Pattaya Mail — News

Aerial Extravaganza highlight of spectacular Thai'97

by Ken Bailey

Photo: Looping in tight formation, the Northern Lights Aerobatics Team kept Thai'97 audiences thrilled and amazed with their daring precision.

Under a scorching sun the resounding roar of aircraft engines heralded the opening last week of the inaugural Thailand International Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Exhibition at Utapao and Sattahip. An enormous event for the Eastern Seaboard, Thai’97 was hampered by maiden event organisational hitches and the last minute pull out of some key exhibitors. It turned out, however, to be a triumphant public spectacle enjoyed by thousands.

Welcoming the hundreds of government, military and industry figures from around the world, Managing Director of organisers UA Aerospace Vichai Savetjareon opened Thai’97 with short formalities and it was on with the sensational flying display, which enthralled crowds over the ensuing four days.

First up, the world’s largest Thai national flag skydived into proceedings attached to the body of a member of an Australian Skydiving team member. Joining him, a huge Amazing Thailand flag and skydivers from Pattaya’s Siam Air Sports were circled in flight by the five smoke trailing Extra-300 aircraft of the Northern Lights Aerobatics team. The enormous flags unfurled and glided around as their airborne masters swooped. Changing shape in the wind, the flags had the audience captivated while the Siam Air Sports tandem skydive drew loud applause.

Having deposited the skydivers at 5,000 feet, a Russian built Mi-17 military transport helicopter descended into a hover a few metres above the ground in front of the spectators. Built by the Kazan helicopter plant, this huge machine danced and jigged, astonishing the audience with its maneuverability, while its two 1900 turboshaft engines drowned out all other sound. Although they would never have heard it, the Russian pilot and Burmese co-pilot must have been able to see the crowd’s enthusiastic applause.

What followed was the flying display’s showpiece. Hailing from Canada with its five Canadian, U.S. and Swiss pilots, the Northern Lights Aerobatics team performed stunts which had the audience spellbound with excitement and disbelief. Flying 300-hp propeller driven Extra-300 aircraft, these daredevils thrilled with acts such as heading straight for each other, missing by only a few metres, spiraling high into the sky and disappearing into a cloud of smoke before tumbling back into sight regaining control. They amazed with precision formation flying where they flew so tight in their spectacular manoeuvres that at times they appeared as one. Clearly the crowd’s favorites, the Northern Lights performed their 20-minute routine daily with enormous audience appreciation every time.

Just when it seemed the audience had seen everything, announcer Gordon Bowman-Jones introduced one of the gutsiest men ever to fly an airplane, Jim LeRoy of California. Powered by a custom built 400-hp engine, Jim’s modified red, white and blue Pitts Bulldog Bi-plane pushed the limits of aeronautical engineering during his frenzied performance. Combining gut wrenching high altitude twists and spirals, heart stopping low-level aerobatics and low speed stall flying, Jim had everyone’s adrenaline rushing.

Adding a nostalgic flavour, the 1930s vintage Boeing Stearman Bi-plane piloted by Bob Moore of Moore Barnstorming, showed that nail biting aerobatics is not the domain of modern aircraft alone. Shining under the brilliant sunshine with its bright blue fuselage and yellow wings bearing U.S. Army markings, the Stearman dived and looped and pulled off amazing mid-air stalls where it looked certain to crash.

The Stearman later teamed up with a small helicopter for a performance that left the audience cheering as if it were a football final. To everyone’s amazement the helicopter landed on the Stearman’s wing in flight, and American stunt man Royce Barr climbed from the rear cockpit, grabbing onto one of the chopper’s landing skids. As the helicopter veered away from the Bi-plane, Royce was left suspended under it by one arm, waving to the cheering crowd with the other.

Stunning the audience even further, both aircraft soared into a sheer vertical climb followed by a similarly steep dive, Royce dangling beneath the helicopter all the way. Even more cheers erupted as the helicopter roared past the rows of spectators, Royce returning their waves as he sped by. Bringing the audience to a frenzy, the chopper then deposited Royce in front of them where he was mobbed by autograph hunters.

Highlighting the range of aeronautical craft in today’s world, Thai’97’s flying display also included the world’s smallest people-carrying jet aircraft piloted by Dave Harris of Washington, and fun light aircraft for private use, like the Australian designed and Malaysian built Eagle 150. Pattaya’s own Mark Overend of Eastern Flying School made several appearances using his Microlight aircraft to tow the aerobatics hang glider which entertained using a flying fireworks display choreographed to music.

Taking on the risk of staging Thailand’s first major airshow, Thai’97’s flying displays can be judged a triumph if the public’s reactions are anything to go by. People’s faces beamed with excitement and delight as they cheered and applauded in appreciation of what is obviously an intensely difficult form of entertainment to perform and organise.

101 trespassers asking for fairness in eviction

The Chonburi administration ordered a committee set up quite some time ago to see to the eviction of trespassers in South Pattaya.

A group of the trespassers held a meeting to plan their strategy for protesting the eviction on October 24th, 1997, at the Grand Sole Hotel, with Mr. Charoen Chittivuthikarn acting as chairperson.

Thirty of the trespassers have joined hands to ask for fairness from the government and MP Sansak Ngarmpiches, Chairman of the Tourism Committee in Parliament, and Charnyuth Hengtrakul, the Head of the Provincial Administration. The group requested the two take their complaints to the 7 Chonburi MPs who represent more than 1 million people in Chonburi. Their request was for all these government officials to file a formal protest with the government and the National Committee for Environmental Protection, which ordered the eviction.

The document which Mr. Charoen received had the names of all 101 trespassers on the back.

The document said: "As the government authorities capriciously ordered the eviction as a display of power and did not research into the matter before giving the eviction order, we feel that ordering the buildings demolished is an unadvised act."

The demolition order was part of the ‘Eastern Seaboard Development’ program. After demolition, a landfill was planned and a pier, park and parking lot was to be built in the area. The purpose of this was to improve tourism. The plans for the construction were finished long ago.

The plan received full support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the private sector, various clubs and private organisations and the residents of South Pattaya who had meetings to push to project through. This has been going on for 10 years, but was not a reality until the National Committee for Environmental Protection gave the go-ahead.

The Committee had delayed their decision, saying making the proposed changes would change the direction of sea currents which would cause erosion. It was finally proven that this could be avoided by careful construction. Other countries which have done the same thing were cited as examples. The Committee then alleged it would help the trespassers.

An unnamed spokesman said that the area which the trespassers were occupying had belonged to fisherfolk for over 70 years and had been developed into an area with bars, nightclubs, restaurants and other businesses and was a ‘highlight’ of Pattaya and brought much revenue to the city.

The protesters continued, saying, "If the landfill is done, which is supposed to extend outward 40 metres from the back of the buildings, all 101 of us who own the buildings will give all support possible to the demolition beyond 40 metres. All of us have joined with and helped the people of Pattaya in making the city what it is today. From a peaceful fishing village, it has now become a world tourist destination. Therefore, the government must be generous and give us justice."

Mr. Charoen said he would ask the 7 MPs to make a formal protest to the government and the National Environmental Protection Board’s order in order to save Pattaya’s economy.

Sansak Ngarmpiches and Charnyuth Hengtrakul have received the document from the trespassers.

Eastern Seabaord to begin community development for next stage of expansion

Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat told reporters that the Ministry of the Interior had told local administrative units to begin their program of community development in the Sriracha, Ban Bung, Saen Sukh and Pattaya Municipalities of Chonburi Province. This development project includes the revival of the natural environment.

These programs are based on the premise that the Eastern Seaboard is a prime area for the revival of Thailand’s economic woes.

The committee has drawn up a new strategy, which includes heavy industrialisation of the internal area of the Eastern Seaboard.

Many factories now in Bangkok and Parimonthol will be moved to Chonburi, which will entail careful consideration and co-ordination between Bangkok and Chonburi.

It is projected that there will be no fewer than 2 million people from both the administrative and labour sectors moving into the area with their families. The committee must therefore do meticulous step by step planning of residential areas and ensure that public utilities are sufficient to support this huge number of people.

The committee is undoubtedly giving careful consideration to the impact this will have on society, public safety, education and other issues.

Each municipality will assumedly be working on a plan to present to the central committee, which is carefully overseeing this giant manoeuvre to develop the Eastern Seaboard.

After municipalities’ plans are approved by the central committee, they will be sent to another committee in Bangkok for approval. When approved, funds will be immediately disbursed by the central government.

Pattaya is a bit different. During the entire time of the city’s economic rise and fall, no plans were made for step-by-step development.

The central committee has now told Pattaya that a plan must be submitted for development projects in order to receive funds from the central government.

The central committee has told Pattaya city officials that a plan must be submitted by November 1997.

When this is done, Kasetsart University will send experts to judge how feasible the city’s plans are. If the plans are suitable and will truly benefit the city, they will be sent to Parliament for budget approval.

Pattaya officials are confident that every plan will be approved by the central government, as Pattaya is one of the most important tourist areas in the country and the central government has a duty to provide all assistance possible.

These various projects will be completed by the year 2000.

Samet reservoir being built despite protests

Sathit Sawinthorn, the Head of the Forestry Department, has begun construction of the reservoir and adjoining office building in ‘Turtle Valley’ at the centre of Samet Island, despite protests from water vendors who see a major slash in their earnings.

The special interest water-selling group has been able to rally local residents behind their cause, even though the reservoir stands to drastically reduce water prices on the island.

The reservoir, being built in the middle of Laem Ya National Park with a budget of 21,328,413.75 Baht, will be on a land area of 70 rai. Construction began in July and is scheduled to take 9 months to complete.

When the construction is done, the reservoir will have a capacity of 1.5 million cubic metres, which is estimated to be sufficient for the use of the island’s resident’s for an entire year. The former reservoir had an area of 4 rai, and could not provide sufficient water for the island.

Disagreements with the project began in October of this year, when the construction company and a group of residents, including members of the island administration and bungalow owners, rallied behind the fresh water merchants, and began staging protests against the construction. They complained that the construction was harmful to the natural environment as thousands of very large trees had been felled. The area was also a breeding area for unusual bird and animal species, such as hornbills and flying foxes, which are protected by the Forestry Department. Many other species of bird had migrated to other areas, due to the noise of the blasting.

The protesters also claimed the Forestry Department had been doing many other things which broke the laws made by the department itself. Some of these were the hanging of electrical and telephone wires, digging and laying pipe.

Protestors said that officials of the Parks Department were already reaping a large amount of baht by charging bungalow owners land rents, boat disembarkation fees, trash collecting and many other ‘services’, some of which they performed and some of which they didn’t. The protesters asserted that the officials involved in the project would reap much more material gain from the reservoir project.

Samet Island is in Rayong Province and is 6.5 kilometers from the mainland. It has a total area of 3,125 rai or approximately 5 square kilometres. It has many beautiful beaches, which are its main attraction.

Samet Island is home to 193 registered households with a population of 1,300. Most of the residents of the island are involved in the tourism industry. At present, 45 bungalows with 2,700 rooms are operating on the island. In any given year, Samet Island has approximately 60,000 tourists which bring in about 1,200 million baht worth of revenue.

What is most needed by owners of all types of businesses is fresh water. Samet Island presently buys 36,000 litres of water a week from the mainland, which is advantageous to those in the water business.

When the reservoir is built and water sold cheaply to the residents, fresh water dealers will lose their businesses, prompting the organization of the ‘protest’ to protect a few water dealers and their cohorts.

No free lunch, no stay open

The owner of the Khruatheque Restaurant told reporters that he was being harassed by security volunteers and the City Manager of Banglamung, Mr. Wutisak Singdecho.

The restaurant owner said the security volunteers and the city manager have been bringing girls to his restaurant and eating and drinking free for over 3 months, until they had become a nuisance, and were also making him lose money.

The owner, Mr. Rerngchai Bunsong, said the group has eaten and drank approximately 1,000-2,000 baht worth of food and beverage at Khruatheque every night. Rerngchai said if the City Manager came alone he would not say a word but people flocked to partake of his fare free every night.

He continued, saying that if his employees asked the city manager to pay, they would be threatened and insulted by the brazen group. The city manager also threatened to close his restaurant, even though his licenses were in order.

Rerngchai finally decided to put a stop to the freeloading on October 25th when the city manager came in with a group of women and volunteers and drank 10 bottles of beer. The officials refused to pay the bill and the city manager got up from his chair saying, "Just wait until tomorrow". The next day, he and a group of drunken volunteers closed the restaurant, saying it had violated the closing time laws.

Rerngchai said he would not resist arrest and admitted that he had stayed open past closing hours. His only request was that the city manager close every other establishment that stayed open past closing hours. Rerngchai said that no establishment in Banglamung closed on time.

Reporters went to the restaurant and saw security volunteers searching the restaurant with no official supervision. Rerngchai said that this was harassment. The Pattaya police were called in to close the establishment and many officials said they were ‘confused’ by the whole situation.

Rerngchai said that he would take all the bills which the Banglamung city manager had run up to the District Chief of Banglamung for collection.

Heartbreak Hotel - Briton dies after losing life savings to Pattaya service girl

Pattaya Police have been questioning a local "service girl" over the death of a Briton who is alleged to have entrusted her with his life savings while away on a weekend trip.

Businessman James Gilvarry, 54, from Birmingham, England was found dead last week in a beachfront condominium in South Pattaya. The results of a post mortem have yet to be released.

But Pattaya Police believe he took his life after the girl, named Pannee, ran back to the provinces with 3 million baht he had put into her bank account for safe keeping.

The service girl, in her early thirties, is reported to have already bought a pick-up truck and motorcycles for relatives in her home province of Buriram, in one of Thailand’s most impoverished districts.

Gilvarry had arrived in Pattaya on August 17th, together with a colleague, Ken Austin, also from Birmingham. They both planned to open up a go-go bar the "Nice and Sleazy" in the resort. The name itself would have done little to enhance Pattaya’s international image.

Photo: James Gilvarry (right) during happier times in the realm.

According to witnesses who have been interviewed by the police, he had arrived in Thailand with UK 45,000 in cash. His girlfriend, Pannee, had, according to friends in Soi Yamoto, insisted he bank it for safekeeping and offered her account as a safe place to deposit the cash.

Khachen Jaturan, the manager of Pattaya Beach Condo where Gilvarry’s body was found in a room locked from the inside, said Gilvarry appeared heartbroken when the girl disappeared while he was on a visa run to the Philippines.

From that moment he went out early n the morning drinking and came back late at night, each time with a different girl.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Prakam Prajong of the Crime Suppression Division, is investigating the question of theft. But as the money was deposited in the girl’s bank account, there is little evidence to say she is not the owner.

A group of Pattaya based Britons have offered a 15 percent reward to police for the return of the cash. It is hoped some of the cash may be returned to the teenage son and daughter Gilvarry left behind in England.

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