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A most happy birthday to
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was
born on April 2, 1955, the third child of Their Majesties the King and Queen
of Thailand.
HRH the Princess studied from kindergarten to high school at Chitralada
School in Bangkok. She ranked first in the National School Examinations in
the primary level (grade 7) in 1967 and in upper secondary level (grade 12)
in 1972.
Ranked fourth in the National University Entrance Examination, HRH the
Princess enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University and
graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, first class honor, and a gold
medal in History in 1976. She continued her studies in two graduate programs
concurrently, obtaining an M.A. in Oriental Epigraphy (Sanskrit and
Cambodian) from Silpakorn University in 1978, and an M.A. in Pali and
Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University in 1980. She enrolled in a doctoral
program at Srinakharinwirot University (former College of Education) in
1981, and was awarded a doctoral degree in Developmental Education in 1987.
The principle of using education as a means for community and social
development, which HRH the Princess acquired during her doctoral studies
along with her former experiences in the field, has provided her with a
solid base for her subsequent involvement in community development
activities.
In addition to her formal degree programs, HRH the Princess has attended
several training courses and workshops to enhance her knowledge and skills
in effective integrated development. These subjects include computer,
cartography, meteorology, survey and photogrammetry, remote sensing and
geographic information system and nutrition.
HRH the Princess has acquired first-hand experiences in working on
development projects initiated by Their Majesties the King and Queen. These
projects involve a number of diversified fields including health and
hygiene, education, water resource development, agriculture and cottage
industry by regularly accompanying Their Majesties on visits to remote areas
since the age of sixteen.
From these experiences, HRH the Princess has developed special interests in
agricultural extension to improve school children’s nutritional conditions;
supports education from pre-school to tertiary levels; and mother and child
care. She has also concentrated on helping the handicapped, especially in
using information technology (IT) to develop independent living and learning
skills.
HRH the Princess runs several philanthropic organizations and foundations.
She has been Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society since
1977; Executive Chairman of the Chaipattana Foundation (in charge of His
Majesty’s development and environmental preservation projects), Ananda
Mahidol Foundation (to promote higher education), the King Rama II
Foundation (to conserve and promote Thai Culture); President of the Sai Jai
Thai Foundation (to support disabled veterans), Prince Mahidol Award
Foundation (to award prizes annually to members of the international
community for outstanding performances in the fields of medicine and public
health); and Adviser of the Committee of Thai Junior Encyclopedia Project by
Royal Command of H.M. the King.
HRH the Princess began her teaching career in 1979 when she started teaching
the General Education Program at Chulalongkorn University. A year later, she
joined the Department of Law and Social Sciences, in the Academic Division
of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. Presently she is Director of the
Department of History, and has played an active part in revising its
curriculum. She also supervises the Thai Music Club at the Academy.
Occasionally HRH the Princess gives special lectures at several other
institutions and regularly attends academic conferences and seminars both in
and outside the country.
In addition, HRH the Princess represents Their Majesties in various royal
functions. She also presides over ceremonies as well as other social and
charity functions all through the year. In 1991, HRH the Princess was
awarded the Magsaysay Award for Public Service.
HRH the Princess likes to travel around the Kingdom and abroad to obtain
knowledge of physical geography and peoples’ varied lifestyles. One of her
favorite pastimes is writing articles, poetry and short stories. Proceeds
from her written accounts of her overseas travels are the main source of
income for the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation which was set up
in 1979 to support needy students in schools, vocational colleges and
universities.
HRH the Princess loves Thai literature and studies literature of other
countries. She enjoys playing classical Thai instruments and practicing Thai
classical dancing. She also paints and is keen on sports, including jogging,
swimming, biking and trekking - which gives her an opportunity to learn
about plants, trees and geographical features of the areas.
In addition to her knowledge of Pali, Sanskrit and Cambodian, HRH the
Princess is communicative in both English and French and has been learning
Chinese, German and Latin.
Controls tightened
on pleasure boat moorings
Vimolrat Singnikorn
New regulations have been issued for use of tourist boats around
Pattaya’s coastal areas.
These new safety related measures were discussed at a meeting held on
March 21 by Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and which included boat
operators and representatives of sea and coastal rescue services.
New safety related measures were discussed at
a meeting held at city hall.
Many boat operators work around Pattaya Beach, Duang Amat Beach and
Jomtien Beach. This has resulted in a lack of order on the use of the
moorings and is a danger to the safety of locals and tourists.
Pattaya City Council has therefore laid down regulations and conditions
for the use of mooring areas. Any operator that wishes to moor on a
regular basis to offload passengers or goods must first gain approval
from port officials at the Port Authority. Boats that have not applied
for permission will not be allowed to moor.
Pattaya City Council has fixed the mooring points as follows: Port A for
regular passenger routes, Port B for speedboats and sports boats, C for
small to middle sized boats for diving and fishing, D for large hire
boats and E for large general boats. The regulations will be effective
from 1 April 2006 onwards.
Council calls in waste disposal company after complaints mount
Montree Kotchawong
Pattaya’s waste disposal problems are continuing, with a meeting held on
March 22 of the Committee for Sanitation and the Environment to discuss
fresh complaints from residents.
Chairman of Pattaya City Council Tavich Chaiswangwong presided over the
meeting, with Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay also in attendance.
Councilor Sanit Bunmachai, in his capacity as a member of the Sanitation and
the Environment Committee, said that many of the complaints arose because of
the private company that had been awarded a concession for waste disposal,
East West Management Co Ltd. The waste disposal trucks that they used were
not operating properly, and some of them leaked, sending waste liquid
residue spilling onto the roads and causing a stench. They also
double-parked causing traffic problems, the vehicles were not fitted with
emergency lights and they did not have enough vehicles to do the job
properly. Pattaya City Council would like the company to provide more
vehicles, repair the vehicles presently in use to put an end to the
pollution, and alter their traffic procedures.
A representative of the company said that the reason for the damage to the
vehicles was due to the fact that Pattaya’s rubbish totals 230 tons a day
which is an increase over last year of 30 percent, which has resulted in
over-use of the vehicles; hence the damage. The company said that it would
remedy the other problems. The company requested that it be allowed to
charge apartment occupants 20 baht per room for waste disposal services as a
lot of waste is generated from Pattaya’s many apartment buildings.
Tavich told the company to put its proposal in writing, which will then be
put to the council. He told the company to list all problems in the proposal
so that they could work together to remedy the problems.
Councilor Banlue declares war on billboards that clutter the highways
Narisa Nitikarn
Councilor Banlue Kullavanijaya on March 20 presided over a meeting of
construction and public works department heads to exercise greater control
over the billboards that are being erected along the six main Pattaya roads,
which he says are becoming unsightly and domineering.
 Banlue
instructed the Banglamung branch of the Regional Electricity Authority and
the Telecommunications Authority of Thailand to tidy up their cables.
Banlue also directed the Banglamung branch of the Regional Electricity
Authority and the Telecommunications Authority of Thailand to tidy up their
cables.
Banlue said that billboard advertisements are over-extending their area
quota along Pattaya’s six main roads, at North Pattaya, Pattaya Klang, South
Pattaya, Thepprasit, Beach Road, Pattaya Second Road and Pattaya Third Road.
As for Walking Street, he said operators have already cooperated by raising
the height of their signs because if a fire broke out the fire engines would
be unable to get to the scene.
Along Pattaya’s main roads, operators have requested an extension period.
However, the extensions should be determined clearly. Billboards cannot be
allowed to extend onto footpaths and should be 3.5 meters higher than street
level. If they extend onto the road they must be 5 meters higher than street
level. So far the city has not been overly strict with owners, said Banlue.
He also spoke about the untidy cables that had been a problem for a long
period. He said that cables need tidying up as a matter of urgency. He said
that some cables were now lying on trees rather than the pillars, which
could cause problems. Banlue instructed the Banglamung branch of the
Regional Electricity Authority and the Telecommunications Authority of
Thailand to tidy up their cables.
Phichaet Uthaiwattananont, director of Pattaya Public Works told the
chairman of the meeting that the city must have clear policies on giving
extension periods such as areas where extensions can be given and those that
can’t. Strict measures must be implemented against violators such as
removing their signs.
Volunteer protection service to be restructured
Existing organization lacks cohesion
Narisa Nitikarn
A restructuring of the Pattaya volunteer community protection program is
to take place, as the existing organization is deemed to be ineffective.
At a city hall meeting on March 16, chaired by councilor Sanit Boonmarchai
and attended by the Public Protection and Welfare Department, Sea Security
Office and associated departments, it was proposed to abolish the Pattaya
Volunteer Civil Protection service because many of those who joined did not
take up their responsibilities while others were active only in their own
community.
Sanit, on behalf of the administration committee said the problem revolved
around lack of cohesion and leadership, with various factions trying to
bring their own colleagues into work groups, which caused disputes. In place
of the existing body will be an organization named Pattaya Volunteer
Community Protection. Members will be trained to take care of the community
in general.
Somchai Thampithakpong, chief of the Public Protection and Welfare
Department said the proposal was a good idea, and that the basic training
should remain as it is.
Sanit also spoke about the Sea Security and Coastal Performance Plan, saying
that the firemen didn’t have enough communications equipment, or a water
transport service. This year there is a budget to buy the communications
equipment, but the water transport will have to be announced later.
Province is ready for national election day on Sunday
Many bars to close Saturday night through Sunday
Piyavadee Suvannahong
With the national election to be held this Sunday, April 2, Chonburi is
readying itself to ensure an efficient and trouble-free polling day at the
various stations throughout the province.
 Theerasak
Chatupong, director of the Election Commission of Thailand Zone 7 in
Chonburi presents training for election officials.
Election officials have been trained for their role, the Election Commission
of Thailand Zone 7 in Chonburi having prepared them in readiness during a
session held on March 22 at city hall.
Theerasak Chatupong, director of the Election Commission for Zone 7, along
with Jirasak Chitsom, chairman of the local election committee, chaired the
proceedings that covered eight central election zones. Seven commissioners
were appointed, namely Pratheep Sriraksa, Chanchai Lawanwong, Mrs Anyamanee
Khamchan, Sorachai Khemkaeng, Phumsak Pongpitakwattana, Chaiyasit
Prom-Anumat and U-thai Suksopawan.
The training focused on areas such as those who have the right to vote
outside of their registered district, and how to ensure the procedures
adhere to the central rules. Officers were told about the receiving,
verifying, and transporting of the election cards, including time and place,
and the processing methods that all officers should understand and carry out
in the same manner.
One of the instructors, Phoomsak Pongpitakwattana, said the election
officers should be neutral even though the political situation in Thailand
is very heated. This training does not concern politics, stressed Phoomsak.
It only helps ensure that all officers are ready for their task.
As with all elections in Thailand, no alcohol can be served from 6 p.m. the
night before the election until midnight at the end of election day.
(Election laws of municipalities (year) 2482, amended 2523, section 12CH
states: “...as of 18:00 hours on the day before the election until the end
of the day of the election, it is forbidden for anyone to sell, distribute,
give away alcohol or have parties or social events that have alcohol
served...” Section 76 states: “...whoever breaks this law is subject to a
fine of no more than 10,000 baht or jail of no more than 1 year or both...”)
This means the bars will be able to serve only soft drinks from Saturday
night until midnight Sunday night. Please note that this law will be
enforced, as many bar owners and managers learned the hard way during past
elections.
Town planners set out views for Eastern region development
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Future developments for the Eastern region were discussed on March 16 at
the 4th National Planning Seminar, organized by the Office of Country
and Regional Planning and staged at the Dusit Resort.
 Acting
Deputy Prime Minister Suwatt Lipataphanlop presided over the 4th
National Planning Seminar on the development of the Country and the
Eastern Region.
Keynote speaker was Deputy Prime Minister Suwatt Lipataphanlop, who said
that industrial areas should be used to their full potential, while
agriculture should be preserved as should the coastal areas.
Cluster non-hazardous industries and green belts should be promoted with
importance placed on seeking water sources to meet the requirements of
industrial, agricultural and tourism growth in the future, as well as
the preservation of natural resources. Three major areas should be
considered, namely use of land, town planning and transport and
communications.
The Office of Country and Regional Planning comes under the Public Works
and Town Planning Department, whose director Teerawat Kulavanich was
also present at the seminar and said that the measures should take in
population growth in each area. Town and private planning policies
should seek stable growth with town structure interconnected with
community planning, giving a sufficient standard of community living.
On transport and communication, road transport should be developed
interconnecting towns, and water transport should see that Laem Chabang
deep-sea port should be developed into a shipping center. Marine tourism
should be improved to facilitate tourism growth. In the future Utapao
Airport will be used as a repair center. Logistics will also be
developed to interconnect everything, said Teerawat.
Each sector will have its own development policies to implement the
systematic development projects with amenities to measure results easily
for near future development.
Six gang members charged with killing of jet-ski champion
Naklua and Flamingo gangs fought during music festival
Boonlua Chatree
Police have arrested a gang of six men on charges of murdering a jet-ski
champion, shot dead in his car on March 19 at Thepprasit Village.
A press briefing was conducted by high-ranking police officers on March 24,
led by Pol Lt Gen Jongrak Juthanon, commander of Region 2, along with two of
his deputies, Pol Maj Gen Pitak Jarusombat and Pol Maj Gen Theerayut
Kittiwatt, and Pol Maj Gen Anant Charoenchaisri, commander of Chonburi
police.
 Five
of the six gang members arrested in connection with jet ski champion
Therrawatt Lahib’s murder, were brought back to the scene to reenact the
crime.
Commander Jongrak said that he had ordered a swift arrest of the killers and
that police investigators had been able to find and arrest them quickly.
The six alleged killers were named as Natee Tabtim, 19, Bun (an alias), 15,
Waiyut Srisuwan, 24, Chatrchai Preemol, 27, Put Wongpakdee, 24, and
Peetiwong Phengphech, 19, although only five of them were presented before
the media, as one is still a minor. Police had also found a .38 caliber
handgun, nine .38 bullets, a holster and a Yamaha Mio motorcycle. Two people
are still on the run, named as York, 17, and Miss Tuk (an alias), 15.
All six admitted that they were members of the Naklua Gang and often had
fights with the Flamingo Gang, of which the deceased was a member. On March
18 the gang went to the Grand Pattaya Music Festival in Soi 6 and ended up
fighting with members of the Flamingo Gang, but had to back off as they were
losing.
Later the same night they rounded up 40 gang members on motorcycles and went
looking for members of the Flamingo Gang along Pattaya’s roads but were
unable to find any. They then went to Thepprasit Village were many of the
Flamingo Gang members lived, to lie in wait. It was agreed that the gun
carrier York would do the shooting while the others would act as backup.
After midnight Therrawatt Lahib, a jet ski champion, drove his car into the
village to return home and saw the gang members hanging around. He reversed
to make his escape, but instead hit a wall. York fired two shots into the
right door of the vehicle and two shots into the front, killing Theerawatt.
The gang then made their escape on motorcycles.
The six have been charged with willful murder, possession of a gun and
bullets and carrying the weapon in public.
After the press conference Jatepong Tuonpraist, a representative of the
Flamingos presented a bouquet of flowers to police as a thank-you gesture
for arresting the killers and bringing the case to a close.
Holy smoke, my house is burning down
A man set fire to his own home when he left a candle and joss sticks burning
to go out and play football.
Banglamung police and the fire service were called out on March 23 to the
house at Moo 11 on Soi Sukhumvit 71.
They found the blaze had broken out in a small room on the third floor,
where there was a Buddha image and a shelf with Buddhist tracts. A
candlestick in front of the altar had started the fire. Firemen took 10
minutes to douse the flames.
Niyom Saesamrong, 24, the son of the house owner, said he lit the candle in
front of the altar before going out to play football with his friends
nearby. Nobody was at home. Suddenly the neighbors came to inform him that
his house was on fire. He asked the neighbors to call the police and fire
brigade, and then rushed home. He said afterward that he knew the cause of
the fire came from the candle that he lit in front of the altar before going
out, and nearly burnt down his whole house.
Arrest warrants issued for two police officers who allegedly kidnapped Finnish man
Gang of six snatched visitor and demanded 700,000 baht ransom
Patcharapol Panrak
Two police officers have been implicated in the kidnapping of a Finnish
man who was snatched from outside a Jomtien Beach hotel by six men who
demanded a ransom of 700,000 baht.
 Officer
Bunyong Raengkhong
A report was filed with Khongkongtaal Police Sub-station on March 17 by Mrs
Phaiwee Christina, residing at the Ayari Khong Hanuman Hotel on Jomtien
Beach Road, stating that Karinen Harri Juhani, a 52-year-old Finnish
national been kidnapped and a ransom of 700,000 baht was being demanded for
his release.
Pol Lt Gen Jongrak Juthanon, commander of Region 2, immediately directed a
high-level team led by his deputy Pol Maj Gen Rapepat Palawong, commander of
Chonburi police Pol Col Narabun Naenna, and commander of Pattaya Municipal
Police Pol Col Somnuk Changate to carry out the investigations.
Within a couple of hours the team had made a breakthrough, establishing that
Juhani had gone drinking at the Boyz Boyz Boyz Bar in Soi Pattayaland 3 and
had invited 18-year-old Anant Phisamai, an employee of the bar, to go and
sleep with him. Anant had hired a motorcycle to take them to the Ayari Khong
Hanuman Hotel.
 Officer
Precha Tamsaang
On arrival at the entrance to Pattaya Park Hotel six strong-arm males
claimed that they were police officers and seized Juhani and Anant, saying
they were being taken to Khlong Luang Police Station in Pathum Thani to be
fingerprinted and charged. If they did not want to be charged then they must
pay 700,000 baht. Juhani told them that he was not carrying such an amount.
The two were then taken to Niran Grand Condo to wait for Mrs Phaiwee
Christina to bring the 700,000 baht for the release.
During the commotion, Anant had managed to escape, and filed a police
report. Pattaya Municipal Police went to assist Juhani but the six had
disappeared before the officers arrived at the scene.
Police later arrested Pholsant Saengprasert, 45, and he admitted to the
crime. He also told police that the other men were Precha Tamsaang and
Bunyong Raengkhong, both patrol officers at Khlong Luang Police Station in
Pathum Thani, along with two men that he named as Aree and Jiw, whose
surnames were unknown, and a man named as Win, a Burmese.
Pholsant was charged with kidnapping, holding a person forcefully against
their will, and demanding a ransom.
Pol Col Somnuk said that the five men were still on the run. Arrest warrants
were issued on March 21 for officers Precha and Bunyong and sent to Khlong
Luang Police Station, but station officers reported that the pair had
already disappeared. The arrest warrants have now been sent to police
stations throughout the country and photographs of the officers are being
circulated.
Any sightings of the men, or any similar abduction cases, should be reported
immediately on tel 0 3842 9325, 01-5778865.
Thieves snatch handbag from British woman and flee on motorcycle
A British woman sitting at a bar with her husband had her handbag snatched
by two men who then fled on a motorcycle.
The theft happened on March 23 at a beer bar on Soi Buakaow, near Soi Lengki
in Pattaya Klang. Cara Bradley, 37, and her husband said they had been
sitting at the bar and that Ms Bradley’s silk handbag had been left on a
marble desk nearby. Inside were a digital camera, 1,500 baht and personal
documents.
Two Thai men about 20 years old and dressed in black came up on a blue Honda
Wave without a license plate. One of them went to buy something from
7-Eleven opposite the bar, and he stopped in front of the bar. The passenger
approached the victim and snatched her handbag. Ms Bradley tried to pull it
back but was not fast enough. The thief took the bag, leaving the couple
with only the broken handle in their hands. A motorcycle taxi driver nearby
tried to follow the thieves, but lost them.
Russian tourists targeted by road show at Moscow expo
Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Pattaya
Business Tourism Association (center), Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn, general
secretary (far left), Sanga Kijsamred, vice president (second from left) and
Banjung Pantoonprayuk, treasurer present the summary.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Attracting more Russian tourists to Pattaya is part of the promotional
plan for this year, it was revealed at the annual general meeting of the
Pattaya Business Tourism Association on March 15 at the Long Beach Hotel.
PBTA president, Thanet Supornsahasrungsi and the administrative board
addressed a gathering that included Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn,
parliamentary candidate Chanyuth Hengtrakul, and former deputy minister of
health Santsak Ngamphiches.
Thanet said last year the association carried out promotional activities
that included an advertising and public relations campaign at home and
abroad that was funded by Pattaya City to the amount of 10 million baht. The
success of that campaign led to a similar program being staged this year
under a Pattaya City budget of 12 million baht.
This year said Thanet the efforts will focus mainly on foreign markets,
especially Korea, Russia, and Hong Kong. Domestic targets will again be
Bangkok and Nakhorn Rachasima, and at Suwanabhumi Airport which will be open
soon.
In other promotions the association cooperated with Chonburi public
administration under a 6 million baht budget to hold a road show in Russia
at the 13th Moscow International Travel and Tourism Expo 2006, at Krasnaya
Prasnya Expocenter in Moscow this month. The intention is to attract more of
these quality tourists to Pattaya, especially in the low season.
After the announcements a prominent Thai businessman, Tan Phasakornthi,
owner of Oishi Green Tea, made a presentation speech. Tan spoke on how to
run a successful business and how to win the hearts of employees and the
public. As a startling example he produced a book on himself entitled The
History of Mr Tan, which was on sale at the meeting priced at 200 baht per
copy, proceeds of which will go to the association.
City plans beachside monument
and viewpoint in honor of HM the King
Vimolrat Singnikorn
A monument and viewpoint to commemorate His Majesty the King’s
achievements in yachting is to be built at Pattaya, it was announced on
March 17 at city hall by Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and councilor Suwit
Nongyai.
In 1967, Thailand was the host for the 4th South East Asian Peninsula (SEAP)
Games. His Majesty, a keen sailor, participated in the Yachting OK Dinghy
Class, sailing a boat of his own design with Her Royal Highness Princess
Ubolratana, jointly winning the gold medal. The date, December 16, has ever
since been recognized as National Sportsman’s Day.
Pattaya City plans to landscape the beach in front of the Mike Department
Store to build an honorary monument for His Majesty the King on the 60th
anniversary of his ascending the throne. The intention is to make an
attractive viewpoint here for Thai and foreign tourists who visit Pattaya to
take photos as a memento.
Three organizations donate to Women’s Correctional Institution
(From left) Sopin Thappajug,
Bernie Tuppin, Nitaya Patimasongkroh and members offered supplies at the
Chonburi Women’s Correctional Institution.
Narisa Nitikarn
Three charity organizations visited the Chonburi Women’s Correctional
Institution on March 15 and made a donation of clothing and other essential
supplies.
YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya chairwoman Nitaya Patimasongkroh, managing director of
the Diana Group Sopin Thappajug, and Bernie Tuppin, charity chairman of
Pattaya Sports Club, led the group. They brought with them three priests
from Srong Mettawanaram Temple, in Bangsarae, to give a sermon to 60
prisoner representatives.
Chonburi Women’s Correctional Institution director Sudsawat Sansern welcomed
the group, and Bunsong Upasamo, a priest from Srong Mettawanaram Temple, led
the sermon. Most of the prisoners are held on narcotics charges.
After the sermon the visitors offered them supplies such as underwear,
clothing and hygienic supplies. Nitaya said the purpose of this visit was to
support the morale of the women.
Sudsawat took the visitors around the Correctional Institution, and they
were shown how the prisoners are divided into work zones such as electric
line production, laundry, and handiworks that are delicate and need skilled
people. They also have a Thai music room where they can train and show their
abilities.
Currently there are 1,300 prisoners, and it is arranged that they all have
activities that they can adapt into their normal lives after leaving. The
institute always lacks sanitary pads, soap and shampoo, which is regularly
needed. Another problem is dental treatment, because the government hospital
is limited in this service. Last year a charity organization arranged for a
dentist for prisoners for a free service of one day, and 300 prisoners
received this service. The visitors took note of the dentist problem, and
will try to arrange things for this matter to support their needs.
Plans mooted to set up a Pattaya
sports club
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A sports club has been proposed for Pattaya in which the existing clubs
can come together and be considered for budgetary requirements under the
same standards.
Phisai Phanomwan na Ayuthaya, chairman of the Pattaya Tourism and Sports
Authority, called a meeting on March 22 of members and city hall officials
responsible for sports and tourism to summarize results of operations for
last year as well as a budget expense report.
Last year the authority was provided with a budget of 2 million baht by the
city for use for the administration of sports clubs and associations in
Pattaya and for the organization of sports competitions for the Chonburi
Takraw Association and the Basketball and Footvolley Associations.
Phawal Arumchuen, member of Pattaya City Council and the Pattaya Tourism and
Sports Authority as well as acting as manager of the Chonburi Takraw Team
said that the Chonburi Takraw Association sent a team to compete in the
Thailand Sepak Takraw National Championships for the Princess Pratep Cup. It
was very pleasing that the team came fourth out of 48 teams and brought fame
to Pattaya and Chonburi, he said.
To broaden the appeal of Sepak Takraw the authority is to hold the Princess
Somsawalee Challenge Cup in Pattaya soon to encourage the young to play the
sport.
Phisai said a meeting of the Tourism and Sports Authority has proposed the
setting up of a sports club in Pattaya in order that a budget can be
provided to all the clubs under the same standards and to facilitate the
organization of competitions.
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