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Will the stadium be finished
in time for Asian Indoor Games?
City administrators express their doubts
Suchada Tupchai
With the 1st Asian Indoor Games just months away, the
mayor’s office is expressing concern over whether Pattaya’s new indoor
sports stadium on Soi Chaiyapruek 2, being built specifically to host the
event, will be ready on time.
The 1st Asian Indoor Games are scheduled to be held in
Thailand from November 12 to 19, and Pattaya is one of the four venues that
will host the games.
However, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn has voiced his
concerns over the current status of the city’s stadium. “Pattaya is ready
to support the event,” he said, but added, “The most worrisome point at
this time is the construction progress (of the new stadium). It may well not be
completed as planned.”
Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Ltd.
began the project on November 7, 2004. The original plan was for the stadium to
be finished by July 30, 2005 at a cost of 472 million baht.
Mayor Niran said that the city has allocated an additional
100 million baht to the project, but that, “(The stadium) is only around 67
percent complete ... The most important aspect of the event may not be
completed on time and we are concerned about its effect on the overall
picture.”
This issue was at the top of the agenda at a city hall
meeting last week with members of the organizing committee. Dr Somchai
Prasertsiriphan, committee chairman and Chalermchai Boonrak, deputy chairman
presided over the meeting that included city administrators led by Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn.
The Games will bring 2,880 athletes from 33 countries to
compete and vie for the 121 gold medals. Sporting events include aerobics,
dance sport, extreme sports, sport climbing, Futsal, hoop takraw, indoor
athletics, indoor cycling, Muay Thai and swimming.
Three main venues were originally scheduled to host the
games: Bangkok, Supanburi and Chonburi, but Dr Somchai announced that, in light
of last year’s tsunami, Phuket has been added to host sports aerobics, boxing
and dancing competitions.
“(Phuket) has been surveyed and deemed appropriate. The
aim is to boost visitor numbers to the island through international sporting
events such as this,” said Dr Somchai, who added that despite being the first
of its kind, (the games) will also open a new array of sports in the nation and
enable international competition standards to prevail.
“Indoor athletics has the most gold medals on offer, and
these events will be held in mostly Pattaya,” said Dr Somchai, adding that
“there are less than five months left to the event.”
Committee members at the meeting also addressed the issues
of competition details, public relations, advertising, medal presentations,
accommodation, transport and competition guidelines.
Following the meeting, reporters made their way to the construction area on
Soi Chaiyapruek 2 to survey the cause of the mayor’s concerns and found that
the project is indeed far from complete.
Producing drinking water from waste may be solution to shortages
Cost is high, city wants
to learn more Narisa
Nitikarn
Senior management from Technoaqua Systems
International’s (TSI) Thailand distributors for reverse osmosis water
production have met with city officials for initial discussions to aid
Pattaya’s declining fresh water resources.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn met with management of
Jacobsen van den Berg (Thailand) Co Ltd at city hall.
“As we face water shortages, not only here in Pattaya
but throughout the region, we must find a suitable solution for the low
levels of this valuable resource,” said the mayor.
Sanga Amornlertviman, Jacobsen van den Berg’s
technical manager, spoke of the benefits of reverse osmosis (RO). “TSI
can provide pure drinking water from either waste or seawater. This
process is used in many countries around the world and has proved
successful,” said Sanga. “The company proposes the use of RO
technology to produce potable water, which can be taken from either
wastewater or seawater. We have a range of units available from small to
industrial sizes units that produce 40,000 cubic meters per day and
above.”
Sanga added that the cost of these units was also
extremely high.
The mayor responded by saying that the company should
present further details including specifications, technical data and
prices within the next 10 days to be discussed at a council meeting.
“Our interest at this time is in finding out relevant information. We
(the city) are interested in the products but need to know further
details,” said Niran.
Soi Post Office community receives HM Queen Community Assistance funds
First community in the area to receive the honor
Pikul
Somnual, Soi Post Office community leader, proudly displays the Royal
envelope.
Narisa
Nitikarn
The Soi Post Office community in Naklua will receive
funding for various activities and projects to develop the local community
from HM Queen Sirikit’s Community Funding project.
Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijikarn presided over a
meeting along with community leader Pikul Somnual to explain the project to
local residents.
Wuttisak said the Nation’s Mother Investment Project
was founded on the concerns of HM Queen Sirikit for the developing of
communities and aiding them to steer clear of the dangers of the drug
menace.
“It is a great honour for the community to receive this
funding ... this can only be attributed to cooperation and communal efforts
to stamp out drugs from this area. Progress will be followed very
closely,” said the deputy mayor.
The deputy mayor went to say that the Soi Post Office
Community is the first in Pattaya to receive such funding. They were
selected on the basis of their community strength and results from previous
activities.
Community leader Pikul, who had requested the funding
said, “It is a proud moment for us, to be the first in Pattaya to receive
such help. The Soi Post Committee has worked closely together to create
unity in the community in creating greater ties and cooperation while
carrying out many activities.
“We have tried our best to rid the area of drugs, with
(users) being found sent to rehabilitation and returning to help our fight
once free of the addiction. We will manage the funds effectively and do our
best to continue our efforts.”
The Soi Post Office community in Naklua is a tight knit area with many
businesses working to improve conditions.
City hall asks Burapha to help develop education to private school standards
Narisa Nitikarn
A meeting on developing Pattaya’s educational system
organised in conjunction with Burapha University was chaired by Deputy Mayor
Wattana Chantanawaranon at city hall.
(From
left) Assistant Prof Dr Chalong Tabsri, deputy director of education and a
member of the international course, Dr Wilford Hjort, and Mrs Jinda
Sriyanalak, secretary of the education faculty at Burapha University,
attended the meeting for educational system development.
Wattana said that most of the children from Pattaya City
primary schools continue their education at well-known schools in the
district or in Bangkok, and not necessarily in their home town. City hall
had asked Burapha University to help in developing all 10 schools in Pattaya
City to the same level as the private schools. This would allow the local
children to be educated in an efficient school near their own homes.
Assistant Prof Dr Chalong Tabsri, deputy director of
education and a member of the international course at Burapha University,
said that Burapha was happy to help Pattaya lay out an educational system.
However, it would have to be done in stages, beginning with two schools
rather than 10 at the same time. This is because each school may have
inadequacies, especially in using English as a matter of teaching
communication.
Deputy Mayor Wattana told Pattaya Mail that Burapha University has
proposed an educational plan that includes secondary schools and goes beyond
that level to the vocational schools. The emphasis is on modern teaching
methods and English teacher efficiency, and how to develop interaction
between students and tutors.
South Pattaya road resurfacing to be completed by next week, maybe
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Following a string of complaints from motorists and
residents in South Pattaya, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and city
engineers inspected progress on the road-resurfacing project there on July
11.
Road works from the Second Road-South Pattaya Road
intersection down to the Walking Street entrance have been cause for
complaint by residents over the slow progress and excessive dust for the
last six months.
The resurfacing project, which began on January 12, was
scheduled to be completed by June 10. More than a month past the due date,
the mayor spoke to contractors Silawat Partnership Co Ltd. He ordered work
to speed up and be completed by next week.
The contractor assured the mayor the road surfacing would
be completed with the exception of the corner at Beach Road and Walking
Street. The delay would be due to the Banglamung electrical authority
replacing a transformer. Due to the increase in size, the power pole would
need to be moved.
The mayor requested that a water truck be used to spray
the road surface to keep the dust down until work is completed.
Disabled students receive leadership training
Suchada
Tupchai
A special training session for disabled youth was held at
the Prima Villa hotel in Naklua, with 25 members of Pattaya’s disabled
youth community attending.
 Toychua
Chaechua, Redemptorist Vocational College Alumni Association deputy president
addressed the seminar.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn was the guest of honor and
presided over the opening of the “Disabled youth leaders for change”
seminar.
Toychua Chaechua, Redemptorist Vocational College Alumni
Association deputy president addressed the seminar.
“The government has set aside funds from the lottery
office for community projects, specifically for the poor and underprivileged
and the disabled,” said Toychua. “In conjunction with this the Ministry
of Social Development and Human Stability is considering supporting the
Redemptorist Foundation to further develop the disabled community under the
project ‘Disabled youth leaders for change, furthering life experience for
disabled youth’ in 11 provinces.”
Toychua said that training sessions aimed at this target
community would be held to develop leadership around the nation.
Mayor Niran added that the project will greatly benefit the nation’s
youth and give them the opportunity to take active roles in society and
enhance the level of participation in their respective communities. Niran
said that Pattaya City will continue to support the city’s disabled
community.
ICCA: Going, Going Gong…
Peter Cummins
As usual, it was a glittering affair at the Royal Cliff
Beach Resort’s splendid Promenade Lounge, on this occasion for a
reception to honour Martin Sirk, CEO of the Amsterdam-based International
Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn (left) presents the key to Pattaya City to Martin
Sirk, CEO of the Amsterdam-based International Congress and Convention
Association (ICCA)
Along with his delegation, Sirk was on a four-day
Thailand Site Inspection Trip, with a view to securing the best locale for
the 46th ICCA Congress & Exhibition, to include the ICCA General
Assembly in November, 2007. Thailand has been short listed to host the
international event, bidding against two other major destinations.
Sirk sounded the gong behind the podium, to indicate
that Thailand was ready to stage the event.
The Thailand ICCA Committee is working closely with the
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau preparing the bid for this
prestigious forum.
Of course, the Royal Cliff’s award-winning Pattaya
Exhibition and Conference Hall (PEACH) was the show-piece in the
Thailand’s bid, the results of which will be announced in Montevideo
later this year.
According to Sirk, ICCA is a global trade facilitator
for the meeting industry and, although the organization does not organize
meetings per se, it does help its 700-some members in 70 countries gain
advantage in the market place.
Its membership runs the gamut of tour, travel,
exhibitions, trade fairs and a myriad other related industries.
Sirk was quick to praise the Asian initiatives which
have brought their approaches and facilities to match any level with
overseas counterparts, especially with the Asian stress on education.
“With three principal cities bidding for the 2007
Congress and Exhibition, it is going to be hard to call. Like the recent
bids for the 2012 Olympics, the favourite may not win,” he added.
As Pattaya Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn handed Mr Sirk
a key of the city and the members of EGAT presented him with a plaque of
dedication and readiness, Sirk pointed out that even if Thailand was not
the successful bid, nevertheless, all the meticulous preparations would
benefit the industries in the Kingdom.
Among the large number of guests attending reception
were: Pisit Boonchuang, Chonburi deputy governor; Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, Surat Mekhavarakul, Banglamung District Cultural
Council president and managing director of Mike Shopping Mall; Poramet
Ngamphiches, vice president of Grand Sole Hotel; Ekasit Ngamphiches,
secretary to the Pattaya mayor; Thanet Supornsaharungsi, PBTA president;
and Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhaya, director of TAT region 3.
And, of course, led by Panga Vathanakul, managing
director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and a contingent of her efficient,
courteous Royal Cliff staff, it was, indeed, a most pleasant evening.
The big surprise to most there was that, on going out on
to the outside balcony, one of Pattaya’s prime attractions was in full
ascendancy: the south-westerly monsoon blew vigorously – and warmly –
throughout the reception area.
Let’s hope that we see the ICCA back here in two years and, as the
Site Inspection Trip logo said so succinctly: “ICCA 2007 – Thailand
Fast Forward”.
You sunk my battleship
60-year-old RTMS Good could end up as new dive site
Vimolrat Singnikorn
If all goes well for the city, or perhaps poorly for the
RTMS Good, Pattaya Bay may soon have another shipwreck for divers to explore.
Sinking the 60-year-old ship to create a new shipwreck dive
site as a marine tourism promotion project for Pattaya was the main topic of
discussion at a July 7 city hall meeting. Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn
chaired the meeting, which included members of the government and private
sector.
“Two years ago the Royal Thai Navy sank the RTMS Krarm
off the shore of Koh Pai (Bamboo Island). This site is popular with many
divers. Now, we have become aware that a second vessel, the RTMS Good, which
has been in service for past 60 years is to be decommissioned,” said the
mayor.
“I feel it would be worthwhile if the city requests the
navy to provide the ship and create another wreck for divers and a new home
for marine life aimed at conserving the environment in Pattaya Bay.”
The idea received a consensus agreement, and an idea was
also put forth to build a maritime museum in front of the Bali Hai area for
residents and tourists to learn about RTMS Good’s operational history.
Other projects still under consideration are sinking 100 train carriages
off the coast in the area of Koh Pai. Approval has been given with the final
appropriate locations that would most benefit marine life cultivation to be
decided by a special committee.
Expired visa raid nets ice users and mafia chief
Boonlua Chatree
Immigration police tracking expired visas raided a room in a
North Pattaya apartment complex on June 28 where they found two Koreans and a
quantity of the illegal narcotic ice.
Immigration
police, investigating expired visas, netted drug users and a Look Mu mafia
chief.
The Koreans were identified as Ji Kwang Hyun and Miss Park Ji
Hyun. Officers searched the room and found two plastic bags filled with a white
clear powder that was confirmed as being ya ice. They also found 31 hypodermic
syringes, 11 empty ya ice bags, six candles, three lighters and one consumer
set. The two Koreans said they bought the ya ice from a Thai woman identified
only as Ms Jiab on Walking Street for the price of 2,500 baht.
The Koreans, who both had expired visas, were charged with
possession of an illegal class 1 drug.
A third Korean who occupied the opposite room in the same
building, identified as Lee Sang Hoon, was also found to have an expired visa.
He has been charged with overstaying.
Escorting the three Koreans to the Pattaya Immigration
office, officers noticed a suspicious looking person of Chinese appearance in
front of the Sawasdee Hotel. They asked for his documents but he could not
provide anything. He was invited to the immigration office for further
investigation.
Police identified him as Loo Ah Poo, a 50-year-old
Singaporean national who is on the immigration blacklist of people not allowed
to enter Thailand. Investigating his record, police found he was a Look Mu mafia
chief. He was hiding out in Pattaya waiting for a forged passport.
Immigration officers also bagged a Cambodian national, Om Seenoot, who
happened to be outside a Central Pattaya hotel at the same time, and who was
found to have an expired visa.
Woman suffers miscarriage of twins after being taken ill in bus shelter
Boonlua Chatree
A Nakhon Ratchasima couple in search of work arrived in
Pattaya only to find tragedy. Somkiat Makhum, 37, and his wife, Denkritai, 27,
four months pregnant with twins, were to lose both babies after the arduous
journey took its toll on the mother.
On July 1, shortly after 1 a.m. Somkiat called for help as
his wife began to bleed profusely. Police and rescue teams arrived at a bus
shelter on Sukhumvit Road near Central Pattaya to find the woman in great
pain. She was immediately taken to a nearby private hospital but was then
transferred to Banglamung Hospital because of the couple’s lack of funds.
Somkiat told police that he and his wife had made the 150km
journey from their home to Pattaya in the hope of finding work. The trip was a
bumpy one and had obviously taken its toll on his wife, who was four months
pregnant with twins. He went on to say that Denkritai complained of stomach
pains and after a small meal the pain persisted. It was then he discovered the
blood and called for help.
Doctors at Banglamung Hospital attended to the woman who
was last reported to be recovering from the ordeal.
Snatch and run thieves enjoy a profitable night
Boonlua Chatree
Two instances of snatch-and-run theft in the early hours
of July 7 indicate that a team of two men on a motorcycle was on the loose
and looking for easy pickings.
The first incident occurred on Soi 3, North Pattaya, at
around 1.20 a.m.
Police arriving at the scene met with the victims,
Tassaporn Parkhum, 28, and Robert Potter, 38, from Australia.
Victims
Tassaporn Parkhum and Robert Potter report their misfortune to the police.
Tassaporn told police that she and her husband were in
the process of ordering food when two men on a motorcycle grabbed her bag.
Inside was a small amount of cash, a mobile phone, ID cards and Potter’s
ATM card as well as over 5 baht in gold jewelry.
Tassaporn said she was already cautious of wearing gold
on the streets at night and placed the necklace and bracelet in her bag.
However, the thieves still managed make off with her bag, which they grabbed
and sped off on a Honda Wave motorcycle before anyone could identify them.
The second case occurred in South Pattaya at around 2
a.m. Malai Sookta, 20, reported that two men on a motorcycle, similar to the
description of the earlier case, had stolen her mobile phone after pulling
her hair, and then sped off into the night.
In a third theft incident which occurred that night,
Amaphar Rermyindee, 44, reported at around 2.30 a.m. that a man, identified
as Sompong (or Tum) had stolen 8 baht weight in gold from her. She urged
police to catch the man and return her property.
No suspects have yet materialized in any of the cases and residents and
tourists are urged to exercise caution when going out on the streets in the
early hours of the morning.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Cast held as police bust
lewd show
Tipped off by a tour guide that the Brandy Show
entertainment venue opposite city hall was organizing lewd shows for Chinese
tourists, Pattaya tourist police raided the place and arrested the manager
and cast members.
Plain-clothes officers passed themselves off as punters,
mingling with the crowd of tourists, and once inside they took photographs
before signaling to their colleagues waiting outside, who then forced their
way in.
Tourists were escorted off the premises before four
members of the show were arrested. They were identified as Ms Prathom
Khampasorn, 25, Miss Lek Chaidee, 24, Miss Wanne Manchit, 23, and Miss
Chamlong Muangchan, 31.
Police confiscated a quantity of show equipment including
one box of pin darts, two boxes of candles and one used candlestick, one air
pressure pump, two razor blades and a bunch of bananas.
Brandy Show manager Kritsakorn Gaosaiyapong, 39, was
arrested and charged with allowing his business to stage a lewd show. The
tour guide leader who had provided the original tip-off fled the scene
before police entered the premises.
Armed youths
arrested after
leaving Pattaya law courts
Police, tipped off that a group of young men driving away
from Pattaya law courts in a pickup truck were armed, gave pursuit as the
vehicle headed along Thepprasit Road.
The car was stopped near Soi Chularat and searched. The
officers discovered three loaded firearms, one 0.57 calibre and two 0.38mm
pistols. Also found in the car was a bag of crystal methamphetamine, known
as the narcotic ice.
All five men in the car were taken to Soi 9 for further
questioning. Ekachai Waiysunee, 19, Phuwodol Kutjant, 19, Nattapong Praju,
20, Prasit Saengkaewon, 21, and Niwat Chaonar, 24, all Banglamung residents
and students at a local college, told police they had no intention of using
the weapons. They had only brought them along to protect a friend, Ex, who
was released on bail after facing numerous charges at the courts.
Police, in turn, gave them their own set of charges
including carrying loaded weapons in public without a license or valid
reason and a bonus charge of possession a class 1 illegal drug. All were
remanded into custody pending their own court appearances.
Woman charged with pimping
young girls
Tourist police investigating the case of young girls
selling themselves on Beach Road made arrests following a sting operation at
around 1 a.m. on July 8.
Using marked bank notes and foreign tourist police
volunteers, the operation was put into action with an undercover volunteer
posing as an interested customer.
He met with the girl’s agent, and using the marked
notes as payment for the three girls - aged 11 to 15 - an appointment was
made.
Once the deal was done tourist police staking out the
area in front a major Beach Road shopping centre moved to arrest the woman
and the three girls. All were taken back to Soi 9 for questioning.
Gai Petchumpol, 25, denied the allegation that she was
acting as an agent for local schoolgirls “A” aged 11, “B” and
“C” both aged 13. Gai claimed that she was able to speak enough English
to talk with potential customers and claimed the three girls were willing
and ready to sell themselves.
However, police failed to sympathize with the woman’s
claims and charged her with pimping minors under the age of 15. The three
girls were transferred to a welfare institution following further
investigation in the case and will most likely spend more time in a remand
home for young offenders.
German tourist expires
after
drinking session
Police were called to a North Pattaya hotel on June 27
following the death of foreign guest reported by the dead man’s
girlfriend.
Officers arrived to find Bernhard Glasl, 56, of Germany
lying in bed. An inspection showed no signs of a struggle and the body was
transported to the forensic institute for a post mortem.
Glasl’s girlfriend, Pornsiri Sattiladnar, 33, told
police she had stayed with the deceased for three days and in that time
learned that he had a heart problem. She went on to say that Glasl would go
out drinking every night. On the morning of his death, she said she had
arrived back at the hotel around 5 a.m. She noticed that Glasl was snoring
unusually loudly, as if “something was stuck in his nasal passages.” She
observed for a while before falling asleep and waking up at around 8.30 to
find him dead.
Police surmise that the man died of a heart attack in his
sleep after continual heavy drinking sprees.
Buddhist Lent begins next week
July 24 & 25
This year, the Buddhist holy days of
Asalaha Bucha and Khao Pansaa fall on July 21 and
22. Both are recognized public holidays, and therefore banks and most businesses
will be closed. It is also against the rules to sell alcoholic beverages during
the beginning of Buddhist Lent. Many activities are planned throughout the city,
especially at our temples, and everyone is invited to take part.
Asalaha Bucha Day (July 21)
The Buddhist Holy Day of Asalaha Bucha falls on the 15th
night (15 kham) of the full moon during the eighth month of the Buddhist Lunar
calendar, this year equating to Thursday, July 21. “Asalaha Bucha” means
paying homage and worshiping on the day identified according to the Lunar
calendar during the eighth month, Ahsala being the name of the eighth month in
the Pali language.
A candle
procession is planned for this year, much like this one from last year.
Asalaha Bucha Day is worshipped because of three important
events occurring on the day. Called the “Triple Gem” (the Buddha, Dharma and
Sangha), these commemorate the first sermon given by the Buddha, called the
“Dharmachakapavattama Sutta” concerning the “Four Noble Truths”
presented to the Buddha’s first five disciples. The sermon set in motion the
“Wheel of Dharma”, which is the meaning of “Dharmachaka”.
The sermon concluded that: 1. All things are a source of
suffering from the constant cycle of birth, disease, old age and death. 2.
Desire or the inability to obtain what one desires is the cause of suffering
resulting from cause and effect. 3. Freedom from suffering can be obtained after
the complete cessation of desire. 4. The last of the Four Noble Truths is the
“Middle Way”, or the path between extremes of asceticism and indulgence
leading to the eliminating of desire. The Eight-Fold Path consists of possessing
the correct: Views, Resolve, Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness,
and Meditation (or Concentration).
Secondly, the day is considered to be the birth of Buddhism,
as the Buddha departed the location where he obtained his enlightenment two
months earlier and then, coming to a forest area in the city of Pharansi, he
showed favour to five ascetics who became his followers.
The third of the Triple Gems is the Sangha. On this same day,
the first person listened to the Buddha’s sermon, realising the truths
contained therein and becoming the first Buddhist monk. This created the
Buddhist order “Sangha” and the day is known as “Sangha Day” as well as
Ahsala Bucha Day.
The Thai government established the observance of Asalaha
Bucha Day in 1958. Buddhist temples throughout the Kingdom arrange ceremonies
venerating the important historic events in the past. Devout Buddhists
participate in the ceremonies by presenting offerings to monks, listening to
sermons and performing ritual prayers.
The entire day is revered and certain precepts are adhered to
by the more devout Buddhist, and by those who have the inclination and
opportunity to do so. The Wientian ritual ceremony is performed in the evening
as many go to nearby temples bringing candles, flowers and joss sticks,
completing three trips walking around the temple area sacred grounds.
“Khao Pansaa”
(July 22)
The day following the start of Buddhist Lent (Asalaha Bucha
Day) another important Buddhist Holy day begins in Thailand with the custom
called Khao Pansaa. This day falls on the first full moon (1 kham) of the
Buddhist Lunar calendar during the eighth month of every year, which this year
equates to July 22, and ends on the 15th full moon (15 kham) of the 11th month
of the Buddhist calendar, usually in mid-October. During a leap ear it is
identified during the second eighth month.
The term “Khao Pansaa” can also translate to entering the
months of the rainy season when monks return to the temple for the duration of
the rains, usually to the temple where they were ordained. They stay there for
approximately three months. The monks are not supposed to depart the temple, or
stay overnight at any other location during the months of rain. Although the
rainy season is considered to be longer than three months, lasting up to four or
even more, monks are only required to remain at the temples for three of the
four months. During the last period of the rainy season they can then go
elsewhere when the “Katin” ceremony is performed presenting robes to the
temples.
Initially, monks were discouraged from travelling during the
rainy season because of the idea that it was inappropriate to walk about during
the rainy season when many small living creatures were about, which could be
accidentally stepped on. This included the rice crops. Inclement weather also
made it difficult to get out and about. Therefore, it was established long ago
that the monks would remain in temples during the rains for three months,
discussing and studying Buddhist scriptures, following Buddhist disciplines,
meditating and performing ritual ceremonies.
The custom of Khao Pansaa has continued on to this day with
three classes of ceremonies, a Royal ceremony conducted by the King of Thailand,
ritual ceremonies for devout followers of Buddhism throughout the Kingdom and
ceremonies performed by monks in the temples.
The Royal ceremony is similar to the ceremony performed by
the general public, but more elaborate. The King and members of the Royal Family
perform ritual ceremonies to pay homage to Buddhism, and present Khao Pansaa
candles and traditional garments to Buddhist monks. The Royal Family also
donates many other items used in these ceremonies.
Other followers of Buddhism all over Thailand will attend
temples in the morning, bringing food, necessity items, money, the traditional
candles, garments and ceremonial items for the monks, with flowers and candles
in hand.
For those people having devout faith they may refrain from
the recognised eight offences for the duration of the three month rainy season
just as monks do, while others may give up a single vice, with yet others
recognising the 5-8 offences for the day.
The ceremonies performed by monks in temples revolve around
rituals accepting new monks, who take vows for periods up to the three months,
with some staying even longer. Senior monks at each monastery perform other
ceremonies leading followers in worship and prayer.
The two main items presented to monks during Khao Pansaa are
the candles and garments worn by monks, specifically the bathing robe. The
candles were essential in former times and needed for ceremonies, studying
scriptures and performing various other functions. The candle offering has
developed into a custom still followed.
The presentation of garments worn by monks is said to have
originated from methods of bathing in former times, commonly done in community
areas using streams, rivers, ponds and other sources of water, with monks
requiring a bathing robe. The garments worn by monks continued to develop until
the custom included presenting the entire arrangement worn by monks.
Many people take time away from their work on Khao Pansaa to
recognise the importance of the Buddhist Holy Day. Everyone is invited to
participate in the temple ceremonies and to refrain from offensive behaviour for
the day, and to make the same effort thereafter.
City plans multitude of activities to mark Buddhist Lent
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
A host of activities are planned for this year’s start
of Buddhist Lent in Pattaya. Preparations and discussions took place at city
hall on July 6, when Deputy Mayor Wirawat Khakhai chaired a meeting with
police, city education officials and representatives from the Walk-Run for
Health Club.
The activities are scheduled to begin on Asalaha Bucha
Day with a candle decoration pageant on July 19. A parade will be held
commencing from the Larn Poh market area, Naklua, with the city’s 10
schools participating alongside private enterprises and shopping centres.
Once the judges make their decision prizes will be awarded that afternoon.
The following day, a parade will take place from 8.30
a.m. making its way to the Dolphin Roundabout, along North Pattaya Road
where groups will separate to present the candles, joss sticks and flowers
at various temples in Pattaya and Banglamung. Pattaya administration group
will make their way down to Wat Boonkanjanaram (opposite School No 7) to pay
their respects at around 10 a.m.
There will also be a “Walk-Run meditation” event
aimed at residents and youths to participate and enhance their focus and
concentration for use on a daily basis. Similar events are being held in 10
other provinces, with Pattaya hosting the event for Chonburi. This will be
held on July 22 from 5 p.m. and split into two routes. The first is a 10-km
route beginning from Bali Hai pier up to and along Pattaya Second Road to
the roundabout and back along Beach Road to the starting line. The second is
a 3-km route beginning at the same location, onto Second Road then back down
to Beach Road from the South Pattaya intersection. Winners will be presented
with the Prime Minister’s Trophy and organisers expect over 1,000 people
to take part in the event.
For further information call city hall PR department on 038 371 123, 038
410 200 exts 191, 192.
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Buddhist Lent celebrations in Pattaya
The city invites all residents to participate in the
ceremonies taking place on Asalaha Bucha Day and “Kao Pansa” (the start
of Buddhist Lent) which this year is on July 21 and 22.
July 19: Buddhist Lent candle decoration pageant in front
of the public area of Larn Poh, Naklua.
July 20: Procession from 8.30 a.m. from the front of the
public area of Larn Poh, Naklua up to the Dolphin Roundabout with groups
separating to pay their respects at various temples in the Pattaya area.
(Pattaya City hall will be at Wat Boon from 10 a.m.)
July 21: Asalaha Bucha Day - Merit making ceremonies at
various temples in Pattaya in the morning. The “wien tien” ceremonies
will take place at around 6.30 p.m. at the temples.
July 22: “Walk-Run meditation” from 5 p.m. beginning
at Bali Hai pier, South Pattaya.
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