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Volunteer vets ready for any signs of bird flu outbreak
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Veterinarian volunteers from Pattaya’s 27 communities have
been called upon to help in the fight against avian flu.
An October 26 meeting at the Public Health Center on Soi
Buakow, chaired by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn, called the volunteers
together to discuss ways of working in conjunction with the Pattaya Avian Flue
Prevention and Control Center.
So far there have been no reports of cases in Pattaya but
Wuttisak said the local authorities are on full alert after another outbreak in
Thailand. During the previous reported cases in Thailand, Pattaya’s tourism
business was greatly affected. Consequently, stricter preventative measures
must be implemented.
Pattaya’s new Avian Flue Prevention and Control Center
called in trained veterinary volunteers to be made aware of the situation and
of ways to keep an eye on bird behavior in their communities. In cases of
irregular patterns or bird deaths without known cause the vets have been
instructed to inform authorities immediately. The public is warned not to
handle dead birds but to notify the authorities.
Reports can be made directly to Deputy Mayor Wuttisak on
09-2048830 or to Manoj Rungsawat, head of veterinarian affairs on 06-8304140 or
Samart Butrsasom of the Banglamung Livestock Department on 01-7816749. Pattaya
Public Health Services can be contacted at 038 842 0562 ext 113 on a 24-hour
basis.
Exercise budget for 2006
not enough, warns Wuttisak
Narisa Nitikarn
The 2006 budget for exercise related projects is
insufficient to meet all the needs, Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn has
warned, and he is asking communities within the city to cut back on
expenses.
Deputy
Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn (left) and Panee Limcharoen (right), acting
director general of the Department of Social Security.
In an October 17 meeting with Panee Limcharoen, acting
director general of the Department of Social Security, and officials and
representatives from 27 communities, Wuttisak discussed the exercise
program that is being set out as part of the national government’s fight
against drugs.
A budget has been allotted for 2006 for exercise
activities within each community, but Wuttisak said that the funding is
not enough. Pattaya City was allotted 2 million baht but 3.7 million was
requested. It is requested that each community cuts any unnecessary
activities to reduce expenses and stretch the budget. If budget
allocations are not successful then the projects cannot be implemented.
A reduction in the days in which exercises are held
could help - some communities exercised not less than 300 days per year
while some exercised less than 200 days per year. The council is asking
that if possible, exercise days be averaged out.
It is requested that each community propose activities to be held in
2006, and that documentation is submitted at the Department of Social
Security.
Police commander presents donation to temple
Pol Col
Somnuk and Vacharee Changate donate to Wat Khao Bangpra during the recent
Kathin ceremony.
Boonlua Chatree
Superintendent of Pattaya police, Pol Col Somnuk Changate
and his wife Vacharee presented donations, including 800,000 baht, to Wat
Khao Bangpra in Sriracha at a ceremony on October 23.
Many government and private organizations had donated to the cause and
their representatives also participated in the ceremony. The money will go
towards the construction of a pollution-free cremation chamber.
Sad case of baby boy born with part of his brain and skull missing
Boonlua
Chatree
A baby boy born at Banglamung Hospital without parts of
his brain and skull but complete in every other aspect is not expected to
survive.
Pattaya Mail reporters visiting the hospital found
the baby being taken care of by his mother, 30-year-old Chinda Kaetwongs and
her husband Vicharn Visai, 27. Chinda said they live in Pattaya and that her
husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver while she stays at home to take
care of their other three sons who were all born normally.
Her fourth son, born on October 10 after a seven month
gestation period, was born without parts of the brain and skull, the rest of
his body being normal.
Dr Sawateepong Toteeka, resident obstetrician, said the
mother first came to the hospital when she was six months pregnant. An
ultrasound was carried out and doctors informed her of her child’s
condition and she chose to keep the child. Only 1 in 3000 babies suffers
from the condition, which has occurred twice previously with births at
Banglamung Hospital. Both babies died after about seven days.
This case is a little different in that the baby does
have part of the forebrain that instructs the breathing function, and that
has kept him alive, so far. The condition is known as “anencephaly” in
the medical profession and is caused by a neural tube defect, a disorder
involving incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or their
protective coverings.
The neural tube is a narrow sheath that folds and closes
between the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal
cord of the embryo. Anencephaly occurs when the “cephalic” or head end
of the neural tube fails to close, resulting in the absence of a major
portion of the brain, skull, and scalp.
Infants with this disorder are born without either a
forebrain (the front part of the brain) or a cerebrum (the thinking and
coordinating area of the brain). The remaining brain tissue is often exposed
- not covered by bone or skin.
“There is nothing that can be done for the boy - all we
can do is sustain and support him until the day he passes away,” said Dr
Sawateepong.
Security tops the agenda as city prepares for PATA Travel Mart
Suchada Tupchai
Extremely tight security measures are to be taken during
one of the regional travel industry’s biggest events, which will be hosted
by Pattaya next April.
 Chamlong
Rattanaphan, director of foreign market promotions, Tourism Authority of
Thailand presides over the opening of the PATA conference.
At the PATA conference that took place on October 17 at
Asia Pattaya Hotel, as a preparation for PATA Travel Mart 2006, Chamlong
Rattanaphan, director of foreign market promotions at the Tourism Authority
of Thailand told delegates that security at the event would be at the
highest level due to the severe crises in the Deep South of Thailand and the
unrest in other parts of the world.
The expo will be held at the Royal Cliff’s PEACH
convention center, with delegates staying at the Royal Cliff and five other
hotels, namely Dusit Resort, the Sheraton, Mercure, the Montien and the Asia
Hotel. Delegates will include tourism, airline and cruise representatives
from 70 countries.
PATA Travel Mart 2006 (the Pacific Asia Travel
Association) is to be held April 23-27 to give quality tourism operators,
buyers and other tourism industry operatives from existing and new markets
in the Middle East and Eastern Europe the chance to exchange ideas and
negotiate business with each other and Thai operators. It is anticipated
that more than 1,500 will attend.
The event will also increase Thailand’s potential to sell its tourist
destinations to foreign markets, bringing in more income to the country
under the government’s economic support policies based on the tourism
industry. It also provides Thailand with a good opportunity to show the
world its ability to hold international standard conferences in line with
the government’s policies promoting Thailand as the tourism capital of
Asia.
Council asks for all Pattaya communities to participate in Loy Krathong festivities
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
Greater community participation has been called for during
this year’s Loy Krathong festivities in Pattaya.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Chanthanwaranont held a meeting on
October 21 to discuss details of the planned events, with representatives of
the Pattaya Office of Education also in attendance. The festivities will be
held on November 16 between 2 and 5 p.m. at Lan Pho Public Park in Naklua.
This year calls have been made for greater community
participation in the events. One of the activities is a competition for
making a krathong, or banana leaf boat, entirely out of natural materials.
This, it is felt, will generate an awareness of environmental
responsibilities, as krathongs generally include the use of plastic foam.
The competition is divided into three categories, namely
primary school, secondary school and the general public, and the council
would like all of Pattaya’s 27 communities to send in their entries under
the general public category.
Each team can have no more than three members. The council
will provide financial support of 2,000 baht to each student team and 1,500
baht to each general public team.
Application forms can be submitted to Pattaya Education
Office at the Children and Youth Activity Center until November 14 during
government hours. For further details contact 038 410708, 038 371123 ext 404.
Voter turnout low at senate election but new polling system a success
Narisa
Nitikarn
Less than 50 percent of those eligible to vote turned
out for the election to choose a new senator for Chonburi, but the new
voting system that uses rubber stamps to place votes on the ballot papers
has proved to be a success, with the number of spoiled papers less than
during any previous election in the province.
The election was held to replace Senator Viroj
Amatatkunchai, who passed away on September 8.
 Sanit
Bunmarchai, member of Pattaya City Council voted at Aksorn Suksa School in
Naklua.
On the morning of election day, October 16, Pattaya
Mail surveyed the polling stations and found that turnout was low. At
some polling stations turnout was less than 100 voters, a very different
situation to October 8-9, which were advance voting days for those unable
to vote on the day itself, and when turnout was huge.
The number of polling stations totaled 1,185 in 10
districts and one sub-district. Total turnout for Chonburi was 321,798
voters. Chao Maneewong gained the most votes with 88,301 leaving runner-up
Vichien Tangtammasatit, who gained 45,251 votes, far behind. Chao gained
most of his votes from Chonburi, Panasanikhom, Bor-tong, Nong Yai, and
Sriracha districts and Ko Chan sub-district. Banglamung went to Vichien.
Data was provided by the Chonburi election committee who
said that total eligible voters was 826,360, but turnout was only 321,798,
less than 50 percent. But it was good that there were less void ballots
than any previous election with only 6,739 spoiled papers, or 2.09 percent,
and 288,005 valid ballots, or 89.50 percent. Those abstaining came to
27,054 ballots, or 8.41 percent.
In Banglamung, members of parliament, Pattaya City
administrators and members of the city council voted. Deputy Mayor Wattana
Chantanawaranont said turnout was low because public relations efforts were
sparse and the public was unaware. Directions to polling station locations
were not detailed enough. Some areas had up to three polling stations and
the public had to check their names on the register prior to voting, but
wasted time in lining up at the first polling station to find they were not
listed on the register.
Wattana added that the election committee had been notified to put up
signs at the polling station entrance so people could check their names
easily but none of the suggestions was implemented.
Drunk driver refuses to
admit to accident
Despite being identified
Boonlua Chatree
A drunk driver who reversed his pickup truck into a
motorcycle outside the Cottage Pub on Third Road on October 22 refused to own
up to the deed and is being prosecuted by police.
 Bancha
(right) denies it was he who backed into the motorcycle.
Officers chased after the man who drove his blue Toyota
away from the scene, leaving a Honda Dream motorcycle with a damaged mudguard,
front basket and front wheel. They caught him in Soi Photisarn, traveling in
the direction of Sukhumvit Road.
He was identified as Bancha Tantiyanuporn, showing his
works ID which described him as a project and plan organizer with the
administrative sub-district. Bancha argued with the police for some time
before the officers arrested him and charged him with driving carelessly
whilst drunk and causing material damage to another person’s property.
The motorcycle owner confirmed the arrested man was the one who had backed
into his motorcycle but Bancha refused to admit his guilt and was transferred
to Pattaya police station.
Wealthy Norwegian victim of safe thief
Nearly 1 million baht worth of goods stolen
Boonlua Chatree
A Norwegian allegedly had the room to his apartment unlocked
with a skeleton key and his safe emptied of valuables worth one million baht.
Police were called to a room at Mozart Mansion on Soi Day
Night 2 in South Pattaya on October 27, where they found Timo Tapani Porttinen,
53, waiting with a 24-year-old companion, Visutichai Silaklai, a native of Khon
Kaen.
Timo Tapani
Porttinen (right) and his companion, Visutichai Silaklai, report to police that
nearly 1 million baht in valuables was stolen from Timo’s safe.
Inside the room, which was on the top floor of the
eight-story apartment block, the officers found that a small safe had been
broken open and emptied of its contents. The room had also been ransacked.
Police forensic experts were called in to check for fingerprints.
Porttinen told the officers that 6,000 euros, two diamond
studded gold rings worth 72,000 baht, 25,000 baht in Thai banknotes, a Cartier
watch worth 250,000 baht, a mobile phone worth 11,000 baht, a diamond studded
gold bracelet worth over 200,000 baht and another gold bracelet worth 20,000
baht had been taken.
The Norwegian said that he wasn’t really bothered about the
stolen valuables as he had 50 million euros in a bank account in Norway and one
million baht in a Thai bank account. He was afraid that the thief might return
and kill him and that is the reason why he notified police because he has to
stay in Thailand for another three months with his boyfriend Visutichai before
deciding whether to marry, as they had only known each other seven days.
Officers are still looking for the thief.
Outside a 7-Eleven,
a Swiss tourist finally loses it
Suffering from broken heart, and no money
Boonlua Chatree
A Swiss tourist apparently lost his mind outside the
7-Eleven on Beach Road, at Soi 11, where police officers found him loudly
bewailing the cruelty of Thai women and begging for food from passers-by.
 Philippe
Hugli was allegedly left destitute by his Thai girlfriend, which apparently
pushed him over the edge.
The man was identified as Philippe Hugli, age 42.
Officers escorted him to Pattaya police station where they took care of him
until he calmed down. They also contacted the Swiss Embassy, as Hugli’s
visa had expired, and suggested he be sent home. Police watched over him
until the arrival of the officials, saying they had no intention to detain
him as his mental condition could prove dangerous to himself or others.
Hugli was reportedly suffering from dementia due to disappointment that a
Thai woman had broken off a relationship with him and left him broke.
South African falls off hotel balcony
Over indulgence led to accidental plunge
Boonlua Chatree
A man vomiting over the balcony of his room in the
Jomtien-Pattaya Hotel was seriously injured when he followed the contents of
his stomach and fell five floors to the ground.
Police and officials from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation
were called to the scene at 2:30 a.m. on October 27 where they found
28-year-old South African national, Engelbrecht Coezee, lying in great pain
on the ground under a jackfruit tree. He was wearing only red shorts. His
right shoulder was dislocated and his right leg was broken. He was taken to
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.
Officers questioned a woman identified as Miss Noriko, a
25-year-old Japanese national who had been taking care of Coezee. She said
he had been staying in his room on the fifth floor of the hotel. He had come
to Thailand to learn diving and had been here for seven months. She
explained that Coezee had been drinking heavily outside so she brought him
back to the hotel and then she left. Later the hotel called her and informed
her that he had fallen from the fifth floor and was seriously injured.
Hotel staff told police that Coezee was intoxicated and
had been standing on the balcony vomiting when he toppled over the edge and
landed in the jackfruit tree.
City hands out aid to flood victims
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Heavy rains October 25-27 in combination with high sea
levels resulted in widespread flooding, especially in the areas where the
ground level is lower than the road surface. Although Pattaya City council
has tried widening drainage pipes and pumping water out of the affected
areas, many members of the public are still affected.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn and council members hand out food parcels to those
affected.
The Department of Social Benefits carried out a survey
and found that four main areas were heavily affected with people suffering
through damaged household property such as bedding, electrical equipment and
furniture. The council has given preliminary help, supplying food parcels to
109 homes in the Pacific community, and in Buakow, Pattaya Third Road and
Soi Wat Thamsamakki. Other help will be provided by relevant agencies.
Residents in the affected areas want the council to clean out the
drainage pipes and install pumps in order that floods can be handled and
drained off faster.
Parts of city once again disappear below floodwaters
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Heavy rains fell on Pattaya for three hours on October
26, turning the city into a water world again. Sukhumvit Road was covered in
70 centimeters of water. Many roads were congested, especially main roads
like Sukhumvit, Pattaya Klang and South Pattaya.
Rescue
workers help locals.
A 500-meter stretch of road at the Sukhumvit-North
Pattaya intersection disappeared under 70 cm of water, and small vehicles
were unable to pass. Pattaya Third Road and South Pattaya Road were covered
in 30 cm of water, especially around Soi Buakaow. The water was still there
after five hours, and homes and shops suffered damage. Most locals are of
the belief that the flooding was the result of blocked drainage pipes that
are supposed to allow the water to run into the sea.
Pattaya Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn led a team of 100
municipal officers in helping locals and tourists. Trailers also moved
stricken cars and motorcycles that were blocking the roads. Pattaya City
rescue trucks pumped off water. Preparations were made to use a 50 million
baht budget to bore pipes to drain off the water into the sea.
A combination of heavy rains and high seas caused the flooding, and it is
believed that under more usual circumstances the newly laid drainage pipes
have the capacity to drain off water into the sea within an hour. Of course,
even 1 hour worth of flooding is too much, as it leaves a muddy, smelly
mess. Maybe instead of aiming for draining off floodwaters within an hour,
city hall should be aiming for no flooding at all.
One can
only smile and hope the water recedes soon.
Third
Road in Central and North Pattaya often ends up in this situation.
At least
someone enjoyed the unexpected swimming area in the middle of the
neighborhood.
Saving
what she can.
Soi
Buakaow became a river, as it has so many times in the past.
Central
Pattaya Road was at a standstill during the flood.
Time for
new furniture.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Norwegian charged with
marijuana
possession
Police on a routine patrol of Walking Street in the early
hours of October 23 spotted a tourist acting suspiciously and upon searching
him found 28.3 grams of marijuana in a plastic bag.
Reinskau Inge, a Norwegian aged 38, admitted he bought
the drug for 3,000 baht for his own use from a Thai man in South Pattaya two
or three days previously but could not remember the exact location. He was
arrested and charged with possession of a class 5 drug.
Death-wish girl stops
traffic
Pattaya police were perturbed to find a young and
reportedly attractive girl laying in the middle of the road in front of the
police station at two o’clock in the morning on October 23, with the
apparent intention of getting herself run over and killed.
The girl, aged about 22 and wailing that “life is
luckless”, had brought traffic to a standstill. Officers removed her and
took her into the station to calm down. Later she stood up aimlessly and
wandered out, the ensuing silence from the emergency services implying that
her death wish had abated.
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