New center showcases the value of U-tapao Airport

The existing land area at Don Muang Airport is limited and unable to afford the necessary space required. Therefore, the company researched the possibility of constructing the maintenance center at U-tapao Airport in Rayong Province. Approval was received from the government to build two additional hangers on November 21, 1995.

The U-tapao Aircraft Maintenance Center was constructed with funds in the amount of 3,004.67 million Baht. Thai Airways Company rents the land (150 rai located in the northeast area of Utapao Base) from the Treasury Department.

The new Thai Airways Aircraft Maintenance Facility at U-tapao Airport can service many different sizes of aircraft, including Boeing 747, Boeing 777, Airbus 330, Boeing 737, ATR 42/72, and BAE 146.

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the first structure, out of a total of 20 structures in all, was held on September 9, 1996.

The structures include an Aircraft Maintenance Twin Hanger, Aircraft Parts Maintenance Hanger, Training and Operations Center, Storage Facility, Dining Facility, Water treatment plant, and other facilities.

The Aircraft Maintenance Center has the ability to perform maintenance on large aircraft at the level of C-Check (12 months) and D-Check (4 years or 12,000 flight hours). Three aircraft can be serviced at one time (2 large and 1 small).

Also, maintenance and repairing of related aircraft equipment can be done, including apparatus found in the aircraft passenger area, both fiber and alloy material, and painting and other markings.

The main feature at the Maintenance Facility is the Aircraft Docking System which checks the entire aircraft. The system is compatible with many different types of aircraft, including Boeing 747, Boeing 777, Airbus 330, Boeing 737, ATR 42/72, BAE 146, government aircraft and basic private aircraft.

In addition, the system allows for the aircraft to enter the hanger tail first, which provides for a convenient exit from the hanger upon maintenance completion.

The U-tapao Aircraft Facility received its Maintenance Standard Certification from the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). JAA is a European organization with duties controlling aircraft standards for many countries. Their certification makes the U-tapao Maintenance Facility capable of servicing aircraft from European countries, as well as being a center for servicing aircraft in Asia.

The U-tapao Aircraft Maintenance Facility will help lessen the cost of maintaining Thai Airways aircraft. Hiring services from foreign countries will no longer be relied upon, reducing both labor costs and material handling costs.

A spectacular show was performed for the honored guests at the opening ceremony. Afterwards, they were taken on a tour of the Maintenance Facility.

PBTA supports postponing 3% room charge

Allow time to work out details

PBTA members are in agreement to postpone increasing the hotel room tax for the next two years. The consensus was reached on May 13th when the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA) met with its 15 members and President Surat Mekhawarakul at the conference room in Mike’s Shopping Mall.

The problem of calling for the room tax increase was already brought before the Tourist Commission and the Chonburi Provincial Administration with no forthcoming information. PBTA members want the issue postponed for two years. However, the Provincial Administration is considering a three baht per room charge starting early in the coming year.

PBTA President Surat Mekhawarakul (2nd from right) and Association members are in agreement to postpone the hotel room tax for two years.

Inside sources say that the Chonburi Administration has consulted with the Thai Hotel Association (THA) and PBTA members and are suggesting to initiate the tax in June of this year, which is confusing the issue further.

PBTA President Surat Mekhawarakul said, "Personally I feel in agreement with the Chonburi Administration’s increasing the room tax on hotel guests in the amount of 3%, as long as the tax is used in developing Pattaya or the local area. But I’m not in agreement with starting the tax any time soon. The details are still unclear as to who controls the collected tax, Pattaya or the Chonburi Administration. Also, postponing the issue would allow people in the hotel industry the time to contact agencies in foreign countries to tell them about the changes."

Flooding fixed!

At least in the South Pattaya Road area

Pattaya City Deputy Manager Thavorn Bunsawad says that flooding will no longer occur in the area of South Pattaya Road following rain storms. A guilty pipe has been identified and removed.

Mr. Thavorn and accompanying officials inspected the water drainage, or lack of, in the area of Soi Wat Thammasamakhi following the severe rain storm last week, which again caused the area to be flooded.

Officials took a close look and found that a 60 cm water drainage pipe, which was supposed to be connected to the main drainage pipe, was obstructing proper drainage. The area has since been dredged and the obstructing pipe removed.

It is not understood as to how or why the obstructing pipe was placed in such a manner causing the problem. Mr. Thavorn said that additional work is underway to ensure proper drainage and should be complete within seven days. It is believed that this problem should not occur again.

Navy veteran arrested in large drug haul

Police confiscate over 1,700 pills and a 9 mm. handgun

In the early morning of May 16th Pattaya Police and the Special Suppression Unit raided yet another amphetamine (Ya Ba) dealer at the Ubon Hotel on Sukhumvit Road near the Lotus Department Store. Police arranged a sting operation using under cover police posing as drug addicts with marked bank notes to purchase drugs from the suspect.

Former navy man Anan Pansukkhum was arrested for possession of over 1,700 tabs of amphetamine and an unlicensed 9mm. handgun.

Mr. Anan Pansukkhum, age 27, was arrested for selling drugs to the undercover officers. Police found on his person 1,781 pills of the amphetamine drug, the marked bank notes used by the under cover police, and a 9 mm automatic pistol with four rounds in the magazine ready for immediate use tucked away in his pants. Including the 10 amphetamine pills purchased by undercover police, the total number of pills came to 1,791.

Police learned that Anan is a Pattaya resident who served in the Thai Navy along the Thai - Cambodian border, which is where he obtained the 9 mm weapon.

He told police he had the weapon to protect himself while selling the amphetamines in Pattaya. He has been purchasing the drugs for over one year from a friend living in Sattahip at 45 baht per pill and selling the pills for 100 baht each.

Anan is being charged with possession of class 1 illegal drugs with intent to sell, and selling a class 1 illegal drugs. He is also being charged with possession of a weapon with no permit.

Tourist Police raid Gambling Den, 11 arrested

“Mr.Siam” gets away

In the mid-afternoon of May 17th the Pattaya Tourist Police received a complaint from citizens residing in the area of Chatrakeo Village that a gambling den, run by Mr. Siam, had been operating for the last two months. The residents wanted something done about it. They said they had contacted the regular police, but were tired of waiting for them to take care of the matter.

The Tourist Police, probably happy to have a break in their routine of taking nagging complaints from tourists, rounded up officers and raided the house identified by irate neighbors. They arrested 11 individuals involved in playing the addictive game of "Pok 8 - Pok 9".

Arrested were: Mrs. Nipa Siangsang, the game controller, Mrs. Bancheun Cheunchit, owner of the house, Mrs. Somchit Saetang, Mrs. Somdii Singnon, Mrs. Choi Senghuad, Mrs. Suphan Sensuwan, Mrs. Budsarin Suphathamakid, Mrs. Montra Warain, Miss Waranud Chatasu, and lastly Mr. Somphong Dileurk.

All admitted to gambling. Police found out that had they come later in the evening they could have rounded up over 50 people, which was a normal crowd each night. The gamblers also identified Mr. Siam as the person running the gambling operation, but on that particular day he hadn’t shown up, leaving Mrs. Nipa in charge. She admitted to being the game controller.

Amphetamine gang busted

Adult and two minors caught with 2,200 pills and weapons

In the evening of May 12th Banglamung Police investigated a house in Soi Khao Noi and received enough information to initiate a raid. The occupants of the house were selling the amphetamine drug "Ya Ba".

Undercover police with identifiable bank notes in the amount of 8,500 baht purchased 200 pills of the amphetamine drug from the suspects.

Afterwards, other police officers raided the house, arresting Mr. Prasert Mahaman, age 30, the owner. Also arrested were Mr. Suchat Phetrasanthad, age 17, and Miss Rodrin Phadyenchai, age 17. The two juveniles were busily wrapping the amphetamine pills as police conducted the raid.

Police searched the house, finding the 8,500 baht used in the under cover operation and an additional 2,000 amphetamine pills. Also found were three guns.

All three suspects were arrested and taken to the Banglamung Police Station.

Prasert confessed to selling the drugs, telling police they did so because all three of them were out of work. They had been buying the drugs from an unidentified agent who came to Mr. Prasert’s house selling 200 pills for 7,500 baht, which they in turn sold making a profit of 1,000 baht. "The weapons were bought from a friend for protection," said Mr. Prasert. "However, there was no time to use the weapons during the raid," he said, then added he, "never thought the police would discover his drug dealing."

New fire fighting devise tested

Eastern Region Safety Center tests fire extinguishing ball

A new device called a "Fire Suppression Ball", consisting of chemical powder and compressed dirt, is proving to be effective in controlling fires.

The devise, shaped like a round ball, is wrapped with insulation material and fits in the palm of one’s hand.

Testing the device in the open.

The "fire suppression ball" activates when thrown or tossed into a fire or when a flame ignites the fuse causing compression. Chemicals, which are scattered in a 360 degree direction, react with the flames causing a delay, and do not allow the fire to increase.

The Eastern Region Safety Center, under the Department of Labor and Social Benefits, have been working with the General Fujitsi Company Ltd. and the Moltel Company Ltd. in Chonburi in researching and developing the new fire suppression device. Research began in January 1998.

On May 4th, regional officials were invited to witness testing of the devise. Sophon Phongsophon, Director of the Fire Damage Prevention Training Center and Athid Idsamo from Chonburi Work Force Relations received Chuthatawad Intharasuksri, Vice-President of the Labor and Social Benefits Department and Sujarit Pachimnan, Governor of Chonburi at the Fire Damage Prevention Training Center in Laem Chabang Port.

After witnessing the test, Governor Sujarit said that even though ignition of the device has a noise level of about 120 decibels, he urged the developers to continue improving the it. He will also invite various city officials and hotel owners to come and witness the Fire Suppression Ball once again. Thereafter, it will probably just be a matter of introducing the device to the public.

Chuthatawad referred to the 1997 fire at the Royal Jomtien Hotel, commenting that methods of suppressing fires are still insufficient. He said that the Fire Suppression Ball is not the final solution, but it will help maintain the flames from increasing until water finally arrives. This may be the highlight of Thailand’s future because the device can be thrown or dropped into a forest fire or other types of fires, meaning firefighters do not have to come close to the fire itself. It may very well become an export item if it is proven to be affective and sought after in the Thai market, and could also help the unemployment problem. The Suppression Ball idea will be brought before the Administration Board Conference of the Minister of Labor and Social Benefits and it will also be exhibited during Safety Week, May 8-10, at Sirikit National Conference Center.

The Fire Suppression Ball’s good points include: it can be placed or situated in various locations within a building; it is inexpensive, costing approximately 50 baht; it has a shelf life of three years or more; it does not activate when cracked or shaken, only when fuse is ignited; and the dried chemicals are not harmful to humans or the environment.

Land dispute causes uproar

Residents and temple being accused of trespassing

The Khao Bai Sri Santitham Temple and area residents are yelling for justice after an influential police officer sued them for "invading" 200 rai of land.

The latest in a confusing series of incidents occurred on May 3rd when Village Chief Thawip Kladchareurn and over 100 residents from Phlutaluang Sub-District in Sattahip assembled in front of the Khao Sri Santitham Temple with the intent of not allowing Land Office employees to survey the temple and adjoining land area.

The land area in question is located between kilometer marker 129 & 130 along Highway 331, on both sides of the road. The residents claim to have ownership and occupancy documents, along with evidence indicating annual taxes have been paid on the land for many years. The temple area consists of 70 rai of land and a lawyer has been retained by the temple to pursue the matter in court.

Meanwhile, a group of land investors have produced documentation pertaining to the 200 rai of land and are trying to remove the residents from the area.

The residents and land investors have been battling over this issue for almost 10 years now.

This latest is the seventh attempt by land office employees to survey the land area in question. Each time, they encounter protests and resistance from the area residents. Sometimes heated arguments are the only result from the encounters with no compromises being made.

Finally the matter went to court with the abbot of the temple and three residents by name being accused of intruding on the land.

The Village Chief of Moo 5, Mr. Thawip, said that a group of investors claim they are legal owners of the land, and that they sold the land to a police officer at the assistant commander level for 100,000 baht. The Village Chief added that the land is worth much more than this amount.

"Then I was offered 300,000 baht by someone if I would sign over permission to allow the area to be surveyed, or else 4-5 rai of my land would be seized also," the Village Chief said. "I refused to accept the offer and feel that the residents here are being coerced."

The area residents also do not understand the government’s involvement in the case, which is causing them to suspect that something is amiss.

They brought the matter to Police Headquarters at Region 2, explained the details and were finally informed by the Region 2 Assistant Commander that coordination with someone close to Mr. Sanan Khachornprasad, Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister of the Interior assured him that there is no apparent government involvement.

Hotels told to upgrade fire safety standards

Chonburi starts campaign to prevent hotel fires

"Fire Safety Standards will be strictly enforced," said Athit Idsamo from Chonburi Labor Relations. The statement came at a meeting he chaired with Pattaya hotel representatives, organized by Phatthana Chaleurmchat, Chairman of the Pattaya Public Administration Community. The meeting was in keeping with the Pattaya Hotel Fire Prevention and Suppression Campaign, part of this year’s tourism in Thailand program.

Mr. Athit Idsamo said that hotels not yet up to the Standards Certification will eventually have to comply. The Fire Safety Standards will be strictly enforced according to the current regulations. In order to ensure the safety of visiting tourists at hotel facilities, this year’s Fire Prevention and Suppression Campaign coverage is being increased.

At the conference on the 6th of May, hotel administrators and/or their representatives listened to regulations for plans and policy procedures pertaining to safety in the work area. The conference stressed the subject of Hotel Fire Prevention and Suppression. A form was issued identifying hotels with Fire Prevention and Suppression standards due for consideration.

Das Island employees make further donation

Donate computer to Ban Poon Sri Upatham Drug Rehabilitation Center

Mr. George Norman Hill, representing 100 employees and friends from Das Island in the Persian Gulf, donated a computer to the Drug Rehabilitation Center at Ban Poon Sri Upatham.

The Rehabilitation Center is run by Police Lt. Col. Jirat Pichitpai and is located in Soi Phothisan off of Pattaya Road in Naklua. Pol.Lt. Col. Jirat welcomed Mr. Hill and received the Das Island donation. The computer will be used to record information pertaining to the people receiving treatment at the center.

Recently, Mr. Hill brought in 30,000 baht worth of dried foods donated by the workers of Das Island for the Rehab Center. The donation of the computer accounted for another 30,000 baht in donations, bringing the total to 60,000 baht.

The employees at Das Island have been donating to worthy causes world-wide and when they heard about the children trying to turn their lives around at the Drug Rehab Center in Pattaya they took on the additional cause.

The Ban Poon Sri Upatham Drug Rehabilitation Center provides a sanctuary for unfortunate children misled into using illegal drugs and is solely supported by charitable donations.

Turning kids on to sports instead of drugs

Sub-District Athletics Central Commitee holds training session

Banglamung District Chief Prasert Thanasethakorn opened a training session for the Sub-Districts Athletics Central Committee in Banglamung.

The training took place at the Banglamung District Health Office conference room, and also organized with the help of Mr. Charin Bunto, District Development Organizer.

The Department of Community Development has a budget in the amount of 12,000 baht to support this training for food and athletic equipment. There are 30 persons from many sub-districts participating in the training with athletic experts from Chonburi undergoing two days of training.

The training will make the attendees aware of the provincial athletic policy, including one preventive and corrective measure of attracting the nation’s youth to get involved in sports and to stay away from drugs.

Government holds anti-drug training

Admits situation is out of control

The Ministry of Health’s Department of Medicine joined hands with the Ministry of Education in conducting a training seminar to suppress the drug problem in schools.

More than 300 educators from the central and eastern provinces received training. Experts provided training on various subjects, such as amphetamines in the Thai school system; drug prevention and drug rehabilitation; changing the behavior of users; and methods of identifying users in the schools.

The sum of 10 million baht has been allocated by the Ministry of Education to support the program.

Experts on the drug problem admit that the situation is out of control and has affected every aspect of society. The agencies involved in suppressing drugs are unable to solve or even reduce the problem, and some experts claim that the government is not yet seriously pursuing the problem.

For example, in a school that appears to be free from the drug problem, an addicted student is labeled as having an mental illness causing the student to use drugs, whereas the government identifies the student as a law breaker requiring punishment (jail time). In addition, the level of corruption in the Thai police system is almost hopeless.

Educators must get involved in every way possible in order to prevent and eradicate the drug problem. They need to become familiar with the students environment; they must be able to overlook minor faults; they need to assist students with drug addictions instead of just identifying users as breaking the law; and they must help the students become aware of drug addiction and educate them at the primary school level before they are confronted with drugs at the secondary school level or higher levels of learning when it is too late.

Local government to receive financial help

Special funds to stimulate the economy

Banglamung District Chief Prasert Thanasethakorn called a meeting of office chiefs and representatives from the private sector in Pattaya City to discuss the government’s special funds program to stimulate the economy.

The District Chief referred to the country’s continuing economic decline that has caused difficult times for all. Even the local government is having various budgets cut.

The government is now proposing a special funds program with measures to stimulate the economy. These can come from many institutions, such as the Miyasawa Plan, the World Bank, and OECF, which has advised the government on various programs in the past.

The plan calls for allocating not less than 100,000 baht for the local government to expedite programs in a clear, concise, non-overlapping manner.

A "Plans Consideration Board" at the District Office will establish the budget so that various options can be reviewed prior to submission to insure proper implementation.

Speeding up drug testing

Drug Prevention and Suppressing Committee trains officers

The Drug Prevention and Suppression Committee presented a seminar for officers involved in drug investigations. The seminar took place at the Royal Twin Palace Hotel in Pattaya.

This seminar training included making arrests and seizures according to the procedures of the Prime Ministers Office.

People participating in the presentation were from the Supreme Prosecutors Office, Medical Science Department, National Police Office, Food and Drug Committee Office, and the Drug Prevention and Suppression Office. In all, 85 people attended.

With the government accelerating their drug suppression activities, the number of drug related court cases has dramatically increased. This has caused an increase in the work load at drug testing facilities. The delay experienced in receiving drug related test results could possibly cause court cases to become invalid. Therefore, the intent of the seminar was to help identify the obstacles at hand and to come up solutions to correct the situation to produce faster and more efficient results.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.