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Ruptured industrial gas line causes major scare on Highway 336
Traffic backs up for 20 kilometers as residents evacuated
Residents in the area were evacuated from their homes, electricity was turned off, and traffic was backed up 20 kilometers after a six-wheel tractor from
the Krungthon Engineer Company ruptured the gas line whilst digging at a highway department construction site on Highway 336 in Tambon Pong at the Krating Lai-Khao Mai
Kaew-Rayong-Sattahip intersection.
The punctured gas line was being used to send natural gas from the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) in Rayong to the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate
and to the Bang Prakong Electrical Plant.
The Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) in Rayong stopped pumping the gas, but was unable to stop the gas already in the line from emptying into the air
and covering the surrounding area for several kilometers.
Police and 100 volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation were called in to redirect traffic, which was backed up for over three hours.
Residents were warned not to ignite any flames in the area until the fumes dissipated, which also took over three hours.
PTT officials said the gas line was marked with warning signs posted all along its length, prohibiting digging or excavating in the immediate area.
Banglamung police chief Pol. Col. Suphoj Kasemchaiyanan said the accident was, “sheer negligence on the part of the supervisors and workers from the
Krungthon Engineer Company. Buried gas line signs warning workers at the construction site were blatantly ignored and supervisors were apparently unaware of the buried gas
line. Construction plans with a schematic of the area identifying the same dangers should have been in the hands of contractors at the site preventing such a careless
incident that could have resulted in a major catastrophe.”
PTT now faces fines for breaching its contract to deliver gas to the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate.
Makha Bucha Day
February 8, 2001
This coming Thursday, February 8, marks the Buddhist holiday “Makha Bucha”, also known as “Buddhist All Saints’ Day”. All banks and government
offices, and most businesses will be closed. The following is a brief explanation of the holy day...
The Buddhist Holy Day of “Makha Bucha” is held in the middle of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar. Makha Bucha literally means worshipping (Bucha) in
the third month (Makha).
The holy day remembers miraculous events occurring just prior to the Buddha relinquishing his soul, approximately 45 years after the nine months spent by
Buddha (Gautama Sakayamuni) attaining enlightenment. The wondrous events include 1,250 of the Buddha’s disciples, all Arahants appointed by the Buddha, each disseminating
the truths taught by the Buddha in different areas, traveling to meet with the Buddha at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the area of Rachakhryha, India.
Disseminating the Buddha’s teachings and the journey to meet with the Buddha are two historical events on their own. The third miraculous event is that
the 1,250 disciples set off on the journey with no prearranged appointment to meet with Buddha at Weluwan Mahawiharn on the 15th night of the 3rd lunar month.
The 4th event commemorated on Makha Bucha Day was the Buddha’s sermons on the 15th night of the 3rd lunar month to the 1,250 Arahants and the truths
spoken by the Buddha. Good intentions, not harming others, avoiding evil actions and making the heart and mind pure in thought were among the truths the Buddha spoke of.
On the same afternoon, 45 years after attaining enlightenment and in his 80th year, the Buddha announced to the 1,250 Arahants that he would be
relinquishing his soul within the following three months, thereby entering Nirvana and breaking the constant cycle of death and rebirth.
The observances followed by devout Buddhists on Makha Bucha Day normally are conducted in the evening hours and include attending temples, paying homage to
the monks, listening to sermons and participating in a “wientien” ritual procession where devotees walk around a stupa three times with flowers, candles and joss sticks.
The ceremonial walk signifies a sign of respect and the belief in the “Triple Gem” (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha).
The first circle walked is devoted to the Buddha, the second circle walked is in remembrance of Buddhist disciplines and the third cycle walked is devoted
to Buddhist monks (Sangha). During each cycle, devotees repeat specific prayers in the Pali language. After completing the three circles, the participants place their
offerings of flowers, candles and joss sticks in designated areas in the temple or shrine. The “wientien” ritual is also conducted on two other important Buddhist holy
days: “Wisakhabucha Day” and “Asalahabucha Day”.
Birds, fish or turtles will be released by some people to demonstrate pure acts of kindness, in addition to the offerings already made, with individuals
gaining a sense of well-being, others searching for merit acquisition in future existences free of suffering.
Some devout Buddhists will maintain various Buddhist precepts during the day by refraining from listening to music and other entertainment, not wearing
excessive make-up, not partaking of alcoholic beverages and sticking to a vegetarian diet in observance of the Holy Day.
Banglamung crime prevention volunteers nab 12 at roadside check
Last arrest nets local drug dealer
Thanks to residents in Huay Yai doing their part to stop drug trafficking, 11 users and one dealer were arrested in one night at a roadside checkpoint.
 A late night roadblock netted 11
drug users and one dealer.
The residents reported that a local drug agent was operating in Ban Chakngaew, Moo 10. They complained the drug pusher was selling methamphetamine drugs with
no apparent fear of the law.
District chief Vichien Chawalit responded to the call and contacted Thonglo Ampeung, leader of the district crime prevention volunteers, who then gathered a
group of volunteers and set up a roadside check outside of Ban Chakngaew at 1 a.m. on January 21.
During the early morning hours the team of volunteers stopped traffic in and out of the area, detaining 11 people who were driving out on motorbikes at
different intervals. Those 11 people had a total of 69 methamphetamine pills in their possession.
The evening’s effort came to full fruition when Mrs. Chamoi Sawadee, age 40, was later arrested driving her motorbike out of the community carrying 13
methamphetamine pills and 8,800 baht in cash. Chamoi was the suspected drug agent being targeted by the roadblock.
All 12 were charged with possession and distribution of class 1 illegal narcotics.
Three men arrested for assaulting pawnshop owner
Alleged motive was gambling debt - not robbery
Three men were arrested after an hour-long chase through the streets around Soi 17 following the pistol-whipping of a local pawnshop owner.
Two of the three men were identified as former soldiers, Prakasit Sukma, age 38, and Monprai Nathee, age 30. The third man was identified as Somchai Phutra,
age 23, who told police a man called “Neng” hired them to threaten the pawnshop owner, Sene Nakthang, into paying his gambling debts. He said they were paid 10,000 baht
to shake-up Sene and had no intentions of robbing the shop. He also said they never realized Sene and his wife would put up such a fight.
The owner’s wife, Mrs. Nyathip Niyomsak, told police the three men came into the shop at about at 11.00 a.m. on January 25. She said she greeted them
politely, as she thought they were interested in purchasing unclaimed items. But when her husband Sene appeared, one man withdrew a handgun and hit him over the head twice.
She said the other two men pushed her around and snatched a gold chain from her throat.
Mrs. Nyathip said she and her husband tried to fight off the attackers and called for help. The struggle caused a lot of destruction in the shop and the
noise attracted the attention of people outside. The three men ran off when they noticed people standing outside watching.
The onlookers did contact police, who arrested the three assailants after a one-hour chase through the streets in the Soi 17 area.
Police are still investigating the three men’s story and are researching their individual backgrounds to find out whether they are wanted for other
crimes.
Sene was assisted to the hospital to treat his head wounds.
Excessive alcohol leads to bizarre death
Laundry woman, drunk, falls head first into water tank
Mrs. Napaporn Songnok, age 42, was knocked unconscious and drowned when she fell head first into a water tank after allegedly drinking a large amount of
alcohol.
Police were contacted at 4 p.m., and when they arrived they were told Mrs. Napaporn’s body was found bent over with her head submerged in the bathroom
water tank at a house located in Soi Sanam Muay (Soi 9) off of Central Pattaya Road.
Her friend, Mrs. Siriporn Pongphaen, age 39, told police the two had been drinking together on the afternoon of January 22. Mrs. Siriporn said that they
had been at a hotel in the area of Soi 9 attending to some personal business and began drinking at 2 p.m. Later she invited Mrs. Napaporn to go drink more at a friend’s
home but Napaporn declined, saying she wanted to rest and was already smashed. Siriporn said Napaporn, a laundry worker, excused herself to go to the bathroom and did not
return. Mrs. Siriporn told police she left and didn’t realize what happened until she returned later.
Napaporn’s husband, Suksan Chakrabut, age 30, told investigating police officers that he was in the area and heard the commotion, and came to see what
the excitement was all about. It wasn’t until others pulled her body out of the tank before he realized it was his wife.
Investigating police surmise Napaporn, under the influence of alcohol, slipped in the bathroom and bumped her head on the edge of the water tank, which
knocked her out cold. Unconscious, she then fell forward with her head submerged in the water.
Banglamung police arrest key drug agent in Huay Yai
Over 10,000 methamphetamine pills confiscated
Panya Bunchu, age 35, a drug agent in Huay Yai Sub-district who was dealing in large quantities of methamphetamine pills, was arrested on January 25
following an investigation conducted by Banglamung Police Lt. Natasit Bunnuam.
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Panya Bunchu’s life in the fast lane led to his arrest for selling narcotics. |
Panya began to draw attention to his himself after he suddenly began living more lavishly and standing out in the Huay Yai Moo 10 community.
Undercover police officers, posing as drug users interested in selling large quantities of drugs, purchased from Panya a packet of 200 methamphetamine
pills using 7,000 baht in pre-recorded banknotes.
Moments later other police officers sprang into action and raided the house, arresting Panya and searching the premises. They found a green plastic bag
containing small blue plastic bags filled with 200 methamphetamine pills each. A total of 11,800 pills were recovered, along with a .38 caliber revolver, 29 rounds of
ammunition, and a collection of gold bracelets and necklaces ranging from one to five baht in weight.
Panya later admitted to purchasing packets of 200 pills for 6,000 baht, which he then sold to minor drug agents for 7,000 - 12,000 baht per packet.
However, he refused to identify his source.
Panya was charged with possession and distribution of a class 1 illegal narcotic and illegal possession of an unregistered firearm.
Pattaya begins planning for the Songkran Festival
Plans to display “right way” to partake in age-old custom
Yes, it’s nearing that time of year again. The annual Songkran holiday is less than a month and a half away and the city has begun planning for its
Pattaya City Festival 2001.
Deputy mayor Watana Chanthanawaranon last Friday chaired a conference to prepare for this year’s gala water-splashing extravaganza.
This year’s festival will get underway with a parade along Pattaya Beach Road on April 12 beginning at 5.00 p.m. The festival, held to celebrate the Thai
New Year (Songkran) on April 13, will continue all the way through until April 19.
Banners announcing the festival are already in place at 10 locations around town, and extra large banners have been put up in Sri Racha along Sukhumvit
Road and the Highway 36 bypass coming into Pattaya.
Boonrawd Brewery (Singha Beer) and the Thai Nam Thip Company (Coke) have already committed to sponsor the event.
The opening parade will be similar to last year’s event organized by the private sector, with entries competing for trophies in the name of Her Royal
Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
The following day, April 13 (Songkran Day), there will be exhibitions of the traditional water pouring custom to display to visiting tourists the proper
procedures of the age-old Thai custom.
Pattaya City and Naklua’s traditional water festival days are scheduled for April 18 and 19 at the end of the festival.
More information will be announced in mid-February and other press conferences are scheduled in Pattaya and Bangkok in the beginning of April.
Education suffering from Pattaya’s rapid growth
Local schools overcrowded, understaffed
Pattaya City’s rapid growth is having an adverse effect on the local education system. Schools have become overcrowded and understaffed, and the current
budget for education is woefully inadequate.
Much of the problem comes from the way the central government has been doling out money to the provinces for education. The complicated formula uses
population figures as the basis from which to determine how much money is allocated to each province for education.
 Mrs. Uraiwan Thientong, director of
the rural education office in the Ministry of Interior, addressed Pattaya’s future direction in local educational development.
Pattaya has a “registered” population of 80,000 people, but unofficial figures show that as many as 200,000 people from other provinces have migrated to
Pattaya to look for work, and that many of these people have brought their families with them.
Pattaya City School Education Director Mrs. Yawadee Musikathaworn, during a recent meeting at city hall with representatives from the Ministry of
Interior’s Rural Education Office, Mrs. Uraiwan Thientong and Mrs. Pranee Chawala, along with mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, said that the city would like to expand
Pattaya’s education system to require students continue schooling through to M-6, but inadequate funding only allows mandatory schooling up until M-3.
She said that nearly 10,000 students are not able to continue schooling in Banglamung and Pattaya beyond M-3 due to lack of teachers and facilities, as the
local school system can only accommodate 3,000 students.
Mrs. Yawadee cited two extreme examples: School #10 on Larn Island and School #8 in Pattaya City. She described City School #10 on Larn Island as lacking
adequate classroom facilities, teachers and drinking water. She said there are no living quarters for teachers, and it costs up to 10,000 baht per month to bring in potable
water. She said City School #8 (Pattaya Nukul) also needs immediate attention, as there are far too many students than can be accommodated in the classrooms.
Rural Education Director Mrs. Uraiwan Thientong did offer some hope. She said that under Pattaya’s recently appointed special status identified in the new
constitution, the city is no longer required to submit education budget requests through the Rural Education Office. She said that Pattaya should plan and set its own education
policy and budget for the 10 city schools on its own and in advance. The budget requests for the year 2002 should be submitted directly to the Ministry of Interior.
Mrs. Uraiwan also said that future education policies and plans would be entirely in the hands of the city mayor and the local administration. Future
educational funding requests would be unlimited, or at least could be more than what was requested in the past, and could be earmarked for computer training, foreign language
enhancement training or even tourist related educational training, tailored to the local situation.
Tourist police inspector completes tour in Pattaya
Replacement vows to shut down illegal sex shows
Police Major Pawarid Lilasiri, who took over the position of inspector at the Tourist Police Department 3 station less than a year ago, is being reassigned.
Department 3 recently arranged a farewell party for the departing police officer at the Zeus Karaoke opposite the highway police station on Sukhumvit Road.
In addition to members of the local tourist police department, a large crowd of guests attended the farewell party, sending off the 28-year-old police major and wishing him the
best of luck at his next assignment.
 Friends and colleagues gave Police
Major Pawarid Lilasiri a send-off party at Zeus Karaoke.
A graduate from the Bangkok Sam Phrarn Police Academy, his first assignment was in Hua Hin, followed by an assignment with the Economic Department before
coming to Pattaya.
During his tour at Tourist Police Department 3 in Pattaya, Pol. Maj. Pawarid was successful in suppressing a number of crimes in the city whilst protecting
the interests of residents and tourists on holiday. He was instrumental in a number of arrests; apprehending foreign tourists involved in sexual exploits with minors,
counterfeit money scams and local hotel robberies. Pol. Maj. Pawarid gained the respect of subordinate police officers in his command whilst continually building confidence and
guiding activities.
Pol. Maj. Naradech Klomtuksing from Rayong is Pol. Maj. Pawarid’s replacement. The new officer told reporters that this is his first assignment that he
feels suited to. Initially, he will be coordinating with the many other police agencies in the area and hopes to maintain an open flow of information among the agencies. The
tourist police in Pattaya have a total of 70 officers assigned throughout the eastern region, with 54 officers assigned to Pattaya.
Pol. Maj. Naradech says he intends to correct the past problems of officers having out of line behavior, and requests that anyone having information of such
activities to report to him immediately.
Pol. Maj. Porarid said he is giving fair warning to owners of establishments catering to illegal sex shows, child sex and prostitution to change their format
immediately or he will have them shut down.
Another area that is on his agenda concerns an intensive crack down on child prostitution, which, he says, is not the desired picture that anyone in their
right mind would want Pattaya City to portray. He says he knows the task will be very difficult but is not concerned with the interest of others involved or any influential
people putting pressure on him.
US Embassy consular officer to visit Pattaya
Consular officer Mary Stickles from the US Embassy, Bangkok will visit Pattaya on February 7, 2001. Her visit will provide the opportunity for Americans
residing in the area to obtain a number of consular services without having to travel to the US Embassy in Bangkok.
Ms. Stickles will be providing services at the following times and location:
Wednesday, February 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Montien Hotel Pattaya, #369 Central Pattaya City, Second Road, tel.
428 155-6.
Below is a list of services that will be provided during this visit:
* Extra passport pages
* Passport applications (be advised, however, that new passports must be picked up at the US Embassy in Bangkok - they cannot be sent via mail)
* Notarials, including affidavits required by the Thai government for marriage, driver’s licenses, and certain types of visas
* Registration with the US Embassy
* Information on application procedures for Thai citizens seeking US visas (note that visa applications must be submitted at the US Embassy, Bangkok)
Please note that US law requires a US$55 (or Thai baht equivalent) fee for each notarial service provided. Passport applications cost US$40-60.
Please share this information with other Americans in your area. Should you have any questions, contact the American Citizen Services office at 02-205-4049,
or via email at [email protected]
For additional information about the American Embassy in Thailand, please visit their website at http://usa.or.th
Copyright 2001 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]
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