Property developers losing out after Interior Ministry ownership directive
Suchada Tupchai
Sanga Kitsamrej, president of the property developers association in Pattaya
along with association members met with Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn on
June 6 to ask for assistance in coordinating efforts with the government to
resolve the recent changes and enforcement of land ownership laws.
The changes came about after Sura-at Thongniramol, Interior Ministry deputy
permanent secretary sent a letter to provincial governors and land
department offices throughout the country concerning the enforcement of land
ownership by companies with foreign shareholders. Land ownership by
foreigners – with highly regulated exceptions – is illegal under Thai law.
The changes have already begun to affect local property developers, most of
who have housing estates under progress in Pattaya and surrounding
districts. The previously enjoyed high sales level has now dropped
significantly since the announcement.
“In reality I do see and agree to the point of the law not allowing
foreigners to own land in Thailand,” said Sanga, “especially when it comes
to those who buy, break up and sell and those who employ Thai people to form
a company to do just that.
“In the past this was quite regulated but after the announcement was made
public many projects are feeling the effects with low sales. This is
especially so in the housing development sector.
“The rules have made land transfers more difficult with the increased
procedure and checks. This has created problems for developers and there
must be further consideration. Hence we are asking city officials to help us
address the issue.”
The mayor accepted the information and complaints and offered to work with
the provincial departments to find a solution.
The Interior Ministry directive was sent out to enable provincial
governments to check shareholders in companies and partnerships with foreign
shareholders and/or directors with specific interests in property ownership.
The letter states that financial data of the Thai shareholders will be
checked along with the company registration to see if they are financially
able to purchase the property. If they are found to be unable to do so then
the case will be subjected to further investigation, as it appears that the
company is for the sole benefit of the foreign shareholder.
The Ministry of Interior is scheduled to meet with land department officials
to further lay out regulations and laws pertaining to clause 72 of the law
governing land ownership and its use.
The clause does, however, exclude property companies that are publicly
listed or that have the relevant licenses to own land under the Board of
Investment or joint property development ventures with commercial Thai banks
– for which there is a specific law – including investment capital
companies, Stock Exchange listed or life insurance and general insurance
companies.
Deckchair operators wary
of sand-fill plans
Piyavadee Suvannahong
Deckchair concessionaires have been asked to cooperate over some loss of
business while city hall undertakes a project to beautify Pattaya Beach,
but the vendors have voiced their doubts about the scheme.
Amnuay
Naaek says the city will extend Pattaya Beach from Dusit Resort Cove to
the old pier in Pattaya.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh on June 6 called a meeting of the
deckchair operators. Amnuay Naaek of the Pattaya Public Works Department
said that the city had been given a 49 million baht budget to extend
Pattaya Beach from Dusit Resort Cove to the old pier in Pattaya by
laying natural sand from the seafront to bring the beach up to the same
level along its whole length. The job will take about 15-30 days to
complete, which would affect the deckchair vendors as they will be
unable to operate when work is being carried out in their areas.
The operators said they were happy to see the city beautify the beach
but laying and filling with natural sand would have to be calculated
properly in order that the sea doesn’t drag the sand back into the
water. Further, the sand level should not be too high, as it would
affect the drainage system during floods and cause the sand to become
clogged.
Ronakit said that the city would only carry out the sand-fill on a
100-meter stretch at the beginning to check for any adverse effects and
would inconvenience the public as little as possible while completing
the work.
City hall plans to sink two disused navy ships to encourage marine life
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya City is holding talks with the Royal Thai Navy about sinking two
disused ships to create a habitat for marine life.
Mayor
Niran Watthanasartsathorn repeated that officials must carry out an accurate
survey of the location to sink these ships.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn held a meeting at city hall on June 6 to
discuss the Underwater Park project, which would be in commemoration of His
Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary.
Niran said that city hall had been in discussions with the Royal Navy for
the derelict ships to be sunk in Pattaya Bay. The two vessels currently
being considered are the Kood and the Pho Samton, both of which have a long
history with the Royal Navy. This project would be similar to that of the
Royal Ship Kram, which was sunk off Koh Pai at the beginning of 2003.
The preferred sites are Koh Krok and Koh Pai. However, the Royal Navy has
objected to this idea, saying the sunken ships could actually destroy the
ecology of underwater sea life as visitors could cause a build-up of
underwater garbage.
A survey on sea levels will next be carried out, and discussions will
continue.
Tourist police crack down on gambling during World Cup
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Extra tourist police will be out on the streets during the World Cup series
to ensure that gambling and its related crimes are curtailed.
Pol Lt Col Wutthichat Luaensucant, Pattaya tourist police inspector told
reporters that many people would be watching the World Cup series in
Pattaya, both domestic and foreign visitors.
Police
Lieutenant Colonel Wutthichat Luaensucant is ready to fight gambling.
Pattaya tourist police are therefore laying down measures to prevent all
kinds of crime and the division will be sending more officers out onto the
streets. They will be looking especially for instances of gambling,
especially on the outskirts of the city where gamblers gather to escape the
eyes of officers.
Furthermore, officers are being sent out to check entertainment centers such
as pubs, discos and bars as tourists may gamble among themselves. Police are
also searching out bookmakers, who will be immediately arrested and dealt
with severely.
Wutthichat added that the problem of gambling directly affects tourism
through thievery and bag snatching to pay for gambling debts during the
tournament. The tourist police will be on duty in risk areas or where
teenagers likely to congregate, because if the young become addicted to
gambling they have no future.
Guesthouse and hotel owners have been asked to cooperate with police on
World Cup gambling and are encouraged to report all incidents to Pattaya
tourist police or call 1155, 24 hours per day.
Deputy interior minister confident Chonburi safe from water shortages
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornwat has visited the Eastern
Seaboard to inspect progress on the projects being undertaken by the
provincial and central governments to alleviate the water shortages that
have plagued the region.
Somchai’s first stop was Chonburi, before venturing on to Rayong. He was
joined by Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook, senior officials from the
regional water authority, and representatives from the Eastwater Company.
A meeting was held at the Chonburi Water Authority offices, where Somchai
said he wanted to receive updates from the departments responsible for the
projects.
“I want to know what the progress is, especially in Chonburi which is an
industrial and tourism center for the region, and more specifically in
Pattaya,” said Somchai.
The project directly affecting the city concerns the Mabprachan reservoir,
where 400-500 million baht is being spent on water processing facilities.
“This still appears to be not enough but we will continue to monitor the
progress over the next two to three months,” Somchai said. “I am satisfied
with the progress here after listening to the governor’s report. This year
Chonburi will not face water shortages as it did last year. The policies
issued to stop this from re-occurring are in place and we have set up an
outsource program around the country.”
The outsourcing program allows private enterprise to produce potable water
for sale to the public.
“This should make things easier,” the deputy minister said.
The Chonburi projects are the responsibility of the provincial water
authority and involve a number of construction points to prevent water
shortages. These include a water filtration plant able to produce 48,000
cubic meters of water per day in the Sriracha area with further room for
expansion. This is currently at 64 percent completed and scheduled to open
in August this year.
Laying of water pipes and better distribution is underway in Pattaya, and is
49 percent complete. A mains supply project for Chonburi and Phanat Nikom
areas is still underway.
Three youths caught stealing from bathers go berserk with knife and kill volunteer policeman
Boonlua Chatree
A volunteer policeman was knifed to death and three other people injured
by thieves who were cornered after stealing from bathers on Jomtien Beach.
Cable TV reporter Phanupong Thongprem alerted police at the Dongtan Curve
sub-station by radio on June 5 that tourists on the beach in front of Soi 9
had had their valuables stolen. The reporter was riding his motorcycle on
Thappraya Road, heading for Pattaya police station to await developments,
when three youths on motorcycles, accompanied by girls, appeared riding in
the same direction.
Phanupong was with a colleague. The youths rode their motorcycles alongside
and kicked at the reporters’ bikes. Phanupong stopped to radio the police
and ask for roadblocks to be set up, but the thieves also stopped. One of
the youths then approached with a long knife and attacked him, cutting his
neck and left arm.
His assailant called to the other youths to hold the reporter down so he
could stab him, but the second reporter intervened and the attackers fled
back in the direction of Jomtien. Phanupong was taken on his friend’s
motorcycle to Pattaya Memorial Hospital, where he was placed in intensive
care.
Roadblocks were set up and volunteer police officers picked up on the chase,
pursuing the thieves as far as the Jomtien Pacific Hotel, where the youths
fled into a thicket next to the building. There was, however, no way out for
them, and when the volunteers went in they were attacked.
Den Kachadpai, a 33-year-old volunteer from Nakhon Ratchasima was slashed in
the neck and head and stabbed in the back, the knife penetrating his lung.
He died while being transferred to Pattaya Memorial Hospital. Another
volunteer, 35-year-old Akalak Meeso, received severe cuts to his left arm. A
security guard from the hotel, Ampol Chaikla, was cut to his head and body.
In the melee the thieves managed to get away, escaping on their motorcycles
in the direction of Soi Wat Boonkanchanaram. A police task force has been
set up to hunt down the three youths.
Den has been posthumously awarded a certificate for bravery, and Chonburi
Provincial Constabulary is meeting his funeral costs. He was an electrician
at View Talay Villa, and has been commended as being a good employee and
popular with his colleagues.
Unknown woman
in drowning suicide mystery
Boonlua Chatree
An unknown woman has drowned herself off Bali Hai Pier, the second
suicide at this locality within a week.
Police led by Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, acting commander of Pattaya
Municipal Police, together with officers of Sawang Boriboon Foundation
went to the scene at 12.15 hrs on June 6 after receiving a report from
sea rescue workers that a Thai woman had drowned off the pier.
The body of a woman aged approximately 30 years, with long hair and
wearing a pink blouse and gray pants was seen floating face down in the
sea around the middle of the pier. Sea rescue workers pulled the body
out of the water. Police searched her, but no identification was found.
All that was found were birth control pills and an amount of cash in her
pants pocket. The body was taken to Banglamung Hospital for autopsy.
Police questioned Mrs Lamyong Sriruong, 42, a tour boat owner who
witnessed the event. She told officers that she saw the woman walk to
the pier with a man and a woman and the deceased had climbed onto the
edge of the pier and jumped off into the water, which is about 15 meters
deep at this point.
The man and woman who had been with the deceased have disappeared, and
police are looking for them.
This is the second suicide at Bali Hai Pier within a week. On June 1 a
33-year-old Khon Kaen woman jumped from the pier for reasons that are
unknown (Pattaya Mail, June 9, 2006).
German on the lam is tracked down and deported following embassy request
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya Immigration Police arrested a German man who was wanted on
charges of fraud in his own country and was living at an address in Naklua.
The German Embassy had issued a formal request to apprehend Franz Josef
Schulze Dieckmann, 55, who was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by a
Munster court in connection with a 10 million baht fraud case. The two
countries have a treaty for the extradition of nationals facing criminal
charges.
Franz
Josef Schulze Dieckmann
Investigations by Pattaya Immigration Police revealed that Dieckmann lived
at house in Soi Phothisarn, Naklua. Officers confronted the fugitive and
requested his passport, but he couldn’t provide it. He was charged with
illegally staying in the Kingdom without a passport, before being escorted
to Pattaya police station and from there to Pattaya District Court.
Dieckmann was added to the immigration black list as a socially harmful
person before being deported from the Kingdom.
Dutch criminal ‘acted like mafia’
in Pattaya Klang protection racket
Boonlua Chatree
A Dutchman who ran a protection racket amongst the local bars was
arrested for threatening behavior and discovered to be a wanted man in his
own country.
Pattaya immigration police had received a complaint on June 8 from an
employee of a beer bar in Pattaya Klang that the man often came to the bar
and threatened and assaulted foreign customers. Pol Col Ittipol
Ittisarnronnachai, commander of the immigration police in Pattaya, sent a
team of officers into the bars around the area and waited for the man to
show up.
Wilhelmus
Johannes van Kempen
When he did so, the officers moved in to make an arrest. The man put up a
fight and tried to pull a gun, but was restrained. He was identified as
Wilhelmus Johannes van Kempen, 35, a national of the Netherlands. During the
arrest, the immigration police allegedly received a telephone call from a
local police officer to let van Kempen go for a payment of 100,000 baht, but
the request was refused.
Police found that van Kempen’s passport had expired two years previously and
on carrying out a record check with the Netherlands Embassy found out that
the man was wanted by the authorities in his own country for a number of
crimes that included burglary, possession of weapons, and bank robbery. He
had arrived in Thailand in 2004 and opened a bar with associates in Pattaya
Klang.
Pol Col Ittipol said that van Kempen was no ordinary criminal. After
committing crimes in his own country he had arrived in Thailand and with
fellow nationals had acted like mafia, collecting protection from bar
owners, and was afraid of no one. He has now been handed over to the Dutch
embassy to be transported back to his home country.
Pattaya donates supplies
and money to flood victims in North
The Jomtien Beach Umbrellas and
Chairs Association donated supplies and money.
The Pratamnak-Pattaya Lions Club
donated supplies to the Royal Thai Navy to help the disaster victims.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya City has worked together with government departments, private
organizations, charitable institutions and the local public to gather
clothes, food and donation money to support flood disaster victims in the
North.
Floodwaters and mudslides in Uttaradit last month caused 68 known deaths and
many are still missing. Rescue workers have been searching for dead and
injured, particularly in Tapla district, which has been especially hard hit.
They believe that many victims will be found at the mouth of the River Lee,
30 kilometers from the disaster area, but rocks, uprooted trees and deep mud
have been hampering search efforts.
Donations of food, drinking water, clothes, rubber boots and other supplies
were collected and sorted at the Sawang Boriboon Foundation offices. These
were then sent to Tapla district in cooperation with the Royal Thai Navy,
which also organized a rescue center for the disaster victims.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn said that Pattaya’s response has been
commendable, with residents and visitors contributing vital supplies and
with the total donated funds standing at around 230,000 baht.
Representatives of the Isaan Club and Jomtien Beach Bed Club also presented
196,470 baht.
On June 4 between noon and midnight at Mike Shopping Mall on Beach Road, 10
bands played a charity concert organized by Mike Shopping Mall, the
Banglamung Cultural Assembly, Pattaya Police Station, FM 101.25 radio
station, and the Freelance Musicians in Pattaya City Club. The public
brought rice, dry food and cash donations throughout the 12-hour concert.
Burapha Motorcycle Club led by Prasan Nikaji, chairman, rode their bikes
around Pattaya City to collect donations, the amount reaching almost 100,000
baht by midnight on June 4.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn
visits the donation center at the Sawang Boriboon Foundation.
Pattaya residents donate blood for HM the King’s anniversary
Large crowds turned up at Mit Yon to donate blood in honor of HM the King.
Suchada Tupchai
Blood donations were arranged on June 5 at the head office of Mit Yon Center
in cooperation with A P Honda Co Ltd and at Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial
Hospital in Sriracha, as part of the events surrounding His Majesty the
King’s 60th anniversary. Many people from around Pattaya donated blood and
donors had to wait a long time for their turn.
Nipa Shanrakkaankhaa, managing director of Mit Yon Pattaya Co Ltd said that
people had started turning up in the early hours of the morning. All donors
received a yellow shirt with the words “We Love the King”.
One of the donors said that he felt lucky to have been born during the reign
of His Majesty the King and to witness the 60th anniversary celebrations. He
said he had donated blood many times, but this was his proudest moment.
Educators told to clamp down
on junk food and football gambling
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya city education management and school directors from the city’s 10
schools were called in recently for a meeting with city administrators.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn chaired the meeting.
Wutisak told educators that he did not want to see flavored sweet drinks of
any color, popular among children, in any of the schools.
Tawatchai
Rattanyu (left), Pattaya Education director, Deputy Mayor Wutisak
Rermkitkarn (center) and Chonatphong Juabmee (right), deputy municipal clerk
met with city education officials.
“Some schools have previously allowed the sale of this type of sweet drink
in the schools, but the drink has been found to be potentially dangerous to
children consuming it. This is now banned from all schools,” stated Wutisak.
The issue of the World Cup was also addressed at the meeting. Whilst
watching and participating in the sport of football is beneficial, there is
a tendency for some to gamble, even at such a young age. The deputy mayor
urged educators to understand the importance of the issue and launched a
campaign that has been named “Pattaya students: Watch the World Cup as a
sport not an opportunity to gamble.”
“Gambling is illegal, as you all know. If this activity extends to schools
then we are in real danger. It is up to you as educators to closely monitor
any potential activity,” said Wutisak.
Students educated on hemorrhagic fever prevention
Narisa Nitikarn
Over 250 students from twenty schools in the region attended an educational
seminar at Pattaya Public Health Department, the aim being to provide the
students with knowledge on recognizing and preventing the hazards associated
with the mosquito-borne disease of hemorrhagic fever.
Kanrapar
Sa-ardrueng (yellow shirt from right), narcotic prevention and treatment
sector, and Na-anya Jantrakart, communicable disease prevention section head
explain to students how to use abate sand. The chemical sand is used to kill
mosquito larvae.
Pisai Panomwan na Ayuthya, Pattaya city councilor officially opened the
seminar on May 30. The chief speaker of the day was Rachanee Tharasantisuk,
Chonburi health officer and an expert on the topic.
Also speaking on the day was Na-anya Jantrakart, communicable disease
prevention section head, who gave the students some facts and figures to
think about.
“In Pattaya there are still many people contracting this disease. Over the
past three or four years the number of cases that have led to death has
decreased, and in the past year there have been no deaths. But 17 new cases
were reported.”
Na-anya attributed the reduction in hemorrhagic fever to the ongoing program
conducted by the Pattaya Health Department through education and active
treatments of breeding areas.
“We also see the need to spread the word among local schools so that you as
students can relay this knowledge to your families and communities,” added
Na-anya.
The disease has been most prominent following the annual rains and most
vulnerable are those in the 5-14 age groups. Treatment in the early stages
can take as little as three to four days but if left untreated the disease
can lead to death. Symptoms are constant bowel movements with the presence
of blood, nausea and prominent bleeding from the body.
“We urge everyone to be aware of this problem and help eliminate mosquito
breeding areas. This will benefit everyone in the community and ultimately
your own health,” said Na-anya.
She also expressed concern over small businesses and those occupying
shophouses who leave pools of dirty water where mosquitoes can lay their
eggs.
The Public Health Department readily makes abate sand available to the
public to aid killing mosquito larvae and officers will fumigate where
needed. Further information can be obtained from the Pattaya Public Health
Department by calling 038 420 823 and asking for the disease control
section.
TAT Mountains to the Sea road show stimulates domestic tourism
Apichart Phoechphan (right),
deputy chief district officer of Pattaya receives a gift from Junnapong
Saranak (center), Tourism Authority of Thailand Northern Office Region 1
director.
Narisa Nitikarn
A Tourism Authority of Thailand road show designed to promote Pattaya
and Rayong to the residents of Northern Thailand and vice versa, and
consequently stimulate domestic tourism got underway on May 31 at the Town
in Town Hotel.
Deputy chief district officer of Pattaya, Apichart Phoechphan presided over
the start of the road show, entitled “Connecting the Mountains to the Thai
Sea”, with tour operators, hotels, resorts and restaurants participating in
the project in large numbers.
TAT offices in four regions, namely Region 1 Chiang Mai, Region 2 Chiang
Rai, Region 3 Pitsanuloke and Region 4 Tak, staged the road show. More than
100 tourism business operators participated.
“Inter-regional tourism will lead to distribution of income to all regions
of the country, and the government is promoting policies to encourage Thais
to travel domestically,” said Junnapong Saranak, director of TAT North
Office Region 1.
599 monks to take part
in restaurateurs’ homage to HM the King
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Five hundred and ninety-nine monks will take part in ceremonies organized by
the Pattaya Restaurateurs’ Society to mark the occasion of His Majesty the
King’s 60th anniversary.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay chaired the meeting on
June 8 to prepare for the event, which is scheduled to take place on June 19
at the old pier area in South Pattaya. City councilors and society members
attended.
Verawat, who is also chairman of the Restaurateurs’ Society said that this
is a charitable event and that donations would be made to the 599 monks, who
will be from several temples around Pattaya. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m.
at the old South Pattaya pier area, and is open to everyone.
“I urge all Pattaya residents - Thai or foreign - to join in this auspicious
occasion and pay homage to His Majesty,” said Verawat.
Medical team conducts diabetes checks for the over-40s
Narisa Nitikarn
Officials of the Non Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Center
at the Public Health Center in Soi Bua Khao conducted diabetes checks on the
over-40s at Roi Lang Community on May 31.
Police
Captain Dr Pornpana Chokthai, MD, and a team of nurses from the Center gave
diabetes checks to over 40-year-olds in Roi Lang Community.
Led by Police Captain Doctor Ms Pornpana Chokthai, the team of nurses was
supported by the Quality Creation Association of Thailand, Eastern Region
branch, which provided the premises for the examinations.
Pol Capt Pornpana said that she and her team had been conducting diabetes
checks in various communities since October last year and will continue
until all 26 communities have been covered.
Examinations were given from 8 a.m. to noon and locals were given
information about the dangers of diabetes and ways to treat it and take care
of themselves. If anyone was found to be at risk they were advised to go and
see a specialist at the hospital. Anyone already suffering from the disease
is also at risk of heart disease and hypertension. It is expressly advised
that the aged have preliminary checks. People don’t usually realize that
they have diabetes until the symptoms are quite severe. The disease can be
controlled through diet and exercise and in severe cases medication.
The nursing team was kept busy with many people turning up for their
examinations. The examinations are also held to reduce the number of people
with heart disease or hypertension through teaching about the diseases.
Photographic exhibition of HM the King opens at Sattahip
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Official and private organizations in Sattahip District have combined to
hold an exhibition of photographs of His Majesty the King as part of the
celebrations surrounding the 60th anniversary.
Sattahip
District Chief Chana Lamsaeng (left) and Norm Pongkanchanarukul (right),
chief personal photographer of HM the King visit the photographers’
exhibition.
On June 1, Sattahip District Chief Channa Lamsaeng, Norm Pongkanchanarukul,
chief personal photographer to His Majesty the King, and Kwanwan Khantisuk,
general manager of Nong Nooch Garden opened the exhibition at one of the
traditional buildings in Nong Nooch Garden.
Amongst the organizations participating are the Tourism Authority of
Thailand Region 3 Chonburi, Sattahip Municipality, Banglamung Cultural
Department, and the Cultural Department in Sattahip District. The exhibition
will continue until June 30.
Along with the exhibition is a book for members of the public to sign their
names expressing their respects to His Majesty the King on this auspicious
occasion.
9,000 rockets light the
Sriracha sky in
anniversary celebrations
The music show and Thai
blessing dance from schools in Sriracha District were performed brilliantly.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Nine thousand rockets soared into the sky over a period of three hours each
night from June 2 - 4 as Sriracha honored the 60th anniversary of His
Majesty the King’s accession to the throne.
It
was a fireworks display fit for a King.
The municipality cooperated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to
organize a special program of events over the period June 2 to 4,
culminating in the fireworks competition that took place at Koh Loi Bridge.
During the time leading up to the competition candles were lit and services
held. The fireworks competition began at 7 p.m. with nine teams competing
for the Princess Theprattanaratchasuda Trophy. A grand total of 9,000
rockets burst in the skies over Sriracha and were judged on various criteria
that included size, color and form.
The winner was Wanjai Mue Mai Fireworks, receiving a 100,000 baht prize and
the trophy. Runner-up was the Pacific Pyro Team, receiving 50,000 baht, and
in third place was the Nanthawat Niyomkarn Team, receiving 30,000 baht.
Apart from the launching of fireworks there was also a display of lamps from
Sriracha municipality teachers, performances by music bands, and an
exhibition on His Majesty’s visit to Sriracha.
Every household in the Sriracha municipality celebrated by decorating their
houses, and householders will keep these decorations for the remainder of
the year.
|