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Hundreds of loyal subjects
gather to honor HM the Queen
Grand merit making ceremony held for HM the Queen’s birthday
Suchada Tupchai
At 6 a.m. last Saturday, August 9, as most of Pattaya was
either sleeping or just going to bed, over 500 people gathered on Pattaya
Second Road in front of Mike Shopping Mall to participate in a grand merit
making ceremony, complete with 73 monks, to pay their respects to HM the
Queen on the occasion of her birthday on August 12.
 Over
500 people gathered on Pattaya Second Road in front of Mike Shopping Mall to
participate in a grand merit making ceremony, complete with 73 monks, to pay
their respects to HM the Queen on the occasion of her birthday.
Guest of honor at the ceremony, Mayor Pairat
Suthithamrongsawat led the group in the carrying out the ‘tamboon’ or
merit making ceremony. Participants handed in many donations to go towards
royal projects.
 To
make merit, Pattaya residents provided food and necessary daily items to 73
monks.
Joining the ceremony were a number of local and
provincial associations and business people including Surat Mekhawarakul,
past president of the PBTA and managing director of Mike Shopping Mall,
Sansana Mekhawarakul, advisor to the management of Mike, Songpol
Phusaensa-ard, president of the Eastern Beauty Association, city management
and council members.
The many activities included making merit, providing food
and necessary daily items to 73 monks, honoring the city’s mothers and
promoting family unity. Residents and visitors handed food and other items
to the monks after the traditional prayer services.
Provincial governments to be run as businesses beginning next year
Provincial governors to become “CEOs”
Suchada Tupchai
Times are changing and apparently the government has
realized it! Over 30 senior provincial officers attended a 2-day seminar on
the plans to restructure government procedures and positions to make local
government more efficient.
 Under
the provincial government restructuring plan scheduled to take place next
year, Governor Pisit Khetphasook would become the CEO of Chonburi.
Chaired by Governor Pisit Khetphasook, the seminar
revealed that each Thailand province would be run as a business, with the
governor becoming CEO of the province. The changes, which are to come into
effect next year, focus on providing more efficient governance. Each
district and local administration is being ordered to comply with the new
style.
The idea is part of the overall national development plan
to ensure progress and implement tighter controls on officials for the
benefit of the nation and its populace.
“This two day seminar is to educate you (officials) on
upcoming changes due for 2004 through 2008. Development of government
systems must be carried to ensure the progress of Thailand as a nation, we
must be serious about this. This includes resolving problems and becoming
more effective by imposing that personnel strictly follow the guidelines,”
said Governor Pisit.
The new plan consists of 7 main focal points for
development. 1) Change working methods and procedures; 2) Review and create
local management organizations; 3) Alter the way finances and budgets are
handled; 4) Fashion a new style of personnel management and remuneration
packages; 5) Transform the current ‘work culture’; 6) Ensure that
government offices are up to date in methods, practices and technology and
7) Enable people to be able to have effective contact and input.
Attendees of the seminar were encouraged to share their
information with colleagues and subordinates to further develop the
restructuring planning process.
HRH Princess Soamsawali presents Mother of the Year Awards to women in Chonburi
Suchada Tupchai
The mother of the year award is a great honor for those
hard working women in the region who have constantly proven themselves as an
ideal role models in society. This yea, HRH Princess Soamsawali presented
the Mother of the Year awards at the Tiffany auditorium on Thursday, August
7.
 HRH
Princess Soamsawali presented one of the Mother of the Year awards to Mrs.
Yom Sukhaphand.
Nine women from Pattaya, Banglamung, Nongprue, Sriracha,
Nongplalai, Takientier, Pong and Khao Mai Kaew districts were presented with
a royal pin signifying their contribution to society and for being
exceptional mothers.
Nitaya Patimasongkroh, president of the YWCA Pattaya
branch and a director of the National Welfare Society took part in the
selection process. Nitaya addressed HRH and the large number of people in
attendance at the ceremonies outlining the guidelines for the Mother of the
Year.
The mother of the year selection process takes many
factors into consideration. This includes an outstanding social
consciousness and rights actions, having received the appropriate education
on raising children; their children have become model citizens in the
community and engaged in an honest career. A woman with a big heart willing
to assist those in need and willing care for important Thai cultural values
and able to adapt to their environment through personal development. Other
criteria state that they are over 50 and of sound health.
Following the ceremony of presenting the nine ladies with
their pin another 60 persons received similar awards from Her Royal Highness
for their contributions to society in assisting the underprivileged people
to gain a better life through education and charitable programs.
The annual Mother of the Year award has been conducted
since 1990 as part of honoring HM the Queen’s birthday on August 12.
Pattaya City and Thai Navy join hands in cleaning the city to honor HM the Queen
Suchada Tupchai
The importance of mother’s day in Thailand goes hand in
hand with the respect and love the Thai people have for Her Majesty Queen
Sirikit. Entrenched is the philosophy that Pattaya city officials, the Royal
Thai Navy and residents attend a ceremony to pay their respects to the
mother of the Thai nation and carry out a ritual cleaning of the city.
 Naval
personnel joined city cleaners and students to clear away rubbish and
beautify Pattaya in honor of Her Majesty the Queen.
Thousands of people joined in the opening ceremonies of
the cleaning project at Pattaya City Hall. Mayor Pairat and RTN Captain
Chainarong Jaroenrak, chief of the naval training camp in Sattahip presided
over the ceremony.
Capt. Chainarong said, “August 12 is an important day
on the calendar for the Thai nation and out of respect for HM the Queen is
up to us to make merit for the country. Today’s activity is to clean up
various points around the city. Pattaya is a well known tourist destination
and it is important for us to keep it clean and care for the environment.”
The ceremonies began with senior officials paying their
respects to HM the Queen before naval personnel, city cleaners and students
moved out from city hall to surrounding sois and onto the beach to clear
away rubbish and beautify the area, making the city a cleaner place to live.
The activity drew a great deal of interest from residents and visitors.
Residents in Soi Khao Noi Village call on city officials to resolve flooding problems
Cry goes out after 4 years of inaction by village management
Suchada Tupchai
City management, municipal officers and engineering
personnel surveyed the Chatkaew 9 Village in Soi Khao Noi after residents
called for assistance, concerned how a broken water pipe spewed forth water
for over four years causing constant flooding and a foul smell in
surrounding areas.
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat spoke with residents and
inspected the site last Friday afternoon. Residents told the mayor and city
officers that the problem began four years ago when a water pipe burst and
began flooding the area. The village management repaired the broken pipe but
left a gaping hole in the wall allowing the elements to work away and
eventually cause more problems, specifically after heavy rain.
The stagnant pools of water left to sit in the open are a
breeding ground for mosquitoes and several cases of hemorrhagic fever have
occurred. One young girl died from the disease.
Village representative Suree Khuntor explained that she
had lived in the village for 19 years and the last four have been the worst.
Residents in village united to call for action from the developer but their
efforts were to no avail and it was decided to call for help from the city.
Following the inspection, Mayor Pairat promised to
resolve the problem by replacing the water pipe as well as further survey
the village for broken pipes. The mayor said that the city would also
arrange for the road to be resurfaced for the safety of residents.
Marine Safety and Environment Bureau meets with senior government officials to discuss region environmental concerns
Protecting valuable resources
Suchada
Tupchai
Senior officials from eleven East Asian nations met in
Pattaya last week as part of the 9th Program Steering Committee to discuss
environmental management issues in South East Asia.
Representatives from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia,
Japan, Cambodia, South Korea, North Korea, China, Vietnam and the
Philippines met at the Dusit Resort to run through the Program on
Partnership in Environmental Management for the Sea of East Asia (PEMSEA).
 Senior
officials from eleven East Asian nations met in Pattaya last week to discuss
the Program on Partnership in Environmental Management for the Sea of East
Asia (PEMSEA).
The main objective was to create solutions and
sustainable development strategies for the region’s oceans while
protecting valuable resources, then present it to their respective
governments.
RTN. Sub Lieutenant Preecha Petchwong, director of the
Marine Safety and Environment Bureau said, “We must focus on protecting
the ocean’s resources by preserving the environment, not only for the
region but around the world. It is necessary to face the issue of natural
resource management for the benefit of our future generations. We will
implement international standards as a model for solving the certain
problems and the result should aid not only the environment but the society
and economy as well.”
PSC aids Camilian Centre
For several years now Pattaya Sports Club have been
giving assistance to the Camilian Centre at Bang Chang, where Father
Giovanni and his dedicated team of staff and volunteers take care of HIV
sufferers in our community.
A number of these people unfortunately spend their last
days at this facility where love and care is given in abundance and both
children and adults are cared for in the most loving manner.
 Representing
the Pattaya Sports Club, Charity Chairman Bernie Tuppin (back row 2nd right)
delivered 850 metres of fabric to Father Giovanni (back row left) at the
Camilian Centre in Bang Chang. The material will be used to make sheets and
pillowslips.
The residents at Camilian without exception display a
remarkable tolerance to the hand fate has dealt them. This is humbling to
any visitor aware of their circumstance and a lesson to all who are troubled
by small setbacks.
The spirit displayed at this facility could not be better
shown than by the attitude of Dah [not her real name] who, when approached
in her sick bed to turn 850 metres of fabric donated by PSC into sheets and
pillowslips, coughed once and replied “no problem”.
This is the third year that this brave lady has performed
this huge task on her most prized possession, a rather old sewing machine.
Pattaya Sports Club is proud to help these special people even in such a
small manner and continue to assist the less privileged in our community.
Local government reshuffled
Governor hands assigns duties and policies
Songklod Kaewvisit
Chonburi Governor Pisit Khetphasook recently reshuffled
the deck of local officials, bringing new faces into local government.
Topping the list was the official appointment of Niti
Kongrut as the director of Tourism Authority of Thailand Region 3 office.
Niti replaces Manit Boonchim who has moved up the ladder in the TAT.
 Chonburi
Governor Pisit Khetphasook announced the latest reshuffling of government
officials.
Somsak Yonokphan, Banglamung district chief moved on to
become director at the office of local governing administration office. He
was replaced by Surapol Tiensuwan, previously the Sattahip district chief.
Governor Pisit also called together government officers
from throughout the province to hand out the latest work reform and
policies, and to inform them how to effectively carry out their duties. All
district chiefs and sub-district administration managers attended the
meeting at Pattaya City Hall.
Following the reshuffle announcement, specialists in a
number of fields concerning law and justice departments lectured the
officials on the finer details of law and order, and presented guidelines
that they must operate under.
Central Festival Center celebrates 8 years of shopping success
Suchada Tupchai
Central Festival Center in North Pattaya management and
staff recently celebrated the business area’s 8th birthday with an
extraordinary celebration. Song and dance and confetti filled the area as
guest of honor, Deputy Mayor Urit Nantsurasak cut the cake with management,
staff and shoppers.
 Thanasombat
Snidwongse Na Ayuthaya GM Central Festival Plaza (left) and Urit
Nanthasurasak deputy mayor cut the ceremonial cake in celebration of the
Central Festival Center’s 8th anniversary.
The shopping center has gone from strength to strength
since it opened 8 years ago. It is now accompanied by a new branch in South
Pattaya and other recently opened centers around the city.
Apawdee Jitrthama, head of sales promotion for Central
Festival Center said, “We have developed and grown over the years. The
growth has been very satisfying. Whatever the case may be, we cannot rest on
our laurels and must continue to develop and grow with the times and provide
a wider range of goods for shoppers and more service outlets. This is just
the beginning.”
 Song
and dance filled the stage at the Central Festival Center’s 8th
anniversary celebrations.
As the center moves into the ninth year of operation,
there are further activities and promotions planned through the year.
Apawdee Jitrthama added that the center plans to extend
Central Festival’s car park facilities, as it has become overcrowded. Once
discussion with senior management are concluded a new car par close by or
alterations to the current location are slated for the near future.
Authorities raid 3rd Road pub for operating after hours
“Why me and not the other guys,” complains owner before escaping
Boonlua Chatree
When doughty officers raided the Hee Mah (Snow) Beer Pub
on Pattaya Third Road at 5 a.m. last Sunday for operating after hours, the
owner of the pub, identified as Tee Lek, had only one question. “Why
me?”
 Hee
Mah (Snow) Beer Pub owner Tee Lek (right) allegedly threatened police with
relocation to a distant post if they shut him down. When he saw that this
tactic wasn’t going to work, he quietly slipped away into the dawn.
The leader of the police raiding party explained that the
Ministry of Interior has once again sent down strict guidelines to ensure
bars and pubs close promptly at 2 a.m., but the response was not the one Tee
Lek was looking for.
He boldly responded that if police were to shut him down,
they had better close other offending venues first before walking into
“his” pub. He then threatened patrol police, saying he would have them
“relocated”.
Un-amused, the head of the night patrol called for backup
to assist in closing down the pub. When the backup arrived, officers stormed
into the pub ordering all service and music to cease, lights on and all
partygoers off the premises.
During the commotion, Tee Lek allegedly ordered one of
his staff members to take the rap for him, and like most sneaky bar owners
about to face a night in crowbar hotel, Tee Lek duly fled the scene.
Obviously not happy with the situation, police
apprehended and charged Pitak Kaewtone for his involvement. The cowardly
owner has yet to face the music for his actions.
“Fake bomb” scares people around the Eastern News Office
Turns out the box was empty
Last week, Yupa Sae-Uy, 61-year-old owner of CH.
Sngaphanitch in Chatkheaw 9 Village, Banglamung, called police after an
unknown woman left a box lying in front of her office.
Fearful that it might contain a bomb or other dangerous
chemical substances, Yupa steered clear of the offending parcel and called
police. The locale is not far from the Eastern News Office.
Yupa told police that a “strange” woman in a green
pick-up truck left the greenish box on the lawn at the office, and said that
she would return later to collect it. Since the woman didn’t return, Yupa
decided to inform the Banglamung police, as she was terrified it might be a
bomb.
However, police investigation showed that the green box
contained nothing but air. Police, thinking that the mysterious woman might
return, left the box in its original location and waited. At press time,
they were still waiting.
“Gala” concert ends in bloodshed
Teenage rage erupts into minor riot
The “mosh-pit” at a recent Gala
concert got a little too “moshy” and turned into a minor riot when slam
dancing teenagers took the “fun” a little too far. Gala is a popular
local heavy metal music band.
Pattaya Police Lieutenant General Anek Singha,
investigating inspector, was called to send in the troops to break up the
melee, and when police arrived at the scene there were countless residents
and tourists running away from the inner circle of the concert.
Police stormed in and found that many teenagers were
throwing whisky and soda bottles, tables and chairs at each other in a
drunken rage. Officers took immediate action, arresting all of the
pugilistic participants.
Investigators later commented that concerts with heavy
metal music inviting extreme emotions from a mix of teenagers creates
danger.
At this particular concert, victims had to fight to get
out of the rage pit, where body slamming is considered dancing, and had to
stop the violence with violence. Many were injured yet no deaths were
recorded.
Foreign tourist and his companion shot during street side robbery
Armed robbers make off with gold necklace and camera
Boonlua Chatree
Life in fun city is becoming less fun and more dangerous,
particularly when it comes to the increasing number of thefts committed by
young thugs on motorcycles. One such theft occurred at 4:30 a.m. involving a
German national and his Thai companion. Both were shot by the thugs keen to
get their greedy hands on a gold necklace and a camera.
 German
tourist Robert Sch๖nberger (left) was shot in the neck and his
companion, Anuchsara Pongsomjitr (right) received a bullet wound to her left
hand. The two were robbed on their way back to their bungalow after a night
out.
Police received a call from staff at Banglamung Hospital
in the early hours of Tuesday morning when a foreigner and his companion
arrived for treatment for gunshot wounds.
The foreigner, Robert Sch๖nberger from Germany
received a bullet wound to the neck and his companion, Anuchsara Pongsomjitr
was treated for a bullet wound to her left hand. Both were shot with a .22
caliber pistol. Doctors had to remove the bullet from Sch๖nberger’s
neck.
Attending police officers questioned the pair after they
had received treatment. They told police that they were on their way back to
the resort bungalows after a night out. As they approached the entrance, two
men on a motorcycle rode up and parked directly in front of them. The young
men, aged approximately 20, demanded the gold necklace.
Surprised and shocked at the audacity of the men, Sch๖nberger
told police that he thought they were playing games and laughed.
Obviously upset at the foreigner’s actions, the young
thugs pulled out the .22 pistol and shot him in the side of the neck. They
then fired another round into the woman’s left hand. The perps grabbed the
gold necklace, valued at 160 euros, and snatched a Ricoh camera, valued at
140 euros before fleeing the scene.
The pair called for help and a passing motorcycle taxi
took them to Banglamung Hospital for treatment.
The motorcycle taxi rider told police he was riding past
when they asked him for help, adding that he didn’t see the two thieves.
Police are continuing to investigate the case.
Pattaya’s karaoke
bar owners revolt
Situation becomes tense when unruly mob made demands
Boonlua Chatree
The crackdown on copyright infringement is heating up and
Pattaya’s karaoke operators are outraged over the current law enforcement
procedures. In fact, over 70 owners carried a banner reading ‘Sing a
Song’ while storming into Pattaya’s police station at 2:30 a.m.
Wednesday, all to voice their discontent.
Protestors shouted slogans demanding police release their
friends who had been arrested for alleged infringements, claiming that the
bail set by police was too high.
In addition they demanded to speak with representatives
from RS Promotions, the company at the center of the dispute. Protestors
said they wanted to state categorically that they had never purchased
pirated music and that they were interested in making a living and providing
outstanding service for their customers.
Police immediately called for backup feeling that the
scene was becoming too unsettled. Insightful representatives from RS
promotions added fuel to the fire by taking photos of the group. However, a
strong police line prevented the karaoke mob from doing any harm to the
copyright representatives.
Pruek Pueksasunan, a copyright infringement suppressor,
told reporters that many of the operators were playing music in their venues
without the appropriate permits and only those that were found breaching the
copyright act were arrested. Once in custody it was a police matter, and the
allegedly unjust bail bond was set at 50,000 baht according to the law.
Crime suppression officers stepped into the scene and
confronted the mob, explaining what laws are in place for a breach of
copyright, adding that if in the future, karaoke owners did not want to be
arrested they should seek the relevant permission to use such music. They
went on to reaffirm that it was not within police authority to reduce the
bail for lawbreakers.
Emotions settled as the mob began to understand the
process, after which they demanded to meet with the relevant authorities to
discuss getting proper permits to use the music in their establishments.
As discussions concluded the group disbanded, agreeing to
listen to company representatives at another meeting. They said that they
were willing to pay a reasonable price to use the copyrighted music.
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