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Grandchildren aid
grandmother during epileptic attack
Patcharapol Parnrak
Two children, just 3 years old and 19 months old, bravely
helped their grandmother when she had an epileptic seizure while driving in her
car. They struggled to stop the car and force open her constricted mouth.
 The
two children, 3-years-old and 19 months, rescue their grandmother.
A Pattaya Mail newspaper reporter was driving along
Sukhumvit Road No. 3, Bangna-Trat in Sattahip District and spotted a tiny boy
trying to stop a car. The reporter immediately stopped and saw a woman, later
identified as the boy’s grandmother, Krasae Sukasem, 50, lying on the ground
as a small girl was attempting to force the unconscious woman’s mouth open.
The woman was grinding her teeth together, so the girl also tried her best to
bring the woman back to a conscious state.
Rattikan Bunma and some of her neighbors were passing by and
stopped to give first aid until the woman regained consciousness. They brought
the woman and the children back to their home and stayed to calm the crying
children.
Rattikan explained she is the daughter of Krasae Sukasem, 50
years old. The two children’s names are Ratanachai Ratprathum, 3, and
Cholthicha Chimwiset, 19 months old, both from different fathers which she had
divorced. She said that both children are very respectful and love their
grandmother very much. They stay with their grandmother everyday because their
mother is a vender in the open market.
“I usually go to work from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and that’s the reason I
must leave the two children with their grandmother. I had just attended a
funeral and was returning home when I saw my mother on the ground having a
seizure and saw that the children were trying to rescue her. They had watched
me help her before and had learned what to do in this kind of situation. They
are such brave children and I am very proud of them,” said Rattikan.
Pattaya water rescue personnel receive added training
The Pattaya Water Safety Center at Bali Hai, South Pattaya
was the venue for further training of the city’s sea rescue personnel. The
training program began on February 7 and ran until February 13, and was
officially opened by the city mayor.
The program focused on practical rescue methods, used
simulated accidents, discussed theory and topics covering the law. The aim of
the program was not only to improve readiness among sea rescue personnel but to
also ensure a long term development program safeguarding residents, tourists
and property.
The mayor addressed the 50-plus sea rescue personnel
attending the seminar, telling them that with an average of 4 million visitors
per year, Pattaya injects 50 billion baht into the national economy. The need
for marine safety is paramount since the beaches and the bay are main selling
points in the tourism industry.
Mayor Niran added that the work carried out by sea rescue
personnel is of vital importance for all and it is necessary to have qualified
personnel on duty to handle different situations and protect the general public
and private property.
Naklua traffic issues and improving baht bus services addressed
Suchada
Tupchai
City administrators called a meeting with Banglamung and
Pattaya traffic inspectors, Songtaew (baht bus) Cooperative representatives
and concerned officials to resolve traffic problems and increase baht bus
services for Naklua residents. The meeting was held at city hall last Friday
afternoon.
Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn presides over last week’s traffic meeting at city hall.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn opened the meeting by
saying that it is necessary to improve transport alternatives for residents
in an appropriate manner and that a number of residents had to walk to get
on baht buses in the area.
“Particularly behind the Sawang Boriboon Foundation and
many other points, many resident have to walk quite a distance to use this
service. We must search for a solution and improve the transport options.
One point in particular would be to install traffic lights at the
intersection near the Banglamung police station that allows motorists to
access the main road safely. Ideally the area needs to be looked at for a
major restructure,” said the mayor, who suggested that a short term baht
bus rank be implemented for residents providing that the driver would abide
by the laws.
“Before becoming mayor, I was on my campaign and
noticed numerous points that needed to be rectified with regards to traffic
and transport. It is now time to act and correct the problems. Despite the
constant changes occurring to the city’s traffic planning, many residents
are disadvantaged and have continuously complained,” Niran added.
The meeting concluded with all agreeing to collect and study relevant
information to resolve the problem and that once a concrete plan was hatched
it would be implemented after a further meeting.
Raw sewage in the streets raises residents’ ire
Blame city for allowing it to continue
Residents living near the Supsiri
Apartment building are complaining about the excessive smell emanating from
raw sewage leaking onto the street in the area.
City councilors Boonlua Kulawanich, Jidapar Suwattanaporn
and Sanit Boonmarchai responded to the complaints on Tuesday, after the smell
was too much for nearby residents to tolerate.
What they found was a small blocked drain leading out of
the 3 storey building on public land with sewage flowing into the street. A
city engineer was also on hand to inspect the situation and it was resolved
that the city and apartment owners would find the best and quickest way to
correct the problem.
One of the apartment owners told reporters that the
relevant departments for design and construction approved this building, and
there was a septic tank to take care of the waste from the building. The
problem was there was no drainage in the soi, and that he and 50 residents had
previously petitioned the administration for them to lay proper drainage pipes
at their own expense, but they received no response from the local department
responsible for the handing out such permits.
During last year’s Pattaya election campaign, city
managers promised to look into the problem, but a year later, nothing has been
done and the road remains un-surfaced. Impatient residents are wondering how
much longer they must wait for the city to do the job.
Pattaya Music Festival 2005 moves to Beach Road
More international flavor this year
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Preparations for this year’s annual Pattaya Music Festival
continue. The latest meeting at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Central
Region 3 office revealed a more international array will be held this year.
Pong-Anan Sanpanich, Tourism Authority of Thailand Tactical
Advertising and Public Relations Department director met with city officials
and event organizers Dentsu (Thailand) and representatives from MTV. This
year’s 3-day Pattaya Music Festival has evolved to become the International
Music Festival 2005.
Discussions at the February 11 meeting centered on design
and concepts which included closing off Beach Road from the Dolphin roundabout
to the Bali Hai pier throughout the festival. The aim is to improve upon the
past success of the festivals.
Mayor Niran revealed that this year would differ greatly
from the past whereby musicians would play throughout the entire three days
with a greater number of styles available.
Three stages will be set along Beach Road, eliminating the
North Pattaya stage, with stage 1 - World Box - featuring international acts
such as Wang Lee Hom of Taiwan, Tata Young and Hanson. The second stage - Love
Box - will feature famous Asian musicians from Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan
or Malaysia. The Peace Box (stage 3) will feature famous Thai musicians from
all styles, aimed at drawing a great deal of local to Pattaya.
The locations for the 3 stages are still under consideration
but early suggestions put the World Box at Bali Hai pier area, the Love Box on
Beach Road between Soi 9-10 and the Peace Box in front of the Pattaya Palace
Hotel (near Soi Yodsak). Final announcement of stage locations will released
following the next meeting concerning the event.
Chanyuth thanks Laem Chabang voters
for their support
Suchada Tupchai
On Tuesday afternoon, Chanyuth Hengtrakul visited
residents in the Sriracha, Tungsukhla and the Laem Chabang area. A large
procession led by Chanyuth and his family thanked voters for their support
in last weekend’s national elections.
Although official results have yet to be formally
announced, the Thai Rak Thai candidate received over 62,000 votes in the
Pattaya and Banglamung electorate to represent the area as a member of
parliament.
A festive feeling followed the procession as it made its
way through each area drawing interest from residents. Chanyuth thanked
everyone and promised to do his best in taking on his duties.
Sunday’s national elections in Pattaya and Banglamung
saw an unheralded 67.44 percent voter turnout. The official announcement is
expected in early March after election monitoring officials pour over the
results and clear any discrepancies that may arise.
City donates 1 million baht to Larn Island temple
Suchada Tupchai
The need for improving Larn Island’s environment
doesn’t stop at just improving the general prevention of inappropriate
waste disposal. To boost the island eco-friendly stance, the city recently
donated 1 million baht to the Mai-samrarn Temple to complete the new
cremation facility.
Pattana
Boonsawat, Pattaya deputy mayor hands over a cheque for 1 million baht to
Pra Khru Vimol Parsookkij, Wat Mai-samrarn abbot.
The temple abbot, Pra Khru Vimol Parsookkij accepted the
donation from Pattana Boonsawat, Pattaya deputy mayor, to go towards the
new facility.
The abbot said that the new crematorium, which is almost
complete, is smokeless and will ensure pollution would be kept to a
minimum.
“The old crematorium would send smoke into the air and smell. This new
facility will provide a cleaner solution. The city has supported the
project and with this donation of funds, we will fully complete the new
facility in the very near future,” said the abbot.
Residents complain about Second Road resurfacing
Complaints bring mayor out for a look
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
Complaints of excessive dust and inconveniences over the
start of road re-surfacing along Pattaya Second Road prompted the mayor and
engineers out to inspect the problem.
Mayor Niran and
road officials have a look at the road resurfacing project going on up Second
Road.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Pichet Utaiwattananont,
city building and construction department director and contractors had a look
at the road re-surfacing project on Monday afternoon, and concluded that the
problems associated with the road resurfacing, as well as the complaints about
them, were inevitable. Officials are asking for patience.
The 15 million baht project, which began on January 27 aims
to replace the road surface and finish off the footpaths from the South
Pattaya intersection up to the Dolphin Roundabout, which will be carried out
in sections until the contracted finish date of May 6 this year.
Sithiporn Suragarnjana, Silawat Co. Ltd. representative
carrying out the works said, “Concerning the excessive dust people must
realize that we are resurfacing the road and the footpath. I suggest that in
order to keep the dust down the area be watered to reduce the amount.
Throughout the project, people using the road will be inconvenienced but we
should finish it around April 8 before moving on to the next section.”
Officials urged residents and motorists to bear with them during the
project in the interest on providing a better infrastructure for the city.
EDITORIAL: Valentines A double-edged sword for Thai teens
Suchada Tupchai
As this past week saw yet another Valentine’s Day - this
day of love is celebrated throughout the week in Thailand. This year, however,
an opinion poll taken from Thai teens has caused quite a stir. The survey
results have shown that more Thai teens planned to engage in sexual activity on
Valentine’s Day. The survey also included statistics on the number of hotel
rooms booked and the number of condoms beings sold, both numbers being
unusually high.
The wide ranging poll, however, whilst is an opinion, shows
the effects of ‘love’ and the changing attitudes of the new generation, but
only in a small cross section.
The poll is carried out each year with the intention of
passing on the results to the media. This year it specifically asked the
question if teens were going to have sex on Valentine’s Day. It showed that
around 100,000 in that age group would participate in sex on that day in
particular. The answer has caused officialdom and parents great concern.
As the results pass through the media to the populace - good
or bad - they have a trickle down effect, such as “it’s the fashion”, and
can lead to further loss of innocence on Valentine’s Day. As narrow as the
survey is, since only Bangkok teens were polled, it does no justice for the
rest of the country. The results are from a limited segment of society and its
double edged effect could well affect those of differing value systems.
Whatever the case or day of the year may be, the importance
should be placed upon self respect and self value of one’s life, the
development of the true meaning, and holidays should not be allowed to become a
cheap excuse for sex.
City officials look for ways to improve Pattaya’s tourism image
Also brainstorm ways to promote water sports
City management and government officers met at city
hall on Thursday to discuss ways to further develop Pattaya’s image as a
tourism and water sports destination.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn opened the meeting and said
the aim was to focus on developing the city, and follow up on problems arising
from rapid development, such as road works and associated traffic problems
currently occurring in South Pattaya.
However, the main topic was how to further develop the city
as a sports destination. Attendees cited the new park on Pratamnak Hill.
Suggestions have been put forward for the area to be used for extreme sports.
Private companies have already designed the area for the use of extreme sports.
Further meetings are likely in order to prepare the appropriate budget to build
the center. Utilizing the city’s ideal location to further water sports
activities was also discussed.
Tourists injured in muggings
Police catch one of the offenders
Boonlua Chatree
Three foreign tourists received multiple injuries when three
men on a motorcycle used a lump of wood to beat them in order to steal from
them.
 Pauli
Ilmari Kuikka, 60, from Finland - one the victims.
Shortly after 2.30 a.m. on February 10, Pattaya police
received report from Pauli Ilmari Kuikka, 60, from Finland that three men
attacked him as he was walking back to the Mountain Beach Hotel. The thieves
made off with a watch and 1,200 baht in cash. Kuikka was bruised and blood
streamed from a wound to his head. Police took him to the hospital for
treatment and radioed a patrol to search the area.
Officers went to the area where the Finnish tourist was
attacked to find the same three men attacking an Austrian couple. At the sight
of police the trio fled the area and headed for Soi Korpai in South Pattaya.
Officers gave chase and followed the thugs to bush land along the soi. The
criminals ditched their bike and headed into the darkness. The area was sealed
off with police who eventually caught one of the men.
The two Austrian tourists were taken to the hospital for
treatment, Sodamin Yernard, 64, was admitted to ICU with bleeding on the brain
while his wife Valtrek Yernard, 60, was treated for a broken finger and wrist.
One of the attackers, identified as Kraisorn Narmsonga, 20,
still had the couple’s valuables with him.
Kraisorn confessed to police that he and his two friends,
Parn and Toey, had robbed tourists using the same method on four previous
occasions. The man went on to say that he and his friends lived in Naklua
behind the plastics factory where they worked during the day.
Kraisorn was charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm, use of a
weapon and theft.
Ecstasy and Ice confiscated in latest police sting
Being put on ice is no ecstasy for drug dealers
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya police confiscated a myriad of drugs, including
ecstasy, ice and marijuana, in their latest raid on a house in the
Thepprasit Villas.
 (l-r)
Sophon Lawalaiwong, Nimit Chemtong and Yuth Jaidee were charged with
possession of illegal drugs with intent to sell.
Acting on a tip off, officers arrested 3 men, Yuth
Jaidee, 50, with two bags of the crystalline methamphetamine known as Ice.
The second man, Sophon Lawalaiwong, 43, was detained with 15 packets of the
crystalline drug and 10 ecstasy pills while the third man, Nimit Chemtong
was detained for possession of marijuana. They all confessed, saying that
they sold their wares at local entertainment venues and had a large number
of clientele.
All three were taken in for questioning and later charged with illegal
drug possession with intent to sell. Police are following up on their
investigations.
Norwegian man jumps 11 floors to his death
A Norwegian national, identified as Johnny
Larsen, 35, apparently jumped off the 11th floor of his rented apartment at
the Keha Apartments on Thepprasit Road. The man’s pregnant girlfriend
called police to report the tragedy at approximately 10:30 p.m. on February
8.
Police and Sawang Boriboon personnel arrived on the scene
to find the naked body of a foreigner lying on the ground. It appeared that
the man died instantly on impact. His body was shattered.
Police questioned Tippawan Petchpradup, 27, the man’s
girlfriend. She told police that she had been with Larsen for approximately
a year and that she was three months pregnant with his child. She said that
Larsen would visit Thailand frequently and that they had rented the
apartment as their love nest.
She said that Larsen, who also had a wife and 2 children
in Norway, became stressed when his Norwegian wife gave him an ultimatum
that she would leave him and take the children with her if he did not leave
his Thai girlfriend.
Tippawan said that prior to the tragedy, she had tried to
console Larsen, asking him to calm down and think things through, adding
that he should go back to Norway to clear things with his wife. She also
told him not to worry about her as she could take of the child as she had a
stable job.
Larsen apparently told her that he couldn’t do that and
walked over to the balcony. Sensing what was about to happen, Tippawan said
she tried to get Larsen back inside, which worked until he made the
successful attempt, falling to his death.
Police and Sawang Boriboon personnel took Larsen’s body
to the police forensic institute for a post mortem examination after
recording Petchpradup’s statement.
Tippawan’s older sister, Choophan Petchpradup later
told reporters that Larsen was a good man and that her sister accepted the
fact that he had a wife and children in Norway. Choophan Petchpradup
described Larsen as a kind and responsible man who loved his family and that
she never though he would do such a thing. She added that she felt deeply
saddened by what had happened.
Hong Kong woman detained for credit card fraud
Boonlua
Chatree
Police detained a 24-year-old woman from Hong Kong after
she tried to use three bogus credit cards to purchase 4 diamond rings worth
150,000 baht.
The owner of Lotus Gems in Walking Street called police
shortly after midnight on February 5 after trying to run the cards through
the EFTPOS machine, and subsequently calling banking officials who confirmed
the cards were false.
 Lam
Lai Mui (right) was arrested for allegedly using bogus credit cards to try
and buy diamonds.
Police arrived at the store and escorted Lam Lai Mui to
the station for questioning. The woman claimed that she had borrowed the
three visa cards from a male friend to make the purchase and had no idea the
cards were fake.
Police took the woman’s statement and charged her with fraud under
electronic banking laws. She could face 5 years in jail or 100,000 baht fine
or both if she is convicted.
Police briefs
Unemployed men
arrested after attacking English couple
Supote Porhommila, 25, and Surasak Khumyuang, 22, were
arrested as the pair tried to flee the crime scene after a snatch and run
incident. The pair confessed to officers that they had resorted to theft in
order to use the money for day-to-day expenses.
The victims, an English couple, William and Karen Monk,
both in their 60s lost 10,500 baht, 150 pounds sterling and a watch in the
theft, which happened along the beach in North Pattaya. The items were
returned as police had caught the thieves with the stolen property still in
their possession. Both men were charged with theft and locked up pending a
court appearance.
Teen accused of robbing
tourist denies allegations
Wanchai Panpar was arrested on February 9 for his alleged
involvement in the robbery of a foreign tourist. Officers detained the youth
in front of the Thepprasit markets after receiving a call from Kelar Lineman
from Denmark.
The tourist told police that two men on a motorcycle had
snatched the 5 baht-weight gold chain from his neck before they sped off.
The crime occurred in front of the Bangkok Bank on Pattaya Second Road and
Lineman said that one of the thieves was at the markets.
Police officers moved in and detained Wanchai, who denied
the allegations. Wanchai did not have the chain on him. Police, however, did
not believe Wanchai’s story and held him for further interrogation in
order to bring the case to a close one way or another.
Teen gang attempts bike
robbery for nighttime
entertainment
Five teenagers aged 14 to 18 were arrested after they
tried to steal a motorcycle in Soi Wat Thamasamakee in South Pattaya on the
evening of February 8.
The youths evidently were inexperienced and the owner of
the bike, along with residents detained the teens until police arrived.
Police questioned a 14 year old girl who told them that
she and her friends had in fact tried to steal the motorcycle and that it
was their first attempt. They had intended to sell the bike and use the
money to go out for the evening.
Police recorded the statements and transferred the
youngsters to criminal investigation officers for processing and to be
charged with theft. However, it was later revealed that two of the girls had
no prior knowledge of the intent to steal the motorcycle and were just with
the wrong group at the wrong time. Officers recorded their personal details
before releasing them on their own accord.
Victory will put pressure
on TRT to meet needs of people
The overwhelming electoral victory of
the ruling Thai Rak Thai party will put pressure on it to meet the needs of
a nation which has invested all its hope in a single party, a leading
academic noted.
As academics began debating the landslide victory of the
Thai Rak Thai party in Sunday’s general election, Somkiert Phongphaiboon
from the Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University interpreted the victory as a
sign that the public had placed all its hopes in the policies espoused by
the new government. Noting that the rural public would expect immediate
results, he said that the government would have to rush to end household
debt.
Already over 5 million people across the country have
registered for the government’s debt release scheme, while 14 million
families have expressed a need for their own land and housing.
In urban areas, Somkiert said, the TRT victory was
largely due to the party’s manifesto pledges to solve traffic problems,
particularly through better public transport systems.
The landslide victory, Somkiert said, could turn out to
be a double-edged sword for the party, putting enormous pressure on it to
meet public expectations. The government would now find itself struggling to
come up with the huge sums of money needed for the large scale projects it
had promised, and the government would have to rely on the issuance of bonds
and the mobilization of funds through the privatization of state utilities.
He also noted that the strength of the administration
meant that it was vital that the public play a greater role in providing
checks on government power, as the parliamentary opposition was now too weak
to provide a sufficient counterbalance to state authority. (TNA)
Thailand to have permanent tsunami
warning system in 2 years, says PM
Thailand will have an initial tsunami
warning system in place by April, with a fully operative system installed
within the next two years, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra confirmed on
February 12.
Bolstered by his electoral victory in the last general
election, attributed in part to his handling of late last year’s tsunami
crisis, the prime minister told voters via his weekly radio program that
Thailand would construct a warning system without delay.
Thailand has said that it will go alone and build a
tsunami warning system without the help of other countries in the region,
but has indicated that it will spend 400 million baht to help set up a
regional system if other countries cooperate.
An initial warning system is now expected to be in place
by the end of March or the beginning of April, while a more permanent system
will take another 18-24 months to become fully operative. Since the massive
tsunami waves struck the country’s southern Andaman coastline on December
26 , the government has been anxious to restore tourist confidence, and the
early installation of a warning system is seen as one means to do so.
Thaksin noted that the rehabilitation of the country’s
southern resort province of Phuket, badly battered by the tsunamis, had
proceeded more rapidly than anyone had hoped for, and said that several
countries were encouraging their nationals to come back to the country’s
Andaman region.
France has said that it will send scholarship students to
Thailand, while Finland is also sending groups of tourists to the country.
Scandinavia lost thousands of tourists to the tsunamis,
and on February 18 the prime minister is due to receive Their Majesties the
King and Queen of Sweden, who are visiting Thailand as the honorable guests
of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand. The Royal couple will
travel to Phuket during the course of their visit.
The next day the prime minister will also receive former
US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Senior, who will also travel to
the country’s tsunami-ravaged areas in a personal capacity. The three men
are expected to discuss regional tsunami relief efforts.
Thaksin is also due to hold a meeting with hoteliers from
Khao Lak resort in Phang-nga Province, which received some of the most
extensive tsunami damage, at which he will determine how best to revive the
resort. He promised to rehabilitate the area as rapidly as possible. (TNA)
US Consular Visit to Pattaya
Friday, February 25
The Consular Section of the American
Embassy in Bangkok wishes to inform you of an upcoming embassy consular
visit to the Pattaya area. Consular staff will be available to provide
consular services to resident American citizens on Friday, February 25, from
8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Amari Orchid Resort, Pattaya.
The following consular services will be available:
* Passport renewal applications (US $55.00 or baht 2,200
for adult passports)
* Additional passport pages (no charge)
* Notarial services (US $30 or baht 1,200 for the first
notarial; US $20 or baht 800 for each additional related notarial),
including income letters for immigration.
* Embassy registration and/or address change
* Absentee ballot application and voting abroad
information
* Social Security, VA or other federal benefits questions
* Obtaining forms for marriage registration, report of
birth, etc.
** We ask that you bring the correct fee as we will not
be able to provide change or accept credit cards.
Please note this date on your calendar, and extend an
invitation to the America Community residing in the Pattaya area. If you
have any questions, please e-mail: [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> or call the American Citizen Services Unit
at: 02-205-4049 for more information.
Short film and documentary contest
Thailand’s Ministry of Culture has
invited makers of short movies or documentaries to enter its latest contest
to promote peace and understanding in the Thai society.
The contest’s theme is “peaceful culture”, peaceful
solutions to the conflicts within the society, according to the ministry’s
press release.
Entries should be between 10-15 minutes. There will be a
50,000 baht prize in every category. Movies and documentaries can be
submitted from now until May 31 at the Sirindhorn Anthology Center. For more
information, please contact the center at Tel.02-8809429, or at the website,
www.sac.or.th
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