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Flash floods hit Banglamung district
Worst deluge in 10 years damages over 100 homes
Narisa Nitikarn
Hours of heavy rains on July 1 saw heavy flooding in a number of Banglamung
districts. Takientia, Banglamung-Laem Chabang region and Banglamung
sub-district were inundated with 2 meters of water, prompting government
agencies and rescue organizations into action to assist residents.
Over 100 homes were damaged by rising floodwaters, causing 500,000 baht of
damage. Enormous numbers of electrical appliances have been destroyed, and a
large number of cars and motorcycles stranded. Drainage systems were unable
to cope with the massive amount of water caused by the heavy downfall.
More than 300 rescue personnel began assisting displaced families the
morning after the heavy rains. Residents were provided with food and drink
and many were moved to drier locations, especially the elderly in the worst
affected areas.
“The heavy rains last night caused floodwaters to rise very quickly. It’s
the worst flooding in Banglamung I’ve seen in the past 10 years,” said one
resident. “The water came at us from both sides, the sea and from the
rainfall.”
Weather forecasters had warned residents in Rayong, Chantaburi, and Trat of
heavy rainfalls on July 1 and an increased wave height of 2-3 meters in the
Gulf of Thailand. There were no reported deaths or injuries as a result of
the flooding in the area. Banglamung officials and rescue personnel
continued their efforts to restore some sort of order to affected residents.
Golden coral in full bloom discovered at Sattahip naval base
Coral named in honour of HM the King
Naval officers proudly display the golden
coral found in Sattahip.
Patcharapol Panrak
A new golden coral flower has been discovered amongst the rocks of the
Sattahip Naval Base beach area, a discovery that has caused great
excitement especially as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of His
Majesty the King’s accession to the throne. It has been named
Chalermprakiat flower, meaning ‘In celebration of HM the King’.
The find has prompted increased patrols in the area to prevent poachers
from stealing the flowers, and senior navy officials were called in to
advise on how to prevent the coral from being taken or destroyed by
those seeking to profit from the historical find on the 2-kilometer
stretch of beach area.
“This is an exciting find and we have known about it since June 9,” said
Marine Corps Captain Suwat Chitdecha. “Rear Admiral Sakdichai
Uboldech-pracharak, Royal Thai Marine Corps commander made the discovery
during his regular exercise routine in the area. He had noticed the
golden light reflecting from the surface of the rocks along the beach
and went to investigate. He then asked experts to investigate what type
of coral it was. “This is the first time we have seen anything like it
in the area.”
Marine biologists took samples of the coral and expect to reveal their
findings shortly.
Rear Admiral Sakdichai told reporters that after his discovery he was
reluctant to go public because of potential poachers seeking profit from
the coral.
“It really is a beautiful sight and this is the first time in the
history of Sattahip that we have seen this type of coral,” said Rear
Admiral Sakdichai.
The coral was named in honour of HM the King due to the auspicious find
on June 9, which also coincided with celebrations of his 60th
anniversary accession to the throne.
Redemptorist rapid deployment task force step in to help flood victims
Offer repair services for electrical appliances.
Learning of the misfortunes of the villagers that were
affected by the sudden floods, which inundated over a hundred homes in
Banglamung District last weekend, Likhit Thaksin, deputy head of community
relations of Redemptorist Vocational School led 30 students from the
electronics department to the villages on July 4, to assist in repairing
electrical appliances that had been damaged by the floodwaters.
On learning of this generous service offered, excited villagers brought
their water-clogged appliances to the public park at Banglamung where the
repair stations had been set up by the kind hearted electricians.
Though physically challenged these heroic vocational students, experts in
the electronic field, got down to work repairing appliances such as
refrigerators, television sets and washing machines much to the appreciation
of their fellow citizens in the district.
This soggy TV set gets a good
working over.
Fridges and washing machines
were hit the hardest.
Severe flooding in Banglamung,
the worst in 10 years, damaged over 100 homes leaving many families with no
dry place to stay.
British national robbed at gunpoint in his luxury home
Boonlua Chatree
A wealthy British man was robbed at gunpoint in his luxury home in Soi
Thapraya despite the house having a high wall and a burglar alarm.
Police received a report of the robbery shortly after midnight on June 24
and officers led by Pol Col Somnuek Changate, commander of Pattaya Municipal
Police went immediately to the scene.
 Futcher
points to the safe that he was forced to open.
The two-story concrete house constructed in a Thai-Bali style was a
luxurious one, standing on 150 square wah of land and surrounded by a steel
reinforced concrete wall. The burglar alarms were still screaming. The
entrance was wide open and the owner, Paul Edward Futcher, a 56-year-old
British national, was inside in a state of shock and fear.
He told officers that three men aged between 20 and 25 years who looked like
drug abusers broke into the house while he was working at his computer
downstairs. One of the men was carrying a gun and ordered him to hand over
all his valuables while the other two ransacked the house.
After that he was forced to open the safe on the second floor, which
contained three one-baht gold necklaces, one gold ring, one hundred British
pounds, 400,000 baht, 2,000 baht in a purse and a Sony video camera, the
total value being about 500,000 baht.
The men used a curtain to tie his hands together, the curtain rope to tie
his legs together at the ankles and a plastic rubbish bag to gag him. They
left him in the bedroom before making a run for it with the stolen property.
After five minutes he thought that the thieves had left and wriggled along
the floor to set off the burglar alarm. He suffered cuts to his mouth from
the rubbish liner. The officers radioed other police to block off the area,
but there was no trace of the thieves.
Futcher told officers that he owned a website where he offered house
decoration services. He said he had purchased the land and built a house on
it where he lived with his partner, who had gone out for a meal at about 7
pm. He had been alone in the house when the robbers broke in.
Wuttipong said that the alarm system was a good quality one and a code had
to be entered when entering or leaving. He said that the wall was more than
three meters high with steel poles on top, and he failed to understand how
the men had managed to enter the house without setting off the alarms.
Wuttipong added that the house had previously been burgled, and that it was
easily observed from the outside as it was surrounded by woodland and there
were no other houses in the vicinity.
Pol. Col. Somnuek said that the men had got into the house without setting
off the alarm due either to a technical error or to Wuttipong forgetting to
close the door properly as he left. He added that it looked like the robbery
had been planned in advance and that the thieves were just waiting for the
right moment to pounce. Forensics officers have collected fingerprints and
police are now searching for the robbers.
Lone robber makes off with over a million in 1 minute gold shop heist
A grab from a CCTV monitor shows the robbery in
progress.
Patcharapol Panrak
A single armed bandit escaped with 120 Baht weight in gold, worth about 1.5
million baht after using an 11 mm handgun to shoot his way out of a Sattahip
Gold Shop. The man, dressed in jeans, black jacket and wearing a full-face
helmet carried out the daring robbery on Saturday afternoon in the busy
market area, taking only a minute to escape with the gold.
Police arrived at the Roongruang Gold shop shortly after 2.30 p.m. on June
24 after the theft. The shop’s owner, Usanee Phoowarat, 65, explained to
officers the chain of events. She was unharmed in the robbery as were her
husband, daughter-in-law and granddaughter who were in the shop at the time.
Usanee told officers that the man parked a motorcycle 5 doors down and fired
a warning shot before smashing the glass cabinets containing 5 and 10 Baht
weight gold chains. She added that the gunman fired another shot at the
plate glass to aid his escape on a Yamaha RXD motorcycle. Close circuit
camera recordings were replayed and taken as evidence by officers.
Police surmised initially that it might have been a local youth wanting to
indulge in gambling during the current World Cup.
Further questioning of Usanee and her family led to a possible related
altercation with a customer over a disagreement concerning their services in
September last year. Police investigations have not ruled out the man as his
build is quite close to that shown on the CCTV footage. On June 25, Pol. Lt.
Col. Somtai Khumwat, Sattahip police superintendent and senior investigation
officer reviewed the tape from the robbery to gain further leads into the
case.
Pol. Lt. Gen Jongrak Chutanont, region 2 commander is overseeing the case
due to its high profile.
Local police have ascertained that someone who knew the roads well carried
out the theft and further investigations have shed light on another
potential suspect.
Undercover officers have reported murmurs among the area’s youth,
particularly those in the drug scene and muggers that one man had reportedly
carried out another robbery on a gold shop three days earlier and had told
acquaintances that he would flee to another part of the country.
Police are continuing their investigations and leads on the two suspects.
Travel agents to revive promotions amongst Scandinavian countries
Pattaya back in limelight after image problems
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) will target Scandinavian
markets for this year’s high season and into 2007, it was decided at a
meeting held on June 23 at the Bella Villa Cabana Hotel.
 Chatchawal
Supachayanont, (left) president of Thai Hotels Association (Eastern Chapter)
and Apichart Sankari president of ATTA.
Apichart Sankari, ATTA president and speaker at the meeting revealed that
three major Scandinavian tour operators have agreed to begin promoting the
Eastern Seaboard and Pattaya as a travel option to their customers.
‘These large tour operators, My Travel, Star Tours and Apollo will start
marketing the region once again. They operate in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and
Finland, said Apichart.
The ATTA president added that the Scandinavian population was rather similar
to that of Australia in their travel preferences, with 90 percent of
tourists opting to travel outside their country for holidays and that the
main destinations were Bali and Thailand’s Andaman provinces.
ATTA’s hopes of boosting the Scandinavian market comes after a hiatus due to
media reports condemning Thailand and particularly Pattaya for child
prostitution, poor environmental policy, sewage released into the sea and
appalling service standards in the tourism industry. The reports directly
affected the number of visitors resulting in tour operators boycotting
Pattaya.
However, the situation has changed since the 2004 tsunami and Pattaya is
back in the limelight after having introduced better service and safety
standards in the tourism industry as well as tremendous hotel development.
Statistics from 2004-2005 show visitors to Thailand from Scandinavia
increased by 10 percent from the previous level due partly to an increased
number of seats and flights to Thailand. Figures also suggested that the
majority of tourists from this particular region, including Finland brought
their families to Thailand with major interests in eco-tourism and beach
destinations in this country. These include Hua Hin and Cha-am, Samet
Island, Pattaya and Koh Chang Island.
Banglamung District pays out 300,000 baht to help pineapple farmers facing glut
Suphakit Thamsatitman district chief will
distribute almost two tons of surplus pineapples to local residents.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Banglamung district chief officer Suphakit Thamsatitman has agreed with
Khao Mai Kaew district administration to allocate more than 300,000 baht
to help pineapple growers, who have been suffering because of a huge
glut in production.
In order to avoid a similar situation next year, with prices for
pineapples plunging through excess supply, future production will be
controlled.
Banglamung’s action follows government policy in assisting farmers where
production is higher than market demand, which is happening in Khao Mai
Kaew.
Suphakit said that Banglamung administration had allocated 320,000 baht
to assist affected farmers. This year’s pineapple harvest has exceeded
market demand by more than two tons, and Banglamung administration is
buying the excess. Much of the extra production is because in Khao Mai
Kaew the number of pineapple growers has increased.
Affected farmers will be paid 1.30 baht per kilogram, the 30 satang
being for transportation. Some of the pineapples will be given to locals
and some to housewives for processing. The rest will be buried and
turned into fertilizer. Payment will be made before July 15.
Suphakit said that in order to resolve the problem over the long term,
pineapple growers would have to be registered to control the harvest and
not allow it to exceed market demand.
Road level to be raised
at Khaotalo Community
Residents of Khaotalo
community cheer after city hall’s assurance of assistance.
Narisa Nitikarn
After having received many complaints from the Khaotalo Community that
residents were unable to use the road when it rains due to flooding, members
of Pattaya City Council together with public works department engineers led
by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkitkarn conducted a survey of Sukhumvit Soi 83,
across from Lotus South Pattaya.
Wuttisak said that he understood how important the road is to the community
and ordered an inspection. The intention is to raise the level of the
3-meter wide road along an 800-meter stretch, from the entrance to the soi
to the railway tracks. The problem will be solved as a matter of urgency, he
said, although another survey will be required to check what type of road
surface would be the most suitable, concrete or asphalt.
The community also complained about electricity, saying that residents had
paid for the electricity poles themselves but they are still not
standardized and are now showing wear and tear. Officials advised them to
write a letter to the electricity authority and if the installation of new
poles was approved to ask Pattaya City Council to oversee the matter.
US declares sunken sub site as war grave
Patcharapol Panrak
Five US Navy warships that entered Thai territorial waters to
participate in the Carat 2006 training exercises with the Thai Royal Navy
frigates at Sattahip also went searching for and discovered a World War Two
American submarine that had been sunk by enemy action in 1944.
Lieutenant Commander John Colby Howard (left) and Captain Virat Somchit speak to
reporters.
The USS Salvor moored about 100 nautical miles off the coast of Songkla,
near Koh Losin, to allow navy divers to search for the vessel. The search
was carried out between June 11 to 16, and the US Navy was able to confirm
that the submarine lying on the ocean floor 240 feet beneath the surface was
indeed the USS Lagarto and was still in 80 percent of its original
condition. Divers found twin 5-inch guns mounted on the forward and rear
parts of the ship. It is believed that the sub ran into depth charges laid
by the Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka on 3 April 1944, and sank with the loss
of all 86 crewmembers.
The US Navy called a news conference with Captain Virat Somchit, deputy
commander of Frigate Fleet 2 acting as interpreter for Lt. Commander John
Colby Howard, commanding officer of the USS Salvor.
A wreath laying ceremony was held at the area of the sunken sub. Lt.
Commander Howard said that he had contacted the Thai authorities and the
Thai Royal Navy to declare the site a war grave under international treaties
and maritime laws.
He added that cameras have been installed all around the submarine to record
anyone who may interfere with the sunken vessel. The US authorities surveyed
only the outside of the vessel and did not touch the inside as they wanted
the area to remain as it was found, and to let the 86 bodies remain in
peace.
The US Navy will deliver photographs and a video of the ceremony to the
families of the dead sailors. Any vessel that now passes the grave in these
Thai territorial waters will be required to salute to honor the dead, as is
maritime custom.
Rear Admiral Surasak Roonruangrom, director of Carat 2006 and commander of
Frigate Fleet 2 said that under correct procedure all must comply with the
treaties of the Geneva Convention on the declaration of sites as war graves,
as well as the Royal Decree on the declaration as sea archeological sites.
This is acknowledged by all countries that abide by the etiquette regarding
war graves.
He added that the Royal Navy acknowledges the treaties and will inform
recreational divers and fisherman not to enter the gravesite.
Thaksin urges district chiefs to help steer SML community projects
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The government’s community development project focusing on small, medium
and large (SML) self-supportive endeavours was discussed at a meeting
between acting Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and district chiefs from
around the nation.
The three-day symposium, held at the Ambassador hotel stressed the
importance of self-regulation by community leaders.
 Acting
Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra admires the products made by various
communities under the SML project.
The PM said communities must further develop their skills and knowledge base
in forming economically viable business models for production of product and
services centered on villager’s problem solving and creative abilities with
the support of government officials.
Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said the aim of the seminar was to create
long-term economic opportunities for villagers and enable them to adapt to
the necessary changes required to manage their projects.
“The district chiefs and assistance district chiefs must support the people
and financially stand on their own two feet through their own ideas and
efforts. It is your job as community leaders to aid in problem solving and
provide the necessary tools for the people to help themselves,”he said.
During the meeting, held from June 25 to 28, special guest Morihiko
Hiramatsu, former governor of the Japanese province of Oita spoke on the
success of his own One Village, One Product and community development scheme
and its success in aiding the community. He has been relaying the benefits
of the “one village, one product” system to local governments around the
globe.
The SML project in Thailand was born after the Prime Minster visited
Thailand’s rural areas, receiving numerous requests for aid in solving
problems in smaller villages, particularly at an economic level. He cited
that any long-term solution must come from the people’s development and
ability to provide and solve problems for themselves – creating and working
together – through self-employment opportunities.
Police lobby for helicopter to increase air surveillance
Chopper would be crime deterrent and help rescue services says police chief
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya City is considering boosting police presence in the city by
allotting money to regional headquarters in support of purchasing and
operating a helicopter.
The police aviation division presented their case to city officials at a
meeting on June 20, as the project aimed at increasing surveillance, sea
rescue efforts and reducing crime is under the responsibility of Police
Region 2 headquarters.
Senior officers made the proposal to Pattaya City, citing direct benefits in
improving police response time and asking for 1 million baht towards
operating costs for the project. The helicopter would benefit rescue
operations in the city’s high-rise buildings as well as speed up rescue
efforts in the bay area.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh chaired the meeting and listened to the
proposal along with city councillors. The current trial project whereby
officers are using light aircraft will run until September this year.
Pol Col Noppadol Wongnom, acting Pattaya police superintendent told
reporters that the use of a helicopter in the area stems from the region 2
office, which controls the eight Eastern provinces.
“The cost of operating the project is approximately 2 million baht per year.
Chonburi is an economic center with a great number of visitors and
industrial estates, and it would be beneficial for Pattaya by providing
faster response times and increased surveillance.”
There are currently five pilots in the Police Air Division program. Pol.
Col. Noppadol added that the national police bureau had allocated half of
the expenses but because of Pattaya’s large number of activities and tourist
numbers, they would need additional funding to carry out the program.
“Once we have approval, the program will go ahead immediately,” he said.
Sanit Boonmachai, Pattaya city councilor supported the idea. City
administrators commented that they would consider the proposal but needed to
look at their budgets and the pros and cons of the project before going
ahead with the idea.
Sanit berates city employees
for irresponsibility
Says operations at the pier are a mess
Narisa Nitikarn
Pattaya city councillor, Sanit Boonmachai pulled no punches at municipal
officers during a governance and public stability committee meeting. The
committee chairperson heavily criticized the lack of responsibility from
municipal officers concerning operations and upholding regulations at the
Bali Hai Pier.
Sanit Boonmachai berates officials over their lack of work ethic and
responsibility.
“There are a number of people not here today because they lack job
commitment and instead have sent subordinates in their place and are unable
to face the consequences of their actions,” he exclaimed.
The city councillor released a tirade on the lack of job commitment by
certain city officers after they have repeatedly failed to perform their
duties in upholding regulations and standards at the south Pattaya pier.
Sanit addressed those attending the meeting claiming that these people not
only showed little interest in performing their duties but also showed no
interest in helping anyone but themselves.
“The purpose of these meetings is to help improve the city’s image and
operations, specifically in public areas. These people have not responded to
complaints by residents or visitors when problems occur at the pier and
what’s worse is that they are unable to be contacted,” said Sanit.
The city councillor went on to say that, the pier area was left in a
shambles with boats mooring at the wrong sections of the pier. “This is
clearly a lack of responsibility by city officers” he said.
He added that boat mooring regulations were ignored by boat owners but worse
still was the lack of enforcement by municipal officers.
“For example, pier A, which is closest to land, is for the smaller boats and
pier E is for the larger vessels. There is now however, a great number of
boats mooring where they feel like. Some of these people know the
regulations but do not follow them and city employees are not interested in
rectifying the problems,” Sanit claimed, “the pier looks like a mess because
of this and it adversely affects the operations which reflects badly on
Pattaya itself and this is unacceptable.”
Ekarat Khantaro of Pattaya Marine Transport Department suggested that
perhaps the public should be informed as to the regulations concerning the
pier to assist in changing the lax attitudes of boat owners and municipal
officers. Sanit accepted the proposal for consideration, adding, “If we are
to create a better Pattaya there must be cooperation at all levels.”
Bypass project halted by rail authority’s changing demands
Mayor will complain to cabinet over ‘unnecessary problems’
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Miscommunication and changing conditions have plagued Pattaya’s railway
bypass after two years of negotiations with the State Railways of Thailand
(SRT), and there is now a possibility that the project will be canceled due
to the ongoing problems.
Pichet Uthaiwatthananont, Pattaya engineering director told a city hall
meeting on June 22 that he had already received the appropriate budget for
the project and was ready to proceed but the continuing problems had
prevented any further progress.
 Pichet
Uthaiwatthananont, Director of Pattaya City Engineering Department shows a
map of the disputed area.
“The project was planned to include a bypass road along both sides of the
railway line from Kratinglai to the southern city limits,” said Pichet.
“However, we have had consistent problems with receiving approval from the
State Railways of Thailand.”
Approved plans would see two lanes either side of the railway line, aimed at
easing the city’s increasing traffic problems. The road would have been
placed at least 5 meters away from the railway line.
“The SRT have asked us to clear the areas in readiness for the project but
have now changed the conditions. On the eastern side they want us to move
the road 15 meters away from the line and on the western side an additional
5 meters.
“On top of that they want the city to pay for moving all the power and
communications poles along the line. That’s an additional 60-80 million baht
on top of the existing project,” said Phchet, adding that there was no
budget allowance for this.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, who chaired the meeting said, “I have
trouble understanding the SRT’s intentions. This project is for the greater
benefit of all but we have had continuous problems with these people.
Whatever the case we have already started work on the western part of the
road and will have to continue regardless.”
Concerning the eastern side of the project, Niran said he would meet with
cabinet ministers on the issue and tell them that the State Railways of
Thailand were creating too many unnecessary problems for the project to
continue.
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