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Pattaya Beach is disappearing at the rate of 20 centimeters per year
Department of government works and civil planning proposes 20 million baht beach extension project
Pattaya’s beaches are eroding at a rate of 20
centimeters per year, and according to a recently completed three-year
research project, the city’s beaches would completely erode away in 30
years if no action were to be taken to rectify the problem.
Team Engineering & Management Company conducted the
research from 2000-2003 along a seven-kilometer stretch of Pattaya Beach,
and found that the beaches in central Pattaya and the Bali Hai area are
eroding the fastest, and would eventually disappear.
Supol Sriphan, director of the Public Works
Department’s city planning support and development office, said that
restoration of the eastern region’s diminishing sands was one of the nine
projects submitted for approval in 1994, of which 8 have been carried out.
The remaining project pertains to the restoration of Pattaya beach areas.
An initial plan released in 1998 was to remove the 101
businesses from South Pattaya and extend the beach down to the Bali Hai
head. However, this has been receiving much resistance, despite all attempts
by the city, province and the Environmental Planning office to carry out the
project.
The tides and changing current in Pattaya are slowly
eroding the beaches away due the recent coastline changes. The study
revealed that 1.45 meters of sand has already been washed away from the
shore from Naklua through to South Pattaya, an average of 20 centimeters per
year.
The private consulting company proposed three solutions:
A 20-million-baht landfill project to counter erosion from Soi Pattaya 13 to
Mike Shopping Mall; a 104-million-baht landfill project to expand the entire
Pattaya Beach by 20 meters; and a 260-million-baht landfill project to
extend the beach by 50 meters.
Another 6 months of impact studies at a cost of 2-3
million baht are required before any of the plans are put to the
environmental planning committee and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat commented, “This is a
necessary project for development and sustaining the city’s tourism
industry. The project has repeatedly been proposed to protect Pattaya’s
tourism, but rejected by the environmental policy and planning office as
unimportant. I disagree because our beaches are a selling point for tourism;
if they (the beaches) were to disappear it would be disastrous from an
environmental and economic point of view.
“The city has requested a 20 million budget to extend
the beachfront by 5 meters over the next 1-2 years under the recommendations
of the consulting company. We still need to perform an Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) before the project goes ahead, and we’ll have to wait a
year before the results are ready. Unfortunately, the city administration
cannot wait any longer to take action after receiving the results of the
3-year study,” concluded the mayor.
Whatever the case may be, it was made clear that
officials will seek to rectify the inherent problems as quickly as possible
whilst awaiting the bureaucratic processes and necessary assessments are
being taken. Stay tuned, this saga will no doubt continue.
Regional government officers debate justice ministry issues
Ministry of Justice runs human resource seminar & debate for local government departments
Damri Muangkaew
Over 160 government officers, members of the media and
government spokespersons were given a chance to discuss and debate issues
pertinent to justice ministry affairs last week when the Ministry of Justice
organized a forum at the Montien Hotel.
 Minister
of Justice Pongthep Thepkanjana presided over the Ministry of Justice
seminar at the Montien Hotel.
Minister of Justice Pongthep Thepkanjana presided over
the seminar and debating forum so that regional government officers could
enhance their knowledge of government systems and debate issues surrounding
a number of issues.
Although no major answers were reported to have come out
of the meeting, it was nonetheless seen as an important part of the
ministry’s PR campaign to present policies to government officers and
members of the media, which will in turn allow them to develop a stronger
working relationship with the central government and ministries and enable
government departments to pass on the information to the masses in the
course of their work.
Organizers of the event gathered the local officials in
an attempt to improve their knowledge of the national justice system, as
well as give them a chance to debate issues concerning government
procedures, problems and obstacles faced in the course of duty and methods
on how to rectify them.
Pattaya administrators, TAT and Traditional Thai Massage Association host training seminar for the city’s masseuses and masseurs
Seminar’s benefits have far reaching implications
Damri Muangkaew
Three organizations supported a training seminar on the
art of traditional Thai massage at the Grand Sole Hotel last Wednesday.
Officially opened by Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and conducted by
professionals in the industry, including Wannanong Chinstapornchoke, BEC
Language & Culture School director, the seminar was aimed at improving
the image of the industry by providing further education for the city’s
massage therapists.
 Wannanong
Chinstapornchoke (left), BEC Language & Culture School director, accepts
a generous gift from Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat during the training
seminar on the art of traditional Thai massage held at the Grand Sole Hotel.
Thai massage has gained popularity throughout the world
and since Pattaya is an international tourist destination, with many
first-time tourists visiting massage establishments, higher standards are
required to maintain quality of treatment and promote traditional massage on
a wider scale.
“This seminar is an important part of improving the
image and standards of massage as a profession. The benefits of seminars
like this have far reaching implications for us as a city and the nation,”
said Mayor Pairat during the opening of the seminar.
Pattaya hosts achievement evaluation seminar for Chiang Rai community leaders
Communication seen as key to success
Damri Muangkaew
“Currently, changes in economic, social and political
aspects are happening so fast that we need to catch up to the growing
demands of our communities.” Those are the words of Udomsak Assawarangkul,
deputy general-director of the local administration department when he spoke
on the new dimension of tasks facing kamnans and village leaders.
The occasion was a gathering last week in Pattaya of
high-level officials and community leaders from Chiang Rai Province, here
for a seminar to evaluate the achievements of civil servants and village
heads in the province.
Udomsak also said that a more effective way of
communication must be established between each organization. “This means
more responsibility will be placed on government officials, kamnans and
village heads. This group must be knowledgeable in their field and seriously
intent on serving the people. They must also have a vision to provide their
village members with peace and prosperity,” he said.
Visal Techatheerawat, chairman of the committee on
parliamentary achievement evaluation, organized the meeting, which was
geared to asses the effectiveness of duties carried out by sub-district
leaders (kamnans), village heads, tambon medical units, and the village head
assistants from Paan District in Chiang Rai Province. More than 800
government officials attended the seminar held at Pattaya Park Resort.
Adisorn Piangket, advisor to the prime minister, was
present as the guest of honor and gave the opening speech.
The topics discussed on the day included general
knowledge on Thai governing laws, history, main tasks and privileges of
kamnans and village heads, and a clarification of the Ministry of
Interior’s policy on these subjects.
The first group of kamnans and village heads were
appointed 109 years ago in Amphur Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya Province. From then
on, great importance was placed on electing kamnans and village heads in
every district.
The task of kamnans and village heads is to help people
in the villages and districts with the matters of everyday life. They listen
to the people and their problems and try to find practical solutions.
Improving living standards, assuring security and safety of villagers, and
development of village facilities all fall within their realm of duties.
Wastewater Management 101 for Sriracha Municipality officers
Learning the basics behind preserving natural resources
Suchada Tupchai
Standards required to maintain a healthy environment in
the wastewater management industry were the main focus of a recent training
seminar for Sriracha municipal officers. Academics from Mahidol University
and professionals in the industry from Denmark were on hand to present their
knowledge base to workers at the district’s facility.
 Professor
Pattana Mulpruet, Health and Environmental lecturer from Mahidol University
explains the importance of wastewater management systems.
The Eastern Seaboard’s water resources are a vital
source of income, not only in the tourism industry but also in fishing
sector. The increasing levels of waste in the waterways and in the gulf have
prompted government departments to take a proactive stance and educate
personnel to try to improve the overall standards of management.
The long-term project, Capacity Development for the
Wastewater Management Authority (CD-WMA) is under the close watch of the
Mahidol University’s Public Health Committee, which organized the seminar
for municipal officers concerned with the care and management of the
district’s main facilities.
Throughout the two-day seminar issues such as quality
controls in processing, various systems available and quantitative measuring
and associated environmental effects caused by substandard quality were
presented.
Amorn Malhotra appointed Foreign Crime Suppression Coordinator
for the Tourist Police
In a move to help tourist police in their duties and
investigations of foreign criminals, Tourist Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen.
Panya Mamen appointed Amorn Malhotra as the Foreign Crime Suppression
Coordinator for the Royal Thai Police, Tourist Police Division.
 Pattaya
Tourist Police Chief Pol. Lt. Col. Naradej Klomthuksing (right) presents
Amorn Malhotra with his credentials as the newly appointed Foreign Crime
Suppression Coordinator for the Royal Thai Police, Tourist Police Division.
In a presentation ceremony held at the Pattaya Tourist
Police office last week, Pol. Lt. Col. Naradej Klomthuksing, Pattaya Tourist
Police Chief said, “Amorn has spent the last ten years assisting the
police in dealing with international cases. He is a well known personality
in Pattaya, whose integrity and honesty has earned not only our trust but
that of the other agencies too.” He went on to say, “In 1994 Amorn was
instrumental in assisting Pol. Lt. Col. Somsak Wannawak, the former Pattaya
Tourist Police Chief in establishing the Tourist Police Volunteers in
Pattaya. He was also their first president. There were only 400 volunteers
then, but now I am proud to say that the number has grown to more than 2,000
members.
“We are grateful for Amorn’s contributions not only
to the city but also to the work of the police force. His skills and
knowledge of the foreign culture and way has helped us solve many cases
involving foreigners. But not only in a negative way, because with his
understanding of foreign languages, we have been able to assist many
foreigners who needed our help when they were treated unfairly.”
He concluded by saying, “It gives me pleasure to
present this very special credential to Amorn. This is the one and only
appointment of it’s kind by our commander and I know no other person who
deserves it more than Amorn.
“I wish him all the success and may all that’s sacred
keep him well and give him the strength to carry on with this demanding
task, to help keep Pattaya thriving with law abiding citizens.”
Pattaya’s budget committee proposes a tax on vendors and markets
Soi Buakow market has become a bone of contention
Damri
Muangkaew
Pattaya’s budget committee called a meeting with
related departments and government officers to review this year’s tax
collections and compare them with expenditures. It was during this meeting
when Suwit Nongyai, City council member and chairman of the committee, laid
the issue of taxing vendors and markets on the forum table.
During the discussion Suwit said that it is important
that all concerned departments collect the required tariffs from business
operators and implement further order among wandering vendors in Pattaya and
Jomtien as well as clean up local markets.
“The wandering vendors should not be allowed to sell
their goods along the beaches and footpaths, as they create disorder and
often leave behind unsightly trash and waste. I’ve seen the negative
effects created by plastic bags and foam containers on Beach Road and on the
beaches. More importantly, we should begin to collect taxes and registration
fees from these people,” said Suwit.
The committee also addressed the issue of taxing markets
and implementing tighter controls to ensure all was kept in good order.
The Soi Buakow market, which runs every Tuesday and
Friday, was a bone of contention with Suwit. “There are still no clear
controls on the Soi Buakow market. The place is a mess and creates numerous
traffic problems in the area all the way down to the fresh markets in front
of the Chaimongkol Temple,” emphasized the council member.
“The city administration has yet to come up with an
effective method of controlling and taxing these unruly areas. Many of the
vendors sell their wares on the footpaths and obstruct pedestrian traffic
which then spills over onto the roadside causing traffic hazards,” said
Suwit.
“Local police presently patrol the South Pattaya Road
market and mete out fines. This method contributes to the constabulary’s
coffers. However, taxes imposed on this sector would mean income for the
city. I think it is time to bring in strict controls to clean up these
markets and impose some order on the vendors,” added Suwit.
Further reviews of local expenditure and income are set
for a further meeting in which the relevant departments must present the
accounts to the city for approval before awaiting next year’s budget
allocations.
American resident found dead in his South Pattaya apartment
No signs of foul play
Boonlua Chatree
Police were called to the Yensabai Condominium in South
Pattaya Sunday afternoon, September 14 after a member of the cleaning staff
discovered the body of 71-year-old John James. Officers and Sawang Boriboon
personnel arrived at the seventh floor condo to find the body of the
American national in the bathroom.
Initial examinations showed no signs of foul play and the
apartment was neat and orderly. There was, however, blood from the man’s
body in the toilet bowl.
When police questioned the cleaner who found the
deceased, she told officers she was cleaning the 7th floor when she noticed
Mr. James’ apartment door was open. She checked to see if anyone was home
and discovered the man’s body. She immediately called security and the
police.
Police surmise that James had been ill and had been
vomiting to the point where he suffered a heart attack. A preliminary
examination showed that James had been dead approximately six hours before
being discovered. His body was taken to the Banglamung Hospital for further
examination before proceeding with funeral rites.
One of Pattaya’s largest ‘underground’ lottery dealers arrested
Gambled with his future and lost
Boonlua Chatree
Gambling is still illegal in Thailand, despite the
ever-popular government lottery. But the sale of ‘underground’ lottery
tickets is a big, albeit illegal business, and an attempt at reducing its
scope is underway.
 46-year-old
Thanawat “Wathcarin” Choowongyart (seated left) gambled that he
wouldn’t get caught gambling illegally, but lost and now sits in jail
waiting for his number to come up to see the judge.
Criminal investigation officers obtained a warrant to
arrest Thanawat (aka Wathcarin) Choowongyart at his home in Banglamung.
Police entered the property and served a court order to one of the city’s
largest underground lottery dealers on Monday afternoon, September 15.
A search of the premises revealed an accounting book of
income and expenses, tickets and contact names of customers and a bankbook
with over 500,000 baht in cash turnover. Apparently Thanawat was preparing
for the next round of lottery ticket sales due to be drawn the following
day. He was duly escorted to Pattaya police station for questioning.
Thanawat confessed to his illegal business, saying he
would take his cut of the earnings before sending much of the money to a
larger dealer in Bangkok. He refused to give the name of his Bangkok
connection during interrogation.
The 46-year-old lottery ticket seller was charged with
illegal gambling and awaits the legal process while police continue to
investigate further, betting that they will catch higher rollers soon.
Execution-style murder leaves man dead in tapioca field
Police suspect illegal businesses went sour
Boonlua Chatree
After witnessing a horrifying assassination, residents in
Moo 8 Nongprue sub-district, as all truly horrified residents are wont to
do, called the police. When officers arrived they found the body of
36-year-old Vimol Yodsawat lying in a pool of blood in a tapioca field. An
examination of the deceased revealed he had been shot three times, twice in
the leg and once in the forehead. Police surmised that the latter was
probably what did him in.
Witnesses told officers that Vimol lived the neighborhood
and worked as a motorcycle taxi driver. Prior to the murder, they saw Vimol
riding his bike along the road when 4 men on two motorbikes suddenly
appeared on both sides of him and threatened him with guns. Frightened,
Vimol fell off his motorbike and ran into a tapioca field, his assassins in
hot pursuit.
The gunmen shot Vimol twice in the leg to stop him and
then cold-bloodedly shot him in the head.
Police found two spent shell casings beside the corpse
and Vimol’s motorcycle a kilometer away. Police confiscated the evidence
for further investigation. The four gunmen are still at large. Since there
were no signs of robbery, police suspect that Vimol might have involved in
some kind of illegal businesses that went sour.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Two Sattahip college
students wounded by gang on 20 motorcycles during shooting spree
Gun-toting teenage hooligans are back in the limelight
after going on a shooting spree on Sukhumvit Road shortly after midnight
last week Thursday. Two students from the Sattahip Technical College were
seriously wounded in what was reported as an unprovoked attack.
Police were called to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital where
20 year-old Kittiphum Piyasant was being treated for a gunshot wound to the
upper chest, which fractured his collarbone. Warint Wongkong was being
treated for a chest wound received from an .11mm round.
The injured men’s friends told police they were riding
along Sukhumvit Road from Central Pattaya Road when a group of youths on 20
motorcycles began shooting at them for no apparent reason. When their
friends were hit they rushed them to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital for
treatment.
Police went to the scene of the shooting and found shell
casings from a 9mm pistol and a .11mm pistol. After checking with highway
patrol officers, it was learned that the group was racing along Sukhumvit
Road weaving in and out of traffic. Police had apparently gave chase but
failed to apprehend any of them.
Local officers raid Soi
Buakow laundry fronting as a factory for pirated goods
The latest crackdown on pirated goods led criminal
investigation officers to a laundry on Soi Buakow. The laundry was a front
to cover up a major production facility in which pirated brand name
clothing; sunglasses and accessories were being made and distributed around
the city and the country.
In a sting operation, undercover officers entered the
shop asking to purchase brand name goods. Malee Chomponooch identified
herself as the owner and led undercover police to the back of the laundry.
Once inside, police revealed their identity, while backup units stormed the
premises and arrested Malee. During the raid police confiscated over 1.8
million baht worth of goods with an estimated retail potential of 4-5
million baht.
Malee was charged with production and distributing goods
in breach of copyright and intellectual property laws.
Accused Bangladeshi muggers busted by local officers
Attackers deny charges, but victim and witnesses finger them
Apichon Daengnoo had just arrived home at his Soi 17
apartment when two men ambushed him and stole his gold necklace. Apichon
called out for help and nearby residents came to his aid, but the thieves
ran off.
 Apichon
Daengnoo points out his attackers Jarihul Alam (left) and Mohammad Haqve
(right).
Local police were called and witnesses told officers that
the pair of foreigners had fled on a motorcycle. Police traced the license
plate, found that the bike was a rental and contacted the owner.
Meanwhile, patrol units scoured the city looking for the
pair and eventually discovered the abandoned bike. The owner of the rental
told police that two Bangladeshi men had rented the vehicle, identifying
them as Jarihul Alam and Mohammad Mahfuzul Haqve.
Officers caught up with Jarihul Alam on South Pattaya
Road, and Mohammad Haqve was tackled by police as he attempted to run from
the law.
The two were taken to the station for questioning and
denied all allegations against them. However, Apichon and a number of
witnesses positively identified the pair. Despite their protests the two men
were charged with assault and theft.
South Pattaya Gold Shop robbed of over 10 million baht of gold and jewelry
Hungry thieves raid fridge for snack before making off with booty
Boonlua
Chatree
Gold and jewelry shop owners Sanga and Kittima Chairatana
received the shock of their lives upon returning to their South Pattaya shop
on Monday evening to find their home and business had been robbed. Crafty
thieves had broken into their Walking Street premises while the couple was
in Bangkok tending to customers over the weekend. The estimated value of the
heist is set at over 10 million baht in gold and precious stones.
 Cat
burglars cleaned out this South Pattaya jewelry shop, taking everything they
could carry, and even helped themselves to food from the fridge.
Local and regional criminal investigation officers
arrived at the premises to investigate the theft while forensic teams were
also called into to gather evidence. The criminals apparently broke in
through the rear of the 2-story building, opening glass cases containing
gold and diamond jewelry including 24 trays each with 26 gold rings and over
200 gold necklaces.
Forensic officers dusted for fingerprints left randomly
at the crime, and a screwdriver used to gain access was taken as evidence.
While officers were covering the crime scene they discovered that the
thieves had also raided the refrigerator for food.
Investigators believe the thieves had been watching the
premises waiting for the opportunity for the owners to go away. More
information is being collected as the investigation continues.
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