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Second Road changeover to one way creates confusion
among motorists
Officials on hand to re-direct the uninformed
Suchada Tupchai
Chaos ruled on Pattaya Second Road again last Friday as
motorists were thrown into confusion by the changeover when the traffic
pattern was changed to flow one-way. As city authorities and traffic police
began closing of the south-bound entrance from the Dolphin Circle roundabout
in preparation for the change over, some drivers were caught off guard and
didn’t now which way to go. Traffic police, municipal officer and traffic
control volunteers were on hand to supervise the change over.
 Cars
coming up Second Road confront other traffic in the Dolphin Circle
roundabout. Measures to ease traffic during road constructions are to be
temporary.
At 11 a.m. Deputy Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn led a
team of officials to inspect the progress and promptly at midday the road
became one-way from South Pattaya to North Pattaya. Many motorists were
still seen driving southbound, oblivious to the change of direction.
Deputy Mayor Niran said, “Because the decision to
change the direction of Pattaya Second Road was made quickly, many people
missed the announcement. That is why we have placed officials along the road
to instruct motorists of the change and to prevent accidents.”
More signage will be placed around and on Pattaya Second
Road to ensure drivers become aware of the change. The one-way system will
last for approximately 1 and half months until the road construction on
Central Pattaya Road is finished.
“This may create difficulties for a number of
businesses and residents but in the interest of safety and reducing traffic
congestion it is necessary. We would like the public to bear with us and
cooperate during this period,” added Niran.
The deputy revealed that plans are in process to widen
the road as well as introduce regular inspections of vehicles that emit
excess pollution. Professionals using computerized measuring equipment will
conduct the exhaust tests. The program is expected to be implemented in the
very near future.
Health Congress meet to discuss Promoting Health for Longevity
Suchada Tupchai
Minister of Public Health Sudarat Keyuraphan officially
opened the 11th Ministry of Public Health congress at PEACH last week. Over
2500 of Thailand’s health professional and government officers were in
Pattaya to attend the seminar titled, ‘Promoting Health for Longevity’.
Throughout the 3-day conference health professions presented the latest
results in research and development and exchanged opinions and ideas on the
latest technological advances for the further development of the nation.
 Minister
of Public Health Sudarat Keyuraphan enjoys a light moment during the
seminar.
Thailand’s World Health Organization (WHO)
representative, Dr. Bjorn Melgaard made a special presentation and held a
debate on ‘Promoting Health for Longevity.’
Numerous other ideas for the further development of
government processes and the country’s health system were presented as
well as awards for the most innovative advances made by researchers.
Regional Police hold training seminar to ensure safety for residents and tourists
Songklod Kaewvisit
With the advent of numerous incidents occurring around
the globe, Region 2 Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sanh Khamtien initiated
a seminar at the Dusit Resort for over 100 security personnel to ensure
stricter security measures throughout the province. The purpose of the
seminar was to implement increased monitoring standards to prevent any
possibility of terrorism on Thai soil and more specifically within Chonburi
and Pattaya.
 Region
2 Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sanh Khamtien initiated a seminar to
ensure stricter security measures throughout the province.
The seminar covered monitoring techniques, inspection and
the relevant procedures to inform officials of any suspicious characters or
packages on the premises for which they are responsible. Bomb detection
training and information of the various devices used were also emphasized
during the seminar.
Regional police and the central government are aware of
the significance of Pattaya as a major tourist destination in Thailand and
have set about ensuring the safety of tourists, residents and property to
prevent any despicable acts taking place.
Pattaya City sets up ‘Help Desk’ for the protection of consumers’ rights
Songklod Kaewvisit
Urit Nanthasurasak, Pattaya’s deputy mayor chaired a
Pattaya consumer rights meeting at city hall last Tuesday. City officials,
and Pattaya business operators attended the meeting. Urit said that there
were complaints pouring in from consumers regarding sub-standard goods and
overpriced products in Pattaya City and vowed the city would not ignore the
situation.
 Deputy
mayor Urit Nanthasurasak announces measures to protect consumers’ rights.
Urit said that Chonburi Province tops the list with the
highest number of claims and urged consumers to call the hotline number 1166
to report the incidents. He added that Pattaya City had produced and
distributed stickers and brochures to tourists to promote consumer rights.
The publication contains the hotline number.
The following numbers are available for quick action;
038-429374 ext 234 Pattaya City Hall, 038 425 937 Pattaya police station,
038 227 724 Banglamung district office. A special e-mail address for
consumer rights will be set up soon. Urit said city officials do regularly
check the market stalls and shops to control the standard of the products
and to make sure that the products carry price tags that are clearly
noticeable.
An e-mail address will also be announced shortly.
Integrated water crisis ‘war rooms’ set up for water crisis management
The government moved closer to its pledge of solving
drought within the next five years with the announcement that it was
establishing provincial level integrated water crisis management centers.
Speaking after chairing a meeting to expedite the
establishment of the centers, Deputy Prime Minister Suwit Kunkitti conceded
that to date water crisis measures had been insufficient, with most problems
solved on an ad-hoc basis after they arose, and few clear and concrete
measures to solve water problems on a sustainable basis.
Admitting that efforts to solve water problems had also
been hampered by a lack of coordination among various agencies, Suwit said
that ombudsmen attached to the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility
for provinces where water crises were particularly severe had been asked to
push for the establishment of water crisis ‘war rooms’, and to draw up
plans to propose to the National Water Resource Committee.
Initially the project is planned cover 15 provinces prone
to repeated flooding, namely Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ang Thong, Chantaburi,
Chaiyaphum, Roi Et, Uttradit, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Petchabun, Phichit,
Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Pattani and Yala.
Asked about the current floods, Suwit downplayed their
seriousness, saying that no areas were yet a particular cause for concern.
He also noted that agencies were working to solve problems relating to
drought, with the army and air force using their aircraft to produce
artificial rain. (TNA)
Pattaya Festival planned for November
New ideas well received, but postponed until next year
Suchada
Tupchai
The Pattaya Festival has seen some ups and downs in the
past few years, but the city is still enthusiastic about organizing this
popular event.
At a recent meeting chaired by Pattaya City’s mayor,
and attended by city management and council members, the issue of whether to
hold the Pattaya Festival was raised. After numerous attempts at employing
private companies to organize the week long festival have failed, local
businessman suggested a plan that city officials agreed on.
Representatives from the ISS Co. Ltd. - a security
company that teaches martial arts and produces an energy drink - proposed to
hold the festival and make it a truly memorable event.
Company director ‘Sifu’ Mcguiness told city officials
that the festival should tout the city’s diversity in culture, vibrant
nightlife and the many tourist destinations and be promoted under the
banner, “Pattaya Festival, Sun, Fun, Heaven in the Heat”. Mcguiness
emphasized that the festival should be like none other in Thailand. He cited
the success of the Samui Festival even though it lacked Pattaya’s flare. A
proposed budget of 5 million baht was put forth to organize the festivities.
Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the PBTA,
responded by agreeing with Mcguiness saying, “The idea is good but in this
meeting we need to focus on the important aspect of promoting the festival
through the media. The Samui festival is successful, even if it is nothing
exceptional. Their success is due to the very efficient marketing and
promotion campaign involving many organizations both in the government and
private sector. We must consider similar actions if our festival is to be
success.”
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat said, “It’s a fact
that the city has attempted to employ private enterprise to organize the
Pattaya Festival with no success. We have yet to consider another company at
this time. The project is very interesting but we are not really ready to
hold that style of festival this year. Nonetheless, we will hold the
festival in the previous style this coming November and reconsider the
budget for next year’s festival as suggested, making it bigger and better
than ever.”
The mayor concluded by announcing a further meeting to
resolve a number of issues pertaining to the logistics of planning the
festival.
Disabled people to get loans
to develop businesses
Encouraged to become self-sufficient and enjoy better standards of living
Suchada Tupchai
The sub-committee for the development of living standards
for the disabled in Chonburi province recently met at the Redemptorist
Vocational School for the disabled. The topic of discussion between
committee members focused on providing loans to the disabled to enhance
their businesses, thereby improving quality of life.
 Father
Banchong Chaiyara welcomes the delegates from the Chonburi committee to the
Redemptorist Center.
Other topics included the providing a number of projects
and activities for this important section of the community to further aid in
the development of the community as a whole.
Many of Chonburi’s disabled community are involved in a
wide range of business ventures. Others work in the furniture, fishing, Thai
massage, retail or lottery industries. The issue raised was to provide loans
for the disabled community to enhance their business prospects, become more
self-sufficient, and enjoy a standard of living and a quality of life that
everyone deserves.
The project would allow each person to borrow up to
20,000 baht for the express purpose of creating a business for themselves
and allow them to support their families. There are currently 34 on the
waiting list when the project begins.
The Redemptorist Vocational College for the disabled
provides training for students on range of subjects including computer
programming, software and hardware maintenance and electronics to name a
few. It is the only school that does not charge students to learn and
boarding at the facility is almost entirely financed throughout their
courses through the financial support of the local and world community.
Submarine Tour edges closer to approval
Re-submits plans to city administration
Suchada Tupchai
The saga of Pattaya Underwater tours continues as the
Hi-Tech Submarine Company re-submitted their intended tour routes and ideas
to city officials and business operators. The new presentation received
positive response from the city administration and boat operators at a
recent meeting in city hall.
 Mayor
Pairat stresses to the submarine operators, that protecting the environment
must take precedence in their operations.
Representatives from the company presented their idea of
the route change away from shipping lanes and fishing grounds as well as
offered to aid in the reconstruction of damaged coral along the route. The
firm emphasized that the project would enhance the environment and not
damage the precious natural balance by laying a suitable pipeline and
infrastructure to promote coral growth as well provide a haven for marine
life.
Following the presentation, Mayor Pairat
Suthithamrongsawat asked the floor, consisting of speed boat operators,
representative of the fishing community and the transport department for
their opinions, all of whom gave their approval for the project to go ahead.
Mayor Pairat also bought up the issue regarding the lack
of documentation provided by the company in applying for its operating
license. Company representatives told the mayor that they would provide the
required documents as quickly as possible, more specifically the papers
required by naval departments on safety and security issues. They added that
the company is still awaiting documentation from the Chinese contracting
company responsible for building the submarines, concluding that once the
project finally gets up and running, it will greatly benefit the city’s
tourism trade.
City council supports closure of old South Pattaya pier
Songklod Kaewvisit
At a recent city council meeting, council members at
Pattaya administration supported the recommendations put forth by Banlue
Kullawanich on closing the old South Pattaya pier and moving boat operators
and visitors to the new Bali Hai facility located at the far end of Walking
Street.
 Banlue
Kullawanich recommends closure of the old pier for safety reasons.
Banlue Kullawanich, city council member and chief of the
committee of public works and maintenance asked the city to act quickly
regarding the relocation in the interest of public safety, as the old pier
has fallen into such a state of disrepair that anyone could slip through the
large gaping holes caused by missing planks and possibly suffer serious
injuries as a result. The final recommendations came after an inspection of
the pier revealing large sections of plank and rotting wood.
City management officials also agreed with the
suggestion, stating that a PR campaign highlight the change for business
operators and visitors currently using the pier. It was agreed that the
change over would occur next month after everyone was properly informed.
Navy target practice tests accuracy of C-801 missiles
Pacharapol Phanrak
High Ranking Navy officers visited the Sattahip Naval
base along with visiting Sri Lankan Naval Commander, Vice Admiral Kaya
Samikiri to observe target practice using C-801 surface-to-surface missiles.
The top brass from both countries were impressed with the performance of
both the missile and naval personnel, hitting on the target dead center.
 The
C-801 surface-to-surface missile heads straight for the target (inset) which
it hit with lethal precision.
The naval training exercise took place in Sattahip with
observers sitting in a naval vessel some 30 nautical miles from the target.
The 12-year-old navy frigate, HMS Chaopraya fired the Chinese made missile
after lining up the target using radar.
Admiral Yongyuth Noppakhun, commander and chief of the
Naval Operations base and head of navy training revealed, “The
Chinese-made, surface to surface missile is able to hit a target on land and
sea at a distance 23.4 nautical miles. It is small, light and effective. We
are happy the results of the training exercise today. The use of such
weapons is useful for patrolling Thailand’s land and sea borders and
protecting the country’s coastline and economic centers.”
Baywatch
City sidewalks still under renovation after many months
Eakachai Kamolsri
It’s hard not to notice that Pattaya is in the process
of replacing sidewalks around the city, especially for those pedestrians who
try to use them. Residents and visitors will eventually appreciate the new
and improved footpaths, but the progress is creeping at a snail’s pace and
the months-long process is taking its toll on everyone’s nerves and
safety. Contractors are blatantly disregarding the need for order and
cleanliness.
 The
project, which has been supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is
expected to be completed by the end of this year. But workers on these
projects are not bothering to clean up after themselves. They carelessly
leave equipment and construction materials in the work areas for people to
trip over and thoughtlessly scattered on the roadside causing traffic
hazards.
Let’s hope that the city engineering department informs
the contracting company of their laziness and rectifies the situation for
the benefit of the very people they are trying to please. A little more
order and cleanliness is required. The current mess is appalling and
inexcusable.
Purachai inspects local
bath-houses and Beach Road
Keeping close watch over the social order campaign
Boonlua
Chatree
Purachai Piumsomboon, deputy prime minister and former
interior minister was in Pattaya last week to ensure that local bath-houses
had all their licenses and operating permits were in order. The inspection
process covered three of North Pattaya’s larger establishments, Sabai
Land, Sabai Room and another on Beach Road. The inspection, incidentally,
came shortly after a recent raid on a bar in Walking Street that was
allowing lewd entertainment on its premises.
 Deputy
PM Purachai and his entourage work up a sweat as they do their inspection
rounds of Pattaya’s nightlife.
During the inspection, over 200 personnel were found
working in the three bath houses. All were checked for possession of
necessary identification documents and the businesses were asked to present
their relevant operating permits. The inspection also made sure no one under
20 years old was either working in or patronizing the venues. Rooms were
also checked to make sure they conformed to standards required by law.
The deputy prime minister then took a stroll down Beach
Road closely followed by his entourage and local and national press. During
the inspections, none of the establishments were found to be breaking the
law and all had their documentation in order.
The deputy prime minister later told members of the press
the visit was organized to ensure that government policies were being
followed and remind local authorities of their duties in upholding the law.
Police raid popular bar on Walking Street
Chanced upon lewd entertainment on their inspection rounds
Boonlua Chatree
Bangkok’s central government led by the Ministry of
Interior aims to crackdown on the nation’s entertainment establishments
that allow public displays of indecent behaviour and lewd shows. After the
decree was announced, one of Pattaya’s first venues to come under scrutiny
was the Polo Bar 1 in Walking Street South Pattaya.
 Pol.
Col. Kamolchai Tiengrungroj chief of the Pattaya police seems amused as the
young women are led off to face charges.
Senior local police and their subordinates raided the
giant go-go bar at 1 a.m. Upon entry, officers found a large number of Thai
women dancing on stage, three of whom were wearing ‘nothing but a
smile’.
Officers ordered the music off and lights on. They
detained the manager of the establishment and the 3 women, taking them down
to the station for questioning and legal proceedings.
The manager was charged with allowing indecent behaviour
and public nudity in his establishment and the young women were charged with
indecent behaviour and displaying their ‘assets’ inside a public venue.
Foreigner robs local woman at knife point
Victim tied, gagged and locked in closet
Boonlua Chatree
Jongdee Boongert informed police that she had been robbed
at knife by a foreigner at a Beach Road hotel in South Pattaya. She told
police that she worked at the Best Friend Beer Bar complex when she agreed
to spend the night with the man for 4,000 baht.
When Jongdee went back to the hotel with her companion,
the man held a cutter to her throat before tying her up, gagging her and
placing her in the wardrobe. The foreign thief made off with 4,000 baht in
cash, two mobile phones, a two baht gold necklace and a three baht gold
bracelet.
Jongdee eventually managed to wriggle her way out of the
wardrobe freeing her bonds and report the incident. She described the man,
who told her he was from Holland, as of dark complexion with an almost
shaved head and approximately 170 centimeters tall. Police radioed patrol
units to search the area where the incident happened but were unable to find
any trace of the culprit.
Mayor inspects Pub suspected
of illegal building extensions
City says ‘take down structures or we’ll do it for you’
Suchada Tupchai
The Beer Himah pub, located on Pattaya third Road is back
in the headlines again following a police raid earlier this month for
illegally operating after designated closing hours. Following the raid, a
report was made to the city administration of the possibility of illegal
building extensions on the property.
 No-nonsense
mayor Pairat leads officials and the press on his inspection tour of
businesses who still stubbornly flaunt the law.
Pattaya Mayor, Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and a team of
inspectors visited the property last week to find the report valid. The
owner was again absent as he sent an employee to speak to city officials.
The mayor told reporters, “The inspection is the result
of the raid by police. Today’s inspection shows that the report was valid
that according to official records and the current layout there is cause for
action to be taken against the owners.”
The mayor added the situation must be resolved and that
the owners must remove the ‘offending’ structure within the next 30
days. Failure to do so will force city authorities to take the matter into
their own hands.
“Whatever the case may be, there are still many venues
in the city that continue to stubbornly flaunt the building laws as well as
operate without the appropriate licenses. This is in direct defiance of the
law and the city will inspect and rectify the situation without
exception,” concluded the mayor.
Chinese tourists fight back as police raid sex show in North Pattaya
Interruption of lewd stage act prompts audience to attack police and press
Boonlua Chatree
Chinese tourists who were watching a lewd sex show in the
Bang Up Entertainment bar became furious when a police raid interrupted
their lascivious enjoyment. The angry tourists began throwing bottles and
attacking police and news reporters as the raid forced the club to shut
down.
Over 40 police officers and reporters raided the venue
located in North Pattaya, following an investigation of the
establishment’s illegal activities. Police stormed in last Friday
afternoon, while three young Thai women were performing sex acts on stage.
 The
lewd show performers are herded into a pickup truck for transport to the
police station.
The 150 odd Chinese tourists who paid well over 1,000
baht per head to watch the show began attacking police at the interruption
of their ‘entertainment’. The sight of reporters with video and still
cameras enraged them even more and they began attacking reporters trying to
grab any form of evidence from being linked to the illegal activities.
A number of the press sustained minor injuries. Police
had their hands full as they called for backup to quell the heated
situation, while trying to prevent the violent visitors from injuring the
media. All tourists were promptly ordered out of the venue and into their
waiting tour bus.
Once tempers had cooled and the tourists were herded into
the buses, police arrested the manager and the three young performers. He
was charged with providing lewd entertainment and fined 2,000 baht after
being thrown in jail and each of the three young women were fined 500 baht
before being released.
Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tiengrungroj chief of the Pattaya
police later disclosed that the owner of the establishment was not detained
during the raid because he fled during the commotion. Kamolchai said he will
push for the venue to be permanently closed for breaking the law and
operating without a license.
Motorcycle thief crashes while trying to flee
Motorcycle theft has reached new heights of ferocity
Patcharapol Parnrak
A man riding his bike home was assaulted with a block of
wood knocking him to the ground, after which the criminal jumped on the
victim’s motorbike and sped off towards Sukhumvit highway. Not but a few
minutes later, police responded to a call informing them of an accident on
Sukhumvit Road at kilometer 168 involving three injured people. Arriving at
the scene officers found 20 year old Tongdee Petchmuenim lying bloodied on
the road. The young thug was fleeing on the stolen motorbike and in the
process ran into the back of another bike.
Phinyo Buntong the rider of the other bike, told police
that he was riding north along Sukhumvit when Tongdee on the stolen bike
rammed him from behind causing both bikes to fall with the thief getting the
worst of it. Phinyo added that he was not aware that Tongdee had stolen the
bike minutes before the accident but there was however, another bike
following at high speed when the accident occurred.
When police took Tongdee into custody for questioning he
admitted to his crime and named an accomplice who lives in the Nong Jup Dao
village in Najomtien. Tongdee was charged accordingly and officers are
searching for his partner in crime.
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