|
Light aircraft makes emergency landing in cassava field
Boonlua Chatree
The pilot of a four-seater aircraft and his passenger
escaped serious injury after making an emergency landing in a cassava field
in Nongtaroon, Pong sub district located east of Pattaya on Sunday
afternoon.
Apparently the engine stalled in mid air and the pilot,
Jacques Warnez, was forced to make an emergency landing. The cassava field
soil was too soft after the recent rains, and the front wheel was planted
firmly in the dirt bringing the plane to a sudden stop.
The aircraft had taken off from the Bangpra airfield
earlier that day. Suchada Intanar, the only passenger, broke her left arm
and sprained her legs; Warnez received minor cuts and bruises. Suchada was
taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and was reported to be in
satisfactory condition.
Warnez has a pilot’s license and membership card to the civil aviation
club. Police recorded the details of the accident pending queries as to the
cause.
Thawit Chaisawangwong re-elected as chairman of the city council
Governor officially presents Mayor Niran and his deputies with the insignia of office
Suchada
Tupchai
Pisit Khetphasook, governor of Chonburi Province presided
over the first meeting of the newly elected Pattaya mayor and his city
councilors on Monday June 14.
Subsequently, Thawit Chaisawangwong, a veteran of Pattaya
politics was re-elected as chairman of the city council. Adisorn Pol-lookin
and Ukrit Nansurasak were elected as the two deputy chairmen of the city
council.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn stands proudly in front of what will be his work
place for the next four years.
At the meeting Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn announced
the official appointment of his four deputies. The first, Watana
Jantharawaranon, will oversee the education department. The second, deputy
mayor Wuthisak Rermkitjakarn is responsible for the health, environment and
social welfare department. The third, Virawat Khakhai will head the treasury
department and the fourth, Pattana Boonsawad will take care of the city
clerk office.
At the same time Governor Pisit performed the ceremonies
of adorning the insignia of office to those who had been chosen to take
charge of their respective duties.
Mayor Niran congratulated his team and pledged that they
would work together effectively in developing the city.
Governor Pisit spoke to the city officials saying,
"Administrating a city like Pattaya takes a lot of hard work and
dedication. You must have vision and must develop Pattaya, especially in
areas concerning security, tourism, public amenities and civil order."
The governor also urged city officials to urgently solve
the traffic problems that have worsened in the last few years.
Mayor Niran assured the public that that he and his team
are ready as ever to tackle the problems in Pattaya, but requested the
people to give them time.
"Pattaya administration has been vacant for too long, while we were
waiting for the official green light from the election commission. This has
created a backlog of pending work compounded with all the new jobs that have
piled up. We are going through the mountain of work as fast as we can. We
will prove to the people of Pattaya that we are here to do everything in our
power for the good of the people and the city," the mayor said.
City councilors solve long term flooding problems - after residents complain
Pattaya City and Nong Prue’s jurisdiction gray areas lead to neglect
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
Following a string of complaints from residents over repeated
flooding in Soi Eakaparp, off Siam Country Club Road, recently appointed city
councilors, led by Faruk Wongborisoot, resolved the recurring problem by calling
in city maintenance crews. Faruk is now the representative for district 2 where
the problems have occurred.
The soi in question borders on Pattaya City jurisdiction with
the Nongprue District Administration Organization and there has previously been
no level of cooperation between the administrations.
 Faruk
Wongborisoot, city council members in district 2, and Weerat Jirasripaiboon,
Pattaya City maintenance director survey the area affected by recurrent flooding
after residents’ plea for assistance.
Weerat Jirasripaiboon, Pattaya City maintenance director
said, "This is right on the borderline between the two districts and we may
not be able to control the problem on a wider scale. Since Nongprue has
experienced such rapid growth, the infrastructure is unable to cope with the
load."
The maintenance director cited the numerous building projects
currently being undertaken on Siam Country Club Road and said the cause of the
blocked drainage was a large amount soil and sand falling from trucks, which had
blocked 30 meters of the drainage system.
"Now that we have identified the problem it will take
time to clear it completely. I will send out maintenance crews on a regular
basis to keep an eye on the drains and clear them if necessary," added
Weerat.
One resident in the soi calling for the road to be surfaced
said, "Every time it rains the soi is flooded and it creates a huge problem
for residents; especially for the school children trying get to school and back
home. The water takes at least an hour to drain away. We have requested Pattaya
City to rectify the problem many times. I would like to see the road surfaced
and proper drainage installed."
Weerat Jirasripaiboon concluded that he would also meet with city planners to
design a new drainage system to resolve the problem once and for all.
Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization opens new center in Pattaya
Government service center to cut driving time to provincial capital
Suchada Tupchai
Chonburi’s Provincial Administration Organization (PAO)
opened a new service center in Pattaya last week. The center, aimed at
offering more convenient services for local government offices and
residents, was officially opened by Pinyo Tanwiset, head of the Chonburi PAO
along with religious ceremonies in the early morning.
The PAO
chairman and local dignitaries pose outside the new architectural beauty
whilst officially declaring it open.
Located on Sukhumvit Road near Soi 69, the center will
provide many of the services performed at the main office in Chonburi
without residents having to make the 100 kilometer round trip from Pattaya
and even further from other provincial districts.
Officials manning the new building will receive
complaints and suggestions from residents as well as carry out necessary
governmental services for local departments and will be open from 8 a.m.
till 4 p.m. weekdays.
Pinyo Tanwiset said, "The PAO is responsible for
governing each district throughout the province and will work closely with
subsidiary administrations in all facets of local governance both in the
private and government sectors. This first branch will provide easier and
more convenient services to residents who find it difficult to travel to
Chonburi City and we hope to resolve issues with greater efficiency and
improve the living standards of residents in the area."
Residents who are facing problems can call the office at
038 398 039-42 during office hours.
Pattaya City opens hemorrhagic fever prevention training for local schools
Awards presented for best prevention program
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Hemorrhagic fever is a predominant disease throughout the
entire nation and efforts are now being focused on educating children and
teachers to relay the prevention message to schoolmates, families and
communities.
 Mayor
Niran presented first prize in the ‘School mosquito reduction’ campaign
to Jantrapar Iamsripetch, year 5 at Pattaya School No. 9.
In keeping with the ‘School mosquito reduction’
campaign, Mattayom 1 (grade 7) school students from Pattaya attended a
hemorrhagic fever prevention training seminar held at city hall on June 15.
The seminar was officially opened by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, with
officials from the Chonburi public health department conducting the annual
seminar.
Students attending the seminar were informed on the
dangers of the disease, its cause and how to rid their homes and
neighborhoods of disease spreading mosquitoes and breeding spots.
In addition to the seminar, a competition between Pattaya
schools promoting the prevention of the spread of the disease was wrapped
up, with winners taking home scholarships for the most mosquito-free school
and awareness campaigns. Two year 5 students were each presented with a
scholarship of 1,000 baht for the written and poster categories.
Mayor inspects South Pattaya market as crews remove illegal roofing
Vendors make plea for compromise
Decha Chalermyart
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Marute Cholharn,
district 4 city engineer, and city councilors surveyed the South Pattaya
market opposite Chaimongkol Temple on June 17. Construction crews had already
begun removing 160 sq. wah (640 sq. meters) of roofing encroaching on public
property. The encroachment has been in place for a number of years and market
owners were ordered to remove the offending structure but failed to comply.
Marute said, "This particular structure was built a
number of years ago and following detailed surveys we discovered that it
encroached on public property, which is against the building control
legislation (1979). If we (the city) let the issue lay, there is possible
danger to the public should anything go wrong. Hence, under the law and in
accordance with legislation, we have taken proactive measures and are
removing the structure, now that Pattaya has a new management team.
"The owners were ordered to remove the roof at the
beginning of May and now it is past the 45 day grace period for action. Under
the law, the city has the authority to carry out the work regardless, as is
being done now," added Marute.
Market vendors were upset with the city’s actions.
"This now creates huge problems for us, since we have been operating in
the market for quite some time. I would hope to see that the city has some
consideration for those people who want to make an honest living and that
they reach a compromise," said one vendor.
Mayor Niran responded and told reporters, "After
talking to the vendors in the market, I am well aware of the problems they
are facing. The city will consider an alternative that is beneficial and fair
to all parties concerned."
Pattaya ravaged by violent storm
Decha
Chalermyart
Last Friday afternoon, June 18, Pattaya saw some of the
harshest nature has to offer as a tropical storm battered the city and most
of the region for almost an hour. Strong winds uprooted trees, blew down
signs as well as reports of some people losing the roof off their house.
Once the storm passed over, the damage along Pattaya and
Jomtien Beach was clear, as much of the sand had been washed away in some
parts and fallen tree branches and beach vendors’ umbrellas littered the
footpaths and the sands. The debris brought city traffic to a standstill in
some places.
Only the
stumps remained of what were once fully grown, healthy trees after Mother
Nature decided it was time for a change in scenery.
City maintenance crews were quick to act after the storm
subsided, and began cleaning Pattaya Beach Road that same night. They
continued the next day cutting trees and removing tree branches from public
and residential areas.
The unexpected efficiency of cleanup crews can be
attributed to efforts of the new city management passing, more or less,
their first trial ‘by fire’ and coming to the aid of residents in need.
Football gamblers nabbed, bookies busted
One still on the run
Boonlua Chatree
Despite constant warnings by officials, many hardened
gamblers around Thailand continue to indulge their whims to try and make a
fast baht. A joint investigation by criminal investigation police from Samut
Prakarn, Chonburi and Laem Chabang led to the raid on a major football
gambling den in Laem Chabang.
 Arresting
officers raided a gambling den in Laem Chabang.
Armed with a court order granted after a string of previous
arrests, police forced their way into the house. Inside the home they found a
computer, fax machine, a safe, a printer, and 8 bankbooks from banks the
gamblers used to transfer their betting money from around the region and
abroad. All items, including a motorcar, were confiscated as evidence.
Further investigations led to the prosecution of those
involved in the illicit activities including Sompong Rodjantr, Sithiphan
Rodjantr, Somchai Wattanakorn, Vichai Sukprasert, Aumpol Kochrak and Montana
Wittayakajoornsart.
However, the head of the gambling den, Niwat Thannasart was tipped off
prior to the raid and managed to escape arrest. Police are continuing their
search for Niwat to bring him to justice.
Thief caught in the process of breaking and entering
Boonlua
Chatree
Pattaya police were called to an apartment
building in Soi Bua Khao after receiving a report that two men were
attempting to break into apartments there. The crime occurred at
around 2 a.m. on June 15.
Police rushed to apartment building to find that
one room had already been cleaned out by the thieves, and they were
in the process of entering another.
 One
of the victims, Yupin Mitrachop, points to the perpetrator.
Officers moved in quickly and captured one of the
thieves, Nopapon Duangkaew, 19, when he attempted to hide inside the
apartment. The second man escaped capture.
Police searched Nopapon and found 160 baht in
cash, a watch and stashed nearby him was a CD player, which he had
stolen. He was promptly cuffed and taken to Soi 9 for interrogation.
Nopapon admitted to breaking into the apartments,
but told police that his partner in crime was known to him only as
Yihn. He said Yihn had fled the scene with a mobile phone and a gold
ring. He added that he had never carried out such prior activities.
Nopapon was charged with breaking and entering, and theft.
Teenage gang holds up 7-Eleven store
Armed youths beat employee before escaping with 40,000 baht in goods and cash
Boonlua Chatree
Five teens brandishing .357 and 32 caliber pistols and
armed with knives held up the 7-Eleven store at the PTT petrol station in
Nongplalai, escaping with almost 40,000 baht in cash and goods.
Banglamung police were called to the convenience store at
around 1.30 a.m. on June 19.
Arriving at the petrol station, which had already closed,
police found the store ransacked and the three staff members in state of
shock. Thanyawan Pitaksin, 22, received minor injuries during the holdup as
one of the male members of the gang kicked her repeatedly.
Staff members told police they were in the process of
stacking shelves and carrying out their regular duties when the five teens,
four males and one female entered the store. The youths threatened them
demanding that they open the safe. One shot was fired from the .32 pistol as
a warning while the youths proceeded to ransack the store while another
kicked Thanyawan before gaining access to the safe.
The teens, described between 17 and 18 years of age,
stole cash, cigarettes, beer and imported whisky, CDs, make-up and
approximately 100 cards used to renew credit on mobile phones before
speeding off in the direction of Pattaya.
Police attending the scene picked up a shell casing from
the shot fired, and a fingerprint specialist from the criminal investigation
unit was called in to collect further evidence at the crime scene.
Undercover police officer commits suicide
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya police officers were called to the police
apartment block on Pattaya Second Road at 6 a.m. on June 19 following the
report of a suicide. Pol. Sgt Jakrapong Srithorn shot himself with his 9mm
pistol shortly after arriving home.
Jakrapong’s wife told police that her husband had
arrived home at around 5 a.m. after finishing his shift and they began
arguing after he had apparently forgotten to buy cough medicine for their 8
month old daughter. They had been married for approximately four years and
were having problems because Jakrapong was constantly away from home due to
his undercover work.
She said that after the argument, Jakrapong kicked the
fridge, which escalated the argument. It was then when he pulled out his gun
and fired a shot at the fridge. Frightened she grabbed their daughter and
fled the apartment. She then heard another shot ring out and when she
returned found her husband dead on the floor.
Police officers who worked with Pol. Sgt Jakrapong
Srithorn said he was a dedicated officer. However, Jakrapong often
complained to fellow officers of the problems he was facing by spending too
much time at work and not enough with his family, and that the constant
fights with his wife were becoming unbearable. He allegedly talked of
shooting himself to escape the pressure.
Those close to Jakrapong said he was a hot tempered
person and had already received warnings to carry out his job in accordance
with regulations.
Pol. Sgt Jakrapong Srithorn’s body was transferred to
the police forensic institute for a post mortem before funeral rights were
held at the Chaimongkol Temple.
Provincial police bust Reen Cafe for ignoring legal closing hours
700 people blithely party on
Boonlua Chatree
Despite the apparent clampdown on after hours operation
of bars and discos, some venues blatantly refuse to comply with what the
government sees as closing time.
The Reen Cafe, located on Pratamnak Road, South Pattaya
was one such venue and as a result, provincial and local crime suppression
officers raided the venue at 3.30 a.m. on the morning of June 16.
Lots of people
enjoying late night revelry were told to go home when the police raided the
Reen Cafe.
Teams of law enforcement officers strolled in to find
almost 700 people, Thais and foreigners, partying inside, and in the
standard operational procedure ordered lights on and music off.
The premises owner, Prateep Thongkhum, 49, was quickly
detained while officers carried out ID checks. Twenty women under 18 and
without their national ID cards were taken to the station until relatives
were informed to collect them. The remaining persons were ordered to leave.
Owner Prateep Thongkhum was charged with operating after
hours and allowing minors (persons under 20) to frequent the establishment.
The establishment is well known in certain circles and reportedly opened
from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Local law enforcement officers allegedly did
not raid the venue as some either feared retribution from darker forces or
were offered monetary compensation and gifts to allow the venue to continue
operating outside the prescribed operating hours. A tip off to provincial
units triggered the raid.
AustCham Seaboard Sundowner: Wet but not drowned
Peter Cummins
Not even the seasonal torrential rain could spoil the
most recent AustCham Eastern Seaboard Sundowner, held at the Pattaya
Marriott Resort and Spa. It merely meant that instead of the usual evening
in the Marriott’s beautiful gardens, the venue was re-located indoors.
 With
the generous corporate sponsorship coming from Rod Skinner’s Transit
Maintenance Limited (TML) new company, Rod took the occasion to introduce
his new subsidiary venture, "Transcraft Boats", manufactured by
TML.
With the generous corporate sponsorship coming from Rod
Skinner’s Transit Maintenance Limited (TML) new company, Rod took the
occasion to introduce his new subsidiary venture, "Transcraft
Boats", manufactured by TML and, with some great food provided by the
J.W. Marriott, the fifty or so attendees reinforced their networking with
copious amounts of wine and beer.
AustCham President David Wright pointed out that the
Chamber is supporting four local schools, and the following day, the
established Community Service Project was active again with English language
tuition and coaching at one of the Chamber-supported schools, the Ban Khao
Huai Mahad School in Rayong, with Chamber members enthusiastically
dedicating their time to help the children.
 Writer
Christopher Moore, flanked by AustCham President David Wright (L) and Dr
Iain Corness, who interviewed the Canadian author.
Rod’s description of the very-well constructed
aluminium boats was also quite appropriate for the deluge outside which
turned parts of Pattaya Two Road into waterways.
Rod also announced his plans to "launch" a
mini-moke which should prove an ideal mode of transport for Pattaya and the
environs.
Although it was a little unfortunate that the AustCham
evening coincided with the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand,
nevertheless, both groups were well represented at Kim Fletcher’s
Shenanigans afterwards.
An added bonus this time was the appearance of well-known
author Christopher Moore who was in Thailand to launch his latest book.
The AustCham Seaboard Sundowner continues to be one of
the Chamber’s most popular outings, with the added attraction that the
Bangkok-based members are able to see first-hand some of the changes for the
better which are overtaking our fair "City-by-the Sea".
LCIT expands operations with the delivery of two new ship-to-shore cranes
Suchada Tupchai
Laem Chabang International Terminal Co., Ltd (LCIT) took
possession of two new ship-to-shore cranes last week as part of their
expansion program. LCIT now controls two berths in the busy port, B5 and C3
with the new cranes facilitating an increase in cargo turnaround.
Officials
worked hard to set the two giant cranes in place.
The new self propelled cranes, which can lift loads of
up to 71.4 tons, took two days to unload and set in place following the
journey from Oito, Japan where they were built by the Mitsui Engineering
and Ship Building Co. Ltd.
 The
two new ship to shore cranes waiting to be unloaded.
Chris Langford, LCIT’s CEO kept a close eye on the
operations over the two days it took to unload the heavy lifter from the
M.V. Tenyu berthed in the deep water port. The arrival of the two Mitsui
Paceco Super Post-panamax Ship to Shore Cranes with "twin lift"
spreaders brings the total to four cranes for LCIT, with plans already
underway for another.
The cranes are self-propelled trolley with a mono box
girder, boom and hinged boom type gantry cranes that remove and place cargo
containers from vessels as well as load them for storage in the berth. Both
will be officially commissioned for operation in mid July and can
effectively move at total of 600,000 TEU per year.
The move comes as the port authority in Laem Chabang is
set to expand its operations adding another 12 berths. The port facilities
operated by LCIT feature 500 meter long berths and a depth of 16 meters at
port side. Storage facilities at LCIT include container capacity for 3,552
ground slots and 400 reefer outlets.
Laem Chabang International Terminal Co. Ltd was awarded a 30 year
concession to operate and manage the new C3 berth.
|
