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Governor musters the power of the people in drugs fight
Thousands of people watch as
police, soldiers and volunteers head out on patrol to clean the streets of
drugs.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat presided over the start of a new
anti-drugs campaign on January 19 at the Chonburi Provincial Administration
Building with a ceremony that involved swearing allegiance to His Majesty
the King in the fight against narcotics.
More than 10,000 people from the government and private sectors and the
general public have sworn their allegiance to this campaign, which is being
conducted in the knowledge that the drug problem is spreading throughout
Chonburi again after the war on drugs in the era when Thaksin Shinawatra was
prime minister.
Pracha said the Thaksin campaign had lessened the problem, but hadn’t
eradicated it. There are still drug dealers operating in many areas,
especially Chonburi, Sriracha and Banglamung. During the drug suppression
activities in 2006, 7,867 cases were dealt with. Police made 8,131 arrests
and 209,819 amphetamine pills were confiscated. Ice and ecstasy taking is
now spreading through the entertainment sector and the treatment of addicts
is on the increase.
From these facts, he said, it can be assumed that the problem will get worse
in 2007 if strict and suitable measures are not implemented.
“The government, through the Center for Drug Suppression and Prevention, has
ordered the implementation of the Power of the Thai People program to
eradicate drugs in honor of the Royal Family, and for each province
throughout the country to take up the fight against drugs,” he said.
A ceremony was held to pledge allegiance to an image of His Majesty the
King, and afterwards the governor led government department heads in placing
a curse on all drug producers and sellers. After which police, soldiers and
volunteers were sent out on patrol to clean the streets of drugs.
This year’s Pattaya Carnival to go international
Will reflect global cultures, traditions, lifestyles and commerce
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay
(right) chairs an organizing committee meeting for Pattaya Carnival 2007,
scheduled for May 4 to 6, supported by Pratheep Malhotra (left), Thanet
Supornsahasrungsri and Drew Noyes (centre).
Narisa Nitikarn
Pattaya Carnival 2007 is scheduled for May 4 to 6, with the avowed intent
being to attract international visitors to the city and to make this a more
international and exciting event than it has been in previous years.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay chaired a meeting of the organizing committee
on January 11. Amongst those taking part were Pratheep Malhotra, managing
director of Pattaya Mail Publishing Co Ltd, Thanet Supornsahasrungsri,
president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, Kamlar
Benjawanich, chairman of the Pattaya Isaan Club, and Drew Noyes of the
Pattaya City Expats Club.
Verawat said that May 5 will see a parade of floats, and that shows at Bali
Hai Pier and stands selling international goods would be the main
attractions.
Pratheep has been appointed the main coordinator in foreign matters, and
Noyes will be in charge of organizing attractions designed specifically to
draw in the foreign visitors.
This year’s carnival is being deliberately angled in a more international
direction, as it was felt that in previous years the event had too local a
flavor and too many local participants to generate mass interest in the
foreign markets, or indeed to call itself a genuine carnival.
Pratheep said that as it would be difficult to try to create a Rio-type
carnival, Pattaya Carnival should reflect international culture, traditions
and lifestyles, with a little commerce thrown in for good measure.
Along with making the carnival of interest to overseas visitors, the event
would present the best of Thai products by bringing top quality goods from
the four main regions to be placed on display.
Pratheep also said that the public relations campaign must generate interest
by showing potential visitors this is a genuine carnival and by putting out
extensive information on the daily activities.
Verawat said that a further meeting would be held in February to agree on
the details so they can be publicized well in advance. He said that foreign
embassies in Thailand would be contacted, requesting them to coordinate with
their respective cultural ministries and chambers of commerce to assist in
bringing cultural and carnival dance troupes and exhibition groups to
participate.
The foreign diplomatic corps have often asked what could be done to enhance
the good relations between their countries and Thailand, especially Pattaya
and the Eastern Seaboard. The answer is for them to join with the Thai
people in a festival of cultural exchanges by bringing in dance troupes,
organizing food festivals and of course the ever-important commercial
networking which would create an atmosphere of fun and friendship.
International schools could also be asked to participate in the carnival.
They are known for putting on some excellent shows that depict various
cultures around the world.
The three-day carnival would include stage performances by the different
carnival groups while businesses from international and Thai companies would
be offered booths free of charge to display and promote their products from
their respective countries with prices maintained at very low rates.
Road shows result in 19% increase in tourists
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Office Region 3 says that the road
shows organized in the first three-quarters of last year, between January
and September, resulted in a 19 percent increase in visitors to Pattaya.
 From
left: Banglamung District Chief Pratheep Jongsoeptham, Deputy Mayor Ronakit
Ekasingh, and Thanet Supornsahasrungsri, Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association president.
The figures were released at a Pattaya Business and Tourism Association
meeting held at the Green Park Resort Hotel on January 10 and chaired by
association president Thanet Supornsahasrungsri. Amongst those attending
were Banglamung District Chief Pratheep Jongsoeptham, Deputy Mayor Ronakit
Ekasingh, and Pol Col Suthin Sappuang, commander of Pattaya police.
Akkrawit Thapasit, assistant director of TAT Central Office Region 3 stated
that promotional campaigns organized in association with Pattaya District
Office, Chonburi Provincial Administration, PBTA and the Thai Hotels
Association to promote Pattaya tourism both at home and abroad resulted in a
sharp rise of total tourists visiting Pattaya of 19 percent in the first
three-quarters of last year.
“Pattaya tourism promotional activities will continue under a budget from
Pattaya District Office for 2007 of 16 million baht, with a further 5-6
million baht from Chonburi Provincial Administration,” said Akkrawit.
“The 16 million baht has been allocated as follows: 10 million for foreign
public relations activities, 2 million to help promote Pattaya’s image, and
the remaining 4 million for expenses for public relations and urgent
projects.”
Akkrawit added that tourism promotion activities during this year will
include cooperating with the offices at Rayong Region 4 and Trat Region 5
for the printing of Colorful East cards as well as road shows in the North,
Ayutthaya and Lopburi. Cooperation with the private sector for international
promotions will focus again on Russian and Korean tourists.
Pattaya soon to have its own sports association
New body will help raise sports to international standards
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya will soon have its own Pattaya City Sports Association, following a
meeting called by Pisai Panomwan na Ayutthaya, president of the Pattaya
tourism and sports committee on January 15 to discuss the possibility with
administrators and councilors.
A proposal was drawn up, and this will be submitted to the Sports Authority
of Thailand once it has been returned to the city council for formal
approval.
 Pisai
Panomwan na Ayutthaya, president of the Pattaya tourism and sports committee
successfully pushed for the establishment of the Pattaya City Sports
Association.
Pisai said that the idea for a sports association was originally proposed
some time ago, but that the concept never reached the stage of drafting the
regulations. This necessary process will be carried out using the
administrative experience of the Chonburi and Nakhon Prathom sports
associations, which operate at a national level.
The idea of having an association for Pattaya is to be able to develop
sports here and in time upgrade the skills of local players to international
levels.
Pisai said the name Pattaya City Sports Association, with the recognized
abbreviation PSA, was agreed upon.
Police and military joint patrols have reduced crime by 50% says police chief
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya’s police chief says there has been a 50 percent reduction in the
crime rate since the crackdown began on December 18 with military personnel
drafted in to help police patrol the city.
 Pol
Col Suthin Sappuang, superintendent at Pattaya Police Station says there has
been a 50 percent reduction in the crime rate since December 18.
Pol Col Suthin Sappuang, superintendent at Pattaya Police Station, told
Pattaya Mail on January 18 that the concerted effort in using military and
police over a one-month period has had a dramatic effect, particularly in
reducing the number of snatch-and-run thefts, and catching perpetrators
quickly when thefts did take place.
This project has received a good response from residents and tourists, who
feel safer when they see the police and military on patrol, said Pol Col
Suthin. In addition to the uniformed presence, volunteer police have also
worked exceptionally hard to provide support and have been instrumental in
helping to reduce crime.
Pol Col Suthin said that the joint military and police exercise was
originally planned to continue until February 15, but that it would in all
probability now be extended to April, to cover the high season.
Motorcycle theft is one of the most common crimes, said the superintendent,
with thieves usually taking the bikes from large parking areas outside
stores and supermarkets. Police and military have adopted a policy of close
surveillance of known risk areas, particularly those at Jomtien Beach,
Pattaya Beach and Pratamnak Hill.
Wanlop Thuma, a vendor on Pattaya Beach Road, told Pattaya Mail that the
cooperative effort between the military and police has been very effective
in securing the peace of the area, and that it had made him feel a lot more
secure to see the joint patrols.
Paworapree Jamecharoen, an entrepreneur on Soi Buakao said, “I’m happy to
see that Pattaya City has the ability to secure the peace, and I feel very
confident when I see the police and the military working together. This
project should run for a long time.”
Woman crashes pickup on bridge
Patcharapol Panrak
A brother and sister had a lucky escape when their pickup skidded on the
Khlong Phai Bridge in front of Queen Sirikit Navy Hospital, hit a barrier,
and flipped over.
 It
was a lucky escape for brother and sister Napang Thipayanate and Phongsiri
Phanthu when their car crashed into a bridge barrier.
The accident happened at 9.30 a.m. on January 20. The Navy Hospital sent an
ambulance, medics and rescue workers. The driver, 29-year-old Miss Napang
Thipayanate of Ban Chang, Rayong, and her 22-year-old brother Phongsiri
Phanthu were cut free from the wreckage and transferred to the hospital’s
emergency room.
Miss Napang told officers that she owned the vehicle and she was driving
along Sukhumvit Road back to her home with her younger brother. There was
heavy rain and the road at the bridge was slippery. She crashed into the
barrier and the car turned over. Her brother was knocked unconscious and
suffered a broken leg, but Napang was only winded.
Police patrol seizes two Frenchmen believed to be part of credit card gang
Boonlua Chatree
Police believe that two Frenchmen seized after snatching a credit card from
a German visitor are part of a gang who are forging credit cards.
 Police
believe that Frenchmen Hagif Hosim and Nabis Hamdigess, arrested last week
for stealing a German tourist’s credit card, might be part of an
international ring of counterfeiters.
Officers and troops under the command of Pol Lt Col Santi Chainiramai on
routine patrol in the Pattaya Beach area on January 11 were alerted to a
robbery that was taking place at that moment in front of the Lek Hotel on
Second Road, and they rushed straight to the scene of the crime.
They found 59-year-old Karl Huber, a German tourist, chasing a couple of
thieves along the road. Police intercepted the two men in front of the Jom
Apartments.
The two were identified as Hagif Hosim, age 26 years, and Nabis Hamdigess,
age 32, both of French nationality. Police searched both of them and found a
credit card as evidence in Hosim’s right hand. Hamdigess was carrying a
black backpack in which were 16,090 baht, 60 euros, a credit card that was
cut in half, and a black credit card magnetic strip scanner. The scanner is
the type used to scan the magnetic strips of credit cards and save the data.
Both men had bewildered expressions and said that they didn’t know anything
about the theft. However, they couldn’t deny the charges because of the
evidence found on them, and victim Huber was adamant in identifying them.
Police detained the two for investigation. The victim had fallen down and
hurt himself in his pursuit of the thieves, and also suffers from a heart
condition. He had to be taken to hospital for an examination.
Although the two Frenchmen continued to protest their innocence, police
established that when the victim was withdrawing money from the ATM at the
scene with his credit card, Hosim snatched the card out of his hand. He was
going to jump onto a motorcycle driven by Hamdigess, but the victim chased
them and the police who were on patrol nearby caught them.
Police are now investigating the possibility that the two men belong to a
ring of counterfeiters.
Unemployed couple arrested for snatching nurse’s handbag
Nurse Nawarat Lalah points to
Chumpol and Kung, who were arrested for stealing her handbag.
Boonlua Chatree
An unemployed couple who snatched the handbag of a nurse were arrested on
January 14.
Chumpol Rawan, age 36 of Chaiyaphum, and Ms Kung Thongtas, 25, of Nakhon
Ratchasima, were charged with stealing a bag belonging to Ms Nawarat Lalah,
a 37-year-old nurse at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.
The theft occurred at the Sukhumvit traffic light intersection in South
Pattaya, and the couple were arrested in front of a School on Soi Paniad
Chang in Central Pattaya with the stolen property still in their possession.
Chumpol and Kung stated they had been employed at a go-go bar on Walking
Street, but had lost their jobs. Both were now unemployed. While they were
waiting on their motorcycle at the red traffic light, they saw the nurse
carrying a bag on her shoulder. Chumpol snatched the bag and handed it to
Kung, who took out the money totaling 2,920 baht plus a mobile phone. The
couple fled but were soon caught.
Thief attacks victim with pepper before snatching bag
Boonlua Chatree
An Indian tourist had pepper thrown in his face by a snatch-and-run thief in
the early hours of December 29, the mugger making his escape by motorcycle.
 Mohd
Zakir, his shirt still covered in chili powder thieves used to rob him,
files a report with police.
Police at Dongtan sub-station were called out to the scene of the crime,
Jomtien Beach, where they found 38-year-old Mohd Zakir in a disheveled
state, unable to see, and screaming in pain. So great was his distress that
he tried to run into the ocean to wash the pepper from his eyes.
Officers provided assistance then took him to Banglamung Hospital where
doctors washed his eyes and he gradually recovered.
A witness at the scene said that Zakir had been taking a stroll alone at the
edge of the beach, carrying a bag over his shoulder. A man in his mid 20s
came out of the shadows and approached him from behind. The man then took
some pepper out of a bag that he had in his jacket breast pocket and threw
it into Zakir’s face several times. The victim fell onto the sand, whereupon
his attacker held him down with a foot and grabbed his bag. The attacker ran
to a motorcycle and drove off at high speed, leaving the victim in agony. A
witness notified police who arrived and provided assistance.
Zakir told officers that he was a clothing exporter and had just arrived
from India to do some market research in Bangkok and to meet a business
partner in Pattaya, who owned a tailor shop on Walking Street. He said he
wanted to take a stroll along the beach and took a songthaew to Jomtien. He
was about to return to his hotel on Walking Street when he was attacked.
Zakir said his bag contained US$550, 10,500 baht, 7,000 rupees, his air
ticket, an iPod, and clothing.
Pol Lt Col Thaylert Soepoe, who is in charge of the case, said the assailant
had clearly planned the attack in advance and was waiting for his victim at
the beach. Police are looking for the attacker.
Seatbelt saves British man from injury as pickup flips over
Boonlua Chatree
A British man was saved by his seatbelt when the car he was driving was
rammed by a pickup whose driver was high on drugs.
The crash, which took place at 1 a.m. on January 16, was witnessed by a
police officer, Pol Sen Sgt Maj Pakdee Kong-Utum, commander of a crime
suppression group at Pattaya Police Station, who was driving with 10 navy
officers when he saw the driver of the pickup acting suspiciously and went
in pursuit.
Police and rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation were called
out to the scene at the overpass in South Pattaya.
They found a dark green Mitsubishi pickup with its front smashed in, and a
dark green Ford pickup that had been struck with such force the vehicle had
flipped over. Inside the Ford was Jan Gowers, a 69-year-old British citizen,
trapped in the driver’s seat and wearing a seat belt. They helped him out of
the vehicle, and he had not been injured in any way. However, his passenger
riding in the seat next to him, an unidentified woman, had been injured and
was taken to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Pakdee detained the driver of the Mitsubishi, although the
four passengers who had been with him in the vehicle fled the scene. The
driver was identified as Samak Chariswirojsanid, age 20, of Mae Hong Son. A
urine sample was collected for a drugs test, and proved positive. Samak
admitted he had taken one ya ba pill. He was charged with reckless driving
resulting in injury to life and property, and with consuming illegal
narcotics.
Pol Sen Sgt Maj Pakdee said he had been driving a vehicle with 10 navy
personnel as his passengers. He was coming down Pratamnak Road when he
noticed a vehicle with five men. He thought they were behaving suspiciously
and parked his car with the aim of stopping them and searching the car, but
they sped away. He chased the vehicle to the intersection under the
overpass, where the Mitsubishi rammed the Ford pickup driven by Gowers.
British visitor has leg broken in fight
Boonlua Chatree
Police are searching for a foreign man, believed to be British, who attacked
a British visitor and broke his leg.
The fight happened at 1 a.m. on January 16 in front of a beer bar on Soi
Buakhao. Police arriving at the scene found a group of foreigners assembled.
The injured man had already been transferred to Pattaya Memorial Hospital by
baht bus. Officers followed and identified the man as Terry Watkins, age 54.
He had injuries to his face, his right leg was broken in two places, and he
had a deep wound on his ankle down to the bone. His condition was stabilized
after undergoing treatment.
Mrs Aree Tadprakong, 31, the injured man’s girlfriend, said the two of them
had gone to the Noi Beer Bar where they celebrated a friend’s birthday. The
party ended and they went to take a baht bus to go home. Suddenly a tall man
who she believed to be British came up to them and struck Watkins, who fell
down. The assailant then put her boyfriend’s right leg over the curb and
jumped on it, breaking the bone in two places. Watkins passed out with the
pain.
The attacker fled along Soi Honey Inn as Aree placed her injured boyfriend
into a baht bus to take him to hospital. Police are trying to trace the man.
Second round of polio drops for the under-5s
Vimolrat Singnikorn
January 17 saw the second round of polio immunizations take place at the
Public Health Service Center on Soi Buakao, organized by the Pattaya Public
Health and Environment Office as part of a campaign started last year to
vaccinate all children under the age of five years.
 Dr.
Olivier Meyer (right), president of the Pattaya Marina Rotary Club, helps
distribute the 2nd stage of polio vaccinations at the Public Health Service
Center in Pattaya.
Pattaya Marina Rotary Club, led by club president Dr Olivier Meyer, has been
providing support in the organization of the campaign.
Parents brought their children along for the second stage of the
immunization process, the first round of vaccinations having been
administered on December 13. The third stage of the immunization process
will be held on February 15.
Na-Anya Jantragad, head of prevention and control of infections at the
Public Health and Environment Office said that Thailand has had a national
campaign to vaccinate the under-fives since 1994.
The Ministry of Health has conducted an intensive campaign in the high-risk
provinces of Songkla, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Naratiwat, and in Bangkok.
In the remainder of the country the ministry is concentrating on specific
areas, such as areas of slum housing and regions that have high numbers of
immigrants.
Na-Anya said that although Thailand has not had a case of polio for 10
years, the prevention campaign would continue, as there is no cure for the
disease. Pattaya is a city with a high population of migrant workers from
within the country and from overseas, and consequently the risk is high.
School No 10 receives award for excellence in teaching
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn (right)
presents a plaque to Mrs Wanna Samathi, director of Pattaya School
No 10, for her excellence in standards of teaching. |
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn (right)
presents a plaque to Mrs Tassanee Khonsue, deputy director of
Pattaya School No 3, for her excellence in standards of teaching. |
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presented a speech from the president of the
Teacher’s Council on Teacher’s Day, January 16, and also presented a plaque
for excellence in teaching to Pattaya School No 2.
Deputy mayors Wattana Chantanawaranon and Ronakit Ekasingh attended the
ceremony, along with teachers from the 10 schools under Pattaya City
jurisdiction.
Plaques were also presented to Mrs Wanna Samathi, director of Pattaya School
No 10, and deputy director of Pattaya School No 3 Mrs Tassanee Khonsue, for
their excellence in standards of teaching.
“The first place in education aside from parents is the teachers, for they
are the people who mold students and help them develop correctly and become
proud members of society,” said Niran. “The teacher is the person who is
behind the person that is successful in developing the country.”
Teacher’s Day is held on January 16 every year, a tradition that started in
1957.
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