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Officials search for a solution to Pattaya’s water problems
Mango rains help, but not enough
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The past month has been busy in Pattaya and with the
increase in visitors, water usage has been skyrocketing. Water levels are now
at an all time low, less than 50 percent capacity, and many residents and
businesses often go with out this vital resource.
Governor Pisit Ketphasook and provincial water authorities
led a brainstorming session at city hall last Friday morning, as
representatives from the business and tourism industry relayed their
difficulties in coping with the lack of water. “The province is experiencing
low water levels and a solution must be delivered,” said the governor.
Pattaya Water Authority representatives explained that water
flow has been dramatically reduced in order to prevent the reservoirs from
being totally depleted. The water authority reps said that if they had left the
production levels as normal, there would only have been enough water to last
until February.
However, a decision to purchase water from the East Water
Company and Sattahip Water Authority was agreed upon and volume should increase
to meet the demand.
Chewong Choosri, Region 3 Water Authority deputy governor
explained that 4 out of the 5 pump stations at the city and the district’s
five reservoirs had to be lowered by as much of 50 percent, or from around
5,000 cubic meters per hour to 3,700 cubic meters per hour, while the process
was being completed and it would be at least 1-2 weeks before water flow
returns to normal. Long term plans are also in progress.
“The water authority has received a budget of 275 million baht to improve
water distribution and production as well as purchase water from the East Water
Company. The water will be transported to local reservoirs for storage. This
should also resolve the problem of pumping water due to low levels. The
pipeline from the Amata Nakorn Reservoir is still under progress and should be
completed by September next year. This will supply a further 500 cubic meters
per hour. Once completed it should stave off any water problems in the near
future,” said Chewong.
Pattaya’s bus service on track for March 18 start
Red tape delays initial January date
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya’s public transport service has experienced yet more
delays. The government red tape, Pattaya Baht Bus Cooperative objections, route
concerns and pricing headaches have all pushed the proposed start date back from
the end of this month to at least March.
Yet another meeting was called at city hall on January 11 so
that city administrators, transport officials and concerned department heads
could once again discuss the project. Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn chaired the
proceedings.
The Pattaya
Beach Bus Company’s designed routes.
Suriyont Glindee, Pattaya Beach Bus Co. Ltd. operations
manager revealed that delays stalled the start of the service at numerous levels
but they would be ready to begin operations on March 18.
“The reasons behind the delay include slow approval of bus
stop signs ... the go ahead has only just been given by the relevant provincial
authorities because they have not had to deal with such an issue for many years.
The Chonburi Transport Department has also been part of the process, which also
caused the slow start,” said Suriyont.
The intended bus service will have three main routes, each
color-coded - Yellow (route 1), Green (Route 2) and Red (route 3). There will be
distinct inbound and outbound stops, and buses will run from 6.30 a.m. to 1.45
a.m. daily. All buses are air-conditioned and contain 34 seats.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn displays the automatic ticketing service and the
mascot, which were well received at the meeting.
The Yellow right hand route begins at the Kratinglai
intersection, runs along Sukhumvit Road, turns into Soi Chaiyrapruk up Jomtien
Beach Road, up through Thappraya and Pratamnak Road, down through the
Chaimongkol Temple intersection in South Pattaya, continue up along Pattaya
Second Road to the Dolphin Roundabout, along Pattaya-Naklua Road and up to
Sukhumvit Road by the Banglamung District office, returning to the Kratinglai
Intersection. The left hand route will follow the same route in the opposite
direction, with the only difference being that it will turn towards the beach at
the Dolphin roundabout and proceed down Beach Road until the beginning of
Walking Street, where it will turn up South Pattaya Road, then turn right
towards Jomtien. This route, which will have 6 to 8 buses running on it, will
cover a total distance of 35 kilometers round trip, with buses leaving every 25
to 30 minutes.
The Green route begins at the North Pattaya Road bus station,
runs along North Pattaya Road to the roundabout where it will do a U-turn and
head back up North Road to Sukhumvit Road, where it will then head south, turn
right at the Thepprasit Road intersection, proceed to Thappraya Road, turn right
onto Pattaya Third Road, proceed up to North Pattaya Road and back to the
starting point. There will be 3-5 buses operating this route leaving every 15 to
20 minutes on the 16 kilometer run.
The Red right hand route starts at Bali Hai pier in South
Pattaya up to the South Pattaya Road intersection and along Second Road past the
Dolphin Roundabout, turning right at Soi Potisan, up to Sukhumvit Road before
returning to Bali Hai via Sukhumvit Road and South Pattaya Road.
The Red left hand route goes in the opposite direction and
follows the same route except it will also turn down Beach Road at the Dolphin
Roundabout on its way back towards Bali Hai pier. This 12-kilometre route will
be serviced with 6-8 air-conditioned buses.
Some objections were raised about the Red route using Soi
Potisan, as people claimed that there would be problems at the already congested
intersection due to the lack of traffic lights. It was agreed that an
alternative would be considered to avoid potential traffic snarls.
The company then presented the bus stop signs and bus
designs. Bus stops will feature information on the city, province, routes and
emergency numbers. The city has agreed to maintain the bus stop signs once the
service begins.
Tickets for all routes are 30 baht one way on each route; a
full day ticket is 90 baht; 3-day ticket 180 baht and a monthly ticket 900 baht.
The bus company suggested that Pattaya residents be given a discount of 50
percent on the monthly tickets and a 350 baht price for students. During the
first 4 months all one-way tickets will be 15 baht. The idea, however, was not
well received and a fair standard price for all persons was raised.
Bunjerd Tongdee, president of the Pattaya Baht Bus
Cooperative was less than supportive. “You have already started discounting
the price before service begins despite the initial proposals made to the city.
This will affect all baht bus operators who are trying to make a living,” he
said.
Bunjerd continued, saying that the mayor had previously said
that the Transport Department would take care of the baht bus cooperative and
their routes. “Baht buses generally operate the shorter routes and the beach
bus services are longer routes ... the people will decide as to which is best
for them,” said Bunjerd.
Dr. Tawatchai Laosirihongtong, director of the Transport
Research and Development Center (TDRC) at the King Mongkut Institute of
Technology said that the most important aspect would be to ensure the greatest
benefit for residents and visitors, and assist with Pattaya’s traffic
problems.
Once the discussions were concluded the Pattaya Beach Bus Co. Ltd. presented
the automatic ticketing machine and their mascot, which drew a great deal of
interest from city administrators and members of the media.
Public health officials inspect markets for contaminated foods
Vendors flaunting law can be prosecuted
Suchada Tupchai
Keeping a watchful eye on food sold to the general
public, Chonburi officials inspected two popular local markets to make sure
food sellers are meeting government safety regulations. Officials from the
Public Health Department regularly check markets around the district to make
certain all food sold is fresh and free of contaminating bacteria and
dangerous chemicals.
Government
officials from the Public Health Department in Chonburi check for
contaminants in the food.
On January 14, officials conducted examinations of all
food on sale at the Amara Nakorn Market and the Wat Chaimongkol Market, and
distributed printed information to vendors and consumers to educate both
groups on the dangers of contaminated food.
During the inspection, officials checked for 5 types of
contaminants in food, such as Borax in minced pork, mould in pickled foods,
cleaning solutions in bean sprouts and in the tops of coconuts, formalin in
seafood, and contaminants in fruits and vegetables.
Representatives from the Public Health and Environment
Department asked vendors not to sell contaminated food. They distributed
literature to educate and warn people about foods known to be in danger of
the 5 contaminants. They also told consumers to avoid buying suspicious food
that could be contaminated, and to buy foods that have a Ministry of Public
Health food safety sticker.
Government officials brought samples of contaminated
food, such as pickled bamboo shoots, pork, seafood, and pickled lettuce, as
a demonstration to educate vendors and consumers.
According to the law, vendors selling contaminated food
would be reported to the appropriate officials, whereby such vendor would be
given an official warning. Vendors who ignore the warning would be charged
and prosecuted under Thai law.
Selling foods with forbidden substances calls for a fine of not more than
20,000 baht, a jail sentence of not more than 2 years or both. In the case
of food being contaminated with insecticide causing the meat to turn red, a
fine of not more than 50,000 baht will be assessed.
Election monitoring committee and city officials scrutinize signs for February election
Suchada Tupchai
Following the National Election Monitoring Committee
announcement of national elections no later than February 6 and drawing of
political party numbers, the tight campaign regulations are being clearly
defined and scrutinized. These regulations are to be strictly enforced
throughout the nation, and particularly so in Pattaya.
Campaign signs have sprung up throughout the city, in
communities and along the roadside.
Parliamentary
candidate signs are posted around the city in preparation for the February
elections.
Pattaya’s sign control regulations, paragraphs 43 and
44, amended on January 4 are aimed at keeping the city clean and tidy.
Campaign signs placed in front of city hall must not be larger than 45
centimeters in width and 60 centimeters in length.
In public areas and roadside locations, signs must not be
placed on or obstruct footpaths, traffic islands, roads or walkover bridges.
Signs used must be strong and safe. No painting of any type is allowed and
signs cannot be placed on government property. Private property maybe used,
providing the candidate has authorization from the property owner.
Once Election Day has passed all candidates must remove their campaign
signs within 7 days. If they fail to do so, the city will remove and destroy
them at the cost of the candidate.
City moves on with PR campaign to promote Pattaya to Asia
Discussions were held last Wednesday about how to take
further steps to promote Pattaya to the Asian region. Representatives from the
city, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Hotels Association - Eastern Chapter,
Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, the media and the Fun, Fill and
Reverse company met at the TAT’s Pratamnak office.
The city has allocated a sizeable budget and the TAT has
added further funds totaling 20 million baht for the promotional campaign.
Discussions were centered on the strategy for 2005.
Wirawat Khakhai, Pattaya’s deputy mayor who chaired the
meeting, said the goal is to increase the number of visitors to the city. The
plan is to use all facets of the tourism industry and use the slogan, ‘Fun
Everywhere in Pattaya’. The concept is already being implemented to attract
tourists from Bangkok and other Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore
and Korea. The Fun, Fill and Reverse Company have already mapped out the use of
TV, radio spots, and magazine spreads over the course of a year.
Wirawat announced that the concept, logos and delivery media
were already selected and that it is just a matter of finalizing the remaining
details to ensure a quality presentation throughout the year.
Final decisions will be announced at a further meeting
towards the end of the month.
EDITORIAL: Bus service - Flowers or stones?
Suchada Tupchai
As the world moves on, so does the city’s public transport
project, albeit slowly. In fact, it has been proceeding by stutter steps,
sometimes forwards, sometimes backwards, with the city’s proposed bus service
being a prime example.
Dr. Tawatchai Laosirihongtong, director of the Transport
Research and Development Center (TDRC) at the King Mongkut Institute of
Technology, who heads the city’s traffic research project, proposed the idea
of a bus service, which was initially welcomed by residents because it was free,
and the service polite and friendly.
However, the bus service had songtaew (baht bus) drivers in a
frenzy and the city bowed to their pressure, so the initial bus service was
stopped.
Today, the baht bus drivers are still plying the route and
not following the guidelines laid out by the city. The local administration
cannot control these road guerrillas.
Whatever the case may be, Pattaya’s transport system has
drawn interest from residents and over the past months the Pattaya Beach Bus
Company has presented designs for a new air-conditioned service. The numerous
meetings and red tape have effectively slowed everything to a Bangkok crawl and
now the service has been delayed yet again. Previously announced to begin at the
end of January, now Pattaya’s bus system won’t begin until March.
At the latest meeting, traffic committee members and
transport officers listened to the latest delays and offered their opinions. The
issue of informing the public to clearly define the routes and timings has
pushed it back. Many residents have said the fares are too expensive for them,
even after it was announced that Pattaya residents would have reduced fare
prices. This fare reduction was not favored as it would discriminate against
residents and tourists and create more than the usual problems.
The project has been studied for over a year as city fathers
search for a stable public transport solution, but one thing the city, bus
company and departments must do is cooperate and get the system started - then
keep it working.
Meanwhile, the company has a 7 year contract. Who knows after
that time if the safety and comfort will remain, or if it will even provide a
long term solution to Pattaya’s traffic problem... More importantly, will it
benefit the city and will it provide greater benefit to residents? If they do
their best, the public will decide, giving them flowers or stones if the service
succeeds or fails.
German man scares the bageegees out of diners in Naklua restaurant
Diners at the Berliner Restaurant on Soi Potisan became a
bit nervous when a drunken German fellow began waving a gun at staff and
customers.
Banglamung police were called to the scene and arrived
at the restaurant to discover Ralf Buschhter from Germany in an
extreme state of inebriation and waving a gun around. Diners fled and staff
cowered in fear.
Police subdued the man, only to discover the gun was
plastic.
Restaurant staff told officers that the man was a
regular and had been drinking since early afternoon.
Ralf Buschhter was arrested and charged with
carrying a fake weapon in public, causing undue disturbance and endangering
public safety.
Drunken family friend arrested for raping unconscious mom
A 15-year-old girl called police when she
came home from shopping to find a drunken family friend taking advantage of
her passed out mother.
The girl, thinking her mother was being raped, called
Banglamung police.
When officers arrived at the Kratinglai home, the girl told
them that Jaran Klunpetch, 26, had sent her out for groceries, then raped her
unconscious mother.
The girl went on to say that her mother, Pranom, 30, Jaran
and 2 other friends had been drinking outside the house. All were in an
inebriated state when the party broke up. Jaran had stayed behind and asked
the girl to go pick up something from a local shop. When the girl returned,
she found the man on top of her mother.
Jaran’s side of the story was that he and Pranom had had
relations for some time but the girl was unaware of it.
However, since Pranom was still passed out and unable to
confirm or deny the claims, police charged Jaran with sexual assault of a
woman who was not his wife. Police took him to jail until the situation could
be clearly investigated.
Midnight swim ends in tragedy
Tourist drowns in hotel pool
Boonlua Chatree
Serik Umbetkulov, 40, from Kazakhstan was pronounced dead on
arrival at Pattaya Memorial Hospital shortly after 1 a.m. on January 13. He
suffered what appeared to be a heart attack whilst swimming in the pool of a
hotel where he was staying.
Police questioned the hotel manager, Adul Janmettakulawat,
who told them he was about to go to sleep when he heard a commotion in the pool
area. The man’s friends were trying to resuscitate him before rushing him to
the hospital. The hotel manager added that the hotel has a sign stating that
swimming after hours is prohibited and the guest had snuck down for a swim. The
police were called when the man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police inspected the hotel as part of their investigation.
Serik Umbetkulov’s body was sent to the police forensic institute in Bangkok
for a post mortem examination.
Mayor surveys progress
on new Pratamnak Park
Pattaya’s new public gardens and sports park is
effectively 80 percent completed, revealed Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.
The 75 million baht project being carried out by the Nong Nooch landscape
and garden design company is due to be handed over to the city in the very
near future.
Niran revealed that the new location provides ocean views
and when open will allow residents and visitors the opportunity to relax in
natural surroundings. He went on to say that the current thinking is to also
add an X-treme Park in preparation for a new branch of the tourism industry.
The concept entails attracting sporting enthusiasts from
around the world to compete in a variety of extreme sports.
The project would include a bungee jump facility, bicycle
motorcross and mountain bike track and other extreme activities. The budget,
which is still yet to be discussed, would range in the 10 of millions of
baht with a final goal of holding the X-Games here in Pattaya.
Police briefs
Suspicious behavior
alerts police - leads to drug related arrests
Observant police officers arrested a 26-year-old Thai
man, later identified as Taweesap Yaemyim, for drug possession. Taweesap was
evidently acting suspiciously whilst walking in front of the Radi Mansion in
Central Pattaya, so police searched him and found he was in possession of 2
grams of the crystallized methamphetamine known as Ice.
Taweesap told police that he had been on his way to smoke
the drug with a foreign friend at a nearby apartment building. Seeing an
opportunity to catch a heinous drug user, police went to the foreigner’s
apartment where they discovered drug paraphernalia, more of the drug Ice and
2 bags of marijuana. The foreigner, later identified as 26-year-old Russian
national Sergae Poptapov, happened to be there at the time and was remanded
to custody.
Both men were charged with possession and use of class
one and class five illegal drugs.
Hit and run accident leaves one man dead
 Forty-six year old concreter Banharn Fakhom lost a short
but decisive skirmish with a speeding car on Sukhumvit Road last week.
Vasant Jumparsak, Barnharn’s relative told
investigating police that they had been drinking with friends near the SBI
Technic Company and were on their way home. As they crossed Sukhumvit Road
near the Kratinglai intersection, the car hit Banharn at high speed, sending
him some fifty meters through the air. Banharn died instantly.
The driver fled the scene immediately afterwards.
Vasant added that he could not identify the color, make
or model of the vehicle.
Investigating police examined the long skid marks on the
road and are now searching for the vehicle and its driver.
Italian resident dies during phone call
Boonlua Chatree
Sixty-five year old Italian resident Fransesco Torla fell
to the floor on January 11 during what must have been a shocking phone call.
Natawan Songsaengjan, a friend on the deceased, called police and Sawang
Boriboon personnel after witnessing him collapse.
When officers arrived at the Soi Arunothai house to
investigate, their initial examinations turned up no signs of foul play. The
man’s telephone lay beside him.
The body was sent to the forensic institute for a post
mortem examination with the most probable cause being a cardiac arrest.
Turkish man
detained for working illegally
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya Immigration police on the lookout for illegal
labor raided the Ali’s Pub and Bar on January 11. Once inside they
discovered Ibrahim Yuruk, 27, from Turkey welcoming guests and customers.
An inspection of the man’s documents revealed that
whilst legally residing in the kingdom he did not have a work permit, so he
was subsequently detained and charged accordingly.
Brits take over India
A first for the BCCT and a 70th for George Strampp
Miss Terry Diner
Turbans were not de rigeur at the British Chamber of
Commerce Thailand’s (BCCT) first networking evening on the Eastern Seaboard
for 2005, even though it was held at the Indian by Nature Restaurant.
(L to R)
Jameson’s landlord Kim Fletcher; Alain Durwarder, Kateon Natie managing
director; George Strampp, E-Flow Thailand and visiting artist Adriane
Strampp were seen and heard enjoying the networking night.
In fact turbans were few and far between, though Pattaya
stalwart Benni from Sheri Punjab Restaurant wore his, saying that the British
Raj had been asked to leave some time back. However, for most of the 70 strong
band, it was business as usual, with optimism being the all-pervasive feeling
in the business community.
 George
Strampp blows out the candles on his surprise birthday cake, and was happy that
there wasn’t nearly enough candles.
Local representative Graham Macdonald (MBMG) announced that
the demand for the networking evenings has been so high that the BCCT has
decided to hold these on the Eastern Seaboard each month, rather than every
other month as previously.
As well as all the local captains of industry, such as
Bluescope Steel’s Ian Dickson (and Pat), and Four Winds International’s
Paul Wilkinson, there were many from Bangkok, including RSM Nelson Wheeler’s
Mark Butters, KPN’s Ron Kosinski who is a ‘forging advisor’ but turned
down offers to do 1000 baht bills and the Comcon Group’s MD Joe Grunwell,
whose son James looks as if he might land a drive this year with BMW’s junior
race driver programme. Unfortunately there was nobody from Germany’s BMW
group at the British Chamber’s evening to let us know if young James has
clinched the spot. (Corporations looking to foster young talent should contact
Joe on 01 617 4027!)
 Greg
Watkins (left), BCCT executive director enjoys a moment with networking hosts
and sponsors, Indian By Nature owners Av and Jack.
Guests were not just from Thailand, however, as Greg Byrne
from Connecticut’s Arthur G Byrne and Co was present, making some interesting
overseas contacts for his family business.
Another overseas guest was Adriane Strampp, the artist
daughter of local auto man, George Strampp (E-Flow Thailand), who joined with
all the members to wish her father a happy 70th birthday, as he blew out the
candles on Pattaya Mail TV, while Dr. Iain led the chorus.
The Pattaya Mail will advise on the date and location for the next
networking evening.
BCCT directors
Trevor and Robert with Simon Dutton, Shenanigans new general manager, took in
the Indian By Nature networking night.
New U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Ralph L. Boyce arrives
Ralph L. Boyce arrived in the Kingdom
on January 3, 2005 and has started his duty as the new U.S. ambassador to
Thailand.
Before this assignment, Ambassador Boyce served as the
U.S. ambassador to Indonesia from 2001-2004. Prior to that ambassadorship,
he was the deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific
Affairs from 1998-2001. His area of responsibility included Southeast Asia,
Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.
 U.S.
Ambassador to Thailand Ralph L. Boyce
He entered the Foreign Service in 1976 and was assigned
to Tehran as staff assistant to the ambassador in September 1977. In
September 1979, he was posted as commercial attach้ in Tunis. In
September 1981, he was assigned to Islamabad as financial economist.
From July 1984 to August 1988, Ambassador Boyce served in
the State Department, first as special assistant and then as advisor to the
deputy secretary of state, responsible for the foreign affairs budget. In
August 1988, he was assigned to Bangkok, Thailand, as political counselor,
where he served until August 1992, when he was transferred to Singapore as
deputy chief of mission. From June 1993 to September 1994, he was charge
d’ affaires, a.i., in Singapore during the absence of an ambassador.
Ambassador Boyce returned to Bangkok in October 1994 as deputy chief of
mission, where he served until August 1998.
Ambassador Boyce was born February 1, 1952, in Washington, D.C. He
obtained a B.A. from George Washington University in 1974 and an M.P.A. from
Princeton University in 1976. He speaks Persian, French, and Thai.
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