Pattaya Mail — News

How many more must die?

Even though it has been months since Minister of Industry Korn Thapharangsri appointed a committee to solve the problems of the citizens of Mab-Ta-Phut in an expeditious fashion, there has been no progress made in the alleviation of the people’s suffering.

The noxious fumes still overcome the villagers, staying for periods of 2-3 days before blowing away until the next onslaught.

The well documented moving of students from the Mab-Ta-Phut Pan Pitayakhan School, due to the many illnesses caused by the noxious fumes, has yet to force officials into any concrete action. Nor has the deaths of citizens in the area.

The death of Mr. Manit Siangsanoh, who was the first to be poisoned by the fumes, and the death of Ms. Somjai Wongsaraya, the fumes’ second victim, were both covered up by factory owners.

The factory owners not only showed no guilt, but lack of compassion by releasing news that the two victims died of AIDS, which carries a social stigma in Thailand.

Seven companies, totaling eight factories, have been named by the Monitoring Board set up to oversee the factories’ progress in solving the problems of noxious fumes emanating from the factories in the Mab-Ta-Phut Industrial Estate, as still allowing the noxious fumes to pollute the air.

The following information is from the minutes of the 5th meeting of the board held on Friday, September 12th, 1997, in the meeting room of the Mab-Ta-Phut Industrial Estates, the 8th meeting on October 3rd and the 9th meeting on October 10th.

1. Tuntex Petrochemical (Thailand). The investigating committee says that the company has made alterations and gave them permission to re-open after their factories were closed for a period of time.

2. Star Petroleum Refining, which is still leaking odorous sulfur fumes from untreated wastewater.

3. The RRC is still emitting fumes from their water treatment facility at the plant.

4. Loxley has not solved the problem of controlling the fumes. A representative from Loxley reported that the delay in beginning work was due to many power outages and heavy rainfall. The company promised they would begin alterations in 3 days and they would be completed in 4 weeks. The Chairperson told Loxley’s representative that an inspection would be made and a report given to the board at its next meeting.

5. Bayer Premiere is still emitting fumes from wastewater treatment. The chairperson of the board stated that the Emulsion Polymerization section of the plant would be closed and proper conduits must be installed in the Pump Station room. Plastic sheeting should also be installed to cover the wastewater treatment areas, temporarily. The company said that fumes would not be totally gone for 2-3 days. The company promised to work with utmost care.

6. Thai Chinkong Industries, whose factory was closed by the government and told to improve its operations.

7. Siam Steel Construction is emitting chemical dust particles into the air.

There are many other factories also responsible for the people of Mab-Ta-Phut’s suffering.

The following are the stories of two citizens who are fighting for their lives as well as the future of the children and citizens in the area.

Mr. Piak Soyakart, 64, owns 14 rai of land next to the Shell Refinery in Rayong. For over 30 years, Piak planted Sago and grew Mangoes and was content. His happiness ended when the first factories were built near his farm. His health, which had always been perfect, deteriorated in a period of months, caused by toxic fumes coming from the factory.

Piak now suffers from a chronic respiratory condition which physicians say is a direct result of the fumes. His symptoms include tightness of the chest, vomiting, sore throat and chronic nasal and sinus problems.

When Piak first became ill, doctors at Rayong Hospital prescribed medication, but when his condition did not improve, Piak went to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital for a second opinion.

The results of a chest x-ray showed that the membranes enclosing Piak’s lungs (Pleura) were covered with small pustules, a symptom of inhalation of airborne chemical irritants. He has had three sputum tests for Tuberculosis, but all have been negative.

The medication prescribed by physicians at Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital helped his condition a bit, but he must visit the doctor regularly. In the four years he has suffered from health problems, he has spent over 400,000 baht on medical expenses.

Piak told reporters that he had lived on his land for 40 years. He said the factories passively pushing people off their land was not fair, but he is especially upset with the factories’ non-caring attitude towards young children who attend school in the area.

He said it was the factories’ duty to control toxic emissions which are now covering twelve villages at regular intervals. "If factories accept that it is not right to pollute the environment, everyone could peacefully co-exist. But at present, that is not the case.’

If Piak had land in another area, he said he would move there. Selling his land in Rayong is not an option, as the only people who would buy it now would be factory owners, and at very advantageous prices.

Piak concluded, saying, ‘I’m not moving. I’m staying on my land. I can let the world know of this terrible situation in the Mab-Ta-Phut industrial Estate, which the government once promised would be a land of plenty because of the factories. Mab-Ta-Phut is now hell-on-earth for its residents.’

Mrs. Chaleam Maneesaeng, 57, who lives in the same area as Piak, is another victim of the fatal fumes.

A former resident of Pradoo Bay, she moved to Mab-Ta-Phut in 1984 when her land in Pradoo Bay was confiscated by the Thai Government Department of Aviation.

She first felt the effect of the fumes 3 years ago, and describes the odours as a combination of sulfur, gasoline, ripe guava, vinegar and even perfume. They waft into her house every day.

After a time, she began experiencing dizziness, irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia), tremors and weakness. She gradually became weaker and suffered from chronic coughing.

Four months ago, her condition became worse and her weight dropped from 56 kilograms to 36 kilograms.

Public health doctors prescribed medications and a nurse now visits her regularly. As she has been prescribed anti-biotics, her medication must be changed at intervals so she does not develop a resistance to any one drug.

When asked if she has considered moving away from the factories which are poisoning her, she said she does not have the money to move to an area with no factories. Land value in those areas is far beyond the price she would get from selling her land in Rayong.

There are many other people who suffer similar conditions in the area, but are still able to work. This will not be for long, though. Soon, they too, will succumb, not so much to the noxious fumes, but to the uncaring attitudes of the factories who care for nothing but profit.

One inevitable consequence the factories do not think about or may not care about is; when their entire work force has become crippled, who will work for them?

History of the Mab-Ta-Phut Industrial Estate

Rayong was supported in its development as an industrial area during the government of former Prime Minister General Chartchai Choonhavan. 5,000 rai of land was allotted for the project in Mabchalut, Takuan and Mab-Ta-Phut villages. Mab-Ta-Phut was later made a township.

The main occupation of the residents at that time was farming. The ‘Eastern Seaboard Project’ brought residents a period of prosperity as they sold their land to the project.

The whole area was administered by the Industrial Enterprises of Thailand. The project was welcomed by the industrial sector, who invested gigantic amounts of money.

Many of these industries were further enlarged, using funds from the Board of Investment of Thailand (BoI). There was no tax on heavy machinery and land rent was very cheap, as was labour.

The project was so successful that it attracted investment necessitating the enlargement of the area.

The area now has 50 factories on 8,000 rai of land.

Barrie Kenyon named new UK Embassy Rep for Pattaya

The British Embassy in Bangkok has appointed Barrie Kenyon to be its new Consular Correspondent in Pattaya. He replaces David Rice of Foster Wheeler Engineering who has returned to UK to take up a new appointment with the company.

The main duties of a consular correspondent are to represent the interests of the embassy locally, especially in cases where UK nationals are arrested or fall seriously ill. Barrie, 58, is already the embassy’s police and prison visitor in this area to British and Commonwealth men detained by the Thai Department of Corrections.

Originally a graduate of Liverpool University in Latin and Greek, Barrie pursued a varied career in journalism, teaching and local government management. In 1993, he was asked to promote open learning courses in South East Asia on behalf of a group of European colleges.

He has been a columnist and feature writer for the Pattaya Mail since its inception. He is a question setter in the resort’s trivial pursuits leagues and founded Pattaya Bridge Club three years ago.

Thai'97 exhibition opens at Utapao and Sattahip with a “bang”

This week saw the opening at Utapao military airbase and Sattahip naval dock of the inaugural Thailand International Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Exhibition (Thai’ 97). This spectacular display of aircraft, marine vessels and land warfare equipment opens to the public this Saturday and Sunday, October 25th and 26th.

With the exhibition opening daily at 9 a.m., organisers have arranged shuttle buses to Utapao with pick up points at A-One Royal Cruise Hotel, Royal Garden Hotel, Siam Bayshore Hotel and the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel. Departing only at 7:30 a.m. and 10.a.m., the cost is 170B per person one way. Shuttle buses will also ferry visitors between the Utapao and Sattahip exhibition sites frequently.

Featuring at Thai’ 97 is a huge array of military and civilian aircraft. The public is able to inspect them close up on the ground, as well as thrilling to their aerial feats during the 2 p.m. flying displays.

Also of big interest is the Defence Equipment Manoeuvre Park, where armoured fighting vehicles strut their stuff through rugged terrain. Showtime here is 10 a.m., however you can view the equipment throughout the day. Other military gear on display includes the latest assault rifles, anti-armour and anti-aircraft missile systems, surface to surface missiles and artillery pieces, both static and self-propelled.

Over at Sattahip, naval and civilian vessels are open for public inspection. Here a variety of ships are coming back and forth while a range of static displays are on hand for the old sea salts.

For more details contact Thai’ 97 information centres at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel and the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel.

Expat committee pledges 2 million Baht annually to reduce road accidents in Chonburi Province

by Ken Bailey

Last week the Laurant Committee, comprising local expats and representatives of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, met for the first time to outline their plans for reducing road accidents in Chonburi Province. Chaired by Kees Peperkamp of Rotary and retired businessman Gerard Lemmers, this committee states that its motivations stem from their appreciation of "the hospitality of the people of this country" and their search for a "way we could give something in return".

Declaring an annual budget of Baht 2 million, the committee identified road accident prevention as an issue which is "underdeveloped and needs stimuli and money". As a result of this a three pronged campaign was discussed.

In what they propose as their ‘direct strategy’, the committee is considering identifying the most statistically lethal traffic spots and funding the erection of preventative measures such as traffic lights and danger signs.

The second direction of activity discussed was young driver education. Members unanimously agreed that to make a significant improvement, tomorrow’s drivers need to be more aware and competent than today’s. Considered actions include involving Thailand’s several road safety awareness organisations in an education program aimed at teenagers. Targeting those about to make legal appearances on the province’s roads is felt to be an effective approach.

Envisaging an investment strategy as their third prong, the committee plans to maintain the flow of funds to their projects. As new drivers are taking to the roads each year, they feel any non-continual action would be pointless.

Wheels set in motion to help little Lena

The plight of British toddler, three-year-old Lena Young, which was exposed last week by Pattaya Mail, has received international attention with hope of good news for the young waif’s future.

Following publication in the Pattaya Mail, this newspaper received offers of assistance from British and German nationals. Subsequent publicity both on the BBC and in the British Press resulted in the promise of an inquiry by the British Foreign Office.

Photo: British Consular Correspondent in Pattaya Berry Kenyon met with Land and her mother in the offices of Pattaya Mail and said he woulp pass on their whereabouts to consular officials in Bangkok.

Shortly before going to press Mrs Anongnart Young, Lena’s mother, received a letter from Britain’s Department of Social Security informing her that an application for a Widow’s Pension was now under consideration.

And a half-brother of the little street waif phoned from England with an offer of help.

But a businessman in Pattaya, who raised Lena’s plight with the Pattaya Mail, accused the Foreign Office of being ‘untruthful’ when they issued a statement saying that to them the girl’s welfare was ‘paramount’.

A Danish businessman known as Lucky said, "At last the wheels seem to be slowly turning. But no thanks can go to the staff of the British Embassy in Bangkok. If I have called them once I have called them a dozen times. Each time they have referred Mrs. Young to a lawyer.

"If they had taken the time to sit down with Lena’s mother, who is from the country and understands nothing of British red tape, and explain to her how to fill in one of their social security forms, and if at the same time they showed a little sympathy, then the situation would never have got to this level. From my own experience I was passed from one person to another.

"And when Pet (the nickname for Anongnart) turned up at the Embassy, her experience was even worse with people just eager to usher her out."

Lena’s father, bit part-actor Stanley Young whose main claim to fame appears to have been in the 60’s British made TV series ‘William Tell’, died of a heart-attack in a Bangkok hotel shortly after Lena’s birth in 1994. Her mother, Mrs. Anongnart Young, 35, was informed of the death in a letter from the British Embassy.

She claimed she went to the Embassy several times to get help for her daughter. All she could understand was their instruction to ‘get yourself a lawyer’.

On Monday the Foreign Office issued a statement denying they had refused to help Anongnart. The statement said the girl’s welfare was paramount and British Embassy officials stated that both mother and daughter were entitled to social security, and that they were urgently seeking to contact the girl’s mother to sort the matter out.

Mrs. Young’s attempt to get information about whether Stanley Young had left anything in his will was hampered because his ex-wife in the United Kingdom had instructed the Foreign Office not to pass on her address to his Thai wife.

Damon Young, 22, a half-brother of Lena, however, spoke on the phone from the Midlands to Anongnart to apologise. "I want to help. I do not have much money, but I am ashamed about what has happened. Pet and Lena are welcome to come and stay with me."

Lena, meanwhile, was oblivious to the fuss around her as yesterday she continued to help her mum with the chores under the scrutiny of the foreign press and a BBC TV crew.

Mrs. Anongnart Young said, "Lena does not know what is happening. She knows who her father is and that she is different to other young girls around here, but not much more.

"I would like to thank those people who have come forward to help me, but I still do not believe anything good is going to happen."

Peter Malhotra, Editor of the Pattaya Mail, contacted the British Consular Correspondent in Pattaya, our very own contributing columnist Mr. Barry Kenyon, who met Lena and her mother and said he would pass on their whereabouts to consular officials in Bangkok.

Mr. Malhotra said, "I am not going to sit in judgement on this one, but quite clearly nothing was done for a long time. We are glad to have been able to set things in motion. Lena, however, is the innocent party in all this and we are praying something good comes out of all the fuss."

Green Leaf Project kicks off

by Kittisak Khamthong

The Board of Environmental Promotion of Tourism Activities (BEPTA) which is composed of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the United Nations Office of the Environment for Asia and the Pacific, the Society for the Development of the Environment, the Office of Electrical Energy Management, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the Metropolitan Water Authority, have been achieving success in their dissemination of knowledge and understanding regarding conducting tourism related business with the least possible adverse effects on the environment.

All the above organisations invited hotel operators, tourism companies, government educational institutions, and other NGOs to a seminar entitled ‘Green Hotel Fair and Seminar’. Over 1,000 businesses and organisations attended the seminar.

From the knowledge gained at this seminar, all who attended have given special attention to environmental concerns, and have pledged dedication to the development and conservation of the environment.

This project has received support from the British Embassy, the Asia-Pacific Foundation, the United States-Asia Environmental Partnership, (US-AEP) and funding from the Policy Committee of the National Energy Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Committee for the Environment and Natural Resources, the National Office for Energy Policy, the hotels in the Dusit Resort Group, the Royal Princess Group, Mahidol University, the Mayfair Inn Company, Thai Airways International, and four star hotels throughout the country.

The committee is now beginning a new project, called the ‘Green Leaf Project.’ This project is to raise the standards of the tourism business and increase the efficient use of energy.

Mr. Chachawan Suphachaiyanon, General Manager of the Dusit Resort Pattaya, opened the new seminar entitled, ‘Options in the Decoration of Hotels and Menus for a Beautiful World.’ This seminar began on October 10th at the Dusit Resort in Pattaya.

The hotels joining the seminar will be given ‘Green Leaf’ ratings. Depending on their dedication and results of their efforts, each hotel will have various numbers of ‘green leaves’ awarded to them. The ratings will be from 1-5 green leaves.

A committee will be set up to give ratings to the various hotels, through the medium of a questionnaire. After questionnaires are sent to the committee, it will inspect the hotels.

After 20 hotels are inspected, the hotel with the highest rating will be given the award as the ‘model hotel’ and have a ‘Five Green Leaf’ rating.

The project hopes to encourage lively competition between hotels, the end result being improvement in all hotels’ environmental consciousness and sensible use of energy.

These ratings will be sent to tour and travel agents abroad to inform tourists which hotels are considered the ‘Greenest’ in Thailand.

The ‘Model Hotel’ will receive the ‘Gold Award’ from the PATA Society and award from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Organisers say the program will be in full operation by 1998, with organisers who are professionals in the environmental field.

The project will be constituted as a legally registered foundation.

Organisers believe the change will be seen in the next two, or ‘Amazing Thailand’ years. This will be a powerful incentive for people to visit Thailand.

Pollution levels will be lower and Thailand will once again be a ‘nature’ destination.

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