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City launches ‘Seaside TV for Tourists’
Passers-by no longer need to huddle in front of TV shops
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya City’s management must be working overtime in
the creative department. The idea of Seaside TV with 29-inch screens at 6
beachside locations was recently introduced in an attempt to provide
entertainment for tourists on the beach.
Hey!
Down in front! Coconut trees partially obstruct the viewing area for this
beach TV, but not all the new television sets are set up like this one -
most allow for convenient viewing. Now, the Mrs. can no longer use the
excuse that "she will miss her favorite soap" to avoid going to
the beach. But this obviously begs the question: who gets control of the
remote?
On October 9th the first TV’s were placed at 6
locations - on Jomtien Beach Road in front of Soi 5, opposite the Villa
Navin Hotel, in the area of Casa Condominium, in front of Soi Wat Boon and
opposite Songprasong Plaza. The huge TV screens and the novel idea drew
interest from residents, vendors and local media.
Pattaya Boonsawat, deputy chairman of the Pattaya City
Council said, "The city received the go ahead with the allocation of
funds to improve facilities for tourists and business operators as part of
the Jomtien Beach revival project. The placement of the TV sets at these
locations will provide some entertainment for those people looking for a
different type of relaxation."
"Each of the 6 points is approximately 500 meters
apart from one another and has 24 hour surveillance personnel to watch over
the city’s property. Broadcasting will begin at 6 a.m. and continue until
2 a.m. each day. The only foreseeable problem is that of trash from people
littering in these areas. We well need to find a suitable solution and
strictly enforce the regulations."
Residents and tourists seemed to like the idea of seaside
TV as an alternative form of entertainment but there may be some
modifications required. Regarding the location in front of Villa Navin
Hotel, the general consensus was that this is an inappropriate location. The
TV faces coconut trees and viewing is inconvenient.
Despite the city’s attempt to encourage tourism on Jomtien Beach, a
number of problems remain to be sorted out. More parking facilities are
needed and rotting coconut trees should be removed. More organization and
cooperation from beach vendors and businesses along the Jomtien Beach is
still being sought by authorities.
Local police step up efforts to protect tourists’ safety after Bali bombing
Don’t think it will happen in Pattaya,
but want to be cautious
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya police have stepped up their patrols and
increased police presence after last weekend’s nightclub bombing in Bali
in which hundreds of people were killed or injured.
Pattaya as tourist city sits in the heart of South East
Asia, a fun town filled with revelers similar to that in the Indonesian
tourist destination. The latest terrorist attack, condemned by world leaders
as a vile act against humanity, has come too close to home. As Thailand and
Pattaya vie for the tourist dollar, the issue of safety against such
destruction has now become one of urgent concern for the local constabulary.
Pattaya’s police chief, Pol. Col. Padungsak Ubekkanaon,
on Monday said, "The act of terrorism is a shock to us all and the
Pattaya police are not taking this threat lightly. We have mobilized local
officers to increase patrols around the clock to protect tourists, more
specifically foreign tourists. We will be checking all identification cards
and looking for illegal weapons. We have already been clamping down on
entertainment venues long before this incident and will continue to do so to
prevent a similar event here."
Phirom Preeyarkorn, deputy police chief and head of the
foreign crime suppression unit said, "It would be negligent if we did
not take the matter seriously. We have increased our investigations on those
persons entering and leaving the city and have been working closely with the
immigration office and following up on those people suspected of illegal
activity, along with inspecting entertainment venues frequented by tourists.
We have also recorded all information pertaining to foreign business owners
and tourists residing in hotels in Pattaya, as one mode of prevention
against similar acts of terrorism as in Bali last weekend. I don’t think
Pattaya will ever have such an incident; however, we will still provide
around the clock patrols in entertainment areas."
Bali, located in the Far East region of Indonesia, relies
heavily on tourism. 95% of the island population is Hindu, whilst Indonesia
is predominantly Muslim. More than 1.4 million tourists from around the
globe visit Bali each year out of a total of 3.7 million visiting Indonesia.
The island attracts partygoers as well as tourists interested in culture.
Not too dissimilar to Pattaya.
Pattaya’s newest citizen born with 24 digits
Special child has 6 fingers on each hand, 6 toes on each foot
Sutthipong Buranakittikul
On Friday October 11 at Banglamung Hospital, Mrs.
Chanakarn Panyadee and Mr. Theerapong Sukviboon proudly celebrated the birth
of their second child, Theerapat ‘Nong Ton’ Sukviboon.
Nong
Ton was born Friday October 11 at Banglamung Hospital. He is a healthy boy,
and was blessed with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.
Nong Ton is a healthy boy, and was blessed with an extra
digit on both hands and feet. The six fingers on each hand and six toes on
each foot are quite normal appearing, and are only noticeable at a second
glance. Five of the six toes on his right foot are, however, webbed.
The special birth actually came as no great surprise to
the proud parents, as the condition runs in the family. The boy’s
8-year-old sister had six fingers on her right hand before having corrective
surgery, and his father, Theerapong, was also born with 24 digits.
Nong Ton’s father Theerapong is from Pichit Province
and his mother Chanakarn is from Nakorn Sithamarath in the south, but both
earn their living here in Pattaya.
Inspectors from the board of Banglamung Electrical Authority meet with cheated residents
Committee will conduct full internal investigation
Veerachai Somchart
Following last week’s demonstration by angry residents
protesting at the Banglamung Electrical Authority, inspectors from the
regional office visited Banglamung to listen to grievances from people who
were cheated on their electric bills. Some consumers were fraudulently
billed for almost 2 years by Romrawin Pitaholtra, a member of the accounting
department who embezzled what may amount to over 10 million baht in a
collection scam using false invoices.
Kanpon
Parakul, Inspector of the Regional Electrical Authority, Central Region met
with irate residents who were cheated by a rogue employee at the Banglamung
office.
On October 11th, Kanpon Parakul, Inspector of the
Regional Electrical Authority, Central Region heard out complaints from
irate residents on the matter. He told them that he has ordered the
Banglamung office to halt the outstanding electrical bills and that they
will only have to pay the regular monthly bill as of October. He said the
rogue accountant acted with intent to defraud and the office will accept
responsibility to sort out the resulting problems.
Kanpon assured consumers that internal auditors are
carrying out a full investigation.
Records show that large sums were transferred into
Romrawin’s account which may have been money illegally collected from
consumers. Investigators also want to know if she was acting alone or had
help from fellow conspirators amongst the staff at the Banglamung office.
The auditors expect to conclude their investigation in
the next 60 days. Regional teams will check over 9,000 meters in the
Banglamung and Pattaya area to verify true meter readings.
Kanpon went on to say that there could be more people who
have been cheated since records indicate that some consumers may have
unknowingly paid their bills by bank transfer into Romrawin’s bank
account.
Those affected by the scam were relieved to hear that they did not have
to pay the faked invoices, some of which averaged between 60,000 and 200,000
baht.
Lightning bolt kills elephant in Na Jomtien
Unlucky pachyderm was tied to a coconut tree
during electrical storm
Pang Sri Prai, a 20 year old female elephant, was found
dead near a coconut tree in a field in Na Jomtien, apparently the tragic
victim of a lightening strike.
The elephant’s mahout, Phanom Hoisung, aged 33,
explained that he had brought Pang Sri Prai from the northeastern province
of Buriram, where the two had worked at Sea View Elephant Gardens. Phanom
and Pang Sri Prai were hired to take nature lovers on jungle tours.
The mahout said he tied Pang Sri Prai to a coconut tree
in the field to graze as usual. But during the evening a severe storm hit
the area. It is believed that a bolt of lightening struck the coconut tree
and the charge passed through the iron chain around the elephant’s foot,
killing her.
Pang Sri Prai’s body was then taken for burial at a
site in Banglamung where monks performed a traditional religious ceremony
which drew a large crowd of onlookers.
Chief of Pattaya Tourist Police promoted to Police Lieutenant Colonel
One of Thailand’s “most outstanding police officers”
Pol Maj. Naradej Klomtuksing, chief of the Pattaya
Tourist Police, is known in the police force as a dedicated and honest
policeman. Last week it was announced that he had been chosen as one of the
most outstanding police officers in Thailand, and with that HM the King
bestowed him with the rank of Pol. Lieutenant Colonel.
Pol.
Lt. General Chalermdej Jombunud (left), Commissioner of the Narcotics
Suppression Bureau, congratulates newly promoted Pol. Lt. Col. Naradej
Klomtuksing, cited as one of Thailand’s "most outstanding police
officers".
Pol. Lt. General Chalermdej Jombunud, Commissioner of the
Narcotics Suppression Bureau and regarded as the pioneer of the Tourist
Police force in Thailand, traveled to Pattaya to personally pin the new
insignia on Pol. Lt. Col. Naradej’s uniform and to congratulate him.
Pol. Lt. General Chalermdej Jombunud is himself a highly
decorated police officer. Throughout his most illustrious career he has
proven to be an officer with an immaculate record of honesty, fairness and a
man of action.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, realizing Pol. Lt.
Gen. Chalermdej’s qualities of uprightness and integrity, appointed him to
take charge of the suppression of drugs, which is the scourge of the
country, threatening to destroy not only youth but also every citizen who
comes into contact with the illicit and deadly substances.
This ceremony was performed amongst close friends at Marlowe’s
Cafeteria, Wine Bar and Restaurant on Pattaya 3rd Road.
Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra expresses confidence in success of upcoming
World Scout Jamboree
Tours the Sattahip site, says everything is A-OK
Suchada Tupchai
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited the site of the
upcoming 20th World Scout Jamboree to be held from December 28th 2002 to
January 7th 2003 in Sattahip. Following his tour of the site facilities, on
October 8, he observed that the work is 95% complete and he is convinced
that the Jamboree will be a great success. This is the first time that
Thailand will host this international event.
 Prime
Minister Taksin Shinawatra is confident that the upcoming World Scout
Jamboree will be a success.
The prime minister spoke with the various organizing
committees and said he was very impressed with the amount of organization
and planning that has gone into the preparations. He has been invited to
preside over the closing ceremonies on January 7th.
Minister of Education, Suwit Khunkitti, and chairman of
the Jamboree’s organizing committee said the host committee is prepared to
welcome up to 24,000 scouts and guides, both boys and girls, and a 6,000
strong International Service Team (IST) from member countries of the world
organization.
The chairman said that preparations for the international
event have gone well and all the projects should be 100% complete by early
November.
Site infrastructure projects include paved roads, water
and electricity, 724 telephone boxes and Internet access. Over 3,000 local
students and volunteers will test the site’s facilities within the next
month to iron out any potential glitches that may occur through the
Jamboree.
The Jamboree is sure to stimulate interest in scouting
amongst young Thai people and will strengthen the movement in the country.
Thailand will also benefit economically from this large
influx of special tourists, many of whom will come not only for the Jamboree
but will visit many of the nation’s tourist attractions before or after
the Jamboree.
Jomtien sub-committee elects new president
First job: untangle beach renovation construction problems
Setthapol Boonsawat was elected president of the Jomtien
Beach sub-committee on October 2. His election comes in the midst of growing
consternation about the beautification project going on along a 5-kilometer
stretch of Jomtien Beach popular with tourists.
The new president and his committee members were also
given the responsibility of organizing the three designated zones of
renovation.
City Hall has been under pressure to enforce order and
complete construction plans initiated to upgrade the Jomtien Beach area.
Residents and tourists are complaining and businesses are being disrupted by
a lack of coordination on the part of contractors and a lack of cooperation
by beach vendors.
Pattaya City’s mayor said the committee must evaluate
the situation and gather as much information as possible so it can go
forward with plans to complete the project satisfactorily. Construction was
poorly coordinated and the resulting inconvenience is evoking public ire.
The committee has been tasked with getting the contractors to tidy up the
mess and complete their contract on time.
Renovation of two out of three zones in Jomtien has been
completed. Zone 3, which involves the area around the new pier to the other
end of the beach, is not yet finished.
During the meeting the issue of the proposed vehicle-free
zone was discussed. Some business owners have opposed the idea, arguing that
transportation for many people, the elderly and disabled, for example, will
be needed. This subject may be discussed again at the next meeting.
Setthapol was nominated and elected by the more than 20
committee members who all belong to the private business sector. Government
officials monitored the election.
Aliens arrested during attempted landing at Sattahip
Many jumped ship to elude capture
Chonburi police received warning from an informant of an
impending landing of illegal aliens in Sattahip. Acting on the information
they prepared a landing ‘party’.
"We
just want to live amongst you and learn your ways - and make some money, of
course." It wasn’t to be, as police rounded up these illegal aliens
and herded them back from whence they came.
More than 50 police officers surrounded the fishing pier
area in Chong Samae Sarn in Sattahip as a crowded fishing vessel (what, you
were expecting a different kind of "ship"?) was preparing to dock
and release her cargo of over 200 Burmese and Cambodian illegal immigrants
wanting to set foot on Thai soil to seek work opportunities.
Havoc broke out when police began trying to arrest them,
as many jumped overboard trying to escape. Police did manage to apprehend 45
of the little visitors from far away.
Fourteen of the arrested were from Burma, the rest came
from Cambodia. All were taken in for questioning and the offenders admitted
to have illegally entered the country through Srakaew Province.
They told police that each had paid 3000 baht to a Thai
agent who picked them up with a van. Police are now looking for the Thai
agent. But the luckless illegal immigrants are being deported back to their
home countries.
Immigration officers raid of Soi Khao Noi nets 14 Cambodian nationals
“By-passed” immigration procedures whilst searching for work
Following an investigation by local police and
immigration officials, a raid was set up and executed at Burapha Village in
Soi Khao Noi. Officers moved into the area and uncovered 14 Cambodians who
had entered the kingdom illegally. It was not made immediately known with
what they were covered.
All 14 were taken into custody and detained at Pattaya
Immigration for questioning. The group admitted that they had been searching
for work and had by-passed legal immigration procedures and crossed over
Thailand’s northern border with the help of a Thai agent who collected
4,000 baht from each of them. The agent then allegedly drove the group to
Pattaya in a mini-bus and dropped them at Burapha Village.
Asked by officers how they were supporting themselves,
most said they were selling items on the streets or begging in the city’s
beer bars.
Although authorities suspect they will find a way to
return, officials recorded each individual’s personal details and they
will all be deported back to Cambodia.
Intoxicated man hacks away at motorcycle with a sword after being refused a loan
Arresting police find 10 amphetamine pills in the man’s pocket
Boonlua Chatree
Stoned, broke, and bad tempered, Ampon Rattanchot lost
his cool when a relative refused to lend him money. In a fit of rage Ampon
grabbed a sword and began destroying his cousin’s motorcycle. He continued
to hack away at the poor, innocent inanimate object until police arrived on
the scene to try and calm him down.
A man
and his sword - actually his cousin’s sword, and one that Ampon Rattanchot
used to hack away at his cousin’s motorcycle.
When police arrived at the scene, an address in Soi
Yensabai in South Pattaya late Monday evening, Ampon was babbling
incoherently and obviously too drunk to stomp his feet, so instead was
slashing away at a motorcycle during his temper tantrum. Finally able to
restrain the hysterical man, police then searched him for illegal substances
and found 10 methamphetamine pills in his pocket.
Down at the station, police managed to sober up Ampon
enough to question him. It finally came out that Ampon was drinking with his
cousin and during the course of the evening had asked for a loan to
allegedly take his sick child to the doctor. When the request was refused,
Ampon went into an uncontrollable rage, grabbed a sword from his cousin’s
house and began attacking the motorcycle.
The man was charged with drunk and disorderly conduct, disturbing the
peace and possession of class 1 illegal substance. The fate of the
motorcycle was not made available.
Banglamung police nab
3 thieves and retrieve stolen goods
Stole valuables and car
Three thieves were arrested and charged after breaking
into a home and stealing a car and the homeowner’s valuables. Identified
as Suchart Manahai, age 38, Panuwat Sao Kaew, 35, and Chanachai Vina, the
trio was arrested when they tried to sell the stolen car.
A troop of police from Banglamung District took the men
into custody and confiscated a Mitsubishi Pajero, a DVD player, a TV set, a
camera, and a mobile phone after receiving a call from victim Nares
Yuthasunthorn. The criminals confessed that they broke into Nares’s house
on the night of October 2, scooped up his valuables and stole his car. They
drove the car back to their rented house in Saensuk District and switched
the plate to disguise it and then attempted to sell it.
Police caught up with them while they were trying to pawn
off the car to an innocent victim.
Drunken driver crashes into row
of residential buildings
Finally stops inside a house
A drunken driver last week lost control of his Datsun
pickup truck and slammed into a row of buildings. The vehicle finally came
to a rest inside one of the houses at 138/23-26 on Soi Pothisan.
When police arrived on the scene, the vehicle was already
abandoned and the driver had obviously fled the scene, leaving 4 bottles of
beer on the front seat.
One injured man was taken to hospital by a neighbor, but
Samart Samsri, aged 48, another startled victim, remained to tell police
that he saw the pickup truck racing at high speed from Naklua toward Pattaya
City on Pattaya-Naklua Road. It lost control at the curve and veered into
the buildings. When the truck finally came to a screeching halt, the driver
ran from the scene.
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