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There will be no more
water shortages, Irrigation Department promises
Hotel operators still paying out for private supplies
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Thanet Supharangsee, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association, called a meeting of members and representatives of relevant
organizations and government agencies at Green Park Resort on February 15 to
try and find ways to remedy the water shortage that is affecting the hotel and
tourism industry.
The shortages are occurring even though Chonburi Irrigation Department had
previously declared there would be no water shortages this year as there is
already enough water in reserve, even though water from the Bang Pakong River
cannot be fed quickly enough due to heavy seas.
Thanet said the problem has been a chronic one for a long time and has not been
truly remedied by the government sector, as can be clearly seen. Government
data that has been provided throughout contradicts the reality of the present
situation. Most of the hotels are still required to buy water themselves. The
association carried out a survey of hotel operators and more than 80 percent
were required to spend between 100,000 and 300,000 baht per month to buy fresh
water from the private sector, especially around Jomtien and Pratamnak. The
association wants to know what the problem is.
The Irrigation Department has already received a budget of 261 million baht to
remedy the situation and the project is at present under construction. It is
claimed that once the project is completed the problems will be over. Yet in
some of the affected areas the problem is probably arising from the fact that
the feed pipes are too narrow and sometimes there are leaks resulting in the
water having to be cut off to carry out repairs.
Chaitach Iidsaeng, deputy director of Pattaya Irrigation Office said that the
freshwater supply situation in Pattaya will not experience problems during 2006
because there was a large amount of rainfall towards the end of 2005 and the
water supplies in the reservoir were higher this year, at 74 million cubic
meters compared to the previous year’s 55 million cubic meters. He reaffirmed
that this year there would be no water shortages as in previous years.
Bounsom Yutithampinyo, head of Chonburi Irrigation Department’s Water
Allocation and Irrigation Development, commenting on the water situation in
Chonburi, said that there definitely would not be a water shortage this year
because water levels in the Chonburi reservoirs had increased. For example,
Bang Phra Reservoir currently had 36.8 million cubic meters. Total water
reserves from all Chonburi reservoirs totals 74.23 million cubic meters, up
from last year’s level of 55.89 million cubic meters by 18.34 million cubic
meters.
Based on the 2005 database, water consumption statistics up to the water
shortages in August 2005 indicate that this year by the same month there would
still be 18.29 million cubic meters, of which 12.06 million cubic meters is
consumable. After August the rains will replenish the reservoirs.
As for the pipeline project that will feed water from the Bang Pakong River in
Chachiangsao to Bang Phra Reservoir in Chonburi, the water supply through the
pipes may be a little slow due to the choppy seas entering the river, which is
making the water salty and it therefore cannot be stored in the Bang Phra
Reservoir. That is not, however, a problem because of the sufficient water
levels in the Chonburi reservoirs.
Bounsom added that even though there will be no drought in Chonburi this year
he would like to warn the public to conserve water, as the higher water levels
available in the reservoirs this year will help in future years. If a problem
occurs there would still be reserves that would help to alleviate the situation
to a certain extent.
People in the Sriracha area are presently experiencing problems due to water
supplies being cut off, but that is not due to any water shortages, it is
caused by insufficient freshwater production output. The water treatment plants
still have the same production capacity as before while water demand has
increased.
On the issue of pumping water from the Bang Pakong River to support supplies,
the pipe laying is already completed but pumping cannot commence because of the
saltiness of the water. Pumping can commence in August at the rate of 200,000
cubic meters per day or 50 million cubic meters per year. Everyone can put
their minds at ease; there will be no more water shortages.
Thanet said the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association would cooperate with
the Eastern Region Thai Hotels Association in submitting a list of hotels that
are still suffering from shortages to the Irrigation Department, to have the
situation remedied over the short-term. If the situation is still not remedied
then the association will send letters to other government sector organizations
for concrete remedies.
Sea walking comes under scrutiny as complaints are filed
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Sea walking and other activities that detractors say might be damaging
the ocean’s resources came under scrutiny on February 17 when Deputy Mayor
Ronakit Ekasingh called a meeting to review the complaints.
 Deputy
Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh presides over the meeting.
Representatives of the Office of Sea and Coastal Resources Preservation of
the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Tourism
Authority of Thailand and the Office of Water Transport were amongst those
attending.
Ronakit said that nine sea walker operators had opened shop around Koh
Larn and that facts needed to be established so that any necessary
preventive measures could be implemented.
Councilor Sanit Boonmarchai explained that there were several types of
businesses, such as sea walking, submarines, and glass-bottomed boats.
Preliminary inspection showed that no damage had been done, and it had
instead been found that everyone was working to preserve the area. He said
complaints probably came from those set to lose out. However, standards
would need to be laid down for all to comply with.
Attapol Wanakit, deputy director of TAT Region 3 said that licenses to
carry out the business had been applied for at the tourism and tour guide
registry office, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Tourism and Sports. The existing licenses have expired and will not be
extended until agreement has been provided by the Department of Fisheries,
the Office of the Environment and the Merchant Navy on matters of safety.
The head office of these businesses is located at Phuket, and activities
have been expanded to other locations like Pattaya and Trat. Clear
standards for control were not achieved at the meeting and a further
meeting is to be held soon.
Volunteer police call on mayor
to complain about lack of leadership
Vimolrat Singnikorn
February 15 saw a delegation of about 100 volunteer police call upon
city hall to complain about lack of leadership and stress the necessity for
someone to instruct them clearly upon their duties.
 Police
Colonel Somnuk Changate (right), Commander of Pattaya Municipal Police and
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn (left) listen to the requests of the
volunteer police.
The delegation, led by Boonruen Wangsiri, a member of the Pattaya Community
Police Volunteer Committee, met with Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn, with
the commander of Pattaya Municipal Police Pol Col Somnuk Changate attending.
Boonruen requested that a group leader be appointed as the volunteers suffer
from problems through lack of leadership guidance and advice.
Mayor Niran said that Pattaya Municipal Police is responsible for the
volunteer police force and the group should go and consult with them. The
mayor is responsible only for providing the budget and the food. The
volunteer police are divided into two groups, Pattaya and Banglamung. It
would be better to consult with Pol Col Somnuk on the problem of leadership.
Pol Col Somnuk thanked all volunteer police officers for giving their time
in carrying out their duties of keeping public order in Pattaya. He said he
would prefer to see meetings held to discuss individual problems of the
group members and to discuss their needs, after which a general meeting will
be held to summarize all problems.
An official ceremony is to be held to present certificates of honor to those
injured while on duty and also provide assistance to them.
Computer network will soon cover entire country says Immigration chief
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Computer training for officers from all 53 Immigration offices throughout
Thailand was conducted by Pol Col Monthon Ngeonwattana, deputy commander of
the Immigration Bureau, at the conference room in Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya on
February 16.
The training focused on methods used for checking residence details of
foreign visitors via the Immigration Bureau computer network.
 Pol
Col Monthon Ngeonwattana, deputy commander of the Immigration Bureau
presides over the IT seminar at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Pol Col Monthon said the Immigration Bureau has a continuous program of
liaison with its 15 main offices on the use of the IT system, but
developments in the digital world are happening quickly.
“It will not be long before Immigration will have coverage throughout the
entire kingdom with our computer network,” he said. “Officers will need to
know in detail how to use the computers to their full potential.”
Pol Col Ittipol Ittisanronachai, superintendent of Pattaya Immigration
Police, said that the Pattaya Immigration Bureau has been instrumental in
developing the new policy of using IT and the internet for registering
visitors’ residential information, which is a lot faster and more efficient
than the previous method of having the information collected by hand from
the hotels and guesthouses.
City Scope: Mobile services road show rolls into Nong Gate
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Nong Gate community was the destination on February 21 for the mobile
services unit, with Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn presiding over the event
that was organized at Banglamung Occupational Training College.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn (right) and
Rotary District Governor Jin Srikasikorn (center), presented financial
assistance to elderly low income earners.
Also present were Deputy Mayor Wattana Jantanawaranon and Jin Srikasikorn,
District Governor of Rotary International District 3340 together with
members of the Rotary Club of Pattaya.
Pattaya City Council organizes the mobile services unit each month,
receiving cooperation from both government and private sector organizations.
Rice, dried foods and 100 bags of other necessities where handed out to the
residents of Nong Gate community.
Pattaya Rotary Club also provided 67 bags of other necessities and gave
1,000 baht to five elderly people in the community. Lotus Department Store
Pattaya gave 60 bags of rice to Pattaya City Council for the residents of
Nong Gate. Health services were provided, with medical checkups, teeth
examinations, family planning, and pet vaccinations. Pra Maha Occupational
Training School carried out repairs on electrical appliances while hair
cutting and beauty treatments were provided by the Vocational Training
Center.
Other communities also attended and put their local products on display,
while Pattaya City Disaster Relief Services gave a demonstration of fire
fighting with the use of fire extinguishers.
Mayor Niran said the mobile service unit always receives support from other
local communities who put their products on sale, and other organizations
that provide free services. City hall had felt this was a good opportunity
to display fire-fighting procedures as the council has been installing
extinguishers at various key points.
Dawn raid by narcotics squad
on nine villages nets three offenders
Boonlua Chatree
A dawn raid by a squad of top narcotics suppression officers and 160
police officers on nine village districts within Pattaya resulted in the
seizing of two amphetamine pills, a packet of the drug ice, and nine leaves
of the illegal kratom plant. Three people were arrested.
Police and drug suppression
commandos raided nine village districts within Pattaya and arrested three
suspects.
The raid took place at 5:45 a.m. on February 22 and was
led by Pol Maj Gen Amaretrit Ratanawiboon, commander of Narcotics Suppression
Bureau 1, with his deputy Pol Col Narongsak Khanchawichan and superintendent
Pol Col Theekachot Suwannakom, chief of Narcotics Suppression in Pattaya Pol
Lt Col Piyapan Anantho, and Captain Tawee Pikulthong, commander of Region 1.
The force consisted of over 160 combat police and three drug-sniffer dogs.
Investigations had revealed that nine villages under the jurisdiction of
Pattaya police station were involved in narcotics dealing. At Sunee Market in
Soi VC Hotel officers arrested 24-year-old Prasert Kulkrathok with two ya ba
pills and charged him with illegal possession of a class 1 drug intended for
distribution. The second arrest was at a house in Moo 10, Nongprue, where
18-year-old Ms Isawan Butsiri was seized with a pack of methamphetamine,
commonly known as ice. At a house in Moo 11, Nongprue, officers arrested Mrs
Amporn Komdee, age 50, with nine fresh mitragyna speciosa leaves, more
usually known as kratom, a plant indigenous to Thailand and classified as an
illegal class 5 narcotic.
Pol Maj Gen Amaretrit said that the raid was part of a policy of suppression
being conducted in Eastern Thailand, and that Pattaya City is a known
distribution point for Cambodian drug dealers and others involved with drug
distribution.
German man attacked and robbed
Boonlua Chatree
A motorcycle taxi driver attacked a German visitor, knocked him
unconscious and stole a gold chain from him.
The crime happened around midnight on February 20, when Pattaya police
station received a report that a tourist had been attacked and robbed.
Officers went to Pattaya Memorial Hospital where they found German national
Edwin Gunther Polster, 45, being treated in the emergency room for a broken
jaw and bruised face.
Polster said he had gone from Green Roof Mansion for an Italian meal on
Thappraya Road. On the way back he arrived at Thappraya Soi 5 where a
motorcycle taxi driver asked him if he needed a ride, but he declined. The
driver became angry and was rude to him. He blocked the German with his
motorbike and punched him on the chin, knocking him unconscious. When he
came too, Polster found himself in the hospital. His 1-baht gold weight
chain was gone.
The victim said he could remember that the motorcycle taxi driver worked in
front of a certain hotel. Police went back to the scene but an arrest has
yet to be made.
Tourist beaten and robbed on Beach Road
Boonlua Chatree
A foreigner found beaten and unconscious at the entrance to Soi 7 on
Beach Road has police puzzled.
Pattaya police station received a report at 05.45 a.m. on February 24 that a
man was lying injured just a short distance away. On arrival at the scene a
team of officers found the unconscious foreign national who had been
assaulted, suffering a head wound that had covered his body with blood and
with a deep, long cut to his right fingers.
Police administered first aid and the man regained consciousness. He
expressed a desire to return to his hotel, but when questioned about the
attack he was incoherent. Officers noticed that he had a nametag around his
neck that read Christopher C Tubbs.
The man had no possessions on his person, and although officers searched the
scene they found only blood stains which led from the beach. They failed to
find any weapon or assailant. Having escorted the man to his hotel, police
instructed staff that once the man had recovered his senses, should he wish
to file a report they should take him to the police station at any time.
Man rapes woman in woods
Claims he had no money to pay for hotel room
Boonlua Chatree
The Thai wife of a Canadian national was raped in the woods on Soi
Korpai 6 in South Pattaya on February 23 after spending the evening with
friends at a karaoke bar.
A police patrol in the area was stopped by the woman, who ran out into the
road shouting for help. She was wet and muddy, and her jeans were unbuttoned
and had slipped down around her ankles.
Ms Fa (an alias), age 26, told the officers she had been raped in the woods
beside the road, and had run away after her assailant was finished. Earlier
she had been to a karaoke bar and bought a meal for her friends from the
same village. She got a little drunk and walked back home. A man named
Prasit Raksa, aged 36 years and from her hometown in Buriram, kept her
company. She then alleged that Prasit pulled her close sharply, covered her
mouth, and threatened to take her life if she shouted. Then he raped her.
As police were questioning Fa on the road, Prasit was seen smoking a
cigarette and coming out of the woods. Fa pointed him out and police
apprehended him, escorting him to the police station for further
investigation.
Prasit denied raping Fa, stating that she asked him to keep her company and
that he had the feeling Fa acted as if she liked him. Therefore he took her
into the woods to commit adultery. The reason for using the woods was
because he had no money to pay for a hotel room.
Fa didn’t want a settlement and asked the police to continue the case,
because she already has a Canadian husband and didn’t agree with Prasit’s
statement. Police charged Prasit with rape. Fa was sent for medical
attention to Banglamung Hospital.
Police briefs
Construction worker’s pickup truck kills
street vendor
Boonlua Chatree
A street vendor was killed when his motorcycle-sidecar combination was struck
by a pickup truck driven by a construction worker.
The accident happened at 12:30 a.m. on February 21 in front of the Nongnoi
Restaurant at Soi Pattanakarn, where construction of a new road has made the
existing thoroughfare narrower.
Officers from Banglamung police station found the body of Suthep Saosawatsri,
32, a vendor of rice paste, lying on a green Honda Wave motorcycle-sidecar
vehicle. He had died from multiple injuries.
A few meters away was a bronze Toyota pickup with a broken radiator and other
evidence of a collision. Police transferred the body to Banglamung Hospital
and took the two vehicles to Banglamung police station.
The pickup driver was Charan Mankong, a 38-year-old construction worker. He
stated that the motorcycle-sidecar drove into his path and that he couldn’t
avoid it. They had collided and the motorcycle was dragged a distance of about
20 meters. He backed up a little and waited for the police. Police charged him
with careless driving resulting in the death of another.
Girlfriend dies as navy officer loses control of motorcycle
Patcharapol Panrak
A girl riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by a navy officer was killed when
the bike swerved to avoid hitting a 10-wheel truck.
Sattahip police station received a report at 3 a.m. on February 19 from
officers of the Rotjanathamsathan Foundation that there had been an accident
on the Sukhumvit Road at Sattahip, with one woman dead.
Officers at the scene found the body of Ms Chonticha Naewsuk, age 23, a
cosmetic salesperson at Big C in Central Pattaya. She had died from severe
head injuries. Beside the body was a 10-wheeled truck owned by the Pornchit
Transport Company, and a motorcycle.
Police questioned the motorcycle driver, Corporal Jirayut Bunyarit, age 22,
who is attached to the Naval Air Force Unit at Ban Chang, in Rayong. He stated
that at about 2:45 a.m. he was riding the blue Yamaha Mio with Chonticha after
leaving the Vega Pub, Bantaothan. Passing the Esso gasoline station at Km 174,
he lost control of the motorbike and swerved behind the 10-wheeler. He managed
to turn and avoid the truck but Chonticha was thrown against it and killed.
Police charged Corporal Jirayut with careless driving resulting in the death
of another person.
Mayor says that all 27 communities
in Pattaya will have their own offices
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn cuts the ribbon to
open the Wat Chaimongkol community’s official office building in South
Pattaya.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn performed the opening of the Wat
Chaimongkol community’s official office building in South Pattaya on
February 15, saying that all 27 communities within Pattaya City will have
their own offices.
The current chairman of the Wat Chaimongkol community is Mrs Lamiad
Arunsaeng. During the ceremony she spoke about the former office and how it
was only a temporary building. The new offices have received a support
budget from Pattaya City, and residents will be able to use the building for
their own community activities.
The mayor said that Pattaya City had many administration and development
projects in progress for the 27 communities, and that having community
centers is important. City hall will therefore provide a budget for each
community to build an office of their own. As some of the communities do not
have an appropriate site to construct a building, city hall is in
negotiations with landowners to buy plots of land upon which to erect the
community centers.
Friends of HRH Princess
Srirasm visit Koh Larn
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
On February 20 Luis and Sonia Ortega, Australian friends of Her Royal
Highness Princess Srirasm, Royal Consort to His Royal Highness Crown Prince
Maha Vajiralongkorn, visited Pattaya for a holiday and chose to visit the
pure white beaches of Koh Larn. Sutham Phechgate, head of Koh Larn district
and his committee welcomed the couple.
 Luis
and Sonia Ortega had a wonderful time strolling along the beach.
The Ortegas were escorted along Had Saen, which is located at the southwest
corner of the island. After the walk the couple was driven around the island
to Had Waen, at the northern end. They also visited a fishing village and
had lunch before returning to their hotel.
Sutham said the couple praised the island, saying it was beautiful and they
were happy to be there. They said they greatly enjoyed the seafood that was
supplied by city administrators, and they warmly appreciated the friendship
shown by the people of Pattaya.
Koh Larn is located 7 kilometers from Pattaya, 45 minutes by boat or 15
minutes by speedboat. The island is four square kilometers in size and has
many beautiful beaches with watersports such as water skiing and water
scooters. Smaller islands like Koh Krok and Koh Sak, where fishing and
diving take place, surround the island.
Luis and Sonia Ortega, friends of Her Royal
Highness Princess Srirasm, Royal Consort to His Royal Highness Crown Prince
Maha Vajiralongkorn, visit Koh Larn. Sutham Phechgate and Suwanthep ‘Tony’
Malhotra (right) of Pattaya Mail had the opportunity to welcome them.
Parents of deaf children learn sign language under city hall program
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Thai sign language training for the parents of deaf children was organized
by city hall in conjunction with the Auricular Development Kindergarten on
February 11 at the Redemptorist Center.
 Supin
Nayong, assistant dean at Ratchasuda College, narrates for the “Thai sign
language training project for parents and deaf children”.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh opened the session, with Supin Nayong, assistant
dean of Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University, and other specialist tutors
working with the 40 attending parents during the three-day course.
Supaya Maneecharoen, director of the Auricular Development Kindergarten said
the course was designed to help the parents of deaf children better
communicate with them. Although there are regular training sessions at the
kindergarten, this course was larger and consequently held at the Redemptorist
Center. Pattaya City had provided a support budget of 113,900 baht for this
course.
Supin said that usually deaf children develop more slowly than normal children
because of the communication problem. However, parents can help speed a
child’s development if they have advanced communication skills. Supin added
that modern tests will immediately indicate whether a very young baby has
hearing problems, whereas in the past at least six months were needed before
parents realized their child suffered from deafness.
Pattaya becomes Rotary International Peace City with erection of Peace Monument
Narisa Nitikarn
A ceremony to open the Peace Monument established by the Rotary Club in
Queen Sirikit Park on Pratamnak Hill, opposite the Royal Cliff Beach Resort,
was conducted on February 23, with former governor of Region 335 General
Saiyud Kerdphol presiding.
Rotary District 3340 Governor Jin Srikasikorn, Santsak Ngampiches, advisor to the
deputy minister of the interior, Verawat Khakhay, deputy mayor of Pattaya
City, representatives of four religions in Pattaya and members of the Rotary
Club attended the ceremony, which had been organized by Pattaya Rotary Club
led by its president, Bunsoeb Aekadorn. The ceremony fell on International
Rotary Day and World Peace Day.
General Saiyud Kerdphol (center), past Rotary
governor of District 335 presides over the opening ceremony for Pattaya’s
Peace Monument.
The erecting of the monument designates Pattaya as a “Rotary International
Peace City”, promoting the concept of peace to inhabitants, visitors and
consequently to people worldwide. There are more than 50 Peace Monuments
around the world, with this being the first in Thailand. The first Peace
Monument was opened in New South Wales, Australia on February 23, 1993.
Four representatives of Pattaya’s religious communities attended the
ceremony, namely Ajarn Sin Chotipanyo, the Buddhist representative; Father
Lawrence Patin, the Christian representative; Mohammed Khaled Babu, the
Islamic representative; and Satnam Kaur, the Sikh representative.
During his address General Saiyud said the Peace Monument in Pattaya stands
as a symbol, but that peace has to start from within ourselves, from where
it would spread throughout the world.
Bunsoeb Aekadorn, in his capacity as the present Pattaya Rotary Club
president, added that the Rotary objectives are to help others more than
oneself, which is the same principle as peace itself. Rotary members were
all of the same mind in setting up the Peace Monument. Pattaya City Council
provided the location, and the project took over two years to complete.
After the opening speeches, the ribbon was cut to officially declare the
Peace Monument open. The World Peace Organization designed the monument,
which shows a white dove carrying a branch in its beak flying over the
world. The dove is placed at the top of the pillar, which is 600 centimeters
wide, 1270 centimeters long and 3750 centimeters high. The pillar is made
from stainless steel, painted black, and the world is gold in color. The
word “PEACE” is engraved in gold in the center of the monument. Each year
peace ceremonies will be held here at this location.
No rest at Robin’s Nest as city refuses to repair water blockage
Narisa Nitikarn
The owner of a restaurant who was declined help by city hall to repair a
watermains blockage that was damaging his premises has in frustration turned
to the media for help.
Robin Ingle, owner of Robin’s Nest-Ur-Raunt and Accommodation, pumps out the water
and removes any large obstacles so the pump can work to full efficiency.
On the afternoon of February 17 Pattaya Mail received a report from Robin
Ingle, owner of Robin’s Nest-Ur-Raunt and Accommodation in Soi LK Metro,
also known as Soi Diana Inn 13, complaining he could get no satisfaction
from the authorities over the water blockage, and that the water was
damaging his kitchen area.
Reporters traveled to the scene to examine the situation themselves.
Englishman Ingle said the five-story building was used as a restaurant
downstairs while the upstairs was used as accommodation. Over the past two
months water had been seeping into the premises, especially the kitchen,
causing a bad smell. He and his staff had tried to find the cause of the
problem without success. All that he could do was to hire a pump truck to
draw out the water every day, costing 600 baht each time. Water in the
bathroom also emitted a bad smell. When Ingle opened up the water tanks he
found that the water in both tanks was putrid. He therefore submitted a
complaint to Pattaya City Council.
When Ingle told the public works department about the blocked pipe he was
informed that the owner of the premises had failed to pay the annual
wastewater bill and the council was therefore unable to help. He was advised
to hire a plumber to fix it himself. Instead he came to Pattaya Mail.
Reporters later returned to Robin’s Nest-Ur-Raunt and Accommodation and
found Ingle had installed a pump to draw out water from the blocked pipe and
empty it into the wastewater pipe opposite. Two other nearby operations were
also affected, namely Massage Eden Premier Bar and PS Apartment. Ingle said
that he had contacted the project owner, who he identified as Lengki, and
was told that if he broke the concrete covers he would be responsible for
repair costs. Ingle said that he could afford to have the pipe repaired but
he would like other operators to help with the costs.
On February 18 the affected operators met with Ingle’s lawyer but were told
the same thing that Pattaya City Council told them initially. From February
19 until the afternoon of the 20th Ingle waited for a plumber from the
project owner, but he never showed up. The group is now ready to hire their
own plumber but are waiting to contact the owner’s plumber first.
Bunthawee Singkhorn, an operative of the public works department told
Pattaya Mail that the pipe was not blocked. He said a private sector
drainage pipe that had been connected to the city drainage pipe had caused
the problem, and the wastewater now had no way out. He advised the project
owner or the affected parties to write to Pattaya City Council and request
to connect a drainage pipe to the main drain pipe.
Once the application was received it would then be the duty of operatives
from the public works department to carry out an inspection. After
calculating the wastewater costs based on the size of the building, the
operatives would carry out additional inspections to decide whether the main
drainage pipe needed replacing. The cost of the job would then be
calculated. After approval the affected parties would have to pay for the
repairs.
As of press day Robin Ingle is still using his water pump.
Blue Ridge, Seventh Fleet visit Thailand
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Commanding
Officer, Capt. Jeff Bartkoski, and watch standers observe from the starboard
bridge wing as Blue Ridge pulls into Laem Chabang, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006.
(U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman David Hewitt)
Seventh Fleet Public Affairs
Laem Chabang, Thailand – USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived here for a routine
port visit Feb. 25.
The port visit gives the more than 950 Sailors, Marines and Seventh Fleet
staff members embarked aboard Blue Ridge a chance to experience the unique
culture and hospitality of Thailand, sightsee and participate in community
service projects with their hosts.
Additionally, staff talks are planned between the royal Thai navy and the
Seventh Fleet staff. Discussions will include topics of mutual and continuing
interest common to both countries.
The amphibious command ship Blue Ridge is the flagship of the Seventh Fleet
and supports a variety of missions with a robust communications suite,
allowing the Seventh Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Jonathan Greenert, and his
embarked staff to direct U.S. naval forces in the region.
Blue Ridge, commanded by Capt. Jeff Bartkoski, is forward deployed to
Yokosuka, Japan.
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