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Chonburi guarantees local tap water is “safe to drink”
Water now complies with WHO standards
Officials from the Provincial Waterworks Authority in
Chonburi say they guarantee Pattaya’s water is now safe to drink
directly from the tap.
The Provincial Waterworks Authority in Chonburi and the
Health Department, along with local administrators from Pattaya,
Banglamung and Bang Phra municipality made the public announcement on the
morning of January 26, declaring that tap water in Chonburi was completely
safe for consumption.
 Chonburi
governor Chadej Insawang takes a long drink of water from the public
fountain on Beach Road near Soi 6 as Professor Dr. Pakdee Potisiri
Director-General of the Health Department and other officials watch
intently. Chonburi’s Provincial Waterworks Department “guarantees”
Pattaya’s tap water is now safe to drink.
Pattaya sources its water from places like the
Mabprachan and Nong Klangdong reservoirs. The water is now being
transferred to treatment plants where it is processed to acceptable
standards before being distributed to consumers.
“The treated water may still have a chlorine odor,”
officials said, but this comes from using “acceptable levels (of
chlorine) for the treatment process. The odor can be eliminated by the
consumer, if so desired, by filtering and/or setting the water aside in a
container for about 3 hours.”
 Shaded
area depicts the area of Pattaya having drinkable tap water.
Public fountains providing free tap water have been
installed at selected locations around the province, with one in Bang Phra
at Wat Bang Phrawarawiharn, two along Beach Road in North and South
Pattaya, and an additional fountain in Banglamung sub-district.
Throughout the Kingdom, waterworks authorities and
health departments are planning to provide safe drinking tap water for
everyone. They have begun 10 pilot programs in high visibility locations
having large service areas. Pattaya was chosen as one of the first areas
to implement the program.
Currently, there are 24 locations around Thailand
providing safe drinking tap water. Water is periodically examined by the
provincial waterworks authorities to ensure its quality.
Dr. Wanchai Kuprasert, governor of provincial
waterworks, said the “Safe Drinking Tap Water Program”, which began in
1997, was implemented to promote good health by providing potable water
for everyone using standards approved by the World Health Organization.
Sora-at Klinpratoom, deputy minister of interior,
presided over the public announcement on January 26, staged on Pattaya
Beach Road near Soi 6. The governor of Chonburi, Chadej Insawang, and
Pattaya mayor, Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, also attended, along with the
governor of the provincial waterworks and area health officials. All
officials willingly drank plenty of water from the new fountains.
Governor gives G&PS committees until end of March to “fix” Pattaya’s problems
Some of his comments smack of xenophobia
Chonburi governor, Chadej Insawang is invoking a tough
stance on tackling what he refers to as Pattaya’s tacky image.
During the weekly Thursday G&PS meeting, when
representatives from the private sector meet with government officials to
discuss local issues, he told everyone present that they had until the end
of March to come up with workable plans to fix Pattaya’s tarnished image
and clean up the city’s long-standing problems.
Governor Chadej is intent on revising the city’s
reputation and is targeting some social ills that are not only prevalent
in Pattaya but also exist in other parts of Thailand. He described
Pattaya’s problems as “complex” due to the influx of Thais from
around the nation looking for employment. Pattaya is also a popular
international tourist resort and a favorite with foreign resident
retirees. “This sets the scenario for a number of Pattaya’s special
problems,” the governor said. “Thus, some positive changes in the
community will have to take place in order to improve the quality of life
for everyone.”
Pattaya has had a serious police crackdown running for
months now. Police officers raid unsavory establishments where juveniles
are being served alcohol or where there is evidence of drug use, and a
number of arrests have been made.
Prostitution and unacceptable entertainment such as
live sex shows will continue to receive corrective actions. Now, according
to the governor, foreigners who are engaged in or promoting this type of
business in Pattaya are receiving priority attention.
Among the groups of foreigners receiving increased
scrutiny include a large number of people from former Soviet bloc
countries. The governor described this group as, “Only having visas good
for three months but they continually gain extensions by visiting
neighboring countries and returning to Pattaya to engage in illegal
activities.”
Another group of foreigners being targeted includes
scam artists operating shady businesses that end up swindling Thais and
other foreigners alike. Two other categories of foreigners not favored
include any association with the sex trade or legal businesses supporting
prostitution operated by foreigners with the business in the name of Thai
wives.
In all, the governor identified 491 businesses
operating in the names of Thai wives, mostly beer bars, but also including
up to 10 businesses providing visa extensions run by foreigners.
The meeting on the 24th included the Pattaya’s mayor,
Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, members of the Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association (PBTA), the Pattaya Hotel Association, the Thai Hotel
Association Eastern Chapter, and the director of the TAT Region 3 office,
Manit Boonchim. Committees were set up and given specific tasks.
Five committees are each chaired by one of Chonburi’s
deputy governors and include leaders from the private sector having
expertise or past experience organizing local action in Pattaya under the
name “Pattaya’s Reputation Salvaging Committees”.
The organizing Pattaya city streets committee, chaired
by deputy governor Preecha Kamolbutra, is tasked with problems pertaining
to vendors, parking, new building construction, and maintaining
cleanliness in the city, which includes sanitation issues to improve the
city’s appearance. Mrs. Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal
Cliff Beach Resort Hotel, is the local leader of this committee.
The second committee, chaired by Virawit Viwatwanit,
deputy governor, entails directing efforts to put an end to beggars on
city streets, and includes homeless children. Mrs. Sophin Tappajug,
Chonburi Juvenile and Family Court Associate Judge, leads the committee as
the representative from the private sector.
Chairing the third committee tasked with problems
associated with foreigners engaged in illegal business in Pattaya is also
led by deputy governor Virawit Viwatwanit. Wisit Chawalit-Nittitham, the
chairman of the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation and chairman of the
Banglamung District Council on Culture, will lead the action in the realm
of the private sector.
The fourth committee will attempt to organize the beach
areas in Pattaya, including vendors operating on the beach and problems on
coastal waters, and is chaired by deputy governor Preecha Kamolbutra.
Sanit Boonmachai, the chairman of the Pattaya Tourist Boat Group, was
designated the private sector leader.
The fifth committee will be devoted to correcting
problems associated with tourists being taken advantage of by local
business operators, including integrating controls to protect consumers.
Surat Mekhawarkul, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association (PBTA), was selected to be the private sector leader of this
committee, which is chaired by deputy governor Phisid Boonchuang.
Governor Chadej re-asserted his stance that all
agencies must join in the effort to create positive change and achieve the
common goal of making Pattaya a better place to live, whilst improving the
city’s image in the eyes of the world. The governor said he expects to
receive each committee’s plan of action mapping out the direction for
positive changes in Pattaya by March 31.
Chonburi governor throws a party at his official residence
Asks community to support government objectives
Chonburi governor Chadej Insawang held a goodwill party
at the courtyard in front of his official residence, thanking the
community for their support and asking for their continued cooperation in
pursuing government goals and implementing social reforms.
 Chonburi
governor Chadej Insawang (left) opened the doors of the governor’s
official residence for a “Goodwill Party”, during which time he
thanked his guests for their support and asked for their continued
cooperation in pursuing government goals and implementing social reforms.
Among the distinguished guests were Somchai Khunpluem (seated at the
governor’s table far right) and other government officials.
Chadej took over as governor of Chonburi last year in
October.
In January, he opened the doors to his residence and
welcomed in leading members from the province during an evening filled
with entertainment and local cuisine.
Among the guests were deputy governors and senior
government officials in Chonburi, local politicians, many distinguished
guests from the government and the private sectors, and the municipal
mayor of Saensukh, Somchai Khunpluem.
Cleanup continues on oil slick in Rayong
Boonlua Chatree
The agonizingly slow process of cleaning-up the crude
oil slick from the Panamanian tanker, Eastern Fortitude is still underway.
The work is being tended to by hundreds of volunteers and members of the
Royal Thai Navy.
The Thai Navy wants to detain the ship and have the
captain charged in court.
The collision with the reef occurred on January 15th
and ripped open the ship’s hull, spilling the contents of crude oil into
the ocean. The ship’s captain waited two days before reporting the
incident.
The Eastern Fortitude, 114 meters long with a 5,272 ton
capacity, was traveling from Japan - Hong Kong - Bangkok carrying a cargo
of chemicals, and was on its way to Mabtaphut Industrial Estates with over
240,000 liters of crude oil when it ran aground on the reef.
Emergency response units led by the Thai Navy rushed to
contain the oil spill, using plastic floats and booms. But the slick is
already washing up onto the shores of Chuang, Kham and Samae Sarn Islands.
A ship from the harbor department, the Densut, and a
Thai Naval ship, HM Samae Sarn, were sent to spray foam in order to
contain the oil slick in separate areas east of Chuang Island. A Thai Navy
helicopter was used to identify the extent of the oil spill and the
direction that currents were carrying the slick.
So far, about 7,200 liters of oil have been collected
and transported to Mabtaphut for proper disposal. Aerial flights are
tracking the direction of the oil slick and coordinating action to prevent
what was described as a slow moving portion of the slick five miles away
from the coast of Samet Island. The Densut was tasked to contain the slick
and was able to scoop up another large amount of oil from the ocean.
The collection process was described as slow and
tedious, as the slick is solidifying and does not allow the use of
siphoning equipment.
Up to 1,400 liters of oil also washed up on 8
kilometers of Mae Rampheung Beach. This is being collected by personnel
from the navy, the harbor department and volunteers.
Region 6 Port Authority of Thailand requested
assistance from the Royal Thai Navy to detain the Eastern Fortitude under
official custody until the matter is settled. They want the ship’s
captain charged in court with negligence resulting in carelessly
contaminating the ocean and coastal areas.
Vice-Admiral Aknit said that the reefs the Eastern
Fortitude ran up on are easily perceptible from the surface, and if care
is taken the reefs can be easily navigated. The area where the accident
occurred is not normally traveled by sea-going vessels. It used by the
Thai Navy to conduct target practice.
It was fortunate that the chemicals the ship was
transporting, which are considered dangerous, were not part of the spill,
as it would have caused worse conditions and compounded the dangers to the
environment and marine life.
Traces of the oil slick are still visible off the coast
and the clean-up effort continues.
City asked to explain road construction in Jomtien
Allegedly, no project has been approved and City Councilors connections raise questions in media circles
Road construction in Jomtien at the edge of Pattaya has
news reporters wondering if the project was authorized, and six city
council members (from Jomtien) suspected of having connections with the
project poses many unanswered questions. Queries made by reporters from
Pattaya attempting to research the validity of the ongoing construction
have continually met with fierce resistance and claims of interference.
But none of the particulars surrounding the new road construction project
have yet been disclosed.
 Chonburi
governor Chadej Insawang announced that a committee will look into a
Jomtien Beach construction project that is under suspicion of having a
conflict of interest.
Members of the Pattaya Media Association presented a
letter to the city mayor and the chairman of the city council requesting
clarification of the ongoing construction. Initially, the project was
identified as road repairs caused from rain, but the extent of the work
taking place appears to be more involved, consisting of an area 500 meters
long. More than 1,000 truckloads of landfill have been brought in from the
26 rai of land that was appropriated by the city to close out the trash
disposal site in Huay Yai.
City council members indicate the construction area is
public property, which contradicts information disclosed by Jomtien’s
sub-district municipality. The source of funds covering construction costs
has not yet been identified and it is unknown whether any funds from the
city budget have been appropriated for the work.
Council members met at a press conference on January 23
in response to inquiries made by the media. Prior to the press conference,
the city mayor, Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, and the chairman of the city
council, Thawich Chaisawangwon, said a separate committee would be
organized to look into the matter.
Tongchai Adsong, one of six council members implicated
in the ongoing construction, disclosed that the work was essential and
would be highly beneficial to many, although he admitted that the work was
implemented without going through the usual steps.
Trucks with the name “Adsong” have been identified
transporting the land fill to the construction site, but Tongchai was
quick to point out that he owns no land in the vicinity where the road
construction is in progress.
Two council members, Thanawat Manhadee and Amnuay
Songpongtham also claimed they have no ties to land in the area. Still in
question is whether portions of the 500 meter stretch of road under
construction is, or is not, public property. Some portions were said to
pass by or through land owned by Phoonpol Kamuttira, another member of the
city council.
The day after the press conference, Suphoj Lawansiri,
deputy governor of Chonburi, disclosed that the provincial governor,
Chadej Insawang also received a letter from the Pattaya news media
association asking for a clarification on the road construction project.
Information from the Pattaya city committee’s
investigation was still pending and Suphoj said another committee from the
province is being organized to also investigate possible conflicts of
interest.
The construction is going on near Jomtien Beach Road in
the vicinity of the Sigma Hotel. The street is not named and the actual
boundary line ending Pattaya is Chaiyapruk Road. Jomtien sub-district
municipality is a separate government administration, with its own budget,
led by a separate mayor.
MCOT radio station in Pattaya donates nearly 6,000 kilos of rice
Successful rice drive to support disadvantaged children
Sura
Lichutibhumi (2nd from right), director of the Mass Communication
Organization of Thailand (MCOT) radio station in Pattaya, presented 755
kilograms of rice to the Chonburi Children and Juvenile Correction
Facility director, Sutham Chansuwitayanant. Also attending the
presentation was Padinya Sutsuwan, the head judge at the Chonburi Juvenile
and Family Court section (far left), and Sophin Tappajug, Juvenile and
Family Court Associate Judge. Altogether, nearly 6,000 kilos of rice were
collected during the MCOT rice drive.
Sura Lichutibhumi, director of the Mass Communication
Organization of Thailand (MCOT) radio station in Pattaya, organized a
highly successful rice drive January 5-13, around National Children’s
Day celebrated on January 12, in support of disadvantaged children in the
Chonburi area.
Organizations in the area such as the Pattaya
Orphanage, the Karuniyawed Handicapped Center, the Redemptorist
Disadvantaged Assistance Program and the Chonburi Correctional Facility
were the main recipients of nearly 6,000 kilograms of rice collected
during the drive.
Walking Street committee to “clean up” for Chinese New Year
Area businesses being asked to cooperate
Chakrapong Akkaranant
City officials and Pattaya’s business community want
the area along Walking Street squeaky clean in time for the Chinese New
Year celebration. Festivities on the street will take place February
13-17.
In preparation for the five-day celebration, a special
clean-up campaign begins on the morning of February 1 starting at 7 a.m.
and will continue until noon. The public is being asked not to park in
Walking Street during the morning and to avoid using the road if possible
to accommodate the cleaning process. The city’s police officers are
scheduled to provide support as needed.
The celebration is billed as “Food & Fun”, with
activities for children scheduled to go with the traditional
entertainment, which will include dragons and lions prancing through the
area, and delectable foods and beverages for sale along the street.
The South Pattaya Walking Street sub-committee, chaired
by Sunthorn Kangsirikul, held a meeting at city hall last week to discuss
preparations for the festivity.
Further discussion revolved around the continuing
problem of cleanliness on Walking Street. Area businesses are being asked
to cooperate in order to maintain a more pleasant appearance. Garbage
disposal is still a problem along the street, and the latest effort,
putting waste receptacles at different locations along the street, is
being ignored by some citizens who are still careless about putting trash
out for collection.
The Walking Street theme provides for pedestrian
traffic only in the evening and has restricted hours for motor traffic,
which are well posted. However, there are sill problems with the
enforcement of vehicles entering the area during the restricted time. City
council members at the meeting said officers have issued tickets to
violators, and the public is encouraged to report persistent violators.
City Hall promises to take appropriate action.
The committee is also considering putting an
information booth at the entrance to Walking Street and extending the
hours restricting motor traffic until 6 a.m.
Alarming statistics reveal juvenile crime on the rise
During a recent press conference, the head judge from
the Chonburi Juvenile and Family Court section, Padinya Sutrsuwan
announced that recent statistics involving juvenile court cases had risen
alarmingly, especially in the category of young people between the ages of
8 to 11 years of age.
“The court findings indicate the overall contributing
factor to juvenile crime is children growing up in a broken family
environment, lacking the love, guidance and attention necessary to foster
proper behavior,” Padinya said. “Thailand, like so many other
countries around the world, is finding that fractured families and
parents’ lack of time to spend with their children is having seriously
negative effects on our young people’s lives.”
Judge Padinya announced that 1,471 juvenile court cases
were registered during the year 2001. Court hearings were expedited,
especially cases dealing with methamphetamine drugs and some lesser crimes
in order to enroll young offenders in rehab programs.
The disturbing rise in numbers of very young children
involved in criminal acts has driven authorities to search for better
solutions to deal with the problem.
In conjunction with associate judges, the Chonburi
Juvenile and Family Court have the intentions of helping many of the
unfortunate and misguided youngsters, and are involved in a recently
introduced program called the “Path of Hope” which will provide
vocational training to convicted offenders prior to their release back
into society.
Also highly involved in the program are a number of
supporting agencies consisting of the King’s Vocational Training Center,
Ban Phoonsri Drug Treatment Center in Pattaya, the Redemptorist
Children’s Foundation, and the Ban Uyaithai Children’s Home. Training
in these facilities involves short subjects providing basic instruction,
and results are monitored for a period following course completion.
Military units in the provincial area, such as the
Royal Thai Navy Air Defense Unit, are also involved in the rehabilitation
process. Rigorous training is provided which resembles a military
leadership course for certain young people who are selected from various
correctional facilities. These 15 day military-style ‘boot-camps’ are
designed to tax physical endurance and mental capabilities and aim to
build individual confidence and improve self-esteem.
Both the leadership training and the vocational
training schemes are to continue through the year of 2002. Organizers hope
the “Path of Hope” program and the increased effort of the agencies
involved will lead to a decrease in the number of court cases involving
juveniles in the coming year.
Fuming father allegedly burns down house after locking children inside
Daughters, 4 and 6, die in blaze - father found trapped in bathroom drunk
Boonlua Chatree
A drunken father, upset that his wife ran off with
another man, allegedly locked two of his daughters in an upstairs room,
then set fire to the house. The house was razed and both daughters, aged 4
and 6, perished in the blaze.
The father, 42-year-old Suthep Saetae survived by
hiding in a downstairs bathroom. He received severe burns on his chest and
back and was rushed to Banglamung Hospital.
Banglamung police, fire fighters and rescue personnel
from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation responded to the call, which came in
at 11 p.m. on January 25. The tragedy unfolded on Chaiyapornwithee Road at
Ban Huai Sai, Moo 1, Nong Prue.
The raging fire at the two-story wooden house was out
of control when fire fighters arrived. The flames engulfed the house and
efforts to save the burning structure were in vain.
Firefighters could hear noises coming from inside and
were able to trace them to a toilet enclosure in a back area below the
upper wooden portion of the house. Firefighters and police torn down the
cinder blocks enabling Suthep Saetae to struggle out.
Neighbors alerted rescue workers that they believed two
children were still upstairs inside the house, but the raging fire
prevented all attempts of a rescue. After the fire died down enough to
allow access inside, their worst fears were confirmed when the two burnt
corpses of Dao and Dyan, ages six and four years old, were found.
Evidence collected in the investigation indicates
Suthep locked his two daughters inside on the upper floor before setting
fire to the house. Distraught over the loss of his wife to another, Suthep,
in a drunken rage, apparently hid in the toilet out back, but the blazing
fire soon prevented him from escaping.
Police are still waiting for Suthep to recover before
getting him to answer to the accusations implicating him in the murder of
his two daughters.
Suthep was employed as a merchant selling silk thread,
and his wife collected discarded items on Larn Island. She allegedly
decided to leave her husband after taking up with another man.
A third daughter, age 12, was attending a school
function and was spared. She was picked up before returning home and
placed in protective custody where she will remain until all aspects of
the investigation are clarified.
Dutch canine squad returns home
Can’t sniff out missing Dutchman
Boonlua Chatree
The special Westervoort canine search team from
Amsterdam returned to Holland last week after an exhaustive 3-day search
for missing Dutchman Anthony Zunnebeld turned up empty.
 The
special Westervoort canine search team scoured every square centimeter of
Samet Island looking for Anthony Zunnebeld.
Zunnebeld, 41, was reported missing by his wife Judith
on January 5.
The much-decorated canine squad, made up of five highly
trained dogs, eight dog handlers and investigators, scoured every square
centimeter of the island and are now confident that Zunnebeld is not on
the island.
 Anthony
Zunnebeld
For three days, beginning January 20, the canine search
team looked through the forests, along the beaches and throughout the
tourist areas on the 54-square kilometer island.
Their involvement was partly in response to life
insurance company demands.
Anthony was reportedly suffering from mental stress
thought to be from excessive work. He and his wife Judith arrived in
Thailand on December 31, 2001, taking a vacation to recuperate from his
restaurant business in Zwolle, Holland.
Rayong provincial police are still investigating the
case, and are receiving conflicting information, with some people
believing that Zunnebeld left the island for Pattaya or Bangkok.
The local district police, tourist police, officials
from the National Park on Samet Island, and volunteers from the community
have all been involved in the search since January 5.
Anthony’s wife Judith and her older sister are hoping
media coverage might help police solve the case, and anyone sighting
Anthony Zunnebeld or having information on his whereabouts is encouraged
to contact authorities at 09-518-1681.
Berke and Pornphen charged with swindling homebuyers out of B28m
German/Thai couple denies charges after nine buyers register complaints with Banglamung police
Boonlua Chatree and Damri Muangkaew
Willi Berke, a 52-year old German, and his Thai wife,
Pornphen, age 40, were arrested on January 24 for allegedly swindling
homebuyers out of 28 million baht. The couple denies the charges.
 Pornphen
and Willi Berke of the German-Asia TCS Company Ltd. have been accused of
swindling homebuyers in Banglamung out of 28 million baht.
Tourist police inspector from department 3, Pol. Maj.
Noradech Klomtuksing said the arrest was made after nine potential
homebuyers registered complaints with Banglamung police against the
German-Asia TCS Company Ltd. Willi Berke is the manager of the housing
project and his wife Pornphen is listed as the administrator.
The husband and wife are accused of various shady
transactions, which include “borrowing” money from the homeowner’s
down payments, and not providing home ownership documents after receiving
full payment from nine different people.
The company also allegedly has no building rights to
the land area where the housing project is located. The landowner of the
housing project, Mr. Hom Charern, said he is still waiting Willi Berke and
Pornphen to pay for the land.
The people who registered the complaints allege they
paid as much as 90 - 100% of the cost up front, but the company failed to
fulfill the agreements.
Advertising brochures and clippings from the German
publication, Die Geibe Zeitung, advertising the housing project were used
as evidence against the husband and wife team.
Both Berke and Pornphen were adamant in denying the
charges. Both were turned over to the Banglamung district police for
further disposition.
British citizen missing
 Peter
Sinnott
Peter Sinnott, 40, has not been seen since January 4
and is believed to be still in Thailand. He is British but lives in South
Africa.
If you have any information on his whereabouts, please
phone Anglea Tokalau at the British Embassy in office hours (02 305 8253)
or Barry Kenyon out of office hours (01 782 7363).
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