|
HM the King calls for unity in helping the victims of the tsunami tragedy
As has been tradition for many decades, on December 31, the
eve of the New Year, His Majesty the King spoke to the nation on television.
Below are excerpts of His Majesty’s speech calling upon every Thai to join
together to help the victims of the natural disaster and help in a united
effort to find ways of prevention and implementing an early warning system in
the event of any future catastrophe.
“Citizens of Thailand.
On the eve of the New Year I send my good feelings and
sincere wishes to all of you. Thank you for your friendship in constantly
supporting me in my various duties throughout the year.
Last year we experienced many significant events, some good
and some not so good. The most wonderfully good happenings were when our
athletes proved themselves to be world class sportspersons comparable to any in the
world, by winning Gold Medals at the Olympics in Athens in many disciplines of
sport.
The bad events were many, which has caused the whole country
worry and distress.
Towards the end of the year, a massive natural catastrophe
befell our country which caused tremendous loss of life and property.
We must help ease the pain and suffering of those affected
and a huge effort must be undertaken to help rebuild our communities. We must
also search for effective ways to prevent and implement early warning systems
of imminent assaults by the elements.
In any case all these horrific events have clearly revealed
the true feelings of kindness and compassion of all the people, be they
soldiers, police and civilians, showing that we are united and that we truly
and with all our hearts care for each other.
It showed that we want to live together in peace because
when such calamities occur, the Thai people do not abandon each other. On the
other hand we are earnestly ready to sacrifice ourselves to assist each other,
be they Thais or foreigners.
I would like to reiterate to all of you as I have said many
years ago, the path of our lives cannot only be peaceful and happy. We must
experience sadness and danger on a regular basis.
To avoid these painful experiences in the New Year, I ask
you above all to maintain unity and compassion for each other, because these
are the qualities and merits that has helped our country and our people to
maintain our existence and safety which has permitted us to live in harmony and
happiness for a very long time.
As long as we can maintain these noble qualities, then only
can we be assured that our country will be stable and secure.
I call upon the Virtue of the Three Gems and all that the
Thai people respect and worship as sacred, to protect you all from sorrow and
danger, to grant you happiness in body and soul and may all your wishes be
granted in the New Year.”
Provincial election monitoring committees selected to monitor 2005 election process
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Election monitoring committees for central provinces were
selected in meeting held at the Grand Sole Hotel in Pattaya. At the meeting,
held on Thursday, December 23, officials from each province were presented with
guidelines and investigation procedures.
 Jarat
Buranphansri, National Election monitoring committee president in charge of
investigations
Jarat Buranphansri, National Election monitoring committee
president in charge of investigations presented the policies to provincial
members. The aim was to ensure standardized monitoring of candidates running for
parliament and provincial seats in the national election, scheduled for February
6, 2005. The policies, under the 1997 amended constitution, seek to make for
quicker procession of election results and protest investigations.
Parliament adjourned on January 5 and under the law,
elections for candidates must take place within 45 days. Elections for national
and provincial positions will take place later.
The meeting in Pattaya was the fourth of its kind following
similar proceedings in the north, northeast and southern provinces.
Candidates are subject to tight regulations in order to reduce the chances of
vote buying or other activities to sway voters. Similar monitoring committees
were set up to investigate local elections held through the country earlier this
year, which also included Pattaya.
Entertainment company proposes to turn Larn Island into a monthly party zone
City takes wait and see attitude, but first event on Jan 15 receives go ahead
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Representatives from the Vulcan Entertainment Company
Limited met with city officials to present their idea of making Koh Larn a
‘Party Island’. They sought approval for the monthly events, the first
scheduled from midday on January 15.
Deputy mayors Wirawat Khakhai and Wattana Jantaworanont
listened the proposal in a meeting at city hall on December 23.
Vulcan representatives said the party would feature live
music from both Thai and international bands, and would increase tourists to
the island. They said that since the island community has been developed to
attract visitors, they planned to hold the musical extravaganza on Saen
Beach, projecting that at least 1,000 people would attend the event.
Their other reason behind choosing Larn Island for the
event was its close proximity to Pattaya and the travel time was quite
short. The company would supply catering, with revelers buying coupons, and
that safety and security has been coordinated with Pattaya police station
and the island’s medical facilities. Pattaya City’s sanitation
department would handle cleaning up after the events.
City administrators listened to the proposal, which aimed
to attract the over-20 crowd. They approved the initial event stipulating
that if it was successful, they would reconsider allowing a second event to
take place the following month.
Water crisis looms over Pattaya City
Public and businesses urged to reduce water usage
Suchada Tupchai
As Pattaya moves through the tourist high season, it is
also the dry season. The lack of rain and the increase in water usage is
literally draining water supplies from the region’s reservoirs.
“Pattaya is now facing a water shortage ... in
addition it is the tourist season and typically the water usage increases
dramatically. The five main water sources, Mabprachan, Nongklang Dong,
Charknok, Sapan and Khunjit are each at around 50 percent capacity,” said
one Pattaya Water Authority officer.
Mabprachan
dam sits at around 50 percent capacity.
The official also said that another reservoir, Nong Kor, is
currently the responsibility of the East Water Public Co. Ltd. and that water
output levels have been decreased to lengthen the usage time, so residents and
the city does not run out of water. The result is that pressure levels at the
consumer end have also dropped with some areas experiencing only a trickle from
the tap.
Thanet Supornsaharangsri, Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association president said, “We (the city) are currently facing a drastic
water shortage and to help save water some residential areas will face no flow
whatsoever. This also negatively affects hotels and business operators.
Everyone should conserve water, hotels and many businesses have adequate
storage until an alternative source can be found but this year there is a real
deficit. I would like to see the water authority find an urgent solution to
prevent this from occurring.”
Water Authority officials pointed out that in the medium
term, water is being carted from Sattahip and from East Water at around 12,000
cubic meters per day for use in the Banglamung area and that they are searching
for approximately 26,000 cubic meters per day. The current usage in the region
is as high as 14,000 cubic meters per day in Pattaya, which is greater than
previous recorded levels. The reduced production is only a saving measure until
the problem can be resolved.
The Water Authority added that they are closely monitoring
the situation to ensure residents and businesses have enough water, but they
urge everyone to help save water by reducing unnecessary usage.
As a testament to the issue, reporters surveyed the
Mabprachan reservoir after numerous residents complained about the lack of
water. The reservoir’s water levels are very low. Let’s hope that officials
can come up with an urgent viable solution before the situation becomes worse.
The Water Authority said part of the problem is the fact that the amount of
rainfall over the last year dropped by 131 milliliters over the previous year.
PM endorses Chonburi and Rayong parliamentary candidates
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
In the lead up to national elections in February, Prime
Minister Taksin Shinawatra endorsed Thai Rak Thai his party’s parliamentary
candidates. As head of the political party he introduced the 7 candidates for
Chonburi and 4 for Rayong at the Rayong Provincial administration office on
December 23.
Prime
Minister Taksin Shinawatra signs autographs for residents at the festive
political rally.
The PM was joined by senior party members and cabinet
ministers for the event.
During the proceedings the PM outlined the successes his
government has achieved over the last four years in power, mentioning the 30
baht medical scheme for the nation’s financially oppressed, the village
investment scheme in which the government lent money for investment in self
sustaining projects, and the One Tambon One Product scheme which has been widely
accepted throughout the country. All projects have contributed to strengthening
the country’s economy during that same period.
He vowed the Thai Rak Thai would continue with its
development plan investing billions of baht in providing low cost housing,
improving hospital and education services and building more water reservoirs as
well as eliminating poverty from the country.
The candidates for Chonburi announced for the upcoming
elections are: Sanga Tonsongwonwong – district 1; Amarin Tungprakob –
district 2; Wittaya Khunplome – district 3; Surasit Nitiwutworaluk –
district 4; Itthipol Khunplome – district 5; Chanyuth Hengtrakul – district
6 (which includes Pattaya) and Poramet Ngamphichet – district 7.
For Rayong Yongyot Arunwesaseth, 2nd Lt. Krisda Garoon,
Pramote Wiraphan and Thara Pitudecha for all 4 provincial electorates.
Elections are scheduled for February 6. Thai Rak Thai candidates will face
candidates from the other major political parties including Mahachon, Chart and
the Democrats.
Road safety campaign reduces
death toll around the country
Chonburi, formerly ranked third in death rate drops out of the running
It appears that this year’s road safety campaign over the
New Year festival finally succeeded in reducing the death toll on the nation’s
roads. Deputy Prime Minister Jaturon Chaisaeng, who is in charge of the road
safety project, announced the goal of reducing road deaths and injuries to an
attainable level of 631 deaths and 26,467 injuries.
As for the period December 29, 2004 to January 1, 2005,
figures revealed a dramatic 32.56 percent reduction in the road death toll to
just 290 fatalities around the country, with nine provinces not recording any
fatal accidents over the period.
 Police
breath test motorists at one of the checkpoints around the city.
Chiang Mai was the top of the list with 12 fatalities,
Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima each had 11, Roi Et had 9 road deaths and the
provinces of Yasothorn, Ratchaburi, Phang-nga, Amnart Charoen, Mae Hong Son,
Singhburi, Ranong and Narathiwat recorded zero fatalities. Chonburi, which was
ranked third highest last year, had just 6 road reported fatalities from 2 p.m.
December 29, 2004 to 1 a.m. on January 2, 2005.
During the four day holiday period the number of vehicles in
Pattaya swelled, creating congestion in the city. Police from Banglamung and
Pattaya in conjunction with volunteers patrolled intersections and set up
checkpoints monitoring motorists’ alcohol levels, handing out speeding tickets
and fining motorcyclists for not wearing helmets and riding against the flow of
traffic.
On-duty officers reported a low number of accidents with those involved
sustaining minor injuries. They attributed the more serious injuries to
motorcyclists speeding and not wearing safety helmets.
Paranoid Russian tourist
severely beats go-go bar doorman
Claims pre-emptive strike
Boonlua Chatree
A doorman at the Highway Star go-go bar in Walking
Street was rushed to Pattaya Memorial Hospital emergency room in critical
condition. He suffered multiple head and facial injuries after being
beaten by a Russian tourist for no apparent reason.
Police detained Joken Salosias, 43, from Russia shortly
after 2 a.m. on December for the attack. Bar patrons and staff detained
the paranoid tourist before police arrived while the injured doorman was
taken to hospital.
 Russian
Joken Salosias was arrested for beating a go-go bar doorman.
Police questioned the tourist who claimed that he
misunderstood the doorman’s intention and thought that he was calling
other people into the bar to attack him. Joken went on to say that he
decided to attack the man to ensure he was not a victim first.
Police visited the hospital in an attempt to question
Kasemsant Iamsa-art only to find him still in surgery. Doctors placed him
in ICU, and his condition was reported as critical. Doctors were unable to
guarantee the man’s recovery.
Police charged the Russian man with grievous bodily harm and remanded
him into custody pending a court appearance.
Young girl found in apartment with throat cut
Killer still at large
Boonlua
Chatree
At 5:30 p.m. on December 27, Banglamung police received a
report that a woman’s body had been discovered in an apartment off Sukhumvit
Road. Officers attending the scene found the corpse of a young Thai woman, later
identified as 19-year-old Naruemon Klohnkarn from Chantaburi Province, lying on
the floor in a pool of blood. Her throat had been cut.
The murder took place at the Buaprasit Apartment Complex on
Sukhumvit Road. Investigating officers and medical examiners found the young
woman fully clothed, but her throat had been opened with one brutal slice.
At the scene police discovered the back door was open leading
to the washroom. The sink was full of blood after the murderer had apparently
cleaned his hands after the savage deed. Beside the corpse there was an
overturned plate of rice and salad, and other signs of a struggle were in
evidence.
Police questioned 19-year-old student, Jaroon Raksat, who had
made the report, and he stated that he had been a friend of the deceased for 3
years. He said four days previously the woman had visited him and stayed with
him. He said he normally went to school in the morning and came back in the
evening to visit her. But this day he had returned and noticed the door was
locked so he called to his friend to open the door, but there was no response.
Jaroon said he entered the room by breaking down the door, discovered the body
and immediately called the police.
The police theorized that the murderer was a tenant in the
same apartment complex who had seen the woman eating alone in her room. They
think the killer came into the woman’s room from behind and tried to rape her
at knifepoint. The evidence showed that the woman had tried to defend herself
and when she struggled, the man cut her throat and fled. Officers are still
investigating the case.
Mobile drug dealer detained in police sting
Boonlua Chatree
Crime suppression police arrested Sakdar Singhtong, 27, of
Supanburi province for selling methamphetamines. Officers made their arrest
shortly after 1 a.m. on December 25 in a sting operation following an
investigation into the man’s activities.
Police revealed that their investigation led to information
that Sakdar was supplying customers with the illicit drug through deals made
over his mobile phone.
 Evidence
seized in the arrest of Sakdar Singhtong.
They set up the operation, meeting the man in Soi Bua
Khao. They lay in wait as they noticed Sakdar scouted the area on his
motorcycle before meeting undercover officers. Once complete, they sprang
into action detaining Singhtong in possession of 57 methamphetamine (‘ya
ba’) pills and one pack of marijuana in his possession, as well as a
loaded handgun.
Sakdar Singhtong was later charged with possession with
intent to sell a class one illegal drug, possession of a class five illegal
drug and illegal possession of an unlicensed weapon in public. He was
remanded into custody pending court proceedings.
Police revealed that they are continuing with further investigations to
eradicate dealers from the city.
Pattaya’s road safety campaign nets soused motorcyclist after collision with famous comedian’s car
Boonlua Chatree
The road safety campaign over the festive season has seen
scores of offenders fined and warned for breaching traffic rules. One such
notable incident occurred around 2 a.m. on December 24 when a motorcyclist
attempted to evade a police checkpoint at the ‘Luk Kaew Cafe’ on Pattaya
Third Road.
Sansak Turarat, 24 was arrested after colliding with a
black BMW belonging to famous Thai comedian ‘Note Chernyim’. Sansak had
tried to avoid the checkpoint, making a U-turn in front of the oncoming car.
The altercation tore the side mirror off the vehicle, leaving the
motorcyclist relatively uninjured.
Note, who had just completed a show at the nearby cafe
was on his way back to Bangkok at the time. He said he did not want to press
any charges. Police had other ideas.
A breathalyzer test on the motorcyclist showed that he
was over the legal limit and he was subsequently fined for driving under the
influence.
The nationwide crackdown on drunk driving has had a
limited effect and in Pattaya, as of December 24 - one day after the
campaign began - there had been numerous traffic violations: 8 cases of
driving without a license, 26 violations of motorcyclists riding without
helmets, 12 seatbelt violations and 3 driving under the influence of alcohol
at a single checkpoint.
Pol. Lt. Col. Nattasit Boonnuam, Pattaya police deputy
superintendent said, “The campaign is aimed at reducing the number
accidents over the New Year period. We set up checkpoints around the city
and are monitoring them for the safety and convenience of motorists in
Pattaya.”
Residents pay respect to father of Royal Thai Navy
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
On December 19, Pattaya residents gathered to pay respect
to the father of the Royal Thai Navy, Prince Gromluang Chumporn Khetudomsak.
The ceremonies took place at the famous Prince Gromluang Chumporn Monument,
which is a symbol of Pattaya City.
Rear Admiral
Amornthep Na Bangchang, deputy commander of Royal Navy Communications,
presides over the sacred ceremony held for Prince Gromluang Chumporn
Khetudomsak, father of the Royal Thai Navy.
Rear Admiral Amornthep Na Bangchang, deputy commander of
Royal Navy Communications, presided over the sacred ceremony held for Prince
Gromluang Chumporn Khetudomsak. A crowd congregated to pay tribute to his
many his sacrifices to the Kingdom. Members of the general public
participated in this sacred ceremony, which was held at the top of Pratamnak
Hill. They were welcomed by Captain Pisal Kongwilahol, director of the Sor
Thor Ror 5 radio station and his staff.
The ritual started at 7 a.m. with a Buddhist blessing
ceremony for good luck, and at 9:29 a.m. everyone joined in a reverent
prayer. Later a meal was prepared for those in attendance.
Prince Gromluang Chumporn Khetudomsak was the son of King
Rama V and his wife Chao Jom Mod. In 1892 King Rama V sent Prince Gromluang
Chumporn Khetudomsak to study in the U.K. where he later graduated in 1900.
He came back to work in the Royal Thai Navy as a junior lieutenant
commander, and was in the Royal Thai Navy until 1923.
The prince initiated activities such as a flag signal
with two hands, lanterns for use in the Royal Thai Navy, he updated Naval
School education in 1905, and in 1907 he sent naval engineering students to
train aboard the Mongkut Ratchakumal, the first ship in the Royal Thai Navy.
This training was the first time that a ship was controlled by a Thai
commander and his crew.
He also setup the Thai fire department and asked King
Rama VI for a piece of land in Sattahip to build the Navy’s Office in
1922. In 1920 he was the commander who brought the Pra Ruang (ship) from
England to Bangkok.
This was also the first time that the Royal Thai Navy
could travel long distances with a Thai ship, and it was the start of other
very useful activities that have contributed to the status and success of
the present Royal Thai Navy.
The Prince orchestrated the stability and strength of the naval base and
contributed much to its present day prestige. This is why he is considered
the father of the Royal Thai Navy.
EDITORIAL: The power to help
Suchada Tupchai
The unthinkable happened in Asia last week, a grim
reminder of Mother Nature’s power. An earthquake measuring 9 on the
Richter scale devastated the region through the result of powerful tsunamis
destroying towns and lives in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia,
Thailand, and parts of Africa. It was devastation never before seen in
history, particularly in Thailand.
The body count in the nation’s six southern provinces
keeps rising, and is expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks. This
tragedy has dearly cost the region, not only in terms of financial and
economic losses but also in terms of human lives and natural resources. In
Thailand alone, the government estimates at least 100 billion baht or more
will be needed to rebuild infrastructure and the lives of those affected by
the tragedy.
However, there are pictures of people helping their
fellow man that bring some relief to the world we live in. It is a picture
that brings hope amid grief and shows that Thais around the nation have
pitched in to provide assistance to tourists and their fellow Thais.
Government departments are coordinating efforts to aid foreign tourists to
the best of their ability, keep them safe and provide essential medical
services, food and shelter to all affected.
In every corner of the country people are helping in any
way they can, through volunteering their services, donating food, clothing
and medical supplies, and as quickly as they can.
Pattaya, a tourist resort like those crushed in the tidal
waves, is showing its true colors as city officials, Thai and foreign
residents pitch in to support the relief efforts for those in need. Many
foreign residents have answered the call for blood donations for Rh negative
blood - something that is not common in Thailand - and much needed blood has
already made its way to hospitals treating the injured.
The ramifications of the disaster will be felt for years
to come, but for some the most important result, and possibly the best, is
that everyone has joined together to support those in need, providing not
just the materials to survive but encouragement and support to enable the
injured and the families grieving for the loss of their loved ones the will
and strength to go on.
The Pattaya Mail offers our condolences for the families
and prayers for those who lost their lives. May they rest in eternal peace.
|
