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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Pattaya baht bus drivers miffed over lack of support from the city in changeover

Truck slams into oncoming fuel train, triggers inferno

Drug prisoners trained for future career

Seminar in Jomtien looks at how to solve poverty and social problems

Chonburi and Pattaya working hard to attract new tourist markets

Traffic police kept busy on first day of new school year

Water Authority announces new-look invoices

Construction worker survives electrical accident

US Marine survives 9-storey fall

Songtaew detained after cheating tourists, using Lao Kip for change

Police briefs

German tourist does the Full Monty on Soi 8

Buddhist Holy Day of Wisakhabucha - June 2

A first for Thailand: jasmine used in spa treatment

Pattaya baht bus drivers miffed over lack of support from the city in changeover

Want city to let public know about the new service

Suchada Tupchai

The changeover from Pattaya City’s air-con bus service to the songtaew (baht bus) cooperative took place on Sunday, May 16.

Twelve baht buses have been allocated to run along the air-con bus route, but the changeover started on an extremely quiet note for the angry drivers.

Representatives from the co-op complained that the city has failed to inform residents of the changeover.

Tawat Puekboonark, committee member for the Pattaya Transport Cooperative controlling the baht buses said, “We haven’t had any public relations drive from the city. All they have provided was 1,000 baht for each vehicle to pay for stickers. The traffic research development center has not shown any interest in the changeover as it did for the bus service.”

According to Tawat, the agreement was that the 12 baht buses would operate along the air-con bus routes from 6 a.m. to midnight, departing every 10 minutes, picking up and dropping off passengers only at designated stops. Fares for the entire route are set at 5 baht per passenger and the operation will run until August 13.

Concerning the research project, Tawat added, “Drivers are to keep a record of the number of passengers and report these to the office once they complete their route. The numbers were very low on the first two days, nothing compared to passengers using regular baht buses.”

He admitted it was “still early days” and that, due to the lack of public information, “many people don’t know and just think we (designated baht buses) are just part of the regular routes.

“It (the promotion) is not the same as the air-con bus service, which received a great deal of promotion and it is not what we discussed in the meetings,” said Tawat.

Asked about the general feeling that baht bus drivers are ill mannered and about the numerous complaints by passengers, he said, “There are many drivers and there are those who do fit the description of being ill mannered. But I would like to see residents differentiate them from the rest and report those drivers who act inappropriately.” (See related story page 4.)

Tawat added that passengers who have problems with drivers should call 038 423 554 any time of the day with their complaint.

“We will try and work out the problems in an objective and fair manner as well as improve the service provided by drivers,” he added.


Truck slams into oncoming fuel train, triggers inferno

Damage estimated at 100 million baht

Boonlua Chatree

A truck burst through a rail crossing and slammed into a train transporting oil on Tuesday, May 18, triggering a huge blaze that spewed thick black smoke in Chonburi.

One man died and three people were injured in the blaze.

A statement released by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said that a truck had deliberately burst through warning barriers, colliding with a fuel-laden train bound for Chiang Mai from Mabtaput. The blaze damaged the engine and five carriages carrying 200,000 liters of benzene and diesel fuel. The flames spread rapidly and firefighters had difficulty in putting out the fire due to the thick smoke.

A pickup truck, apparently trying to beat the train, ignored warning signals, ran through barriers and crashed into this fuel-laden train bound for Chiang Mai from Mabtaput.

The dead man was identified as Mahastaphan Sritamart, an SRT employee riding in one of the carriages on his way to Bangkok.

The injured men were train driver Manop Sirichumsaeng, train engineer Chotinai Pokpong, and Chairute Wongwan, the driver of the truck.

Sumarly Sorntula, head of the SRT public relations department said, “This accident is a direct result of negligence by the truck driver who obviously tried to beat the train through the crossing despite the warning signals.”

The engine, at least five carriages and the line were damaged, and 200,000 liters of fuel lost.

Damage is estimated at 100 million baht.

The section of track was closed for two days for an investigation by Chonburi police and local authorities.

Chairute, the truck driver, reportedly left the hospital without announcing his intention, fearing prosecution as a result of his actions.


Drug prisoners trained for future career

Rear Admiral says, “they are not that bad”

Pacharapol Panrak

Prisoners jailed for drug offences are learning to be farmers with the help of the navy’s Civilians Development School.

The project gives the prisoners something other than drugs to look forward to on their release, and the navy’s part-time teachers are earning some extra income.

Rear Admiral Thana Boonnak, commander-in-chief of the Air Force and Coast Defense Unit, and General Wichete Karunyavanich, former commander-in-chief of Thai Marine Corps inspect handicrafts made at the Civilians Development School.

Prisoners from many prisons have taken part in the vocational training program that focuses on agricultural careers.

The navy has a policy of supporting part-time careers for officials and their families to increase their income. This will reduce debt problems.

Rear Admiral Thana Boonnak, commander-in-chief of the Air Force and Coast Defense Unit, said that these prisoners were not bad in themselves.

“They just once made a mistake and were misguided. But when they gather in this school, they seriously follow the rules and regulations. Here they can express their talents and specialize in various careers.

“This program, therefore, will help them find an appropriate career when they are released. This vocational training program places emphasis on an occupation in the field of agriculture, aiming at implanting in them the idea of a sustainable economy.

“They will learn to live properly and not turn to drugs again,” he said.


Seminar in Jomtien looks at how to solve poverty and social problems

Introduces ID smart cards

Decha Chalimyart

District and sub-district governors from all over the country gathered in Jomtien to hear how they should get rid of poverty and social problems.

The Local Administration Department organized a seminar at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel May 18-19 that was aimed at finding solutions to social problems that include residence, debt, unemployment and local administration issues.

Pokin Polkul, Minister of the Interior, presides over the opening of the seminar on alleviation of poverty and social problems.

Interior Minister Pokin Polkul presided over the opening. VIPs included Sucharit Pajchimnan, director-general of the Local Authority Department and Chonburi Deputy Governor Veerawit Wiwattanavanich. Specialists in various fields delivered lectures.

The participants were introduced to the ID smart cards that will store basic information about individuals and will serve as a driving license, ATM card, credit card, passport and tax ID.

Sucharit said, “The government has released a policy dealing with social problems and poverty. It proposes to eliminate poverty and uplift citizens’ financial status within six years. The Ministry of the Interior has responsibility for this, dealing with the registration of those who face social problems and poverty. The registration is aimed at compiling information to be used in problem-solving.”

Pokin added, “This seminar is aimed at letting governors countrywide fully comprehend the policy and be able to carry it out in practical terms. They are expected to extend the concept of this policy to people in their societies.

“You play a most important part in carrying out this task and achieving the goals of the government. A central idea is to be able to work together successfully with the people,” he told participants.


Chonburi and Pattaya working hard to attract new tourist markets

Looking towards China and Russia

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Chonburi’s Tourism and Culture Committee is eyeing the Chinese as a lucrative market for tourism.

This became evident at a meeting it held on May 17, headed by committee president Samrit Pongwirat and attended by representatives of the public and private sectors.

Samrit Pongwirat, president of the Chonburi Tourism and Culture Committee, presides over the meeting.

At the meeting, problems affecting tourism - especially in Pattaya - were cited. Niti Kongrut, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Central Region 3 said, “We are focusing on the Chinese market which is ready to be tapped into. Traveling for Chinese visitors is easy and reasonably priced.

“Russia is also a big target for Pattaya tourism, but the lack of flights is really the big problem there.”

Meanwhile, the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, headed by Thanet Supornsaharungsi, is working hard on promoting not only the domestic but also European market. The PBTA is scheduled to run a big “roadshow” in Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary from June 12-19 to showcase Pattaya’s attractions and lure tourists from those countries here.

This project is being supported by the Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization to the tune of 2.5 million baht.


Traffic police kept busy on first day of new school year

Traffic jams clog main Pattaya arteries

Suchada Tupchai

It happens every year - parents, hoping to protect their children from traffic accidents, eschew public transportation and drive their children to school on the first day of the new term.

Most schools in Pattaya started their first day of the new term on May 17, and the resulting heavy traffic kept the traffic police busy.

Traffic police control the heavy traffic on first morning of the new semester.

City streets were crowded between 7-8.30 a.m. as the fleet of private vehicles, filled with parents and students, converged on local schools. Heavy traffic jams clogged all main Pattaya roads - especially in school areas such as Potisampan Pittayakarn School, Naklua, and Pattaya School 8, South Pattaya.

A traffic policeman on duty on Naklua Road said that there were traffic jams every morning before office hours. However, traffic was even heavier on the first day of the new school term as parents took their children to school. To help control this, extra traffic police officers were assigned on duty.

One parent, clearly irritated at the traffic jams, said they took place every first day of the new school year. She added, however, that she appreciated the extra traffic management from police because it made the streets safer for the students.


Water Authority announces new-look invoices

The Pattaya Water Authority has announced a change in its invoicing procedures. The new-look invoices will come into effect during the June billing period.

Pattaya Water Authority manager Thani Thongprachum explains, “The new invoices will include water used according to the meter, usage period and amount to be paid. In addition, a new barcode system will be included to make payments easier.”

Invoices for water can be paid at the Pattaya Water Authority offices in Nongprue, any service counter at 7-Eleven stores, the post office or through major commercial banks prior to the due date of payment. After the due date, invoices must be paid directly at the Nongprue office only.

For further information concerning details and changes, call 038 222 461-4 ext. 105, 110 or 114 during government office hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Monday to Friday.


Construction worker survives electrical accident

Putting on shirt turns into shocking experience

Suchada Tupchai

A construction worker miraculously survived a high-voltage electric shock as he tried to put on his shirt.

Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital staff administer first-aid as Pattanapong is brought back down to earth after his electrifying experience.

A witness said that 18-year-old Pattanapong Pawananurak was fixing the eaves of a two-story building next to Mike Shopping Mall in Pattaya and had taken off his shirt because of the hot weather.

While trying to put on the shirt again, his right arm accidentally touched a high-voltage line and he was electrocuted.

Pattanapong lay on the scaffolding writhing in pain for about 20 minutes before the ambulance and safety officials arrived.

He was taken to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital where a hospital spokesperson said his condition was fine, although he needed rest.

An investigation into the cause of the accident was underway. The electrical security system of the building would also be examined.


US Marine survives 9-storey fall

Tough as nails, but badly injured

The old adage that the US Marines are tough proved somewhat true last week when PFC Reginald Williams fell from his 9th floor room at the Welcome Plaza Hotel.

Williams sustained serious spinal injuries, however, and compound fractures to his legs and pelvis.

After the incident was reported to the local police and the media, US military personnel assisted in bringing the injured man down from a ledge onto which he had fallen. He was then rushed to the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

Police attending the scene went to the man’s hotel room where initial investigations showed no sign of a struggle. However, a window through which Williams had fallen, was broken.

US military police will investigate the case. Initial suspicions suggest attempted suicide, but the true cause may never be known.

Over 6,000 US military personnel are in Thailand for the annual Cobra Gold training exercises in Sattahip and Korat. The training maneuvers ended May 27.


Songtaew detained after cheating tourists, using Lao Kip for change

“Didn’t think he would be caught”

Two Dutch tourists reported to Pattaya police that their baht bus driver had ripped them off after they agreed on a price. The sneaky songtaew had shortchanged the two foreigners by using 2,000 Lao Kip, worth about 20 baht.

Sieverdina Frankes holds the practically worthless Lao Kip that baht bus driver Khumpar Deenok (seated) had given her instead of Thai baht.

Miss Sieverdina Frankes and Mr Lodewijk Geelen, both from the Netherlands, reported the incident at approximately 3.30 a.m. on May 21. The seasoned tourists told police that they had been out for the evening and were on their way back to a friend’s house in Pattaya Land and House, where they were staying, after agreeing on a price of 150 baht with the taxi driver of vehicle 268, in front of the VC Hotel.

The driver took them to the prescribed destination and when they presented the man with a 500 baht note, he told them he only had 300 baht in change. They agreed and the man returned the change. The tourists, initially thinking it was baht, let the driver go.

When they went inside and noticed the strange notes, they questioned their friend who told them that it was Lao Kip and was of no value in Thailand. It was then they knew they had been duped by the sly songtaew.

Police officers located Songtaew 268 later in front of Soi Pattayaland 2 and took the driver in for questioning. The man, identified as Khumpar Deenok, 27, from Nakhon Panom near the Lao border, confessed to ripping off the two foreigners and said he didn’t expect to be caught, but was happy to return the money to them in full.

Miss Frankes and Mr. Geelen told police they were disgusted by the man’s actions and that such people destroyed the city and the country’s image as a tourist destination. They had visited Thailand on numerous occasions thinking it was safe.

Instead of pocketing the refunded cash, they deposited into the charity box inside the station.

The two tourists said that they did not want to press charges but instead called for those in charge of the songtaew cooperative to eradicate all those drivers who steal or overcharge their passengers.


Police briefs

Boonlua Chatree

Egyptian national arrested for selling drugs

Tourist police arrested an Egyptian man in Soi Yensabai, South Pattaya for selling drugs. The arrest took place following an investigation and undercover officers set up the sting using marked banknotes.

Muhammed Salim Juma Fawzi, 34, was detained immediately following the transaction, in which Fawzi claimed the drug would enhance sexual performance. Even this would prove to be false, as police searched his pockets to find 75 tablets of Anafanil, an anti-depressant. They also confiscated 3,000 baht and $300 US, which was also taken in as evidence.

Fawzi was charged with selling a medical drug without the necessary licenses as well as illegally working in the kingdom. He was remanded to custody to face judicial proceedings.

Foreigner detained on marijuana possession charges

Regional and Banglamung police from the drug suppression units received a tip off that a foreign national bound for Pattaya was in possession of marijuana.

At 10 p.m. on May 21 Ulrick Weber, 45, alighted from the bus at the Rungruang bus terminal in Naklua. There he was met by police who revealed their identities and requested a body search.

The discovered a 4 x 6 inch pack of dried marijuana leaves in his jeans pocket.

Weber was immediately remanded to custody where he admitted to buying the weed from a Thai man in Bangkok. He was charged for possession of a class 5 illegal substance.


German tourist does the Full Monty on Soi 8

Does his best “Emperor’s new clothes” routine

Boonlua Chatree

A bizarre event unfolded on Soi 8 at about 3 a.m. on May 20. A German tourist, later identified as 46-year-old Frank Osel, was walking up and down the soi stark naked.

Frank Osel walked up and down Soi 8 for nearly two hours, bollicky bare butt, waving and posing for the girls.

The man’s antics created quite a stir among the service girls who were seen cheering as he stopped to pose for them. Late-night drinkers were also slightly amused by the foreigner’s lack of modesty.

The long arm of the law was nowhere in sight as Osel continued his run-around for almost two hours before returning to his Soi 8 hotel.

Hotel staff revealed that the man had checked in around the end of April. He often appeared to be in an agitated state and would take whatever cash he had on him and stuff it into one of the charity donation boxes, often amounting to thousands of baht each time.


Buddhist Holy Day of Wisakhabucha - June 2

Celebrating the birth - enlightenment and death of the Buddha

This coming week, on June 2, one of the most venerated holidays on the Buddhist calendar will be celebrated: Wisakhabucha Day.

(Note: government offices and banks will be closed.)

Wisakhabucha Day marks the beginning of the Buddhist Era 2,547 years ago, and celebrates the miracle of the Buddha being born, reaching enlightenment and passing away all on the same date.

According to scripture, Prince Siddhartha, also known as Gautama, who became the Buddha, was born in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas on the 15th day (full moon) of the sixth lunar month in 623 BC, attained enlightenment while sitting under a fig tree at the edge of the Nerunchara River on the 15th day (full moon) of the sixth lunar month in 588 BC, and then passed away at the age of 80 on the 15th day (full moon) of the sixth lunar month in 544 BC.

The word wisakabucha comes from the word wisaburanamiibucha which means to pay homage to Buddha on the day of the full moon in the month of wisaka (the sixth month).

The holy day is usually observed each year during May, but this year it falls in June because it is a leap year, determined by the lunar calendar, and is on the 15th day of the waxing moon during the 6th month of the Thai calendar. It dates back to ancient celebrations in India and Sri Lanka.

For this holiday, killing any kind of animal and drinking alcohol or intoxicating substances is forbidden for 3 days. Wats are to be adorned with lanterns, flowers and joss sticks as symbols of worship, and skyrockets will be lit for three days to celebrate.

The day is also designated as National Tree Day in Thailand.

Gautama (Buddha) was brought up in the family of a clan leader of regal status, sheltered from life’s miseries. Later in life, after observing a decrepit old man, a diseased man, a dead man, and a sage he realized the impermanence of earthly things and began his quest for enlightenment.

For six years he sought enlightenment through ascetic practices. He eventually decided it was not to be found in that manner and resumed the life of a wanderer living on alms. While sitting under a fig tree in a posture of meditation for what is described as a period of seven weeks, Gautama resolved not to stir until succeeding. He achieved his quest, becoming the Buddha, entering a state of Nirvana while still alive.

Whatever took place on that day was the start of Buddhism, as Gautama set forth to reveal his discovery, eventually spreading the word into many parts of Asia. Gautama was later recognized as one in a great line of Buddhas with a concept going back to Vishnu or Siva.

The large following created over 25 centuries ago and continuing to this day is witness to the fact that something of distinct value was found, which was explained in the Buddha’s first sermon at Benares when he said the key to enlightenment is the presence of suffering.

The sermon told of the “Four Noble Truths” identifying suffering (birth, decay, illness, death and rebirth) and the failure to always be able to obtain one’s desires as the continuing antagonists in life.

Secondly, since everything has a cause, so has suffering, and when its causes and conditions are removed suffering is eliminated according to the third truth. The key is to allow the karmic effects already in existence to play out - not producing any further karmic chains. Once the cessation of desire ends, all causes have taken affect and the suffering ends, leading to discontinuing the cycle of rebirth.

The fourth truth is the path to the cessation of suffering, the “Eightfold Path” or a “middle way” between extremes of abstinence and indulgence. The steps in the “Eightfold Path” consists of: correct views, correct aspiration, correct speech, correct conduct, correct livelihood, correct effort, correct thought, and correct concentration or meditation.

Devout Buddhists consider Wisakhabucha Day as an important event and crowds of devotees will participate in ceremonies at nearby temples, making merit in the morning by bringing alms to monks and listening to sermons. Later in the evening devotees will continue assembling at temples to conduct the “Wien Tien” ceremony, walking around sacred temple grounds three times holding candles, joss sticks and flowers honoring the Buddha, the Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and the Sangha, the Buddhist Monastic Order.

The Thai government implemented “National Tree Day” in the year 1985 as part of a program to restore the forests and increase public awareness of the importance of preserving the natural environment. National Tree Day was designated on the same day as Wisakhabucha Day and activities include many levels of government, schools and local organizations planting trees in addition to observing Wisakhabucha Day.


A first for Thailand: jasmine used in spa treatment

Suchada Tupchai

Central Wongamat Beach Resort’s latest program, “Jasmine Spa Promotion” massage and aromatherapy services at Centara Spa, claims to be the first of its kind in Thailand.

Jasmine skincare products

Saitong Chaisri, assistant spa manager of Centara Spa said, “Jasmine Spa is the newest promotion from Central Hotels, combining the fragrance and skin nourishment of jasmine. The treatment begins with body massage with a ‘Jasmine Rice Body Polish’, polishing skin in a technique unique to Centara Spa to remove dead skin and help the blood circulation.

“After that, a warm jasmine massage is provided in a relaxing environment and bathing milk covered with jasmine flowers is the last step of treatment.”

Nourishing the skin with jasmine cream

This is the first time in Thailand that jasmine is used in a spa.

Saitong talked about the legend of jasmine, “Jasmine originated in China, India and Iran. It is regarded as the king of perfumes because of its enchanting fragrance. Jasmine is quite popular in the beauty industry, especially for perfume manufacturing.

“A great number of jasmine flowers are needed to get only a little amount of jasmine oil. Because of this, only the rich upper class experienced jasmine perfume and nourishment in the past. Now Centara Spa grasps that rare opportunity of ancient times to offer everybody.

“Jasmine has a significant effect on skin treatment - relieving itching, stopping the growth of bacteria and balancing the skin. This service helps everyone at every age. It offers relief and relaxation, removing all stress.”

The “Jasmine Spa Promotion” is available until June 30. For more information, please call 038 426 990-9 ext. spa.