|
Cloud seeding used in urgent attempt to refill dwindling reservoirs
City to chip in for chemical costs
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Cloud seeding is being used in an urgent attempt to
replenish the water levels in Chonburi’s reservoirs, following an emergency
meeting on the water crisis conducted by Governor Pisit Ketphasook and Deputy
Governor Weerawit Wiwatanawanit.
The Banglamung area is in a particularly critical situation.
Banglamung uses water supplies from five reservoirs, namely Mabprachan,
Nongklangdong, Huay Khunchit, Charknok and Huay Saphan. At present the total
reserves of these five is only 4.8 million cubic metres. If there is no
rainfall, this amount will last only a few weeks more.
 Tawee
Kanchana (left), director of the Royal Artificial Rain Centre in Rayong,
explains the steps used in the rainmaking process to Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn.
After the meeting the governor, along with Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn and other officials, visited the Mabprachan reservoir and
discussed a proposal to dig a channel to enable the remaining water run down
under gravity towards the suction pumps. Deputy Governor Weerawit has been put
in charge of this project and will update on progress.
Governor Pisit contacted the Royal Artificial Rain Centre
for the Eastern Region, in Rayong, stressing the urgent situation faced by
Chonburi’s agricultural areas, and directly after the reservoir visit Mayor
Niran went to the centre, which is situated at U-tapao airfield.
Director of the centre Tawee Kanchana said the proposal is
for rainfall to be precipitated over agricultural areas of at least 200,000
rai. There are three steps involved. Firstly, a cloud is created by scattering
sodium chloride, which absorbs the humidity in the air. Next, the cloud is made
bigger by scattering a hot chemical formula of calcium chloride and calcium
oxide, followed by a third step which uses a cold chemical formula of calcium
uria. The changes in air temperature and humidity trigger rainfall.
Mayor Niran was shown the various cloud seeding materials
and then joined a flight where the chemicals were scattered.
Tawee has asked Pattaya City to support a budget for the rain project to
cover the purchase of chemicals and associated costs. The mayor said Pattaya is
ready to support all necessities to maintain the water supply.
Recycling materials
for the public good
World Environment Day celebrated in Pattaya
Narisa Nitikarn
World Environment Day was observed in Pattaya at the
Public Health Centre on Soi Buakow, with Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn
opening the day’s activities and the city’s deputy mayor, Wuttisak
Rermkijakarn, councillors, local hotel owners, and students from 10 schools
in Pattaya amongst those attending.
As part
of the activities in Pattaya for World Environment Day, recycled items were
given to Pra Payom Kalayano, the abbot of Suan Kaew Temple, who will make
use of them in his recycling project.
Mayor Niran said the purpose of the event was to
encourage people to realise that refuse can be recycled for the public
benefit, and to protect Pattaya’s future environment. Robes made from
recycled materials were presented to Pra Payom Kalayano, the abbot of Suan
Kaew Temple. Recycled material was also presented to the abbot for use in
his recycling project.
Deputy Mayor Wuttisak, who is responsible for hygiene and
the environment, said that fostering a respect for the environment is
essential, and that young people will carry this forward into their adult
lives.
To help illustrate this, the city has a trial plantation of mangroves on
the outskirts of Soi Naklua 12, on the seafront (see editorial, page 23).
The initial planting is of 20,000-30,000 shoots, and up to six months will
be needed to complete this.
Tourism commission examines problems facing tourists
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
Member of parliament and president of the tourism
commission, Sa-Nga Thanasa-Nguanwong on June 3-4 visited Pattaya to gain a
first-hand account of the kind of problems tourists to Eastern Thailand and
Pattaya face. Welcoming Sa-Nga and his entourage were Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn and Chanyuth Hengtrakul, MP for Chonburi province.
Sa-Nga
Thanasa-Nguanwong, president of the tourism commission and MP, is
photographed with Pattaya City administrators in front of the King Taksin
statue.
The overall purpose of the visit was to see how the
tourism strategy is working, and to foster greater cooperation between
government departments, local private organisations and the local community
to solve tourism issues. Amongst the more visible of these are the cheating
and taking advantage of tourists, beggars, prostitutes on Pattaya Beach, and
a number of other problems that are detrimental to tourism and to
Pattaya’s image.
An activity plan to deal with these matters will need
support from the members of the tourism commission and from MPs.
A top-level workshop was conducted on June 4 at Pattaya Garden Hotel,
attended by the Chonburi governor, the Banglamung district chief, the mayor
of Pattaya City, a representative from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports,
the director of TAT Central Thailand Regions 3, 4 and 5 in Pattaya, Rayong
and Trat, and representatives of associated tourism organisations.
Public health minister stresses individuals must act quickly to prevent possible Avian Flu epidemic
Volunteers to create public network
Suchada Tupchai
Minister of Public Health Prof. Dr. Suchai
Charoenratanakul presented a conference at the Pattaya Park Hotel on plans
to combat avian flu. Attended by over 600 public health volunteer leaders
from all over the country, the conference was held over June 1-3.
 Minister
of Public Health Prof. Dr. Suchai Charoenratanakul gives an opening speech
on precautions being taken to prevent an avian flu outbreak.
Dr. Suchai said that Thailand twice last year endured an
avian flu outbreak, once from January to May and secondly from June to
October. There were 17 people infected, of whom 12 died. Even though there
has been no sign of the flu in Thailand for eight months now, the country
cannot be careless or complacent.
The action plan calls for three procedures. 1. The
Department of Health Service Support and the Department of Disease Control
are to make and distribute leaflets, booklets and posters to public health
volunteers and to the local public. 2. Public health volunteers must visit
homes and report any health abnormalities amongst residents or animals. 3.
In the event of a suspected case being discovered, the person must be
transferred first to the Public Health Centre for a basic examination, and
then to hospital.
Dr Suchai said that this campaign for volunteers will run until the end
of this year. It is the first plan of its kind, using large numbers of
volunteers for a public health program. It is ambitious and places a lot of
responsibility on individuals, who must be observant and act quickly to
prevent a possible epidemic.
Baby elephant accidentally killed by its mother
Patcharapol
Panrak
An elephant owner who received an omen indicating he
would lose something of beauty saw the prediction come true when an eagerly
awaited baby elephant died at birth.
Tourists have always greatly enjoyed riding on Pang
Daorung, one of the elephants at Ban Chang Thai, in Sattahip, trekking with
her along the trails and down to the beach. When she became pregnant, her
owner Buntham Srapmark looked forward to the birth of the baby as if it were
an event within his own family.
But Buntham was uneasy. There were signs that the spirits
were unhappy, and he had a feeling of foreboding that something bad was
going to happen. He used a good luck charm to ward off ill fortune, and he
prayed regularly, including the unborn elephant in his prayers.
At 17 months and seven days, Pang Daorung went into
labour. Buntham tethered her to a mango tree so that he and the mahouts
could watch over her. The baby elephant emerged, and appeared perfect with
ears in a papal leaf shape and a white tail with a dark spot at the end. But
in her convulsions the mother kicked backwards, her feet striking against
the abdomen of the baby, and despite frantic attempts the newly born
elephant died.
Veterinarian Daraka Thongthaiyanan and a team from the
Khao Kheow Open Zoo came to take care of the mother’s health, taking
measures to prevent infection and administering a saline solution.
Nurses gather as part of wider healthcare cooperation programme
Nurses are ideal to disseminate health care information
Suchada
Tupchai
Deputy Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul on
June 1 presided over a seminar for nurses, organised by Boromratchonani
Noparat Wachira Nursing College in cooperation with the Institute for the
Development of Science.
 Anutin
Charnvirakul, deputy minister of public health, gave a special lecture on
healthcare in Thailand.
The seminar, held in Jomtien and attended by more than 600
nurses from all over the country, was part of a long-term project to develop
a multi-level nursing alliance throughout the Kingdom.
Anutin said that this year Thailand will host the 6th
International Health Promotion Conference, due to be held from August 7-11 in
Bangkok. This event will be attended by over 1,000 public health leaders from
around the world, and is due to promulgate a 2005 Bangkok Charter, an
international performance plan.
“Nurses form the greatest number of personnel within the medical and
public health system,” said Anutin. “There are about 85,000 nurses in the
country, and they are important in supporting the national goals for the
health of the Thai people. Nurses frequently perform their duties at
people’s homes, and consequently they are in direct contact with the
patients and the relatives of the patients, and are in the ideal position to
disseminate health care information and knowledge.”
Training the teachers who take care of homeless children
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh opened a
training seminar for the teachers of homeless children at the city
conference hall on June 9. The seminar was organised in conjunction with
the World Vision Foundation of Thailand, and attended by a broad spectrum
of people wishing to give help to some 50 underprivileged children’s
groups.
 Sudchai
Nakpian, coordinator of the homeless life quality development project and
the World Vision Foundation of Thailand.
Sudchai Nakpian, coordinator of the homeless life
quality development project and of the Foundation, a Christian charity for
children in need, said it is important that families and communities in
Thailand respond to the needs of underprivileged people in society. The
cooperation of community, society, companies, and enterprises is needed to
support homeless children and help them stay away from the sexual service
industry.
Ronakit Ekasingh said that the quality of life for youngsters is
recognised by the city, and the aim is to see the children grow up with
intellect, ability, and moral principles so they can enjoy a happy life in
society. At present there are many problems because technology is changing
things so fast, and this has a direct bearing upon the young generation.
Young people encouraged to take up sport in anti-drugs drive
Youth drug use in Chonburi is highest in Thailand
Narisa Nitikarn
A drug prevention and protection training scheme for young
people was announced on June 6 at the Soi Buakow Public Health Centre, with
newly-installed Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh presiding and Colonel Dr Sumol
Bunrod from the army headquarters at Precinct 14 addressing more than 200
students from 10 Pattaya City schools.
 Deputy
Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh gives sports equipment to youths from Pattaya City
schools during the drug protection and prevention training project.
The message for the students was that drugs are dangerous
and that developing interests in creative activities and sport will help keep
their minds away from temptation. Sports equipment was distributed to the 10
schools at this meeting.
Colonel Dr Sumol said that drug use in Thailand is on the
increase again. If protection is not given now, the number of drug users will
continue to rise. Furthermore, the number of young drug users in Chonburi is
the highest in the country, the second being Nakhon Ratchasima.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is heading the fight
against drugs under the campaign slogan: “Nation united to eradicate
drugs”. This means that all of Thailand should cooperate, said Colonel Dr
Sumol.
She added that as far as drugs are concerned, the public is divided into
three camps: bad, stupid and good. The bad ones are bringing the drugs into
the country, but the prime minister has a strategy to unearth and sweep out
these people. The stupid ones are the drug consumers, and they need treatment.
Both of these groups are fermenting agents that can spread the infection. The
good ones should try to find the bad ones and alert the authorities, and the
stupid ones must be transferred because they are contagious. Therefore,
students have an important role in leading the country to be clean from drugs
in the future.
Woman threatens German with death unless he handed over Bt20,000
Promptly arrested for extortion
Boonlua Chatree
A 33-year-old Roi Et woman was arrested in a Soi Buakow
apartment after she attempted to extort 20,000 baht from a German man,
threatening to have him killed unless he paid her.
Heinz Kain, 53, from Germany, filed an official complaint
with police shortly after 2.30 a.m. on June 10. Kain told officers that the
woman, with whom he had previously had sexual relations, threatened to have
him killed unless he produced 20,000 baht.
 Heinz
Kain points to Noogai Polyiam, once the object of his affections who later tried
to extort money from him.
Police placed 5,000 baht in marked notes and blank paper in
an envelope and told Kain to make the appointment. Kain and police officers
travelled to the apartment where Kain handed over the envelope and police
moved in to make the arrest.
Once in custody, Noogai Polyiam, 33, admitted to the
extortion allegations. She told police that she had previously stayed with the
German but agreed to separate from him after continuous arguments arose. She
added she was angry at being physically hurt and decided to seek retribution
in making the threats.
Police detained the woman on charges of extortion with the threat of
violence and a court appearance will follow.
Police raid Beer Hima and find 2 ya ba users
Boonlua Chatree
Hearing that the Beer Hima Pub on Third Road was staying
open throughout the night in contravention of the licensing laws, police
entered the premises at 2:25 a.m. on June 7 and found 200 customers there,
eating and drinking.
Police
test customers for drugs at the Beer Hima on Third Road.
Ordering the manager to turn on the lights, which had been
turned down low, the officers conducted a drugs test by taking urine samples.
This is done on the spot by placing the urine sample into a test tube
containing chemicals. Within two minutes the liquid in the tube will separate,
and if the lower portion is violet or dark blue, police know that ya ba
substance is in the person’s blood. A yellow or pale blue color indicates
that there are no drug substances in the urine. The liquid solution is
supplied by the Medical Organisation.
After testing all 200 customers, the police found only one
male and one female who showed evidence of ya ba. They were transferred to the
police station.
Beer Hima manager Phongphan Chanantho, 32, was charged with violating the
alcohol licensing laws.
Cambodian woman claims immigration officer raped her
Boonlua Chatree
A Cambodian woman claimed that a volunteer immigration
official raped her after she was stopped for illegal entry into Thailand.
Miss U-lae, aged 18, stated to Pattaya police that the
alleged offence occurred in a rented room on Soi Bongkot, South Pattaya Road.
Police sent her to Banglamung Hospital to examine a vaginal wound and other
markings and then arrested the volunteer at the Soi Bongkot premises.
He was identified as Pratchaya (aka Biew) Amphon, aged 18.
He said he had attempted intercourse with U-lae, but it was with her consent.
He had brought her to the room, and began to have sex with her, but was
unsuccessful. He let U-lae go, and she filed a report to have him arrested.
Police charged U-lae with illegally entering Thailand. She
confirmed that she wished to continue the rape case and received the
examination report from Banglamung Hospital to submit with her own report.
Police made the necessary arrangements before transferring her for
deportation.
Sad return home for body
of Naphat Juiyim
Narisa Nitikarn
A cremation ceremony was held in Sattahip Temple on June 4
for Naphat Juiyim, who died in a car accident in New Zealand. Amongst the
mourners were Somtawin Yangyoo, secretary to Her Royal Highness Princess
Soamsawalee, and former deputy minister of public health Santsak Ngamphiches.
Naphat, who was 42, had gone to New Zealand looking for
business locations and to find a school for her child. She was a passenger in
a minibus heading out of Auckland to Rotorua when the vehicle swerved and
collided with a fully laden truck heading in the opposite direction. Eight
people died in the crash, one of New Zealand’s worst.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Youths rob mini-mart at knifepoint
Two youths threatened a mini-mart staff member with a
knife and escaped on a motorcycle with phone cards valued at almost 9,000
baht.
Pattaya police station received a call at 4 a.m. on June
6 from Banchong Krongyut, 39, owner of the Bunmee Minimart in Soi A.R. He
said that two youths aged around 19-20 had arrived on a dark-blue Honda Wave
motorcycle. They came into the shop and threatened the employee, holding a
knife to his neck, and took 70 One-2-Call, DITAC, and Orange phone cards
valued at 8,750 baht. They then rode away behind Big C in the direction of
North Pattaya.
Investigations established that the miscreants had lain
in wait until the shop was free of customers before entering. They pulled
out the drawer to steal the phone cards, but didn’t take any money because
they were in a hurry to flee.
Despite putting out a radio call, police were unable to
find the thieves who clearly knew the roads well. Investigations are
continuing.
Japanese driver runs down
and kills Thai pedestrian
A Japanese motorist knocked down and killed a Thai
pedestrian in front of Big C on Second Road. Police receiving a call at 2:30
a.m. on June 10 went to the scene where they found a gold Toyota Vios parked
in the middle of the road. There were bloodstains on the front of the car. A
short distance away a Thai man, aged about 25, was lying in the road with
his skull split open. The man was still breathing, but he died later at
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. The driver of the car was Nakazawa Shinya, from
Hyogo, Japan. He has been charged with careless driving causing the death of
another.
Bar owners arrested for
serving drinks after hours
A police crackdown on after-hours drinking has resulted
in the arrest of several beer bar owners on Walking Street.
Pol Col Somnuk Changate, superintendent at Pattaya police
station, led a 5 a.m. swoop on June 10, officers first descending on the
Marine beer bar where there was still a crowd of tourists drinking. The
owner, who was not named, was arrested.
Officers then went on to other bars still open. They
arrested Tiger Sports Bar owner and manager U-thai Khokhuntod, 36, and then
went to the JP 1 beer bar, arresting owner and manager Panuwat Pungsanthia,
26. They then arrested Hard Rock beer bar owner Pitak Pinyo, 23, and
Performance Bar owner Suthasinee, 27. Police charged all of them with being
open over the time limit set by the law.
The arrested owners have complained that although there
were some 20 beer bars open after hours, only a few arrests were made. If
the orders are that all beer bar owners allowing their premises to be open
after the legal time limit are to be arrested, why have only a few singled
out, they asked.
Pistol find in tyre ring
during beach fight
Police rushed to Beach Road in front of the Soi 10
7-Eleven mini-mart at 4 a.m. on June 9 after receiving a report that a
number of youths were fighting there. The pugilists scattered as the
officers approached but four of them were caught.
Searching the scene, police found an automatic Walther
.22 calibre pistol hidden in a tyre ring in front of a bathroom behind the
mini-mart.
At the police station the four youths were identified as
Sarawut Chairun, 20, Anuchit Sroithong, 20, Pakphum Maneesaeng, 21, and a
16-year-old.
They all denied ownership of the gun and said they did
not know who it belonged to. Police released them, and are continuing
inquiries.
Protecting against contagious diseases in a hospital environment
Suchada Tupchai
Dr Arun Paosawat, chief advisor to the public health
minister, formerly opened a seminar on protection against infectious diseases
within hospitals, staged at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel on June 8.
The seminar was attended by hospital administrators,
doctors, and scientists responsible for protection against contagious diseases
in the public and private hospital sectors.
 Dr
Arun Paosawat, chief advisor to the Public Health Minister, gives an opening
speech.
Dr Kitti Kittiamphon, assistant director general of the
disease control department, said that this was the second seminar to be held
for laying out strategies and suitable performance guidelines concerning
protection against infectious diseases. The aim is also to set up nursing
standards to operate in the same manner.
The Contagious Disease Center in the USA is able to supply
information that the Thai hospitals do not have, said Dr Kitti. Thailand had
long ago organised activities concerning protection and prevention, but there
was no cooperation between departments, and no strategic plans. The Ministry
of Public Health has now formed a committee for five strategic plans.
 An
exhibition had over 30 booths displaying medical tools and equipment.
Dr Arun said that contagious diseases in the hospital are a
problem nationwide, and that it directly affects longer-term patients. From
data collected in 2002, it was discovered that 6.4 percent of 6.2 million
inpatients contracted contagious diseases. There were 400,000 patients
infected, and about 25,000 patients died.
The seminar featured a number of specialists, and there was an exhibition
of companies from the private sector with over 30 booths displaying medical
tools and equipment.
Meeting discusses better quality of education
Two students awarded for scholastic excellence
Narisa Nitikarn
A conference on the quality of education was attended by
130 education administrators on June 1 at the Grand Sol้ Hotel, presided
over by former deputy minister of public health Santsak Ngamphiches and
director of the education office for Chonburi area section 3 Suthep
Chitayawong.
(From
right) Sompong Hunsadee and Pornthip Hunsadee (Singsamut school teachers),
Santsak Ngamphiches (former deputy minister of public health), Suthep
Chitayawong (director of the education office, Chonburi area section 3),
Miss Darathip Samnaree (Chuksamed School), and Putthangkul Hunsadee
(Singsamut School), the two Princess Theprattana Ratchasuda scholarship
students of 2005, with Thanetpong Ratsamee (Chuksamed School director), and
Naruemit Atkamol (assistant Singsamut School director).
The meeting congratulated the two Princess Theprattana
Ratchasuda scholarship students, Miss Darathip Samnaree of Chuksamed School,
Sattahip, who received the primary school award, and Putthangkul Hunsadee of
Singsamut School, Sattahip, who received the secondary school award.
Suthep said that the committee for teacher representatives and education
personnel to monitor standards and quality of education in the province had
been formed for the present school year.
|
