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Songkran week is upon us
Pattaya stays wet until Tuesday the 19th
Narisa Nitikarn
Plenty of activities are lined up in Pattaya during the
Songkran festival, in addition to the “wan lai” or water throwing, and the
general mayhem that is both a local custom and a tourist attraction.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Jantanawaranont said that during
Songkran, Pattaya’s Gong Khao (rice harvest) celebrations are held in Naklua
beginning April 18. “These are aimed at boosting visitors to the region and
preserving traditions,” he said. Religious ceremonies will include Tak Bat,
bathing of the Buddha image and pouring lustral waters on the elders. On April
20 the Gong Khao festival will take place in Naklua near the Larn Poh market.
The deputy mayor added that there will be games, including a
tug-o-war on the beach, eating contests and numerous other events open to
residents and tourists.
Further information can attained by calling the Pattaya public relations
department on 038 410 200 ext. 191-2.
Honest taxi driver returns lost wallet to tourist
220,000 baht in the wallet
Boonlua Chatree
A taxi driver from Bangkok returned a wallet containing more
than 200,000 baht that he discovered in his taxi after delivering a tourist from
Bangkok International Airport to Pattaya.
Kamchai Wannakit, 37, a cab driver for SP Siam Inter Co Ltd,
alerted Pattaya police duty officer Lieutenant Colonel Preecha Samrit to the
fact he had discovered his passenger’s wallet when he stopped to clean his
vehicle at the Bang Na toll way, on his way back to Bangkok.
Kamchai
Wannakit (left) proved to be an honest man when he returned a wallet with 3,000
pounds to the passenger who lost it, Ian Richardson (centre).
Kamchai said that the wallet, containing 3,000 pounds (approx
220,000 baht) had been left on the back seat along with two cell phones. He
stated that he had driven the passenger from the airport to Pattaya for the
price of 1,500 baht. It was beyond his capability to track down the foreign
customer to return his property, therefore he kindly asked the police to do so.
Around the same time, British visitor Ian Richardson, 37,
came into the police station. Advised of the discovery of his property,
Richardson said that he had often heard about the honesty of Thai people, and
now he knows it to be true. He wholeheartedly thanked Kamchai for returning his
money back to him.
Richardson said he had just gone to the police station to
file a report and ask the police to track down the taxi driver. He didn’t know
the driver’s name or license plate number. He didn’t expect that he would
receive his lost money and property. Now, he said, he will tell other tourists
when he goes back to England about safety for tourists visiting Thailand.
Richardson offered 5,000 baht to Kamchai as a reward, but the
taxi driver at first refused and told him that he is always sincere in his
service to customers.
Kamchai told reporters that he is from Khamkuankaew district
in Yasothorn province, and that he had moved to Bangkok to work as a taxi
driver. His wife Patchara, 35, is a hairdresser, and they have a six-year-old
daughter. Times are tight because of the increased gasoline prices, he says, but
he must bear this.
This is not the first time that one of his customers has left their property
in his taxi. He has always tried to return any lost property to customers. This
time he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to because he was already 100
kilometres away from Pattaya, and was happy and relieved that he was able to
reach Richardson.
All smiles as good service campaign rolls
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
Under the slogan “Smiling District” the 2005: Year of
Service for People campaign was launched on April 1 at Banglamung District
Office, with Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook presiding over the opening
ceremony.
Chonburi
Governor Pisit Ketphasook is all smiles at the inauguration of the campaign at
Banglamung District office.
The Department of Provincial Administration’s plan,
coordinated with the Interior Ministry, is to emphasize a modern administrative
policy based around the concept of good service to the public. All official
centres are encouraged to adjust their outlook and methods to be more
responsive to people’s needs.
With the slogan “Smiling District, Quick Service,
Satisfied People”, the Provincial Administration Department has created a
strategy to develop the quality of service at the District Office and its
branches. This operation is being undertaken with support from Pattaya City,
Banglamung Municipality, Sawang Boriboon Foundation, and other public and
private organizations in Banglamung District.
“Chonburi has for some while been planning an official campaign to develop
quality service,” said Governor Pisit. “This includes an adjustment for the
system and methods of service, installing modern service technology for
convenience and speed, and responding to people’s needs. Hopefully everyone
will benefit from this project.”
Pattaya moves towards IT integration
Suchada Tupchai
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn met with Boonkerd Thammawasi
from the IT Spirit Joint Venture Company to discuss further developments in
integrating city infrastructure, the first round of discussions on the 48
million baht project taking place last Friday.
Sutisak Charoenrungsap, Pattaya policy research and planning
officer said that in the past, Pattaya has implemented numerous projects and
looked at methods of using technology such as the automatic sprinkler system on
Beach Road, traffic lights, and CCTV systems under the responsibility of
various departments.
“They lack a central control centre and as such the mayor
came up with the idea to integrate current and future projects into one control
room where all systems can be monitored and controlled accordingly,” he said.
“The concept will ensure quality, save on human resources, and be more
efficient.”
Sutisak went on to explain that if the idea was to be
effective the control room would require specific application programs to be
written not only to manage the systems but be able to integrate each one.
“There is a need for four main programs to be written if
there is to be any kind of quality,” he explained. “The first, a tax
revenue collection program, in order to monitor revenue. Second, to record and
follow up on complaints and difficulties. Third, a planning application that
also gives data on the current resources. And the fourth to assist in budgets
and allocating city finances. All these should be able to be integrated within
a single centre.”
Sutisak continued by saying that Pattaya is an international
city and it is necessary to develop and manage it using information technology.
He cited such ideas as information management systems, video conferencing,
effective electronic communications, computer program and system management
development including anti virus systems, electronic equipment upgrades, and
personnel development training in the use of the systems from a management,
staff and general public level.
Mayor Niran said that the city has allocated the appropriate
budgets to follow through with various projects. Discussions will continue to
examine the bigger picture, potential problems and obstacles in the plan and
look for solutions in order to ensure integration takes place.
Organizers promise Queen’s Cup Marathon 2005 will be bigger than ever
Suchada
Tupchai
The first of numerous committee meetings to organize
Pattaya’s largest sporting event, the Pattaya Queen’s Cup Marathon for
2005, took place last week at city hall. The local administration has allocated
6 million baht to host the event this year in conjunction with the Tourism
Authority of Thailand and the Thai Sports Authority.
Organizing committee president Pol Col Siroj Piansakul
confirmed the name change last year from the Pattaya Marathon to the Pattaya
Queen’s Cup Marathon in honour of HM the Queen’s 6th cycle birthday
celebrations. The event will be held on July 17.
“I believe this year will be bigger and better with the
great cooperation from organizers and competitors,” he said. “The Asian
Sports Authority now recognizes the event and gives the opportunity for Thai
athletes to compete at an international level, as well as being used for the
selection process for the upcoming SEA Games this year.”
Various subcommittees have been formed including marathon,
emcee and ceremonies, fundraising, safety and location subcommittees.
Last year the start/finish line moved from its traditional
Soi 4 point to South Pattaya’s Bali Hai pier.
Part of the fund allocation includes 1,987,000 baht in prize
money for the various distances and a special prize for those who break the
marathon record.
Urgent meeting held
to combat water shortage crisis
Advisor to the Prime Minister Sontaya Khunplome has held an
urgent meeting with the governor of Chonburi province and concerned
departments about the water shortage problem, and what the short and long
term solutions will be.
The meeting, held on April 4 at the Thai Rak Thai
Coordination Centre in Bang Saen, included the members of parliament for six
zones in Chonburi. Along with Governor Pisit Ketphasook were Chonburi Chief
Executive Pinyo Tanwiset, and representatives of the Chonburi Provincial
Irrigation Project, the Provincial Waterworks Authority, the Water Resources
Department, the Natural Resources and Environment Department of Chonburi, and
East Water Co Ltd.
Sontaya said that the volume of water from natural water
resources is lower because the rainfall in 2004 was less than average.
Therefore residents in the districts of Panatnikhom, Panthong, Sriracha and
Pattaya lack sufficient water. There are also 1.3 million rai of agricultural
land in Chonburi that lack water and consequently have lower product yields.
If this situation continues, it will affect the economy and future tourism
development, along with the industrial area at Laem Chabang Port.
The situation has already been reported to the prime
minister, resulting in the meeting being held with related departments for a
solution to submit for budget authorization.
Bunsom Yutithampinyo, chief of the Chonburi Provincial
Irrigation Project, said that only 20 percent of water from rainfall in 2004
could be collected. Therefore Chonburi had to use the previous year’s
water, from 2003. Pattaya City normally uses water at the rate of about 43
million m3 per year, but the water in five reservoirs, namely Nongklangdong,
Huaysaphan, Huay Khunchit, Mabprachan and Sarknork only have 40 – 60
percent of water compared to last year. In the past water was produced at
36,000 m3 per day, but they have had to reduce the volume of production to
22,000 m2 per day since December.
Because of the effect this has on the population in
general, and on business, the meeting suggested the solution of increasing
the volume of water back to its original level by buying additional water at
12,000 m3 per day from Thung Kraud of East Water Co Ltd. However, another
problem is that the water pipes form a bottleneck, which creates an obstacle
for water pressure.
The problem can be reduced for a while because there is an
arrangement to add water from the Nongkor reservoir. The Chonburi Provincial
Irrigation Project has an additional plan to construct Khaomaikaew reservoir,
which can supply water to support the Mabprachan reservoir so that it could
have approximately 2 million m3 of water.
The Chonburi area uses water from the Bangpra reservoir
filter station and distributes it to the public at the rate of 66,000 m3 per
day. The Praya Satcha water filter station buys additional water from East
Water Co at the volume of 55,000 m3 per day. But the East Water Company has
its own water supply problem, and they have had to reduce the distribution
volume. The meeting suggested increasing water production to 77,000 m3 per
day, which would address the immediate problem.
The districts of Muang, Panatnikhom and Panthong still
have severe problems due to lacking a source of water, even after
transferring water from Sriyad reservoir in Chachoengsao province. They
already have a long-term plan to construct a large reservoir in Klong Luang,
although there is a conflict with the Town Planning Department because of
environmental issues.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of digging 69
artesian wells in the drought areas, in accordance with the previous plan
that was conducted in 25 locations. Cooperation is now being undertaken with
the Town Planning Department to hire a consulting company to study the
environmental implications, under a budget of 5 million baht. This is an
urgent need to construct the Klong Luang reservoir, and Sontaya will submit
the proposal to the prime minister for fast support in ideas, projects, and
the budget.
PM visits military co-training project
Patcharapol Panrak
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited the
co-training project between the Army, Navy, Air Force and Border Patrol on
April 2. This training is designed to enhance the state of alertness
amongst the defence forces and is part of the Thai Military Might project,
which encompasses technology development.
Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra salutes from atop a tank during military
exercises in Sattahip.
General Chaiyasit Shinawatra, supreme commander of the
Fighting Forces, welcomed the Prime Minister to the Hardyao training area
in Samaesarn Sub-district, Sattahip.
The integrated training is carried out twice a year. The
programme is designed to create more complicated situations each year, and
then set up a training schedule that corresponds to real situations.
Problem solving methods are then devised for different scenarios.
The first stage, which ran from March-April, was to
train for changes, adjustments and modifications on land and at sea, and
then to process the resulting research for military hardware development.
The
military used live ammunition during the training exercises.
The second stage will focus on solving problems, and
will be conducted from June-July this year. Lieutenant General Kemarat
Kanchanawat will be the training director, and Major General Noparat
Yodwimol, deputy head of joint training in the military, will be assistant
training director.
There will be co-training for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Border
Patrol. Real ammunition will be used during the exercises, and equipment
will include the aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet, an F16 airplane, an
L39 airplane, a Blackhawk helicopter, and transport for transferring and
delivering training materials.
Local businessman donates land to widen Second Road
Mayor has work done quickly
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
Pattaya Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn recently authorized a
road widening scheme at the Pattaya Klang crossroads, following the donation by
a local businessman of a parcel of land that will help to relieve the bottleneck
there.
Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn and local businessman Somchai Chancharoen discuss the road
expansion project.
The mayor, accompanied by officials from Pattaya City
Engineering Bureau, visited the site and discussed the project with Somchai
Chancharoen, a business owner on Pattaya Second Road who has donated 60 square
metres of his private land so that the traffic lanes can be widened.
Mayor Niran ordered the Engineering Bureau to urgently adjust
the traffic lanes, and to cooperate with the appropriate bureau to remove a
telephone junction box and electricity pole at the site.
The mayor said that this section of road was a well-known bottleneck that
funneled traffic from four lanes into three lanes. The landowner was asked for
an area of land approximately 2 metres wide and 36 metres long, which he was
happy to donate. After adjusting the traffic lanes, the traffic flow in this
area is more convenient for motorists.
Village headmen discuss ways to fight growing drug menace
Also talk about ways to reduce Songkran casualties
A meeting chaired by Banglamung District Chief Worawit
Saisupatphol on April 4 at Wat Khaomaikaew discussed the drug situation in the
villages throughout the district, and ways to protect against the spread of
narcotics. The meeting, which was the fourth to be held this year for village
headmen and senior officials, also discussed ways of cutting down on accidents
during the Songkran festival.
Most of the problems stemmed from the transfer of drugs from
the border, which is releasing a high quantity of drugs into the market, the
meeting was told. The number of agents was increased after the national
anti-drugs project was announced. This has increased the distribution price, and
it’s easier for pushers to earn more money.
Furthermore, most consumers are teenagers. They are gathering
in apartments and rented rooms, making it difficult for police searches and
arrests. Therefore the leaders of villages and kamnans should advise villagers
to be on the lookout for drug dealers and users, and to immediately notify
officers when cases are found.
During the Songkran festival, traffic is always congested
because people drive back to their hometowns or come into the district area for
a holiday. All of this increases the amount of accidents to two or three times
the usual level. Most accidents are caused from drunk driving, from not wearing
a helmet, or going over the speed limit, or playing water games on the roads.
The village leaders and kamnans were therefore asked to create support
checkpoints in the community to help prevent accidents.
Vendors flee as police swoop on bogus brand name goods
Boonlua Chatree
A special police task force charged with copyright
suppression operations pounced on a group of about 10 vendors selling bogus
brand name clothing and fashion accessories on the evening of April 4.
Police
confiscated more 400 items of clothing, belts and sunglasses in the latest raid.
Vendors fled at the sight of the law enforcement officers,
who proceeded to collect clothing, sunglasses and belts, netting more than 400
items in the operation.
Not all the vendors were quick enough, and those detained were transferred to
the inspector’s desk in the station and charged with breaching intellectual
property laws.
Temple bridge
collapse injures two
A pavilion bridge at Wat Jitrapawan has collapsed into the
sea, causing injuries to two passengers in a minibus that was crossing it at
the time.
The Toyota minibus, license plate Or Lor-5497 Bangkok,
driven by Surot Limprithep, 50, was transporting seven passengers along a
300-meter-long cement bridge that leads to a pavilion in the sea behind the
Jitrapawan Temple in Naklua sub-district. The passengers were carrying the
ashes of a deceased relative, which they were planning to disperse at the
pavilion. The collapse of the bridge structure caused the minibus to drop 4
meters, injuring two passengers.
After the injured were transferred to hospital, driver Surot
was questioned. He stated that he was hired to drive a minibus accompanied by
another from Bangkok and transport ashes to the Jitrapawan pavilion. When the
two minibuses arrived at the temple, the temple officer led them along the
bridge to the pavilion. The bridge was old and construction had never been
completed. The first minibus passed over the bridge safely, but the bridge
collapsed when the second one was crossing it.
The officer salvaged the minibus, and the bridge has been
closed.
Foreigner pursues muggers on motorcycle
Boonlua Chatree
A foreigner who was robbed by two thieves on a motorcycle
at South Pattaya, in front of the Water Drink Production Company entrance,
pursued them on his own motorcycle while police officers set up a roadblock.
The two fugitives, riding a black and grey Honda
motorcycle, were chased by the foreign man as far as a speedboat repair shop
in South Pattaya. The foreigner then positioned his yellow Honda Wave
motorcycle to block the thieves’ way, but they turned around and ran into
him, knocking him down on the road. One of the thieves ran away, but
onlookers stopped the other before the police arrived to take the miscreant
to the police station.
The thief had stolen property in his possession of a 1
baht gold chain. The foreign man is a Norwegian named Stein Ovaf Grave, aged
44, who had some injuries to his left arm. His Thai girlfriend’s name is
Jirapa Sunsan, aged 30, from Kanchanaburi. She sustained an injury to her
left hip. Police transferred both of them to the hospital.
The thief was identified as Ekachai Yimyai, 22, from
Nongprue. He stated that he was waiting for a victim on South Pattaya Road,
and saw the couple pass by. The woman was wearing a gold chain, and that
gave him the idea to snatch it. He cooperated with his friend Noo, said to
be residing in Soi Thamsamakki temple, to snatch the gold chain, but the
theft was foiled when the foreign man blocked his escape.
Police charged him with theft, using a vehicle for
escape, and with transporting stolen property. They are now in search of
accomplice Noo.
Three burglars beat up elderly French woman in luxury condominium
Boonlua Chatree
Three burglars broke into a luxury condominium in
Najomtian and savagely assaulted an elderly French woman there before
stealing money and valuables together worth more than a quarter-million
baht.
Police Second Lieutenant Aniwat Thichan received a
telephone report from Mrs Quinzin Martine, a French national aged 50, that
three burglars had entered room number 126 on the 6th floor of Theptip
Mansion condominium, at Najomtian Beach, Pratamnak Road, Nong Prue. They had
attacked Mrs Vermoere Denise, 72, her sick mother, who could not walk and
was lying down in the room. The burglars stole 3,000 pounds (approx 220,000
baht), 7,000 baht, two mobile phones valued at 30,000 baht, and two digital
cameras valued at 26,000 baht before escaping.
Vermoere
Denise, 72 was treated for injuries caused during the assault. One of the
thugs responisble for the attack (inset) had his photograph while he was
carrying things up to her room.
Police went to the room and sent the injured woman to
Pattaya Memorial Hospital, where she was admitted to Intensive Care.
Police Colonel Somnuk Chanket, Police Lieutenant Colonel
Chanapat Naowalak and other officers inspected the scene. In the room were
signs of fighting and property that had been sorted through, and the bed and
mattress had spatters of blood.
Physicians at the hospital reported that Mrs Denise had
three broken ribs on her left side, the left side of her chest was bruised,
she had a bloody lip, her right eye socket was broken and congested inside,
and her neck was bruised and windpipe inflamed. She gave a statement to the
police that three Thai men had broken into the apartment. They had kicked
and punched her, and forced her to show them where her money was. She showed
them, but the thieves were still unsatisfied and nearly strangled her to
death. Luckily her daughter came back home and the cowardly burglars fled.
Mrs Quinzin Martine told police she had gone out to buy some things for
her mother, who couldn’t walk, and had left her in the unlocked room. When
she came back she saw three Thai men running out of the room. She recognized
one of them as a motorcycle taxi driver, and that she had always used his
service, including having him help her bring things up to her room. She had
previously taken his photograph. Rushing into the room she found her mother
breathing slowly and called the police. Police are now using the photo taken
by Mrs Martine in their search for the assailants.
Neglected wife
attempts suicide
A Thai woman depressed when her foreign husband began to
neglect her attempted to take her own life by swallowing painkillers.
Police responding to a report on March 31 entered room
number 834 at Sutas Court apartments on Soi Buakhao, Village No 10, to find
25-year old Nongnooch Ketkram unconscious. Beside her lay a bottle of
alcohol and a package of painkilling medication with over 30 pills missing.
She was rushed to hospital for treatment.
A friend told police that Miss Nongnooch lived with her
Swedish husband. Before the incident, witnesses saw her bring an alcoholic
beverage with her to drink downstairs, and she had muttered something about
a family problem before returning to her room.
Her friends were fearful that she might try to take her
own life. She was very unhappy because her foreign husband continuously went
out at night and left her alone in the room.
Later on someone discovered that Miss Nongnooch had taken
several pills to commit suicide, and notified the police. Physicians found
that the pills were not a danger to her life, and they pumped her stomach.
The police will invite her foreign husband to come in to
continue the investigation.
Police briefs
Youth shot in pub brawl
A group of youths were involved in a violent brawl in
front of the Casanova Pub on Pattaya Second Road on April 2, initially using
a whisky bottle along with their fists and feet, until gunshots rang out and
one youth was shot in the leg. Onlookers scattered for cover, but the
fighting continued until the police arrived. Several of the youths were
detained.
Police said that two rival gangs from Pattaya and
Sark-Ngaew were involved. They had by chance arrived at the same pub, and
fighting erupted.
The injured man was identified as Sunthorn Jiamsuk, aged
22. He had been shot in the top of the right thigh and the bullet was still
in his leg.
Police are making enquiries as to who fired the shots.
“High-low” gamblers
arrested behind temple
Boonlua Chatree
At 2 a.m. on March 31, Pattaya police superintendent
Police Colonel Somnuk Chantket received a tip-off that a group of people
were gambling illegally at a house in the slums behind Chaimongkol Temple in
South Pattaya. Led by Police Captain Sompob Khoohawal, officers proceeded to
the scene.
In a wooded thicket behind the temple they found a group
of people gambling. As the police approached the gamblers ran away in
different directions, but 11 were arrested along with one score sheet, three
sets of dice, one set of high–low bowls and a cover, and 30 baht in cash.
Pornchai Waitidtor, 42, admitted that he was the
financier for the game. Police charged him with illegal gambling, and for
being the financier of an illegal game.
The others were charged with illegal gambling and were
transferred to the police investigator to continue the case.
- EDITORIAL: Songkran and a call for appropriateness
Suchada Tupchai
This year’s Songkran festivities are receiving extra
attention from certain ministerial departments. Apart from the safety issue,
which is being heavily publicized - especially the anti drink-drive campaign
- the Ministry of Culture is also calling for a more traditional approach to
the festival. Khunying Thipawdee Meksuwan, permanent secretary at the
ministry, has urged the Thai public to preserve cultural values.
“In Thailand there is no other festival as fun as
Songkran. If we look at the history and the meaning it was a festival with
heart rather that what it has evolved into today. Water is life and Songkran
celebrates that, and enables better relationships with our fellow man and
our respected elders and religion,” said Khunying Thipawdee.
“It was an opportunity for young men to meet young
women, not like it is today. This year I urge stopping the use of powder and
water pistols, and to dress appropriately in public. This is our (Thai)
tradition and it is up to all Thai people to retain it. Don’t play more
than is appropriate, especially in cases of sexual harassment, use correct
manners and quell your excitement in order to preserve water,” said the
culture ministry permanent secretary.
This announcement has been broadcast to all Thais because
in recent years the image of Songkran has changed rapidly. People are taking
advantage of the festivities to use excessive force and strong methods.
Songkran has become almost violent with many arguments and fights breaking
out, in some cases causing loss of life and turning a festival of water into
tears.
Songkran has become a playfield for youth, who dress
modernly and sometimes too openly. Young women wear clothing such as bikini
tops and more revealing styles of clothing currently in fashion, and this
has the potential to create problems of sexual harassment or worse. The
Ministry of Culture and relevant departments have not issued warnings and
notices on inappropriate attire during the Songkran period but have
implemented regulations with tough penalties for going too far, such as
using powder or high powered water pistols. They are hoping that the greater
public will decide what appropriate dress is during Songkran and that the
traditional values will come through in the long term.
“...Because appropriateness is not just a word, the
concept is applicable to every age group and generation...”
Sriracha set to sizzle with cultural flare this Songkran
Sriracha municipality has organized a variety of
traditional and modern activities for Songkran this year. Over April 19-20
festivities will be held in front of the fitness park, complete with
parades, booths exhibiting Buddhist amulets and local cuisine.
The celebrations coincide with Gong Kao, the rice harvest
festival, which is traditionally held in the district during Thai New Year.
Sriracha Mayor Chatchai Timgrachang said that this
year’s activities will be held in conjunction with the Tourism Authority
of Thailand and cultural councils.
“This is an annual event and we (the municipality) want
to retain the cultural heritage behind the celebrations. There will be a
variety of performances, shows and activities during the festival plus a
parade of over 50 floats,” he said.
Songkran activities are scheduled to take place from 8.30
a.m. to 11 p.m. on April 19 and 20.
The event will be followed by a special Buddhist amulet
exhibition and pageant on April 24 in front of the Sriracha youth gym in the
heart of the district.
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