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All tour boat operators ordered to move to Bali Hai pier
Operators still hesitant about safety measures
Damri Muangkaew
The decision to close down the old wooden pier and move
operators to Bali Hai was made at a recent city council meeting after the
idea was proposed because of relevant safety issues. Last Friday, Deputy
Mayor Niran Wattanasatsathorn called a meeting with boat operators to
announce the move became effective September 2.
 The
new pier at Bali Hai Point is finished and ready to go. Now if only city
hall could convince the boat operators to use it. The irony of it all is
that boat captains are balking at the idea because of what they call
“safety reasons”, but since the old pier is literally falling apart, the
city is now ordering them to use the new pier because of, you guessed it,
“safety reasons”.
Since its completion, the new pier has been a bone of
contention with tour boat operators over the issue of safety in mooring
their boats. Niran told the operators that the move would be temporary until
the old pier is refurbished. He said after completion of the project the
operators will be allowed to move back to their favored location. Boat
operators were not pleased but agreed to move. They said the new pier
requires additional lighting to make it reasonably safe for them to moor
their vessels.
 Given
the condition of the old pier, tour boat operators’ “safety reasons”
argument no longer holds much weight.
The Bali Hai pier has more or less become a white
elephant since its completion. Tour boat operators have been unwilling to
relocate their vessels claiming that during strong seas the new pier is
dangerous during mooring procedures and that excessive boat traffic will
create chaos in the area.
The budget allocation to rectify problems at Bali Hai was
approved earlier this year. Now additional funds will be needed to renovate
the old pier. Boat operators feel they are being jostled around until a
final solution can be found. At present they say they are more or less in a
state of limbo, not really knowing which location they will be operating
from.
However, given the condition of the old pier, their
“safety reasons” argument no longer holds much weight.
Drama on the high seas as navy intercepts Indonesian barge
Loaded with wood, barge was illegally passing through a dangerous area
Patcharapol Parnrak
High drama played out on the high seas this past week
when the Navy went into action to intercept an Indonesian tugboat and barge
that had wandered into an area where the Thai navy was conducting target
practice.
 The
Royal Thai Navy’s HMS Thep intercepted an Indonesian tugboat and barge
loaded with wood that had wandered into an area where the navy was
conducting target practice. They were escorted to Laem Chabang Port for an
inspection and to check documentation as to the origins of its cargo. The
transport of wood in or out of Thailand is illegal without the relevant
permits.
The barge was loaded with wood, allegedly 25 million baht
worth, and the captain of the towboat did not respond to the Navy’s
attempts to make radio contact.
 “Hey
you! Pull over ... Now!”
A reconnaissance plane was dispatched to verify the
location of the barge, and found it “hiding” behind Krarm Island.
Following confirmation from the aerial survey, the HMS
Thep was sent out to intercept the barge and escort it to Laem Chabang port
for inspection, a mission they were able to accomplish, but not completely
without incident. However, the slower tugboat and barge soon realized they
were no match for the HMS Thep, and did eventually allow themselves to be
boarded and brought to Laem Chabang for an inspection and to check
documentation as to the origins of its cargo.
 The
Royal Thai Navy’s HMS Thep races in to intercept.
The transport of wood in or out of Thailand is illegal
without the relevant permits.
Company representative’s contacted naval and port
officials to relay the necessary information, saying the barge had recently
sailed out of Vietnam bound for Klong Toey port in Bangkok.
The
cargo - and that’s a lot of wood. Hopefully for the owners they had the
right documents, as it is illegal to transport wood in or out of Thailand
without them.
Naval
officers and pilots plan their “attack”.
“Men,
your mission is to find that barge! Hoo-ah!”
Mayor bombarded with questions about road construction and traffic problems
Dangerous Pattaya Second Road and Sukhumvit intersection subject of severe criticism
Suchada Tupchai
Press and city official meetings are supposed to take
place at city hall every month in the presence of Chonburi Governor Pisit
Khetphasook. However, the governor said that due to his busy schedule he
would prefer that the meetings be scheduled every two months. Thus, this
month’s meeting was chaired by Pattaya City’s mayor, who was obliged to
answer a barrage of questions from the press which focused mainly on the
unfinished road and street construction still going on in the city, and the
region’s horrendous traffic congestion.
 Mayor
Pairat Suthithamrongsawat (right) and city officials fielded some tough
questions at the monthly government meets the press event.
The problems of ongoing road construction in so many
areas of the city and the resulting dangers and inconvenience, is trying the
public’s patience. Many ideas were shared amongst the press and the city
officials including erecting large and comprehensible signboards indicating
construction sites to warn motorists, and refilling of holes that were dug.
Data showed a big increase in accidents while the main roads were under
renovation.
Another matter that was brought up involved the proper
installation of roadblocks at the Pattaya Central Road and Sukhumvit Road
junction. A huge number of vehicles, especially motorcycles, travel in and
out of Soi Nern Plubwaan each day and for their own convenience, many of
them cross over into oncoming traffic on Sukhumvit Road, which puts all
drivers at risk.
The issue became controversial when the press said that
one of the city’s high-ranking officials ordered city workers to remove
the roadside blockage. The press said the removal created complete chaos
which overwhelmed traffic police and made this section impossible for them
to control.
City council member Saengsorn Sunthornsilcha acknowledged
that he was the one that ordered the roadblock removed because he felt that
residents in that area should be given that convenience of entering their
home soi. He conceded that during peak traffic hours the situation gets
dangerous as packs of motorcycles bolt across the highway as the traffic
lights change. He said he thought it would be easier and faster for
residents to get home if the blocks were removed.
Nevertheless, the press objected to the idea, stressing
that it was against the law to let vehicles drive against the legal flow of
traffic on the wrong side of the road. They agreed that this was a perfect
example of city officials’ lax enforcement of laws.
After a long and hot debate, the mayor diplomatically
concluded that the city would solve the problems promptly. He said he would
encourage his team to speed up road construction before the rainy season
starts. He also promised that he would order his men to pave a short-cut
further from the Pattaya Central Road and Sukhumvit junction so that Soi
Nern Plubwaan residents can enter the soi.
Other issues brought into attention of the mayor and his
team included the shifting of tour boat operators to Bali Hai pier and the
removal of huge and obstructive signboards along the roads.
City calls meeting with
Child Development Department
Finding a way to smoothen transition to higher learning
Songklod Kaewvisit
City officials met with representatives from the Dar Al
Baidah Mosques and Chaimongkol temples to discuss the pros and cons of
transferring authority for children being educated in the two institutions.
 City
officials met with school administrators to discuss the pros and cons of
transferring authority for children being educated in the two institutions.
City officers told administrators and teachers that all
students required the appropriate documentation in order for the children to
make a successful transition into higher education.
Mayor Pairat said, “These institutions play an
important role in educating students. Not only do they teach academic
subjects but also instill a sense of morality. As administrators we must
help these children receive the opportunity to move on to higher education
more easily, for their benefit and that of society.”
Both centers come under city authority and government
administrators want to the see these child development centers grow and
become a cornerstone of education.
Pattaya’s strays are taken off the streets
Rounded up, spayed, and taken to shelter
Suchada Tupchai
Following a flood of complaints by residents and tourists
regarding the city’s stray dog population, the Department of Health and
the Chonburi Livestock Department went about removing the animals from the
streets.
 “This
may pinch a little bit, but afterwards you will feel very relaxed.”
Officials sedated stray dogs to ease their transport to a local shelter.
On Wednesday morning officers, armed with nets and dart
guns, went about the business of catching these neglected animals. At the
sight of the dogcatchers, dogs ran in all directions trying to escape, many
ran into homes, shops and the nearby scrubland.
Dr. Manote Rungsawat, head of Pattaya Health, Hygiene and
Environment Department said, “The animals will be spayed and given a
combination of vaccines before being taken to the shelter near Wat Yarn
temple. Over the next 2 months we expect to round up over 3,000 animals.”
Once captured and spayed, the majority of the animals
will be taken to Srakaew Province in the northeast where they can do no harm
to residents and tourists. City administrators plan to purchase a 6-wheel
vehicle to be used in catching stray dogs to help rid the city of its
strays. The project aims to protect tourists and residents at risk of being
attacked and bitten.
City takes a stand on buildings encroaching public property
Rapid increase in building overwhelms official inspectors
Veerachai
Somchart
At a recent council meeting, city management and council
members discussed the ongoing issue of building owners and business
operators encroaching upon public land. The subject of South Pattaya’s 101
businesses in Walking Street was brought up again, and again the discussion
centered on their convoluted legal status.
Council member Sanit Boonmarchai stated that the only
operator on Walking Street that had been served a legal notice was the Nang
Nual Restaurant. Sanit also cited that a large number of buildings around
the city were illegally built, with extra floors added on top that were
poorly planned.
City engineering director, Sittiparp Muangkham informed
the meeting that the current building legislation is in direct conflict with
the people. He asked for assistance from the city’s administration for
more help with inspection of potential lawbreakers and asked that the
authorities carry out the necessary alterations required by law.
Sittiparp warned, however, that carrying out the
operations would create many problems for residents because so many of the
buildings do not conform to the current codes.
“There is a need for a political solution to this
issue. As for South Pattaya’s 101 businesses, I am prepared to deal with
them one by one,” said the chief engineer.
The mayor agreed, stating that he had received reports
that the majority of structures in the Soi Buakow area were not built to
required standards. The mayor also cited the recent inspection of the
Potisan markets, in which developers and owners were ordered to rectify the
building to conform to safety standards.
Those at the meeting concluded each of the buildings will
be dealt with according to the rules and regulations laid down by the
government, adding that footpaths are slated for construction in both Soi
Buakow and Soi Nernplubwan from Sukhumvit Road to the railway line.
Baywatch
Motorists beware
Eakachai Kamolsri
With the increase in construction throughout the city and
the current resurfacing of Central Pattaya Road, many of the side sois
appear to have been forgotten. Such is the case in Soi Sukpruedee, otherwise
known as Soi AR. Approximately 100 meters from the new executive serviced
apartments, Nova Lodge, city maintenance crews have failed to rectify a
gaping hole next to a drain cover on a very tight corner.
 The
corner itself is quite narrow and navigation through the constricted soi is
difficult. Now motorists face the added danger of falling into the drain,
which makes traveling even more precarious. Residents in the area fear the
day when someone dies from falling into the hole.
Numerous accidents have already occurred and patience is
running thin. Residents told reporters that the dangerous hole has been
there for months, but the recent heavy rains have made this section even
more lethal, especially for motorcyclists. They have urged the city to do
something about the deadly corner but calls for repairs have fallen on deaf
ears.
Let’s hope local administrators take action before
someone is killed due to their lack of responsibility in carrying out their
duty to the community at large.
Foreign tourist killed on Pattaya Second Road by hit and run driver
Police looking for the driver
Boonlua Chatree
Australian tourist George Joseph was rushed to hospital
after being hit by a car in front of the Apex Hotel on Pattaya Second Road
during the early hours of Sunday morning. The 62-year-old tourist succumbed
to his injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival.
Pattaya Memorial Hospital staff informed the police, and
officers attending the scene of the accident questioned witnesses and
learned that the Australian was attempting to cross the busy section of the
road when a car traveling at high speed hit him, causing him to bounce off
the car, land on the road and hit his head on the ground. The driver sped
off without stopping.
Locals said they rushed the injured foreigner to the
hospital in the attempt to save his life. George Joseph died from severe
head injuries and a broken neck as a result of the collision.
Police are appealing to the public for further
information on the on the vehicle and the driver who fled the scene of the
accident. When caught, the driver will face legal proceedings.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Petty card game busted by police - cops bag a deck of
cards and 120 baht as evidence
Following a tip from local residents, local police raided
a laborers’ camp in Pratamnak and broke up a card game. Officers
discovered a number of construction workers were gambling for cash. Five
people were detained and charged for participating in the illegal activity
and a deck of cards and other gambling paraphernalia was confiscated,
including 120 baht in cash. The five people, between the ages of 18-58,
confessed to their bad habit and said they were merely relieving their
boredom.
Amphetamine dealer busted with 200 tablets, again!
Some criminals fail to change their habits, even after
this year’s well-publicized crackdown on narcotics. Sulaimarn Duangpetch
apparently learned nothing from his previous arrest since the 39-year-old
man was out on bail relating to charges of possession of illegal drugs when
Region 2 investigation police arrested him in Soi Bongkot.
Criminal investigation police were monitoring the drug
offender’s behavior for some time and initiated a raid on the man’s home
in South Pattaya. During the raid officers fond 200 ‘ya ba’ pills, and
took into custody both Sulaimarn and his accomplice, 45-year-old Sumet
Krengkargawoot. Both men confessed to selling the illegal drug to customers
in the area for huge profit. The pair was transferred to Pattaya police
station where charges were pressed and they now await court proceedings.
English tourist loses 5 baht-weight gold necklace during “ride-by” theft
Companion warned him this crime was on the increase
Boonlua Chatree
British National Ram Pabla was shocked by the audacity of
Pattaya’s thieves when they rode past on a motorcycle and tore a 5 baht-weight
gold necklace worth 37,000 baht off the neck of his female companion last
week. Pabla had purchased the necklace earlier that day and he intended to
give it to his mother upon his return to the UK.
Ram Pabla and his companion, Kosol Gunbung, were walking
along Pattaya Second Road near Soi Diana when two young Thai men rode past
and tore the heavy necklace from the woman’s throat. The victims
immediately reported the crime to police and asked officers to locate the
criminals. Police radioed to patrol units to check all motorcycles with
pillions on unregistered bikes but the thieves eluded capture.
Ram said, “I’m shocked that such a thing like this
could happen. This is the first time in my life that I have witnessed
this.”
Kosol was wearing the necklace as they walked along
Second Road even though she had earlier warned the tourist that ride-by
theft by motorcycle hoodlums is a regular occurrence now in Pattaya.
Pickpocket arrested at Thepprasit boxing stadium
Victim catches light-fingered thief red-handed
Boonlua Chatree
Boxing matches not only draw large crowds of spectators,
but crooks also roam the crowds looking to make a fast baht. Local police on
patrol were surveying the Thepprasit boxing stadium when one spectator
informed them that his wallet containing 8,500 baht had been lifted and
another man told officers he had caught the thief in the process of taking
his wallet while he was watching the fights.
 The
victims positively identify Prajim as the culprit who picked their pockets.
Police arrested Prajim Rattanajan after the two victims
identified him as the culprit. Prajim denied all allegations, but the two
victims insisted that he was a nefarious character that lifted their
wallets.
A body search of Prajim revealed 4,320 baht in cash and
150 bogus banknotes. Police asked Prajim why he was carrying the illegal
banknotes, to which Prajim replied, “To pay for gambling tickets.”
Police added a bonus to the man’s theft charges,
placing him under arrest where he now awaits trial for his mischievous acts.
Sporting events such as boxing often attract large numbers of gamblers
hoping to place winning bets on fights. This, by the way, is still illegal
under current Thai law.
The art of traditional Thai medicine receives a boost in Pattaya
Songklod
Kaewvisit
The preservation of ancient traditions is vital in
today’s fast evolving society. To help do this, the Association of Thai
Traditional Medical practitioners recently opened a new center just outside
Pattaya.
 Ararm
Armradit, president of the Traditional Thai Medicine Association was the
guest of honor at the opening ceremonies.
The Herb Garden Resort & Spa was host to local
officials at the opening ceremony of the new Traditional Thai Health Center.
The new center caters to all types of ailments through the use of massage,
herbs and exercise, and features a sauna.
Ararm Armradit, president of the Traditional Thai
Medicine Association was the guest of honor at the opening ceremonies.
 Phrakru
Thohangjintapawan performed the traditional religious rites before being one
of the first to be seated in the new massage chair.
Phrakru Thohangjintapawan performed the traditional
religious rites before being one of the first to be seated in the new
massage chair.
The resort has a full range of services and with the
addition of the massage development center can boast a healthy range of
disciplines for guests.
City and regional environmental and health departments to hold clean school, hotel and community contest
Eakachai Kamolsri
Environmental issues have deservedly received greater
attention in recent months. To boost the image of the city and to educate
schoolchildren, businesspeople and community members, local and provincial
health, hygiene and environment departments discussed plans for holding a
“Clean Community, School and Hotel Contest.”
 Local
and provincial health, hygiene and environment departments discussed plans
to hold an event aimed at furthering environmental awareness and promoting
the city’s clean image by reducing and recycling waste.
The cleanest and most environmentally aware venues will
be presented with a cash prize of 10,000 baht for educational scholarships.
The competition will be divided into categories such as community-based
programs, schools within the city and hotels.
Hotels entering the competition are separated according
to the size of their establishment; those with up to 100 rooms, 101-200 room
hotels and hotels with over 200 rooms. A total of five prizes will be
presented to the winners of the pageant at a special ceremony in the very
near future.
The event is aimed at furthering environmental awareness
and promoting the city’s clean image by reducing and recycling waste.
Commander in Chief, RTN, leads the navy to plant trees along Haad Toey Ngam
Patcharapol Parnrak
Royal Thai Navy Commander in Chief Admiral Thaweesak
Somapha paid an official visit to the Royal Thai Marines Corps recently to
chair the tree-planting ceremony at Haad Toey Ngam, Sattahip. The Commandant
of Royal Thai Marines Corps, Vice Admiral Virat Damrongchareon, marine
troops, and permanent employees, formally welcomed the admiral.
 Royal
Thai Navy Commander in Chief Admiral Thaweesak Somapha presided over a Royal
Thai Marines Corps tree-planting ceremony at Haad Toey Ngam, Sattahip, with
the Commandant of Royal Thai Marines Corps Vice Admiral Virat Damrongchareon,
marine troops, and permanent employees.
Planting more trees on the beach will not only give more
shade to tourists but will help protect the beach from strong winds and
erosion. Kai Tia Island, situated in the Toey Ngam Bay, is an important
habitat for coral reefs and marine life and is also considered a spiritually
sacred place.
 Kai
Tia Island, situated in the Toey Ngam Bay, is an important habitat for coral
reefs and marine life and is also considered a spiritually sacred place.
After Typhoon Linda hit the area and devastated the beach, the Royal Thai
Navy set aside a huge budget to revamp the beach and return it to its former
beauty.
A few years ago Typhoon Linda hit the area and devastated
the beach. The Royal Thai Navy set aside a huge budget to revamp the beach
and return it to its former beauty.
Today the beach has again become famous. During weekends,
many tourists and residents come to visit. Locals say the beach is a special
place and to swim in the waters will bring good luck and success in
business. After a ‘lucky’ swim, it is customary to donate swimsuits to
the poor.
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