Human error blamed for Thai Oil fire

Investigators single out five employees

Investigators have turned up evidence indicating employee negligence caused the devastating fire at the Thai Oil Refinery in Laem Chabang on December 2. Five employees have been singled out as being at fault, although the names of the employees have not yet been released.

The investigation has thus far identified the open-close valve in fuel tank number 3004 was not properly closed, which caused fuel to leak out. The control room gauges apparently properly indicated that there were excessive levels in the tanks, which caused both visual and audible alarms to go off in the control room. However, evidence indicates that no operators were in the control room when the alarms went off.

Evidence indicates that human error was to blame for the December 2 fire at the Thai Oil refinery in Laem Chabang.

The resulting explosion and fire caused seven deaths, hundreds of injuries and many millions of baht in damages.

Investigators have turned over their findings to police authorities who are continuing their own investigation. Warrants for the arrest of five out of 14 employees responsible for the operations in the control room may soon be issued. If those employees are found to be responsible, they will be charged with neglect before going to trial.

Thus far, 598,780 baht has been paid out to 85 people who have made claims against the Thai Oil Company. There is still a great number of others waiting to be compensated for their losses.

Chonburi Governor Sujarit Pachimnan has said that the insurance company will compensate all claims found to be a result of the explosion and fire damage.

Mayoral candidates have until next Tuesday to register

It appears as though there will be little competition in the upcoming elections for Pattaya mayor and city council.

Candidates must register for the election before Tuesday, December 28, and so far just one party and a couple of independents have shown interest.

The Pattaya Election Control Committee, headed by Sunthorn Praseurtdee, has scheduled elections for 12 February 2000, in accordance with the new constitution ratified by His Majesty the King.

So far, the only party campaigning is the “Supporters for Pattaya Party” led by Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, the last mayor of Pattaya City. Pairat announced his candidacy for mayor on December 1.

No other parties have surfaced as yet; however, two independents have begun campaigning for the mayor’s seat and for the city council.

Former Pattaya city council member Aphised Saksek is, so far, the only other person campaigning for mayor. An independent, Aphised said he is campaigning for mayor to help build the democratic process and to portray to the residents of Pattaya the importance of getting more participation in the election, for all the positions. “Otherwise,” Aphised said, “just one party running resembles an autocracy. With no opposition, the door will be left wide open for a single party do as they please, with corruption out of control and the will of the people not even being considered.” Aphised said he is imploring the people of Pattaya to stand up and get involved, and he feels if they realize this important factor, he then has a good chance of becoming the first elected Pattaya official in the year 2000.

Sanit Bunmachai (another independent) is campaigning for city council. Sanit said, “Everyone has an equal opportunity to campaign and participate in the election process according to the democratic system, by running for office or by voting.” Sanit is asking for the people’s support and said if elected, he would provide the opposition needed to push various matters, especially important issues concerning the tourist trade in Pattaya.

The four names campaigning for the four deputy mayor positions from the “Supporters for Pattaya Party” are former city council member Watana Jantanawaranon, former deputy city manager Niran Watanasadsathorn, former city council member Wutisak Reumkichakarn, and former deputy city manager Wirawad Khakhai.

The candidates for the 24 city council member positions include the following five names from the previous council: Thawich Chaisawangwong, Adeesorn Phonluk-In, Phisai Phanomwan, Phatana Bounsawad and Thongchai Achasong.

The other 19 candidates are: Faruk Wongborisut, Banlyy Kunlawanich, Phansak Saengjan, Watanachai Suttitechanai, Kasemsobhon Kamolnat, Uryt Nanthasurasak, Mrs. Jidabha Subharat, Chaichan Phecharala-Aw, Manoch Nongyai, Wichai Rodbia, Suwit Nongyai, Amnuay Songphongtham, Thanawad Manhadee, Phairawan Aromchin, Idsarin Boribunnakhom, Anthawut Phokeo, Mongkhon Deedamrong, Phunphon Kamuttira and Kkanoksak Silchaikij (Saengsorn Sunthornsil).

Motocycle shoot-out

David Barkway, a 50 year old tourist from England, was mugged last week on the way to his car in the area of South Pattaya’s Walking Street. The two muggers got away with almost 30,000 baht worth of valuables.

Barkway told police that at approximately 3:00 a.m. he was about to return to his room at the Cosy Beach Hotel when two Thai men confronted him. He said they started beating him about the head, knocking him down on the pavement. They then took almost 10,000 baht cash from his pockets, his wrist watch worth 17,000 baht and his cigarettes and lighter.

The beating was so fast and furious, he said, he would have difficulty identifying his attackers. Barkway also said he had difficulty making back to his hotel afterwards.

He said he yelled for help but nobody in the area responded. He said he recalls there were people in the area who saw the incident, but they were apparently unwilling to help.

Barkway told news reporters this was his second visit to Pattaya and will be his last. He walked out of the police station saying that he can’t understand why there are no police patrolling the area around Walking Street, leaving the place wide open for muggers.

Lao dignitaries observe Pattaya's administrative procedures

Welcomed by acting mayor

The acting mayor of Pattaya, Sunthorn Praseutdee welcomed a group of 12 officials from the Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos, led by the Deputy Minister of Communications Khamluad Sikhlakhorn, the administration committee leader of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. The reception took place at Pattaya City Hall, with a group of Pattaya officials presenting briefings on various subjects and answering questions asked by the visitors.

Pattaya’s acting mayor Sunthorn Praseutdee welcomed a group of 12 officials from Laos, led by Laos’s Deputy Minister of Communications Khamluad Sikhlakhorn.

The visiting Lao official’s included provincial governors and leaders from different divisions in their central government.

The aims of the Pattaya visit were to observe methods of tax collection, tourism promotion, city administration procedures and how the various departments of administration are divided up. The Laotian dignitaries will take the information back to assist in the development of their government infrastructure in Laos.

The visitors were taken on a tour of the city, visiting a number of the tourist attractions in and around Pattaya as well as the water treatment facility. The Lao officials were also scheduled to visit Chonburi and Khon Kaen during their fact-finding visit in Thailand.

This coming year, representatives from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar will meet to discuss various issues concerning tourism in the area, specifically a package tour entitled “Amazing Thailand 2000”. The delegation hopes to identify and promote tourist attractions in all four countries. The package tour will include the Thai Royal Palace, the Luang Prabang Temple in Laos, the Mandalay Temples and the Angkor Temple in Cambodia.

Administrating Pattaya into 2000

PBTA pushes for positive change

The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association held its annual conference, chaired by PBTA President Surat Mekawarakul. The meeting took place at the Pattaya Grand Sole Hotel on December 14.

Included in the conference was a debate entitled “Different Perspectives on Administrating Pattaya City in the Year 2000”. Two former mayors, Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and Anusak Rodbunmee, along with the former Governor of Chonburi Yuwarat Kamonwed and members on the Election Control Committee participated in the conference. Professor Sanya Mangkorn led the debate.

The conference started off with the PBTA President and association members citing annual achievements, including the Pattaya Road Show to Australia and New Zealand, training 80 Tour Guides in November, tree planting projects along Sukhumvit Road, support provided to the Shrimp Festival and the Pattaya Marathon, and a number of conferences with the private sector and city administration, including provincial level conferences on the subjects of hotel, cigarette and fuel taxes.

The debate then began by summarizing different opinions as to how Pattaya should be governed. The common stance is that Pattaya should be a tourist location bringing in much needed revenue for the country as a whole.

However, the city is dominated by the taxation controls established by the central government, and specifically these taxes cannot be collected due to central government delays in issuing the authority for the local administration to manage the collection process.

Other concerns involved the different police agencies and government offices neglected by the central government, and the lack of proper police manning in the various entertainment zones resulting in an inadequate level of security as should be required in a city with visiting tourists.

Annual Social Security payments due 31 March 2000

Employers with 10 or more employees must pay

The Chonburi Social Security Office is reminding businesses that annual payments are due by 31 March 2000. Late payments will be penalized three baht on each 100 baht paid out to each employee during the year.

According to the 1994 Social Security Act, business owners with 10 employees or more are required to contribute compensation funds to the Social Security Office, even if the number of employees becomes less than 10 by the end of the year. The funds compensate employees during illness or injuries and include benefits for death resulting from accidents in the work place.

The Social Security Office collects the funds from employers annually according to the data annotated on the forms sent to employers from the Social Security Office. The tax rates are 0.2 - 1% of each employee’s salary, depending on the degree of danger identified in the work place.

Employers contributing funds for a period of four consecutive years will have their rates adjusted on the fifth year according to the information provided annually. Consideration will be given to the information from the previous three years. In order for the Social Security Office to assess the correct amount of funds to be paid, employers are required to accurately report the annual salaries of each employee every year.

Employers can pay the annual Social Security payments in cash or check at any of the Social Security Offices in Bangkok or in the provinces. Payment must include the annual assessment forms.

The Social Security Office asks all employers to submit payments on time in order to insure proper coverage entitled to their employees.

Employers having questions pertaining to Social Security coverage or payment procedures may contact the Chonburi Social Security Office in person or call (038) 784420-1 on any business day.

SOS Rice Campaign deemed huge success

The SOS Rice Campaign for 1999 enjoyed its greatest success to date. 10,862 kg of rice worth 206,988 baht was donated by benevolent citizens at department stores and public places all over town.

On Sunday December 19th, the organizers of the 1999 SOS Rice Campaign presented the rice to the various recipients, which took place at the Pattaya Orphanage. Father Raymond Brennan and Father Michael Picharn presided over the handing-over ceremony, in the presence of many leaders of charity organizations, the organizing committee and the heads of the various departments of the receiving centers.

Deserving recipients of the SOS Rice Campaign ’99 gather to say thanks.

The many people gathered at the presentation ceremony were treated to a film made by Gary Bruton showing highlights of the Rice Campaign 99. Emcee John Boysen then introduced Fr. Brennan, Fr. Michael and Pattaya Sports Club Golf Chairman Mike Franklin, all of whom gave speeches about the importance of the yearly project.

The audience was also treated to a dance performance by the orphanage’s children, all with futuristically painted faces, who performed a modern dance called ‘Noom Seven’. Some female members of the Blind School performed a traditional Thai dance, accompanied by their colleagues skillfully playing Ang Gah Loong instruments . The Street Kids made everyone smile with their cute dance ‘Giraffe Kor Yaow’ and the students of the School for the Deaf danced along to Thai Pop Songs. Students of the Vocational School then wowed the audience with their amazing ‘Wheel Chair Dance’.

The final distribution of the Rice Campaign ’99 is a s follows:

800 kg (17,600 Baht) to Ban Poonsi, Pattaya’s Drug Center
650 kg (13,800 Baht) to the Camillian Social Center for HIV/Aids
450 kg (10,000 Baht) to the Children and Youths Development Program
900 kg (20,000 Baht) to the Fountain of Life Center 1
262 kg ( 6,000 Baht) to the Banglamung Home for the Old Aged
1700 kg (39,000 Baht to the Pattaya Orphanage
1000 kg (29,587,75 Baht) to the School for the Blind)
700 kg (16,000 Baht) to the School for the Deaf
700 kg (16,000 Baht) to the Street Kids Home
1700 kg (39,000 Baht) to the Vocational School for the Disabled
1000 kg (29,587,75 Baht) to the Banglamung Boy’s Home
1000 kg (29,587,75 Baht) to the Vocational Training Center of HRHP

Chonburi managers receive training

The Chonburi Labor Control and Welfare Office, in conjunction with the Individual Labour Association of Thailand, organized a training program, Class 319, entitled “Organising Individual Labor” for work administrators in the Chonburi area. The training, which took place at the Siam Gulf Hotel in Pattaya from November 18 to December 16, taught 47 managers and supervisors moral integrity, kindness, compassion, sympathy and equanimity, as well as traits of success, such as being satisfied in one’s work, diligent in one’s work and responsible in one’s work.

The Deputy Mayor of Chonburi Suphod Laowansiri (sitting center), Chonburi Labor Control and Welfare Office Chief Niphan Ratpraseut and staff posed in the class picture with the 47 members of Class 319.

Chonburi’s Deputy Mayor Suphod Laowansiri, assisted by Labor Control and Welfare Office Chief of Chonburi Niphan Ratpraseut, presented certificates of training completion to the 47 graduates on December 16.

Deputy Governor Suphod spoke to the graduates, stressing the importance of having well trained staff administrators. The Deputy Mayor said that, “managers and supervisors, in order to be successful, must instil the will and necessity to work together, and they must set the example for others to follow, just as a military leader exhibits the same traits for subordinates to follow on the battlefield.”

The graduates of the class also elected members to sit on a committee for Class 319. The Manager of the Thai Garden Resort, Thiti Rainasuk was elected as Class Chairman. The General Manager of the Siam Gulf Hotel Phatana Chaleumchat was elected as Chairman and Consultant of Administrators in Pattaya. 15 committee members were also elected, including Pattaya Mail Editor Kttisak Khamthong and the Sales Manager of Sophon Cable TV in Pattaya Anthisit Chychuchat.

YWCA and PSC assist Sawang Arom School

Spirit of giving during the holidays

Members from the Pattaya Sports Club and the YWCA chapter in Pattaya presented school materials and athletic equipment to the Sawang Arom Temple School in Pong Sub-District.

A lunch was also provided for the 102 K-1 to P-6 students attending the school.

PSC Secretary Ron Herbert (left) presents sports supplies to Sawang Arom Temple School Principal Suchat Rakwong, as YWCA Pattaya Chapter President Mrs. Premrudee Jittivutikan and YWCA members look on.

The small staff at the school consists of just full-time five teachers and one additional teacher hired to assist them in the overcrowded classrooms. The additional hire is Miss Anchalee Khong Muang, who teaches kindergarten through grade 3 children. Although the government policy includes stressing education throughout the country, the government is unable to support many of the schools with required materials and teaching staff. Miss Anchalee is paid a little over 1,000 baht a month for teaching the kindergarten classes she has overseen for the past nine years, but sacrifices her time for such low pay, knowing her job is important to the families and children in the village.

The school principal, Mr. Suchat Rakwong was very pleased to receive the materials and athletic supplies, thanking PSC Secretary Ron Herbert, YWCA Pattaya Chapter President Mrs. Premrudee Jittivutikan and Chairman of the Family Assistance Program Mrs. Mayuri Suttikasem. He told them that the school had just finished participating in the Chonburi Schools Athletic Competition, taking first place in the takraw event and second place in volleyball for the 12 year old children. It was the first time a school from Bang Lamung had won the championships in the Takraw games.

The school had entertainment prepared for the visitors to show their gratitude. The children’s performance in singing traditional Thai songs surprised and impressed the audience. Rewards were presented to thank the four children for the wonderful entertainment.

F.C.C.T. Special Cambodia Trip for the New Century!

Don Felipe is organizing an exceptional voyage for the F.C.C.T. members with a typical early 20th century flavor: a Pacific 231 steam engine built in 1934 and still full of steam and energy, taking the F.C.C.T. on a ride to the heart of Cambodia.

The trip is scheduled for the 4th to the 7th of February and the Royal Government of Cambodia is fully supporting Don Felipe’s project.

Members will fly on Bangkok Airways to Phnom-Penh arriving at 10 a.m., drop their bags at Hotel Le Royal, visit the Russian market and back at Hotel Le Royal for lunch.

In the afternoon visit of the National Museum accompanied by Princess Buppha Devi, Minister of Culture, then on to the Royal Palace. Back to Hotel Le Royal for a cocktail party followed by a Gala Dinner with Khmer VIPs, a performance by a Khmer circus and a shadow theater ending up with a grand ball.

Saturday 5th, a special train led by the famed Pacific 231, pulling His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk carriages, will leave for Kampot at the leisured speed of 30 kph ... stop-over at Tani for a brunch prepared by Le Royal Chefs. Arrival in Kampot around 2 p.m. and set up at the Bokor Hotel. Then drive to Bokor for an exceptional visit of this former hill resort. Back in Kampot for a traditional dinner at the Governor’s Residence.

Sunday 6th, a trip to Khep by the sea, seafood lunch on the terrace of His Majesty’s former summer residence and return by bus (the road is excellent) to Phnom-Penh and Hotel Le Royal for the night and evening at leisure. A dinner party will be held for correspondents at the Phnom Penh Post with wines courtesy of “Les Celliers d’Asie” and French food by “Le Deauville”. Departure from Phnom-Penh on Monday 7th, by Bangkok Airways special flight at 10.30 a.m. arriving in Bangkok at 11.50.

For those willing to stay one more day (max. 30), Don Felipe is planning a special extension, another night at Hotel Le Royal and the next day a cruise down the Mekong aboard the “Marie”, a brand new boat with full safety. Lunch and plenty to drink on board but mostly an exceptional view of rural Cambodia, fishing villages, superb landscapes, great atmosphere. Another night, for those 30 at Hotel Le Royal with the night all to themselves. Return to Bangkok on the 8th by Bangkok Airways.

Due to limited space, we can only accept 70 members. Deadline for bookings: Jan. 15th 1999. Contact: Khun Vilai at 652.0580-1- [email protected]

Copyright 1999 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]
Updated by Boonsiri Suansuk.