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Happy Birthday HRH Princess Chulabhorn
The
Pattaya Mail joins the Kingdom
in humbly wishing a Happy Birthday
to a most remarkable person,
HRH Princess Chulabhorn.
Born on July 4, 1957, Her Royal Highness Princess
Chulabhorn is the youngest child of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej
and Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
HRH Princess Chulabhorn has two daughters, Their Royal
Highnesses Princess Siribhachudhabhorn and Princess Adityadornkitikhun.
Her Royal Highness graduated from the Faculty of Science
and Arts at Kasetsart University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Organic Chemistry, First Class Honors, in 1979. Her Royal Highness completed
her doctorate work in organic chemistry in 1985, and received her Doctor of
Philosophy Degree from Mahidol University in July of the same year, and has
a supreme record of academic achievement.
She undertook postdoctoral studies in Germany in 1987 and
has since been a visiting professor at universities in Japan, Germany, and
the United States of America. She holds Honorary Doctorate degrees from no
fewer than nine universities around the world. In 1986, she was appointed as
an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in London and was
awarded the Einstein Gold Medal of UNESCO.
Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn is chairperson of
the Working Group on the Chemistry of Natural Products collaborative program
between the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science and the National
Research Council of Thailand.
HRH Princess Chulabhorn has received international
recognition for her scientific accomplishments, in her appointment to
various United Nations posts, namely special advisor to the United Nations
Environment Program and member of the Special High-Level Council for the
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction of the United Nations.
As a result of her experience as a scientist Princess
Chulabhorn became aware of the difficulties Thai researchers have in
obtaining the necessary funding for their research. In 1987, she established
the Chulabhorn Research Institute to provide a new fundraising agency.
This institute now acts as a focal point for the exchange
of intellectual and other resources in Thailand for the purpose of solving
urgent problems confronting the country in areas of health, environment, and
agriculture.
As president of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, the
Princess currently directs five special research projects; the AIDS program,
a program on restoration and integrated development of the flood-affected
areas in Southern Thailand, seawater irrigation for cultivation of economic
marine species and preservation of mangrove, the rabies eradication program
and a special project for accelerated immunization in five southern
provinces in Thailand. Through these programs the Princess plays an
auspicious role in improving the environment and living standard of the
villagers in a number of Thai provinces.
Time to stamp out corruption,says former PM Anand Panyarachun
Anand speaks out at NESAC meeting at Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel
Boonlua
Chatree
Anand Panyarachun, former prime minister and chief
advisor to the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NESAC) urged
Thai society to put an end to corruption or it will seriously hinder the
nation’s progress.
 Anand
Panyarachun, former prime minister and chief advisor to the National
Economic and Social Advisory Council.
"It doesn’t matter on what level corrupt officials
operate, whether locally or nationally, the issue must be addressed. These
days, these people are not ashamed of their actions and will often retort by
demanding their accusers to prove their corruption allegations with a
receipt," cited Anand.
"Prosecutors require sufficient evidence in most
cases but those who go so far as to pull the wool over the eyes of the
public do not leave an easy paper trail," commented the former prime
minister who was speaking at the annual NESAC meeting, held at the
Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel last weekend.
"Corruption is not limited to just government
officials. It also pertains to certain sectors of the media, radio, TV or
otherwise," added the NESAC chief advisor, adding that certain
government figures should not suggest or supervise businesses they have an
interest in where an unbiased decision is necessary and that the problem
must be addressed before it gets too far out of hand.
"We must all attempt to stamp out corruption for the
benefit of Thai society. It is time for transparency. The country is known
for it corrupt values and people are deluding themselves to the point where
society doesn’t know anymore where to draw the line. A society such as
this has no future. I may not be involved in the government but those who I
do know say that certain officials are the worst offenders and they are
sneakier than ever," said Anand.
The meeting discussed the subject of vote buying which is
rife throughout Thailand’s election system. The NESAC called on political
leaders to pledge that their members would not buy votes in the upcoming
general election.
The government was also called on to closely examine
rental fees from about 500 state radio stations owned by the armed forces,
the National Police Office and the Mass Communication Organization of
Thailand where an estimated 400 million baht was paid under the table to
obtain rights to operate radio stations.
Thappraya community receives mobile service from city hall
Mobile unit keeps dialogue open
Suchada Tupchai
Thappraya community, the newest community in Pattaya City,
became festive last week when Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and his team
stopped by for an official visit.
The mayor led his deputies, city administrators, public
health unit personnel, and community service providers to give basic services to
the members of the community in order to offer fundamental assistance and listen
to their problems.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn (left) led his team to Thappraya community for a mobile
service event.
The mobile service included dental care, general medical
check-ups, pet vaccination, and hair cutting. Necessary goods were distributed
among the locals and merchandise booths were also set up for the public to
acquire their daily requirements. The city even prepared eggs to trade for trash
collected by the community.
Mayor Niran explained how the program also encourages people
to keep their living areas clean. Pattaya police officers and officials joined
in with songs and dances. A similar city mobile service will be organized on a
monthly rotation basis for communities around the city.
The mayor said Pattaya City has two sides of its story.
"Most people have seen only the entertaining side of it, but on the other
side, Pattaya has poor and disadvantaged people in many corners of the
municipality," he said.
The mobile city service helps people in many ways. One great
benefit of the service allows people to tell their story to the city
administrators. The interaction also keeps community members more thoroughly
informed in terms of civic improvements.
Thai and Cambodia discuss peace keeping issues at 3rd committee meeting
Increased cooperation on border issues tops agenda
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Thailand and Cambodia have faced long-standing issues
along their borders; as a result a peacekeeping committee to promote better
understanding and cooperation between the two countries was formed in 1994.
The third committee meeting since its foundation took
place at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel last Friday, June 18.
General
Somdtat Attanont, Thai Supreme Commander (right) and General Ke Kim Yan,
Cambodian Supreme Commander jointly presided over the 3rd border
peacekeeping committee meeting in Pattaya for Thai and Cambodian police and
military personnel responsible for border issues.
General Somdtat Attanont, Thai Supreme Commander and
General Ke Kim Yan, Cambodian Supreme Commander jointly presided over the
meeting. They were joined by various police and military departments from
both countries to discuss increased cooperation. They agreed that since the
previous meeting border stability has improved.
Main topics in which the two countries agreed upon were
increased cooperation in the reduction of human trafficking, specifically
among women and children and illegal laborers flowing into Thailand looking
for work.
The committee agreed that better relations have been
established between border patrols and among the military counterparts when
returning illegal immigrants to their country of origin through both land
and sea routes.
A decision was also made on increased monitoring of drug
routes, both land and sea, with border units to step up patrols to eradicate
the flow of drug between the two nations.
A special note was raised on increased cooperation along
the marine and land based environmental protection, a topic that is not
economically beneficial in terms of agriculture but for the long-term
preservation of natural resources including education programs for residents
and officials leading to a peaceful co-existence along the borders.
The meeting ended with both sides agreeing to improve the
quality of cooperation as well as follow the positive outcome of the third
committee meeting. The fourth Thai-Cambodia peacekeeping committee will be
held in 2005.
City organizes food safety training for Pattaya schools
More volunteers needed for district project
Suchada Tupchai
Over 100 students from Pattaya’s 10 schools attended a
food safety seminar at Pattaya City Hall last Friday. Wuttisak Rermkijakarn,
Pattaya deputy mayor presided over the seminar.
The objective was to instill the values of health related
issues and promote hygiene among the students as part of the school’s
extra curricular training and under the guidance of the local health,
hygiene and environment department to further hygiene in the school
environment.
Wannaporn
Jaemjaumras, director of Pattaya’s department of health, hygiene and
environment lectured at the training seminar on the importance of the
subject.
Opening the seminar, Deputy Mayor Wuttisak said, "To
look after your health is paramount and not only that, care for the well
being of others through hygienic practices is something we should all
support. We must increase the number of volunteers for future of the
country."
A number of activities were also held concerning food
safety. The local administration hopes to increase the number of volunteers
among the city schools by the end of this year. The city aims to upgrade
food preparation procedures in the schools and implement international
standards as well as increased education among children. The project has
garnered wide support from the government, medical and educational sectors
within the city and Banglamung district.
War on drugs increases the number of alcoholics
The number of alcoholics in Thailand has
increased by 30 percent since the government launched its war on drugs last
year, according to medical experts. The lack of amphetamines on the local
market has forced many people to change from one addiction to another, said
an expert on drugs, director of the Thanyarak Institute, Dr. Boonrung
Worawatana.
Since the war on drugs campaign started in February 2003,
more than 500,000 people have passed through rehabilitation programs, most of
whom were amphetamine addicts, according to Dr. Boonrung, who was also
awarded the 2004’s Outstanding Person in the Treatment and Rehabilitation
of Drugs Addicts. Dr. Boonrung also said that an increasing number of parents
have brought their drug-addicted children in for rehabilitation since then as
well.
The Thanyarak Institute has had a 30 percent increase in
the number of alcoholics seeking treatment at their clinics since last
February according to its director. This increase in alcoholism is worrying
because it can lead to an increase in alcohol-related diseases, like kidney
failure.
The biggest problem though, according to Dr. Boonrung, is
the lack of serious follow-up and support after former drugs addicts finished
their treatment. Once they return to their community, they usually also
return to their old habits of drug use, although other forms of addiction
have replaced amphetamines because of their scarcity. Greater efforts need to
be made to find employment and educational opportunities for ex-addicts if
they are to remain drug-free, Dr. Boonrung said.
As a result, the Thanyarak Institute now includes
occupational training as part of its rehabilitation programs. Curing drug
addiction needs an enormous commitment and resolve. Some of the Institute’s
drug addicts attended its treatment programs as many as 17 times before they
finally quit drugs permanently.
Dr. Boonrung said drug addicts need a sympathetic
environment and strong support either from parents, teachers, or close
friends to be able to stay away from drugs. Drug addicts should be seen as
sick people who have used the wrong drugs, or have problems with drug abuse.
They should be advised to seek clinical help that will eventually enable them
to return to their normal lives.
Dr. Boonrung urged parents whose children suffering from
drug addiction to take them to the community hospital for treatment. At
present, there are more than 800 hospitals throughout the country which have
these facilities, said Dr. Boonrung. (TNA)
Banglamung Culture Council meets to prepare for Buddhist Lent
Traditional candle procession to mark event
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Banglamung Culture Council met last week to discuss
activities to be included in this year’s ‘Kao Pansa’ (beginning of
Buddhist Lent). This year the activities will feature special candles as
part of HM the Queen’s 72nd birthday celebrations.
Surapol Tiensuwan, Banglamung district chief, Surat
Mekavarakul, council chairman, committee members and representatives from
the government and private sectors were present at the meeting, which took
place at Chaimongkol Temple.
Banglamung
Culture Council chairpersons, council chairman Surat Mekavarakul,
Banglamung district chief Surapol Tiensuwan and Visanu Pasomsap, head of
the Banglamung culture center.
This year’s activities will coincide with the HM the
Queen’s 12th cycle birthday, and have the aim of preserving age old
Buddhist traditions and Thai culture. The activities begin July 1 and will
continue until July 13 and include religious ceremonies associated with
Buddhist lent. The next round will include a special candle-making pageant
used for lent throughout the three month duration.
A special procession will feature a candle ceremony and
competition for tourists and residents. The pageant will be held in two
classes; one for schools and educational facilities and another for private
businesses for the most beautiful design. The final round will take place
on July 30 along with merit making, or ‘tak baht’, ceremonies at the
temple in South Pattaya.
Sawang Boriboon volunteers undergo further training to cope with emergencies
Trained to save lives
Over 300 Sawang Boriboon Foundation
volunteers attended a recent full-day training program to boost their
knowledge on how to better cope with emergency situations. The training was
held at the foundation’s Naklua premises. Committed to helping the
community, these volunteers work tirelessly, often without pay.
Over 300 Sawang
Boriboon Foundation volunteers attended a full-day training program to learn
how to better cope with emergency situations.
The morning session focused on theory and emergency
situations and the dangers volunteers encounter during their work. They were
also given further instruction on emergency first techniques and moving
critically injured patients, how to coordinate with other units required to
assist them and what to look for during accident cases.
Prasit Thongthipcharoen, Sawang Boriboon chairman kept a
close watch on the training and provided instruction on some points. Chanyuth
Hengtrakul, advisor to the minister of tourism and sports joined in to observe
the training after donating 100,000 baht to improving the quality of
volunteers.
The afternoon session focused on the practical side of what
the volunteers learned that morning, providing a higher standard of service
for the greater good of the community.
Local security company donates to Pattaya Immigration Department
Modern equipment given to improve service
Suchada Tupchai
Senior management and representatives from
European Safety Concepts (Thailand) Co. Ltd (ESC) led by Steve
Graham, managing director, visited the Soi 8 immigration offices to
hand over 50,000 baht worth of electronic goods. The goods included a
25" TV, VCD player, FM tuner and three speakers. Pol. Col,
Somsak Senavinin, superintendent of Pattaya Immigration received the
goods on behalf of the department.
Steve
Graham, European Safety Concepts (Thailand) Co. Ltd managing director
hands over the equipment to Pol. Col. Somsak Senavinin,
superintendent of Pattaya Immigration.
The department receives around 150 visitors daily
and the equipment will be used for providing services for tourists
contacting the office concerning visa issues. ESC has worked with
local government law enforcement offices on a number of issues and
has supported them in keeping Pattaya safe.
Pol. Col, Somsak said, "The equipment will be
of great benefit to the department in providing more efficient
services to visitors in as much as we will be providing examples of
how we process relevant documents. The speakers will be set up so we
can call for visitors outside. Since the immigration department is in
operation 24 hours a day the improvements through the use of this
equipment can only be seen as a step in the right direction. The
Pattaya office serves many people on a day-to-day basis and we quite
often have limited resources at our disposal. Our aim is to work with
the city to further improve our efficiency and quality of service we
can provide."
Tour guide shot dead in a Pattaya hotel
Business differences cited as motive
Boonlua Chatree
A thirty-seven year old man was shot in front of dozens
of tourists at a Pattaya hotel. Saratai Piyanontpong was pronounced dead on
arrival at Pattaya Memorial Hospital from six gunshot wounds to his chest
and abdomen. The shooting occurred at 8 p.m. on June 22 at the Royal Palace
Hotel.
Police attending the scene picked out hollow tip bullet
fragments imbedded in the wall from a 38 caliber pistol; the hotel’s glass
door was shattered in the spray of gunfire.
Witnesses at the hotel were questioned and it was
revealed that Saratai was working as a guide for the Golden Billion Tour
Company and had just checked in 60 tourists from Taiwan. Saratai’s
employee and fellow guide told police that he recognized one of the gunmen
as the dead man’s previous partner, identified only as Chart. The man said
that Chart walked up to the front of the hotel and shot his employer and
fled in the direction of South Pattaya in a blue colored Mercedes Benz.
Police continued questioning witnesses until they
discovered the names and addresses of the two men involved in the shooting
and expect to make an arrest shortly.
"The prime motive behind the killing is thought to
be that Saratai had forced his former partner out of the business involving
Taiwanese tour groups and that the shooting was an act of revenge,"
said Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tienrungroj, Pattaya police superintendent.
Pattaya immigration police host volunteer crime prevention training
Pol. Col. Somsak Senavinin, superintendent
of Pattaya Immigration announced last week that they are now taking
applications from both Thai and foreign residents to volunteer for crime
prevention within Pattaya.
Applicants will be given training on August 7 this year
and will aim at widening police resources and allowing the volunteers to
become extra eyes and ears for the department by informing them on crimes in
progress - specifically in the interests of safety and security among
residents and tourists.
Two hundred places are available and are open for both
men and women wanting to volunteer. Those interested may register at the Soi
8 immigration office or call 038 429 409, 038 410 240 for further details.
Belgian man detained for questioning in ex-girlfriend’s death
Accused denies charges
Boonlua Chatree
A Belgian national was arrested Sunday in connection with
the murder of his Thai ex-girlfriend. The woman’s body was discovered on
Saturday night.
Police arrested Sam van Treeck, 24, at his condominium in
Pattaya after evidence pointed to the possibility that he is a suspect. He
denied killing Chompoonut Koyram, 23, a diving instructor in Phuket.
Chompoonut died from over 60 stab wounds from a small
knife. Her blood stained body was discovered in an apartment in Jomtien
Condotel. Her half naked body had been left inside the apartment, her hands
still clutching strands of hair.
Police forensic units examined the apartment and found
fingerprints belonging to Van Treeck and Chompoonut. Blood found on
Chompoonut’s body, thought to be the murderer’s, was taken in for DNA
testing. It will be seven days before results come back.
A tape from the condominium building’s closed-circuit
television showed that van Treeck was in the apartment building at the time
of the murder.
Van Treeck was allegedly Chompoonut’s first boyfriend,
and after they broke up she married a French man with whom she had a baby
daughter. Chompoonut later broke up with her French husband, and took her
baby to her parents in Buriram. She was reportedly staying with a new mate,
a Canadian in Phuket.
When questioned, Van Treeck told police that he was
staying with Chompoonut, but was out of the room at the time of her death.
He said someone might have taken the opportunity to kill her after he left
the room.
On Sunday police sought an arrest warrant for van Treeck
based on the evidence found at the crime scene. He has been charged with
first-degree murder.
Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tiengrungroj told reporters,
"van Treeck denies any wrongdoing but we (the police) have enough
evidence to arrest him for the murder of this woman. He still refuses to
sign a confession but that is of no consequence."
Police contacted the dead woman’s parents in Buriram to
inform them that Chompoonut’s body was sent to the police forensic
institute for a post mortem examination and that police would have to wait
for the results to close the case completely.
Pattaya tourist police hold annual volunteer training seminar
Security and service for tourists in Pattaya
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The annual training program for tourist police volunteers
was held last Saturday morning with 62 new recruits and 70 current
volunteers attending the training, which is now in its 11th year. The focus
this year was on improving the quality of training procedures so that the
volunteers could perform their duties in accordance with police guidelines,
ensuring high standards.
Tourist police volunteers assist uniformed officers in a
variety of aspects and they have become an important part of ensuring safety
among the community, especially when the number of officers is not enough to
cover the city.
Training attendees were taught first aid techniques, fire
fighting, traffic management, how to effectively conduct a body search when
looking for illegal substances such as drugs, as well as police procedures
and what to look for in someone suspected of being a criminal.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Panya Marmen, head of the tourist police
ordered 4 departments in three regions to carry out the new style of
training to make the most of the volunteers and improve their quality of
knowledge.
The program was supported by local businesses and
government sectors as part of caring for the city’s tourist industry,
which is its primary source of income.
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