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Local government hosts the great bird flu defiance all you can eat event
A healthy round of wings all round if you please
Staff reporters
Hot in the news over the recent weeks has been the spread
of avian flu throughout the Asian region. As is customary, Thailand has
faced criticism from the international community for initially denying
presence of the disease, but after coming clean and dealing with the issue
the country is bouncing back to defend its reputation.
 Governor
Pisit Ketphasook (right) and his wife Samoekhae stir a big pot of kai paloe
together last Saturday, February 7, during the great national all you can
eat chicken cookout held to attempt to allay fears of avian flu.
In accordance with a directive from Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra, the governor of Chonburi hosted a promotional party on
Saturday February 7, simultaneously coinciding with all other provincial
governors nationwide to allay fears of the bird flu.
Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook brought together all
11 districts within the province to quash fears of catching the bird flu,
which has been highly publicized in the international press and is hurting
tourism. The idea was to let tourists know they cannot catch bird flu simply
by coming to Thailand.
 Pisit
Ketphasook put his words where his mouth is, or in this case, where his wife
Samoekhae’s mouth is, and the two chowed down on some tasty chicken.
Over two tons of chicken and duck and 60,000 eggs were
used to feed almost 10,000 people at the event, which equates to 6 eggs and
about half a kilo of chicken and duck per person. That’s one way to reduce
the avian population, and is much tastier than burying them all.
Emphasis was being placed on the safety of eating chicken
that has been cooked properly, and that people who handle poultry products
are safe if they follow hygienic practices.
 Drew
Noyes, president of Pattaya City Expats Club presents 10,000 baht to Surapol
Tiensuwan, Banglamung district chief to go towards food for Chonburi event.
Governor Pisit said, “We will beat this affliction that
has been affecting birds over the last two months ... today’s event is to
prove that poultry products are safe for consumption. We ask for cooperation
from everyone to maintain vigilance through this trying period. Today I ask
the media to inform the general public that it is safe to consume chicken,
duck and eggs and to help the farming community recover from their losses.
Today’s event is testament to the safety of bird products.
“Thailand has high standards equal to that of other
countries, so much so that the foreign community is ready to accept the
safety guarantees provided by the department of livestock. From here on,
Chonburi should aim to become the number one producer in the country and
supplier to the world’s kitchens,” concluded the governor.
The foreign community did get involved in the event, led
by 25 members of the Pattaya City Expats Club, representing Holland,
Germany, Italy, USA, England, Brazil, Norway and Trinidad. The Pattaya City
Expats Club was invited to participate in the national event and sponsored a
booth bearing its name, one of four Banglamung provided. The Crocodile Farm,
Ali Baba Restaurant, and Maesriruen Restaurant manned the others. The expats
donated 10,000 baht to the district chief for Maesriruen Restaurant to
produce some of the food for the event.
Since Banglamung district has the largest population of
foreign residents and is Thailand’s leading beach resort, the governor
said he was thankful for the support from the foreign community.
Bar owners submit official protest to change entertainment laws
Will Pattaya’s vibrant nightlife shut down at midnight?
Suchada Tupchai
The new regulations pertaining to entertainment venues
in Thailand have provoked the ire of business operators and triggered mass
objections. Not content to just mumble and complain, bar owners in Pattaya
are taking their case straight to the central government.
 Samphan
Cholharn, bar owners’ committee president (purple shirt) presents their
official protest document to Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat.
Pattaya is one of the world’s most popular tourists
resorts, but its sparkling nightlife and atmosphere of laid-back fun is
now under threat of becoming lifeless if the lights are turned off at
midnight.
Following the forming of a committee to represent
Pattaya bar owners, committee president Samphan Cholharn submitted the
protest document to Pattaya City administrators to pass on to the relevant
law makers in an attempt to discourage the tightening of regulations.
Bar owners around the country are up in arms over the
proposed new legislation that would see the operating times, as well as
their income, reduced greatly by only being allowed to open at 6 p.m. and
close at midnight. On top of these restrictions they are also opposing the
new licensing laws that involve a 50,000 baht initial registration fee
followed by an annual 10,000 baht license renewal tariff.
Samphan told reporters that the legislation would
definitely damage the smaller businesses and would reduce the number of
foreign tourists visiting Pattaya, which is the majority of their customer
base. “We want to block this new law so that we can continue to earn a
living,” said Samphan.
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat sympathizes with the
business owners. “The protest papers outline specific changes to the law
as requested by bar owners and apart from a few minor alterations it will
be passed on to the relevant committee in the Ministry of Interior for
review,” the mayor said.
“If the proposed legislation goes ahead it will have
a definite impact on tourism numbers. I believe that there are a number of
changes required to not only maintain order but allow business owners
breathing space. However, in all I think that the laws should not be
applicable to major tourist destinations such as Pattaya,” concluded the
mayor.
City remains vigilant to prevent bird flu infection in fresh markets
Workers scrub and disinfect to ensure public health
Suchada Tupchai
Acting on orders from the Ministry of Health, local health
officials and Pattaya municipal workers again visited the city’s fresh food
markets to continue their cleaning program to prevent possible infection by the
avian flu. No effort was spared to make sure the markets were squeaky clean.
 Under
the city’s close supervision, the markets are now being kept squeaky clean.
Chatchawal Chimtin, head of the municipality, led teams of
cleaners to the eight fresh food markets around Pattaya. The popular markets in
Naklua were also targeted, and government workers really put their backs into it
by scouring and hosing the areas with a sanitizing chlorine solution. Cleaners
also used scrubbing brushes to remove debris from the ground.
Chatchawal said, “According to health regulations each of
the markets must be properly cleaned at least once a week. Despite this rule,
unfortunately some of the markets remain in a deplorable state of filth.
Therefore, the city has taken measures into their own hands to make sure that a
proper cleanup is done, especially during this sensitive period with outbreak of
bird flu in the country.”
“Today’s cleaning program is in addition to the regular
schedule and part of the specific measures taken by the city to ensure that the
risk of infection is greatly reduced,” said Chatchawal.
City administration calls for creation of community association
Organized cooperation will boost village development
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya administrators called a meeting with community
leaders from around the region to push for the creation of a formal
community association to aid with development and the improvement of living
conditions for all residents.
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and deputy mayors,
Wuttisak Rermkijikarn and Nirun Wattanasartsathorn, chaired the first
meeting at city hall to present the idea to over 300 representatives who
attended the gathering.
“The important issue is to create the association and
have clear guidelines as to the rules and regulations. Once formed, the
association will be able to receive a budget allowance for community
development projects to further career opportunities for residents and for
rectifying problems.
Mayor Pairat said, “In the past, there has been no
clearly defined body to deal with community issues and the time is at hand
to do so. Unity builds strength and enhances the ability to improve living
standards through training programs and better income opportunities.”
A committee of twelve representing the communities of
Nong Yai, Wat Thamasamakee, Nongpankhae, Koh Larn, Nongtaback and Khaotalo
is to be formed, along with one president. Membership fees were set at 100
baht per person.
“Once the association is formed we must collect data
and information on each community. When we have more information as to the
status of these villages, we can find ways to address their problems for the
greater good of residents. They are the ones that matter,” concluded Mayor
Pairat.
Twelve Pattaya communities targeted for aid package for the poor survey
Looking at villages in need
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Provincial community development officials recently
announced that 12 Pattaya communities will be surveyed to assess and define
problem areas as part of the central government’s package to rid the
nation of poverty.
 Seri
Timtieng, Level 6 community developer, called a meeting with representatives
to announce that local communities will be surveyed to pinpoint areas in
need of assistance.
Level 6 community developer Seri Timtieng called a
meeting with representatives to announce the intended survey among each of
the area’s districts in order to pinpoint specific villages in need.
The survey will coincide with the central government’s
5-year plan to eradicate poverty, targeting main problems among residents
such as farmers with no land to earn a living, the homeless and those with
no fixed abode, persons forced into illegal activities to survive, residents
who have been cheated, aid for students at all levels to earn an honest and
appropriate income, and persons faced with insurmountable debt with no means
to repay it.
Seri told community representatives that public notices
must be posted in prominent locations for residents to either remove or add
their names to the register. They have until February 11 to do so. Once
registration is complete, officials will survey and interview those
registering for aid and make certain the requests are genuine.
Chonburi is one of eight provinces targeted in the
campaign. Registration at district offices began on December 6 last year and
will end on February 29.
Youth corrections officials learn the art of public relations
“It is our duty to care for troubled children”
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Officials from the Department of Youth Corrections under
the Ministry of Justice attended a two-day seminar on public relations and
news writing at the Nong Nooch Gardens meeting facility.
 Prof.
Thongtong Jantrangsu, deputy secretary, Ministry of Justice presented a
lecture to department officials.
Ninety persons from around the country attended the
seminar aimed at honing their skills in writing press releases and news
stories as part of the department’s aim at improving their image and that
of those under their care.
The current public understanding of youth detention
centers is that they are jails for children who have broken the law and that
detainees are rarely rehabilitated, therefore have little chance of
successfully re-entering society following their release.
The new campaign is to ensure that detention facility
officials relay the correct information and promote better community
relations to ensure the future stability of the country.
Such facilities are needed as a number of children have
been subjected to abuse or led into trouble by older and less scrupulous
role models.
Director general of the Department of Youth Corrections
Wanchai Rujanawong said, “It is our duty to care for and teach these
children and to help them make a successful transition into society after
release. Improving public relations and creating a better understanding
among the community as to what we do and why some these children are here is
part of the job. We must also ensure when they return to society they are
able to become valuable members of the community rather than be discarded
because of their past.”
Bay Watch
Cancer Sala for smokers
Ekachai Kamolsri
Health and safety in the work environment has reached the
region and the forward-thinking Unithai Shipyard Engineering Co. Ltd. has
created not only a convenient location outside for smokers but reminds them
that their addiction is endangering their lives.
 The
national anti-smoking lobby and ministry of health has banned smoking in
air-conditioned buildings and while it is more directly related to the
restaurant industry, private companies are moving in the same direction for
office buildings to protect those who prefer not to smell or partake of the
addictive tobacco weed.
In the past, smoking was fashionable and a status symbol,
but today smokers are the social pariahs in many environments, particularly
from increasing numbers of non-smokers.
Unithai is encouraging their staff to reduce their habit
and eventually quit. The sign, labeled ‘Sala Mareng’ or Cancer Sala,
makes an obvious statement about their commitment.
Woman calls health officials to remove sick pigeon from her kitchen
Fear factor rises with avian flu outbreak
Boonlua Chatree
Fearing possible infection, a local resident on Pattaya
Second Road called the health department for assistance after a sick pigeon
fell into her kitchen.
 This
sick little bird fell out of the sky and into Angkana Thammarphijan’s
kitchen. Fearing bird flu, she called health officials to have it carted
away.
Angkana Thammarphijan called officials Thursday afternoon
after she found a very sick looking pigeon in her kitchen. The tiny 300 gram
bird had apparently fallen into the open area for no apparent reason.
Local health officials moved in to capture and examine
the expiring pigeon. The bird appeared to have swollen eyes and was
definitely in poor health.
Placing on their masks and latex gloves, officials
removed the bird from the woman’s premises and took it to a nearby lab to
test it for bird flu before disposal.
As a precautionary measure health department officers
treated the woman’s kitchen with anti-bacterial chemicals to reassure her
and her neighbors they were not in danger of infection from the bird.
The pigeon is thought to have come from a nesting site at
a nearby hotel. The health department said they will monitor the site and
continue a sweep of the area.
Woman jumps from 12th floor condo balcony
Reason for plunge still unknown
Boonlua Chatree
Forty-one-year-old English woman Linda Diana Burgoyne
plunged to her death from a 12th floor condo in Jomtien last Saturday
afternoon, but the reasons behind her death are still unclear, even to her
husband.
Police were called to the View Talay Condominium in
Jomtien shortly after midday on Saturday, February 7 following a report of
the death of a foreign woman who fell from the condo’s Building B.
Officers arrived on the scene to find the shattered body
lying on the concrete near a Mitsubishi pick-up truck. Her body was
transferred to the police forensic institute for a post mortem examination.
Investigating police questioned Jon Christopher, 52, the
woman’s husband, who told officers that he and his wife had been drinking
and had arrived at the condo two hours prior. He said that as he was
unpacking their suitcases, Linda opened the balcony door and climbed up on
the railing. He said when he saw Linda on the railing he tried to stop her
from jumping but was not quick enough.
Jon Christopher added that he was at a loss as to why his
wife had committed suicide.
Englishman keeps police at bay for 4 hours in suicide standoff
Dedicated officers prevent tragedy
Boonlua Chatree
Cool headed and persevering local police officers stuck it
out for 4 hours as they soothed, coaxed and cajoled 32 year-old Englishman
Thomas Royston out of committing suicide. Severely distressed, Royston had
locked himself in the bathroom of his Soi Day & Night apartment and
attempted to slit his own throat.
Police received a call from concerned people at the South
Pattaya apartment building. When officers arrived at the 4th floor apartment
they found a small amount of blood on the floor. Royston had already wounded
himself with a knife, had barricaded himself in a locked toilet, and was still
in a highly agitated state.
For 4 hours the police patiently tried to calm the foreigner
down and encourage him to give up the suicide attempt. Apparently Royston was
upset at the fact that his boyfriend, identified as Narongchai Suriyayen, 29,
was seeing someone else.
Determined police managed to contact the man’s partner and
the incident ended with Royston being taken to hospital to be treated for his
wounds.
The Englishman was also said to have taken medication prior
to the incident which may have escalated his emotional state.
Foreign tourists arrested in Soi 8 melee
Strange tale, but set right by police officer’s superior
Boonlua
Chatree
Soused Finnish tourist Jari Majamaki evidently decided he
did not want to pay his bar bill at the Sexy Bar in Soi 8 at closing time on
Sunday night. This did not thrill the bar manager, a Thai national, and a
fight ensued with both men landing punches.
 The
protagonists: Soused Finnish tourist Jari Majamaki (striped shirt and
glasses, handcuffed in the background) who evidently decided not to pay his
bar bill, the irate bar manager (plain shirt, handcuffed front left, who
later fled the police station), the German man who evidently tried to break
up the fight Rolf Jeske (red shirt, handcuffed to his girlfriend) Maisaroh
Yamrung (red striped top), and arresting plainclothes Pol. Serg. Maj.
Saewong Potehap (front left, yellow shirt, doing the handcuffing) who took
the entourage to the police station and demanded the German pay 35,000 baht
for the Finn’s broken eyeglasses.
Caught in the middle was German Rolf Jeske, who
apparently attempted to prevent the pair from fighting but was dragged into
the middle of the argument.
Police arrived on the scene and arrested all involved,
taking them to the nearby police station. Handcuffed, the three men were led
into the station but as soon as the police took off the cuffs, the Thai
national fled the scene. Police appeared not to be concerned about the man
and proceeded to question the two foreigners.
A twist in the events took place when it was revealed
that the Finn was a friend of the police officer, identified as Pol. Serg.
Maj. Saewong Potehap, a plainclothes officer who promptly ordered the German
to pay 35,000 baht for the Finn’s eyeglasses. He then proceeded to put
Rolf Jeske in jail.
After hearing and seeing the threats against Jeske,
girlfriend Maisaroh Yamrung immediately reported the activities to the
police officer’s superior, Pol. Lt. Col. Chachawal Phisitwong, deputy
superintendent in charge of the criminal investigation unit. She told him
that her partner had only tried to prevent the fight and was dragged into
the middle, adding that the police officer in question was doing the wrong
thing.
Upon hearing the complaint Pol. Lt. Col. Chachawal called
in the junior officer and “hauled him over the coals,” telling him he
had to be responsible for his friend’s bar bill and that even if he was
off duty he needed to set an example to the public.
“Police in Thailand already have a damaged reputation
because of bad seeds and we (the police) must set a good example, regardless
of whether on duty or not. And if you’re not, then you are also prevented
from wearing a firearm, especially when drinking ... there’s no telling
what could happen. Don’t make the situation worse,” Pol. Lt. Col.
Chachawal told the junior officer.
Pol. Lt. Col. Chachawal then ordered Pol. Serg. Maj.
Saewong Potehap to set the foreigners free.
Following the order everyone left, thanking the senior
officer for setting the matter straight and saving the face of Pattaya
police, for now.
Grenade attack destroys Internet cafe in the middle of the night
No one inside, but shop owner next door injured in the blast
Boonlua Chatree
An M26 grenade was used in an attack on the Jasmine Turbo
Internet shop located on Soi Bua Khao shortly before 2 a.m. on February 7.
Police were alerted to the crime by a phone call from the owner of a mobile
phone shop next door. The caller suffered three broken teeth from the force
of the explosion.
 Someone
was obviously not happy with either the staff or ownership of this internet
shop (connection speed too slow? Too many cutoffs?), and blasted the
storefront with a grenade.
Officers arrived on the scene to find the internet shop
in ruins. Ten computers and the shop front window were damaged beyond
repair, and there was a large hole in the concrete caused by the explosion.
Surveying the area, police discovered remnants of a military issue M26
grenade.
Investigators questioned Rungrat Onarpon, 35, owner of
the neighboring mobile phone shop, which also sustained damage from the
blast. Rungrat said he was drinking in his shop with friends after closing
for the night when he heard a motorcycle pull up outside.
He said he looked out his window and saw the pillion
passenger throw something at the internet shop before speeding off. He went
to investigate and saw a small ball-like object. Thinking nothing of it, he
turned to go back inside when it exploded. The blast knocked him to the
ground and broke three of his teeth. Rungrat called police when he regained
his composure.
Remarkably, only Rungrat was injured in the attack, since
the internet shop had closed at 10 p.m. that night. Police suspect that
those responsible for the attack were part of a group of local teens that
hang out near the internet shop who may have had a tiff with a staff member.
Investigations into the attack continue.
Gang of ride-by teens nabbed after robbing English tourist
Teenage delinquents finger 5 more partners in crime
Boonlua Chatree
The arrest of two teens, after they ripped off a
tourist’s bag near the Central Festival Center, North Pattaya at around 2
a.m. on February 4, led to the arrest of another 5 culprits at a Naklua
apartment after the first two led police to their friends.
David Alan, 59, from England reported the initial ride
by-theft to Pattaya police in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The
tourist told police that two young men in their teens rode past him and
snatched his bag containing his passport, 230 pounds sterling and 17,000
baht as well as credit cards.
Police threw a dragnet around the city and caught the two
thugs, identified only as Prasit and Sanchiai, both 15 years old, still in
possession of David Alan’s belongings.
During questioning the miscreants confessed and added
they had committed a string of similar crimes, after which they would flee
to the outer limits of Banglamung to elude capture. They said when the heat
was off they would sell the stolen goods for cash to buy marijuana for
themselves and their friends. During interrogation the two youths agreed to
lead police officers to an apartment in Naklua Soi 5.
When police arrived at the apartment they found another 5
teenagers smoking marijuana. Officers also discovered more stolen goods
including a number of mobile phones, ID cards, women’s handbags and
jewelry, booty from a string of other robberies.
The seven youths were charged with theft and possession
of a class five illegal substance and now face legal proceedings.
Unfortunately, the case against the teens will most
likely lead nowhere as there is no current law to hold these juvenile
delinquents for an extended jail period.
Mayor turns down approval
for water park over safety concerns
“Come back when information is complete,” says Pairat
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Representatives of the Aquapark in Jomtien were asked to
return with more detailed information on their concept after Mayor Pairat
Suthithamrongsawat refused their request for an operating license.
 Aquapark
company representatives present their case to city administrators.
Kemdee Breechkin, director of Eugenie Company Limited,
made the application for approval for a water park located on Jomtien Beach.
The company, a joint venture between Thai and foreign investors, decided
that the location near Somprasong Plaza would an ideal place for the venture
and an opportunity to improve the area’s tourism numbers.
The initial proposal featured water rides called the
iceberg, hydro barrel, catapult, slide, trampoline and beam, all inside a 50
meter by 50 meter area.
Looking over the submission, the mayor told Kemdee that
the current documentation was insufficient to give an approval and cited his
concerns over the level of safety of the various attractions in the park.
“The idea is good but until we have all the necessary
information and data on the equipment as to safety standards and quality of
material, we cannot give approval. If we do so without asking for the
relevant documents and an accident occurs, it would do more damage to the
city’s reputation than the potential value of the venue,” concluded the
mayor.
New electoral regulations come into play to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates
Suchada Tupchai
With little more than a month to go, the action is
heating up for the 2004 elections. New tighter electoral regulations and
guidelines will give candidates a more even playing field with expenditure
of self promotion being limited to 800,000 baht for mayoral candidates and
200,000 baht for those campaigning for city council membership.
 From
left: Ronakij Eaksingh, acting director of the municipal clerk office,
Apichart Puechphan, director of the election monitoring committee and
Charley Duangdara, chief of city management officers and chairman of the
election meeting.
A recent meeting at city hall, the legislation was
announced to potential members to ensure that all potential candidates
understand the iron clad rules.
Apichart Puechphan, director of the election monitoring
committee presented the various electorates around the region and announced
the definite date as March 27.
A total of four electorates were announced, with each
zone allowing 6 candidates for city council.
Electorate 1 includes ‘moo bans’ (villages) 6, 7 and
8, in Nongplalai; Banglamung district villages 1 through 4 and parts of Moo
5 in Naklua.
Electorate 2: Naklua Moo 6, villages 5, 6, 11 and 13 in
Nongprue.
Electorate 3: Parts of Moo 5, Moo 7 both in Naklua and
Moo 9 in Nongprue.
Electorate 4: Villages 10 and 12 in Nongprue and Moo 4 in
Huay Yai.
Registered residents in each area are able to vote in the
elections following further inspection by electoral committee officials.
Also announced at the meeting were the dates for
registration of candidates and relevant fees for the each position. Election
candidates are able to register from February 17 to 21 from 8.30 a.m. to 4
p.m. and each must pay a fee. The fee for candidates campaigning for Mayor
is 10,000 baht. The amount is 5,000 baht for city councilor candidates and
all have a set maximum expense allowance (at their own cost).
Pattaya City has budgeted 5 million baht for this
year’s elections as well as setting a limited number of balloting booths
at Banglamung district Office, Nongyai Temple, Pattaya Schools 5 and 7.
Ballots will then be transferred to Pattaya School No. 2
for counting and inspections will be performed to detect any discrepancies
in the process.
Timings for the election have yet to be announced, but
the city will engage in a public relations campaign to inform the voting
residents as to what is required as well how to register any official
reports of incongruity among candidates.
Despite the current ban on campaigning, a number of signs
have already been sighted around Pattaya.
Those intending to campaign for mayor include Paisan
Bundityanond, owner of Rabbit Resort, Vichien Thungtham under the Thai Rak
Thai party, Niran Wattanasartsathorn under the Rak Pattaya group and
Wuttisak Remkijikarn - both currently deputy mayors.
Current mayor, Pairat Suthithamrongsawat added that if
the powers that be allow, he will run again for mayor as an independent.
Pairat has already served the maximum four terms as mayor.
Whatever the case may be, once the proverbial ‘cat is
out of the bag’ from February 17, this year’s elections will be a
spectacle to be observed.
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