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Greater control sought over harbor use
Present regulations deemed insufficient for growth
Narisa Nitikarn
The seas immediately off Pattaya and Jomtien beaches are not
well regulated in terms of the boats entering and anchoring there. According to
Pattaya administrators, this needs to be remedied quickly with the development
of Bali Hai Pier and the growth of marine tourism.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh called a meeting at city hall
on December 7 that was attended by representatives of the Harbor Department,
Sea Rescue Service, the police department, and council members.
 Deputy
Ronakit Ekasingh presides over a meeting about “Regulations and the sea
safety arrangement”.
Pat Sriratda, Pattaya City attorney, said that the city
already provides regulations for harbor use, but that these regulations don’t
cover all matters. It is important at this time to draw up regulations
regarding specifying territorial waters, the number of vessels that can be
anchored, and zones for usage.
Wittaya Chaiyanukulkitti, chief of water traffic at location
6, Pattaya, said that there are no regulations controlling the number of boats
anchored at sea. Pattaya should define an area off Pattaya and Jomtien beaches
and then draw up regulations that would control the number and type of boats
that could anchor there.
Chairman of the Pattaya Tourism Boat Club, Sanit Boonmachai
said that at Pattaya Beach there is a regulation that large vessels must stay
300 meters away from the shore. However, there is no such guideline at Jomtien
because there are no large boats anchoring there. This is already recognized as
a swimming area, but the guidelines are not clear. There should be zones for
certain types of boats such as larger vessels and speedboats.
The area around Bali Hai is clearly divided into Zones A to
E, but Zone E seldom has boats compared to Zone A, which always has traffic
because it’s near the shore and boats don’t need to travel too far.
It was noted that in the previous meeting the boat
entrepreneurs had cooperated well and agreed to follow the rules and
regulations. Harbor service time will be from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and access for
four-wheel vehicles will be limited. Trucks and buses are forbidden. Articles
being transported to the islands must use the pier opposite the Sea Security
Unit, which is nearly complete.
Ronakit said that the purpose of the meeting was to gather
ideas that would quickly lead to regulations because Bali Hai Pier is being
developed under a one hundred million baht budget that is being funded by
public taxes.
The meeting also touched on the submarine business in Pattaya. There are two
vessels in use and they are being accused of off-course navigation and
destruction of coral. The Harbor Department is voicing its fears about the
navigation aspect, saying that the Royal Navy has the equipment to verify all
ships in the sea territory in case they navigate off course. This could lead to
difficulties with the Harbor Department’s license, not to mention dangers to
other shipping.
Pattaya receives 70 million baht budget for tourism promotions
Narisa Nitikarn
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has allotted a 2006
tourism budget of 70 million baht for Pattaya. The budget has been divided
into 5 parts: the colorful east (20 million baht), road shows promoting
Russia, Britain and China (30 million baht), 10 million baht towards
documentation, internet and CDs, and the remaining 10 million baht will be
used for training and communications with the TAT offices abroad.
There are also plans to work with Rayong and Trat so
that visitors there will also visit Pattaya and vice versa.
The plans were laid out at a November 24 meeting at the
Montien Hotel Pattaya. Anuratt Ananthanathorn, head of Tourism and
Investment Promotions at the Chonburi Provincial Administration
Organization, Bundarik Kusolvit, president of the Thai Hotel Association
Eastern Chapter and Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Tourism Authority of
Thailand Central Region Office Region 3 director presided over the
meeting. Many of Pattaya’s business people were also at the meeting.
Bundarik said that the three organizations are jointly
planning Pattaya public relations activities both nationally and
internationally. The international efforts will include opening booths at
the MITT expo in Moscow March 22-25, 2006, and at the UITT expo in the
Ukraine from March 29 to April 1, 2006. Both will promote Pattaya tourism
packages. Also, a road show is to be held in China next May.
Domestic public relations are being carried out in
cooperation with the Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization and
the Chonburi Tourist Attractions Club. Road shows will be organized
throughout Thailand and billboards will be posted.
After Chattan finished explaining the budget
allocations Bundarik added that the marketing should be carried out twice
per year. The first to be carried out by the Chonburi Provincial
Administration and the second by the eastern groups.
30 top models will promote Pattaya as tourist destination in run-up to China contest
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Thirty of the world’s top models will be in Pattaya
from December 23-25 when they will help to promote the city as a tourist
destination before flying on to the International Model competition in China
at the beginning of the New Year.
 Deputy
Mayor Weerawat Khakhai presides over the meeting held to prepare for 30 of
the world’s top models’ visit to Pattaya.
A meeting to discuss the arrangements was held at city
hall on December 2, with Deputy Mayor Weerawat Khakhai presiding and
representatives from the TAT, Elite Model Management Asia Pacific, and
government and police departments in attendance.
FTV Top Modeling will be bringing the 30 models, from 30
different countries, into Pattaya where they will promote the tourist
attractions before going on to the competition in China.
The event in Pattaya is being heavily supported by the
TAT, which intends Thailand to be a leading venue for glamour events.
There will be a grand parade in Pattaya featuring the models, and a gala
dinner and fashion show at the Dusit Resort.
Deckchair vendors called to order with formation of committees
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
The ongoing problem of Pattaya’s deckchair vendors and
their disorderly service has finally been addressed with the formation of
two committees that will cover Pattaya and Jomtien beaches.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh called a meeting of the
Pattaya Deckchair Owners Committee on December 1. More than 200 Pattaya and
Jomtien deckchair providers turned up at the district office to discuss ways
to remedy the lack of orderliness of the deckchair service, because the
problem has been affecting Pattaya’s image for a long time.
Deckchair
providers vote in their two new chairmen.
At the meeting it was suggested that two zones of
responsibility be established for Pattaya and Jomtien beaches. Two
committees would be formed and the chairman of each would be appointed
through a vote of the members. This would make it easier to oversee the two
areas and to establish clear responsibility. There would be 15 committee
members per zone to monitor the situation.
Anuwatt Sripraphan was voted chairman of the Pattaya
Deckchair Committee and Amnuay Somphongtham chairman of the Jomtien
Deckchair Committee. The pair will assist each other to implement more
concrete measures to remedy the problems of lack of order. The two
presidents will hold office for a period that commenced on December 1 and
will terminate on November 30, 2007.
Vice presidents and committee members will also be
appointed and proposals should be submitted to the mayor of Pattaya for
ratification and official appointment.
Ronakit said that the problem of lack of order on Pattaya beaches is
greatly affecting the image of Pattaya in the eyes of tourists in terms of
the distance separating the deckchairs from each other, discrimination
between customers, and cleanliness. The problems have continued and clear
long-term concrete measures are needed to improve the situation and the
image.
Two Chinese Navy battleships visit Sattahip as part of 30-year Thai-China relationship
Patcharapol Panrak
Two Chinese Navy battleships moored at Chuk Samet Navy
base in Sattahip on December 9 for the first time in modern history.
The official visit was part of a series of visits and
events that have been organized to celebrate the 30th anniversary of
Thailand and China assuming a full diplomatic relationship.
Rear
Admiral Han Lin Zhi (center), deputy commander of the South China Sea Fleet
leads his entourage to greet the many people who had come to see them.
China’s two ships were a DDG-167 Destroyer and an
OR-887 logistical supply vessel. The flotilla was led by Rear Admiral Han
Lin Zhi, deputy commander of the South China Sea Fleet. Rear Admiral
Surachai Sangphong, acting administrator of Chuk Samet and Rear Admiral
Prasit Chadbandit led the official Royal Thai Navy welcoming committee.
About 3,000 Thais of Chinese ethnicity from associations
around Bangkok turned up to welcome the two ships. Rear Admiral Han and the
Chinese ambassador to Thailand walked around greeting the crowd and
accepting flower garlands. They then paid a visit to Vice Admiral Prawat
Srisukwattana, deputy commander of the strategic naval fleet.
The two sides exchanged thoughts on the military alliance
the two countries have developed over the 30 years in which Thailand and
China have enjoyed a full diplomatic relationship.
The Chinese naval group then paid a call on Vice Admiral
Cha Chai Jarisuwan, commander of the Sattahip Naval Base. Rear Admiral Han
congratulated the Royal Thai Navy on the orderliness of the base. He also
said he believed that the brotherly relationship would be long lasting,
especially the relationship between the navies of the two countries.
The large crowds of navy personnel and the public who were on hand to
welcome the visitors were very much a reflection on the cordial
Thailand-China relationship, and on the historic nature of this event.
Mayor urges officials and contractors to move more quickly on new Naklua Market
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
An inspection team led by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn
and including city council engineers on December 6 inspected the site of the
new Naklua Market.
Traders have been complaining about slow progress on the
new building, and about loss of trade owing to the location of the temporary
market area near to the Siam Nimit Cinema.
Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn inspects the new Naklua Market area and encourages
the contractors to speed up their work.
Dismantling of the existing market in preparation for the
construction of the new premises had commenced on October 15. The new market
is being built under a budget of 23 million baht and is slated for completion
by the middle of 2006.
Mayor Niran said that he is urging officials and
contractors to speed up the work and have it completed within seven months.
He told contractors not to stick to the contract if they can manage to
complete the work sooner so that traders can return to their old location.
On the design plans that had been approved by the
committee and the council, Mayor Niran said it should have been a two-story
building rather than single story, as the second level could be used as a car
park. He said that it seemed a waste and that he would talk to the relevant
parties to see if changes can be made.
The new market will come with full public utilities and will stress the
cleanliness of the building and the surrounding area as well as the
cleanliness of the food products sold. The building has been designed so that
drainage pipes in and around the market will connect directly with Pattaya
City’s drainage system, which will help to prevent flooding and pungent
smells.
47 men ordained as monks in honor of His Majesty the King
Suchada Tupchai
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn on December 2 presided
over the head shaving ceremony of 47 men who were to be ordained as
Buddhist monks to honor His Majesty the King’s birthday on December 5.
This is the second year that the city has organized the event.
 Monks
shave the heads of men entering the priesthood.
Mayor Niran said the act of good sons ordaining as
Buddhist monks helps to make the religion grow. Even wearing the saffron
robes for a short time is deemed a great victory in a man’s life and is
not easy.
The Lord Buddha said, “To be born human is a difficult
thing, life is difficult, hearing the doctrine is a difficult thing, the
birth of the Buddha was a difficult thing, becoming a monk is a difficult
thing.”
Becoming a monk is a prestigious event. The ordination
in honor of His Majesty the King is the best show of loyalty that can be
displayed by a Thai.
 Mayor
Niran clips a lock of hair from a man entering the priesthood in honor of
His Majesty the King.
The ceremony started with the shaving of heads. This act
of faith was attended by family and friends of the soon-to-be monks, some
of whom could not control their tears. One of the monks said that he had
intended to become a monk last year but something prevented him so this
time he was even more determined to honor His Majesty. His wife and
children attended the ceremony. During the seven days that he will wear the
saffron robes he intends to stick to the discipline to reap benefits for
the rest of his life, he declared.
This year the monks were ordained at Wat Jittaphawanwittatyalai and
stayed at Wat Prathumkongka and Wat Bhuddhiwararam during their seven days
as monks. Disrobing took place on December 9.
1,000 trees planted at Plutaluang as part of Thai Environmental Day
Patcharapol Panrak
Sattahip district chief Pongpat Wongtrakul led a
tree-planting ceremony on December 4 at which 1,000 padauk trees were planted
on Plutaluang Golf road.
Poramet
Ngamphiches, secretary of the prime minister’s office, plants a tree as
others look on.
Amongst the guests was Taweep Tangkaew, chief of Plutaluang
sub-district, Santsak Ngamphiches, advisor to the deputy minister of interior,
and Poramet Ngamphiches, secretary of the prime minister’s office.
Members of
many local organizations attended the planting activity.
The event was held in observance of Thai Environmental Day
and was also attended by government officials, representatives of private
organizations, and many students from local schools.
Plutaluang sub-district executive office asked the agricultural provincial
office in Rayong to support the tree planting. The padauk trees, species
Pterocarpus, were chosen because they are a symbol of the Thai Royal Navy,
they fit in with the local environment, and need no maintenance. When they are
grown they will provide cool shade on this pleasant road.
Navy officer shot on his way home from market with his wife
Patcharapol Panrak
A Navy officer was shot and wounded by a gang of youths
on motorcycles as he returned from shopping in Plutaluang with his wife.
 Officers
question Petty Officer First Class Sommai Nuykong, who was shot in the leg
my teenage gangsters.
Petty Officer First Class Sommai Nuykong, age 38, an
officer with the Marine Air Strike Division at Rayong, had been shot in the
left leg and was taken to Sirikit Navy Hospital.
He told police investigators that he was on his way home
from the market in Plutaluang with his wife Son, 42, on his red Yamaha
motorcycle. On crossing the bridge that connects Chonburi with Rayong he saw
a gang of youths on motorcycles. One of the motorcycles had its lights
switched off and one of the two men on the motorcycle shot him. He sped off
to a brightly lit area while the gang raced off across the bridge.
Officers suspect that the shooting was carried out by one of Sattahip’s
gangs that carry 38mm handguns. They probably intended to rob the victim of
his motorcycle, but he managed to escape first.
Man drowns in sea after
drinking with friends
Patcharapol Panrak
A man drowned in the sea at Nangram Beach, Samaesarn, on
the afternoon of December 4. Rescue services arriving at the beach found
that friends of the drowned man had pulled him from the water when he
disappeared below the surface for five minutes, but the paramedics were
unable to revive him.
The man was named as Bancherd Sritha, age 35, an employee
of Doctor Blue Co Ltd, in Sriracha. Anucha Thanoothong, 41, a foreman at the
company, said that he had brought 40 employees to Nangram Beach because of
the three-day weekend. Bancherd had been drinking, and went into the sea. He
dove beneath the surface several times and then failed to come up again.
His friends found his body five minutes later, and tried
to resuscitate him before the medical team arrived. However it was too late.
Police look for hit and run driver who killed motorcyclist
Police are looking for the owner of a blue Honda
Civic car that hit and killed a motorcyclist and sped off without stopping.
The tragedy happened around 3 a.m. on December 1. A member of
the public informed the police that the car had collided with the motorcycle
about 100 meters from the railway tracks at Soi Khaotalo. The car dragged the
motorcyclist for 20 meters and he died from his injuries.
Officers arriving at the scene found the body of an
unidentified Thai male wearing jeans and a white t-shirt lying in a trail of
blood. On inspection of the body, police learned that he had been hit in the
left side and had suffered head and neck injuries. He had been driving a Blue
Honda Sonic, which was found further down the road.
A witness said that when he was walking home he saw a blue
Honda Civic, license plate unknown, speeding down the road. It hit the
motorcycle driver and the force knocked him on to the roof of the Civic. He fell
off 20 meters away. The driver of the Honda Civic sped off down Sukhumvit Road
towards Sattahip. Police are looking for the driver.
Two middle-aged women attempt to lift Scotsman’s wallet
Boonlua Chatree
Two middle-aged women who attempted to pick the pocket of
a foreign tourist in Soi Post Office were foiled when members of the public
blocked their getaway.
Officers from Pattaya police station were called out to
the scene of the crime at 2:40 a.m. on November 30 where they found a number
of people encircling the women, and a Scotsman, Alan Scot, 50, angrily
exclaiming that they had tried to steal his wallet. The officers ascertained
that the Scotsman’s wallet contained 800 baht and 10 pounds sterling.
 Pranee
and Samanchit were charged with theft and with using a vehicle for escape.
Chainarong Munsurin, 24, and Theerasak Yodthong, 27, told
police that they saw the women lift the Scotsman’s wallet and had the
intention of fleeing on a red Mio motorcycle, so they stepped forward to
stop them.
Police identified the women as Ms Pranee Chaibamrung, age
52, and Mrs Samanchit Srisupaporn, age 46. They told the officers that
Pranee was riding the motorcycle and that she noticed the foreigner walking
on the footpath like a drunk. She went to hug him and took his wallet, but
the foreigner shouted and tried to get it back. Pranee managed to pass the
wallet to Mrs Samanchit, but passers-by gave a helping hand in stopping both
ladies.
Police charged Pranee and Samanchit with theft and with using a vehicle
for escape.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Out on bail for
assault, many returns for second round
A man out on bail on charges of assault returned to the
two people who had originally filed a complaint against him, and assaulted
them once more.
Deputy superintendent of Pattaya’s crime suppression
division, Police Captain Prasert Cherdchu, was out on patrol at 1 a.m. on
November 30 when he received a radio call that someone had been assaulted at
the front of Ploen Karaoke, South Pattaya Soi 5.
On arrival at the scene he found Saengpirom Aajsorn, 40,
who had suffered a split head and whose face was covered in blood, and Miss
Naranchara Maliron, 29, an employee of the karaoke bar who had suffered an
injury to her left arm.
The pair told officers that the attacker was a man named
Manat, surname unknown, who they had previously reported to police three or
four months ago for pointing a gun at their heads. He disappeared for a
while before bailing himself out of prison and reappearing. That case is
still with the courts.
Manat took a petrol bottle, smashed it, spilling petrol
all over the ground and used that and a beer can to hit Saengpirom in the
face. He then hit Naranchara on her left arm before walking off coolly.
Police told the couple to go and get hospital treatment,
then file a report at Pattaya Municipal Police Station in order that an
arrest warrant for Manat could be issued.
Beach “service girls”
(and boys) fined 100 baht
A sweep of the beach from North to South Pattaya on
December 1 by regular and volunteer police netted a total of 30 women and 18
transvestites who were soliciting. They were charged with prostitution and
taken to Pattaya police station, where they were fined 100 baht each before
being released.
Police said they had received complaints that Thai and
foreign tourists alike were being annoyed by the women and katoeys hanging
around the beach and offering sexual services for money. This, say the
police, taints the image of Pattaya and of Thailand. Those arrested ranged
in age from 20 to 52 years.
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