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Songkran dumps 600 million baht in Pattaya’s tourism coffers
Although most people associate
the Songkran New Year festivities with water throwing, business owners hope
that it is a time when the public is equally willing to throw around its
cash. And for Pattaya, Thailand’s most popular resort town this year’s
Songkran celebrations brought businesses over 600 million in revenue despite
the fact that hotels were not booked to full capacity.
According to Niti Khongkrut, director of the Tourism
Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Third Region Office, Pattaya witnessed a
lively Songkran period this year. While conceding that the shorter holiday
period this year meant that hotel capacity was down to 70 percent, he said
that tourists spent an average of 1,600 baht per person per day, bringing
the town revenue of 600 million-plus.
Although Pattaya is famous for its nightlife industry -
it is a favored destination for foreign visitors. Niti said that 90 percent
of those visiting during the Songkran period were Thai, as Songkran fell
outside the main tourist high season. He also noted that the Songkran
revelry this year had been more “civilized” than in the past. (TNA)
Fire razes Natural Park Resort in Jomtien
3 million baht in estimated damages
Boonlua Chatree
Shortly before 3.30 a.m. on April 18 a fire broke out at a
second floor apartment in the Natural Park Beach Resort in Jomtien. Staff, on
duty police and nearby residents battled the flames while waiting for
firefighters to arrive. Damages caused by the fire have been estimated at
around 3 million baht.
Fire
gutted the second floor of the Natural Park Beach Resort in Jomtien.
Alex Hayden-Gilbert, 23, and his younger brother Rupert,
18, nearby residents in the Coconut Beach Condo, noticed the fire and rushed
to the aid of staff to help put out the fire. In a phone interview with the Pattaya
Mail, Alex said his brother was watching TV and saw the flames coming
from the building nearby. He and his brother ran out with fire extinguishers
in hand to do what they could until fire units arrived.
“We saw the fire but could not see anyone around as it
grew. We just wanted to help. It was frightening because the fire was so
intense but it was just something we had to do,” said Alex.
The fire began in room 501 on the second floor. The room
was unoccupied and no one sustained any injuries during the blaze. When
firefighters arrived, it took just thirty minutes to control the blaze in
the 50 sq.wah section of the building.
“I think they (the hotel staff) were happy to see we
were ready to help,” added Alex.
The building had a sprinkler system installed.
Police attending the scene questioned Pratum Wongsawat,
hotel manager and Ampol Woolputh, front office staff member who told police
that the building was vacant.
They rushed in with fire extinguishers to put out the
fire while other on duty staff members tried to remove furniture and
electrical goods from the room, which potentially added fuel to the flames.
Eight trucks and 30 firemen attended to dousing the
flames. The second story of the building was completely gutted.
An investigation into the possible cause of the fire
revealed that the fire was most likely caused by a faulty electrical box.
Fire investigators will examine the building thoroughly to determine how the
fire started.
Damage could have been worse if it not were for the quick thinking
actions of nearby residents Rupert and Alex Hayden-Gilbert who ran to aid
hotel staff in an effort to prevent the fire from spreading. Such community
spirit should be rewarded.
Are there still sick chicks in Chonburi?
Hopefully will receive clean bill of health on April 27
Veerachai Somchart
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is awaiting
the all clear from Chonburi officials that the area is free of bird flu, but
Chonburi is still on the risk list as the April 27 deadline approaches.
Ministry and Livestock Department officials have given
the thumbs-up to all but two (Chonburi and Khon Kaen) of the 41 provinces
under close observation for avian flu following the epidemic that affected
Thailand and many parts of Asia.
Providing there are no new outbreaks, Chonburi may soon
be designated as free of the avian flu. Khon Kaen passed its April 15
deadline but Chonburi must wait until April 27 before the poultry industry
is given a clean bill of health. Nawin Chitchop, deputy agriculture and
cooperatives minister, said chickens in central Chonburi tested positive for
the virus on April 7. Stricken areas can technically be considered free of
the disease if no new cases are found over a 21-day period. After that,
farmers can breed birds again.
Ministry and livestock officials revealed that despite
Thailand being designated free of the virus, they are still cautious and
have continued monitoring poultry for any signs of an outbreak and are
keeping a close eye on areas that were affected.
Nawin said, “Progress has been made in reducing the
outbreak of avian flu and many of the provinces affected have been virus
free over the last two months. The government has begun assisting farmers in
the 59 affected provinces. Both Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen have officially
been declared virus free, as of April 15. Only Chonburi remains.
“Each area has been monitored for 90 days. Despite
giving the green light, livestock officials are still monitoring the
situation closely,” added Nawin.
The central government had announced guidelines under
which poultry farmers could request assistance to get back on their feet
following the epidemic. A number of operations are being investigated
because some unscrupulous farmers had quoted inflated figures.
The deputy minister also revealed that after Chonburi
gets the all clear, there will be a further month of monitoring to ensure
there is no likelihood of a renewed threat and that there is officially no
bird flu in Thailand.
Pattaya hosts anti-drug exhibition
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Narcotics Control Department has uncovered the
beginnings of an ecstasy and ketamine drugs increase on the east coast of
Thailand, in the east region and Bangkok markets.
In response, the Pattaya Health and Environment Department
held an anti-drug exhibition, quiz and games at Central Court, Central
Festival Center, in Pattaya on April 9.
Apichart Puechpun, the city’s temporary mayor during the
election process, presided over the ceremony.
Urging the elimination of the drug problem, the department
called for cooperation from the public and local organizations, including the
Central Festival Center Pattaya and Burapha University’s public health
faculty, as well as Pattaya police station.
The Chonburi declaration of War against Drugs of February
1, 2003, has led to an effective drive in reducing the drug problem. However,
continuous monitoring of the narcotics situation has revealed that the drug
problem still exists in some parts of Pattaya.
The April 9 exhibition, quiz and games campaigning against the narcotics
problem in Pattaya attracted many members of the public.
Provincial council chairman announces wide range of policies for a better Chonburi
The Chonburi provincial administration organization held
its second general meeting on April 15.
Pinyo Thanwiset, chairman of the provincial
administration organization (PAO), promised that it would operate “on a
clear and transparent basis”.
He and his team announced new policies on further
development of the province in the fields of education and vocational
training, sports, tourism promotion, and industry and commerce in order to
improve the economic status of Chonburi residents.
Cultural and religious affairs and natural resource
preservation and environmental conservation were also addressed.
The policy announcements included:
* To boost the standard of education in the way students
are taught as well as teacher development programs, improved curriculum with
foreign language training, textbooks and equipment both in the schoolroom
and on the sports field.
* To add further provisions for improved communications
through better use of modern technology and to ensure that each ampur
(district) in the province has one modern school that has all the facilities
necessary to enable students to develop their skills at an international
level.
* To boost the tourism industry within the province by
creating new destinations and include communities as home-stay venues as
well as further marketing in association with the TAT to ensure Chonburi
becomes Thailand’s most well-known province to visit, thereby boosting
local products under the OTOP (One Tambon One Product) scheme.
* To bolster the economic status within the industrial
and vocational training sectors in order to raise the standard of living for
residents and promote investment opportunities - which includes raising the
standards of local products for export as well as increased marketing
ventures.
* Natural resource preservation and environmental
conservation policies to encompass better waste disposal and water treatment
facilities among district administration organizations (DAOs) and embark on
an educational campaign to spark better care by residents with regard to
natural bush land and mountainous areas, the beach fronts and water
resources.
* Improve functionality of the public health system in
providing a wider range of public health and information services for
residents and include visiting smaller communities to carry out such
activities.
* Educational support in the field of arts, culture and
religion for Chonburi residents.
* Increase security in the region to stem crime and
potential threats from outside forces under the central government policies,
down to the continuing war on drugs.
* Enable each DAO, municipality and Pattaya City to plan
its own development programs under provincial guidelines.
* Consumer protection policies enabling local government
offices to act in the interest of both consumers and producers.
* Review procedures and practices within government
organizations and improve training and development for civil servants as
well as upgrade communications using the latest technologies as to better
serve the public and improve efficiency.
Pinyo said residents were welcome to attend council
meetings and make suggestions on how to develop the province for the benefit
of all.
The PAO team consists of Pinyo (chairman); Rewat
Pollukin, Pisute Pitarnusorn and Rhonathep Anuwat (deputies); and Phansak
Khetwatapa (secretary).
They will be assisted by Cheaw Maneewong (education
adviser), Chanyuth Hengtrakul (general adviser), Charoen Intudom (political
adviser) and Poramet Ngamphichet (economic adviser).
Haunted ancient porcelain
blamed for death of two divers
Fears of curse prompt villagers to bring their porcelain pieces to local temple
Patcharapol Parnrak
Two divers were found dead after their secret quest to
retrieve ancient Sukhothai porcelain from Sattahip waters.
Their deaths were claimed to be a result of taking the
historic pieces of pottery from the bottom of the sea for commercial
purposes.
This ghostly story began to spread when many pieces of
the 700-year-old porcelain were left in Thepprasit Temple or Wat Taotan,
Sattahip.
 Locals
fear this ancient Sukhothai porcelain is haunted.
Pra Boonsong Juntima, the deputy abbot told reporters,
“On March 29, a mysterious man took all these pieces of ancient Sukhothai
porcelain to the temple without giving any reasons.”
Apart from the porcelain, a human bone was found in a
clump of coral sticking to some black porcelain.
During the interview with Pra Boonsong, a man named Sahus
Chamnongnarinruk, 49, walked into the residence with a strange appearance
and howling voice.
“Will you all stop stealing the porcelain from the
sea!” he shouted. “Whoever takes or possesses them, return them to where
they come from, and I will forgive you!
“Fine! That’s fine, you took the ancient pottery to
the temple, where I have been searching for it.”
Then he touched the pieces of porcelain and the bone. A
short while later, he appeared stunned and silent. He later told the shocked
crowd who had gathered that he had no recollection of what he had done and
that he had just been in a state of unconsciousness.
Later, Sattahip Rojanathammastan Rescue Foundation
officers reported that a dead man’s body was found floating near Koh
Changklua, in the Samaesarn Bay area. The body was decomposed and headless,
with only blue underwear and a small fabric belt left on it.
However, it was thought the corpse could be that of
Private 1st Class Tawin La-ongaek, who had gone missing in the Sattahip
waters with his friend Private 1st Class Sukchai Kunkete on March 26.
Sukchai’s body had previously been found.
The two Marine officers had been hired by Dang and Tuk of
Samaesarn to dive for the ancient Sukhothai porcelain in Sattahip waters,
although they did not have any proper diving tools. The pieces of porcelain
were said to be secretly sold to high-ranking government officials in the
Pakpanung district in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
People believe that taking these porcelain pieces from
the sea caused the death of these two officers.
After news of this ghost story spread, people who possessed ancient
porcelain left them at Wat Taotan, fearing they would be cursed. A novice
monk at the wat said he could no longer stay there as he felt that unseen
shadows were walking about all the time.
South Pattaya businesses take time off to celebrate
Suchada Tupchai
South Pattaya business owners held their own Songkran
festivities on April 11 in front of the OD Bowl as the rest of the nation
prepared for the traditional Thai New Year celebrations.
The festivities, which ran until April 19, were opened by
Niti Kongrut, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Central Region
3.
 Niti
Kongrut (center), TAT Central Region 3 director, presided over the opening
of the South Pattaya Songkran festivities and was joined by other guests.
The event drew a great deal of interest from residents
and tourists who were preparing for the annual wet week.
Numerous activities featuring local musicians and
restaurants were held, in preparation for Pattaya’s official “Wan Lai”
on April 19.
A very
colorful long drum procession was as much fun for the people in the parade
as it was for the audience.
The aim was to promote the more traditional side of
Songkran to both local and international tourists.
“This is a great opportunity for South Pattaya
residents and businesses to create a lively atmosphere for Songkran 2004,”
Niti said. “This is the first time this type of fair is being held and is
one of the many activities Pattaya has to offer the world.”
During the week-long session of fun a number of activities were held,
including som tam making competitions, flower arranging and sand sculpture
contests.
Woman receives 50 stitches
after assault by foreign tourist
A woman received over 50 stitches after a drunken foreign
tourist allegedly smashed a broken beer bottle in her face because she
refused his advances.
 Kantima
Harnborint received over 50 stitches when drunken Frenchman Cy Lin allegedly
hit her with a broken beer bottle.
Police arrived on Walking Street in South Pattaya just
before 3 a.m. on April 11 after receiving a report of the assault. They
found 24-year-old Kantima Harnborint lying unconscious on the street, being
cared for by her friends. The woman was taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital
for treatment.
Witnesses told police that a foreigner with a dark
complexion who appeared to be drunk had attacked Kantima before fleeing from
the scene.
Officers patrolled the area and caught the suspect,
identified as Cy Lin, a French passport-holder. He was taken into custody
and charged with grievous bodily harm.
Police then made their way to the hospital where the
injured woman, who had regained consciousness, gave a statement.
Kantima said she and some friends were leaving a South
Pattaya disco when the suspect began to harass her. She said she refused his
advances because she was “an honorable woman and would not accept such
behavior”.
The man, angered by her rebuff, then allegedly smashed a
beer bottle on the ground and threw it into her face with great force.
Kantima is recuperating while the suspect faces judicial proceedings.
Two monks arrested for drug use
To face their karma in court
Sattahip police have arrested two monks from a Na Jomtien
temple after both tested positive for amphetamine use.
The two men apparently have been buying the drug from a
former novice since the last Soccer World Cup.
 Former
monks Wuthisak and Ampol were charged with possession and use of a class one
illegal substance.
Criminal investigation detectives raided an apartment in
the Jomtien area after receiving a tip-off that the tenant, 20-year-old
Kritichai Kritgun, was selling ya ba (methamphetamines).
However, Kritichai had fled the apartment before they
arrived.
Further investigations led police officers to two monks
at the Na Jomtien temple. A sting operation was planned with undercover
officers baiting the unsuspecting monks by placing the drug in the Kuti
(monk’s dwelling) of Pra Wuthisak Jaimun and Pra Ampol Potethong, both 25
years old.
Police revealed their operation and tested the monks for
drug use after discovering a pill stashed in a menthol container.
Both men, who had been ordained as monks four and five
years ago respectively, returned positive tests and were escorted to the
head of the region’s temples in Sattahip.
They were defrocked and later taken to the Sattahip
police station for questioning.
They confessed to using the drug after becoming addicted
during the last FIFA World Cup, claiming that the drug helped them to stay
awake and watch the matches.
The man who encouraged them to use the drug, Kritichai,
had met them as a novice when Kritichai’s father had died a number of
years earlier, they claimed.
They added that Kritichai would buy the drug from a
Pattaya dealer and then sell it to them for a small profit.
Money for their addiction was collected through donations
to the temple and during funeral ceremonies.
They said they did not think that they would be caught
because they only used the drug inside the temple grounds.
Former monks Wuthisak and Ampol were charged with possession and use of a
class one illegal substance and now face their immediate karma in the court
system.
Police briefs
Three Sunee Plaza bars busted for
lewd, illegal activities
Still on their social crusade, local police officers from
three separate divisions raided three go-go bars in Sunee Plaza.
Officers stormed the first bar shortly before 1 a.m. on April
8 and detained 18 youths between the ages of 15 to 18 for dancing naked on
stage. Police also discovered that the venue was operating without the
appropriate licenses and arrested the bar manager.
They were taken to the Pattaya police station, fined and
charged with conducting inappropriate activities in defiance of the law.
Police then raided the second bar, nearby, which was also
operating without a license. The bar manager and 15 employees aged between 18
and 19 were taken in for questioning. The manager was charged with operating an
entertainment venue illegally.
The third bar police entered on the same night and in the
same area was also found to display lewd shows with underage staff. It too was
operating without a license.
Everyone was hauled down to the police station for
questioning and fined 500 baht. The manager was charged with illegally operating
an entertainment venue, allowing lewd entertainment to take place and employing
underage staff.
Region 2 police smash theft ring
Four gang members of a ride-by theft ring targeting foreign
tourists have been busted.
A joint operation between Region 2 and Pattaya police smashed
the theft ring.
The thieves had mugged and stolen from foreign tourist on
several occasions. The two most recent incidents took place on Pattaya Beach
Road, near Soi 4 and Soi 11.
The victims have identified their attackers.
Nineteen-year-old Preecha Chaiprasert, 22-year-old Put
Wongpakdee, 24-year-old Chawalit Boonsongwon and a 17-year-old girl who cannot
be named because she is a minor, confessed to their crimes. They said they would
watch bars on their motorcycles for potential victims. They would ride past
their victims, grab their bags and then divide the cash among themselves before
moving on to their next target.
Police confiscated a number of stolen items as evidence as
well as two motorcycles reportedly used to carry out the crimes.
The four suspects have been charged with theft and possession
of stolen goods, and face lengthy jail sentences if convicted.
Drug Dealer Detained
A suspected drug dealer has been arrested near the Mr Donut
Cafe on Beach Road in South Pattaya. Police received a tip-off last week that
drugs were being sold near Mr Donut, and rushed to the scene. Somporn Sudheed,
30, was allegedly found carrying four packs of marijuana, three packs of Kratom
and eight packs of white powder which police surmised to be cocaine powder. The
officers confiscated the drugs, a mobile phone and 120 baht in cash. Somporn was
charged with possessing illegal drugs with intent to sell. Investigations are
continuing.
American man murdered
in Pattaya jail cell
Boonlua Chatree
Brian Dunn, 30, an American national was found dead in a
Pattaya jail at around 1 a.m. on April 16. Dunn had been in detention for
seven days for a visa overstay was found with multiple bruises and contusion
to his face and body.
The second floor holding facility in Pattaya police
station currently houses around 80 people and police monitoring the cell
reported the death of the foreigner to the investigative department before
transferring the dead man to Banglamung Hospital as a formality, as police
were ‘unsure’ as to whether the man had died.
Nonetheless, tests revealed that he had been dead for at
least one hour.
The multiple bruises and apparent strangulation marks
around the man’s neck may well have been the cause of death; however, the
body was sent to the forensic institute for a post mortem examination.
Reports suggest the foreigner was prone to infrequent
howling and police surmise that his death was caused by violent prisoners
annoyed with this behavior.
The fact that police have failed to provide any further
evidence in the case leaves many questions, including the lack of
supervision and/or due care for prisoners inside the holding facility.
Another foreigner was murdered in the Pattaya jail cell
last year and besides the four men convicted of committing the offence,
little evidence has come to light over the incompetence of police officers
in charge of the facility.
Police gatecrash drug party following string of arrests
In an attempt to avoid arrest, one suspect jumps off sixth story balcony
Banglamung police, hot on the trail of drug dealers and users, gate
crashed a drug party at the Pak Condominium on April 8 and arrested six
people.
Earlier, officers had raided an apartment in Sukhumvit
Soi 19 after an anonymous tip off. Sirimonkol Saksri, who rented the unit,
was arrested after police found 14 methamphetamine pills in his pocket.
Sirimongkol, aka Uie, told police he had received the
pills from a friend on the sixth floor of the Pak Condo building.
Police called for back-up and knocked on the door of the
sixth-floor apartment. When two men inside refused to open the door, police
broke it down.
At the height of the ruckus, one man, later identified as
Suriya Khamphu, panicked, ran from the room and jumped over the railing. He
landed on the concrete ground six floors below, sustaining multiple
fractures. He was rushed to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital in critical condition.
The second person, identified as Wiset Muangkon, was
arrested after police searched the apartment and found one methamphetamine
pill and an array of drug paraphernalia.
Further questioning led officers to the seventh floor
where a party was in process.
Officers broke down the door and caught six people in the
act of smoking the illegal drug and gambling.
A search of the premises turned up six ya ba pills
(methamphetamines), 1,845 baht in cash and gambling and drug-making
equipment.
Eight people were arrested in all and charged with
possession and use of a class one illegal substance. Six of them were also
charged with gambling.
Lions Club of Phratumnak Pattaya welcomes Korean counterparts from the Lions Club of Miryang
Suchada Tupchai
The Lions Club of Phratumnak Pattaya, headed by President
Surajit Singh Golati, gave a warm welcome to visitors from the Lions Club of
Miryang, South Korea, led by President Kim Chang-Sik, at the A-One Royal
Cruise Hotel Pattaya. The event took place in a relaxing atmosphere where
members of both clubs had a chance to meet and mingle.
Lions clubs
members test water purity after donating a brand new filtration system to
the school.
President Surajit Singh Golati said, “This is an
official visit, as there has been consistent contact between our clubs. We
usually provide some cultural exchange programs and other activities.
Phratumnak Pattaya Lions Club also makes a visit to Korea sometimes.”
As part of their visit, the Miryang Lions Club donated a
water filter to the Wat Kaopothong School, providing clean drinking water
for the children. This fine gesture will save at least 600 baht per month on
the school’s water expenses, and with schools operating on as tight a
budget as they do, this translates to a significant amount. The club also
generously contributed to the school’s scholarship fund.
The
students’ Klongyao (long drum) parade welcomed the Lions Clubs from
Phratumnak Pattaya and Miryang South Korea.
After the handover ceremony, Lions Club members provided
lunch for the students before visiting Pattaya’s tourist destinations.
“This visit will establish a better relationship between our two clubs.
It is a social and cultural exchange activity, which brings the most benefit
to society,” added President Surajit.
Productivity through innovation and high standards
Exhibition of Thai-German Institute in Chonburi
It costs money to improve workplace health and safety and
to protect the environment. But are these simply financial burdens for
companies to avoid at all cost?
It was clearly proven not to be the case during a seminar
and exhibition held by the Thai-German Institute (TGI) in Chonburi recently.
Thai Minister of Industry Pinit Charusombat was one of the prominent guests
present.
Stephanie
Kage (2nd
left), First Secretary Economic Affairs Embassy of the Federal Republic of
Germany and Pinit Jarusombat (2nd
right), Minister of Industry cut the ribbon during the official opening
ceremony as Vachara Phanchet (left), Vice-Minister of Industry, and Walter
Kretschmar (right), German Director of TGI look on.
In the spirit of partnership and cooperation, both
countries are represented on the board of directors. Narong Varong
Kriengkrai from the host country and Walter Kretschmar from Germany
introduced the subject. They referred to the importance of occupational
health, safety and environment for increased productivity.
At present, training for certification of products in
this field is taking place to make it easier for Thai products to enter the
European market. At the moment, German experts are placed with the TGI to be
able to master the standards of both countries.
Afterwards, the industry minister expressed his joy at
the good partnership with Germany which would make new technologies and
developments available. He said he also believes the new approach to
occupational health, safety and environment would improve productivity and
competitiveness in the long run.
He especially hopes for a strengthening of small and
medium-sized companies through cooperation with Germany. He concluded by
thanking the organizers and said he looks forward to further fruitful
cooperation with Germany.
Stephanie Kage, first secretary of the German embassy,
then passed on greetings from the ambassador who was in Germany at the time
and was thus unable to attend.
The idea of the seminar had originally come from the TGI.
However, the companies who had been contacted had had no idea of the
subject. The meeting had therefore been postponed to give those companies
more time to inform themselves about the subject.
“Nothing shows better how serious and professional the
TGI is,” Kage said.
“The German government is proud of the TGI which is the
biggest training center in Thailand.
“The TGI meanwhile has become accepted by companies and
education facilities all over Thailand.”
Kage appealed to the minister to continue and expand the
quality and level of cooperation.
Then Kretschmar spoke again, asking the guests of honor
for acceptance and cooperation.
Afterwards the TGI students enacted short role-plays that
highlighted the importance of occupational safety, health and environment in
a humorous way.
(The TGI has produced some logos that are easily
recognizable and is able to offer its services to diverse companies.)
The Thai Minister for Industry and the representative of
the German Embassy received gifts from the TGI and then both cut the ribbon
to open the exhibition officially.
The TGI is valued highly by German companies in Thailand
- and not only by them. The number and names of the companies who took part
in the exhibition prove this fact:
Castrol, ECC Bio and ECC Pharma, Heatec, IIC, K/R/A/S/S/T/E/C,
Rieckermann, Siemens, BMW Thailand, Intermeba, Machine Tech, Fuchs, Delcam,
Omron, Getriebe-Schaefer, Thailand Aktuell, Ebro Armaturen, Aucotec,
Getabec, Gold&Grow Machinery Co Ltd, Rank PT O’Connor’s, Fibro,
Rittal, Zeiss, Sea-Cr, Star Nation Universal Co Ltd, Baan Paveenwan Co Ltd,
GSS Manufacturing, SPI, Sutee, Thai Heng Foundry and Machining (1999) Co
Ltd.
Pakporn Pokpat crowned
Miss Alcazar 2004
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A 25-year-old student at the Rajapat Institute has walked
off with the Miss Alcazar 2004 crown, a diamond tiara and 160,000 baht in
cash and prizes.
Pakporn Pokpat won the annual beauty pageant, winning
over the hearts of the judges and beating more than 30 other contestants on
April 9.
(From left)
Miss Perfect Complexion Pornuma Theppratarn; third-placed Jirachanya
Sopapun; Miss Alcazar 2004 winner Pakporn Pokpat; runner-up and Miss Press
Popular Woranya Ngamwong; Miss Friendship Yositha Ramil; and Miss Public
Popular Catariya Suriyayothin.
The judges’ selections were posted real time through
the use of touch-screen technology that enabled them to view each
contestant’s dossier online.
Besides the beauty pageant, the evening saw spectacular
shows with the latest in light-and-sound technology on the theme “The
Adventure Dimension” before the final judging.
Runner-up in this year’s Miss Alcazar pageant was
Woranya Ngamwong, with Jirachanya Sopapun coming in third.
Special prizes were awarded to Pornuma Theppratarn who
won in the Miss Perfect complexion category, Yositha Ramil for Miss
Friendship, Catariya Suriyayothin for Miss Public Popular and Woranya
Ngamwong for Miss Press Popular.
The pageant, now in its seventh year, has become one of the major events
for “women of the second category”, elevating their status in Thai
society.
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