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People throughout the Kingdom join together to pay respects to King Chulalongkorn the Great
Chavalit Saenuthai, senior
official at Banglamung District Office, lights incense as part of the
religious ceremonies honoring King Chulalongkorn the Great.
Pattaya Mail, YWCA and Rotary
pay respect to a revered King.
Chulalongkorn Day, October 23, is a national holiday and
ceremonies were performed throughout Thailand to mark the day that the great
King passed away in the year 1910.
Locally, government officials, state enterprise employees, village headmen,
local leaders, students, schoolchildren and the general public participated
in a wreath laying ceremony in remembrance of King Chulalongkorn. The
official ceremony was held in the morning at the Rama V monument, located in
front of the Banglamung district office building. Chavalit Saenuthai, senior
official at Banglamung District Office, presided over the ceremonies.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn and local police officials present a wreath in
honor of the great King.
King Chulalongkorn, the son of King Mongkut and Queen Thepsirindra, was born
on September 20, 1853. He was crowned King on 1 October 1868, becoming Rama
V, the fifth monarch of the Rattanakosin era.
King Chulalongkorn was instrumental in modernizing the Kingdom of Thailand
and is credited with many visionary accomplishments, including the
establishment of the Council of State, setting up 12 different ministries
which reorganized the government administrative system and the abolition of
slavery.
King Chulalongkorn’s other ambitious achievements included establishing
trade and diplomatic contact with foreign governments, and introducing
revolutionary changes throughout the kingdom regarding police security, a
postal system, hospitals, and railroads.
The great King also was instrumental in maintaining the nation’s sovereignty
during a critical period in history when powerful nations were expanding
their influence and colonizing neighboring countries.
Parade, benevolent donations begin Pattaya’s Vegetarian Festival
Popular event to become a permanent annual attraction
A troop of local ‘deities’
performs.
Residents pay their respects
to the deities.
The Vegetarian Festival commenced last Saturday, with a
grand parade that attracted crowds of residents and tourists, many of whom
participated in the festivities.
Placing the ancient Chinese tradition of a vegetarian festival into a modern
context is proving attractive to many people other than Thai-Chinese
residents and overseas visitors have been especially impressed.
 The
festivities this year began with a dragon parade and a procession from Bali
Hai Pier, making its way along Second Road and up to Larn Po in Naklua.
Chinese devotees fast for a prescribed period to cleanse their bodies and
souls in preparation to honor ancient deities, and pray for health, luck and
prosperity in the coming year.
Pattaya’s Vegetarian Festival began some 59 years ago (1957) when the
Chinese business community in Naklua formed what is now known as the Sawang
Boriboon Foundation. From throughout the districts of Banglamung and
Sattahip, they collected bodies of the deceased who had no relatives for
religious rites and a proper burial. During this ceremonial period, the
devotees practiced vegetarianism and wore only white clothing.
At the end of the ceremonies they built a shrine to the ‘Paed Sian’ deity,
which was completed on the first day of the ninth lunar month of the Chinese
calendar. The festival has been celebrated here ever since.
The residents of Pattaya-Naklua have been following these traditions for the
past six decades but because of its popularity and success, Pattaya City
Hall in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Central
Region 3, the Sawang Boriboon Foundation and a large number of private
organizations decided 3 years ago to make the Pattaya Vegetarian Festival a
permanent annual attraction.
The festivities this year began with a dragon parade and a procession from
Bali Hai Pier, making its way along Second Road and up to Larn Po in Naklua.
The festivities, which were held at the old Chinese Temple in Naklua, were
presided over by former senator Santsak Ngampiches. Other well-known figures
in attendance included Wisit Chawalitnittitham, chairman of the Sawang
Boriboon Foundation, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and former MP Chanyuth
Hengrakul.
During the course of the ceremonies, Mayor Niran donated an ambulance cum
rescue vehicle to the foundation for use in their duties of aiding people
involved in road accidents and other life threatening emergencies.
To add to the donations Pikul Somnual and Pravit Ngamthup, two residents of
Pattaya-Naklua community generously contributed 250,000 baht each for the
renovation and maintenance of a school for underprivileged children in the
community under the care of the foundation.
As is tradition every year, a special and sacred vegetarian dish is prepared
for the people and this year the Chef’s Association of Pattaya & East
Thailand Club together with the help of the VIPs prepared Sanctified Fried
Rice in a gigantic frying pan, using specially selected ingredients to make
690 kilos of the delicacy, enough to feed 2000 people. The rice and
ingredients used in the humongous concoction had been sanctified earlier and
therefore it is believed that partaking of the sacred fare would bring
increased luck and prosperity.
Throughout the nine days, those participating in the festival cleanse their
bodies of animal products by following a strict vegetarian diet. They wear
clean white garments and make merit through offerings and prayers and
meditation.
The more casual visitors simply enjoyed the fun and the food. Clearly, the
Pattaya Vegetarian Festival has something for everyone. The festival will
continue until October 31.
Respected devotees bring in
the shrine to call on the deities.
25 households moved to make way for drainage project
Narisa Nitikarn
Twenty-five households around the Nok Grayang canal have been relocated so
that drainage pipes can be laid through the area to help alleviate flooding
in Naklua.
Members of Pattaya City Council District 1, led by councilor Banlue
Kullavanijaya and accompanied by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn on October
10 went to supervise the clearing of the land, which belongs to Wat Chong
Lom.
 (From
left) Banlue Kullavanijaya, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Mongkhon
Deedamrong, and Jidapa Suwattaporn inspect the new location as excavators
(background) begin clearing the area.
Niran said that officials carried out a survey of the number of people
living on public land near the canal and found that 25 households were
blocking the intended route for the drainage pipes. City hall and Pattaya
City Council District 1 had found the families a new place to live, and are
providing the land rent-free for the first three years.
Banlue said that during the initial three years the city will pay the rent
on the land belonging to Wat Chong Lom. A contract has been entered into
with the temple abbot, Phra Khru Vimolthamsit for a rental of 3 baht per
square wah per month. The area leased is just over 2 rai for a total of
108,000 baht. After the three-year period each family will need to extend
the lease agreement with the temple. The area of land allocated to each
household will depend on the number of family members.
“Some families are unwilling to move because they will lose income from
shophouses that they have built and leased out,” said Niran.
Country music to be featured of Loy Krathong festival
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Country singers and a comedy show will be amongst the attractions of Loy
Krathong in Pattaya on November 5, with activities centering on Lan Pho
Public Park in Naklua.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn chaired a meeting on October 10 at Pattaya
City Hall to announce the arrangements, with councilors, administrators and
community leaders attending.
 Deputy
Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn presides over the meeting to discuss this year’s
Loy Krathong Festival at Lan Pho Public Park in Naklua.
This year Pattaya City has invited well-known country singers Yui Yatyer and
Sotsai Romphothong to join the celebrations and there will be a Khamkhan and
Rock Kaopun comedy show.
A krathong contest, using only natural materials, will be held between 1
p.m. and 5 p.m. The competition will be divided into three levels, namely
primary school class, secondary school class, and the general public. The
winning prizes for each level are 10,000 baht, 7,000 baht and 5,000 baht,
and there is a consolation prize of 2,000 baht. Anyone interested can apply
during workdays at the Children and Youth Activity Office, Pattaya Education
Department from now until November 4.
The meeting also discussed entries into the priesthood at Jittapawan College
over the period December 2 to 10, in honor of His Majesty the King’s
birthday on December 5.
BAYWATCH: Light work needed at railroad crossing
Noppadon Chaichana
Local residents have complained about the lack of street lighting in the
area near the railroad tracks at Soi Crocodile Farm, on Chaiyaporn Road.
It’s not that they are afraid of crocs or trains, it’s simply that the area
is so dark it is a hazard to motorists and pedestrians alike.
A visit by a Pattaya Mail reporter did indeed reveal that the intersection,
near to the Banglamung Ice Company, is unlit. There are 12 power poles but
residents say they haven’t been in use for a long time. There have been many
accidents here, although no fatalities as yet. It can be only a matter of
time…
Sun and Fun Fly-in
readies for take-off
Noppadon Chaichana
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn on October 10 chaired a preparatory meeting
on the organization of the Aeronautics Games 2006, an event in which teams
will compete for the King’s Cup.
 Group
Captain Veerayuth Didyasarin, in his capacity as deputy chairman of the
Aeronautics Sports Association of Thailand, announces the Sun and Fun Fly-in
competition.
Planned as an annual event, the games are to be held under the banner “Sun
and Fun Fly-in.”
Amongst those attending the meeting at the Pattaya District Office
Conference Room were representatives of the Aeronautics Sports Association
of Thailand, which is under Royal Patronage.
The association’s deputy chairman, Group Captain Veerayuth Didyasarin, said
the games would be held November 10 to 12 at Pattaya Air Park, Soi Greenway,
Huay Yai.
Group Captain Veerayuth added that the event is recognized by the Sports
Authority of Thailand and the association will now receive support from the
government sector, just like other sports associations. In the near future
Thai aeronautics will grow and there will be an increase in pilots and
airports. Flying will gain in popularity amongst the public.
Mayor Niran said Pattaya City Council will coordinate with government
departments in the area and relevant private organizations, and with the
police to handle traffic and the safety of the competitors and general
public.
New drainage pipe will help to relieve flooding
Construction work to help
solve the problem of flooding is scheduled to be completed November 12, just
after the end of rainy season.
Noppadon Chaichana
Director of the Public Health and Engineering Department Wirat
Jirasripaithoon said that a new culvert is being constructed at the
beginning of Soi 4 and Second Road so that a new water drainage pipe can be
laid behind Big C North Pattaya and to help alleviate the city’s flooding
problem.
The project began on September 28 and is due for completion on November 12,
with a budget of 265,000 baht.
Wirat said the existing drainage pipe was too small and prone to blockage
with refuse, and consequently was not able to handle the demands of a heavy
rainfall.
Pattaya has enough water to last through mid-2007 says Waterworks Authority
Needs more funds to be able to distribute it properly
Mabprachan Reservoir is now
nearly full.
Noppadon Chaichana
The Provincial Waterworks Authority has declared that Pattaya’s reservoirs
have enough water to last until the middle of 2007. However, some areas are
still not receiving proper amounts of water for daily living, as the
distribution system needs upgrading.
Paitoon Orachorn, assistant director of the Provincial Waterworks Authority,
said that Pattaya Waterworks Office in a report for the period October 9 to
16 had detailed the water levels and quantity of water in the Mabprachan,
Nongglangdong, Huay Chaknork, Huay Khunchit, and Huay Saphan reservoirs.
Mabprachan Reservoir, the largest, can hold 16.6 million cubic meters of
water. On October 16 it contained 15.016 million cubic meters, and the water
area covered 45.06 million square meters.
The same data for the other reservoirs is as follows:
Nongglangdong: 7.65 million cu m, 7.324 million cu m, 61.02 million sq m
Huay Chaknork: 7.03 million cu m, 4.739 million cu m, 21.58 million sq m
Huay Khunchit: 4.8 million cu m, 3.465 million cu m, 63.62 million sq m
Huay Saphan: 3.84 million cu m, 3.844 million cu m, 74.01 million sq m
Paitoon said that based on this data, consumers under the responsibility of
Pattaya Waterworks would have enough water to last through to the middle of
next year.
Banchong Srisuk, head of Public Works Bureau 7 at the Provincial Waterworks
Authority, briefed reporters on the construction projects that are laying
new water pipes and increasing the water pressure. Currently this is
proceeding at two main locations, namely Soi Kaotalo and Khao Thappraya.
The Provincial Waterworks Authority has received budgets from the government
amounting to 261 million baht to increase water distribution and cater for
an unusually high number of inhabitants. At present the local population
doesn’t have enough water for living and consumption, because the Waterworks
Office cannot achieve enough pressure to distribute the water supplies.
The Waterworks Office is therefore laying water pipes at two locations,
namely Wat Bunsmaphan and Khao Thappraya, which will be able to transfer
approximately 3,500 cu m of water.
At Wat Bunsmaphan, a 600mm water pipe is being laid for a distance of 15 km
from Mabprachan Reservoir, and is already 70 percent complete. At Khao
Thappraya, the pipe runs from the Provincial Waterworks Authority alongside
the railroad, through Sukhumvit Soi 78 to South Pattaya Road, and up
Pratamnak Hill. The length is 10km, and the project is 50 percent complete.
The projects began on August 28 last year and are due for completion at the
end of November. The Provincial Waterworks Authority contracted the Bangsaen
Mahanakorn Company to undertake the construction.
Banchong warned that further works will be necessary after the pipelaying is
complete, because the water pressure needs to be tested and the pipes
checked for leaks at the connections. This will require at least 30 days,
and will involve further excavation of the road service. The contractor will
cover the holes with steel plating until the work is fully complete.
Customs officers seize Buddha images bound for USA
Narisa Nitikarn
Customs officers at Laem Chabang Port have arrested the owner of an export
company preparing to ship Buddha images to the United States.
 Director
of Customs Administration Tanat Suwattanamaetakul examines Buddha images
seized from Elite Shipping & Transport Part. Ltd., Chiang Mai.
Director of Customs Administration Tanat Suwattanamaetakul said that Elite
Shipping & Transport Part Ltd of Chiang Mai was preparing to ship the images
when officers seized the container, the contents of which are now being
examined by the Department of Fine Arts.
Tanat said that the contents of the container were listed as furniture items
weighing in total 3,500 kg and carrying an export license exempting the
produce from export duties. It was due to be shipped by Xin Fu Zhou V.0049E,
with departure set for October 23.
When Customs officers X-rayed the container they discovered that the goods
inside looked like several large Buddha images. The container was opened,
and inside were found Buddha images, a Buddha head and parts of Buddha
images, made from metal, stone and wood and totaling 172 pieces.
A first estimation of the goods placed the value at about 3 million baht.
Elite Shipping & Transport has initially been charged with an incorrect
declaration and the results of the examination by the Fine Arts Department
are now awaited.
3-year-old boy trapped inside burning house
Patcharapol Panrak
A three-year-old child locked alone inside the family home was rescued
unhurt after a fire broke out at the premises.
 Rescuers
managed to save a 3-year-old boy that had been locked inside this house.
The fire and rescue happened during the morning of October 16 at Amarin City
in Sattahip. A neighbor, 17-year-old Anurak Chanchoeng alerted the emergency
services and fire engines were sent out from Sattahip Municipality and
Sattahip Sub-district Administration to extinguish the blaze.
The infant was rescued and taken by Sattahip Rojana Thammasathan Foundation
officers to the Somdej Phranangchaosirikit Hospital Naval Medical
Department.
 This
little tyke is lucky to be alive.
Pol Col Somthai Khamwat, superintendent at Sattahip Police Station led
officers in questioning witnesses at the scene. Kantana Jiamthanom, 17, the
son of the house owner, stated that his father went to work at the Mahidol
garage at Sattahip Pier. He left Kantana’s mother, Mrs Somkid Jiadsoongnern,
30, and his three-year-old brother at home. When the fire broke out his
brother was locked in the house alone, and he didn’t know where his mother
was.
The flames damaged a motorcycle, rice cooker, microwave oven and other
electrical equipment. The fire spread to the ceiling, but the only casualty
was a gecko. Police forensic officers are investigating the cause of the
fire, which is believed to most likely have been an electrical
short-circuit.
Two neighboring houses burgled on same night
Boonlua Chatree
Burglars broke into two houses at The Village on Pattaya Third Road during
the night of October 9 and got away with cash and property worth more than
200,000 baht.
Pattaya police station received a call from Ms Sommai Jomsri, 32, to say
that a thief had broken into her home, and they also received a report that
a neighbor’s house only three doors away had just been robbed.
Sommai’s home was a two-story townhouse, and the police and accompanying
forensic officers established that the intruder had climbed in via the
second floor. Sommai’s husband, 41-year-old Australian citizen John Visser,
said that over 80,000 baht had been taken from a drawer in the headboard of
the bed, and a backpack containing a quantity of dollars and baht totaling
about 100,000 baht had also been taken. The thief had also taken a notebook
computer.
Sommai said that at about 6:30 p.m. she had gone with her husband, who just
four days previously had returned from Iraq, to take care of their Oh and Na
beer bar business located on Soi Diana. They returned with Sommai’s sister
at about 1:30 a.m. to find that the house had been ransacked. The couple
shared the house with relatives who were asleep on the ground floor at the
time and had heard nothing.
The thief, or thieves, had also broken into the home of another foreigner
living nearby but had found only 1,300 baht in cash and a mobile phone.
Police are working on the theory that the burglar lives nearby. Sommai’s
sister said she saw a youth on the roof of the house next door to theirs
earlier that evening, and it is likely he was casing the neighboring
properties. Although police and security guards from The Village searched
the neighborhood, no arrests have yet been made.
Former employee questioned over thefts from sleeping schoolgirls
Teachers and female students
from Sa-Nguan Ying School in Supan Buri Province provide police with details
of the break in.
Patcharapol Panrak
A burglar who broke into a girls’ dormitory at the Marine Science Camp in
Sattahip and stole valuables from more than 60 girls while they were asleep
is believed to be a former employee.
Teachers and female students from Sa-Nguan Ying School in Supan Buri
Province had been visiting the camp on October 14 and had gone diving with
trainers. After dinner the girls had gone to the dormitory. When they awoke
they found that a thief had broken in and stolen a number of mobile phones
and purses from the girls’ bedsides.
Maths teacher Manus Thipsamridkul, who was in charge of the expedition and
whose notebook computer was also stolen, said that the 64 students were from
secondary classes 1 and 4, and they were chaperoned by six teachers. They
had arrived at the Marine Science Camp on October 14 and were scheduled to
go back on October 16.
On the evening of the first day, the teacher said that some of the students
had noticed a man in the dormitory area. After the robbery a description of
the man was given to the police, and as a result Pol Col Somthai Khamwat,
superintendent of Sattahip Police Station, had brought in a man named as
Bundit Pormnarong for questioning.
Bundit, a local resident who had previously worked at the dormitory and then
quit, had been seen in the area before the crime took place. Students also
confirmed he was the man they had seen. Bundit has denied all charges.
Elephant rescue handbook and equipment will help save jumbo lives
Officials demonstrate the
operating table.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The Thai Industrialist Development Forum, which has over 100 member
factories, in cooperation with the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand,
Khao Kheow Open Zoo and Kasetsart University at Kamphaeng Saen, held a
seminar on elephant rescue and has also prepared a rescue handbook.
The seminar, the second of its kind, was held on October 9 and 10 at Khao
Kheow Open Zoo. Specialists including Nikorn Thongtip of the Kasetsart
Veterinarian Faculty and Wanchai Tunwattana, curator general of the
Zoological Park Organization of Thailand provided the training and
demonstrated use of the equipment.
Nikorn said that in Thailand elephants are injured and often die through
accidents, or even delivering offspring, which also results in the death of
the baby. A lot of the deaths result from a lack of proper equipment with
which to treat them. For this reason the Thai Industrialist Development
Forum had organized the first seminar at the animal hospital at Kasetsart
University, Kamphaeng Saen. This was the second seminar.
The Forum has also printed an elephant rescue handbook and developed medical
equipment and steel operating tables that can be assembled and configured
for use by a single person.
New police commissioner vows to clean up Pattaya
Pol. Lt. Gen. Atsawin
Kwanmuang (center) announced his plans to reduce crime in Pattaya by 20%
before the busy season begins.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The new commissioner of the Provincial Police in Region 2 has vowed to clean
Pattaya of the foreign mafia, obscene shows, child prostitution, beggars,
and all criminals, and has declared his goal of reaching a 20 percent
reduction in the crime rate before the imminent high season.
Pol Lt Gen Atsawin Kwanmuang, who assumed his new position on October 1,
addressed a meeting of local community groups, business people and
representatives of local organizations on October 12 to find ways of
reducing the rising crime statistics for Pattaya City.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn said that city hall has hired a private
company to install more CCTV cameras. There are over 100 points in problem
areas, mainly along the Pattaya and Jomtien beaches, and the greater CCTV
coverage would help the policing of these.
Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former member of parliament for Chonburi Zone 7,
brought up the subject of the opening and closing times for entertainment
establishments, saying the policy was not clear and that it was having a
negative effect both on tourism and local businesses.
Policing of the entertainment outlets therefore need sensitivity until such
a time as the policy is clarified.
Pol Lt Gen Atsawin said that one of the key targets will be the elimination
of foreign criminal gangs in Pattaya, and the investigation of officials
said to be receiving payoffs from them.
Other nefarious activities that will be completely eradicated will be the
distribution of obscene CDs, and child prostitution.
The commander said that he anticipates a decrease in the crime rate of at
least 20 percent before the high season begins.
New date for submitting monument designs
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh
has a look at the early entries.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The deadline for submitting designs for the proposed monument to His
Majesty the King, commemorating His Majesty’s 60th anniversary and 80th
birthday, has now been set at November 6.
The new date was announced during a meeting of city councilors and
administrators at Pattaya City Hall on October 11, chaired by Deputy Mayor
Ronakit Ekasingh.
October 11 had also been the previous deadline, but at an October 6 meeting
it was decided to extend the period for submissions. No new date was
proposed on that occasion, but after consultations the new date was
announced.
All entries are now due on or before November 6, and the final judging will
begin on November 24. The winner will be announced on December 4.
The reason for the extension was that there were few competitors. City hall
decided to emphasize that the contest was open to students, architects,
designers, and design institutes and that all entries were welcome.
Promotion for 88 officers on National Police Day
Pol Col Somnuk Changate,
superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, presents an honorary plaque to
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn for supporting the station’s various
activities.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya Police Station promoted 88 police officers and distributed medals to
retiring officers during a ceremony on October 13, National Police Day.
A Buddhist ceremony was held late in the morning in memory of those officers
who have passed away.
 Pol
Col Somnuk Changate, superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, leads the
ceremony to 88 deserving police officers.
Pol Col Somnuk Changate, superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, led the
ceremony along with Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Mrs Partumporn
Kamnerdrit, judge at Pattaya Provincial Court.
Honorary medals were also distributed to supporters of the station’s various
activities, and to top-of-the-line performing police officers.
The 88 warrant officers promoted were all elevated from the rank of Pol Sgt
Maj to Pol Sen Sgt Maj.
Monks from 99 temples gather for giant
Buddha completion
Patcharapol Panrak
A ceremony was held for monks from 99 temples at Srongmedta Wanaram Temple
in Bangsarae on October 9 as part of the ceremonies in the completion of the
giant Buddha figure that will act as the model for other figures to be
placed in temples around the world.
 Somdet
Praputhamangmeesrisuk
The figure, depicted in the posture of meditation, is 9 meters wide by 12
meters high and is named Somdet Praputhamangmeesrisuk. The foundation stone
was laid on February 26 of this year.
Priest Apirak Boonsong Upasamo led the monks in prayer, while Vice Admiral
Chanchai Charoensuwan, commander-in-chief of Sattahip Naval Base and also
leader of the Buddhist laymen, led high-ranking officers from the Army, Air
Force, the Royal Thai Police Department, and other organizations.
The Buddha image took seven months and 12 days to construct.
Service girls of Soi 6 given disease prevention talk by PDA
Fun activities and games were
prepared, and prizes handed out, to help get the message across.
Noppadon Chaichana
Praween Payabwipapong, deputy director of the Population and Community
Development Association, led over 20 volunteers in visiting the service
girls of the Yodsak Community, primarily in Soi 6, on October 18, where they
provided information on sexually transmitted diseases and the risks of
contracting HIV.
 Praween
Payabwipapong, deputy director of the Population and Community Development
Association
The PDA is a private organization that has evolved from the Office for
Community and Family Planning. It was founded in 1974 and registered as a
charitable organization under the Ministry of Finance 10 years later.
Praween said the PDA has with the help of volunteers been conducting a
program of educating service women in Pattaya since January, and has enjoyed
good cooperation from city hall.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn said the city is always prepared to support
worthwhile projects such as this that dispense knowledge on disease
prevention.
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