Pattaya Mail — News

The Strip's new face

by Ken Bailey

Transforming Pattaya’s famous Strip sounded like a formidable vision. But that’s what appeared to happen last Friday when the ‘Walking Street’, as it is now known, launched its Food & Beer Festival sponsored by Singha. With the aim of improving the image, atmosphere and trade of the Strip, tables, chairs and umbrellas will line the road every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night through the holiday season.

Last Friday’s first festival drew a large crowd right from kick off at 7pm. Thousands thronged where once motorcycles would have unceremoniously scuttled them. However, since the Walking Street concept’s inception a few months ago, it has drawn some criticism from some of the Strip’s business people. Claims have been made that pedestrian access only after 7pm has lead to inconvenience and loss of trade. Going on last Friday’s and Saturday’s gathering, it has proved very popular with visitors to Pattaya, while several business people stated that these crowds were the biggest they had seen for some time.

Adding a carnival atmosphere, the opening parade attracted a lot of attention. Led by costumed dancing figures, Thai musicians and dancers were followed by a gaggle of Tourist Police and officialdom. Bringing up the rear, the bright and outrageously dressed khatoeys from Simon Cabaret drew all the attention and graciously posed for tourist’s cameras and videos.

Minstrolling up and down the street throughout the night, the band frequently stopped in front of restaurants, giving diners a front row recital. Appearing among the stunned crowd, a male and female martial arts sword-fighting duo added excitement. With clashing blades, high kicks and screaming tumbles they fought along the street to the enthusiastic applause of onlookers.

With enticing street-side dining set up in front of the restaurants and bars, the Strip did take on a different image and atmosphere. Establishments hired sets of outdoor table and chairs for 100B each and many had them attractively set up to reflect their own style. One of the most popular was the P72 Hotel & Restaurant where three cocktail bars, with entertainingly skilled cocktail waiters, were set up on the sidewalk. Into the air went bottles, shakers, glasses and flaming sticks, captivating diners and passers by.

Across the street at the Bavaria Grill, their usual, appetizingly aromatic spit enhanced sidewalk dining and Bavarian-style attired staff. Further along, the Jan Bar & Guesthouse set up a traditional Aussie B.B.Q. on the footpath attracting a crowd of street-side revelers. All along the Strip bars and restaurants combined street-side dining with their individual flavours.

Proprietor of the P72 and member of the Walking Street Committee, Naowarat Khakai said their overall goal was to prove that South Pattaya was not for lady seekers only. The Strip is a fun night out for families and couples and this was evident by Friday night’s crowd. Speaking with groups from the U.S., Ukraine and Finland, the Food & Beer Festival has proved popular with tourists. Many stated that this was one of the best nights they’d had in Pattaya and they would definitely be coming back.

All events experience hiccups and according to some proprietors along the Strip the Food & Beer Festival was no different. Khun Naowarat acknowledges these and hopes people understand that mistakes will be learned from and improved upon. She says it will take a little time to pull things together completely, and that these efforts will benefit all businesses along the Strip as well as tourists.

One misunderstanding reported was the disclosure, after the event had commenced, that only sponsoring beer Singha was to be served at the street-side tables. Several proprietors voiced disagreement as once customers had been welcomed to street-side relaxation, one can hardly dictate which beer they drink. It will be interesting to see how this issue develops.

Several charged in Royal Jomtien hotel fire

The Royal Jomtien fire investigation is now officially closed, and a host of engineers, both private and city, have been charged with criminal negligence in the line of duty leading to the death of others. The fire, in which 91 people died, is being referred to as the worst disaster in Pattaya’s history.

A police investigation committee was set up to investigate all the ramifications of the cause of the fire, which began when cooking gas tanks exploded in the hotel coffee shop’s kitchen.

The committee findings were that illegal modifications had been made in the building. Any modifications to existing edifices over 3 floors must be sent to the city building commission for inspection and approval.

Engineers on the committee said the modifications, and the building itself, violated all building safety codes and all principles of engineering. They added that the building modification plans should not have been approved.

Officials of the Pattaya Public Works Department charged with negligence were Mr. Narong Wongrat, Director of Public Works and Planning (he now occupies this same position in Surat-Thani province), and Mr. Sinaroj, an engineer with Pattaya City. Mr. Montri Chalittaporn, another engineer with the city administration, was also charged.

The formal charges are criminal negligence in the line of duty, leading to the death of others.

Mr. Piyapong Khamnamkhoo, a city engineer, was charged with falsification of documents which permitted the building.

An engineer and private citizen, Mr. Vitaya Sapmaakudom, who supervised the building, was charged with unethical behaviour.

Mr. Nathachak Patamasing, in charge of the investigation for Chonburi province, has received all necessary information. He has now set up a committee to decide the fate of the accused people.

When the decision is made, this will be sent to provincial governor Sujarit Pajchimanan for further consideration.

No report has been made public as to the possible forthcoming punishment to those who are found guilty.

Banglamung District issues Child Prostitution warning

Reference: Protection of Children and control of child prostitution.

To: Owners of all businesses, entertainment premises, shops and hotels.

According to the government policy of the present government and Ministry of the Interior, the policy of protection of children and control of children acting as prostitutes is being actively stressed. This policy is being communicated and stressed to every area which has been involved with child prostitutes, boys or girls. Accordingly, the government and Ministry of the Interior hereby reiterates to all businesses, hotels and entertainment establishments operating in any area to be aware of and to observe the following:

1. Do not allow promotion or performance of child sex. If any such activities are found to occur, the establishment owner is subject to immediate arrest, whether or not the establishment owner(s) has knowledge or not of the activity/charge. The province has been absolutely empowered to immediately close down all such hotels or entertainment establishments.

2. Inform customers, both Thai and foreign, to know that: If there is any activity involving sex with children younger than 15 years old, whether or not he or she is in your control, or of any status, and whether or not the child consents to the activity, that the customer will be subject to immediate arrest under a civil law charge.

It is stressed that if any activities involving child sex are discovered, the full rigor of the law will be applied, further warnings and/or cautions will not be given.

You are hereby considered to be informed and are instructed to strictly follow the regulations in this matter.

Mr. Chalpong Chataraphuti, Banglamung District Officer.

Tourist's currencies buy more than ever in Pattaya

by Ken Bailey

Since the Thai Baht was floated in July it has steadily depreciated with last week seeing it drop to its lowest level ever. This is a big bonus for tourists coming to Pattaya as their extra buying power has made the resort one of the best value tropical seaside destinations in the world. As a result, regular visitors are staying longer while first timers are being lured.

Tuesday December 16th saw the besieged Baht hit over 78 to the British Pound (Traveller’s Cheques), the highest gaining currency. British tourist Bill Hughes says that this is the best rate he has seen in 10 years of holidaying in Pattaya. Bill pointed out that "the highest I’ve seen it before was 50 Baht to the Pound and that was only for one day." On the same day the Australian Dollar was buying 30 Baht, its highest level ever according to regular Aussie visitors.

Gaining strength two days later on December 18th, the Baht was being bought around Pattaya at a rate of between 74 and 75 for a Pound and 28 for an Australian Dollar. Muscled again the following day, one Pound bought 76 Baht, a U.S. Dollar saw you buy a little over 45 with the Aussies taking 29.

What this all means is that visitors to Pattaya, having budgeted for their holiday all year, are now able to do more with their available funds. Pattaya’s value as a tourist resort has increased proportionately with the Baht’s plunge.

Although recent inflation has pushed prices up, the extra Baht being handed over when changing Pounds, Dollars and Marks, etc., more than compensates. Last Christmas’ visitors will remember their U.S.$ getting them 25B, their Pound 39B and Aussie Dollars 19B. Looking at December 19th’s rate, the increases have been 80%, 94% and 52% respectively.

On the street examples include the McDonalds Big Mac meal which, costing 95B earlier this year now sells for 100B. An increase of only 5%. Across the street at KFC, two pieces of chicken, fries and a drink now cost 60B, an increase of five Baht or 9%. Budget breakfast at Pattaya’s many small eateries came in at around 30B. Now-a-days expect to pay only 35 to 45B.

On the hotel side, a 600B per room last Christmas actually set you back 15 Pounds or U.S.$24. Sat. this room had a huge price increase of 16.66% to 700B. Under today’s exchange rate it will only cost you nine Pounds or U.S.$15 per night.

One of Pattaya’s biggest attractions has always been its enormous range of bargain shopping. Mazes of markets haggling to the lowest prices compete with endless rows of street stalls as well as the big department stores. Just about anything is available here, most at a fraction of the cost demanded in western countries. With the Pound having 94% more buying power and the U.S.$ not far behind with 80% more, shopkeepers and market sellers around town are busy.

Does anybody know where my hotel is?

by Boonleua Chatri

A lost tourist from Finland, who apparently could not find his hotel and who spoke no English, approached a police officer and spoke to him in Finnish. The confused officer did nothing but stare at the confused tourist.

Photo: Confused and unable to speak English, this Finnish tourist could not find his hotel.

Instead of taking the man to the police station, the resourceful officer tried Thai accented English combined with ‘sign language’. Of course, sign language is different from country to country. This increased the confusion.

The persistent officer then began a mime session which looked like a combination of Marcel Marceau and Swan Lake. The tourist was highly entertained but not the least enlightened.

The police officer did not yet know what the tourist wanted. After a few more attempts, it was understood that the tourist could not find his hotel. The two then went looking for the man’s hotel. Neither knew the name, so the officer pointed toward the Tourist Police Headquarters.

The tourist police managed to communicate that they would like to look at the man’s hotel receipt. Unfortunately, the hotel’s name was not printed on the receipt. It merely said ‘Room 419’ and ‘paid, Baht 500.’

The police took the Finn on a tour of Pattaya in their squad car, hoping they might run into the hotel. After approximately 1 hour, the tourist became frustrated, got out of the police car and went to drink beer on Soi 8.

No-one knows whether the Finn made it back to his hotel or not.

Larsen Rejser (Denmark) becomes newest major charter airline at Utapao

Larsen Rejser (Larsen Travel) Denmark is scheduled to land with a 309 passenger Tristar aircraft, leased from Nordic East Airlines AB, at Utapao on the 28th of December at 13.15 hours. The plane originates from Copenhagen in Denmark and flies directly to Utapao as the first Scandinavian charter to bring tourists to this region of Thailand.

Larsen Rejser started operating in Thailand in 1992 and has steadily built up a market to Thailand of around 6,000 arrivals per year on scheduled flights. In response to popular demand, the company decided to launch their own charter flights direct to Utapao Airport in supplement to seats offered on the scheduled carriers; Swissair, Lufthansa and Kuwait Airlines. The Scandinavian market responded very favorably to the new charter and the first series of 10 biweekly flights were sold out within the first two months offered. The fact that the charter sales have not affected the number of seats sold on the scheduled carriers used by Larsen Rejser proves that the decision to increase capacity was correct.

The Larsen programme is strongly supporting the TAT Amazing Thailand campaign and the Mekong Tourism initiative promoting Thailand as the gateway of the Mekong Region. Over 40% of all arriving guests are booked on a one week Thailand or Vietnam round-trip before they have a week of beach holiday to relax and shop. The Scandinavian clients are among the tourists with the longest average stays in Thailand and they are highly interested in exploring the sights and tours of the country. Thailand has been voted the favorite destination in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and that vote has been followed up by action of the tourists in a steady increase of Scandinavian arrivals. The owner of Larsen Rejser - Mr. Lars Larsen - gave Thailand his personal approval when he flew in his private party of nearly a hundred friends and family to celebrate his silver wedding anniversary in Hua Hin in the start of this year. Mr. Larsen described the party and holiday as one of the best he had ever had and many Danes seem to share his experience. Nearly 50% of Scandinavian tourists are repeat visitors are repeat visitors to Thailand.

Larsen Rejser and their local agent Ben Adisti Co. Ltd. have directly passed on the benefit of the Thai baht devaluation to the Scandinavian customers through the price promotions and increased marketing of Thailand as a destination with the following increased sales. By making the charters a year round operation, Larsen Rejser had committed themselves to a long term expansion of quality tourism form the Scandinavian market and envisage that the number of Danish and Swedish tourists they will bring to Thailand this year will exceed 12,000 tourists - all with a minimum 14 days average stay in Thailand.

Sutham Phantusak receives coveted "Silver Elephant" award

Sutham Phantusak, Vice-Chairman of the Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee, was awarded the coveted Silver Elephant award, the highest national award of the Bharat Scouts and Guides (India).

The National Executive Committee of the Bharat Scouts & Guides, India, conferred the award in November at Rashtrapati Bhawan (President of India’s House) at the President’s Scouts and Guides rally.

Mr. Phantusak was appointed as a distinguished member of National Scout Council (1988-98) and has worked as a member of National Scout Executive Board for more than four consecutive terms (16 yrs.) He has been the Dy. International Commissioner, Public Relations Commissioner, Deputy Fund Raising Commissioner, Advisor of National Training Committee, Chairman Decoration Proposal Committee of the National Scout Council and Manager Thai Scouting News Editorial Staff.

He was elected as a member of AP Regional Scout Committee (1992-1998) and has attended 15th & 16th APR Scout Conferences and World Scout Conference and Jamborees. He is actively associated with organising international Jamborees & Conferences.

He has received Thai Red Cross Award Medal (2nd Class), Knight Grand Cross of the Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, Rama Keerati - the special class of Boy Scout citation Medal and Distinguished Service Award from Singapore Scout Association (1996).

Copyright © 1997 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Created by Andy Gombaez