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HRH Princess Sirindhorn
visits Pattaya on study trip
City’s full and tumultuous history subject of tour
Suchada
Tupchai
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
visited Pattaya City on Friday, November 14 with fifth year students from
the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. Her Royal Highness has been
teaching there for many years and is the director of the Department of
History. HRH also holds the military rank of an army general.
Her
Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn took a walk along Pattaya
Beach Road and commented on how much it has changed since the time she was a
little girl and would visit the area with her father.
The aim of the visit was to help the students receive a
visual education of the Cold War Era and its impact on the growth and
progress of the region since its humble beginnings as seaside fishing
village to its rise as an international resort city that draws tens of
thousands of visitors each year.
 Her
Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn leads a procession of
students and officials to the top of Pratamnak Hill to inspect the radio
station.
Mayor Pairat Sutithamrongsawat, provincial and local
officials, and the general public warmly welcomed HRH Princess Sirindhorn on
her official visit to the city.
Drew Noyes, chairman of the Pattaya City Expat Club, was
called on by city officials to find photos and historical accounts of the
times spent in Pattaya by former United States Vietnam War veterans who were
stationed in the Pattaya area in the years of 1964-72.
 Drew
Noyes (center) and four retired US soldiers presented Her Royal Highness
with a beautifully bound Memory Book including the best 50 pictures and some
written historical accounts by US military servicemen of their wonderful
times spent in the then ‘quaint little fishing village’ of Pattaya.
Through members of the Pattaya City Expat Club and the
U-Tapao Reunion members, hundreds of old photos were found and printed for
display for HRH’s visit.
Drew Noyes, Sermsakdi Sabhanan and the four soldiers
presented Her Royal Highness with a beautifully bound Memory Book including
the best 50 pictures and some written historical accounts by US military
servicemen of their wonderful times spent in the then ‘quaint little
fishing village’ of Pattaya.
 The
adoring public lined the streets hoping to get a glimpse of their beloved
Princess.
Princess Sirindhorn and her students, along with Chonburi
Governor Pisit Ketphasook, Surapol Tiensuwan, Banglamung district chief,
Mayor Pairat Sutithamrongsawat, members of Pattaya City Council, and
hundreds of thrilled onlookers from the public were delighted with the
display of photos taken of the US military installations at U-Tapao and
Sattahip and of the Rest & Relaxation (R&R) photos of young GIs
playing on Pattaya’s beaches, helping to build Pattaya into the
entertainment and recreational beach resort it is today.
Princess Sirindhorn asked to be introduced to Sergeant
First Class Kenneth R. Bower, US Army, retired from San Antonio, Texas who
was one of the men responsible for building the satellite communication
stations for the Royal Thai Navy in 1972. The Princess told Sgt Bower that
the technology used at that time was so new and so advanced that the
stations are still in use today, but that now they are used for commercial
purposes rather than military purposes.
During the 20-minute discussion with the five Americans,
Princess Sirindhorn told the men she remembered when she was a little girl
the American military built an ice cream factory in Thailand to send ice
cream to the children of Vietnam. She said she got to eat it too, and it was
quite cold and very delicious. “Thai people had never had ice cream before
that time,” she said with a fond smile.
As Drew pointed out some of the many photos on display
and described them to HRH, she also shared several cherished memories of the
places enjoyed by the US soldiers. A famous restaurant of the Cold War Era
amongst the US military was the Barbos Restaurant run by a Greek man. The
Princess said she remembered going there with her father, His Majesty the
King. She also remembered the Royal Thai Navy Sailing Club located on the
beach across from where Mike’s Shopping Mall is now and how she went there
with her father many times when she was a young girl.
When the group looked at photos of primitive bamboo huts
on the beach HRH commented that she had slept in those huts when she was
younger for fun and really enjoyed Pattaya Beach.
Master Sergeant Eugene Ponce, US Air Force, retired, of
Nonthaburi, explained to HRH about the building of the Friendship Highway by
the US military engineers in the 1970’s linking Korat, Bangkok and Pattaya
together and how much his men enjoyed the friendly, kind manner of the Thai
people. Four of the five men are married to Thai citizens and HRH commented
how nice it is for the men to spend time with their wives in Thailand to
visit family.
Sergeant Peter R. Cabrey, US Air Force and Petty Officer
John Alt, US Coast Guard commented on how much they enjoy returning to
Pattaya year after year and what a wonderful beach resort Pattaya has become
since the early 1970s.
Princess Sirindhorn presented gifts to all of the men.
Following her visit to the beach HRH then made her way to
Pratamnak Hill to inspect the radio station and then moved onto the Pattaya
Park area. After which it was off to Sattahip to inspect the Chuk Samet
deep-water port where many naval vessels are stationed and to study more of
the area’s rich history and long association with the US Military before
returning to her other duties in the nation’s capital.
City calls for closure of Underwater World
Popular tourist venue fails to change parking arrangements to relieve traffic congestion
Damri Muangkaew
City officials are currently processing the necessary
paperwork to close Underwater World after the tourist attraction failed to
meet the deadline on revising their parking conditions.
The poorly planned parking facilities at Underwater World
have drawn strong criticism and numerous complaints regarding constant
traffic snarls on Sukhumvit Road. An inspection by city officials earlier
this month revealed that the car parking facilities were inadequate and the
venue was ordered by Pattaya’s mayor to rearrange and renovate the car
park to reduce congestion. The November 10 deadline was given, as was a
follow up survey.
It’s a
beautiful facility, but unfortunately there is very little parking space
available, so the city aims to close down Underwater World until management
can figure out where to park all the visiting vehicles and relieve traffic
congestion caused by cars and buses spilling out onto Sukhumvit Highway.
On November 11, Mayor Pairat Sutithamrongsawat and
municipal officers again inspected the venue and observed that no progress
had been made, even after the initial warning. The city is now processing
the necessary forms to forcibly close the venue until such time that the
company follows the order. However, traffic congestion is still plaguing
motorists until such time as the venue is closed or the facilities are
rearranged.
Aphiradee Bunsom, marketing manager for Underwater World
explained that the company’s management were not ignoring the orders or
sitting on their hands but were searching for adequate ways and means to
resolve the issue. Numerous meetings and discussions have led to the idea of
renting or buying land nearby to increase the parking space available for
the increasing number of tourists visiting the theme park. But the
previously agreed land price of 3 million baht per rai was recently
rejected. Greedy landowners have increased the price to 10 million per rai
making it economically unviable to purchase the land.
Despite this, Underwater World is willing to accept the consequences for
their actions and will comply with the law until such time as they are able
to rectify the problems. They intend to re-open once the issue is resolved.
Pattaya Business & Tourism Association prepares to host national
Chamber of Commerce meeting
Prime opportunity to promote the region
Suchada Tupchai
Discussions were held at the monthly Pattaya Business &
Tourism Association (PBTA) meeting to ready the city’s hotel and business
operators for the upcoming 21st National Chamber of Commerce meeting, scheduled
to be held at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel this weekend, November 22 and
23.
Joining the PBTA meeting at the Green Park Hotel on Wednesday
afternoon were representatives of the TAT Central Region 3 office and PBTA
members.
 Surat
Mekavarakul (left), PBTA vice president said, “This is a prime opportunity for
Pattaya, the TAT and business operators to present a good image and promote the
region during the meeting.”
Surat Mekavarakul, PBTA vice president said, “This is a
prime opportunity for Pattaya, the TAT and business operators to present a good
image and promote the region during the meeting. Chonburi has been honored to
host the event and this is an ideal time to present special tour packages and
discount rates to the over 1,000 people coming for the meeting.”
“Many of these businesspersons will likely visit the
city’s tourist attractions and I suggest that these venues provide discounted
rates to boost their business within the local market. A package tour consisting
of special hotel rates and entrance to places like Tiffany’s Show, Million
Years Stone Park, Mini Siam and Alcazar are being included in the package,”
Surat said.
Surat pointed out that the PBTA and the Chonburi Chamber of
Commerce enable the marketing power of the TAT to promote the venues and
encourage business operators to cooperate since many of the delegates attending
the annual conference will visit these venues after winding down their daily
obligations.
“The national meeting will also bolster the local economy and we should not
delay in properly preparing for the event,” concluded Surat.
Nearly all districts in Prachuap Khiri Khan declared as animal epidemic areas
All districts, except two, in the upper-southern province
of Prachuap Khiri Khan are now declared animal epidemic areas, as cattle in
the areas are suffering from foot and mouth disease.
Pongsak Chaisit, acting provincial livestock officer,
told reporters on November 15 that a large number of cattle in all districts
in the province, except Bang Saphan and Bang Saphan Noi, were found infected
with the disease. “The districts are, therefore, now declared as animal
epidemic areas, as Prachuap Khiri Khan is a major transit point of cattle
transport down to other provinces in the South, and even to neighboring
countries,” he said.
Pongsak said that a small amount of milk and meat could
be delivered from cows and bulls suffering from the disease, but to prevent
the infectious disease, local farmers are having their animals vaccinated.
Local consumers were also advised to wash and fully boil
all pieces of meat before they were served. “This is for the sake of their
own safety until the temporary declaration of the disease-stricken areas is
lifted,” added the senior cattle officer. (TNA)
Fingerprint collection begins for US visa applicants in Thailand
Information Resource Center,
Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy
On Friday, November 14, 2003 the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok will
begin collecting fingerprints from most applicants for nonimmigrant visas. The
collection of a “biometric* identifier” was mandated in Homeland Security
Act of 2002. Fingerprints were chosen because they believe them to be the most
effective and least intrusive biometric available.
The law requires that all U.S. embassies and consulates start
collecting fingerprints by October 26, 2004. By the end of November 2003, about
thirty posts will be collecting fingerprints.
The Consular Section will take prints of the right and left
index fingers. Fingerprints will be taken electronically. No ink is used, and
the process takes only a few seconds.
All visa applicants will be fingerprinted except: (1)
children under 14 years of age; (2) applicants over 79 years of age; (3)
employees of foreign governments and international organizations traveling on
official business.
Only those who are applying for a new visa must be
fingerprinted. Previously issued visas will remain valid; no one will need to
renew a valid visa until it expires. Travelers who do not require a visa do not
need to come to the embassy to be fingerprinted, though their fingerprints will
be taken when they arrive in the U.S.
Travelers entering the U.S. will have their fingerprints
matched to those collected at the time of visa application, thereby preventing
use of the visa by anyone other than the individual it was issued to.
Information on the implementation of this system at U.S. ports of entry is
available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website at:
http://www.dhs.gov/us-visit
Fingerprints will be used only by authorized officials and
for official purposes. There are no plans or agreements to share fingerprints
with any foreign government.
The collection of fingerprints is the latest step in the U.S.
government’s efforts to improve the security of the visa process. These
efforts will enhance the security of U.S. citizens and visitors, expedite
legitimate travel and trade, and ensure the integrity of the immigration system,
a press release from the US Embassy read.
* A “biometric identifier” is a measurable, physical
characteristic of a person which can be used to uniquely identify that person.
Biometric identifiers include: the face, fingerprints, hand geometry,
handwriting, patterns in the eye’s iris and retina, voice and others. The U.S.
National Institutes of Standards and Technology recommended the use of
fingerprints as the biometric to be used for visa purposes.
Chonburi courts host charity bowling tournament
Proceeds to fund vocational training for wayward kids
Suchada Tupchai
Chonburi Court judges and local organizations are taking
responsibility for the children that have been replaced on remand for
various legal offences. Over 200 teams of bowlers participated in the
charity bowling tournament held at the PS Bowl in Sriracha to raise funds
for vocational training for the children at the Chonburi Juvenile and Family
Court Observation & Protection Center.
 Chief
Judge Thamanoon Singsai rolls the first ball to get the charity bowling
tournament underway.
The center cares for boys and girls who have been brought
into court and are on remand, mainly on drug related charges. Instead of
languishing in cells, offenders will be taught skills which will eventually
allow them to earn a livelihood when they enter mainstream society.
Thamanoon Singsai, Chief Judge from the Court opened the day’s
proceedings with each team competing for the coveted Princess Sirindhorn
trophy. The event raised much needed money which will help fund this
venture.
Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens welcomes a new member to the family
Korean film crew in luck - films birth of baby elephant
Patcharpol Phanrak
Nong Nooch Gardens recently added another special member
to the family of elephants living in the compound. Twenty-year-old elephant,
Phangwassana gave birth to a new bouncing baby girl on November 14. The
birth of the animal’s third baby is special because Phangwassana had never
received any natural training as a young calf and as a result crushed her
first born.
 Young
mother Phangwassana keeps a close eye on her newborn as mahouts assist.
The elephant’s second calf, a male elephant called Plai
Bird was born on Chinese New Year in 2000 and had been raised by other
females on the farm.
Phangwassana’s history is a sad one, as her father was
killed by poachers for his ivory and her own mother died shortly thereafter
when she was just 3 months old. The young elephant’s mahout, Wanchai
Sukbunterng, kept a close watch on this latest birth to ensure that
Phangwassana would not harm her offspring.
At 2.09 a.m. the animal’s water broke and she went into
labor, just as a Korean film crew was in the midst of hosting a special
documentary.
The elephant has a special place in the heart of the garden’s owners
because she was one of the first elephants that the gardens had given refuge
to in 1983 when the, now popular tourist venue, was also in its infancy,
hence the name ‘Wassana’, which means good fortune.
Second Road remains one-way, for now
Officials remain undecided about Pattaya 2nd Road’s fate
Suchada Tupchai
At a city hall meeting last Monday, local officials were
unable to come to a definitive conclusion regarding the fate of Second Road,
so for now it will stay one-way.
Both sides of the issue are adamant about their cause,
and the debate became heated when city officials, council members, traffic
police, members of the private sector and researchers remained at odds as to
which direction the busy arterial should flow.
Present and future traffic loading was addressed, four
plans were suggested and the present and future limitations of each idea
were debated. One plan would be to return to the old two-way system, another
would be to keep it one-way, and the final two plans would be modified
versions of both.
Unable to reach a verdict agreeable to everyone, city
officers handed the issue over to researchers at the Prachomklao Institute
of Technology and asked them to take on the daunting task of coming up with
a viable plan that would satisfy all sides.
Officials added that current traffic flow, now that the
road construction has been completed, is much better and there have been
only minimal problems that need to rectified, whereas the previous system
was rife with problems, especially concerning the large number of tour buses
using both Second Road and Beach Road as their main routes.
Mayor Pairat Sutithamrongsawat said, “The current
traffic problems in the city are causing some discomfort for motorists, and
in particular business operators, particularly when it comes to tour buses.
We must study the matter further and look at resolving both short term and
potential long term problems and then strictly enforce them.”
Despite the constant banter, the issue remains unresolved
and a motion was forwarded to look at solving current problems and other
potential obstacles in both the single and bi-directional aspects before a
solid decision can be reached.
A follow up meeting and possible decision is scheduled to take place
within the next two months. So for now, Second Road remains One Way.
Act of chivalry by “Elvis” receives violent response
A good deed never goes unpunished
A recent incident brought injury to Pattaya’s own Colin
Young, better known as “Elvis”. In an attempt to break up a domestic
battering of a Thai lady by a Thai man, Colin sustained two broken fingers
and was scheduled for surgery later on in the week to repair his broken
digits.
“This is the third time I have gone to the aid of a
Thai lady and have been attacked. And in each incident, I was attacked by
both parties in return for my kindness. This will be my last act of
chivalry,” Colin said with a wry grin.
 Colin
nurses his broken fingers.
Colin has been an entertainer for many years and has
received numerous awards, including audiences with the Princess and the
Queen and hopefully with the King early next year.
Besides being an accomplished entertainer and performing
all over the world, Colin also has credits as an actor and has performed in
movies in Belgium, Holland and most recently, Thailand.
On the personal side, he has a quick wit and makes the
most out of comical situations. He also has a “Heart of Gold” performing
many benefit shows yearly for charity. “There is absolutely nothing this
man won’t do for the underprivileged,” stated a leading Pattaya
politician.
Colin has his own club located in Jomtien off of Beach
Road at Soi 7 about half way up.
Congratulations Colin on your latest awards and your acts
of kindness are always appreciated. But one suggestion - the next time you
are “cruising for a bruising” please put on a little extra armor.
Fake cop fingered by ‘real McCoy’ in Jomtien hotel lobby
Wolf in police clothing tries to impress the ladies
Boonlua Chatree
Ex-security guard Patrdech Lekglar was arrested at a
Jomtien hotel after suspicious staff reported his strange behavior. Patrdech
was dressed in a police uniform and was showing off to young ladies, trying
to impress them. When genuine police officers arrived, they asked the
imposter a number of questions including which training college he had
attended and his class number. When Patrdech failed the ‘pop-quiz’,
officers escorted him to the Dongtan Police box for further questioning.
 Patrdech
Lekglar’s life has taken some strange turns.
Patrdech finally confessed that he had bought the uniform
and badges and gave himself the rank of Pol. Captain to win the favor of any
woman who might be impressed by his performance. He told the real officers
that he was once a security guard but was fired from his job. When his wife
learned he’d lost his job she beat him up and left him.
Patrdech said that he had always fantasized about being a
policeman and procured the uniform in order to find a warm shoulder to lie
on. He added that his ex-wife worked in the hotel and he had intended to
make her jealous by flirting in the uniform.
Unmoved by Patrdech’s tale of woe, officers charged him
with impersonating a government employee and he now awaits trial.
Purse-snatching teens caught after robbing Russian tourists
First timers learn the hard way that crime doesn’t pay
Boonlua Chatree
Two teenagers were swiftly arrested by local police after
the wannabe thugs performed a ride-by theft involving two Russian tourists.
The tourists were walking back to their hotel in the area of Pattaya Park on
November 12 when the young crooks rode by and snatched the woman’s bag,
which contained 50,000 baht in cash and valuables.
The tourists immediately reported the crime to police
when they returned to their hotel. Police patrols in the area were able to
locate the muggers in Soi Norway, just a kilometer away, still clutching
their ill-gotten gains.
The boys, ages 15 and 17, confessed to their crime saying
it was their first attempt at robbing someone and had intended to use the
money to enjoy a night out.
The Russian tourists were pleased with the positive response they
received from local enforcement offices. The inept thieves were considerably
less euphoric when they were charged with theft and placed into custody.
Police raid prolific back-street abortion clinic
Operator admits performing over 1,800 procedures in one year
Boonlua Chatree
Following an investigation and armed with a search
warrant, police and local health officials raided a building in Soi Town in
Town suspected of performing illegal abortions. Officers entered the
building just as the latest customer, a 14-year-old girl, finished having an
abortion. She was allegedly accompanied by Pradit Netranong, Ban Chang
parliamentary member for Rayong Province. Officers confiscated medical
instruments and blood stained linen as evidence and detained both women for
questioning.
The clinic operator, identified as Somjai Bua Saeng,
confessed to performing abortion procedures on the second floor of the
building. Somjai told police that she had previously worked in other clinics
and decided to open her own. In just over 1 year in business, Somjai
admitted to performing the procedure on over 1,800 women between the ages of
14-19 at an average of 7-8 per day and discarded the remains of the fetuses
in a septic tank.
Two other people on the premises who told police they
cleaned and maintained the clinic were also arrested and charged with
working in an unlicensed medical clinic and involvement in performing
illegal medical procedures.
Somjai was charged with operating a medical practice
without a license and performing illegal operations incurring death in
unborn children. The 14-year-old girl was also charged with allowing an
abortion to be performed on her and was held in custody.
Rayong parliamentary member Pradit Netranong denied any
involvement and stated he knew nothing of the operation. Police released him
pending further investigation and said they may seek a court order for his
arrest later.
Municipal health officers and sanitation officers
collected the remains of the fetuses from the septic tank for forensic
testing.
Following the raid, young women were still knocking on
the clinic’s door the next day. All were detained for questioning.
Abortion is illegal in Thailand and carries harsh
penalties.
Indian tourist drowns
off South Pattaya Beach after drinking session
Boonlua Chatree
A 23-year-old Indian tourist, identified as Neelai Sharma
was dragged from the waters off South Pattaya Beach opposite Soi Yamato at
around 5 p.m. Saturday November 8. The man had drowned in front of his
friends, fellow tourists on holiday.
Sawang Boriboon personnel were first on the scene and
began searching for the man’s body; however, they were unable to locate
it. Water rescue units arrived after almost an hour after the initial call
and divers located the body a little more than 20 meters from shore.
Police questioned witnesses and the man’s friends and
learned that the tourists apparently had been drinking beer and were quite
soused when Neelai, who could not swim, decided to try his water skills.
When Neelai went under, the men called for help from nearby beach visitors.
His body was taken to the forensic institute for a post
mortem examination.
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