Since the government announced increased prices at the fuel pumps, the trickle down effect is being felt throughout the country. As a result the Pattaya Baht Bus Cooperative recently called for a rise in fares to cope with the increased fuel costs.

Suthep Sukojai from the cooperative said, “The increased fuel costs are creating problems for drivers, as fares have remained the same. If we don’t increase the fares, drivers will not be able to operate. We have already sent a letter to the Chonburi Land Transport Department calling for a fare increase. We cannot take the full brunt of the expenses.”

Other operators also feeling the heat due to increased fuel prices include city tour boat operators. Wirote Nernpiam, tour boat operator said, “The situation is affecting boat owners. In order to correct the problem we must increase fares, as do other cooperatives. The issue has been raised with the Chonburi Marine Transport Department for further consideration. I would like to see the government help the issue by fixing fuel prices at a reasonable rate and not more than it already is. If prices increase again, it will be disastrous.”

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

As Thailand enters the summer season the importance of disease prevention in pets and humans becomes more crucial. To address this, FM Thailand Company representatives and local health officials set up a vaccination and education center in Naklua for local dog owners. Wuttisak Rermkijakarn, deputy mayor responsible for public health, presided over the opening of the event. FM Thailand Company manufactures pet food and the Pedigree brand.

Tippaorn Anakul (right), FM Thailand Company marketing director, presents a basket of pet food to Wuttisak Rermkijakarn, deputy mayor responsible for public health.

Under the “Give love, vaccinate” campaign, veterinarians began their operation by vaccinating dogs against rabies. The virus that causes the disease is predominant during the summer months and the annual prevention campaign is well advanced.

The rabies virus can be spread via saliva and bodily fluids from an infected animal and is potentially fatal in humans if they contract the disease.

Dog owners turned out at the Larn Poh area to give their pets the much needed vaccination and were educated on how care and train their pets.

The Pedigree campaign began in Bangkok before arriving in Chonburi and Pattaya and will continue onto the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima and then to Chiang Mai.

The day’s activities benefited pet owners and their charges, as professional trainers and veterinarians gave free advice, consultations and handed out lucky draw prizes.

Thanes re-elected as PBTA president at AGM

Suchada Tupchai

Dr. Nithiphum Naowarat, well known television presenter and columnist for the national Thai daily newspaper Thai Rath, was the guest of honor at the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA) annual general meeting. Dr. Nithiphum, who also was recording for his TV program, focused on Pattaya’s international market image.

Thanet Supornsaharungsi won 40 out of the 60 votes to retain the PBTA president’s seat.

“Each location has a special attraction for tourists,” said Dr. Nithiphum, “Whether it is activities based, beaches, forests tourist destinations or nightlife. Each country has that special attraction and they develop on that aspect to attract more visitors. Pattaya focuses on its seaside location but it is a common feature and can be found anywhere. You (Pattaya) must focus on increasing activities and develop an international tourist marketing strategy,” said Dr. Nithiphum.

He gave examples such as Korea opening movie studios and Hawaii offering prizes to visitors if they found a snake on any of the islands - Hawaii has no snakes.

“In the case of Hawaii, it is a new line of thinking and the fact that it is different attracts visitors,” he said.

“In my opinion, one important thing Pattaya cannot overlook is the need for cleanliness in the city and increased activities to attract more visitors. Pattaya needs to finds its own niche and develop a long term strategy,” said the Thai Rath columnist.

Following the program, PBTA members held their elections with 60 members voting for committee seats.

Thanet Supornsaharungsi won 40 out of the 60 votes to retain the president’s seat, defeating Jumroon Wisawachiphan, Somchai Manotatworn, Sanga Kijsamrej and Suwat Paephiromrat. They were in turn selected as vice presidents of the PBTA.

The elections were monitored by Santsak Ngamphiches, former advisor to the minister of tourism and sports.

Thanet Supornsaharungsi said, “I am honored the PBTA members have faith in me to continue as president and I will do my best to keep that trust and promote activities that we have already good help and cooperation from other organizations.”

The PBTA has engaged in activities with the Thai Hotels Association-Eastern Chapter, Tourism Authority of Thailand, government and private sectors. Most recently they employed a PR firm to assist with marketing Pattaya to the rest of Thailand, and are promoting international road shows to Eastern Europe including Hungary, Czech Republic and Austria as part of its 3-5 marketing plan.

Buffalo found stranded on rock 1 kilometer from shore

How he got there, nobody knows

Water police received a strange report from a tourist vessel that had spotted a water buffalo stranded on a small island approximately 1 kilometer from shore.

Police made their way to the location to find a male water buffalo mooing and snorting on a small rock island. They tried to get close to the animal but were foiled by the frustrated beast. They then threw a lasso around the animal’s neck and towed it to shore at Bali Hai in South Pattaya.

But the excitement didn’t stop there, for as soon as the buffalo hit hard ground, it charged into a nearby community. Doughty officials gave chase, and eventually cornered the animal, but it took some effort to restrain ol’ Barnacle Bovine the Wailer and keep him from injuring residents.

Police initially surmised that the animal had escaped from a nearby slaughterhouse and made its way to the sea, swimming for its life until being stranded on the small area of rocks. Police are interested into locating the owner for further details. Barnacle Bovine’s fate was not revealed.

Bangkok officials visit Pattaya to study waste

Over 100 officials come down for field trip

Last Tuesday, Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn welcomed to city hall over 100 Government Development Institute officials from Bangkok. The group was in Pattaya to study the wastewater treatment systems. The aim was to find information that could be used to benefit their daily duties in the nation’s capital.

Currently Pattaya uses two wastewater treatment locations. The Jomtien facility handles 5 square kilometers and treats up to 20,000 cubic meters of waste per day. The 360 million baht construction cost for the combination of fixed and activated sludge method units was funded by the Department of Public Works.

The second, and main system, in Soi Wat Nongyai handles 65,000 cubic meters of waste effluent from a 36 square kilometer area.

The Bangkok officials learnt that plans are already underway to expand this particular facility in the next five years to cope with double the amount of wastewater at a cost of around 1.8 billion baht.

Officials were told that Pattaya charges building owners to connect to the main sewerage system, with revenue going towards the running, maintenance and upkeep of the system.

Pattaya needs new PR image

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Representatives from Pattaya, provincial administrators, members of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA), Thai Hotels Association and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) met at city hall on Monday to discuss how to bolster the region’s tourist market.

Chonburi MP Chanyuth Hengtrakul told a meeting at city hall that it is time for a new marketing image for Pattaya.

Local MP Chanyuth Hengtrakul, who chaired the meeting said, “Chonburi has developed in many areas and the results for the tourism image are clear. These include easy access (from Bangkok) and plenty of destinations to visit, but it is missing a good PR image. The current image is already old in the tourism market. If it does not change, it will affect the future of the industry.”

Officials at the meeting discussed how the city has changed its image to attract different tourist markets, but there is again a need for a new marketing dimension to attract a different type of tourist.

It was decided that the city administration, TAT, PBTA, THA and provincial administrators would all support increased tourism promotion for the city and the province.

The city has already agreed, in conjunction with the THA-Eastern Chapter, to conduct road shows to a number of locations in the region, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and other Asian countries.

A special Pattaya Night will be held during a road show to Japan from May 11-17, and in Hong Kong and Sen Jerng, China during the International Travel Expo ’05 June 9-13. The trip is being supported by the Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization, which is aiming for a 10 percent increase in tourists from each of the countries visited.

Fewer fatalities during Songkran revelry a national agenda

The government intends to reduce road accident fatality rates by 15% during this year’s Songkran water festival.

Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Gen. Chitchai Wannasathit recently presided over an inter-agency meeting on measures to reduce fatalities that see an annual surge during the water festival April 13-15.

The meeting was told that police will put up more checkpoints and conduct more frequent alcohol breathalyzer tests. The Transport Ministry intends to provide incentives for the public to travel ahead or well after the festival by reducing off-peak bus fares by 40%. At the same time, the government will bombard state radio and television with awareness campaigns one week ahead of the holiday.

With all these measures combined, Thailand hopes to fare better in terms of reducing road accidents, as statistics indicate that Thailand ranks third after Indonesia and Vietnam where accident rates are concerned.

Apart from road accidents, police will also be on the lookout for drug abuse and drug trafficking, said Pol. Gen Chitchai. (TNA)

Boonlua Chatree

The temperament of Thai youths today is a far cry from the traditional values of yesterday. A 30-year-old man was shot by some hot headed gunmen on Pattaya Third Road last week, as a result of accidentally bumping into the man’s table at a South Pattaya night club.

Police were called to the 93 Mile Pub on Pattaya Third Road at around 3 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Upon arriving they found a man writhing in pain on the ground; he had been shot in the chest with a .38 caliber. Two other shell casings were found near the scene.

The injured man was identified as Nisit Narksomboon, 30, originally from Roi Et.

Officer rushed Nisit to Pattaya Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment, where doctors removed the shot from his chest before transferring him to the intensive care unit.

Police later questioned Nisit about the shooting. He said he had no idea who the shooter was or why it happened.

Nisit recalled that had visited a popular disco in South Pattaya and due to the large amount of people in the venue he accidentally bumped into a table and a fight began as a result. Nisit said he left the venue and decided to drink a coffee outside, adding that he recognized the shooter from the disco where he was accosted.

Police recorded Nisit’s statements before continuing their investigations.