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Local government leaders pay tribute to ‘Father of Thai law’
Rapee Day - August 7
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya Court Judge Paiboon Choochote presided over
Rapee Day ceremonies on August 7 to honor the many contributions to the
Thai legal system made by HRH Prince Kromluang Rajaburi Direkrid,
considered the ‘Father’ of the Thai legal system.
 HRH
Prince Kromluang Rajaburi Direkrid, the ‘Father’ of the Thai legal
system was remembered on August 7.
HRH Prince Kromluang Rajaburi Direkrid was the 14th son
of HM the King Rama V. After Prince Kromluang finished his education in
Thailand, he went on to study law in England because at the time many
countries that held treaties with Thailand did not regard Thai law equal
to international standards. The prince received a B.A. (OXON) honors
degree in 3 years at the age of twenty.
After his education, Prince Kromluang came back to
Thailand and joined the government. HM King Rama V appointed him as head
of the Ministry of Justice and the president of the Special Crown
Commission to the provinces, responsible for amending various laws.
While serving in this capacity, Prince Kromluang was
great inspiration for the re-structuring of court procedures and justice
in Bangkok and the provinces. Laws were changed and Thailand’s justice
system was designed to meet international standards.
In the year 1919, Prince Kromluang suffered kidney
problems and went to Paris for treatment, but passed away on August 7,
1920 at the age of 47. His disciples transferred his ashes back to
Thailand for a religious ceremony in Bangkok, and in 1954 the National
House of Law named August 7 as ‘Rapee Day’ to annually remember Prince
Kromluang’s remarkable contributions.
This year’s ceremony to mark the occasion was held at
Pattaya Court in the presence of judges, the Crown Prosecutor, members of
government, police, professors, students and residents.
The day began with a religious ceremony, which was
followed by a speech about the law titled ‘Regulations guide our
lives’. A poetry writing competition was held based on the theme
‘Youth join together to prevent drugs’. In the afternoon a soccer
competition was held to encourage unity within the organization.
THA members to help Chonburi’s ‘One Tambon One Product’ project
Royal Cliff the first on-board
Suchada Tupchai
Chonburi governor Chadej Insawang announced that a new
cooperative to support the One Tambon One Product has been registered with
the director general of Trade Promotion Cooperative and now has 67 charted
members. The OTOP Cooperative officially began on August 12 to commemorate
Queen Sirikit’s birthday.
On August 7, Governor Chadej, Deputy Governor Preecha
Kamolbutr, and president of the Thai Hotel Association Eastern Chapter
Chatchawal Supachayanont, together with Chonburi’s ‘One Tambon One
Product’ committee and representatives from the THA held a meeting at
the Dusit Resort Pattaya to discuss methods of marketing products from
local cooperatives.
Governor Chadej explained that public sector needs to
help the cooperative by ordering their merchandise. The governor said the
best way for the Chonburi project to progress would be to establish a
cooperative, as it could be supported by the Constitution since the
government sector must support and encourage the ‘One Tambon One
Product’ project.
The governor added that the cooperative would begin its
first day on August 12 in response to various job encouragement programs
initiated by HM the Queen.
The first private sector company to support the program
was the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. The Royal Cliff ordered 50,000 bathing
caps, 80,000 chicken eggs, placed an order for 1,000 kilograms of sea
shrimp per month, and 1,000 kilograms of shellfish per month.
This program has already been supported by 38 THA
offices, with the aim of attaining more support from hotels in Chonburi
and Pattaya.
Another suggestion was made to have products such as
fried durian, Thai fruit juice, and hand-woven items on display in hotels
where guests can purchase them as souvenirs.
Queen's birthday celebrations inspire joint beach cleanup
Pattaya officials and Sattahip Naval Base cooperate
Suchada Tupchai
Last week Pattaya’s mayor and high-ranking officers
held an opening ceremony for the annual beach cleaning operations as part of
HM the Queen’s Birthday celebrations. A host of other local officials and
navy personnel joined in the clean up activities.
Sailors
were enlisted to clean up Pattaya Beach in honor of Her Majesty the
Queen’s birthday August 12.
Vice Admiral Vichai Jutapakdeeprasert, chief of the
Sattahip Naval Base said, “The 12th of August is a very special day in the
hearts of the Thai people. This is a time when the nation comes together to
celebrate Her Majesty’s birthday. As Pattaya is known around the world as
tourist destination it is important to keep the city clean in all aspects
and care for the environment.”
After the official ceremonies were over officers from the
department of health and environment began the clean up operation, drawing a
great amount of interest from residents and tourists alike.
Banglamung district celebrates HM the Queen’s birthday
To celebrate August 12, which marked the birthday of HM
Queen Sirikit as well as the commemoration of Mothers Day, Banglamung
district held a ceremony to express the love and loyalty that Thai people
have for Her Majesty.
Banglamung
district chief, Chaen Chuensiva presided over the local ceremony to wish
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit a happy birthday on August 12.
The ceremony began at 6 a.m. with giving alms at
temples, followed by placing flowers and garlands at Queen Sirikit’s
picture. Presided over by Chaen Chuensiva, Banglamung district chief, the
event was attended by city dignitaries such as Pairat Suttithamrongsawat,
the city mayor, and distinguished representatives of government and
private sectors.
Mother’s Day celebrations saw people around the
nation lighting candles at 7 p.m. to sing praises to Queen Sirikit.
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s life has been dedicated
to helping the Thai people to be self reliant through many projects. One
of the most successful is named “SUPPORT” and was started with the
queen’s own funds to establish cottage industries for village and farm
women. Project SUPPORT supplies weaving looms, materials and equipment to
produce marketable items that the rural women sell to supplement their
family’s income.
Queen Sirikit is also an avid conservationist and
promotes environment preservation and forest restoration.
The Kingdom of Thailand is proud and grateful to have
such a beautiful queen with a most loving and compassionate heart. The
nation wishes her a long and very happy life.
Planning for Pattaya Carnival 2002 is underway
“Pattaya Carnival 2002, due to be held from November
15-19 will attract a large number of national and international
tourists,” predicted representatives from Perfect Rich, the company
charged with taking care of Pattaya City’s public relations campaign for
the carnival.
Last week during a meeting at city hall, managing
director Sutin Buathum informed city officials that the prime focus of the
carnival will be shows from the four regions of Thailand, a fancy parade
and various activities during the opening ceremonies.
Sutin told city officials, “Our company has carefully
planned the advertising and promotional campaign, which will begin on the
1st of October and continue through to the 18th.”
“The goal is to let people know about the carnival
through a mass broadcasting campaign with advertising splashed across
national TV channels 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and UBC during prime time hours,”
Sutin said. “We are confident that this massive ad campaign and strong
cooperation between the company and Pattaya City will successfully ensure
that the Pattaya Carnival 2002 will attract a large number of visitors,”
Sutin said.
The deputy mayor added, “This year’s carnival has a
large budget. We all want to see that the PR company can effectively
promote a good image of Pattaya and attract visitors to our city, not only
from around Thailand but from around the world.”
Fuel smuggling on the rise along the Eastern Seaboard
Government to set up special department to deal with the problem
Laor Thongpradap
Pol Maj General Mongkol Kamolbutr, deputy director of the
crime prevention force announced that smuggling fuel is on the increase
along the Eastern Seaboard.
The Maj General said that the Eastern Seaboard is a major
route for legally transferring fuel to the kingdom, but that it has also
become a major route for illegal fuel activity. He said police and related
agencies have stepped up their efforts to tackle the problem, but that more
help is needed.
The punishment for smuggling illegal fuel is up to
500,000 baht in fines and imprisonment of up to 5 years.
Maj General Mongkol said that the government is setting
up a specific department to deal with different cases. The department will
be under the control of the Department of Energy and should be up and
running by October this year.
Law enforcement agencies are also running seminars to
educate and discuss ideas with government officials, private sectors and
police. The most recent was held at the Town in Town in Pattaya August 4 -
6. Pol. Maj. Chalermchart Sitanond, deputy commander of the 2nd district
police, presided over the seminar. Representatives from the Excise
Department, Customs and Trade registrations departments, private sector,
national police division 2, national police operations unit and local police
attended.
One of the issues that came out of the seminar was that
cooperation between various government and private sectors is needed to deal
with the problem.
Maj General Mongkol said that illicit fuel causes
problems for everyone. He said that smuggled fuel is usually mixed with
solvents which damage engines, and that smuggled fuel damages the economy
because no taxes are paid on it.
Maj General Mongkol also asked for help from the private
sector, and announced that anyone with any information about these illegal
operations please inform the police through the hotline by dialing 1192.
Pattaya mini bus operators petition government
Ask to save their businesses from laws preventing them from entering Bangkok
Suchada Tupchai
The central government’s recent stance on mini bus
operators in Bangkok has drawn concern from operators around the country.
New laws put into place by the Ministry of Communications and Transport
will prevent provincial operators of mini-vans from taking passengers to
Bangkok. Some groups have already staged protests demanding that the
ministry reconsider the policy to ensure justice for all.
Kittipan
Rattana, representing Pattaya’s mini van businesses, hands a petition to
the director of the Pattaya Chart Thai Party office, Pahol Klungpahol in
protest of the new government policy banning provincial vans from entering
Bangkok.
Many of the operators have not registered their
vehicles as part of the public transport system. Some provincial operators
have petitioned the ministry to review this policy which if stands as is,
could effectively put them out of business.
In the latest bid to resolve the issue, Pattaya mini
bus operators handed a petition to the director of the Pattaya Chart Thai
Party office, Pahol Klungpahol in protest of the new government policy.
Kittipan Rattana, representing Pattaya’s mini van
businesses told the local Chart Thai Party director that local operators
transport foreign tourists to Bangkok and outer areas as well as the
international airport. These new regulations would put them out of
business.
Kittipan said, “If we were to follow the edict of
Nikorn Jamnong, the deputy minister of the Ministry of Communications and
Transport, which states that all vans must be registered with yellow
license plates, no one would buy them.”
Kittipan added, “What about hotels, and industrial
businesses that use mini vans to pick up and deliver their staff? They
would also not be able to drive their vehicles in Bangkok because it would
be against the rules. We want the deputy minister to come up with a
clearer and fairer policy that does not confuse the public or destroy this
important service industry.”
The Ministry of Communications and Transport has stated
that the new policy aims at better control over mini-van operators in
Bangkok and wants to curb fighting over passengers.
The regulations came into affect on August 1st and
state that violators of the new policy will be detained.
Provincial officials and businessman discuss pros and cons of building Thailand’s first casino on Larn Island
Veerachai Somchart
Chonburi’s governor, Chadej Insawang presided over a
meeting of provincial officials and members of the business community to
discuss the prospects of opening the nation’s first legal casino as a
way of stimulating the region’s economy. The meeting, held on August 7,
focused on ways and means to resolve problems on Larn Island and in
Pattaya City because these venues are being seriously considered for the
site of Thailand’s first legal gambling establishment.
During the discussion other locations were suggested as
possible venues for the casino including Si Chang Island and the horse
track in Chonburi.
Sitiparp Muangkhum, director of engineering for Pattaya
City informed attendees that Larn Island has received a 60 million baht
budget allocation to develop roads and local infrastructure, including a
tourist information office, a beach side road and a public relations
office. All are presently under construction and almost 50% of the
projects are completed.
However, Sitiparp said there are still problems
associated with defining public areas and building infringements. Pattaya
City has now taken control over these matters, and has used a 1979 act of
legislation as their guideline. There are also laws in place which cover
this subject under the Forestry Department.
Sitiparp added that there is still a problem related to
illegal building on Saen Beach. But this involves only one offender who is
now facing legal proceedings. Other offenders have also been given
warnings by the provincial government. Problems on the island concerning
wastewater treatment, garbage disposal, electricity and keeping tour boat
operators in order still need to be addressed.
Suan Panomwatankul, president of the Cultural Council
for Chonburi agreed that there could be benefits associated with opening a
casino on Larn Island, but would like to see it well regulated. He
recommended tight controls on vehicles and transportation as the
island’s roads are narrow and not constructed well enough to handle
heavy traffic.
Surachai Chaithrakulthong, president of the Chonburi
Industrial Estate Council said a casino on Larn Island could reap economic
benefits as a popular tourist destination. He pointed out that the casino
would bring revenue into the area. It might even stem the flow of money
leaving Thailand for neighboring countries that allow gambling.
Surachai also suggested the government could provide
routes from Sriracha and Highway 36. This would provide easy access for
cruise passengers disembarking at Laem Chabang Port. Surachai suggested
that a cable car could be built to Larn Island to provide a modern means
of transport to the island.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, president of the Thai Hotel
Association Eastern Chapter said, “There would have to be very strict
controls as to who could enter the casino. It should only be open to
foreign tourists or those with a bank account displaying 200,000 baht in
cash, not allowing just anybody to enter the casino to gamble their life
away.”
Somkwan Nokhong, head of the Chonburi Chamber of
Commerce, disagreed with the idea of building the casino on Larn Island
stating that there is no convenient method of transport to the island. He
said that a better location would be inside a hotel or within the Horse
Track in Chonburi, which is still under construction.
Chadej Insawang concluded the meeting by saying that
this is an issue for the country as a whole in further promoting tourism
with the investment in Chonburi.
Governor Chadej said, “We will need cooperation from
the prime minister and the governor’s office to anticipate and solve
some of the various problems that are connected with this issue.”
Governor Chadej said, “We see Larn Island as the most
appropriate site for the casino. A proposal will be put forth after more
careful consideration is given. We also need to assess the opinion of
local residents. It is clear that Pattaya City must take better control of
the current situation. As for the infrastructure, including lighting and
transport to the island, they can be addressed later. This meeting was
called to decide whether opening the casino is to proceed. A proposal on
the idea will be presented to Sanoh Theinthong, head of advisors to the
prime minister this coming Friday August 16.”
German national nabbed for swindling Swiss businessman
Caught after a week on the run
Boonlua Chatree
Police officers from Pattaya’s foreign crime
suppression unit arrested German national Ulrich Heindenser in the
northeastern province of Mahasrakham one week after they were informed by
Swiss businessman, Holen Stabt that Heindenser had absconded with 90,000
Euros (4 million baht) of his money.
When police located Heindenser he was immediately
extradited to Chonburi. He was questioned by regional police on the
allegations that he had swindled Holen Stabt out of 90,000 euros after
Heindenser had borrowed the amount from Stabt for a business investment.
Heindenser had repaid Stabt with a check in the amount
he had borrowed. The check, issued from a bank in Germany bounced when
Stabt tried to cash it. However, when Stabt went looking for Heindenser to
collect the sum owed to him, the German swindler had disappeared along
with a motorcycle belonging to the Swiss businessman. Fearing that
Heindenser was preparing to leave the country, Stabt reported the matter
to the police.
Investigating police officers said that they had
received previous reports that Heindedeser had perpetrated similar fraud
on other foreigners who were involved in so-called business ventures with
the German con-man.
Tourists arrested for causing fights
Police were recently called to the PN Mansion on Soi
Yensabai in South Pattaya to break up a fight between Middle Eastern
tourists. Police arrested Hamad Abdulla Hamad, age 20, and Khalifa Abdulla,
age 22, both from Dubai.
 Dubai
brothers Hamad Abdulla Hamad and Khalifa Abdulla were arrested for lashing
Kuwaiti tourists with a leather belt.
The two admitted to being intoxicated at the time of
the incident and had chased a group of Kuwaiti tourists and lashed them
with a leather belt.
The two Dubai nationals are now under police custody,
charged for causing a public disturbance and assault.
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