The prestigious Award of Merit was presented in recognition of his long term contribution to PATA activities and for the organisation of last year’s successful PATA Travel Mart which was held in Pattaya.
Alois X. Fassbind has been a member of PATA since 1968 and was a member of the Committee at the inaugural PATA Conference in Thailand in 1969. He has once again been elected as the Chairman of the PATA Thailand Chapter 1997-99.

Admirals send ships on goodwill mission to Viêt-Nam

Rear Admiral Suthee Buranasin welcomed Admiral Thaweesak Sriprayoon, Commander of the 1st Fleet of the Thai Navy upon his arrival at Laem Chabang. The Commander of the fleet came in his capacity as commanding officer to send a fleet of Thai battleships on a goodwill voyage and visit to the Democratic Socialist People’s Republic of Viêt-Nam.

Rear Admiral Suthee Buranasin.
The fleet will dock for a visit at the port in Hô‘ Chi´ Minh City.
A meeting of commanding officers of the Thai and Viêt-Namese will be held. The main purpose of this meeting is to discuss fishing boundaries and establish sea lanes to ensure that the two countries do not encroach on each other’s waters. The commanders of both country’s navies will have special meetings in which to become acquainted with each other and plan joint patrols in the two country’s overlapping waters.
HMS Saiburi is a frigate, which displaces 1800 hundred tons of water and is 103 metres in length. It is 10.8 metres in breadth. The ship travels at an average speed of 30 knots.
HMS Racharit is a destroyer and displaces 270 tons of water. The ship is 49.8 metres long and 7.5 metres in breadth.
The two ships will be in the Democratic Socialist People’s Republic of Viêt-Nam for 8 days.

Pattaya problems outlined but not addressed

by Kittisak Khamthong
Songkram Korsuthi-theerakul, Deputy Governor of Chonburi, and Colonel Pornlert Varaseeha, Director of the Centre for Welfare of the residents of Pitsanulok village, held a meeting at Pattaya City Hall. The two officials were acting in their capacity as representatives of the Tourism Commission of Parliament.
They had come to Pattaya to summarise the cities 10 major problems. These are the landfill project, the tourist pier, the environment, the water waste treatment plants, the city administration, the traffic, the glut of indigent street children, the mini-buses, the inadequate number of police officers, and the insufficient budget.
The administration and business sectors of the city have asked the central government for help. So far, none has been forthcoming.
The representatives were asked about the progress of the issues, to which they replied that there must be another summarisation of Pattaya’s problems before the issue is raised in Parliament.
This shows that no plans have been made and no solutions are even in the preliminary stage.
If the problem isn’t raised in the next meeting of Parliament, Pattaya should forget the whole thing and realise that no honest efforts are being made for the city.

Thais urged to “spend at home”

by Kittisak Khamthong
Sujarit Pajchimanan, Governor of Chonburi, has asked the public and private sectors to economise as a part of the government’s policy to reduce expenditures.
He asks for people to use Thai products and spend their vacations enjoying Thailand’s idyllic meadows and lush forests. This will keep currency within the country and also help to revive the flagging economy.
The governor did not extend this plea to politicians and government officials though. Only last month a group of officials and politicians went on a ‘fact finding’ mission to Kun Ming in the People’s Republic of China. This little jaunt cost the government at least 3,000,000 baht.
Also, the governor need not worry about farmers, labourers, paddy workers and others who live from hand to mouth. They have no chance to take vacations outside the country. They even have problems financing a vacation within the country.
Sujarit need not speak to poor people about ‘tightening their belts’. There can be no currency drain when the average person has empty pockets.

Rear Admiral addresses Rotary Club

Rotary Club of Jomtien\ Pattaya President Kees Peperkamp receives a souvenir from Rear Admiral Charles W. Moore, Jr., USN after the RADM addressed the Rotary Club with a talk on “Peace time values of the Command Group and the significance of their presence in international waters.”
Rear Admiral Charles W. Moore, Jr. is the Commander of Battle Force Seventh Fleet, Surface Combatant Force Seventh Fleet, Carrier Strike Force Seventh Fleet, Carrier Group Five of the U.S. Navy.

Fumbling with Thai language leads to arrest of illegal Burmese immigrants

Tourist police were informed that there was a suspicious group of people in Pattaya, as they were Asians who spoke a tonal language no-one could identify.
Officers followed the group to their residence at the Sahamit Apartments. When the suspects opened the door, police asked to see their identification documents, which they presented. Officers were still sus-picious, though, as their Thai tones were all off pitch. After stern looks from the police the men admitted that they were from Myanmar (formerly Burma).
The six Burmese confessed to being from Mandalay. The immigrants said they had entered the country through Chiang Rai and bought documents which are issued to hill-tribe people of ethnic Chinese background. They said the documents were very expensive.
They then travelled to Pattaya where they worked at various tourist areas.

Fat Boys hoggin’ the show floor

VP Marketing Manager of G-Force, Manasawee “Tammy” Euarchukiat saddles up one of the Harleys on display.

by Ariyada
From now until the end of June, the Mercure Hotel is hosting a Harley Davidson show put on by G- Force, the only authorized Harley dealer in Thailand.
The show is displaying everything Harley fans could dream of: Fat Boys, Sportsters, Road Kings - you name it. The show is at the Fun Pub and while having a drink, a dance or a chat there, you can admire those beautiful motorcycles.
VP Marketing Manager, Manasawee “Tammy” Euarchukiat, explained to Pattaya Mail about the beginnings of G-Force: Khun Pimol Srivikorn (founder of the company) used to ride Harleys while studying in the USA and couldn’t live with-
out them. He got together with
somefriends,who are also Harley freaks, and started G-Force. The main company in Milwaukee was contacted, but it still took about three years before the Americans agreed to authorize them to open a dealership in Thailand.
The head office explained to the aspiring dealer-ship that the en-vironment and the right Harley spirit and lifestyle of its riders are very important. The three main rules are: 1. Freedom, 2. Independence, and 3. Adventure.
As soon as the decision was made to allow G-Force to become an authorized dealer, the six partners began importing the bikes and bike riding attire. The most important job was to set up a shop to service the machines.
Before G-Force there were, of course, a few Harleys in the country already. Riders initially formed a small club (between 10 to 15 bikes) called ‘The Immortals’, which has grown to a membership of over 100, helped along by G-Force. At that time, there was only one problem: a Harley would never arrive in one piece, only in parts. Poor Harley riders had to build their dream bikes from scratch before feeling the exhilarating experience of the open road.
G-Force has done them a great favor: since the end of last year, Harley Davidson motorcycles can be imported to Thailand in one single piece. Great news! Now there are almost 300 Harley Davidsons in Thailand and after the show at the Mercure Hotel, more than likely many more will soon be seen on the highways.
Prices aren’t exactly cheap. For a Sportster, you will have to empty your wallet of about 300,000 Baht. The most expensive Harley, a Touring Bike called the Ultra Classic Electra Glide, will set you back around 900,000 Baht, with many more models available in the medium range.
Don’t miss this great show - it only lasts till the middle of June.

The Harley crowd gather for opening ceremonies at the Harley night in the Fun Pub of the Mercure Hotel, with Neil Sandilands and Ron Amero (right) pointing out who is behind all the fun.

Garden International School to hold open house

Garden International School is holding Open Days on Saturday 24th May and Sunday 25th May from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome to view the school and see the excellent facilities.
The school is located by the Eastern Star Golf Course in Ban Chang. It has over 200 students aged 3 to 17 years and is a highly regarded school offering the British National Curriculum up to University entrance level. A new secondary building with many specialist areas is almost finished and the boarding house will be open for up to 70 borders in September.
For further information please contact the Principal, Mr. R. R. McGraw BA (Hons), M.Ed., F.R.G.S. on (038) 880 360-4.

People who care

Mr. Larry Dibbayawan (left), son of respected and well known lawyer Prempreecha Dibbayawan , presented basketball training equipment to Pol. Lt. Col. Chirat Pichitpai of the Ban Poonsri Uppatham Drug Treatment Centre in Naklua, This is a very essential piece of equipment vital to the therapy of patients at this centre.

Amari Orchid Resort General Manager Mr. Pierre Andre Pelletier (right) recently presented the amount of 1000 DM (about 16,000 Baht) on behalf of Mr. Herbert Reinertz, one of the hotel guests, to Father Brennan from the Pattaya Orphanage.