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Bali Hai management guidelines still under consideration
Suchada Tupchai
Guidelines for the Bali Hai pier management contract have
yet to be decided, despite the city placing the issue up for tender. A recent
meeting at city hall focused on fees and maintenance issues.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Jantaworanont chaired the meeting at
city hall last week, which gathered relevant government departments and
business operators.
 Deputy
Mayor Wattana Jantaworanont chairs discussions on the fate of Bali Hai pier
management.
Suggestions were raised about charging visitors a 10 baht
levy for using the facility, but these were promptly shot down with the general
consensus being that it would cause problems, since visitors need to pay fares
to use the variety of boats and it would be better to find other means of
allowing the undecided management company to extract profits from the venture.
A similar idea of charging boat operators extra for using
the facility was also quashed by Sea Rescue officials who cited that boat
operators already pay taxes. It was, however, decided that a further study into
the issue would by conducted with results released at later meeting.
Maintenance and the current state of the pier were also
raised, as the pier is slowly slipping in to a state of disrepair. The use of
vehicles to transport passengers and supplies was cited as the cause, and it
was agreed that measures need to be taken to slow the wear and tear.
A suggestion was brought up to set times of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to allow supply deliveries to vessels.
However, Mana Saengsukdee, Sea Rescue chief said, “In
reality, it would be more appropriate to arrange transport from 7 a.m. to 10
a.m. as there is a large amount of traffic in the area. After that time it
would be better if no vehicles were allowed on the pier because currently the
pier is sliding into disrepair due to the excess weight of vehicles delivering
goods. This traffic also disturbs visitors to the area. The need for better
time management is as important as the fees being discussed.”
The meeting ended with all agreeing to study the matter
further at the next meeting, and implement better guidelines after sending a
proposal to the mayor prior to the next meeting.
DIP seminar addresses protection of intellectual rights
Suchada Tupchai
Somboon Choetcharoen, director of the Department of
Intellectual Property (DIP) recently spoke at the Town in Town Hotel on the
importance of protection of intellectual rights.
 Somboon
Choetcharoen, director of the Department of Intellectual Property.
The seminar was attended by over 200 police inspectors and
assistant inspectors from Police Division 2.
Somboon Choetcharoen said, “This matter is a global
problem and concerns all countries, including Thailand. Therefore, we need
international rules to control copyright infringements. Law enforcement
personnel must be informed and up do date on current technologies and laws so
they can prevent copyright infringements.”
The seminar aimed to present understanding of rules, regulations, laws,
agreements, and how to protect intellectual property. The meeting also provided
subject matter such as intellectual property under the commercial policy, the
threat of prosecution for breach of copyright laws, and steps to handle cases
of intellectual property theft.
Olympic representatives inspect progress on Pattaya’s indoor sports stadium
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
Progress on Pattaya’s indoor sports stadium continues
and according to an Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) representative who
inspected the site, will be the largest of its kind in Asia.
Wei Jiz Hong, OCA sports committee chairman was in
Pattaya on Tuesday, February 15 to survey the project, which will host the
inaugural Asian Indoor Games in November this year.
Santiparp Thechawanich, Sports Authority of Thailand
governor told reporters that Wei was suitably impressed by the new building
but voiced some concerns.
“Wei said the new stadium will be the biggest in Asia,
even larger than the current facilities in China and Japan, and that
Thailand had prepared everything to host the games,” said Santiparp.
(However) “He asked questions as to whether there will be enough lighting
inside the complex and if the scoreboard will be sufficient.”
Santiparp said that everything will be ready in time for
the games and that local officials will discuss the lighting situation with
the broadcasting company to see if more lighting is needed.
According to Santiparp, Wei also questioned what system
of timing would be used. “We will most likely use Swiss Timing, as it is
the same company we used for the ASEAN Games in 1998. They will also most
likely become a sponsor,” said the Sports Authority of Thailand governor.
Other topics raised included athlete’s accommodation and transport, which
will be ready when needed.
The 472 million baht indoor sports stadium is due to be finished by
October 31 this year and will host the first Indoor Asian Games from
November 12-19.
Disabled call for end to discrimination
Disabled people lit candles outside
Parliament on the evening of February 13 to call on political parties to push
through with legislation to end discrimination.
Led by Monthien Boontan, president of the Thai Association
for the Blind, around 50 people with a range of disabilities stood outside the
parliament building in a bid to ensure that all political parties treated the
disabled with fairness and respect.
An eight-point petition for the parties included a call to
accelerate the passage through Parliament of the Discrimination Elimination
Bill and a plea to promote equality. The group also called for at least one
percent of the national budget to be given over to disabled people, noting that
at present the percentage was only 0.3.
At the same time, the group demanded consideration for the
disabled in the construction of public transport facilities, as well as an
overhaul of Government Lottery legislation in order that more proceeds went to
disabled provisions. (TNA)
Teenage sexual behavior in crisis, say AIDS experts
The sexual behavior of Thai youths could precipitate an
AIDS crisis, health experts warned recently, forecasting that continuing
failure to use condoms could lead to a situation in which an average of three
young people become infected with HIV every hour.
Opening the Thai Teen Clean AIDS campaign on the evening of
February 14 to mark Valentine’s Day, Public Health Minister Sudarat
Keyuraphan cited statistics to show that among Thailand’s estimated 3 million
sexually active 15-24 year-olds, around 600,000 had never used condoms.
Describing the statistics as a matter of extreme concern,
Sudarat said, “Data on the sexual behavior of young people indicates that we
have reached a crisis. As a result of this lack of sexual responsibility,
incidents of sexually transmitted diseases rose by 30 percent last year after
having fallen continuously for the past decade. The majority of those
contracting sexually transmitted diseases are young people who catch the
diseases from their partners, lovers or acquaintances.”
The public health minister warned that this could lead to a
growing AIDS problem in the future, as around 10 percent of people with
sexually transmitted diseases are also HIV positive. She attributed the spread
of AIDS among young people to the influx of western cultures.
Provincial authorities across the country have been asked to
take urgent action to ensure the provision of services intended to prevent and
control sexually transmitted disease, and this year the Ministry of Public
Health is distributing 20 million free condoms to help encourage sexual health.
At the same time, the ministry will continue with the Thai
Teen Clean AIDS campaign as a means of instilling the need for safe and
responsible sex among young people.
“The campaign to change the sexual behavior of Thai youths
is a matter of extreme importance at the present time,” the permanent
secretary for public health, Dr. Vichai Tienthavorn, said. “If we don’t do
something to help, AIDS will spread even more in the future,” he added.
Around 50,000 people in Thailand currently develop
full-blown AIDS each year, and this year the government will spend 1.5 billion
baht on the provision of anti retroviral drugs to HIV suffers. Dr. Vichai
warned that unless young people change their sexual behavior, the rate of new
HIV infection could rise to three people per hour, with the government having
to spend even more money on AIDS medication. (TNA)
Rayong residents left without water for nearly a month
On February 15 residents in Rayong
Province called on the provincial governor to take urgent action to address a
problem which has left them without piped water for nearly a month.
Over 100 residents of four communities in Rayong
municipality submitted their petition to Governor Saner Chantra and Samart
Cha-em, head of the provincial water authority, after several weeks of having
to purchase water from mobile units.
The residents of the communities say that they currently
have to spend around 300 baht for water which lasts only two or three days.
According to Samart, while the provincial water authority
is working to address the problem, it has come up against several obstacles
in the way of the provision of piped water. Water pipes are old and decaying,
and the water authority says it does not have sufficient funds to repair
them. The authority also blames the shortages on the rapid growth of urban
communities. Nonetheless, Samart said that the authority has requested over
100 million baht to solve the problem as a matter of urgency. (TNA)
Governor attends
monk’s funeral prayers
(Left
to right) Banglamung district chief, Worawit Saisuwatpol, Somsak Yonokphan,
deputy governor, Pisit Ketphasook, Chonburi governor, and Pattaya Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn attended the funeral prayers.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook was the presenter for the Tripitaka
Prayers for Prathep Kittipanyakhun (Kittiwutho), director of Jitrapawan
College. The funeral was attended by high ranking public officials
including Deputy Governor Somsak Yonokphan, Worawit Saisuwatpol, Banglamung
district chief, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Buddhists, and many members
of the public. These funeral prayers will be held for 100 days at
Jitrapawan College.
Recycle Bank project underway
at Wat Ratniyomtham School
Suchada Tupchai
Wat Ratniyomtham School has begun its “Recycle Bank”
project, with the main stated goal of protecting the environment.
Chalao
Cahroensantisuk and local officials cut the ribbon to officially begin Wat
Ratniyomtham School’s Recycle Bank project.
Chalao Cahroensantisuk, assistant at Sriracha Municipality,
who presided over the opening ceremony said, “In 2004, Sriracha Municipality
accumulated garbage at the rate of 45 tons per day. Each day one person can
generate one kilogram of garbage. This garbage is a menace to the environment
and creates pollution. For these reasons the Wat Ratniyomtham School set up
the ‘Recycle Bank’ Project to help youths realize the need for recycling
garbage and protecting the environment. Through this project we hope to reduce
the amount of garbage, and teach how to properly recycle garbage. As part of
this project, we also provide students with management and administration
training.”
Chalao added that the Recycle Bank receives cooperation
from parents and students who bring their recycled garbage to sell. All these
activities will help the community, and schools, to develop and protect their
environment.
“The garbage problem needs to be urgently addressed. To
reduce the amount of refuse, it must be correctly separated into recyclable
and non-recyclable material. This will benefit management to take further
steps, such as using organic waste for fertilizer, safely destroying toxic
waste, and reusing garbage that can be brought to the recycling system and
sold by the ‘Recycle Bank’, to protect the environment,” Chalao
summarized.
This project is similar to a project previously opened at Ban Srimaharacha
School. Both schools are under the auspices of Sriracha Municipality.
Chonburi administration donates building to the Banglamung School District
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Chonburi Provincial Executive branch donated a conference
hall to the Banglamung School District and opened a source of education for
student development according to the government’s policy.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn, on behalf of the city, donated money for building
construction to the assistant minister of education, Piyabut Cholwicharn.
A ceremony was held in the conference hall on February 15,
led by Assistant Minister of Education Piyabut Cholwicharn. VIPs in attendance
included Rewat Phollook-in, assistant Chonburi provincial executor and Mayor
Wattanasartsathorn. The building was donated with participation from government
agencies and private organizations that want to see progress in education.
The budget for educational development will be distributed
according to the needs in each sector and will follow the government’s
policies, which aim to improve education in the province so children can obtain
a quality education.
The Banglamung School is regularly supported by the Chonburi provincial
executor for development. For example, the ICT Network Multimedia System was
allocated 700,000 baht, and a multi-function conference hall was constructed
with 15 million baht. Pattaya City supported the school with a budget of
3,123,000 baht. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand provided the
school with a green classroom, which teaches students about energy conservation.
Scot arrested for drug possession
Boonlua Chatree
Police investigations on drug activities led them to the
World Apartment on Pattaya Third Road after learning a foreigner was allegedly
selling illegal substances.
 Scotsman
Alexander Downie was charged with possession of illegal drugs.
Police set up a sting operation to catch the man
distributing the crystalline drug, known as Ice. The deal was arranged and
the decoy purchased the drugs. Police then kicked in the door of the
apartment and detained Alexander Downie, 32, from Scotland.
Inside Downie’s rented apartment police discovered 3
bags of the drug Ice, 4 bottles of ketamine, known as ‘Ya K’, 440 pink
pills and a further 70 colored blue. The pills were not immediately
identified and were sent for further tests. The items were confiscated as
evidence as Downie was taken in for questioning.
Downie allegedly told police that he had come to Pattaya
on holiday and that some Thai friends had used the sale of the drugs to
reduce their debts. He apparently went on to say that sales were good and he
tried his hand at the trade, selling Ice only to foreigners and he would buy
his supplies from a dealer in Soi Arunothai. As for the bottles of ketamine,
Downie claimed he did not know what they were and didn’t belong to him,
only that it may well have the property of an English friend.
Alexander Downie was charged with possession of a first class illegal
substance (crystal methamphetamine - Ice) and the class 2 drug ketamine.
Snatch and flee thief arrested after robbing elderly tourist
Boonlua Chatree
Dr. Felici Cruchellis, 67, from Switzerland had his night
out interrupted when a brazen thief robbed him while the doctor was relaxing in
a Soi Diamond beer bar. Police were radioed and a description of the offender
and bike registration was given.
Piya
Khumkao from Khon Kaen was arrested for robbing a tourist on Soi Diamond.
At round 9.30 p.m. on Friday night, quick action by police
officers enabled them to detain the suspect a mere five minutes after the
crime. The thief still had the stolen goods on him as he was led away for
questioning.
The man was identified as Piya Khumkao, 24, from Khon Kaen. He confessed to
the theft and was charged accordingly.
Drain cover thief collides with pickup
Flees via taxi after being spotted by police
Pacharapol Panrak
Police received an accident report involving a collision
between a car and a pickup truck on Sukhumvit Road in Sattahip. When
officers arrived at the scene, the owner of the pickup, Tawatchai Chomchoun,
32, said that a green Mitsubishi car had hit the back of his truck.
 Police
investigating the scene of an auto accident found that the trunk of one of
the cars involved was filled with stolen drain covers.
The driver of the car tried to flee by driving backwards
when he noticed that the police had already seen the accident. Unable to do
so, he parked his car and jumped into a baht bus to escape.
Police searched the car’s trunk and discovered 10 iron
water drainage coverings. The police kept them and checked around to see if
any were missing somewhere nearby, and notified the sub-district executive
and district executive to check in their areas for anything stolen.
The car’s license plates did not correspond with the body of the car.
Police are searching for the suspect, and believe he lives in the Bangsarae
sub-district of Sattahip.
Lovers spat leads to kidnapping arrest
Frenchman detained for abducting tattletale
Boonlua Chatree
Frenchman Ghezal Zahbi, 23, was arrested last week for
abducting a Naklua woman from her home.
Miss Wanitchaya Horaban, 24, told police that on December
16, Zahbi had come to her house, dragged her outside and put her in his car.
She said he then sat on her and pressed her head down whilst he drove to his
residence, where he then dragged her out of the car and threw her in his
swimming pool.
Police were finally able to track down Zahbi from in
front of the VC Hotel on Pattaya Second Road in South Pattaya at 8 p.m. on
February 15.
Police charged him with kidnapping and brought him in for
questioning.
Zahbi admitted to the act, but said he only wanted to
teach her a lesson, since previously Miss Wanitchaya had informed his wife
that he had brought another lady into the house when his wife was out. He
said it caused him to have family problems and made him angry.
The tourist police, unimpressed with his story,
transferred him to Pattaya police station for further questioning.
Police briefs
Boonlua
Chatree
Tourist
police raid Soi Post Office bar using underage showgirls
The search for lewd acts and underage staff were the main
focus of a tourist police investigation when they raided the Hot and Cold
go-go bar on Soi Post Office. The raid took place at around 2 a.m. last
Friday morning while the girls were performing on stage.
During the investigation, police filmed lewd acts being
performed by two girls on stage. When things became to hot, undercover
officers pretending to be tourists decided it was time to cool things down
again, so they signaled to officers waiting outside.
Uniformed officers entered the bar and ordered the music
off and lights on. The girls were told to put their clothes on and were then
taken to the station. The bar owner, Pantree Chuenarom, 40, was also taken
in.
Police also discovered that some of the girls working in
the bar were under the legal age. Two girls, aged 15 and 17, were part of
the performance.
Each of the 7 girls was fined 500 baht before being
released, whilst the bar owner faces stiffer penalties and fines.
Alleged rapist
detained in Pattaya after 4 years
on the run
Pattaya police, in cooperation with Pathumthani
investigators, arrested Chookiat Phibarnsingh, 36, at his place of work last
Friday evening. Armed with an arrest warrant officers detained Chookiat on
charges of raping a 3 year old girl over four years ago.
The crime allegedly took place in Pathumthani, north of
Bangkok in October 2000. The complainant, Pramern Reawraeng alleged that
Chookiat raped a three year old girl under her care.
Chookiat denied all allegations but signed an
acknowledgement of the charges before being transferred to the Pathumthani
police station for further questioning.
Women call police after 16
year old girl is sexually abused
The mother and grandmother of a 16 year old girl made a
report to the police after the girl was allegedly sexually abused.
Busaba Saengpromma, 32, the mother, stated that a man had
taken her daughter on February 11 and obscenely abused her. She also stated
that the man had forced the girl to have sex and threatened her.
On-duty Pol. Maj. Sirapop Sukhakasi at the Pattaya police
station issued a warrant for Patchanapong (Rang) Payakaphan, 21. Detained
and under interrogation, the man denied all charges, saying he only touched
and kissed her. However, the young girl identified him as the man who
sexually abused her, so police are holding him while they continue their
investigation.
Pedestrian seriously
injured in motorcycle accident
A forty-two year old woman was seriously injured when a
motorcycle ran into her on Soi Bua Khao. Parin Nilchar was taken to Pattaya
Memorial Hospital by members of the public following the accident at 3.30
a.m. last Monday morning. The motorcycle rider, Sompong Yimlamai, 34,
sustained minor injuries and was also taken for medical treatment.
Accounts of the accident were relayed to police who
attended the scene. Eyewitnesses said they saw the motorcycle taxi traveling
in the direction of South Pattaya at a reasonably high speed. Apparently the
woman failed to notice the bike as she crossed the road and the rider was
unable to stop in time to prevent the collision.
Police recorded statements and will question Sompong
Yimlamai as he will most likely be charged for negligent driving.
Wife stabs cheating
husband on Valentines Day
On the evening of February 14, on-duty Pattaya police
received a report that a man had been stabbed at the Jenjira Karaoke on Soi
Phothisarn, Naklua. Officers rushed to the scene to find a Thai man, later
identified as 32 year old Damrongdet Chantharothai from Chonburi, lying on
the floor, his stomach profusely bleeding from a knife wound. Officers
rushed him to Chonburi Hospital for treatment.
During questioning, Damrongdet said he had come to the
karaoke establishment because he had a problem with a karaoke lady,
identified only as ‘Noi’. He said just then his wife entered and in a
jealous fit of temper stabbed him in the stomach and fled.
The case is still under investigation and Damrongdet’s
wife is being sought for questioning.
Area’s best big bikes, safety on display during annual Ride for Peace
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
One thousand fans of large motorcycle assembled last week
to present their new image and promote tourism in Pattaya, including showing
their slogan “Ride for Peace”.
 On
February 12 at 10 p.m., Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presided over the
opening of the Ride for Peace Project.
On February 12 at 10 p.m., Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn
presided over the opening of the Ride for Peace Project. Organizer and
president of the Thailand MC Burapha Club, Prasan Nigaji led the motorcycle
chopper fans in participating in the “8th Ride for Peace”, which
received cooperation from the Thailand Burapha Motorcycle Club, American
Classic Car Club, Classic Old Bike Club, and Thailand Cowboy Club. The 2-day
event was held from February 11-12. Over 2,000 chopper fans participated in
this event.
Prasan said, “This activity gathered chopper groups to
promote tourism, and to reduce pollution to better the environment. They
created a new theme titled ‘No fighting between the Chopper Riding
groups’ to make the public aware that the riders are respectable citizens
and not gangs of hoodlums which is often the opinion people have in other
countries.
Mayor
Niran dons helmet and protective gear, then takes a spin on a hog.
“In Thailand it is just the opposite. Most of the
riders are employed and gather together because they really love to ride,
and participate in charity events because they wish to give something back
to society. The purpose of this main activity was to promote tourism in
Pattaya City and to support a new trend. Also to fight pollution in the
environment, reduce pollution by using 4 stroke chopper motorcycle engines,
reduce traffic accidents and increase safety by wearing a helmet and turning
on lights while riding, and to cement friendships between Asia, Europe and
the U.S.A.
The
parking lot was filled with “art”, as some of the best decorated Harleys
and other big bikes in the world were on display.
“Chopper fans seek to provide scholarships and school materials for
schools under Pattaya City’s educational system. They also want to create
the slogan ‘Visiting Pattaya, Playing Sports, Fighting Drugs, Conserving
the Environment and Unlimited Friendships’, which includes celebrating the
8-year gathering of the Motorcycle Club in Thailand,” Prasan concluded.
IRS advisor to visit Bangkok
Individual consultations from March 17 - March 25
The U.S. Consulate is happy to
announce that the dates for the annual Internal Revenue Service visit (IRS)
have been finalized. IRS representative Mrs. Elizabeth Kinney will be
visiting Bangkok. She will be available to provide individual consultations
from Thursday, March 17 through Friday, March 25.
Mrs. Kinney is scheduling 15-minute individual
consultations for the following dates: Thur.-Fri., March 17-18, and again
from Mon.-Fri., March 21-25. Appointments will be available from 7:30 - 11
a.m. and from 1 - 3 p.m.
In order to schedule an individual consultation, please
call American Citizens Services (ACS) in Bangkok at 02-205-4049.
In addition to individual consultations, Mrs. Kinney is
offering two one-hour seminars on tax issues for U.S. Citizens living
abroad. Those seminars will be held at American Citizens Services (Bangkok)
on Monday, March 21 at 4 p.m. and again on Wednesday March 23 at 4 p.m. No
reservations are necessary, just come to ACS a little before 4 p.m. on those
days and tell the guards at the front that you wish to attend the tax
seminar.
Mrs. Kinney did ask that we inform you that she will not
have the ability to electronically file your tax return.
Commonly requested tax forms are now available at ACS.
However, there is no need to wait to pick up these forms. You may download
and print all tax forms for 2004 and prior years from the IRS website. Go to
www.irs.gov and click the “Forms and Publications” link on the left of
your screen.
The U.S. Embassy Consular Section in Bangkok is located
at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand (Nearest BTS Skytrain station:
Phloenchit).
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