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Kingdom of Thailand
celebrates Coronation Day
Monday, May 5 marks the 53rd anniversary of the
Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. The day is
celebrated as a national holiday, and all government offices and commercial
banks will observe the day (close).
Whist
being crowned King of Thailand, the 9th in the Chakri Dynasty (Rama IX), His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great took a sacred oath to rule with
Righteousness, for the Benefit and Happiness of the Siamese People, which He
has done magnificently, garnering tremendous respect from His people. King
Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the longest reigning monarch in the world.
Long Live the King!
Each year on the 5th of May, the Kingdom of Thailand
commemorates the day when, in 1950, the Coronation Ceremony was held for His
Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the 9th in the Chakri Dynasty (Rama
IX).
His Majesty the King, after studying in Europe, returned
to Thailand and was crowned King during an elaborate and highly intricate
ceremony that out lavished all previous coronations in Thailand.
A week prior to His being crowned King, on April 28,
1950, H.M. King Bhumibol and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitayakara were married.
Following the Coronation the King returned to Switzerland to continue
studying.
From page 1
The Coronation Ceremony reinforces the stature of the
Kings of Thailand. The first such elaborate ceremony was performed when Pho
Khun Phamuang succeeded Pho Khun Bangklangthao as the ruling King of Muang
Sukhothai. Phaya Lithai, a former leader in Sukhothai, left a historical
record in stone describing the coronation ceremony in Sukhothai at Wat
Srikhum.
In the beginning of the Ratanakosin era, the first King
in the Chakri Dynasty (King Buddha Yot Fa Chulalokmaharach) took the title
of Rama I and moved the capital of Siam from Thonburi to the opposite bank
of the Chao Phraya River, and constructed Krung Ratanakosin (Bangkok). In
the process of building the Royal Palace and Wat Prakaew (Temple of the
Emerald Buddha) the first King in the House of Chakri refined the coronation
ceremony, establishing important protocol that has lasted to this day. All
Kings to follow not undergoing the coronation ceremony would be unable to
assume the term "Phrabat" in front of the King’s title of "Somdej
Phrachaoyuhua", and more significantly, the symbol of the nine-tiered
umbrella would also not be permissible or officially recognized.
The elaborate coronation ceremony of His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great included all the ancient rituals required for
assuming the full title and the nine-tiered umbrella. King Bhumibol
Adulyadej then bestowed the honor posthumously on His brother King Ananda
Mahidol. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s benevolent act raised King Ananda
Mahidol’s regal status from seven to a nine-tiered umbrella.
During the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), Buddhist
monks and Brahmin priests were incorporated into the coronation ceremony to
conduct rituals to sanctify the auspicious occasion. Previously the ceremony
was arranged and conducted by the Royal Palace staff and members of the
Royal Household.
The annual coronation ceremony is currently a three-day
affair, starting with a ritual "tham bun" ceremony on May 3 to
honor the King’s ancestors. Later on the first day, another ceremony is
performed, whereby flags of honor are issued to distinguish various military
units.
The following day, Buddhist ceremonies continue with
chanting rituals, prayers and Brahman priests announcing the auspicious
occasion forthcoming the next day (May 5).
On the 5th of May, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
the Great (Rama IX) conducts a merit making ceremony, presenting offerings
to Buddhist monks, and leads a "Wienthien" ceremony, walking three
times around sacred grounds at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
In the evening the King conducts another sacred ceremony:
changing the yellow cloth on the Emerald Buddha, the guardian symbol
protecting the Thai people, which was transferred from Thonburi to Wat Phra
Kaew by Rama I.
Many rooms in the Royal Palace are opened for public viewing on
Coronation Day. Auspicious ceremonies are performed and displays depicting
Royal achievements are exhibited to reconfirm the King’s stature.
May Day becomes Pattaya traffic enforcement D-Day
Police chief asks city hall to print more traffic tickets
Songklod Kaewvisit
Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tienrungrueng, Pattaya police
superintendent, said he is ready to fully implement the central government’s
get-tough policy to improve national traffic control, and that serious
enforcement was set to begin from May 1 onwards.
The new policy is tougher than ever, he said, as traffic
police will be levying heavy fines on traffic lawbreakers to try to teach
them an expensive lesson that police will no longer tolerate any
compromises.
However, Pol. Col. Kamolchai admitted that Pattaya police
are still facing a shortage of printed tickets issued for traffic offences,
and said he had recently contacted Pattaya City Hall to help print more.
He also said traffic police will start being stricter on
car and motorcycle users if they park their vehicles recklessly and
irresponsibly, and fine those who park in red and white zones. The helmet
law will also be enforced and no leniency will be permitted, he said.
The superintendent said that Pattaya police station will strictly
cooperate with the central government policy. Pattaya has to upgrade its
traffic controls, especially on the beach roads, for the safety of residents
and visiting tourists.
SARS - a triumph for WHO’s Public Health initiatives
But a failure in responsible public information
By Dr. Iain Corness
At a meeting with the media in Bangkok on Monday, April
28, 2003, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Executive Director of
Communicable Diseases Cluster, Dr. David Heymann, spoke on the containment
measures that have seen the transmission of SARS decline world-wide, other
than perhaps in China. Vietnam was cited as being the first country to be
removed from the list of countries with local transmission of SARS. However,
he also stated that, "The public has perceived a far greater risk than
there actually is." In addition, Dr. Heymann said, "International
travel should continue at its normal rate."
Unfortunately, following the Global Alert given by the
WHO on March 15th this year, as much misinformation as factual reporting has
been given to the general public. Concepts that flying in airplanes can give
the SARS virus to travellers have been fuelled by reports of previously well
travellers claiming to have caught the virus in flight. The actual number of
these cases range between three to five to fifteen, depending upon whose
reports one reads; however, as pointed out by Warren Gerig, the General
Manager for Thailand and Indochina for United Airlines, since the initial
SARS outbreak, over 200 million people have flown around the world. Even
with the worst case scenario, 15 cases out of 200 million travellers is an
infinitesimal risk. But the public are now too afraid to travel, with
catastrophic results for the tourism industry.
Dr. Heymann admitted that there was a great deal of
difference between the real and perceived risk, but said that the function
of the WHO was to monitor and contain disease entities, rather than
disseminate information to the public. At the meeting with the media held in
Bangkok he did say that he had spoken on this incorrect perception with some
US based media groups, but felt that it was the media that had to correct
the public misconceptions, while agreeing that, "Individuals have a
very low risk of this disease." This is in line with the reports from
UK based Infectious Diseases specialist, Professor Roy Anderson, who has
stated that SARS is not a very contagious form of influenza.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Heymann said, "The press
has been responsible in its reporting (of SARS)" but as regards the
public misconception of the disease, he was obviously less prepared to deal
with this aspect. While Dr. Heymann may like to attempt to shift the
responsibility back on to the media, it is the media’s function to report
the happenings in the world, not to adjuducate or speculate upon the
outcomes.
To bring the SARS outbreak into correct perspective,
malaria claims more than one million people every year, but does not receive
the same degree of public information saturation. It is the WHO that informs
the media of world health problems. It is now time for the WHO to make some
initiatives to inform the public of the low health risks and by doing so,
resuscitate the very sick world tourism industry, a side effect of its
treatment of the minor (in global terms) SARS disease, which has claimed
fewer than 400 people.
The never-ending story of Soi Khaotalo
Another dusty and bumpy ‘battlefield’ in Pattaya
Ekachai Kamolsri
Not very deep into Soi Khaotalo, entering from Sukhumvit
Highway, we meet with another untidy road that hundreds of residents have to
tolerate daily.
There’s
not much warning as to the dangers that lay in wait for unsuspecting
motorists, especially at night.
Once a
nice little soi, Khaotalo is now a constant dust storm.
Soi Khaotalo was once a quiet habitat for hundreds of
Pattaya residents and visiting tourists and they never had to suffer this
much of mess until the authorities decided to lay water pipelines under the
road for the sake of everyone’s future.
But what the ‘powers that be’ innocently forgot was
that the road is the main channel of transportation for many people in the
soi and it is connected to Soi Khao Noi or Soi Wat Boon Samphan - another
well packed residential area.
Approximately 50 meters from the entrance of the soi,
vehicle users can barely find a smooth surface to ride on. Deep and wide
holes in varying sizes from 1 foot to 1 meter dot the surface of the road.
Dust whipped up from vehicular traffic is comparable to a desert sandstorm.
It permeates shops, their inventory, plus thoroughly coats pedestrians and
motorists.
Deeper in the soi, approximately 20 meters beyond the
railway, the only warning provided to the construction dangers is a tiny red
plastic rope stretched along the side of the road.
Mind readers are supposed to guess that this indicates
that there are deep holes along the roadside that were dug for water pipe
laying and they should be careful. At night, only road users with night
vision goggles issued by the military will actually see the warning rope in
time to avoid an accident.
The contractor is cloaked in mystery. There are no
signboards displaying the name of the construction company, the starting and
finishing period, or the name of the project.
The residents in the area are desperately waiting for
water trucks to come and wet down the road to control the swirling dust.
They are pleading for signs and buffer zones to be erected which will warn
and protect road users of the dangers along this stretch.
Citizens are beginning to question the efficiency and responsibility of
the authorities in monitoring their tax money for projects like this. Why
are they so ineffectively managed? They know that simple civil engineering
projects such as road building and repairs should not put whole communities
under siege for months at a time.
Thai Medical Association annual conference focuses on SARS
Thailand has things under control
Songklod Kaewvisit
Medical practitioners and specialists from around the
country last week met at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel for the 19th
Annual TMA conference. Whilst many topics are covered during such
conferences, this time the main focal point was the current threat of SARS
spreading through Asia and other parts of the world, causing panic in some
countries.
Dr.
Phunpit Suwanakul, president of the Society of Infectious Diseases in
Thailand.
Dr. Phunpit Suwanakul, president of the Society of
Infectious Diseases in Thailand explained the various symptoms and figures
associated with the SARS virus and how it spread so rapidly.
Dr. Phunpit said, "Current figures show
approximately 3,000 reported cases of SARS, but only about 3% of those
infected die from the disease. However, it is still unknown how to
effectively control the spread of the virus."
"Thailand has yet to see an increase or spread of
SARS, and it is safe to say that the country has escaped the virus at the
moment," explained Dr. Phunpit.
The low numbers are being attributed to the tough stance
taken on prevention and spread of the disease in the early stages. Strict
control has been possible as more resources are being used around the nation
to effectively identify and control the disease. The authorities are also
constantly monitoring incoming visitors and residents.
The head of the society of infectious disease explained
to colleagues that SARS has been identified as a strain of Corona virus
which can be transmitted via saliva, and bodily fluids caused by the common
cold such as a runny nose, coughing, as well as through personal contact.
The doctor went on to say that researchers abroad are
close to being able to identify the disease and its origins. Symptoms of
those possibly infected with the virus generally appear within 2-7 days
after exposure and in some case as much as 10-14 days. These symptoms
include a high fever (over 38 degrees Celsius), sore throats, coughing and
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Most patients - approximately 90 percent - will have their symptoms
disappear within 2-3 weeks. However, approximately 3.5 percent of those
people may develop pneumonia and could die from the disease.
Water quality control head responds to complaints of “strange looking water” flowing into sea in Dongtan Beach area
“It was just a natural phenomenon due to heavy rain”
Songklod Kaewvisit
Montree Chalitaporn, head of the water quality control
office in Pattaya, responded to a complaint that a resident had registered
on March 23 through the Pattaya Mail office that the city was
allowing untreated wastewater to flow into the sea in the Dongtan Beach area
in Jomtien.
A
Jomtien resident submitted this picture of strange looking water near the
Dongtan police station, which Pattaya’s water quality control office head
said was just rainwater, and is a natural phenomenon.
Montree said the water referred to was not sewage or
wastewater as some tourists suspected, but the overflow of water from the
tank built underneath the Dongtan police station to stock wastewater.
"This excess wastewater was being held until it
could undergo the cleaning process, due to heavy rains that fell during this
period," Montree said.
Montree explained that the water became ruby color and
recognizable when entering the sea because the rainwater was flooding from
the construction area nearby and collected some sand along the way making
the water turn yellow and red.
Montree said, "Pattaya City does not and never will
allow any business, whether it is a hotel or a restaurant, to dump untreated
wastewater to the sea."
Montree said the government had spent billions of baht to build a top
quality wastewater treatment system to take care of the matter.
Nevertheless, Montree conceded we might be seeing similar incidents again
because it was a natural phenomenon when there is heavy rainfall in the
area, but he stressed that people should not panic over the incident because
Pattaya City strictly controls the quality of water let into the sea.
PM opens Community Rice Product Promotion and Development seminar at Ambassador City Jomtien
Agriculture Ministry plans to help farmers produce high quality rice seed
Songklod Kaewvisit
Last weekend, the ministry brought rice farmers and
exporters from all over the country to Jomtien for a seminar about the
Community Rice Product Promotion and Development Project, held at the
Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel and chaired by Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra. The seminar was attended by Sora-at Klinprathum, Minister of
Agriculture and Cooperatives, and more than 1,500 project officials.
Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra presented the top national Community Rice
Product Promotion and Development Centers award to Kamol Premkamol from Khao
Jed Look Sub-district, Pichit Province, during a seminar and awards
presentation held at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives plans to set
up 14,000 centers covering 56 million rai of land nationwide to provide
farmers with a strain of particularly high quality rice seed.
According to the plan, each center would grow 200 rai of
the sample rice and eventually increase the paddy to 1,000 rai per year to
reach a target of 4,000 rai within 4 years.
The ministry encourages participating farmers to share
their experiences with others and sell their sample product at lower prices.
Currently there are 4,556 centers in Thailand and each
center is funded with 62,000 baht. All centers can produce 90,000 tons of
qualified rice seeds, which are being distributed to 6 million rai of land.
The project was initiated to build vision for farming
community leaders and increase their capability to manage the centers in
rural areas. Seminar attendants were also lectured on policies set for
promoting and developing Thai rice production, fund raising strategies, and
information on Thai rice and the exporting business under the theme of
"Thai rice exporting - the long-term outstanding business in the modern
day" set forth by the president of the Rice Exporters’ Association of
Thailand.
The Prime Minister also presented prizes to 10 winning
Community Rice Product Promotion and Development Centers at the national and
regional level.
The two winners at the national level were Don Sai
Sub-district, Ratchaburi Center, and the Khao Jed Look Sub-district in
Pichit. These two outstanding centers will receive Royal trophies on the
upcoming Plowing Day holiday on May 8.
The winners at the regional level were Sai Yai Sub-district, Nonthaburi,
Thar Maprang Sub-district, Saraburi, Pak Nam Sub-district, Chacherngsao,
Udomcholjorn Sub-district, Chacherngsao, Hua Na Kham Sub-district,
Udornthani, Laem Tanot Sub-district, Patalung, and Wung Dang Sub-district,
Uttaradit.
Local beer bar operators introduced to “Pattaya United Against Drugs” project
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya City organized a seminar to educate entertainment
establishments on the subject of drug abuse. This time the city’s beer bar
operators were targeted, with a training session meant to pass on
information regarding government policies and instruct management and staff
to implement measures which conform to the laws and reduce drug-related
incidents in their venues. The city is full of beer bars and this group of
operators and their staff have had many problems with drug abuse and
dealing.
The training seminar, part of the city’s campaign
called "Pattaya United Against Drugs", instructed the attendees on
various aspects of the problem. A lively debate ensued concerning the issue
of drug abuse and its ramifications. Members of the panel of adjudicators
for the debate included Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and Deputy Mayor
Wuttisak Rermkijikarn.
Throughout the day a number of academics and educators were introduced to
speak on the matter of drug prevention and suppression.
Two men arrested for Songkran murder on Jomtien Beach
Boonlua Chatree
Police have arrested two of three suspects in the
drive-by shooting that killed 20-year-old Nordin Setmetta over Songkran
weekend.
Sathit
Pepai (seated left) and Amnuay Chae-ueng (seated right) were arrested in
connection with a drive by shooting over Songkran weekend that left
20-year-old Nordin Setmetta dead.
At 3 p.m. on April 22, criminal investigation officers
raided a residence in Soi Korpai in South Pattaya, arresting twenty-year-old
Sathit Pepai and 26-year-old Amnuay Chae-ueng in connection with the
killing. Police also confiscated a 12- gauge handgun used in the shooting,
along with 5 rounds of ammunition.
Both men were interrogated at Soi 9 and admitted to the
murder.
Sathit, the shooter, defended his actions by saying that
earlier that night Nordin and his group had held a gun to his head,
threatening him. Upset about the incident, he decided to get even and, after
going home to collect his gun, rode by the group, shooting Nordin in the
head before returning home to hide out.
Police charged the two with first degree murder and possession of a
loaded weapon within city limits.
Pattaya police bust South Pattaya
Go-Go bar for allowing nude sex shows
Confiscate bananas, ping-pong balls ... and goldfish?
Boonlua Chatree
An a go-go bar in South Pattaya obviously didn’t
realize some enthralled members of the audience who were watching the nude
performers on stage were members of the local constabulary’s vice squad.
After observing the lewd sex show put on by six females
and one male, Pol. Maj. Col. Vasu Seangsuksai and his team of undercover
police officers revealed their identities and arrested the offenders. Amidst
adult viewers, officers found under-aged boys and girls on the premises.
The bust went down on the night of April 23 and manager,
37-year-old Rattikal Chindarak was taken into custody along with the stage
performers.
Police confiscated as evidence items used during the
stage shows including bananas, cigarette packs, 30 candles, 2 goldfish, and
2 table tennis balls.
Police fined each performer 500 baht and Rattikal was
charged for hosting illegal sex shows in public and allowing underage
juveniles on the premises.
Illegal racing on the highway leads to death
Patcharapol Parnrak
Plutaluang resident Anand Umpid, aged 20, was killed in a
motorcycle accident April 18 on Sukhumvit Highway between kilometer markers
181 and 182 in Sattahip-Rayong. Witnesses said he had been traveling at high
speed and ran into the back of a truck.
The motorcycle, which didn’t have a number plate, was
demolished. The cargo truck sustained comparatively minimal damage.
Plutaluang police, led by Pol. Capt. Thosapol Somnuk,
questioned the truck driver, Komsan Srichaiphum, aged 32, who told them that
he was coming out from Soi Boonrit and headed to Ban Chang, Rayong, when
suddenly a group of motorcycle racers riding at a very high speed appeared
in his rearview mirror. He said that all of a sudden one of the motorcycles
slammed into the rear of the truck. He said he pulled over to check the
damage of his truck, and then the motorcycle. The young Moto-GP wannabe was
left a crumpled mess on the side of the road.
A local reporter said that the dead man was a member of
the Viron Kilo 10 gang that often ride their motorcycles wildly on the
highway at night and have been managing to escape police capture.
He said the accident was unfortunately a normal
occurrence in the Plutaluang area, as motorcycle gangs have been terrorizing
the area, riding recklessly, racing on the highway and damaging local
properties, occasionally ending in accidents that have taken the lives of
innocent victims and gang members alike.
55-year-old murdered
in Soi Nernplubwan
Second attempt on his life successful
Boonlua Chatree
55-year-old Chaliew Preeprem was shot dead Soi
Nernplubwan during Songkran celebrations in Pattaya. Chaliew suffered a
bullet wound to the back from 38-caliber pistol. He died instantly, as the
bullet entered the heart.
Police attending the crime scene said that a previous
attempt had been made on the man earlier this year when two men on a
motorbike threw a C4 "package" into the back of his pickup in
South Pattaya. The attempt failed when Chaliew was quick enough to throw the
device out of the vehicle on to the side of the road.
Investigating officers suspect that the murder was
motivated by a jealous rivalry regarding a business conflict.
Sharp-eyed cops nab 3 youths
carrying weapons
Threesome out for revenge
Boonlua Chatree
Acting on a hunch, police patrolling near the area of Soi
17 in South Pattaya pulled up three youths riding on a bike. Police
suspicions were confirmed when they found each of the young men carrying
weapons. All three were promptly taken to the police station for
questioning.
Kenchai
Jantduang, Montree Ketgangmanee, and Sornnai Daengsungnern armed themselves
with machetes and a gun and were out for revenge when alert police caught
and arrested them before they were able to complete their mission. Lucky for
them, as they now face weapons charges instead of murder charges.
At the station, the three were identified as Kenchai
Jantduang, who was carrying a pistol loaded with shotgun shells. The second,
identified as Montree Ketgangmanee, was found with a 14-inch knife and the
third man, Sornnai Daengsungnern was also carrying a 14-inch blade.
None of the three put up any resistance. Kenchai told
officers that he purchased the gun to get even with one of his rivals after
Kenchai received a beating. He and his friends were in the process of
searching for the rival when police caught them.
All three were charged with carrying illegal weapons in public.
Police chief calls for greater effort in crime suppression and prevention
Boonlua Chatree
Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tienrungroj, Pattaya police chief,
told 350 police officers that the city is still not clean enough and that
further effort is required by the department to reduce violent crime and
narcotics from Pattaya altogether.
In the monthly meeting of officers from Pattaya police
station, held at Caesar Palace Hotel on Pattaya Second Road, senior
officials met with the majority of police officers to hand over the latest
policies and encourage a cleaner and greater effort in reducing violent
crimes including theft, muggings and drugs from the city’s streets.
During the meeting the current problems facing the local
constabulary were also revealed and officers were told that whilst their
efforts were good they need to improve to protect the community at large.
"We must focus on quality of police work and reduce
violent crime. This policy has been handed down by the Ministry of Interior
and we must follow up to ensure it become a reality," said the police
chief.
Pol. Col. Kamolchai went on, "Concerning narcotics,
Pattaya is cleaner than before but not clean enough. The time has come to
rid the city of this problem altogether and remove any dark influences to
ensure we are clean once and for all."
During the meeting all attendees were handed t-shirts as
part of the concerted efforts that need to be made and to inspire officers
to carry out their duties in a firm and correct manner to benefit the
community.
Police briefs
Man seriously
injured when quarrel escalates, swords drawn
Saensuk Thongyu, age 28, was taken to Banglamung Hospital
for treatment of serious knife wounds to his head resulting from a quarrel
that turned nasty at a karaoke bar.
Twenty-year-old Jamnong Sitichet, a witness, told police
that prior to the crime, he and three other friends, including the victim,
were at a karaoke bar in Soi Nongket when a gang of teenagers approached
them and started to attack them with long knives.
All ran for their lives, except Saensuk who unfortunately
did not escape the slashing of the sword.
The group did not reveal any further details to the
police that would have helped them find the culprits, but nearby residents
told officers that the event probably involved a conflict between two gangs.
Apparently the gangs are known in the neighborhood, and singing off-key was
not the cause of the knifing.
Tourist police
checkpoints during Songkran festival net illegal weapon
Law enforcement agencies set up checkpoints to monitor
vehicle operators for illegal activities during the Songkran holiday, and
didn’t come up empty handed.
At a checkpoint set up in Soi Potisan, police were able
to detain two modified motorcycles, illegal communication equipment, and a
homemade gun.
Pol. Lt. Col. Naradech Klomtuksing said that since
Pattaya is a popular tourist destination, especially during the Songkran
festival, it is a vulnerable spot for illegal activities. Therefore
cooperation from tourist police, Pattaya police and Banglamung police was
needed. They kept close watch on suspicious activities and set up
checkpoints to screen possible offenders.
"This was one way to reduce crimes in the city and
ensure safety for the tourists as well as the locals during the very busy
holiday," Naradech said.
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