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Public health teams move through communities in campaign to control dengue fever
Officers spray insecticide in
the Wat Chaimongkol community to kill common house mosquitoes, which are the
cause for the spread of Dengue Fever.
Narisa Nitikarn
Wat Chaimongkol was the first community to receive a visit from public
health officials in this year’s campaign against dengue fever.
The Public Health and Environment Department in Pattaya organized the May 15
visit, which was led by Mrs Na-anya Chantrakad, who heads the division for
the protection and control of diseases. Also joining the team was the Wat
Chaimongkol community committee and a number of public health volunteers.
The team laid abate sand and sprayed insecticide throughout the community as
a precaution against the mosquitoes that will breed in great numbers with
the onset of the rainy season, and which transmit the dengue fever virus.
Officers prepared extra abate sand to give to community members who will
place it in stagnant water deposits to prevent mosquitoes laying eggs. This
is the first line of defense, and during May with the rains already starting
there is an abundance of stagnant water deposits everywhere.
The officers also sprayed the storm drains and found that there were a lot
of cockroaches coming out of them. Members of the public asked about the
side effects of the insecticide, and officers assured them it wasn’t
dangerous to humans, only to cockroaches and mosquitoes.
Public health officials asked for cooperation from the people in every
community in placing the abate sand into their non-potable water storages to
kill the mosquito larvae.
The campaign will continue until all 26 communities within Pattaya City have
been treated.
City hall to act as intermediary in land dispute
Piyavadee Suvannahong
Pattaya City is to act as an intermediary in a land dispute between Wat
Bunkanchanaram and the Nong Pangkae community, it was decided at a May
16 meeting chaired by councilor Farooq Wongborisuthi in his capacity as
head of the committee of community education and development.
Pannee Limcharoen, director of Social Welfare, said that the temple had
asked for the return of a piece of land that is being used by the Nong
Pangkae Community Office to build the Buddha Sothorn sala. The meeting
decided to appoint Pattaya City to be an intermediary and to discuss
with the temple and the community committees ways to find a new plot of
land to build the sala.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Jantanawaranon accepted the case and will arrange
for an understanding and cooperation between both committees to avoid
any further problems. He thought that this could be resolved easily,
because both the temple and community intend to do this for society. A
way needs to be found for everyone to have the same opinion and
understanding.
Wrecking crew moves in to tear down 23 illegal structures
City hall work crews
demolished a number of illegal structures along a stretch of Jomtien Beach
Road. The land will be used for a public car park.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
City hall has demolished a number of illegal structures along a stretch
of Jomtien Beach Road and will use the land for a public car park.
The wrecking crew moved in on May 15, watched by Deputy Mayor Ronakit
Ekasingh, a number of councilors and Pattaya City lawyers, and personnel
from the Engineering Department. The buildings demolished were trespassing
on land between sois 8 and 9, with a total of 23 structures along the
200-meter stretch of road.
Most of the traders there had long ago breached the Construction Act, and
city hall wanted to develop the land as a parking area. The traders had been
advised in writing to remove the buildings, or the structures would be
forcibly removed. Most of the outlets were food, souvenir, and clothing
shops. During the official demolition some merchants resisted and protested.
Ronakit said that these 23 traders had trespassed on the public sidewalk for
a long time with some intermediate arrangement for collecting leases.
Pattaya City had already asked for the rights of the deed, but nobody
responded. Then Pattaya City posted a notice for the demolition according to
illegal construction and trespassing on public property at the end of 2005.
However, no one reacted to it until today.
Therefore Pattaya City used its legal right to demolish the buildings and
roof structures under 8 meters wide that were too close to the sidewalk
within one working day. Then it will approve a project to build a parking
lot to service Jomtien Beach tourists.
Fears grow that 140 million baht Call Center project will be a ‘double edged sword’
Narisa Nitikarn
Fears are beginning to creep into the Pattaya City Call Center project,
with many believing that it will not be able to deliver what is promised and
will consequently attract strong criticism as being a waste of public money.
 Mayor
Niran Watthanasartsathorn would like to see the Call Center come to
fruition, but there are those who feel it might be a waste of money.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn presided over a meeting on May 8 in which
department heads looked over the viability of the Call Center. There was
considerable disagreement over the project, which will require a budget of
140 million baht. Many felt that the system might not be as efficient as
intended or claimed, and would end up being a waste of money with fallout
for all concerned.
Mayor Niran said that the Call Center could be good for the city’s image as
it would be a center for information provision for the public and tourists
and is also worthy of a famous tourist city.
Pichet Uthaiwattananont, director of the engineering department, however,
added a dissenting voice, querying that after laying out a lot of money,
could the system actually deliver what it should deliver given that Pattaya
City Hall is not systematized enough to provide full services to the public.
Furthermore, is each agency ready to provide all the services that the
public requires, Pichet asked?
Pichet said the Call Center would be a two-edged sword. Looked at positively
it would raise the image of the city. But if it can’t answer the public’s
questions and complaints were received, then it would result in a lot of
negativity. He asked the mayor to reconsider the matter.
After listening to Pichet, Mayor Niran assigned Panyachote Sonkhom, head of
the Pattaya Architecture Department in his capacity as the IT consultant, to
explain to the meeting the workings of the Call Center.
Panyachote said that Mayor Niran intends the Pattaya Call Center to be able
to offer full services, including general and tourism information, as well
as complaints procedures. Data was compiled and contact was made with
organizations with direct call center experience. It was decided that TOT
had direct experience in call center systems, so contact was made with the
organization, plans were prepared and TOT provided good cooperation.
TOT would not charge for four-figure telephone numbers for which they
normally charge 100,000 baht per month. The initial budget was calculated at
170 million baht but after recalculations based on the city’s existing
equipment and facilities and telephone operators the figure was brought down
to 140 million baht over a five-year period.
After listening to both sides Mayor Niran said he would personally like to
see the Call Center, but it depended on the agreement of many parties
including Pattaya City Council before any decisions are concluded. Another
meeting will be held on the matter.
Land surrender prices announced
for Jomtien Second Road
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The deputy governor of Chonburi has declared that surrender of land to the
government for the construction of a new highway has been set at a fair
price to the landowners, and has announced the initial scale of prices.
At a meeting last month, Deputy Governor Khomsan Ekachai had discussed
prices for land that has to be surrendered under Royal Decree in Nongprue,
Banglamung and Chonburi to make way for the construction of Jomtien Second
Road, from Thappraya to Najomtien, and in which the land pricing process was
unclear.
The committee meeting to find a solution for
surrendered lands payment.
On May 16, Khomsan called a meeting of all parties concerned and said that
the various committees had agreed upon land prices for the highway, which
will run for a length of 7.69 kilometers and be 30 meters wide with six
lanes.
Prices of the surrendered land will be calculated in five different sections
along the construction length. The first length will be from Thappraya Road
to the Matchanu Curve. The second length will be from the Matchanu Curve to
the Mae Sriruan Restaurant crossroads. The third length will be from the Mae
Sriruan Restaurant crossroads to the Bunkanchanaram Temple. The fourth
length will be from Bunkanchanaram Temple to Soi Chaiyapruk, and the fifth
length will be from Soi Chaiyapruk to Sukhumvit Road.
For each length the land price is calculated for two types, namely large and
small plots. The committees defined that a “large plot” has an area of more
than or approximately 100 square meters, or a width of more than or
approximately 20 meters. A “small plot” has an area less than or
approximately 100 square meters, or width of less than or approximately 20
meters. This price was valid starting May 16.
The first length from Thappraya Road to the Matchanu Curve will have 171
surrendered plots, with the price set for a large plot being 14,000 baht,
and a small plot 16,000 baht. The second length from the Matchanu Curve to
the Mae Sriruan Restaurant crossroads has a set price for a large plot at
12,000 baht, and a small plot at 14,000 baht. The other three lengths need
additional surveying, and will have a price set during the next meeting.
Khomsan said that the price differed according to the area land value. In
the event there is a road that already crosses a plot, then the price will
be higher, because it is considered that area is prosperous. Therefore
officials need to check this before setting the appropriate price for the
public.
New canteen built for
city hall workers
City hall has a new canteen
behind the existing building, with six food outlets.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya City Council has built a new canteen behind the existing
building and plans to have six food outlets there.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn recently conducted a meeting of the assets
benefits committee to discuss lease conditions and potential income revenue
from the concession holders in the canteen.
The committee members agreed that the monthly rental should be 2,200 baht.
Mayor Niran said Pattaya City Council had laid out the conditions and
regulations for the operators governing the sale of food to create quality
standards for city employees, and that emphasis has been placed on suitable
pricing and hygiene.
Swiss man beaten up
by all three sexes
Boonlua Chatree
A Swiss man was attacked by persons of all three sexes while he was
sitting at a bar having a drink, and his wounds required a total of 21
stitches.
 Ramonus
Oliver Schmid had a bad night, receiving 21 stitches after being
attacked by all three sexes.
Ramonus Oliver Schmid, 37, filed a complaint with Pattaya police on May
16 saying that while he was sitting at the JP Bar in South Pattaya, a
man, a woman and a “woman of the second category” had set upon him. He
didn’t know the reason they had assaulted him, but said he was able to
remember all three of his assailants.
Schmid, who was hit with a bottle, went to hospital where he received 12
stitches to his right eyebrow, five to the base of his right ear, and
four to the back of his head.
Police warn that “women of the second category” who tout sexual services
around the tourism areas may become violent if their favors are declined
or if they are insulted.
Woman attacked with knife and drowned in bathtub by jealous lover
Boonlua Chatree
A woman had her veins slashed with a knife by her lover who then drowned her
in a bathtub and stole her possessions.
Police were called to the murder scene at the Love Inn Bungalow, on Soi
Arunothai behind the Niran Condo, at 6 p.m. on May 11 by hotel staff. There
are about 50 bungalows in the resort complex, and the dead body of Mrs
Samran Buckingham, a 46-year-old resident of Sattahip, had been discovered
in bungalow No 201.
The deceased woman’s body was dressed in a black undershirt and white slip,
and was lying on its back sunk in the bathtub. The veins in her neck, arms
and legs had been cut and the bathtub was full of blood. On her neck were
also the traces of someone forcibly holding her down under the water.
Her purse was on the bed, but it contained only her documents, and all other
property was gone. Police initially assumed that she was killed for her
assets. Officers questioned the Love Inn employees, and a staff member on
the front desk stated that the deceased had arrived with a Thai man who
looked like a gay bar boy. They rented the room for a short time. The
employee stated that the man left the bungalow in a hurry, and that the
woman didn’t follow. An employee checked the room when the time limit for
the room had expired.
Investigations continued, and on May 13 police discovered that Samran had
actually arrived with three men in a pickup truck. Samran had paid 550 baht
for a room, and later went to the room hand in hand with a man named as
Warin (or Joe) Manotham, a 28-year-old resident of Chantaburi. The other two
men left with the pickup.
A witness stated that at about 5 a.m., the same pickup came back and parked
in front of the room, obstructing the doorway. The bungalow officer told the
driver that he could not park there, but the driver said he wouldn’t take
long and was only picking up his friend. Later on Warin came out from the
room in a hurry, and left with the pickup. The witness could not remember
the color or make of the vehicle. At 6 p.m. the bungalow manager noticed
that the tenants hadn’t checked out yet, and went to the room to see if they
wanted to stay for a longer period of time. He found Samran dead in the
bathtub.
The witness continued to say that Samran was quite wealthy because she had a
3 baht gold necklace, a 2 baht gold bracelet, four diamond rings, over
100,000 baht in cash, and one mobile phone. All of her assets were gone, and
the witness assumed that the wrongdoers had stolen everything. Police
assumed that the criminal was Warin, because the witness confirmed he was
the same person in a photo that was taken with the deceased. They asked
Pattaya District Court to issue an arrest warrant and officers then
proceeded to Chantaburi in pursuit of him.
Police say they have discovered the reason Warin allegedly killed Samran.
They say that he was her lover and had been in a long term relationship with
her, but became jealous because she took a foreign husband who sent her
money every month.
Warin habitually took money from Samran, who never refused or complained,
and was always happy to spend time with him. However, she didn’t know that
Warin himself already had a wife. Later on when she found out, she asked him
to divorce his wife, causing an argument. He then allegedly killed her and
stole all of her property.
British man facing trial commits suicide
Boonlua Chatree
A British man committed suicide shortly before he was due to appear in
court to face charges of sexually molesting a child.
Police were notified of the death at 1:30 p.m. on May 12, and Pol Col
Noppadol Wongnom, superintendent of Pattaya police station led officers to
an address in Moo 9, Nongprue. At the scene police found the body of
Nicholas John Rabet, a 57-year-old British citizen. He was lying on the bed
in shorts but shirtless, his wrists and ankles handcuffed together and his
head covered with a plastic bag. There was no trace of a struggle in the
room.
On a desk the officers found a letter written in English, and containing the
words, “Thanks everybody, and please kindly contact my lawyer Ann”. Police
have now contacted the lawyer.
Investigations have revealed that Rabet had been charged with molesting a
boy under the age of 15 years. He was on bail and due to present himself in
court on May 29. The body was transferred to the Medical Jurisprudent
Institute for autopsy.
Bar girl beaten to death in her room
Boonlua Chatree
A woman was beaten to death in a room on Soi Khanomwan in South Pattaya and
police are searching for a Thai man who had lived with her up to the time of
her death.
Police, headed by Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, acting superintendent of Pattaya
police station, were called out to the scene at 2:30 p.m. on May 11 along
with a physician from Banglamung Hospital and officers from the Sawang
Boriboon Foundation.
Police believe Rungnapa was murdered by her boyfriend.
The woman had died on the third floor of a four-story commercial building.
The door was locked both inside and outside. Police opened it with a second
set of keys. On the bed lay the corpse of Ms Rungnapa Tasu, a 25-year-old
resident of Tak. She was wearing a white T-shirt and green shorts with a
floral design. She had a broken neck and head injuries, and had been dead
for three or four days. There was no trace of a struggle in the room. The
electric fan, water tap and tape cassette were turned on. It seemed that no
one had touched the dead woman’s assets.
Sing Wuakham, 19, said he was the building owner’s nephew and rode a
motorcycle taxi in front of the building. He stated that on March 4 the
deceased was renting the room and stayed with her boyfriend, whose name he
did not know. He was about 26 years old, and normally the man didn’t go out.
Only the deceased came out everyday at around 7 p.m., and took a motorbike
taxi to her work place at a beer bar on Soi Diamond in South Pattaya.
Before the event Sing didn’t see the couple for several days, and thought
that they didn’t want to pay the rent. He went to the room and knocked, but
then smelled something terrible coming from the room and called the police.
Police are working on the assumption that Rungnapa had a dispute with her
boyfriend, and that he beat her to death. Then he turned on the music to
make everyone believe that there was still someone in the room before
escaping. Police are now questioning her colleagues to find out more about
the man who lived with her.
Koh Larn beaches and seabed cleaned up
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Koh Larn’s beach and seabed are looking a lot cleaner following a
cleanup organized by city hall in conjunction with Songklod Tour Co Ltd on
May 15.
Volunteers under the direction of Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh cleaned
garbage from popular tourist areas such as Tawaen Beach, Samran Beach,
Thonglang Beach and at the pier area, even diving to collect rubbish left on
the ocean floor.
The island is increasingly popular amongst both Thai and foreign tourists,
but the inevitable problem of garbage had arisen. Many people throw their
rubbish into the water, including the fishermen who dump garbage overboard,
and this has been affecting the coral, which can die if it is smothered in
waste materials.
Ronakit said that city hall has a duty to keep the areas free of garbage and
that includes the seabed. Apart from the harm caused to the natural
environment, he said that if the beaches and seabed are spoiled, and the
coral dies, visitors will stop coming to Koh Larn and the people will lose
their livelihood.
Dive teams prepare to clean the ocean around Koh
Larn.
The tropical water around Koh Larn is once again
beautiful.
In you go…
Navy plants 1,940 teak trees to commemorate
His Majesty the King’s anniversary and birthday
Patcharapol Panrak
The Air and Coastal Defense Command on May 9 conducted a ceremony led by
Rear Admiral Chaiwat Lyumsamut to announce the planting of a number of teak
trees in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s
accession to the throne, and His Majesty’s 80th birthday, which will occur
on December 5 next year.
Captain Sucha Kiyumthongkham, commander-in-chief of the Support Department
welcomed everyone and reported that an unused area to the rear of the
department had been cleared so that personnel and their families living on
the base could plant teak trees over an area of 10 rai.
Rear Admiral Chaiwat Lyumsamut sets the project in motion by planting one of the first trees.
Planting the saplings has been very much in line with His Majesty’s wishes
in protecting forest areas and growing new trees. By involving navy
personnel and their families, everyone will learn more of the importance of
the natural environment.
Rear Admiral Chaiwat said that the trees would also beautify the unused land
surrounding the working buildings. The 10-rai plot of land has had 1,940
teak wood trees planted. The land has been divided into two areas, one of
which has been planted with 960 teak trees and which commemorates His
Majesty’s 60th anniversary of accession to the throne, while the second area
of land has 980 teak trees and commemorates His Majesty’s 80th birthday.
Sattahip taxis switch to natural gas and reduce frequency of service
Patcharapol Panrak
The Taxi Cooperative Association in Sattahip has decided to change to
natural gas as fuel for the vehicles plying the routes from Sattahip to
Taotan and the J intersection, and to reduce the frequency of the service,
while still keeping the fares at existing levels.
Association chairman Narin Polsombat conducted the proceedings at a meeting about
changing to natural gas as fuel for taxis in Sattahip.
The association recently held a meeting to discuss the rise in oil prices
that are causing great difficulty for taxi drivers. Association chairman
Narin Polsombat conducted the proceedings, with committee members Naval
Warrant Officer Vinai Chaichana, Mrs Kamonmad Jitdasum, Naval Warrant
Officer Amnuey Ichsri, Mrs Srichan Rungrueng, Mrs Suthisa Pinpradap and Mrs
Nookid Sathutham also present.
Routes to Sattahip, Taotan and the J intersection now yield little or no
profit for the taxi service, but the association agreed that prices should
not be increased as this would pass the burden on to the passengers. It was
decided instead to switch from gasoline to natural gas.
The technicalities and safety aspects of using natural gas had been
researched before the meeting. To avoid any smell of gas inside the vehicle
the gas tanks will be located on the roof, and the gas line running to the
engine will be fully protected for passenger safety.
Instead of the 24 journeys a day, there will now be only 15. The association
pointed out that the time taken for the taxi to travel its route would
increase because of the extra number of passengers. It is being stipulated
that taxi owners must not drive these routes with few or no passengers, and
the inspection committee will monitor the service so that the regulations
are not broken, and the drivers do not overcharge or abandon their
passengers on the way.
Recycling drive organized for surplus household items
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya residents throughout the remainder of this month have the
opportunity to get rid of unwanted items under a recycling project with the
Priest Payom Kalayano Foundation, organized by city hall.
City hall recognizes that many people have surplus items that are still
useful but are unwanted, and which have little or no monetary value.
However, many of these items could well be useful to somebody else. Pattaya
Public Health and Environmental Department therefore set up the Bridge of
Merit Surplus Items in Need project with the Priest Payom Kalayano
Foundation.
Anyone can join this project from now until May 30. Call 03822 3401 or 03825
3100 # 3213, 03842 9485, or bring all unused items to the donation center at
Soi Chaiyaporn Withee (Soi Thuo Ngok), or the Fire Station on Pattaya Third
Road, behind the Public Health Center.
Police commander on morale boosting visit in wake
of Route 999 fire
Piyavadee Suvannahong
Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, acting commander of Pattaya Municipal Police,
held a meeting of more than 400 police officers at the Grand Sole Hotel
Conference Center on May 15 to talk about police policies and to designate
duties to Pattaya district police officers. Pol Maj Gen Anant Charoensri,
commander of Chonburi police presided over the meeting.
Police Colonel Nopadol Wongnom, acting commander of Pattaya Municipal Police.
Nopadol said that he wanted officers to place special emphasis on the fight
against drugs, theft, safety of tourists, and safety in entertainment
centers frequented by tourists to avoid accidents such as the fire at Route
999. He said that since taking command many old cases had been resolved and
that there was more systemization.
Pol Maj Gen Anant paid a morale-boosting visit to Pattaya Municipal Police
Headquarters, and also met with Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook and Mayor
Niran Watthanasartsathorn. Anant said that the visit was intended to create
a good sense of spirit and encourage officers after the fire at Route 999.
He also wanted to talk about policies on providing safety to tourists. Anant
also visited victims of the fire.
Pol Col Nopadol said that Pattaya City Council had organized activities for
the World Cup, starting from June 9 with live coverage at Bali Hai Pier.
Pattaya Municipal Police were responsible for keeping the peace and to this
end had already made preparations, especially on the matter of gambling and
fights breaking out among supporters watching the matches. He said that
Pattaya Municipal Police were ready to handle any event.
Training course helps teachers understand behavioral problems in young people
Vimolrat Singnikorn
A training course was conducted by Pattaya City Council from May 8 to 10
to help teachers understand drug addiction and behavioral problems in
adolescents.
Colonel Sumol Bunrod, MD of the 14th Infantry Regiment, was a guest speaker during
the training program at Pattaya Public Health Center.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay opened the session, with speakers including
Colonel Sumol Bunrod, MD of the 14th Infantry Regiment, and Assistant
Professor Anupong Suthamniran from Chonburi Hospital. A working team from
Ban Suan School was in attendance, and 71 teachers from the 10 schools under
Pattaya City’s jurisdiction attended the course, which was held at the
Pattaya Public Health Center on Soi Buakhao.
Verawat said young people aged between 10 and 24 are
an important resource of the country, but that they are easily influenced by
the rapid socio-economic changes taking place and are forced to face
changing environments. This group also undergoes physical, mental and mood
changes, increasing the severity of behavioral problems and the ways used to
remedy the problems may be wrong, no matter whether such behavior problems
are sexual or drug related. The training was aimed at teachers because they
are closest to this age group and can implement the points learned at the
training course.
Seventy-one teachers from the
10 Pattaya City schools attended the training course at the Pattaya Public
Health Center on Soi Buakhao.
First Thai-built petroleum survey vessel is launched
Suchada Tupchai
May 11 saw the launch of the first vessel built in Thailand for
petroleum survey purposes, the Uniwise Chonburi, built by Unithai Shipyard
and Engineering Co Ltd at Laem Chabang Industrial Estate.
The MOTT “Uniwise Chonburi”, the first Thai Utility line boat.
Witnessing the launch ceremony were Sutham Chitranukroh, director of the
Unithai Group, chief executive officer Narong Boonyasaquan, chief operations
officer Kim Kyung Soo, and Michael Yuen, general manager of Uniwise Offshore
Ltd.
The Uniwise Chonburi is 45 meters long, and has a pulling capacity of 65
tons. Uniwise Offshore Co ordered the ship at the beginning of 2005, and
construction took 14 months. Viboon Kanque, project manager at the
shipbuilding division of Unithai Shipyard and Engineering Ltd said the
vessel posed many construction problems as petroleum survey work is very
exacting and requires precise technology.
Special features include a propeller system that can turn 360 degrees at a
speed of 13 knots. A high-level safety system from the Netherlands supports
the varied and complicated demands of crude oil and natural gas.
The Uniwise Chonburi, which has received certification from Bureau Veritas
Quality International (BVQI), represents an investment of more than 200
million baht.
Unithai Shipyard and Engineering Co Ltd is one of Thailand’s largest
enterprises, covering an area of 562,000 square meters at Laem Chabang port.
The company has a floating dock 282 meters long that can support a
150,000-ton ship. Uniwise Offshore manages 11 passenger ships including a
utility line boat, and MOTT for industrial support for Thai Gulf Petroleum
surveys. Uniwise Offshore is part of the Unithai Group.
Outcry amongst Naklua traders who say new market building differs from agreed plan
Narisa Nitikarn
Naklua traders have complained that construction of the new Naklua
Market building differs from the plans they were shown, and they have been
backed up in this by Pattaya councilors who say the plans have been changed
without any resolutions having been passed by the committee overseeing the
project.
Naklua representatives complain to Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn (left) and
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay (right) that construction of the New Naklua
Market was different from the plans they had been presented.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn, Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay and a number
of councilors and associated officers visited the construction site of the
new market building on Sawangfa Road on May 16 after receiving complaints
from the traders, who said the contractors had built the market differently
from the plan that was presented in the meeting before the old market was
demolished.
Pattaya councilors also protested that this construction was different to
the plan that was presented in the meeting. The contractors declared that
this was the real plan, which they had received before starting work.
Pattaya administrators and councilors faced more complaints when they
arrived at Naklua Market. After Verawat compared the works with the
drawings, he ordered that the contractor make corrections.
One of the main complaints was that elements of the building had used brick
construction, which would obstruct vendors setting out with carts on their
afternoon rounds. Verawat agreed that this differed from the plan that had
been agreed upon, and that in addition to the corrective works he will find
out the reason for the change.
Council member Mrs Jidapa Suwattaporn also complained that the contractor
had performed the work differently to the plan that had been presented in
the meeting. The contractor confirmed that he had only received one plan
since he started the work. He didn’t know about the meeting. He only
followed the plan that was in hand.
Sanit Nilkham of the Pattaya City Engineering Department said he received
the same plan. Previously he had hired engineers to create the design
according to the needs of the traders and to city hall’s agreement. He will
find the reason for the incorrect plan.
The traders were satisfied with the outcome although the corrective work
will extend the period of construction, and it now should be completed
within 90 days. Apart from the work differing from that stipulated in the
plan, the delegation also found unstable posts. They were swaying to and fro
when there was a strong wind. The contractor had already notified Pattaya
City about this problem, and it was corrected.
Polizeikurznachrichten
Boonlua Chatree
Drunken man shot gun seven times outside pub
A drunken man shot a pistol seven times at the Differ Pub on Pattaya
Third Road and then sped off in a Mercedes Benz, only to be caught by police
a few minutes later at a North Pattaya traffic light.
The incident happened at 2:30 a.m. on May 12. When Pannarong Khunpitak, 29,
was searched police found a 9mm firearm and a magazine with seven rounds
missing. He was taken to Pattaya police station for further investigation.
Wanlop Rungwattanachai, 53, the owner of the Differ Pub, said that Pannarong
had been arguing with a woman. Wanlop tried to calm him down, but couldn’t.
Pannarong was asked to leave the pub, and once outside he shot seven times
before driving away.
Pannarong has been charged with illegal possession and carrying of a firearm
and bullets.
Police break up ya ba
gambling party
An illegal gambling game at which an illegal narcotic was the main prize was
broken up by police in the early hours of May 16, the officers discovering
that one of the players was also toting an illegal gun and ammunition.
Pattaya police station dispatched a squad of officers after receiving a
report that a group of men and women were playing cards for ya ba as the
stake at a rented room in Kemasorn Apartments, on Soi Porarist in South
Pattaya.
The squad found the back door was unlocked, and they were able to open it
slightly to witness the proceedings. They saw four people gambling, and
noted also that there was ya ba paraphernalia around them for consuming the
narcotics. The police then opened the door and arrested the four gamblers,
two men and two women. In the room were 52 and a half ya ba pills, a
quantity of ya ba paraphernalia, and two decks of cards.
Mrs Laor Niumchaiyaphum, 49, stated that she was the owner of the house, and
police charged her with harboring illegal gambling for valuables and with
possession of a Class 1 narcotic. Sanay Puangthong, 26, and Miss Orasa
Saetun, 24, were charged with illegal gambling and narcotics possession.
Searching the four, police discovered that 24-year-old Lathapol Sonpooh had
a 9mm gun loaded with eight rounds of ammunition. The weapon was found to be
unregistered, and Lathapol was additionally charged with possession and
carrying of an unlicensed weapon and ammunition.
Checkpoint catches two
teenagers with narcotics
A police checkpoint set up near the beach near Pratamnak Hill netted two
teenagers who were carrying drugs.
Police stopped a group of youths on motorcycles in the early hours of May
18. A 17-year-old who has been given the alias of Watchara had one pack of
dry marijuana mixed in with his cigarettes. He stated that he had bought the
drug for 50 baht per pack for his personal use. Police charged him with
illegal possession of a Class 5 narcotic. Ms Auon (an alias), age 17 and who
was riding a pink Yamaha Mio, had two ya ba pills in her handbag. Police
charged her with illegal possession of a Class 1 narcotic.
Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, superintendent at Pattaya police station said the
purpose of installing this checking point after 2 a.m. was to crack down on
the trouble that is caused by gangs of youths on motorcycles.
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