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H.M. the King lays foundation stone for new airport's passenger terminal

Officials still plan to make U-tapao Aviation Industry & Logistics Center

Cargo ship accident causes 5 km wide oil slick near Sattahip

Pattaya determined to become Thailand’s first handicap-friendly resort

Police release details of traffic violation point system

Luxury and overspending cause corruption, says Purachai

Motorcycle passengers must wear helmets too

Central Festival Center managers still complaining about 2nd Road one-way change

Young Finn dies in motorbike crash

Bulgarians arrested for swindling tourists

Dutch chef goes missing from Koh Samet

Danish drug dealer “tattoos” arresting police

H.M. the King lays foundation stone for new international airport's passenger terminal

Nong Ngu Hao, not U-tapao, will replace Don Muang

(AP Photo/Nong Thang)
The Associated Press

H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej looks at a model of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport at the foundation stone laying ceremony on Saturday Jan. 19 in Samut Prakan Province, 25 kilometers southeast of Bangkok.

The construction project is currently scheduled to be completed by 2005. The Suvarnabhumi Airport will replace the already overcrowded Bangkok International Airport, and will effectively end U-tapao’s chances of replacing Don Muang and becoming Thailand’s new major international passenger airport.

H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej last Saturday laid the foundation stone for the passenger terminal of Bangkok’s new airport that is expected to be ready for business in 2005.

Thailand hopes that the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which was first proposed in 1960, will make Bangkok the aviation hub of the region.

After laying the foundation stone, H.M. the King presided over an elaborate ceremony that included chanting by Buddhist monks at the site where the airport is being built in Nong Ngu Hao in southeastern Bangkok. Government leaders, senior officials and diplomats attended the ceremony.

H.M. King Bhumibol spent two hours talking to officials who briefed him about the construction process of the airport, which is expected to cost 225 billion baht.

About 16 percent of the work has already been completed since construction of the passenger terminal began on Dec. 1, a government statement said.

The construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2004, and the airport, consisting of two runways, will become operational in 2005.

Initially, the airport will be capable of accommodating 30 million passengers a year but when it is fully built about 100 million passengers will be able to pass through it every year, the statement said.

The passenger terminal and a concourse are being built by ITO Joint Venture, comprising Italian-Thai Development PCL and Japan’s Takenaka Corp. and Obayashi Corp.

The new airport will replace the crowded Don Muang Airport. Aviation experts say Don Muang won’t be able to handle the traffic in another four or five years, severely affecting Thailand’s tourism industry, an important part of its economy.


Officials still plan to make U-tapao Aviation Industry & Logistics Center

Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya expected to be no more than an hour

Veerachai Somchart

With His Majesty the King laying the foundation stone for the new Suvarnabhumi Airport last week, assuring that the construction of the new airport will now be completed within the next two years, U-tapao’s chances of becoming Thailand’s next major international passenger airport were effectively ended. However, officials still plan to go ahead with plans to turn U-tapao into an Aviation Industry & Logistics Center.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was able to drum up support for a Global TransPark project to service Asia during his visit to the U.S. this past December. The PM met with potential investors for the project and received a positive response from Martin Lockheed, the colossal giant having huge concessions for building and repairing aircraft, and major contracts with the U.S. military.

However, following the foundation stone-laying ceremony at Nong Ngu Hao airport this past Sunday, the plan has been reduced once again and the cost has been trimmed down to a billion baht investment. The project is now being billed as a Aviation Industry & Logistics Center.

Many airlines in S.E. Asia are already utilizing U-tapao’s recently completed aircraft repair center.

Officials are optimistic, given that the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport at Nong Ngu Hao would be mainly targeting transporting people verses cargo.

Local tourism officials are also expressing satisfaction with the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, but for different reasons.

The director of the TAT central region 3 office in Pattaya, Manit Boonchim said traveling from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya will be a much faster journey, compared to driving from Don Muang Airport to Pattaya.

Nong Ngu Hao is much closer to Pattaya than Don Muang, and with the new and improved highway system, travel time from the new airport to Pattaya should be no more than an hour.


Cargo ship accident causes 5 km wide oil slick near Sattahip

Officials fear major environmental damage, ship’s captain faces charges

Boonlua Chatree

A Panamanian tanker ran aground on a coral reef approximately 15 nautical miles south of the Map-Ta-Put Industrial Estates, in Sattahip waters near Koh Chuang on January 15, spilling 248,000 liters of crude oil and causing a 5-kilometer wide oil spill.

The tanker “Eastern Fortitude” collided with submerged rocks and spilled crude oil causing a 5-kilometer oil slick off Sattahip. Emergency equipment was rushed to the site and set up over an area encompassing a 15-kilometre radius. The oil slick, the biggest in the area for the past 5 years, is expected to cause serious environmental damage to coastal areas in Sattahip and many of the islands in the area.

The ship’s captain allegedly waited two days before reporting the accident and now faces charges of failing to immediately report the accident. He could be subject to fines and up to 3 years in prison.

At press time, the ship, which has a 5,272 ton gross weight capacity, was still stuck on the reef.

Booms and plastic floats used to contain spills were rushed to the site and set up over an area encompassing a 15-kilometre radius.

Personnel from the Royal Thai Navy, led by Royal Thai Region 1 Naval Fleet commander, Admiral Aknit Muensiri, and oil spill containment experts, along with representatives from the Thai Port Authority were transported to the ship by Thai Navy helicopters to inspect the situation.

Although the worst of the slick has so far been contained away from beaches, some of the oil has reached beaches in the area and is causing serious environmental damage to coastal areas and coral reefs in Sattahip and many of the islands in the area.

Officials fear the spill, which is reportedly the biggest in the past five years, will have a major negative effect on tourism. The oil washing up on shore is already driving tourists away from Rayong’s main beach areas, and officials fear ocean currents could take the oil slick in the direction of Rayong’s major tourist attraction at Samet Island.

Doltham Tantikan, the chairman of the Tapong sub-district administrative organization, told the press that he was uncertain how long the clean-up effort would take. The Rayong police bureau has documented the entire incident and legal action will be taken against the owner of the ship.

The Eastern Fortitude was traveling to Rayong from Japan, via a stopover in Bangkok to drop off cargo.


Pattaya determined to become Thailand’s first handicap-friendly resort

City plans to provide a full-range of conveniences for tourists with physical disabilities

Chakrapong Akkaranant

The city administration announced noble plans to turn Pattaya into the first location in Thailand to provide a full-range of amenities for seniors and handicapped persons. Under the new scheme, conveniences for the disabled will be integrated into all city planning, including public transportation.

Supatham Mongkolsawat, advisor to the Chonburi Development Group for Disabled Persons, presents a bouquet of flowers to Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat acknowledging the city’s efforts to meet the needs of persons with physical disabilities.

A January 16 meeting at city hall between the mayor, city officials, the private sector and representatives from the Chonburi Development Group for Disabled Persons focused on plans to develop Pattaya into a tourist city fully prepared to accommodate elderly tourists and persons with physical disabilities.

No details of the plan were released, and the city does have a long way to go to reach this noble ambition. Areas needing improvement include, but are not limited to, more ramps throughout the city for wheelchair access, crosswalk indicators and walk signal switches in Braille, “beeping” traffic lights to allow the blind to cross the street, stopping traffic at crosswalks to allow slower moving and blind people to get across the street, enlarged restrooms with handrails for wheelchair access, automatic doors, and elevators in multi-storied public buildings for wheelchair access.

Prakij Inthisit, chairman of the Chonburi Development Group for Disabled Persons, said that Pattaya is an ideal location to set an example for other locales to follow. “There are many disabled people, both Thai and foreign who reside in the area, and Pattaya is already internationally recognized for its vocational school for disabled persons and schools for the deaf and blind,” he said. He also revealed that there is a major project underway in Banglamung, where the Asia and Pacific Regional Development Center for Disabled Persons is under construction.

Prakij also said that the 3.5 million visitors coming to Pattaya from all parts of Thailand and the rest of the world demand up-to-date standards capable of providing vital services to all.

Many businesses in Pattaya have already integrated some conveniences for disabled persons, as has city hall and the new construction underway along the Jomtien Beach walkway. Additionally, the city’s air-conditioned mini-bus service, expected to become operational in March, has also incorporated amenities for elderly and disabled persons.

Mayor Pairat said that city regulations and directives from the central government covering the inclusion of conveniences for disabled persons are already in place and are integrated into building codes.

Once the plans are implemented, the city hopes to attract tourists of retirement age and disabled people from both Europe and the Americas. This segment of population has purchasing power that can greatly enhance the local economy and that of Thailand.


Police release details of traffic violation point system

16 primary clauses implemented on January 16

Police implemented the traffic violation point system on January 16, and to make sure that everyone is informed of the new law, released the following:

The 16 primary clauses in the nation’s traffic violation point system are divided into four categories. Each invokes traffic violation points ranging from 10-40 points recorded against drivers committing offences.

Drivers will be required to attend mandatory driver’s training for repeating any one violation a second time within a one-year period. Any driver accumulating over 60 points is restricted from driving for a period of 90 days.

The breakdown of the four categories covering the 16 clauses in the traffic violation point system is as follows:

Category 1 violations compile 40 points for:

1.1 Failure to stop behind the line at a red light signal or a stop sign (running red light signal or stop sign).

1.2 Driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substance.

1.3 Causing an accident injuring an individual or damaging personal property, not stopping to provide suitable assistance, not reporting the accident to police and fleeing the scene of the accident.

1.4 Vehicles racing on the road.

Category 2 violations compile 30 points for:

2.1 Driving indecisively resulting in a traffic violation.

2.2 Driving dangerously.

2.3 Driving a vehicle in an abnormal manner or contrary to usual driving habits.

2.4 Driving a vehicle without concern for the safety of others or endangering the lives of others.

2.5 Driving over the lawful speed limit.

Category 3 violations compile 20 points for:

3.1 Recklessly passing on the shoulder of a road which is not considered a traffic-flow lane

3.2 Passing another vehicle where signs prohibit passing, to include recklessly passing in a congested area, passing whilst going up a hill, approaching a bridge or curve in the road and within 30-metres of an intersection, roundabout or similar junction. Also included is passing another vehicle when visibility is impaired by heavy rain, fog, blowing sand or smoke, etc., limiting forward vision to less than 60-meters.

3.3 Parking on the side of the road or on the edge of the road traveled by other vehicles without using emergency flasher or turning on signal lights during hours of limited visibility.

3.4 Taxi drivers refusing to accept passengers.

3.5 Taxi drivers depositing passengers on the road after refusing to complete the fare going to the destination agreed upon.

Category 4 violations compile 10 points for:

4.1 Driving a vehicle in a manner obstructing traffic.
4.2 Driving on a walkway without justifiable reason.


Luxury and overspending cause corruption, says Purachai

Living in luxury and overspending are the main reasons behind rampant corruption in Thai society, according to interior minister Purachai Piumsombun. Delivering a lecture on Prevention and Suppression of Corruption in Thai Society, he said the degree of graft is usually determined in three levels: low, moderate and high.

He explained low degree indicates corruption that is normally found in all countries, including Scandinavia, Western Europe, and Singapore. “It seems like a rotten apple among the good ones,” he said.

He said that, “moderate degree indicates there are many rotten apples in the same basket. Groups of corrupt people would gather together, but have no connection with each other.”

“High degree of graft,” he said, “indicates corruption is rampant in all levels and is networked, which is very horrible.”

Police Capt Purachai said he has “never had hope of seeing corruption in Thai society reduced from the high degree to the low one.” He said he would consider it satisfying, “If the degree could ease to the moderate one”.

“Today, Thai people think of themselves first, the family second, and the nation last. More people tend to be corrupt mainly because they like to live in luxury and overspend. Some can never get enough to satisfy their greed,” he said.

Certain government officials have made contracts which put state agencies at disadvantages, instead of trying to protect national interest. He said current corruption is linked to the drug problem, which is of great concern. “The country risks facing extinction unless the situation improves.”

The interior minister said he also believes the number of Thai female prisoners would equal that of male prisoners in the future because women have begun to behave aggressively. “More women like to frequent pubs and discotheques, smoke cigarettes, and have a drink,” he said. (TNA)


Motorcycle passengers must wear helmets too

New emphasis being put on traffic laws

Chakrapong Akkaranant

Chonburi governor Chadej Insawang, alarmed by the number of deaths on provincial roads, has issued a directive to all districts to strictly enforce the motorbike helmet law.

According to statistics presented to the governor, two deaths occur each day on Chonburi roads.

The governor issued instructions to every district in the province to implement a revitalized campaign emphasizing the use of protective headgear for both driver and passenger on motorbikes. The governor hopes this will reduce the number of deaths, as statistics show that many traffic deaths could be avoided if protective headgear was worn while riding on motorbikes.

In the initial stages of the new safe driving campaign, police will issue warnings to violators, and announcements will be posted to make the public aware of the regulations.

The campaign will also emphasize other safe driving themes. Slogans include “drunk drivers go to jail”, “speeding drivers will be prosecuted”, and “using the phone whilst driving is a no-no”.

The introductory period for the new campaign will continue until the end of February, and thereafter the regulations will be enforced with violators facing fines or charges in accordance with the law.

Different districts in Chonburi Province are now coming up with various ways to promote safe driving awareness. Respective campaigns are aimed at setting good examples for younger generations, and are being directed at entire communities with the goal of saving lives on provincial roads.

The district chief officer in Banglamung, Chaen Chernsiva told a gathering of district officials on January 17 that government officials should set an example by complying with safe driving regulations. He said government officials are also subject to the same laws, and “from here on out the use of protective headgear is to be enforced.”


Central Festival Center managers still complaining about 2nd Road one-way change

Baht bus route planned to alleviate “inconvenience”

Veerachai Somchart and Chakrapong Akkaranant

Thanasombat Sanitwong Na Ayuthaya, Pattaya Central Festival Center general manager, complained of a “tremendous business setback” from a loss of customers since the new one-way system was implemented on January 15. He said it was because of “an overwhelming inconvenience of the new direction of traffic flow”. He said people using baht buses are disembarking on North Pattaya Road and now are forced to walk the rest of the way to the Central Festival Center. Others are simply avoiding the area due to the change taking them out of their way and the waste of time.

“This area is congested with large businesses and is a dense employment area for Thais who are also experiencing difficulties and inconvenience getting back and forth to work,” he said. “Shop owners and management support the possible change back and want the entire plan reassessed and reverted back to a 2-way system. They feel the original flow of traffic accommodated both customers and employees more suitably.”

He also said that, in regards to accidents, although the traffic may flow more smoothly, a lot of drivers were now speeding, thus turning this stretch of road into a ‘racetrack’ which in turn creates situations for mishaps.

The general manager at Big C Super Center, Anupong Khruangam stressed that it is not anyone’s intention to thwart the city’s plan of improving traffic congestion in Pattaya; however, this particular change on 2nd Road is negatively affecting all businesses along this stretch of road.

The general manager from Pattaya Central Festival Center said that in the interim, while the situation is being evaluated, and in support of the city’s objective on this subject, plans have been laid out with the Pattaya Chat Bus Cooperative to help solve some of the problem. A specified baht bus route has been planned with the intention of relieving the situation and providing more convenience for the traveler.

A route traveling south from Naklua, involving up to 12 baht buss, and possibly more later on, will travel a specific circuit. Turning at Dolphin roundabout onto Pattaya Beach Road, they will turn up Soi 5 onto 2nd Road and pass Central Festival Center to accommodate customers. From the designated stopping points in the vicinity of Central Festival Center the baht buses will continue on turning onto Soi 2 and back onto Beach Road in the direction of Central Road going up to Sukhumvit Road.

More information can be obtained by calling tel. 361361 #2211.


Young Finn dies in motorbike crash

COLlided with baht bus at closing time

Boonlua Chatree

Daniel Marko Hood, a 22-year-old tourist from Finland, died instantly in a high-speed motorcycle accident on 2nd Road near Soi 10 on January 17 at 3.45 a.m.

Pattaya police and road accident attendants from Sawang Boriboon Foundation dispatched to the scene found a gruesome sight. Apparently Hood wasn’t wearing a helmet. Plus, the impact was so severe his right arm was severed above the elbow.

Hood’s wrecked Yamaha was nearby, and an abandoned baht bus, #296, with damaged rear-end was parked on the side of the road.

Witnesses told police that they observed Hood leaving a beer bar in the Pattaya Land area, a bottle of beer in his hand and cursing police officers for sweeping through the area and issuing orders to close up for the night.

Police presume Hood raced-off on the Yamaha headed in the direction of Central Pattaya, and entering the cluster of beer bars on 2nd Road, which were also closing up for the night, he rear-ended the baht bus.


Bulgarians arrested for swindling tourists

Using the ol' fast-talking, money exchange play

Boonlua Chatree

Pattaya tourist police arrested two Bulgarians, Tororov Borislav Atanasov and Drankov Angel Ivanov, on January 15 soon after the dubious duo pulled a money exchange scam on a tourist from Germany.

Bulgarian swindlers Tororov Borislav Atanasov and Drankov Angel Ivanov were arrested after getting caught pulling the ol’ fast-talking, money exchange ploy on a German tourist.

German tourist Mr. Hors Nof (sic) immediately contacted police when he figured out he had been scammed. He reported that the two Bulgarians had stopped him on Pattaya 2nd Road in Central Pattaya and told him they wanted to change their leftover Thai money into European currency before returning home.

During the exchange, the German tourist said one Bulgarian used a calculator to recheck different exchange rates, then offered him a spectacular deal whereby he would exchange 44,000 baht for 2,000 German marks.

Mr. Nof said that while continually coaxing him to recount the money, the other Bulgarian relentlessly babbled on, and then both men walked off, leaving him doubting what took place. He said he recounted the money in his hand and discovered he had only 920 baht. The two Bulgarians ran off when he shouted out for them to stop.

After recording the information, Pattaya tourist police inspector, Pol. Maj. Noradech Klomtuksing ordered a search for the alleged con men. Later, two men were picked-up in front of Bungalow 19 fitting the description, and Mr. Nof positively identified both as the men deceiving him out of his money.

Atanasov and Ivanov were still in possession of a large amount of money in different denominations, including euros, pounds sterling, German marks, US dollars and Thai baht. Some banknotes were bound up in specific amounts, allegedly to be used in their fast talking money exchange routine played out on unsuspecting tourists.

Both men were transferred to the Pattaya municipal police where they were charged with swindling. It was later learned that last February Drankov was charged with overstaying.


Dutch chef goes missing from Koh Samet

Holland dispatches canine search team

Boonlua Chatree

On January 5, Dutch tourist Anthony Zunnebeld, 39, who was staying with his wife on Koh Samet, took 200 baht and told his wife he was going for a walk. His wife has not seen him since.

The local district chief of police, Pol. Col. Phaitun Pholkan, said a major search is underway, and every government agency in the area has been alerted, including officers from the National Park on Samet Island. Volunteers from the community, tourists and provincial police have gotten involved in the search.

Dutch tourist Anthony Zunnebeld went missing from Samet Island.

On January 20, a team of five specially trained dogs and handlers from Amsterdam arrived at Samet Island to try and help locate the missing man. The special canine squad, called the Rescue Dog Westervoort team, has an impressive record of successful missions locating missing persons. However, as of January 22, they had yet to turn up anything.

Zunnebeld’s wife, Judith is holding on to the belief that her husband is still alive. Her sister has arrived from Holland, and the two plan to remain on the island until either Anthony, or an explanation is found.

Jan Kuipers, a Dutch Embassy official in Bangkok, revealed that Anthony had been suffering from mental duress thought to be from excessive work. He said Zunnebeld and his wife Judith arrived in Thailand on December 31, 2001, taking a much-needed vacation. Zunnebeld is the owner of a restaurant in Zwolle, Holland.

According to Judith’s older sister, Anthony and his wife were frequent visitors to Thailand. They had a particular preference for Samet Island, especially Anthony, who was fond of Thai food and the mystique of the Orient.

The search teams have scoured the island’s resorts, forests and beach areas. The canine team is also conducting night searches hoping the dogs will respond better during cooler temperatures and without so many tourists around adding to the confusion. The teams next plan to survey the coastal waters covering a two-kilometer distance around the island.

Police have received a few reports indicating Anthony was sighted as recently as last Saturday, but none of the reports have been corroborated. One person at a small store on the island said Anthony made a purchase and was observed walking up a hill before disappearing. Police investigators questioning boat operators traveling to and from the island, which also turned up negative.

Lacking any clues or evidence of foul play, the police believe Anthony may have returned to Bangkok, but relatives and Dutch Embassy officials refute the theory because Anthony is not known to have any friends or contacts in Bangkok. A TV news reporter from Holland, who is closely covering the case, postulates that Anthony would not travel alone due to his mental condition.

Family members believe Anthony is still somewhere on the island.


Danish drug dealer “tattoos” arresting police

Along with Thai accomplice, arrested for selling ecstasy to tourists

Boonlua Chatree

Jesper Egeskov Hasen, a 34-year-old Dane who is covered in tattoos, left a few non-permanent “tattoos” on arresting officers last week. Hasen and his 24-year-old Thai female accomplice from Nakhon Nayok, Ratanaporn Sanrat, were arrested outside Marine Disco in South Pattaya for selling drugs to undercover police officers. Hasen resisted arrest, slightly injuring two undercover officers.

Jesper Egeskov Hasen and Ratanaporn Sanrat were arrested outside Marine Disco for selling drugs to undercover police officers. The arresting officers were injured slightly when Hasen resisted arrest.

Police believe the two are members of a larger gang set up to sell drugs to tourists.

Pattaya tourist police inspector, Police Maj. Noradech Klomtuksing and Pol. Capt. Savu Saengsuksai, leader of a special unit with the Foreign Crime Investigation Center, coordinated the ubiquitous sting operation following an investigation that surfaced information indicating a team of foreigners and Thai females were selling drugs at the Marine Disco in South Pattaya.

Undercover police officers allegedly closed a drug deal at 1:30 a.m. on January 19, but when they identified themselves and attempted to make the arrest, a minor altercation ensued when Ratanaporn accused the undercover officers of not being police officers at all. One of the undercover officers, who of course wishes to remain anonymous, said that “her audacity incited her partner in crime to take action”.

Both Jasper and Ratanaporn had it in mind to vacate the area, and the Dane, measuring a muscular 190 cm, was a little much for the police to handle. He was soon brought under control, however, but not before inflicting minor injuries on the arresting officers. Evidently Ratanaporn was also finally convinced that the officers were indeed policemen.

At the time of arrest, the two only had three ecstasy pills remaining, all allegedly in Hasen’s possession. Police believe the bulk of the merchandise was sold prior to arrest.

Hasen was charged with distributing class 1 illegal narcotics and resisting arrest. Ratanaporn was charged with helping Jesper resist arrest, and both were transferred to the Pattaya municipal police station.

Police are continuing their investigation, believing that 3-4 other foreigners are involved. Police also believe that Thai females usually hold the drugs, which, police say, makes arrests difficult.