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City begins to
demolish back of Nang Nual Restaurant
Decisive action taken on day prior to
statute of limitations
The controversy started years ago, but a court order
was finally issued in November of last year. The restaurant’s owners at
that time were given 30 days to dismantle a 12 x 12 meter extension of the
restaurant that protruded over the bay at the rear of the restaurant’s
1st floor. However, since that time, the 2nd and 3rd floors at the rear of
the restaurant have been included in the demolition plans.
Nang Nual Restaurant’s owner, Boonchuay Suwanakhrote,
refused to comply with the court order issued last November and obtained a
temporary appeal to have the case reviewed in April. Boonchuay told the
courts that if the offending structure was removed at that time, it would
cause undue hardship and an enormous loss of business during the busy
season.
After the December 14 deadline came and went, the mayor
came out in favor of allowing the restaurant to remain open until the case
was reviewed on April 24. However, the provincial court decided to stand
by its earlier decision and gave Nang Nual a new deadline of July 2nd to
initiate action. The court’s order stated that if the July 2 deadline
was disregarded, the City of Pattaya was to initiate the removal, billing
Nang Nual for all costs involved.
On July 2 the Nang Nual Restaurant appeared to be
undaunted and continued with business as usual, bringing the situation to
a stalemate and forcing the mayor to take action before the court case
expired.
A source reported that the restaurant owner’s son was
at the Chonburi court on July 4th requesting another review or a delay,
and the request was accepted but no apparent consideration given.
The restaurant is situated in the midst of the 101
businesses on South Pattaya’s Walking Street which are also targeted for
removal to make way for major renovations. Nang Nual is considered one of
the cornerstones in Pattaya after having served seafood for over 30 years.
Governor orders
investigation at Bali High Point
Ongoing construction may exceed initially
identified area
Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan has asked Vichien
Chawalit, Banglamung’s district chief to investigate the excessive
construction allegedly going on at the site of the new Pattaya tourist pier.
Ten-wheel trucks have been bringing in large boulders and
landfill material and covering an area the length of the shoreline,
beginning from the private business section at Bali High Point and
connecting to the other end. This exceeds the designated area for the
tourist boat pier, and its designed 15 meter width extending 500 meters out
into the water.
 Ten-wheel
trucks have been bringing in large boulders and landfill and dumping them on
the Bali High Point shoreline.
Reports imply that this construction is being conducted
by the nearby Achaland Company, which is located on property owned by the
former Deputy Interior Minister, Vatana Asawahame.
Achaland was also involved in a 1997 fracas. The company
was cited for filling in coastal area without authorization, thus placing
them in violation of the Thai Territorial Seas and Shipping Act of 1992. The
civil suit brought against the company is still pending.
News sources report that the latest shoreline
construction is part of an idea that the city envisioned in conjunction with
developing the area surrounding Pratamnak Hill, with a connecting road and
walkway incorporated in the plan. Included in this original scheme was the
pier construction, although no construction plan seems to exist, and no
budget was ever allocated to support the project. Also, the approval and
cooperation from the Thai Navy was needed. When the construction of the pier
was begun, apparently the idea of upgrading Pratamnak was included.
Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan said that as of July
3, he has not received any reports from local offices concerning the
excessive construction allegedly going on at the site of the new Pattaya
tourist pier. However, he did ask Banglamung district chief Vichien Chawalit
to investigate the construction site and report his findings to the
governor, so that if necessary, further action can be taken.
Pattaya City administration’s plans to fill in 18.79
rai of coastal area and construct a new tourist pier at Bali High Point has
been plagued with problems since the idea’s inception. A long list of
logistical miscalculations and quarrels over the land area has evoked major
disputes and delayed the construction.
Controversies surrounding this ambitious addition to the
city include the decision on where to park hundreds of tourist boats which
now use the location. The site is also the epic-center of a long-running
dispute with the 101 private business which line South Pattaya’s Walking
Street, and who’s owners are fighting to keep their shops and restaurants
in the area. High-level officials had been slugging it out in court with the
Thai Navy, until last year, when former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai gave
the go-ahead to begin construction, and the Ministry of Interior issued the
order.
Liberians arrested
pulling black money scam on South Korean
Chakrapong Akkaranant
Liberians Yeorge J. Kuoh, 29, and Michael G. Hill, 31,
were arrested at a Pattaya 2nd Road hotel last week for trying to pull the
“black money” scam on a South Korean tourist.
 Liberian
con men Yeorge J. Kuoh and Michael G. Hill were arrested last week for
trying to pull the “black money” scam on a South Korean tourist.
The two were charged with swindling Yee Suk Oh, 38, out
of B500,000 and attempting to cheat him out of five million baht more. The
con men convinced Yee Suk Oh that a bag full of paper cut to the size of
U.S. banknotes and treated with black colored ink was concealing genuine
100 U.S. dollar banknotes.
One of the three silver-tongued men said the “black
money” was obtained from his father who was hired by the U.S. government
to transfer the specially treated money from Bangkok to Liberia. Yee Suk
Oh was lured into the scam after witnessing a demonstration converting
four pieces of black paper into one hundred dollar banknotes by applying a
special liquid from a nearly empty small bottle.
The Korean was captivated by the opportunity to make an
easy profit and gave the men B100,000 to purchase more of the special
liquid. The Liberians said the liquid came from the U.S. Embassy in
Bangkok.
Kuoh and Hill returned with a small quantity of the
liquid but said they required an additional B400,000 to obtain a
sufficient amount to convert the large bag of color treated money. They
produced an official looking document on U.S. Embassy letterhead claiming
that such a liquid exists.
Waiting in Pattaya for his Liberian business partners
to return Yee Suk Oh received a phone call requesting an extra 5 million
baht to acquire enough of the liquid to transform the large amount of
paper. A light came on in Yee Suk Oh’s brain and he reported the
incident to Pattaya tourist police who were able to arrest the criminal
gang. The third member of the Liberian “black money” gang was able to
avoid arrest and remains at large.
Naklua fisherman
reel in explosive catch
Threw this one back
Boonlua Chatree
In wasn’t a case of “the one that got away”; more
like “the one we wish we’d never caught”. A group of local
fishermen, groping around a small pond near the Naklua market, caught a
little more than they bargained for. When one fished out a fully armed,
ready to use mortar, he and his fishing buddies realized their catch was a
little more than they could handle, so they threw it back and called
police.
 Naklua
pond fishermen found this mortar in a pond near the Naklua market. They
opted to throw it back into the pond.
Banglamung police officers rushed to the scene in Soi
13, Naklua Moo 6, and together with members of the Sawang Boriboon Rescue
team they warily proceeded to assess the situation at the pond.
The group of fishermen explained to police how they had
been groping around for small fish when one man inadvertently latched onto
a heavy object and brought it to the surface. He called the others over to
show off his ‘catch’, but a quick examination of the explosive devise
showed it was probably still in good working order. Therefore, the
gentlemen deemed it prudent to drop it back in the water and call police.
Sawang Boriboon Rescue personnel were ordered to
retrieve the object. Somewhat reluctantly, and with great care, they
retrieved the explosive devise and handed it to the police to examine. All
agreed that the mortar was not only authentic, but it appeared armed and
ready to use.
Police are now investigating the incident, hoping to
find whoever placed the dangerous weapon in such a discreet location next
to a busy market.
Police bust in on
drug orgy
Seven test positive for substance abuse
Chakrapong Akkaranant
A wild party going on in the middle of the afternoon on
the 8th floor of the Niran Grand Condominium in Soi Arunotai off of
Central Pattaya Road had tenants in an uproar on July 3rd after
unsuccessfully trying to sleep through the blaring noise all night.
 Three
women and four men were arrested for illegal drug abuse after police found
them lying around the floor nude.
Unable to take the audacity any longer, residents
notified police. Officers busted in on the group at 2.00 p.m. surprising
seven individuals, all of whom were in a drug induced state, laying around
wearing no clothes. Police also found a packet of ketamine on a plate in
the middle of the room.
After police ordered them to dress, all seven were
taken in and tested for drug abuse. All seven tested positive and were
charged with illegal substance abuse of a class 2 narcotic.
The arrests included two women from Sriracha, Sahatya
Suksaeng, 27, and Narymon Sumetakul, 26, and another young woman named
Charuni Peesaeng, 20. The four men arrested were Tanawud Wilaichon, 21,
Somsak Saeyang, 22, Suchard Wilaichon, 24, and the condo owner Chainarong
Deesombat, 29.
Chainarong was recently employed as a singer at the
Star Dice Pub but was fired after management suspected him of selling
drugs to tourists and other employees. He received the additional charge
for possession of the illegal substance.
Prominent hotelier
dies is auto accident
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Ambassador City Hotel crashes on Sukhumvit Road
Pirapong Chiranai
Chavalit Tungsamphan, 66, the president of Amtel Group
of Hotels, died from severe wounds when the Toyota Land Cruiser he was
driving flipped out of control on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip District
between kilometer marker 162-163 on July 8 at approximately 1.30 in the
morning.
The Toyota was found lying on its side with the roof
caved in and three tires blown. Rescue workers had to pry the body from
behind the steering wheel. He was rushed to the Wat Yansangwararam
Hospital in Huay Yai Sub-district in Banglamung but succumbed to the
injuries en route. He suffered a broken neck, head injury and his chest
was crushed from the impact with the steering column.
Suriya Ajamuang, 36, the usual driver employed by
Chavalit, later told police that Chavalit instructed him to stay in for
the night. He said Chavalit departed at around 7.00 p.m. to keep an
appointment with a young lady in Ban Bang Sare Beach.
Chonburi provincial police officers from the scientific
crime detection division later conducted an investigation at the scene of
the accident. Due to Chavalit’s social status as a prominent figure in
business, police initially presume that Chavalit was not accustomed to
driving himself. The crash occurred at a curve in the road going down a
gentle slope in an area not very well lit.
Chavalit owned both the Ambassador Hotel in Bangkok and
the Ambassador City Hotel in Jomtien, along with other hotels in Thailand
and the United States.
Funeral rites were held on the evening of July 9th at
the Wat That Thong, Sala 20 in Bangkok.
City plans to
create artificial coral reefs around local islands
Requires 12 million baht budget
Veerachai Somchart
The city plans to rejuvenate the coral reefs around the
area’s islands, and has allocated 12 million baht to do so.
The waters around Pattaya Bay were once home to beautiful
coral reefs and an abundance of marine life equal to those found in
Thailand’s southern waters around Kho Pi Pi. In the past 2 decades,
however, Pattaya’s rapid growth, an explosion of tourism and the expansion
of an unregulated fishing industry have contributed to the decline and
outright destruction of the delicate ecosystem which is vital to a coral
reef’s survival.
Apichart Thongyu, chairman of the Sawadee Foundation of
the University of Bangkok, Ragsit, and the administrator of Koh Larn’s
environmental development project, said Pattaya City will play a vital role
in the proposed coral rejuvenation project. Apichart also said the
University of Burapha Marine Institute will cooperate by conducting marine
surveys and administrate the project. He described how the completed project
will have a positive impact on marine life and the environment, thus
contributing to future success for the local business community.
The designated area for the proposed project consists of
islands around Koh Larn, including Khrok, Saak, Nok, and Chun islands.
During the first year of the project a budget of 1.6 million baht would be
allocated to complete necessary surveys around the islands, and conduct
feasibility studies and research in this area to assess the overall
environmental impact.
During the second phase of the plan, priority will be
given to the overall development of the marine environment. A four-year
period of progression is planned for this phase, and will require a budget
of an average of 3 million baht per year.
Apichart stressed that the triumph of this project will
require a concentrated effort to increase local awareness of the importance
that healthy coral reefs play in our marine environment. He added that
participation from local citizens, particularly those engaged in the fishing
and tourist industry will be paramount to the outcome of the coral project.
Thailand has enough
water to last 25 more years
Eastern region politicians discuss laws
governing water resources
The Office of National Water Resource Commission, and the
Royal Irrigation Department recently met at a conference to discuss the need
to establish laws governing water resources.
 Niwat
Phonchua, senator from Rayong (far right)
Convened at the Pattaya Welcome Plaza Hotel, speakers,
including Niwat Phonchua, the senator from Rayong, presented current
policies and statistics which support the urgent need to govern the
nation’s water resources. Addressing an audience made up of members of the
House of Representatives, senate members from provinces in the eastern
region, and representatives from local administrative organisations and
private development agencies, the emphasis of the conference was to assess
the state of the current supply of water resources and find ways to protect
them.
The statistics presented described Thailand as having
sufficient water resources to last another 25 years. However, if not
properly managed, the supply would be depleted, or at least the quality
degraded. Further neglect of this precious resource will have drastic
negative impact on agriculture, industry, and the public water supply.
Therefore, the government’s list of objectives includes improving the
quality of life in communities, and changes in governing the nation which
would include the participation of the public in developing local areas.
New laws governing the nation’s water resources have
been a subject of concern for a long time. More comprehensive legislation is
needed to alleviate the current overlapping, ambiguous and outdated laws
which perpetuate conflict between state and private enterprises.
Community holds
annual Chao Pho Kedngam Shrine Ceremony
Mayor Pairat Suttithamwrongsawat presided over the annual
ceremony to honor the Chao Pho Kedngam Shrine near Soi 6 on Beach Road.
Attending the ceremony were city officials, members of the Rotary Club, the
Yodsak Shopping Center, and other people of the community.
 The
Chao Pho Kedngam Shrine near Soi 6 on Beach Road
While paying homage to the sacred shrine, those in
attendance also donated rice and cash which was presented to the Swang
Boriboon Rescue Foundation. These offerings will be allocated to needy
individuals who require help with funeral arrangements and have no family
support.
This ceremony has been observed for the past eight years.
The original image of Chao Pho Kedngam was crafted out of wood and installed
in the shrine sometime prior to 1957. Over the decades, the image
deteriorated, and was replaced last year with a new figure representing King
Taksin the Great.
During the ceremony, people adorned the figure with
sacred cloths signalling homage to the Thai hero, and others brought a
variety of foods which were placed before the shrine as a request for good
fortune and prosperity to the city.
Nine monks performed a ritual ceremony to sanctify the
shrine, and blessed the local residents and the surrounding area. Similar
ceremonies are performed at other shrines around Pattaya, including the
monument of Admiral HRH Prince Chumphorn Khet-Udomsak on Thapraya Hill.
Korean officials
welcomed in Pattaya
Pattaya’s mayor, Pairat Suttithamrongsawat welcomed a
group of officials from South Korea led by Kim Byung Gon, chairman of the
Julabuko Provincial Council in charge of Industry, Culture and Tourism.
 Mayor
Pairat met with South Korean officials
The group met with the mayor and city administrators to
exchange ideas and discuss related issues in the tourist industry. They also
held talks on the motor industry and investment possibilities in Thailand.
Due to labor setbacks in South Korea’s car companies,
Daiwoo and Hundai are considering new areas to base production and the
Chonburi area with its air and sea transportation assets along with other
conveniences attracted interest.
The group visited tourist attractions around the province
and the neighboring industrial estates collecting information on a
fact-finding tour.
Around 400,000 tourists from South Korea visited Thailand
during the period Jan-Mar, an 18-20% increase from the previous year.
Police and School
observe Asalahabucha Day and Khao Pansaa traditions
On July 4, students and teachers from Wat Photisamphan
Phitayakhan School joined Pattaya Tourist Police officers to celebrate the
traditional ceremonies customary in the observance of Asalahabucha Day and
Khao Pansaa, the first day of Buddhist Lent.
School director Anant Phradeso and tourist police
department 3 Inspector Pol. Maj. Naradech Kromtuksing led the ceremony by
presenting three gigantic candles to four monks for use during the holy
holiday.
 Tourist
police and Wat Photisamphan Phitayakhan School officials present giant
candles to Buddhist monks to observe Asalahabucha Day and Khao Pansaa, the
first day of Buddhist Lent.
During the three months of Thailand’s rainy season, all
monks remain in their monasteries, while huge candles remain continuously
alight.
The finale of the day was marked when the group performed
the lovely ritual called ‘Wientien’, in which the united devotees walk
three times around the sacred temple grounds, thus honouring the Lord
Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
For Buddhists, three important events are marked on
Asalahabucha Day. This day commemorates the first sermon given by Buddha in
which he described the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and presented to his first
five disciples. This sermon set in motion the ‘Wheel of Dhamma’ and the
birth of Buddhism. Then upon hearing the words of the great Teacher, one of
Buddha’s disciples became the first monk, and created the beginning of the
order of the Sangha. For the first days of Lent, and perhaps for the entire
period, devout Buddhists will abstain from intoxicants, certain foods, harsh
language, deceitful deeds, and make a concentrated effort not to harm any
living creature.
Buddhist Lent begins the day following Asalahabucha, and
nowadays monks use this period of retreat to study and pray. It is also the
time in which many families with sons approaching 20 years old will send
their boys into the Buddhist priesthood to receive their religious training,
and to bring great merit to all the members of their family.
Updated every Friday
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
Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]
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