|
8 dead in Route 999 disco blaze
Investigators believe aircon technician sparked fire
Boonlua Chatree
Eight people died and scores were injured in a fire that broke out at Route
999 Pattaya Discotheque on the evening of May 7. Subsequent investigations
indicate a technician who slipped and fell while holding a gas torch might
have caused the fire.
About 100 firefighters, police, and Sawang Boriboon Foundation rescue
workers were called to the Pattaya Third Road premises when the fire was
reported at 9 p.m.
They found the fire had spread quickly along the foam ceiling that had been
installed to absorb the loud noise of the disco music. Firemen tried to
douse the blaze with water but the foam was highly combustible, and the
flames prevented access via the front entrance.
Rescue workers discovered that many people were trapped inside the building.
Using oxygen masks to protect themselves from the smoke and toxic fumes,
rescuers broke into the premises from the rear, breaking down a wall with a
sledgehammer. The injured were carried out and ferried to a number of
hospitals in the area, including Pattaya Memorial Hospital, Bangkok Pattaya
Hospital, Pattaya International Hospital, Banglamung Hospital, Somdej Pranag
Jao Sirikit Hospital in Sattahip, and Chonburi Hospital.
It took firefighters three hours to extinguish the blaze, after which
investigators began searching through the charred remains of the disco to
find the cause. Amongst the bodies found was the charred remains of the
bartender, identified as Kamnung.
The owners of Route 999 are Wicha Baopimpa, 39, and his brother, Chaiya
Baopimpa, 44. The disco was located on a 2-rai plot of land, the building
itself covering half of that area. It was built with an investment of 40
million baht, and had been open for only five months. The owners had an
insurance policy with Viriya Insurance, with a coverage policy of 60 million
baht.
Chaiya stated that while he was in a meeting at the building, he heard an
explosion. He fled the premises but he didn’t know what had caused the fire.
Wicha was overseas on a business trip but returned immediately.
At 11 a.m. on May 8, Pol Lt Gen Jongrak Juthanon, commander-in-chief of
Region 2, and Pol Maj Gen Anan Charoenchasri, commander-in-chief of Pattaya
police, came to inspect the scene of the fire. Mayor Niran
Watthanasartsathorn and Pol Col Paisan Wongwatsana, a forensic specialist,
accompanied the two officers.
Investigators found that the fire had started from the area of the DJ booth
on the left side of the building. Pol Lt Gen Jongrak said that a technician
identified as Kamnung Paolek, 29, had been repairing the air conditioning
system over the DJ zone. He was using a torch to weld the pipe together. It
is surmised that while he was doing this there was a spark, causing him to
fall. If he had the torch in his hand he could have ignited the foam,
causing the fire to spread quickly. Kamnung died at the scene.
Mrs Yaowarat Puttimanoradeekul of Chonburi Social Insurance Department said
that the department would help out the families of the deceased with
1,840,000 baht for each death. Their relatives can immediately apply for
this amount. Those injured must first check to see if they have the right to
use Social Insurance.
Mayor Niran and Pattaya City civil engineer Pichet Uthaiwattananon said that
after the fire they checked the records of Route 999 and found that the
building had the correct licenses from Pattaya City. However, they will
further check to see if the premises exceeded the limits of the licenses,
and if this is found to be the case the directors of the company could be
facing legal proceedings.
Pattaya City controls the building works and standards of all entertainment
establishments. This is to ensure they have appropriate construction. A
license is needed for changing the building.
Plumes of thick smoke hampered
rescue attempts.
Rescue workers try to save
lives at a makeshift triage set up at the scene.
Victims were rushed to many
local hospitals.
Part of the ceiling collapsed,
blocking the entrance.
The aftermath – a devastating
mess.
Fire gutted the building.
Cobra Gold 2006 begins next week
Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and the United States recently
announced their participation in the Cobra Gold exercise to be held in
Thailand from May 15-26, 2006.
Cobra Gold is a regularly scheduled joint and combined multi-national
exercise hosted annually by the Kingdom of Thailand. Cobra Gold 2006 is
the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote
regional peace and security. This exercise marks the 25th anniversary of
this regionally significant training event.
Training will consist of a computer-simulated staff exercise, field
training exercises, and humanitarian/civic assistance projects.
The exercise will combine Thai, U.S., and Singaporean armed forces in a
combined task force headquarters computer simulated staff exercise.
Thailand and the United States will conduct field training exercises.
Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia will
participate in a computer simulation exercise designed around a United
Nations multi-national peace keeping scenario.
Thailand, the United States, and Singapore will participate in
humanitarian/civic assistance projects, designed to improve quality of
life and local infrastructure for the host Thai people; Japan will
participate in the humanitarian/civic assistance projects as an
observer. Concurrently, the United States and Thailand will conduct a
peace support operations field training exercise in support of the
United Nations Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI).
In addition to the five main participating countries, the Royal Thai
Government has invited several nations to participate in various roles
during the exercise. The following countries have been invited:
Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, China, Fiji, France, Germany,
India, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea,
Russia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and
Vietnam.
Mayor speaks of city’s tunnel vision
Mayor Niran
Watthanasartsathorn (center) talks about a tunnel for Pattaya during an
interview with Kritsana Chairat (right) and Andrew Big (left).
Piyavadee Suvannahong
A tunnel is being mooted for Pattaya City as a mega-project that would solve
the traffic problem and enhance Pattaya’s image as a modern and efficient
tourism destination.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn spoke about the proposed project during an
interview taping at the Hard Rock Hotel on April 25 for Channel 3. The
interviewers asked the mayor how such a large budget could be raised and
managed and he replied that Pattaya City, as a tourist destination, was
continually developing and that city hall’s entire strategy was based around
that.
A tunnel would help to beautify the city, taking cars below ground and out
of sight, and reducing the congestion.
The mayor said that there is no official plan or direction for such a
project yet. However, if the city were to evolve to international standards,
a traffic tunnel would be a highly positive development.
Walking Street to be closed to traffic until 3 a.m.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
An extra hour will be added to the period Walking Street is closed to
traffic to allow time for customers at the bars and entertainment venues to
disperse and consequently reduce congestion and the possibility of
accidents.
Starting from August, the street will be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. – 3
a.m. The current period is 7 p.m. - 2 a.m., but as most visitors begin to
leave the venues at 2 a.m. there has been considerable lobbying to change
the vehicle access times.
The decision was made at a Walking Street Committee meeting on May 4,
chaired by Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn and attended by Deputy Mayor
Ronakit Ekasingh, Sunthorn Kangsirikul, deputy chairman of the Walking
Street Committee, and members of Pattaya City Council.
Mayor Niran said that the new traffic times will come into effect in August
and that city hall would conduct a public relations campaign notifying the
time changes at least one month in advance to avoid confusion. No-entry
signs will be placed during the traffic-free period. The neon signs at the
entrance to Walking Street are also to be replaced to improve the appearance
of the area.
Youth camp focuses
on social responsibilities
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wattana Jantanawaranon
presides over the Banglamung Youth Camp.
Piyavadee Suvannahong
Deputy Mayor Wattana Jantanawaranon on May 3 formally opened a youth
camp at the Vajiravudh Scout Camp, in Sriracha, the first venture of its
kind designed to promote a sense of social responsibility amongst
participants.
Deputy chief of administration at Pattaya City Apichat Phutphan said that
city hall cooperated with Pattaya Youth Center to organize the event. A
total of 113 youngsters between the ages of 11 and 18 took part.
The camp focused on developing spirit and morale for the youngsters, giving
them the strength of mind to stay away from drugs. Pattaya is a high-risk
environment because of its many entertainment outlets that act as an
attraction for drug dealers and users, they were told, and it was easy to be
drawn into drugs unless an individual had the strength of character to say
“no”.
Held on May 3 and 4, the camp was supervised by instructors from Vajiravudh
Scout Camp and Pattaya Youth Center.
Vajiravudh Scout Camp leader Natthapat Sangsawat said that the youth camp
activities were a modification of those of the scout camp, instilling a
sense of adventure and comradeship and teaching skills useful to society,
such as first aid.
Frenchman arrested for lewd behavior with 13-year-old girl
Boonlua Chatree
Police, tipped off by a security guard that a foreign man had taken a
13-year-old girl into his room, raided the premises and have charged
54-year-old French national Michel Fralu Bonnis with performing a lewd act
with a minor.
 Police
arrested and charged Michel Fralu Bonnis with performing lewd acts with a
minor under 15 with or without consent.
The incident happened just after midnight on May 1, when the guard at
Kaokrarat Condo, Soi Arunothai, in Pattaya Klang called the police.
Officers, together with Supakorn Noja, director of the Children’s Protection
and Social Welfare Center, went to the scene where they found Bonnis
in a state of partial undress, along with a 13-year-old girl given the
pseudonym of Jeab.
The girl told police she had known Bonnis for some time and that on April 25
she learned that he had returned from abroad so she went to visit him. They
agreed she would provide oral sex services and had made 2,400 baht over a
three-day period. After each session she was sent home. On one occasion the
security guard saw them kissing as she was leaving.
Police arrested and charged Bonnis with performing lewd acts with a minor
under 15 with or without consent. Jeab was handed over to the care of the
Children’s Protection and Social Welfare Center for rehabilitation. The case
will go to the criminal public prosecutor and social welfare services.
75-year-old Swiss man thumps mugger
Boonlua Chatree
A 75-year-old Swiss man who was attacked by a 21-year-old mugger knocked
his assailant to the ground and the two were still fighting when police
arrived.
Pattaya police station received a report just after midnight on May 1
that a foreign man was fighting with a thief who had tried to steal his
money in front of Paradise Inn, on Soi 17.
 75-year-old
Hugo Leuthld fought back, and won, against 21-year-old Duangdao Ontim.
Arriving at the scene officers found Hugo Leuthld, a 75-year-old Swiss
national fighting with a Thai man who was later identified as
21-year-old Duangdao Ontim. Police broke up the fight and detained the
pair to carry out further investigations.
Duangdao admitted that he had no money and saw that the foreign man was
old and walking home alone with no one in the vicinity. He said that he
hit the man over the head with a piece of wood, knocking him to the
ground before trying to unfasten his belt bag. As he was unfastening the
belt bag the man punched him, knocking him over. A fight broke out and
police arrived.
Police checked the bag, which contained a mobile phone, 5,300 baht in
cash and some documents. Police charged Duangdao with mugging and kept
him in custody.
Thai police work with US Narcotics Bureau to bust drugs network
Ice haul had street value of 300mn baht
Boonlua Chatree
A police raid at a house in Pattaya has netted a haul of the narcotic ice,
also known as methamphetamine, with a street value of 300 million baht.
 Thai
police, working with cooperation from US Narcotics Bureau, made a large drug
bust in Pattaya.
Investigations had revealed that a drug dealer was hiding a large
consignment of drugs at an address in Chokchai Garden Home Village, in Soi
Khao Noi. Officers mounted a watch over the premises and saw a man named as
Nihaj Saenjin, a 34-year-old Turkish national, emerge from the house with a
rucksack and get into a Mercedes Benz S500.
Searching him, they found 4 kilograms of ice. Police also searched the house
and found 31 kilograms of ice concealed in a wardrobe. An Iranian national
named Ali Lajor, 28, was in the house and both he and Saenjin were placed
under arrest.
During questioning both men told officers that even more ice was concealed
at an address in Moo 10, in Bang Sarae. Police went to the premises and
found 3 kilograms of ice along with drug packaging materials and drug taking
equipment, rubber shoes and 12 passports. The total quantity of ice found
was 38 kilograms.
Pol Maj Gen Suwat Chanitikul, deputy commander of the Narcotics Suppression
Bureau, said that they had received cooperation from the US Narcotics
Suppression Bureau who provided details on agents in Thailand working with a
large drug consortium run by Middle Eastern nationals. Thai police watched
the gang for more than six months. The gang bought drugs from the Wa in the
North and hid them, packaging them in plastic drinking bottles before
loading a consignment onto a yacht and sailing to the South of Thailand
where a ship was waiting to pick up the drugs for delivery to Europe.
The ice confiscated was worth 24 million baht with a street value of more
than 300 million baht. The arrested men have refused to provide further
details on the gang, which is believed to have been operating for a long
time.
Police search for wife and motorcycle gang after
British man is shot dead
Boonlua Chatree
Police are searching for the estranged wife of a British man who was shot
dead by a motorcycle gang in the early hours of May 3.
Officers along with a doctor from Banglamung Hospital and rescue workers
from Sawang Boriboon Foundation rushed to the scene of the shooting, which
was outside the Jiab Minimart at Moo 4 in the Pong sub-district. They found
a blue Honda Phantom motorcycle lying on its left side and the body of
Steven Parkinson, a 47-year-old British national who lived in the immediate
area. He had been shot in the face and under the left ear with a 9mm
handgun. Police found a 9mm shell casing and a crash helmet that had a hole
in it, along with a second crash helmet close by.
Officers questioned Miss Jitra Kaetkaw, 32. She told them Parkinson had been
drinking at a beer bar in Walking Street where she worked and had invited
her back to his residence. She agreed to go with him. As they were driving
back four youths on two motorcycles came up alongside and told Parkinson to
stop. He refused and the youths fired four shots.
The youths then took Jitra’s shoulder bag and rifled the dead man’s pockets,
taking his wallet. She said that she didn’t know how much the deceased had
but in her bag she was carrying 5,000 baht in cash, a gold necklace with a
diamond pendant, a gold bracelet worth 10,400 baht, three gold rings and her
ID card. She said that she did not know the color or the license plate
numbers of the motorcycles because it was dark.
Police suspect that the killing was the result of a robbery, but are not
ruling out personal or business conflicts. They believe that the gang
members live in Soi Wattanathamsamaki and probably followed the pair from
South Pattaya. Police are still looking for the gang.
Investigations by Pol Lt Col Suchart Pranee, deputy commander of Region 2
have revealed that the deceased purchased land and built a house on it worth
2 million baht where he lived with his Thai wife. The couple had severe
problems and had split up. There is a for-sale sign up at the house. Police
are giving the matter special attention because the gang shot the deceased
without harming Jitra, and are looking for the deceased’s wife to question
her.
Buddhist Holy Day
of Wisakhabucha – May 11
Celebrating the birth - enlightenment and death of the Buddha
This year, one of the most venerated holidays on the
Buddhist calendar was celebrated on May 11: Wisakhabucha Day.
Wisakhabucha Day marks the beginning of the Buddhist Era and celebrates the
miracle of the Buddha being born, reaching enlightenment and passing away
all on the same date.
 One
of the most venerated holidays on the Buddhist calendar was celebrated on
May 11: Wisakhabucha Day.
According to scripture, Prince Siddhartha, also known as Gautama, who became
the Buddha, was born in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas on the 15th
day (full moon) of the sixth lunar month in 623 BC, attained enlightenment
while sitting under a fig tree at the edge of the Nerunchara River on the
15th day (full moon) of the sixth lunar month in 588 BC, and then passed
away at the age of 80 on the 15th day (full moon) of the sixth lunar month
in 544 BC.
The word wisakabucha comes from the word wisaburanamiibucha which means to
pay homage to Buddha on the day of the full moon in the month of wisaka (the
sixth month).
The holy day is usually observed each year during May, determined by the
lunar calendar, and is on the 15th day of the waxing moon during the 6th
month of the Thai calendar. It dates back to ancient celebrations in India
and Sri Lanka.
For this holiday, killing any kind of animal and drinking alcohol or
intoxicating substances is forbidden for 3 days. Wats are adorned with
lanterns, flowers and joss sticks as symbols of worship, and skyrockets will
be lit for three days to celebrate.
The day is also designated as National Tree Day in Thailand.
Gautama (Buddha) was brought up in the family of a clan leader of regal
status, sheltered from life’s miseries. Later in life, after observing a
decrepit old man, a diseased man, a dead man, and a sage he realized the
impermanence of earthly things and began his quest for enlightenment.
For six years he sought enlightenment through ascetic practices. He
eventually decided it was not to be found in that manner and resumed the
life of a wanderer living on alms. While sitting under a fig tree in a
posture of meditation for what is described as a period of seven weeks,
Gautama resolved not to stir until succeeding. He achieved his quest,
becoming the Buddha, entering a state of Nirvana while still alive.
Whatever took place on that day was the start of Buddhism, as Gautama set
forth to reveal his discovery, eventually spreading the word into many parts
of Asia. Gautama was later recognized as one in a great line of Buddhas with
a concept going back to Vishnu or Siva.
The large following created over 25 centuries ago and continuing to this day
is witness to the fact that something of distinct value was found, which was
explained in the Buddha’s first sermon at Benares when he said the key to
enlightenment is the presence of suffering.
The sermon told of the “Four Noble Truths” identifying suffering (birth,
decay, illness, death and rebirth) and the failure to always be able to
obtain one’s desires as the continuing antagonists in life.
Secondly, since everything has a cause, so has suffering, and when its
causes and conditions are removed suffering is eliminated according to the
third truth. The key is to allow the karmic effects already in existence to
play out - not producing any further karmic chains. Once the cessation of
desire ends, all causes have taken affect and the suffering ends, leading to
discontinuing the cycle of rebirth.
The fourth truth is the path to the cessation of suffering, the “Eightfold
Path” or a “middle way” between extremes of abstinence and indulgence. The
steps in the “Eightfold Path” consists of: correct views, correct
aspiration, correct speech, correct conduct, correct livelihood, correct
effort, correct thought, and correct concentration or meditation.
Devout Buddhists consider Wisakhabucha Day as an important event and crowds
of devotees participate in ceremonies at nearby temples, making merit in the
morning by bringing alms to monks and listening to sermons. Later in the
evening devotees continue assembling at temples to conduct the “Wien Tien”
ceremony, walking around sacred temple grounds three times holding candles,
joss sticks and flowers honoring the Buddha, the Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings)
and the Sangha, the Buddhist Monastic Order.
The Thai government implemented “National Tree Day” in the year 1985 as part
of a program to restore the forests and increase public awareness of the
importance of preserving the natural environment. National Tree Day was
designated on the same day as Wisakhabucha Day and activities include many
levels of government, schools and local organizations planting trees in
addition to observing Wisakhabucha Day.
Philippines delegation arrives to study city’s
AIDS programs
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The mayor of Tabaco City in the Philippines led a team of councilors and
health and social workers to Pattaya to learn how the fight against AIDS is
being conducted here.
Arriving on May 3, Mayor Alex A Burce and his delegation were met at Pattaya
City Hall by Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, Dr Philippe Seur of HEARTT 2000,
representatives of Fight Against AIDS and the Population and Community
Development Association, and other personnel from the health care sector.
 Dr.
Philippe Seur, from Help Ensure Aids Rescue Together in Thailand (HEARTT
2000) spoke about supporting Pattaya City AIDS patients.
Dr Seur said that he has been working amongst AIDS patients in Pattaya for a
long time, and that currently there are about 1,000 receiving care.
Treatment requires a considerable budget but HEARTT 2000 receives good
support from many clubs and private organizations in Pattaya City.
Verawat said that Pattaya City has continually run campaigns and public
relations programs to educate the public on the danger of AIDS and to reduce
the number of infections. City hall conducted a survey that revealed
patients were typically in the 20 to 44 age band.
Pattaya City arranges activities for AIDS patients to spend their time
usefully, via organizations such as the Yellow Rose Club in the city or the
Candle of Light Club in Chonburi. Furthermore, Pattaya City supports all
AIDS patients with 500 baht monthly per person, plus other appropriate
support.
Sattahip’s first mosque opens
to provide place of worship
for armed forces personnel
Patcharapol Panrak
Sattahip’s first mosque was officially opened on April 29, the ceremony
being conducted by Sawasdi Sumalayasak, Chief Islamic leader in Thailand.
Alhuda Mosque is located near the entrance to the Guards Artillery Regiment,
on Sukhumvit Road Km 172, in Bantaotan. With a large number of Moslem
personnel at the Sattahip Navy base and other military installations in the
area it was felt timely for a mosque to be built here.
Soonthorn Suree (left), chairman of the mosque-building fund, arrives at the new
mosque with Sawasdi Sumalayasak, Chief Islamic leader Thailand.
Soonthorn Suree, manager of Emirates Airlines for Thailand, Cambodia,
Myanmar and Laos was chairman of the mosque-building fund. Soonthorn said
that in addition to the armed forces personnel other Moslems had moved into
Sattahip district and that they all needed a place where they could worship.
It is estimated that at present there are between 500 and 600 Moslem
personnel, mainly from the South, serving in the armed forces in Sattahip.
Vice Admiral Srivichai Sirisale, chief of the Marine Corps said that the
Alhuda Mosque is important to the Navy in Sattahip and in nearby areas.
There will be no need now for people to go to Pattaya City or Mabtaput to
worship.
Road show rolls into Wat Nong Yai
Deputy Mayors Wattana
Jantanawaranon and Wutisak Rermkitkarn, along with members of Pattaya City
Council and relevant officers participated in the Pattaya City Council road
show around Wat Nong Yai, North Pattaya.
Narisa Nitikarn
The Pattaya City Council Road Show rolled into Wat Nong Yai in North
Pattaya on May 2, handing out gifts of essentials to low-income earners in
the community and providing other services such as free electrical repairs
and haircuts.
Led by deputy mayors Wattana Jantanawaranon and Wutisak Rermkijakarn,
together with council members and city hall officials, the road show
supplied 100 bags of produce and Tesco Lotus provided another 55 bags. The
Wat Nong Yai Committee lead by Panyee Thongnak provided food for the day.
The Pattaya City Council road show is held every month with the cooperation
of government and private sector organizations to provide services to
members of the public as well as hear complaints and suggestions.
At Wat Nong Yai the road show provided a team of doctors who dispensed basic
medical treatment and handed out medical supplies. Waste recycling was
carried out in exchange for chicken eggs, and the Pattaya Social Services
Department and the Pattaya Sanitation and Environment Department vaccinated
pets. Free haircuts were provided by Acharn Pornchai’s Hairdressing School.
The Redemptorist Vocational School for the Diasabled provided free repairs
of electrical appliances, and foot massages and stationary were provided by
the Subhanimit (good omen) Foundation of Thailand. The Law Society of
Thailand provided legal knowledge and local shops had their wares on sale.
Sattahip celebrates life
of Luang Por Aee
Patcharapol Panrak
Rear Admiral Komin Komutanon, deputy commander-in-chief of the Sattahip
Naval Base, conducted the official opening ceremony for the Luang Por Aee
Fair on May 1, an annual fair held to pay respects to the late revered monk.
Rear Admiral Komin Komutanon places gold leaves Luang Por Aee’s statue.
Sattahip district chief Channa Lamsaeng spoke on the history and purpose of
the fair to an assembly that included navy officers, military personnel and
police officers. The purpose of the public gathering was to make merit,
including making merit for Luang Por Aee.
After Luang Por Ey’s passing away, an image was made of him and installed at
the temple. The fair continues for nine days, from May 1-9.
Prakhru Worawetmunee , or Luang Por Aee Buddhasaro, was a revered figure
even during his lifetime. He began a school in the temple, which later
became known as Ban Sattahip School.
One memorable occasion for the people of Sattahip happened during World War
Two. The enemy attacked Sattahip because it was a strategic military target,
and Wat Sattahip acted as a refuge for the population. The enemy intended to
bomb Sattahip, but Luang Por Aee went out into the temple’s open field and
waved his Buddhist priest’s outer robe. The public record states that all of
the bombs fell into the sea and exploded away from shore.
Nightly checkpoints set up to combat crime wave
Pol. Col. Nopadol Wongnom
(left), superintendent investigator in Region 2, acting on behalf of the
superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, installed a checkpoint to stop
cars, motorcycles, groups of teenagers, and suspicious cars.
Boonlua Chatree
Police checkpoints have been set up in an attempt to curtail the number
of vehicle thefts and other robberies that have been occurring, by searching
cars, motorcyclists, groups of youths, and anything that the officers
consider to be of a suspicious nature.
Tourists in particular have frequently been the victims of robbery, and the
police initiative is designed to help create a better sense of security for
visitors.
Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, superintendent investigator of Region 2, acting on
behalf of the superintendent of Pattaya police station, said that the
checkpoints will come into effect at 2 a.m. every night and officers will
stop all suspicious vehicles and motorcycle gangs. In addition to cutting
down the amount of vehicle and property theft, the checkpoints will also be
looking for illicit drugs.
Public walkabout No 4 will
take place at Wat Chaimongkol
Narisa Nitikarn
Public walkabout No 4 is scheduled for Wat Chaimongkol on May 17, when
Pattaya City councilors and administrators will tour the area and listen to
problems and suggestions that residents may have.
The Pattaya City Administrators and Councilors Meet the Public Project was
begun in December last year, and has had a positive reaction from the public
who have an opportunity for direct contact with administrators.
April 11 saw the third in the series, with administrators visiting Wat Nong
Or in Pattaya Klang and attracting not only Thai people but a number of
foreign visitors too.
The fourth event will be the last one scheduled for this year, and will take
place on May 17 at Wat Chaimongkol in South Pattaya at 6 p.m. The event will
be recorded for television. For more information concerning this project
please contact tel 0 3825 3100 ext 3131, 3132 or go to www.pattaya.go.th
Council seeks ways to prevent budget delays
Piyavadee Suvannahong
A budget monitoring meeting was held on April 25 in the wake of
criticism from the Ministry of Interior that budgets were not being drawn
upon to schedule.
Councilor Suwit Nongyai, in his capacity as chairman of the 2006 budget
follow-up committee chaired the meeting, with Deputy Mayor Wattana
Jantanawaranon and various department heads and representatives of
organizations under the leadership of Pattaya City Council attending.
Councilor Suwit Nongyai, in his capacity as chairman of the 2006 budget follow-up
committee chaired the meeting.
Suwit said there were no problems in budgets being approved, and all had
been approved, but the problems lay with procedures, especially bid
procedures to hire private organizations and the follow-up process in the
event of later problems. Poor quality, delays, and work not carried out in
accordance with agreements all cause problems that ultimately can slow down
the budget process. If full records were kept then this would facilitate
follow-up. As it is, the council may not be aware of a problem at the actual
time of it occurring.
The question of waste disposal inevitably raised its head, and the meeting
debated the subject of charging apartment residents for waste collection
services. A unanimous resolution could not be reached and it was decided to
continue with the existing procedures.
The office of the district chief requested a budget of 60 million baht to
buy a 4-rai plot of land on which to build a boat mooring facility so that
views around Bali Hai Pier would not be obstructed. The project has yet to
get underway as no land has been purchased.
Charlie Duangdara, acting head of the office of the district chief said that
the budget for the land purchase has already been approved. The only
obstacle remaining is that land has not yet been found. If suitable land
cannot be found, a committee will be formed to do so.
Trials will begin next year
on new waste disposal method
East West agreement still has 3 years to run and
will not be changed
Piyavadee Suvannahong
A meeting on April 28 held under the chairmanship of deputy district
chief Sittiparp Muangkhum, to discuss alternative methods of collecting and
disposing of garbage examined an innovative waste disposal method proposed
by Effenergy LLC and decided to operate it on a trial basis to help ease the
city’s waste disposal woes.
 Geoffrey
Elston, president of Effenergy LLC
The current service operated by East West Management, a private sector
company awarded a waste disposal concession by city hall, has attracted
numerous complaints from members of the public who have said that the waste
collection trucks leaked liquid waste onto the roads, resulting in pungent
smells, and that drivers of the vehicles were causing problems with their
double parking and neglecting to turn on warning lights. Complaints were
also received that the company failed to employ enough waste collection
trucks, leaving garbage uncollected.
East West Management has explained the reasons for the problems, stating
that Pattaya’s waste has increased by 30 percent, forcing the company to
work harder and thus causing greater wear and tear on equipment.
As to disposal, Sittiparp said that currently the city is burying waste in a
pit at Khao Mai Kaew, but the pit would be full within two years. East West
in consultation with the city suggested using Effenergy LLC’s incineration
methods. Consultations were held with the committee and meetings were
conducted in which Geoffrey Elston, president of Effenergy LLC explained the
company’s process that involves baking the waste until it is dry, extracting
the oxygen, and then incinerating it at high temperature. It doesn’t burn
conventionally in the incineration process because there is no oxygen, and
thus it does not harm the environment.
The contents of the original concession agreement will not be changed. The
East West contract is effective for three more years and during this period
Effenergy LLC will hold trials with Pattaya City Council, commencing on
January 1 next year. Sittiparp said that Effenergy LLC has proposed the new
measures to the city on a trial basis, so there will be no changes to the
concession agreement.
Chonburi justice and mass media seminar asks for media assistance in more positive coverage of young people
Suchada Tupchai
Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook on April 27 conducted a seminar for the
media on the problems facing young people within the province today.
A number of renowned speakers gave presentations, including Arunee
Prayongyaem, chief justice of the Chonburi Family and Juvenile Court; Asst
Prof Dr Sunthawadee Chianpichet, dean of the faculty of nursing at Burapha
University; Pol Col Chamnong Ratakul, deputy commander of Chonburi police;
Somchai Sirorat, head of the Social Development Department in Chonburi; and
Padungsak Tantraworasil, chairman of the Eastern Mass Media Association.
Governor Pisit Ketphasook acts as presenter for a local mass media seminar, “Mass
Media with Children and Youngsters solving problems”, with Arunee
Prayongyaem (chief justice of the Chonburi Family and Juvenile Court).
Col Dr Sumol Bunrod from the technical division of Military General
Headquarters in Region 14 conducted the proceedings.
Sakchai Kamchoo, director of the Children’s Observation and Protection
Center in Chonburi, said the purpose of the seminar was to expand the
information links, and present ideas and suggestions for the media to
discuss. The Children’s Observation and Protection Center is at the
forefront of all developments relating to the problems of young people in
the province, and deals with many serious cases. Sakchai said that the basis
of children’s wrongdoing comes from family deficiency problems.
Arunee said that each year sees a greater number of cases involving younger
wrongdoers, and that drugs use forms the base for many of the cases. But the
media carries a responsibility on reporting stories and in trying to present
a balanced view of events and the young people involved.
Pol Col Chamnong said that the stance of the media is unclear. Youngsters
are all too often presented in a negative light. Given the variety of media
outlets, this must be an important factor in how the youngsters view
themselves and how they go about tackling their own problems.
The seminar presented different views of young people for the media and the
seminar leaders ended by asking for a more balanced view and more coverage
of the positive aspects of youth activities within the province.
Egg-eaters dig in
at Crocodile Farm contest
Piyavadee Suvannahong
Fifty people took part in a crocodile egg eating contest at Pattaya
Crocodile Farm on the May 1 national holiday, with prizes totaling 30,000
baht up for grabs.
Sansak Ngampichet, senator-in-waiting for Chonburi, opened the event at 1
p.m. Million Year Stone Park, Pattaya Crocodile Farm, and the Cultural
Association of Chonburi organized the contest.
Somchai Butngam, winner of the crocodile egg eating competition, looks a bit
“stuffed” after eating his way to the championship.
Contestants, bound by rules that included good table manners, were cheered
on by over 1,000 Thai and foreign visitors. Both men and women took part,
with 10 prizes adding up to more than 30,000 baht on offer.
Winner was Somchai Butngam, 34, who received 10,000 baht. In second place
was Nopanan Namsaengthong, 39, and in third place Preedee Singchan, 34.
Apart from the crocodile egg eating competition, there was also a concert
featuring well-known country singer Jintara Poonlap.
Suan Panomwattanakul, president of the Cultural Association of Chonburi,
said that this was the fourth consecutive year for the competition.
|
