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Pattaya Casino gets heavyweight support
Legalize, but poll local people first, says Sanoh Thienthong
Veerachai Somchart
Sanoh Thienthong, the Chairman of the Advisory Board to
the Prime Minister, attended a seminar at Pattaya City Hall to discuss the
recurring concept of a Pattaya Casino. His attendance at the seminar was
welcomed by well-wishers, led by Chadej Insawang, Chonburi Governor and
Chairman of the Economic Development Board of Chonburi, and other high
ranking officials. All were present to welcome the chairman and lend their
support to the idea of setting up casinos in Pattaya.
Sanoh
Thienthong, the Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Prime Minister, is
warmly welcomed and presented with roses by well-wishers while attending
the seminar at Pattaya City Hall.
The seminar chamber was filled to capacity with local
community business people and government officers who came to listen to
Sanoh and the Executive Board discuss legalizing Thailand’s first
casino. Chairman Sanoh will be the coordinator between government and
private sectors. Sanoh admitted that casino legalization is not a new
issue and has been contemplated for over a decade. The idea has, up till
now, not gone ahead as some groups adamantly opposed gambling because
Thailand is a Buddhist country and gambling is regarded as sinful.
However, it was pointed out that today countries such as Australia,
Germany, Korea, France, or even Malaysia - another very religious and
conservative country - have allowed casinos to operate and are showing
strong profitable returns on capital investment.
Sanoh said Thailand should first legalize a casino in a
leading tourist city such as Pattaya. “We can gain a huge amount of
revenue from legal gambling and also discourage Thais from spending money
in casinos in neighboring countries,” Sanoh said. “However the board
of casino legalization must take the proper steps by conducting a poll
amongst the local people and make a report to the government,” he said.
Sanoh added that the provincial governor should elect a committee to poll
the residents and collect information. This information can be used in
choosing the best method of setting up a casino. Using this, the proposal
can be presented to the appropriate governmental bodies. Following most
international procedures, casinos are usually located in easily accessible
tourist destinations. Small islands are not usually the best choice, for a
variety of logistic and infrastructure reasons. Mongkol Simaroj, economic
advisor to the Prime Minister said the board should come up with good
strategies to make casino investment a successful business venture. He
believed it was vital to gain at least 80% local support. If that can be
accomplished, the next step will be to present the plan to the Prime
Minister and the Minister of the Interior. The proposal must be acceptable
to, and within the confines of, the Thai Constitution. Chadej Insawang,
the Chonburi Provincial Governor added that the business sector seems
ready to give full support to the idea and has the potential to invest in
the casino enterprise. He added that any development in this area must be
done with due respect to environmental impact and must not detract from
eco-friendly tourism in the region.
Pinyo Tanvised, Head of the Chonburi Administration
Organization said Chonburi Province is ready to handle the establishment
of a casino. He said that if 60,000 out of 80,000 Pattaya citizens say
“yes”, the board will present it to the government to ask for
permission immediately. He added that the area designated for a casino
might also include a theme park, supermarket and shopping which will
accommodate all types of tourists. Taiwanese and Australian investors are
already submitting proposals to invest in this area.
Santsak Ngampiches, former parliamentary representative
for the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the current Advisor to the
Minister of Science, Technology and Environment said he has been studying
the idea of legalizing casinos for nearly a decade. Santsak feels that
Thailand should have this kind of entertainment in tourist destination
areas.
Pattaya and Larn Island’s role might be in the form of package tours
and promoted as a place for family holidays. Santsak feels casinos should
be owned by the government but managed by the private sector. He predicts
investment in the project would need to reach almost 1 billion baht to be
totally effective in providing all necessary facilities.
Police anti-drug project assisted as local organizations donate to fight drug trafficking in Pattaya
Veerachai Somchart
Surat Mekavarakul, chairman of the fund management
committee proudly announced that the sum of 1.1 million baht has already
been collected through generous donations from local organization to the
Pattaya police anti-drug project. He expressed his gratitude to the donors
who have shown serious concern over this issue and are actively supporting
the city’s endeavours to fight drug abuse, drug trafficking and related
crimes.
An
anti-drug parade with over 500 people made its way from the Caesar Palace
Hotel on Pattaya Second Road to the Chaiyamongkol temple displaying
anti-drug banners and slogans.
At a meeting held at the Sunbeam Hotel in Pattaya
Chairman Surat Mekavarakul, Chatchawal Supachayanont, vice chairman of the
committee, Somchai Manothavorn, head of fundraising and Pol. Col.
Padungsak Ubekkanon, Pattaya Police Chief addressed representatives from
the region’s charity organizations.
Surat Mekavarakul told attendees that the project has
already received over one million baht in support of the project with
Visit Chawalitnitthitham donating 10,000 baht, and the Sawang Boriboon
Foundation donating 50,000 baht. The YWCA, government officials, community
action organizations and many individual citizens have also generously
added to the fund’s coffers.
The Pattaya police anti-drug campaign will be run as a
‘sting’ operation. The funds managed by the committee will be used in
a suppression campaign which will use tactics such as purchasing drugs
from dealers with marked money which will aid in the capture of large
scale drug dealers in the area.
Some of the funds donated have already been used in 5
cases. In each case the money was used to lure unsuspecting dealers to
sell drugs to police officers. Marked money used in the operations will be
returned to the fund for later use.
The management committee will monitor and audit the
funds and approve the necessary amounts used in drug suppression
operations.
The committee has also set up a website where people
can provide information on any potential drug dealers in the area (www.pattayatourism.com).
Following the conference, an anti-drug parade with over 500 people made
its way from the Caesar Palace Hotel on Pattaya Second Road to the
Chaiyamongkol temple displaying anti-drug banners and slogans.
Education Administration Office meets to define duties of government employees
Thani Samartkit, Director of the local Education
Administration Office of Human Resource Management of the Interior Ministry
presided over the opening ceremony of the annual meeting with 150 local
government employees. The meeting’s agenda called for ways to more clearly
define duties of public servants and improve effectiveness in their jobs.
The recent meeting included representatives from 43 municipalities in 9
eastern provinces.
At the meeting it was acknowledged that government
employees in many departments had little understanding of their duties. Lack
of precise training and communication between department heads produces
confusion and mediocrity. This in turn hinders the ability of government
employees to do their jobs properly.
More meetings on this subject will be held in various parts of the
country to address this problem. Agendas for the meetings will focus on
local municipal administrations with an aim to upgrade the overall standard
work-ethic, management and operations of government employees. Better
methods of training will be introduced in order to improve job performance.
Somchai Khunpluem opens new sub-district office in Takientiah
Vicharn Pladplueng
Saensukh district Mayor Somchai Khunpluem presided over
the opening ceremony of the new sub-district administration office in
Takientiah district, Chonburi. He said he personally was honored and happy
to know there is a new administration office in the district. He said it
would help to improve and develop the quality of life for people in the
region. Since more and more people are moving into Takientiah district,
their needs are also growing. The office will serve as the central point
for locals to report incidents that happen in the area and it will
eventually push the district forth to be able to catch up with the fast
changing technology, and lifestyles. The administration officers and their
headman should be brave, motivated, smart, dedicated, fair, just, and
responsible to be able to pilot the district and its people towards this
better living condition. The board must show good vision, be oriented
towards life improvement and be considerate. These qualities will help the
office to achieve its goal of benefiting the people.
(from
left to right) Charnsak Chavalitnititam, Parliamentary member of Chonburi;
Somchai Khunpluem, Mayor of Sansuk district; Manop Prakhoptam, President
of Takientiah subdistrict administrator committee, Phinyo Tanriset,
President of Chonburi sub-province committee; Rewat Pol-lookin, Deputy
Chairman of the Provincial Administration Organization, and Chaen
Chuensiva, Banglamung district governor.
Takientiah sub-district administration office is
situated on 3 rai of land donated by Ms. Ting Kongthiang. The district
received an allocation of 3,230,000 Baht for the office’s construction
from the central government and has been managed since 1999 by the
administration board consisting of Manop Prakoptham, Pisit Seansawang,
Chachapol Boonsamer, and Vinai Prakoptham.
Second Pattaya Rowing Barge Festival to be more magnificent than ever
Veerachai Somchart
After last year’s enormous success Pattaya will once
again host the Rowing Barge Festival. HRH Princess Soamsawali will preside
over the opening ceremony for the races and festivities, which will be
held again at the Mabprachan Reservoir, on Siam Country Club Road on
November 16 and 17. The competition and many other fun activities will be
broadcasted live on Channel 11.
Sonthaya
Khunpluem, Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment as Chairman of
the Organizing Committee, accompanied by other committee members during
the preparation meeting at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Those who attended will remember that the reservoir was
also used in the 13th Asian Games event for the canoe and kayak
competitions.
Traditional Thai barge rowing is an ancient national
sport of Thailand. These distinct and magnificently handcrafted boats are
manned by teams of skilled rowers and are unique to Thai culture.
The barge festival and the supporting events held on
both days are traditionally kept and passed on from one generation to
another. These rare historic and cultural moments were traditionally held
at the end of the rainy season since the Ayudhaya era.
Villagers and city dwellers alike turned out in droves
to watch these fine athletes compete in friendly rivalry. The rowing
competitions bring people together, promotes togetherness, strength, and
appreciation of nature. To witness one is truly an event of a lifetime.
The Festival competition will be divided into 2
categories; small boats of under 30 rowers in which this year there are 16
participating boats, and the bigger barges of 55 rowers. Eight teams have
registered. The winners will receive trophies presented by HRH Princess
Soamsawali and HRH Princess Sirindhorn respectively.
The preparation meeting was held at Royal Cliff Beach
Resort on August 16th, and attended by many distinguished government
officers including Chairman of the Festivities, Sonthaya Khunpluem,
Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, Chaen Chuenchiva,
Banglamung district governor, Pisit Boonchuang, Vice Governor of Chonburi
Province, Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, Pattaya City Mayor, Chanyut
Hengtrakul, advisor to the Minister of Sceince, Techonology and
Environment and Santsak Ngamphiches, Chairman of the advisory committee of
the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment.
Chonburi Province will provide 500,000 baht and Pattaya City, 250,000
baht towards the costs of organizing and promoting the major event.
City to increase fees for wastewater management
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya City needs to increase monthly water consumption
fees in order to more effectively manage resources and upgrade performance
of waste-water management. In an effort to spell out the new policy of fee
collection Pattaya city Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, presided over a
meeting called to discuss the issue.
It was an attempt to explain the necessity of cooperation
from all parties including authorities, residents; the business community
and government offices and to clarify the procedures that are used in
collection of fees. Representatives from hotels, businesses, press, and
government officials attended the meeting.
Wirat Jirasripaitoon, head of public drainage system and
Montri Chalittaporn, head of water quality control gave information on this
vital topic and Wirat assured those at the meeting that authorities know
that the collection of fees needs to be fair for everyone.
Wirat explained that in 1985 Pattaya had 2 wastewater
treatment plants capable of cleaning 13,000 square meters per day. But the
city’s population explosion and growing business sector was creating a
demand larger than the system could effectively handle.
Pollution in Pattaya Bay and surrounding waters became
notoriously unacceptable. Regulation of household and commercial waste had
to be implemented and dumping untreated waste in the sea was prohibited but
difficult to enforce.
In 1997 Pattaya City received a budget to build a larger
plant capable of cleaning 65,000 cubic meters. However, there is a condition
that the city must repay this sum at 10% of the 1,800 million baht within 15
years.
In order to pay this debt the city’s administration
must collect adequate fees from residents, and particularly from polluting
enterprises such as hotels and manufacturers.
At the end of the meeting there was a question and answer
session between the authorities and citizens. The most frequently asked
question was about fee collections.
In the past it was divided into 3 categories;
residential; governmental offices and small businesses; and lastly, industry
and large businesses. These three segments are currently charged at; 2.75
baht, 3.25 baht, and 3.75 baht per cubic meter respectively.
The rates must be changed from year to year to adjust to
fluctuating future consumption. Authorities have requested understanding and
cooperation from consumers.
After the meeting, officers of the city drainage system
unit visited the facility at the Nong Yai temple in Nong Yai district in
order that they may see for themselves the current condition.
Show Bar in Naklua still showing all
Operators continue to ignore attempts by local authorities to stamp out lewd shows
Boonlua Chatree
The latest operation to be closed down in the fight
against lewd shows in Pattaya’s nightlife scene was the Kowloon Show bar
just 100 meters from City Hall. At 1:00 a.m. local criminal investigation
officers raided the bar. Police arrested the owner, the manager and
performers after they ordered a crowd of 50 Chinese tourists to leave the
premises.
Police
arrested the owner, the manager and performers, and confiscated a variety
of stage props used in the shows including several goldfish.
Police also questioned the female guide who led the
tourists to the show but she refused to give any information and even
withheld her name during the interview. Officers detained bar owner
Wutthichai Sarnmarnont, the manager and the 6 performers, and confiscated
a variety of stage props used in the shows including several goldfish.
Each of the girls performing on stage told police that
they received 500 baht per night for their performances. They were
released after paying a 500 baht fine, so they had effectively worked for
nothing. There was no information given about the goldfish.
The owner of the establishment admitted to being aware
of the bar’s entertainment category. He said he wasn’t too concerned
about violating the entertainment laws considering the fine was only 2,000
baht. He added that his income from tourists visiting to watch the shows
was 1,000 baht per person.
Wuttichai was subsequently fined and charged with operating an
entertainment business without a license and providing unsavory shows
defying the law.
Police briefs
Reckless driver kills 2
and injures 5 on Pattaya-Rayong Highway
The accident occurred on the Pattaya-Rayong Highway
#36, where an overturned pickup was found completely wrecked. 5 of the
injured passengers were sent to Banglamung hospital for treatment, more
unfortunate were two other passengers who were thrown out of the truck and
killed instantly. One of the two was later identified as Khongwut Poonpan
age 27.
Surviving passengers told police that the driver of the
truck was Ratree Singtokhabkaew from Pathumthani. Before the incident the
group were in Rayong visiting relatives and on the way back they stopped
to eat and drink, after which the group went on their way towards Pattaya.
The driver Ratree, they claimed was under the influence
of alcohol and lost control causing the truck to overturn.
Police are further investigating the incident and if
Ratree is found guilty she will be charged for reckless driving causing
death and injury.
Middle age woman
arrested for drug dealing
After receiving a tip off that a drug delivery was
about to take place near Roi Pad Pan Kao restaurant on Pattaya Third Road,
police were able to apprehend a drug dealer with 175 pills of orange type
me-amphetamine in her pocket.
Somjit Khamnont, aged 43, admitted to the crime,
telling police that she obtained the drugs from an agent in Chonburi
province then re-selling the drug at a hefty profit to tourists and the
motorcycle taxi riders.
Somjit is facing charges for possessing and selling a
class one illegal substance after a short period as a small time dealer.
Overturned school bus leaves 8
students injured
The accident occurred on the Sukhumvit highway near the
Banglamung police station. The school bus from Thammasiri Sattahip, had
been carrying 40 students and teachers to the Banglamung Home for the
Elderly for a luncheon, as a social support activity of the school to
commemorate Mother’s Day.
8 students were injured in the accident and were sent
to Banglamung hospital for treatment.
It was suspected that the bus driver may have lost
control and the bus overturned on the slippery highway following the heavy
rain.
Englishman dies
mysteriously at his home
Dennis Alfred Lambert, age 62, died in his home in
Darapan village. No evidence of foul play was found.
Police and rescue personnel spoke with Ladda Thipthepa,
the wife of the deceased, who told police that prior to his death, Dennis
was talking with a friend in front of their house. After a while he went
into the bathroom and came out after a few minutes later, saying that he
could not breathe and 5 minutes later he collapsed on the floor.
Dennis was reported to have suffered from a number of
illnesses including, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Police believed Dennis may have died from a massive
heart attack but the actual cause will be determined by autopsy at the
police forensic institute in Bangkok.
Motorcycle pillion
passenger killed in road accident
Rathamontri Katharong age 28 was killed instantly when
the motorcycle he was riding pillion on was hit by a pickup truck in front
of Outlet Mall, on the Sukhumvit highway.
Eye witness, Tamol Iamlert, told police that before the
incident he saw the motorcycle trying to overtake a pickup truck, however,
another pickup truck approached on the opposite lane and clipped on the
motorcycle causing the rider to lose control and fall onto the road. The
rider escaped injury but unfortunately the pillion passenger hit the road
head first and died instantly.
Police are looking for the pickup truck driver who had
fled the scene of the accident.
African drug dealer
arrested in Pattaya
The arrest was made after plain clothes police officer
carrying a marked thousand baht bill went to the Marine bar in South
Pattaya pretending to be interested in buying drugs.
The officer was shortly approached by an African man
who took him to a hotel where another female accomplice was waiting.
When the drug dealer handed a pack of cocaine to the
officer, he was immediately arrested.
The man was identified as Chikeonyeka Avan Oguejiofor
age 21 carrying an African passport, and the accomplice was a Thai woman,
Wiparat Yusuk age 30 from Klong Toey, who also had 5 packets of cocaine in
her possession.
Chikeonyeka and Wiparat were taken to police station
for interrogation and to be charged for possessing and selling a class two
illegal substance, but both denied the charges and refused to testify
without consulting with their lawyer, so police have transferred the case
to the investigation bureau.
Ministers meet manufacturers at Amata Industrial City
In an effort to boost Thailand’s industrial sector, Dr. Somkit
Jatusriphitak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Treasury and Suriya
Juengrungruengkit, Minister of Industry joined in a meeting held at
Thai-German Institute, in Amata Industrial City area to meet with 200
manufacturers.
Dr.
Somkit Jatusriphitak (left), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Treasury, is welcomed by Narong Rattana (centre) and Walter Kretschmar (2nd
right) Directors of Thai-German Institute.
The meeting’s topic was “Economical Investment and
Industrial Sector Policy”. T.V. commentator Suphap Khlikhachai moderated
the discussions. Other distinguished participants included Pol. Maj. Gen.
Chawalit Yodmanee, Chairman of Amata Corporation Co., Ltd., Narong Rattana
and Walter Kretschmar Directors of Thai- German Institute, Chadej Insawang,
Chonburi Province Governor, and Vikrom Kromadit, Chief Executive Officer
of Amata Corporation.
Minister of Industry Suriya acknowledged that the
U.S.A. and world economy is still shaky. “As a cushion for government
revenue, 10 billion baht will be set aside from the 58 billion baht annual
national central reserve budget. This will be crucial for our own economy.
The money held in reserve will go to Ministries if they are affected by a
world economic downturn,” Suriya said.
He said the government is also taking the Board of
Investment (BOI) tax collection matter into consideration. In the past,
the tax holiday policy was geared to attract investors from abroad to
invest in Thailand in specific areas. In Zone 1, investors were given tax
breaks for 5 years, Zone 2 for 7 years and Zone 3 for 8 years.
Amata City is categorized in Zone 2, with an area of
8,000 rai situated at the 57th kilometre of the Bangna-Trat highway.
Seventy percent of investor nationalities are Japanese and the rest are
from 19 other countries. There are 280 factories producing electronics and
electrical goods, auto parts, and industrial goods. The investment value
is approximately 150 billion baht.
During the discussions, Minister Suriya explained that
under the new policy proposed by the IMF or International Monetary Fund,
the government would be able to collect higher tax from investors, if
after evaluation by the Ministry, the new laws result in a decrease in
Thailand’s ability to compete in open market competition. Suriya added
however, that this could be adjusted even though it is a strategy set by
the IMF.
Dr. Somkit said if the Federal Bank of America (FED)
announced an interest rate cut to aid its own economical situation, it
would affect Thailand. This will be unavoidable as America is one of
Thailand largest markets for export.
Thailand’s goods taxing policy is in the process of
being adjusted. Its aim is to attract more investors. Electrical machines
and electronics’ tariffs are expected to plunge up to 5 percent.
Dr. Somkit said the government must work closely with
the private sector and do some serious brainstorming to come up with
strategies to attract investors within the world market. The BOI is the
middleman tasked to work out the various possibilities.
For 15 years until 1997, before the economic meltdown,
32% of Thailand’s economy grew from various types of investment. The
annual growth of investment was 20% for 15 consecutive years resulting in
7-8% of Gross Domestic Productivity (GDP) expansion.
Another important issue discussed at the meeting was
how to bring technical skills of Thai labour up to international
standards. China and Malaysia are Thailand’s biggest competitors for
investors from America and Europe because of their effective human
resource development programs.
Regarding tourism, the minister said, “the government is trying to
promote reasonably priced packaged tours to highlight Thailand as an
outstanding country for tourism in Asia.” And finally he said, “the
tax reduction of luxury goods was still under study.” The minister
observed that Malaysia had already reduced this tax and could attract an
annual number of 1 million shoppers to their country.
Pattaya Properties relocates to ‘in vogue’ Jomtien
Suchada Tupchai
Last Friday, after 10 very successful years on Beach
Road, Pattaya Properties held a lavish grand opening of their new luxury
office in Jomtien. Thailand’s fastest growing residential locality now
has a complete range services for foreigners all under one roof.
Yuwarat
Kamolwej (2nd left) cuts the ribbon, officially opening the new office
complex. He is flanked by company president Visu Tantasiri (far left),
Bruno Pingel (2nd from right) and Michael Suttie (far right).
Additional services will include legal, accounting and
property development as Jomtien Properties & Law Advisor Co. Ltd and
Pattaya Properties Co. Ltd.
The new location, boasts five floors including a formal
conference room, and is close to the company’s world-class prestige
development projects; View Talay Villas, ‘The Executive Floors View
Talay 2 and their newest project View Talay Residence.
The group’s international property consultant Rob
Astbury said, “Leading agents worldwide are predominantly those that
specialize and cater for a certain market. We are focusing on the prestige
market and Pattaya’s fastest developing locality is Jomtien Beach. We
invite the public to come and see our new offices. Our new headquarters
will be open 7 days a week.”
Yuwarat Kamolwetch, past Governor of Chonburi and
Director General of the Department of Labor presided over the opening
ceremonies. He told the many guests that it was “an ideal time to open
such a business in Pattaya.” Yuwarat said, “The government recently
handed down a budget of 1 billion baht for improving the city’s
infrastructure which is due to be completed within the next 2-3 years.
Pattaya Properties has shown great insight and perception that Jomtien
will become the new high-end residential area in the future. Improvements
to Jomtien Beach and its environs will take Pattaya into a new era of
development.”
Following the traditional blessing of the new office by
Pra Khru Monton from Sawangfah temple in Naklua, Yuwarat was joined by
company president and long time friend, Visu Tantasiri and company
directors Michael Suttie, Bruno Pingel and Rattana Keawpetch for the
ribbon cutting ceremony and declared the elegant offices officially open.
Following the morning ceremonies a party was held at
the Montien Hotel where the group threw a huge bash for over a hundred
guests and business associates. Starting off with a cocktail reception in
the foyer of the hotel’s ballroom and followed by a sumptuous buffet
dinner, a lively dance show by performers from the Icon Night Club
included classic tunes by Frank Sinatra and Carol Channing.
Following dinner, guests were entertained by Dutch
Magician, Henk Romeijn and well-known Thai singer, Sarah Pungprasert.
Sarah then called Bruno Pingel on stage where he was presented with a
birthday cake and a loud chorus of “Happy Birthday” sung by everyone
in the room.
In all it was a very big day for Jomtien Properties
& Law Advisor Co. Ltd Pattaya Properties Co. Ltd. The group will
continue to focus on providing prestige service and property developments
in Pattaya and Jomtien. The full scope of the company’s involvement can
be seen in the company’s website at www.pattayaproperties.com.
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