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Tragedy strikes Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital
At least five killed, scores injured
in bus accident in Northeast
Rescue teams help carry
injured passengers off the ill-fated bus.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A tour bus carrying doctors, nurses, administrators and staff from Bangkok
Pattaya Hospital to a seminar at Khao Yai National Park crashed, killing at
least five and injuring 40.
The five killed in the crash have been identified as Kanungnit
Vathesatogkit, assistant deputy director of medical operations at
Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital (BPH), Kanokwan Akamut, manager of business
development team 1 of BPH, Sa-angsri Charuenrat, head of the BPH Brain
Center, Chaweewan Kantha-in, head of the BPH call center, and Piranee
Tangsirisatien, acting-head of IPD (6B) of BPH.
The accident occurred at about 1 p.m. on June 6, between kilometer markers
28 and 29 on Dhanarat Road at Khao Yai National Park, Pak Chong.
The Chonburi - Nakhon Ratchasima air con bus went out of control and crashed
down a ravine, killing four at the scene and another on the way to hospital.
More than 40 others were injured. At the time of going to press, the extent
of their injuries was unknown.
Police Major Haripong Waewkokesung, duty inspector at Muusee Municipal
Police Station in Pak Chong, reported that from preliminary investigations,
the coach was traveling from Prachinburi past the nature reserve at Khao
Yai, and upon reaching the scene the coach hit a steep curve in a
mountainous area. He said the driver had no experience of driving in the
area and lost control. The driver, Adul Potsiri, was seriously injured.
More than 50 doctors and nurses from Bangkok Pattaya Hospital were traveling
to attend a seminar at the Greenery Resort, Khao Yai National Park in Pak
Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima. The seminar was scheduled for June 6 and 7.
Songtaew driver returns necklace valued at millions to its rightful owner
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A baht bus driver returned a bag of valuables including a necklace worth
several million baht to its foreign owner after asking community radio
to help him track down the visitor’s whereabouts.
 Vichien
Puaplee (2nd left) returns all the property to its rightful owner.
Vichien Puaplee, 47, a Pattaya songtaew driver traveled to the community
public relations radio station 101.25 MHz. on the 8th floor of Mike’s
Department Store to meet “Hot News - Hot Songs” DJ Dan Burapaha and say
that he wished to contact a tourist who had left behind a bag containing
valuable items as he wanted to return it.
The bag contained a video camera, a silver chain with a diamond pendant,
cash and a British passport in the name of Arthur Carpowell, age 56.
With help from the public relations department and coordination with the
relevant authorities, Scotsman Carpowell contacted the radio station.
He said he had left the bag in the pickup after traveling from Pattaya
Park Hotel to Soi Buakhao in central Pattaya. He praised Vichien’s
honesty, saying that if he had lost the bag he would have been sorry for
the rest of his life because the necklace belonged to his wife and was
worth millions of baht.
High losses and low passenger numbers drives Pattaya’s bus service to the wall
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Half a million baht in monthly losses due to rising fuel costs and a
significant drop in passenger numbers have forced the Pattaya Beach Bus Co.,
Ltd. to review their operations. The company has held the concession on the
bus service since it inception in early 2005.
As part of the plans to reduce costs, the Green line is to be placed on
indefinite hold and bus timetables will change. Buses will run every half
and hour instead of the initial 20 minute periods.
Suriyont Sriglindee, Pattaya Beach Bus marketing director revealed that all
transport companies in Pattaya were facing similar problems, specifically
the high cost of fuel.
The present low season has also seen a great reduction in the number of
passengers using the bus service. During high season 80 percent of
passengers were tourists, which has now dropped to as low as 20 percent.
Suriyont told reporters that the drop in passengers has been very distinct
and as a result will alter the bus timetables accordingly.
“We are currently losing around 500,000 baht per month. These costs are
attributed to fuel, wages, maintenance costs and a myriad of other costs. We
need to cancel one of the routes for the interim and will reinstate the
service when the time comes,” said Suriyont, “We must play it safe first.
Additionally the government is planning to sell fuel direct to transport
companies for one baht per liter. We will submit a letter to the provincial
department to apply for this scheme.”
The Green line was chosen to be placed on hold due to its closeness to the
two other routes. There will be no increase in fares for passengers.
Pattaya Beach Bus company management has said they will apply for the cheap
fuel scheme offered by the government but require further details on how to
do so and once complete will implement it in their daily operations and
financial plans in order to return the service to its former level.
Naklua’s bridge set to reopen early this month
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Repairs to Naklua’s bridge are nearing completion and the carriageway is due
to open again in the first part of this month.
 Mayor
Niran Watthanasartsathorn says Naklua’s bridge will be open soon.
The six-month project, which began in January, is being undertaken with a
budget of 6 million baht. Residents and visitors alike will be relieved that
the road is once again open, as the repair works have caused a great deal of
dislocation for both traffic and pedestrians. Especially affected were the
traders of Naklua Market, who had difficulties transporting their goods.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn and city hall personnel inspected the final
progress on the bridge on May 24. Niran said that the iron structure had
been damaged by salt water, and repairs were essential. Another element of
the project has been the construction of a wastewater pipe.
Traffic had been diverted to Naklua Soi 5 instead of using the road over the
bridge, but when the bridge reopens vehicles will revert to the former road
system.
Drain cover thieves leave Soi Har Thanwa in a hole
City hall asks for help in preventing loss
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn and city
councilors inspect Soi Thanwa drains that are missing covers.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Residents in the Sukhumvit Soi 45 community, aka Soi Har Thanwa, filed
numerous complaints with city officials after the majority of storm water
drain covers there were stolen. The thieves cleaned up in their quest for
scrap metal, leaving the drains open and creating a danger to the community.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn and city councilors inspected the
community, and other sois facing the same problem, on May 30. Wutisak said
that in the past the administration has tried to prevent the theft of metal
drain covers but there was minimal success.
“We have even offered rewards for information leading to the arrest of these
thieves but this has not deterred them,” he said. “City officers are working
with scrap metal dealers in Banglamung and outlying areas to try and prevent
any further thefts. Residents can report theft or provide information to the
administration by calling 09 204 8833.”
On the same day, officials visited communities in Naklua faced with flooding
problems due to blocked drains. The deputy mayor instructed the city
engineering department to clean out the drains in the area as part of the
citywide project.
City hall will spend 2mn baht to support Skål World Congress
Narisa Nitikarn
Pattaya City is to support the forthcoming Skål World Congress 2006 with a
budget of 2 million baht, using the funds in part to beautify areas that
delegates will be attending.
A meeting chaired at city hall on May 29 by Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn
discussed the preparations that will take place for this major tourism
industry event, to be held from October 15-20 at the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay outlined the 2 million baht budget and said
that the city must be prepared to welcome delegates who themselves are
travel and hospitality industry professionals. A public relations unit will
be arranged for the event to assist delegates in whatever they may need.
Verawat said that a well-prepared meeting would have a positive effect on
Pattaya’s tourism business and the economy.
The meeting discussed the Pattaya City symbol, a soldier riding on a horse.
Mayor Niran said that many Pattaya residents mistakenly thought the soldier
was King Taksin. Often the symbol was used inappropriately, for example on
garbage bins. In other cases, organizers of events that were not staged by
city hall would use the symbol or the name “Pattaya City” in such a way that
it appeared their event was officially organized. The meeting concluded that
a bylaw needed to be passed to control the use of the name, otherwise a
misleading impression might be caused by events outside of city hall’s
control.
Interior Ministry criticism stings city hall into action against contractors
Complete work on schedule or contracts will be cancelled warns mayor
Narisa Nitikarn
The mayor of Pattaya, stung by criticism from the Ministry of
Interior over the erratic drawing of budgeted funds and the late running
of construction projects, has told contractors who are behind schedule
that if work isn’t completed on time then the contracts will be
cancelled.
 Mayor
Niran Watthanasartsathorn warned construction companies that have been
assigned contracts from Pattaya City that they need to get their act
together.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn called representatives of almost 20
construction companies who have been assigned to Pattaya City projects
for a meeting at city hall on May 30.
Niran said many of them were behind with their projects but that they
must now complete the works according to schedule. If this cannot be
done, the contractors must present their case in writing.
Pattaya City has been severely criticized by the Ministry of Interior
over withdrawing funds for budgeted projects that ran past the set time
limit. Delays are partly because of the construction companies
performing work very late and not following the rules of the contracts,
and therefore the budget was not withdrawn at the appropriate time.
The mayor warned the contractors that there could be severe problems if
projects are not completed soon, or brought back onto line, because if
the correct budget is not withdrawn from the ministry in September this
year then it will be lost.
Companies that have received contracts from Pattaya City have run into
problems that range from using profanity on site and offending local
communities, through to inappropriate construction methods.
The August Inter Group and Inter Value Products Company were awarded a
contract to develop and restore community systems on Koh Larn, but the
work is not advancing as it should. True Work Builder Co Ltd and
Pornwattana Construction Co Ltd have received contracts for construction
of multi-use gymnasiums at Pattaya #7 and Pattaya #8 schools. The work
for this is also running late.
When asked why projects were behind schedule, some of the company
representatives said that the contract details had been changed and
consequently work was delayed.
The process of withdrawing the budgeted funds is also very slow, because
officials must wait for the signature of the department chief and that
can take many weeks or even months to obtain. Because of this the
construction companies do not have enough money to purchase materials to
continue construction. Sittipab Muangkhum, deputy chief of Pattaya City,
verbally promised the construction contractors that the budget
withdrawal system would be improved.
Two transvestites snatch Dutch tourist’s bag
Boonlua Chatree
A Dutch tourist had his bag snatched by two transvestites who then
attempted to flee on a motorcycle but were caught by police 15 minutes later
at a filling station.
The two women of the second category were named as Urai Pisak, 24, and
Komsan Pibulsang, 19. Police arrested them at 2 a.m. on May 24 and found
them to be in possession of a wallet containing 9,829 baht in cash and
belonging to Rob Kroob, a 33-year-old Dutch national.
 Two
transvestites were arrested for stealing from Dutch tourist Rob Kroob.
Kroob told police officers that he had left his hotel in Soi Buakao and gone
for a drink in Soi 8. After the bar closed he went for a walk on the beach
alone when two girls, or so he thought, proposed to go and sleep with him.
He was annoyed and sent them packing. The pair snatched his bag before
getting on their motorcycle and speeding off.
During investigations it was found that the transvestites had a history of
snatching tourists’ bags. The pair have been preliminarily charged with bag
snatching.
Motorcyclist nearly drowns in road accident
Boonlua Chatree
A bizarre combination of circumstances almost caused a motorcyclist to
drown on a traffic island in an accident that happened in the early hours of
June 1.
A man driving a pickup truck slammed into a motorbike near the Central
Pattaya Road intersection on Sukhumvit, the vehicle ending up on the center
island with the rider of the motorcycle trapped underneath. Heavy rains had
caused part of the traffic island to fill with water, posing a threat to the
trapped rider.
Police and Sawang Boriboon personnel attending the accident scene worked
feverishly to free Chanchai Pomklang, 25, from under the vehicle. Half an
hour later he was taken to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital for treatment. The
bike’s pillion passenger, Thida na Ranong, was rushed to hospital for
emergency treatment.
The pickup driver, Thamniam Wongsri, 42, told police that the heavy rain
obscured his vision. He claimed he did not see the motorcycle due to the
rain, coupled with a poorly lit section of the road. After the incident, he
called police and tried to help the motorcycle rider stuck under his
vehicle.
Thamniam told police he was fully insured and that this would cover the
expenses resulting from the accident.
Bypass killers who terrorized a district are seized
Englishman was amongst victims of cold-blooded robbers
Sontaya Srichoke reenacts for
police the killing of Englishman Steven Parkinson.
Boonlua Chatree
A gang of highway robbers who shot and killed victims who were
uncooperative has been broken up by a combined investigation by police from
Banglamung, Sriracha and Chonburi.
The recent murder of an Englishman in the Pong sub-district led to an
intensive manhunt that netted three youths, and police are currently in
pursuit of a fourth man.
Pol Lt Gen Rapeephat Palawong, deputy Region 2 police commander said that
two of the gang members, 21-year-old Sontaya Srichoke and a 17-year-old who
can be identified only by the alias of Bik, were seized and found to be in
possession of a loaded 9 mm pistol used in the shootings. A third man,
Weerawut Pradittham, 20, turned himself in at Banglamung precinct along with
.38 caliber pistol. This leaves one member of the gang at large, identified
as Prasertsak Boonkrajang, and police are confident of finding him.
Dubbed the “Bypass Gang”, the robbers had spread terror amongst residents in
the Pong and route 331 sub-districts.
One of the victims was Englishman Steven Parkinson, 47, who was murdered on
his way home after a night out in Pattaya. The gang made off with one baht
weight in gold.
On June 2 Banglamung police brought the two suspects to the site where
Parkinson had been shot so they could re-enact the crime. Both men admitted
their part in the killing with two other gang members. The re-enactment drew
a large crowd of onlookers, many of them residents. Police security was
tight for fear of the crowd turning on the cold-blooded killers, both of
whom were arrested in Sriracha.
Sontaya said he shot the Englishman after he failed to pull over as he was
ordered.
The gang was also responsible for the killing of two other people and
numerous other armed robberies, each time dividing their ill-gotten spoils
for more fun out on the town.
“The callousness of these people, at such a young age, is shocking,” said
Pol Lt Gen Rapeephat. “Their mode of operation was quick and they shot
anybody who failed to give in to their demands.”
All face long jail sentences for their actions. Police have been applauded
for their swift action in closing the casebook on three murders in under six
weeks.
Nine Uzbekistani prostitutes seized in police roundup
Nine Uzbekistani women were arrested and charged
with prostitution on Walking Street.
Boonlua Chatree
In a coordinated exercise led by Pol Col Ittiphol Ittisanronchai, commander
of Pattaya Immigration Police and Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, acting commander
of Pattaya Municipal Police, a team of officers rounded up foreign
prostitutes in and around Walking Street in the early hours of May 24.
The exercise brought in nine Uzbekistani females, who were dressed
beautifully and who were mixing with foreign tourists to offer their
services. The women were aged between 25 and 35 years and had been arrested
previously for prostitution. They were taken to Pattaya police station,
fined and released.
Pol Col Ittiphol said that the roundup of foreign prostitutes who disguised
themselves as tourists in Pattaya was carried out under National Police
Headquarters foreign prostitute suppression policies. There are a number of
foreign prostitutes in Pattaya, most of them girls from Uzbekistan and
Pakistan. They are allegedly managed and protected by Thai pimps. Most of
the girls work around Walking Street and the hotels where foreigners
congregate. The girls charge 2,500 - 3,000 baht per time. Roundups are
carried out regularly, but there are girls still out on the streets. Once
caught they are fined and blacklisted from entering the country. A police
spokesman said that police are also carrying out investigations into the
pimps to bring them to justice.
Youngsters to be PR ambassadors for Pattaya City
Some of these youths, shown here
with Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, Rewat Pollook-In, deputy director of the
Provincial Administration Organization of Chonburi, Mrs. Pinnart Charoenpol,
acting on behalf of the director of TAT Central Region 3, and other program
organizers, will become youth ambassadors for Pattaya.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A program to train young people in Pattaya’s history and tourism
facilities was announced at city hall on May 17 by Deputy Mayor Verawat
Khakhay, Rewat Pollook-In, deputy director of the Provincial Administration
Organization of Chonburi, and Mrs Pinnart Charoenpol, acting on behalf of
the director of TAT Central Region 3.
During the project, youngsters will be trained to study, love, and
understand Pattaya’s history, so they can present it to Pattaya tourists.
This project, designed to promote Pattaya to tourists, is open for
applications throughout June. Applications can be made at the information
department of the Tourism Bureau, and at the office of the permanent
undersecretary of Pattaya City. Training and a competition will be held in
July.
Applicants will be trained on enhancing Pattaya’s international image, on
the history and workings of the city’s administration, on the accommodation
and entertainment facilities, and popular tourism venues. They will be
taught basic English requirements for dealing with foreign visitors, and how
to recommend tour itineraries that take in major attractions such as
Yansangwararam Temple, Mini Siam, the Tiffany and Alcazar Theaters, and
Underwater World.
All competitors must be students in Pattaya City and aged between 9 and 15
years. Two students will be selected from each school. They must already
have a good knowledge of Pattaya City, basic English, and have presentation
abilities. The winning youngsters will receive an honorary certificate, a
baton, 12,000 baht, and will be PR Youth Representatives for Pattaya City
for one year.
This project also received support from many private organizations,
including Nikom Modrakee, Aksorn School Group director who donated 50,000
baht in prizes for the PR Youth winner and 5 runners up, to be used as a
payment for their 1 year of representation; Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.,
Ltd. who supports foreign information affairs and the team jacket for ‘The
Pattaya Young Generation Project’.
The final competition will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday July 23 at the
Central Festival Center. For more information please contact the Information
Bureau in Pattaya City at tel. 038-253-100 ext. 3132.
Sea walkers agree to controls if they are implemented across the board
Piyavadee Suvannahong
Entrepreneurs involved in the sea walking business say they will accept
controls laid down to protect the marine environment and ensure greater
safety as long as the conditions are accepted as standard elsewhere in
Thailand.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh talks with Rewat Tongpradar, head of the Koh Larn
underwater tourism business group, about the various issues raised.
Concerns over impropriety and environmental damage have prompted the Pattaya
administration to investigate the sea walker tourism business and search for
ways to more tightly control the business. Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh led
investigation into the Koh Larn based sea walker program, which had been
accused of damaging underwater natural resources.
The investigation stemmed from complaints made by other tourist operators,
and adding to the controversy two Thai daily newspapers also alleged that
the sea walker program was damaging the environment and destroying marine
life. Relevant government departments then stepped in, calling for Pattaya
to take action to ensure the business followed environmental regulations.
Ministerial regulations drawn up in 2004 prevent sea walker operators from
using water scooters, jet skis and other small vessels outside the
designated areas without permission, the basis on which they are allowed to
operate.
“Pattaya city administration received the complaints and investigations have
shown that operators are carrying out their business in restricted areas,”
said Ronakit. “We have checked their licenses, which have shown that they
have approval to operate as tour guides. They have clearly misunderstood
what they can and cannot do. They have been operating outside the regulated
area and as such complaints have been made.
“We have called for cooperation from them and urged them to conform to the
law. Businesses will be allowed to continue operating providing they follow
the regulations but must also help in regulating themselves.”
Rewat Tongpradar, head of the Koh Larn Underwater Tourism Business Group
said that operators have no problems with the city evaluating them.
“We will conduct business according to the rules and regulations but they
must be enforced equally for all because underwater tours are not specific
to Koh Larn,” said Rewat. “Phuket also has operators conducting underwater
tours. The government must also evaluate them and clearly announce its
regulations for us to follow.”
The deputy mayor also inspected safety equipment among operators after
allegations that no one was checking diving equipment. This resulted when
foreign business operators, on an educational trip and to provide further
maintenance knowledge to the locals, found that there were no equipment
inspection standards.
“There is currently no departmental body to monitor this business and there
has been an increase in the number of people operating underwater tours,”
said Ronakit. “This is clearly wrong and since it is under Pattaya’s
jurisdiction we will continue to inspect and monitor operators and find the
best way to regulate them.
“Local departments that govern the tourism business and the environment will
be called in to discuss further controls.”
The deputy mayor told reporters that the Tourism Authority of Thailand,
Department of Coastal Marine Resources, the Royal Thai Navy, Marine Police
and others will called upon to implement operational standards, particularly
in the care and maintenance of diving and safety equipment.
“Pattaya City will push this through as quickly as we can in order to ensure
that highest safety and operating standards are met,” Ronakit said.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Khon Kaen woman drowns herself off Bali Hai Pier
Police and rescue units were called to the Bali Hai Pier area in
South Pattaya on June 1 after the discovery of a handbag in the water there.
The bag, containing personal items, belonged to a woman who was believed to
have drowned herself off the pier during the afternoon.
Water rescue personnel and divers attending the scene finally discovered the
body of Numning Chaeyee, 33, from the northeastern province of Khon Kaen.
She appeared to have drowned a mere 10 minutes before officers discovered
her body.
Witnesses told investigating officers that they had seen the woman half an
hour earlier and that she appeared depressed, although no one took any
notice as they assumed that the woman was en-route to board a boat at the
pier.
Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, acting Pattaya police superintendent told reporters
that initial theories were the woman had come to Pattaya in search of work
but was unable to find any, or that she had intended to end her life due to
other personal reasons.
The body was sent to the police forensic institute for an autopsy and
funeral rites, while investigating police attempt to ascertain why she
committed suicide.
Mayor urges residents to aid Northern flood victims
(Standing from right to left)
Prasit Tongthitcharoen, Sawang Boriboon president, Idsarin Boriboonnakom,
city councilor, Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn, Kanthi Thiewkuenkan, Sawang
Boriboon PR officer, Thongchai Wongthongsawang, Sawang Boriboon general
manager, and Thanawat Surasaen, Sawang Boriboon administration head along
with foundation volunteers ready to coordinate relief efforts for northern
flood victims.
Narisa Nitikarn
The recent flooding in Thailand’s Northern provinces has left many without
homes and in need of necessities. On May 26, Pattaya Mayor Niran
Watthanasartsathorn visited the Sawang Boriboon Foundation headquarters to
discuss the matter with Prasit Tongthitcharoen, the foundation president,
and committee members.
The mayor urged all Pattaya residents to donate needed items such as
clothing and dry food. Efforts are now being coordinated around the city
with three main centers designated as collection points: City Hall, Wat
Chaimongkol in South Pattaya and the Sawang Boriboon Foundation in Naklua.
Further details are available from city hall on 0 38 253 100 or the
foundation headquarters on 0 38 221 380, 0 38 222 380
City hall awards plaques to hotels passing food safety inspections
Narisa Nitikarn
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn on May 25 presided over a training
course in food safety for hotel staff, with almost 100 hotels attending the
event. Pattaya City Council administrators presented Clean Food Good Taste
plaques and Safe Food plaques to 54 hotels along Pattaya and Jomtien beaches
and on Pattaya Second Road.
Participating hotels also received testing equipment for a cost of 37,500
baht through the sponsorship of Chonburi Public Health Office.
Dusit Chantaracha, a pharmacist with Banglamung Hospital, was one of the
speakers at the course. He said the hotels that had purchased the testing
equipment could use it for checking for the presence of chemicals in meat
and vegetables, as the instrumentation will find traces of borax, formalin,
preservatives, insecticides and other chemicals that are often found in
fresh foods.
Any hotels discovering chemicals in foods should report the matter to the
Pattaya Public Health and Environment Office in order that the sellers can
be charged.
Presentation of Clean Food Good Taste plaques and Safe Food plaques is a
project of the city designed to encourage hotels in Pattaya to standardize
their food services.
Emphasis has been placed this year on hotels located along Jomtien and
Pattaya beaches and Pattaya Second Road, as these establishments are popular
amongst tourists. The remainder of the hotels in Pattaya will be encouraged
to participate in the clean food program next year.
During inspections of 58 hotels it was found that four did not meet the safe
food requirements and officials were sent in to give advice, while the other
54 hotels were presented with the plaques. Plaques will be withdrawn if it
is ever found that the hotels fail the standards during further checks.
Hotels that fail checks and ignore warnings will not have their hotel and
food storage licenses renewed.
Restaurant operators and food stall owners who would like to test for the
plaques may do so by contacting the Consumer Protection Department at the
Pattaya Public and Health and Environment Office on 0 38251 000 ext 2367.
Sattahip Navy base sends personnel and supplies to five stricken Northern provinces
Navy personnel leave Sattahip
to assist the afflicted in the five northern provinces.
Patcharapol Panrak
Rear Admiral Komintr Komuthanont, deputy commander of Sattahip Navy Base on
May 25 dispatched 35 navy personnel, led by Commander Thanet Anamthavach, to
provide assistance to the five northern provinces of Utaradit, Sukhothai,
Phrae, Lampang and Nan, which have suffered massive flooding and landslides
that have caused many deaths and injuries and left hundreds homeless.
Four dinghies, three trucks and a large bus have been taken along as part of
the relief effort, along with food, water and medical supplies.
The Royal Thai Navy headquarters at Bangkok had already sent 20 dinghies,
seven trucks and a large passenger bus in advance of the present group. The
teams have met up at the Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharach Camp at Pitsanuloke
and are coordinating relief efforts with Army Region 3 Command.
City prepares for Colorful East festivities
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The city is preparing for the Colorful East festivities that will take place
along Beach Road between June 10 and 13.
 Police
Maj. Somchai Pongsai, Pattaya’s traffic police inspector, announced that
Beach Road will be closed during the Colorful East festivities.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh chaired a preparatory meeting with relevant
parties on May 31, with Police Maj. Somchai Pongsai, Pattaya’s traffic
police inspector attending.
Ronakit said that as this international tourism event is being staged in
honor of His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary it is hoped there will be
unity amongst Pattaya locals and that those participating in the parades
will wear yellow, this being His Majesty’s birthday color.
Police Maj. Somchai, in describing the road safety measures, said that
police would close off the roads at the event and along the parade route,
Pattaya City Hall-Dolphin Roundabout-Beach Road Soi 4. Officers will be
placed along the route. Also on the first day of the event the road will be
closed off along Beach Road from Dolphin Roundabout at about 4 p.m. to
facilitate the event and lessen the potential for accidents.
Local Air and Coastal Defense Command to take part in royal barge ceremonies
Preparations recorded for historical purposes
Government and naval officers
are honored to take part in the historical royal barge ceremony in honor of
HM the King’s 60th year ascension to the throne and his upcoming 80th
birthday.
Patcharapol Panrak
Rear Admiral Chaiwat Iamsamut, Commander of the Air and Coastal Defense
Command in Sattahip, who will also command one of the boats in the royal
barge ceremony, gathered all participants to practice for the upcoming
historical event. Practice took place on June 6 and 9 and was also a
historical occasion for the command.
The ceremony marks the momentous occasion of HM the King’s 60th anniversary
of his ascension to the throne and his upcoming 80th birthday.
Naval officers sent photographers to mark the occasion for historical
purposes with government and military personnel in attendance. The Sattahip
Air and Coastal Defense Command has 213 people partaking in the royal barge
ceremony (193 participants and 20 spares), all of whom had their photos
taken and sent to the to organizer’s office for verification to receive a
special memorial medal from the palace.
During the barge ceremony, 2,082 naval personnel will take their place on
the 52 barges with the Sattahip unit-taking place on boats 3, 7, 8, 17. On
barge 20, Rear Admiral Chaiwat Iamsamut was chosen to captain the boat named
“Anekchartphuchong”.
Rear Admiral Chaiwat said, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for
everyone who is taking part. We only have once chance to get it right, no
mistakes can be made, and it is an immense honor for me and my family to
have been chosen for this task.”
“The ceremony will take place on June 12, 2006 and we will act as one when
the time comes. We are vigorously preparing ourselves physically and
mentally for that day,” added Rear Admiral Chaiwat Iamsamut.
Travel agents and hotels meet to discuss ways of increasing tourism in Eastern region
(Left to right) Chanchai
Duangjit, Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 4 director (Rayong
–Chantaburi), Chatchawal Supachayanont, THA-EC president, Apichart
Sangchari, ATTA president and Niran Watthanasartsathorn, Pattaya mayor at
the meeting.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Members of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) were in Pattaya on
May 27 to meet with their local hospitality counterparts, the Thai Hotels
Association - Eastern Chapter (THA-EC), to discuss strategy for growing the
tourism business in the Eastern region.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn and Chanchai Duangjit, Tourism Authority of
Thailand Central Region 4 director from Trat, joined the discussions that
took place at the Dusit Resort.
The meeting was also part of an educational field trip aimed at learning
more about eco-tourism spots and THA-EC member hotels, particularly in
Pattaya. The main agenda of the meeting was, however, aimed at preparing for
a road show named The Colorful Eastern Region, organized by the TAT.
“The tourism strategy for the Eastern region over the period 2006-2008
focuses on tourist destinations that have a high profile and quality to
match the market sectors for which we are aiming,” said Chanchai. “Our goal
is to promote eco-tourism destinations and local cuisines, etc, as being
reasonably priced and a short distance from the nation’s capital. Our main
market for this is the domestic one.
“However, there are a number of weak points that need to be addressed. Many
of the natural settings and resources have been left in a state of ruin.
Further, there are people who trespass on public property as well as extort
tourists, especially during the peak season. We must develop a better image
of the region in the provinces, particularly on beaches and marine tourism.”
Apichart Sangchari, ATTA president said that the Eastern region is still a
convenient destination for tourism and sports and there are still many
opportunities for growth, especially when the new airport opens for
operation.
“Development projects for Koh Chang will be further benefited with the
planned seaside highway through Rayong, Chantaburi and Trat,” he said.
“Currently our goal is to have 79.33 million tourists visit the region,
which would inject an estimated total 378 billion baht into the local
economy.”
Mayor Niran told the group that the city is preparing for growth in all
areas, particularly in transportation, citing the intended bypass road that
would follow the railway line and take a considerable volume of vehicle
traffic away from the city.
“We are in the process of feasibility studies and once the new route is
complete Pattaya will be able to handle the expected increased growth in the
region,” said Niran.
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