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No water in some areas, too much in others
Heavy rains causing more flooding in Pattaya
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya’s mayor and city officials last week surveyed
flooded villages after heavy rains left many houses inundated with water. The
mayor, responding to calls for assistance, called in city workers to unblock
drains, as much of the deluge also remained evident on the streets and sois
throughout the city.
Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn surveys flooded areas in Pacific Village, Central Pattaya,
just one of the areas affected by the rain. Flooding has arisen from unfinished
infrastructure improvements.
A 100-metre stretch along Thepprasit Road, Pattaya Third
Road, and much of the city were flooded, with water levels reaching almost half
a meter deep in some areas.
City officials brought in pumps to remove excess water in
affected villages in Central Pattaya and Soi Buakow. During the survey, the
mayor promised complete road re-surfacing and new drainage pipes, currently
under construction, as quickly as possible to avoid problems in the future.
Despite the deluge, water trucks were still running at full capacity
throughout the city, delivering water to residents who are still without. The
rains slightly increased levels in the Mabprachan and Chak Nok reservoirs,
enabling authorities to slightly increase water production for residents.
Police tour illegal structures on Larn Island
Identify 7 main offenders Boonlua
Chatree
Senior Region 2 police officers, forestry police and
local officials have toured Larn Island inspecting structures illegally
built there on public land.
Sutham Petchgate, Larn Island community head, told Pol
Maj Gen Rapeephat Parlawong, region 2 deputy police commander, there were
seven main figures who had illegally built on the 320 rai of disputed
land. These were named as Chom Tantathamasatit, Liam Wisetsakorn, Lohng
Kwanmuang, Vichien Sungrueng, Jamlong Tongdee, Sitiporn Paetgratoke and
Veerachai Techawijit.
Police
point to one of the offending structures that they say have been built
illegally. The owner says he had permission to build this restaurant in
accordance with the 1979 building act.
These seven people had paid for and constructed
numerous buildings throughout the island, claiming the land was theirs
even without official documentation.
Officials separated into four groups and made their way
to various parts of the island. It became clear that Chom Tangthammasatit
was the biggest offender, taking up as much as 40 rai in one spot by
building the Chom Talay Restaurant.
Police on the tour told reporters that this was in
direct violation of 2002 legislation concerning forestry land, and subject
to legal action. Chom Tantathamasatit claims that he had permission to
build a number of structures under the 1979 building act.
Officers later told reporters that the documentation
and other evidence was in direct conflict with Chom’s claims.
The outcome of the inspection was that all those encroaching on public
and forestry land will face proceedings to have them evicted, equally and
fairly in accordance with the law.
Language skills are vital to economic progress, APEC human resources meet is told
27th APEC Human Resources Development Working Group meets in Pattaya
Narisa
Nitikarn
The 27th Meeting of the APEC Human Resource Development
Working Group took place in Pattaya at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, with
over 150 representatives from 21 nations attending the four-day event.
APEC
delegates outside the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
This is the first time Thailand has hosted such a
meeting. Prof Dr Chira Hongladarom, who chaired the event, said that the
meeting focused on three issues, namely Capacity Building Network, Education
Network and Labor and Social Protection Network.
The professor urged everyone to find ways to improve
human resources in the region through the three topics.
“Currently, developed countries such as the USA, Japan,
and Europe employ a great number of foreigners, especially those from the
Philippines, Malaysia, India and China. This group has the advantage of
speaking English, and very good communication skills are in demand,” said
Professor Chira.
The professor said Thailand has problems with the
workforce using English, despite being of the same quality with working
levels. “This has resulted in much of the Thai workforce being passed over
because of this point,” said Chira, who cited the great number of people
from the Philippines working abroad.
The focus of discussions saw the need to develop language
skills in non-English speaking nations, as well as developing other
languages in cooperation with educational institutions. The professor cited
Pattaya as an example: if the city were to have a university there would be
more focus here on the issue of outsourcing and languages.
The APEC meeting saw a guest appearance from Thai Labor Minister Sora-at
Klinpratum, who said it was necessary to develop a better education system
in the region. “As economies grow, this issue cannot just lay with one
department or ministry, it must be shared if the issues are to be
resolved,” said Sora-at, who mentioned that the Ministry of Labor is
cooperating with the Foreign Ministry on this here in Thailand.
Jomtien Second Road moves
closer to construction phase
Suchada Tupchai
Construction of Jomtien Second Road moved a step closer
to reality on June 27 when Sittiparp Muangkhum, acting municipal clerk,
chaired a meeting with representatives from Consultants Technology Co Ltd to
discuss design plans and construction and implementation standards.
 Sittiparp
Muangkhum, acting municipal clerk chaired discussions over the proposal.
Sittiparp revealed that the initial project survey
included four new proposed traffic routes aimed at boosting the city’s
economy through easing traffic.
“The traffic situation is at its worst on weekends and
long public holidays,” he said. “The city has seen the need to increase
the number of routes in the interests of business and tourism. In February
2003, city management approved the study of new routes. The most urgent need
is to build Jomtien Second Road.”
The proposed 7.69 kilometer Jomtien Second Road will
begin from Pattaya Third Road in South Pattaya, running parallel to and then
cutting across Thappraya Road, through a new roundabout at the Machanu
corner, continuing parallel to Jomtien Beach Road and ending at Sukhumvit
past Soi Chaiyapruek. The new six-lane route will include traffic lights at
intersections, footpaths on both sides and a traffic island separating the
carriageways.
Discussed at the meeting were the pros and cons of the project and its
effects on residents close to the proposed road, as well other factors that
may be detrimental to the environment. Both the city and the consulting
company are preparing to carry out further surveys as well as budget for
construction and the buying of land.
Many activities planned for July 12 opening of Public Health Center
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The official opening of the Pattaya City Public Health
Center on Soi Buakow will take place on Tuesday July 12, with Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn conducting the ceremony.
Proceedings will begin at 7 a.m. with a religious
ceremony, and 9 a.m. will see the official opening of the building. To mark
the occasion, there will be many activities and services for the public
including blood donation organized by Somdetpraboromratchathewee Na Sriracha
Hospital, Thai massage at special low rates, and various health activities
provided by Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and Phayathai Hospital in Sriracha.
There also will be health related produce from OTOP and
the private sector, a dog show, a quiz, health check-ups, haircuts, make up
demonstrations, dental treatments, and a musical show on stage. Everyone is
invited to participate.
For more information please contact the Pattaya Public
Health Center at tel 038-420823, 038-420562, 038-422447.
City disburses money to the needy
Suchada
Tupchai
Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkitjakarn was presenter of the
Living Money 2005 project at city hall on June 23, at which 90 of Pattaya’s
elderly, disabled, and AIDS patients were handed funds.
Pannee Limcharoen, chief of the social welfare department,
said this is part of an ongoing program for supporting the less fortunate in
the community. A committee had undertaken research that identified groups of
needy people, totaling 90 persons in all. Of these, 60 elderly people were
given 300 baht per month each, 500 baht per month goes to 24 incapacitated
people, and 500 baht goes to the remainder, who are AIDS patients.
The Living Money 2005 project is the first to be run from
a Pattaya City budget. Deputy Mayor Wuttisak said it was an important step in
social welfare, and in helping the disadvantaged to improve the quality of
their lives.
The city will pay this money by installments every three
months for a total of four installments per year by transferring it to the
Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. Bank officers from the
South Pattaya branch attended the disbursement meeting.
Lights to be brought back in attempt to control traffic outside Carrefour
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Carrefour store manager Frederick Fontaina visited Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn on June 27 to see if there is any way of reducing
the traffic problems in front of the store. The road at Central Pattaya
intersection has become chaotic, with numerous accidents, notably those
involving motorcycles, occurring on a daily basis.
The mayor called in Chawalit Jariyayanyong, city traffic
research consultant, to assist with the problem.
Traffic
chaos on Central Pattaya Road in front of the Carrefour shopping center.
“In the past, the Carrefour Center had donated traffic
lights to the city,” said Niran. “These were used for a short period of
time but this ceased after residents complained over their close proximity
of around 300 meters to the Central and Third Road junction.
“It is time to again use the lights, and the relevant
documentation will be processed to avoid the same problem. We must
encourage motorists to understand the reasoning behind using the lights,
even for a trial period, in order to study its affects on the traffic flow
and accident numbers so we can find a long-term solution. We must also
encourage motorists to follow traffic regulations and obey the lights at
the intersection.”
Chawalit told the meeting that the new Automatic Traffic
Control (ATC) system will be ready by October this year, “It would be
beneficial to use the lights at the intersection during a trial period.
They won’t be in use for another week or two and we encourage the
shopping center to ask customers to use alternative entrances in the
meantime.”
The following day, the mayor, city officials and police
surveyed the site where the main problems are occurring in front of the
shopping center. “The traffic problem is very serious,” said the mayor.
He observed that the main issue was with vehicles turning right into the
soi and causing traffic to back up.
“I think using the traffic lights will reduce problems but we must ask
traffic specialists to design a long-term solution while we go through the
trial period,” added the mayor.
U-turns and unsightly cables on city hall agenda
City council refutes beach extension condemnation
Narisa Nitikarn
Top of the agenda at a city hall meeting hosted by Banlue
Kullawanich, councilor and city planning and public utility committee chairman
on June 27 was the growing congestion at the U-turns on Sukhumvit Road.
U-turn
congestion in Banglamung and Naklua.
“The U-turns on Sukhumvit Road from the Banglamung
intersection through to Naklua are creating problems with traffic flow,”
said Bunlue. “Naklua specifically is hectic, as we have discussed at a
previous meeting, but there has yet to be any progress in resolving the
matter.”
Officials responsible for progress responded by telling the
meeting that the specific U-turn is only problematic during rush hour, at the
start and end of the school day with parents dropping off and collecting their
children, since it is near one the main schools for the area.
In the near future, they said, there will be a bypass for
this area from Banbueng to Pattaya, relieving this section of Sukhumvit.
Other topics raised included unsightly telephone wires and
cables in small sois and side streets. The low hanging cables are cause for
concern, not only for aesthetic value but in the interests of safety, with the
possibility of trucks or other vehicles hitting the cables. In true political
fashion, it was resolved that a survey would be carried out.
The recent beach extension project near the Dusit Resort
was also raised. The results of the project have been satisfactory for the
city, beach chair vendors and visitors. However, at the same time, a national
Thai daily newspaper had printed a story condemning the project, claiming that
they had damaged the environment by reclaiming land from the sea.
Banlue said that the project has been successful and that
problems such as tide, strong waves and lack of equipment had been overcome.
Wirat Jirasripaitoon, municipal works department director, added that the
story the newspaper printed was wrong and there were many facts that were
incorrect. “In reality, our goal was to preserve the environment and not
destroy it,” he said.
Imposter runs out on food bill, steals restaurant owner’s mobile phone
Boonlua Chatree
Passing himself off as a vice admiral’s son, a man
ordered food to the value of over 5,000 baht then borrowed the restaurant
owner’s mobile phone to call a friend. He then went to the toilet and broke
the toilet wall to escape. The miscreant was found trying to sell the stolen
phone in a South Pattaya secondhand shop.
Pattaya police station received the call on June 25 from
Miss Sopa Gaeler, 44, owner of Thip & Joy Buatoom Buaban on South Pattaya
Third Road. Sopa complained that a customer had escaped without paying his
bill, and with her mobile telephone.
Sopa slaps
Witsawa again for running up a large food bill, not paying for it, and stealing
her mobile phone to boot.
Officers followed the wrongdoer and found him trying to
sell the Samsung mobile in the T&T Shop at Soi VC. The man was not
carrying an ID card but said he was Witsawa Chotirat, age 28. He told police
he had only borrowed the phone to call his friend and forgot to give it back.
He had put it in his pocket when he broke the toilet wall to run away. He then
said he had the right to refuse to answer any more questions.
Sopa, angry at his silence and at his statement that her
4,500 baht mobile was worth only 630 baht in the secondhand shop, slapped his
face twice. She told police that Witsawa said he was the son of a vice admiral
at Sattahip Naval Base. He ordered the food and drink and told her he was
organizing a big party. He ordered 12 bottles of beer, two big bottles of Coca
Cola, some tom yam, a domestic fowl, boiled pork, fried beef, and pork salad.
He offered glasses of orange juice to the five waitresses and ordered a tip
for each of them at 200 baht each.
He asked Sopa to note it all on the bill and not to worry
because he had enough money. He would settle up after he finished his meal,
which, of course, he didn’t.
When Sopa slapped Witsawa again, smirking police had to step in and protect
him from his accuser as they transferred him to the investigator’s desk for
further inquiries.
Australian man jumps to his death
Boonlua Chatree
Shortly after midnight on June 27, Pattaya police were
called to a seven-storey apartment building in Central Pattaya, following the
reported death of a foreigner. At the scene the officers found the body of
Andrew Anderson, a 57-year-old from Australia, lying on the road in front of
the building.
Witnesses told police that they saw the man jump from the
7th floor. Anderson’s girlfriend arrived on the scene and was asked by
police as to why the man would jump. She told them that he had already tried
to kill himself on a number of occasions, the previous attempt by slashing his
wrists.
Investigating police and medical personnel surveyed the
deceased’s third floor apartment, where they found a number of
antidepressants. The room showed no signs of a scuffle. Police sent the
deceased’s body to the forensic institute for an autopsy.
British visitor attacked after refusing to pay 3 baht to spend a penny
Boonlua Chatree
British visitor Richard Pitcher, 39, was attacked by two
toilet attendants when he declined to pay for using the facilities.
Pitcher said he had been drinking in the JB Beer Bar in
South Pattaya and went to use the restroom. Two men had asked for 5 baht for
toilet service but he refused because he had already spent many hundreds of
baht drinking in the bar.
Richard
Pitcher (background) was beaten for refusing to pay a toilet charge.
The attendants reduced their demand and asked for 3 baht.
Pitcher told them that he had lived in Thailand for eight years, and
didn’t see why he should pay for the toilet service. Both men then
attacked him.
Police arriving at the scene arrested the aggressive urinal attendants,
named as Kitisak Prom-Orn, 22, and Kraisorn Saengsakul, 25.
Ice sting lands Singaporean dealer
Boonlua Chatree
Police tailed a dealer in the narcotic known as ice while
he toured Pattaya entertainment venues plying his trade, and eventually
followed him back to a room at BB Mansion in North Pattaya. One of the
officers then posed as a buyer, and the dealer was deceived into producing a
bag of ice that he offered for sale at 2000 baht.
After the deal went down, police moved in and arrested
everyone in the room. Miss Orasa Limcharoen, 31, had four packs of ya ba in
her handbag. Samran Khamplong, 33, had one bag of ice. Nipoh Somnual, 34,
had one pack of E, three pills, 30,000 baht, two mobile phones, a white
Honda license plate with a Bangkok number, and a Tangent balance used for
measuring drugs. All were charged with possession of class 1 illegal drugs
for the purposes of distribution. Also arrested was Surathep Bunying, 41,
who was charged with possession of two bags of ice.
The dealers claimed they had bought the ice from a
foreign dealer at the price of 2,000 baht per pack. Whenever they ran out of
the drug they called a mobile phone number to obtain further supplies.
They said they sold the drug to tourists at entertainment
venues for the price of 2,800 baht per pack. Police immediately called the
number they were given and asked for a delivery of ice to be made at an
address they gave in Nongprue.
The dealer arrived at the house driving a blue Mitsubishi
car. He was immediately apprehended and police searched the vehicle, were
they found a large pack of ice weighing 51.6 grams. The dealer’s identity
was confirmed as Wong Kwok Chun, a Singaporean national, aged 51 years. He
was charged with being a distributor of a class 1 illegal drug.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Ya ba bust lands 2 dealers
and 2 users
Knowing from their own investigations that ya ba was being
sold to residents and tourists from an address behind Nongpet Karaoke on Soi
Churarat, Pattaya police mounted a sting operation by sending their own
undercover officers to the dealer’s house.
Purchasing a ya ba pill for 300 baht, the officers then
announced themselves and forced their way into the premises. Inside they found
four people, two dealers and two customers.
Arresting Winit Chounchom, 45, police searched him and found
10 ya ba pills. He was charged with possession of an illegal drug. Sywat
Sualong, 26, and Mrs Thongpan Panimwong, 45, also had ya ba in their possession.
Police charged them with possession for both consumption and distribution. Also
arrested was Miss Tassanee Purachaka, 22, who was charged with illegal drug
consumption following a urine test.
Armed youths on revenge
mission end up in jail
Police on routine patrol along Pattaya Third Road stopped two
men who were riding a modified red RC Suzuki motorcycle.
One rider, Bancha Kotcharat, age 20, was found to be carrying
a .38 caliber pistol in a blue bag. His 16-year-old passenger, given the alias
Chai, had no illegal articles with him. Both were taken to Pattaya police
station for further investigation.
They claimed they had bought the pistol from a friend in
Kanchanaburi for 8,000 baht with the intention of taking revenge on someone who
had shot one of their friends a few days ago. Police charged them with illegal
possession and carrying of a gun and ammunition.
Ganja dealers seized on
Walking Street
Two men selling ganja from a motorcycle in front of Family
Mart on Walking Street were arrested by police who found 20 plastic bags of dry
ganja weighing 60 grams each stashed on their vehicle.
Sinrat Phansri, 21, and Sing Ritthisak, 19, were charged with
illegal possession of a category 5 drug for distribution. They claimed to have
bought the ganja from an unknown Thai man in Huay Yai sub-district at the price
of 70 baht per pack, and said they were selling to tourists at 330 baht per
pack. Sometimes they sold the drug through intermediates, especially service
ladies who stayed with the tourists.
Thai Kingdom celebrates HSH Princess Soamsawalee’s Royal Birthday Anniversary
Saturday July 13 marks the 48th (4th
cycle) Royal Birthday Anniversary of Her Royal Highness Princess
Soamsawalee. Her Royal Highness is well known for her dedication in helping
the poor and is loved by the people of Thailand.
Princess Soamsawalee is involved in many charitable
organizations and activities, particularly those dealing with public
welfare, and is often accompanied by her daughter. Her Royal Highness also
tirelessly attends royal functions.
A member of the Foundation Committee, the princess began
her work at the Saijai Thai Foundation in 1975 by visiting and boosting
morale of military and police officers, volunteers and civilians who were
injured in the fight against terrorists and admitted at various hospitals.
Princess Soamsawalee often presides over the annual Thian
Song Chai (Candle in the Mind) Festival. The festival has been held on World
AIDS Day, December 1st since 1991.
The festival’s main function is to promote more
understanding in Thai society toward HIV and AIDS victims. It is a vehicle
to show Thais that HIV-infected people are not dangerous to the public, and
in fact members of this group can make positive contributions to their
families and communities. Princess Soamsawalee was the keynote speaker for
the 4th International Congress on AIDS held in the Philippines in 1980 and
vigorously champions the AIDS prevention movement.
Princess Soamsawalee’s kindness has also been extended
to Red Cross projects such as the “Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV
Infection Project” and the “Friend Helps Friend While in Difficulties
Project” and was instrumental in setting up the “Home Care Project”.
HRH the Princess performs other duties on behalf of
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at graduation ceremonies, such as conferring
degrees or certificates to graduates. She also presided over the opening
ceremony of the Disabled People’s Day Fair at Suan Amphor.
A recent visit to the Bang Khae Home for the Elderly
reflects her concern for the well being of this sector of the population.
The old folks were delighted and truly honored by her appearance and she
made them very happy.
The people of Thailand extend a “Happy Birthday” to Her Royal
Highness and wish her much happiness.
Pattaya Rotary Club donates scholarships
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Rotary Club of Pattaya, led by Susiree Charnchailert,
club president, recently handed over scholarships to children attending city
schools. The children were selected for their educational performance as well
as their families’ economic situation. The ceremonies took place at Pattaya
City Hall with city officials taking part in the donations.
 Susiree
Charnchailert, Rotary Club of Pattaya president, hands over a scholarship to one
of the students.
The scholarship donation is part of the Rotary Club of
Pattaya’s project to support local children in furthering their education
without interruption due to financial issues facing their families, and such
donations have taken place annually over the last 18 years.
This year, 60 scholarships were handed out to students from
kindergarten to high school levels, totaling 90,000 baht. Awards were also
presented to the most industrious students for their high academic
performances as well as members of the community who have had a positive
affect in their community. The presentations boosted the total amount to
112,500 baht.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, who also took part in the ceremonies,
addressed the students, “All the things you worked for and demonstrated
during your education have led to the current support to continue those
efforts. It is a wonderful thing to be able to help you and support your
education and I hope that you will continue to work hard, act responsibly to
become valuable members of society. Your teachers have confidence in you to
further develop your skills and knowledge to later give back to the community
that supports you.”
Redemptorist School pupils pay respect to their tutors
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya Redemptorist School held a “wai khru”
ceremony on June 23 to pay respects to their teachers, an annual activity at
the school. Father Banchong Chaiyara, the school licensee, Father Lawrence
Patin, abbot at the Pattaya Redemptorist Center, and Sister Pavinee
Pichaisrisawat, school director, joined the teachers and students at the
Pattaya Redemptorist Hall ceremony.
(L to R)
Sister Pavinee Pichaisrisawat, Redemptorist School director, Father Banchong
Chaiyara, school licensee, and Father Lawrence Patin, priest at the Pattaya
Redemptorist Center received students during the annual wai khru ceremony.
Floral displays, candles and incense hold symbolic meanings during the wai
khru ceremony; for example a flower of the genus ixora represents
intelligence, and Bermuda grass stands for perseverance and endurance. The
students had held competitions to produce the most beautiful floral displays.
School health volunteers undergo training session
Suchada Tupchai
A public health training session for school volunteers,
presented at the Public Health Center on Soi Buakow by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak
Rermkijakarn, was attended by 100 students from 10 schools.
Wannaporn Jamjumrat, director of the sanitary and
environment department, said the purpose of the project was to help students
support health care in society.
They could use their training to help take care of their
friends and members of the public, and in assisting public health officers at
their schools. It is hoped that the students will take their skills into
adulthood by eventually becoming community health volunteers.
The training included a competition where students had to create a first
aid room with the final efforts being judged on cleanliness, staffing by
volunteers, medicine and medical supplies management and room layout. The
first prize went to Pattaya 2 School (Wat Chonglom), who won 3,000 baht and a
certificate. The second and third prizes went to Pattaya 8 and Pattaya 10
schools, who received a certificate and 2,000 baht and 1,000 baht
respectively.
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