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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Democrats make clean sweep in Chonburi voting

Happy New Year 2008

Residents complain of access problems along new railway road

Mayor of Saxan visits city during government trade talks

New regulations will control motorcycle taxis on Koh Larn

Questions asked over Suvarnabhumi highway connection

Finnish man arrested for groping woman

Tourist Police on full alert for undesirables

One man killed in motorcycle collision

Media provides lunch for blind students

Free dental care offered to residents

Patients on social security diverted to other hospitals as Pattaya Memorial ends contract

Fond farewell to TAT’s Pinnart who leaves Pattaya after 20 years’ service

Best of Isaan on display


Democrats make clean sweep in Chonburi voting

Chart Thai candidates and stalwart supporters stunned by outcome

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The tables turned on all 8 Chart Thai Party parliamentary hopefuls in Chonburi, when the outcome of the voting was declared last Sunday evening.
In Zone 1, all 3 seats were won by Democrats Pramual Empia (109,162), Banjob Rungroj (102,943) and Manit Pawasut (97,468).

A physically challenged person seems very happy that she has a say in the future of her country.
The Democrats were also victorious in Zone 2, where Mrs. Pojanart Kaewpluke (67,457), Thanaroj Rotchamakulset (64,886) and Maitree Soiluang (64,497) grabbed the contested seats sending shock waves to the 3 Chart Thai candidates Santsak Ngampiches (39,685), Chanyuth Hengtrakul (42,236), and Poramet Ngampiches (48,488) who were considered to be the favorites in this zone.
The final blow dealt by the Democrats was in Zone 3 putting paid to the equation as Sorawut Nuanmgchamnong (71,338) and Pol. Lt. Gen. Weera Anantakul (57,985) claimed the 2 remaining Chonburi seats in Parliament.
Voting units were also set up at St. Nikolas Church where the physically challenged citizens were able to cast their ballots. Mr. Paithun Kaewdam a student at the Redemptorist School for the Handicapped and will be a participant in the 4th ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima said, “I expect that the new government will pay more attention to the needs and welfare of the handicapped in Thailand. We would like to be given the same rights as everyone else and want the authorities to afford us more convenience when we travel and go about our daily lives. We hope the government can upgrade their working methods for the caring of the handicapped in line with international standards. After all we have brought much fame and fortune to Thailand in numerous world class sporting and educational competitions.”
Authorities reported that there were no untoward incidents at any of the units in Banglamung except for one incident in Naklua, when a 40 year-old woman tore her voting ballot in half, dropping one section into the ballot box and returning the other half to bewildered officials. She explained that she did not fully understand the voting system and had inadvertently destroyed her ballot. The police took her into custody for further investigation.
The results of the elections in Chonburi and especially in Pattaya has awakened the senses of the citizenry and much will be anticipated as to the new trend of voter thinking in the eastern region of Thailand.
Speculation is now ripe as to what the outcome of the mayoral elections, which are to be held in Pattaya in March, would be.

Voting units around Pattaya and Banglamung saw a high turn
out of voters throughout the day.


Happy New Year 2008

Concerts, comedy and fireworks at Bali Hai pier

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Festivities for Pattaya’s official New Year’s Eve celebration will begin at Bali Hai pier at 5:10 p.m. and continue through to 2:20 a.m. Highlights include a concert featuring God Jakapan, AF#4, Chin JKI, Cherry Cherry, Punch Black Head, plus the Du Dokkradon Comedy Group, and the most beautiful woman in Thailand, Nong Or, Miss Thailand 2007.

Pattaya permanent secretary Wuthipong Charoenpol

At 11:55 p.m. the countdown will begin, with fireworks over Pattaya Bay to welcome 2008.
All this is being organized by SY Senorita Co Ltd, chosen by city fathers to put together the activities surrounding the New Year Countdown on December 31. The Pattaya Countdown is being organized under a budget of 3 million baht.
Two events companies had presented proposals to city hall, namely Rightman Company and SY Senorita Co, and the organizing committee finally agreed with the designs from SY Senorita Co, which had organized the Pattaya Countdown the previous year.
Pattaya permanent secretary Wuthipong Charoenpol said a meeting on December 13 to discuss the festivities, that SY Senorita has the skills and experience, and an appropriate concept for the venue.
Those wearing pink shirts to the event will be able to take part in games and receive prizes that will include gold, a TV, a refrigerator, a DVD player, an electric fan, a camera, and much else besides.
Elsewhere in town, nearly every hotel, restaurant and/or watering hole will be holding their own exciting New Year’s Eve parties and events. Check community happenings on page 20-21 for more info.


Residents complain of access problems along new railway road

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Residents living along the route of the new road that has been built alongside the railway line have filed a complaint with Pattaya City Hall, saying that they have had to pay themselves for driveway access to their homes.
The complaint was lodged on December 12, when about 100 residents living along the 16-km route said they had to pay out of their own pockets for access from the road.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn has, however, said that the plan for the road is the responsibility of the State Railway of Thailand, and that the complaints have to be forwarded to that body for consideration.
Niran said that the land for constructing the road along the railway belongs to the SRT. Pattaya City has a lease contract for three years at an annual rent of 2 million baht, increasing by 5 percent each year.
The SRT devised the plan for the road, which involved blocking off the paths along the side of the road, except for the main railroad crossing. In the event people who live along this road need to construct driveway entrances, then they must bear the costs to do this.
Niran said he disagreed with this element of the plan, because the purpose of this road is for the common wealth of the people, but that the outcome of the complaints rested with the SRT.
“Those who wish to construct a driveway entrance must submit a request to Pattaya City, or contact Chaowalit Jariyayanyong of the Traffic Engineering Department of Pattaya City at tel 081-735-3753,” he said.
“All of the data will be submitted to the State Railway of Thailand for review.”


Mayor of Saxan visits city during government trade talks

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presents the key to the city
to Huang Zhihao, mayor of Saxan, China.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Huang Zhihao, mayor of Saxan, in the Chinese province of Guangdong was presented with the keys to the city of Pattaya when he visited Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn at Pattaya City Hall on December 13.
Mayor Huang and his entourage were in Thailand for discussions with the government over the establishing of a Thai Agricultural Products Center in Saxan.
Talks had been held with Theera Sutabut, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The distribution center would allow Thai agricultural products to be delivered directly without using an intermediary, thereby helping in the delivering of fresh and new produce. Thailand has agreed to the proposal, which came from the Chinese side, as Saxan is about 100 km away from Shenzhen and from the city of Guangzhou, which offer large markets for the produce. Saxan itself is also starting to be developed.
Thailand will now find a suitable private company, and is ready to invest with a private Chinese company. A marketing organization will be assigned for agriculturists to gather the produce for transporting to China.
Niran said that China is one of the largest sources of tourists to Pattaya, and that the agreement would form a special bond between Saxan and Pattaya.


New regulations will control motorcycle taxis on Koh Larn

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Koh Larn is attempting to bring some order to the undisciplined behavior of its motorcycle taxi ranks, following complaints from residents and visitors.
The Administrative and Orderliness Committee held a meeting on December 17 at Pattaya City Hall, led by its chairman Sanit Boonmachai, to devise a way of enforcing regulations governing the taxi ranks.

Wachirawith Gudklang, head of the Pattaya City Office Koh Larn Branch.

Also present were Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon and Wachirawith Gudklang, who is head of the Pattaya City Office Koh Larn Branch.
Sanit said that regulations need to be created for the motorcycle taxi stands, as complaints had been received, particularly about the activities of the riders at Naban Pier.
Administrative officers from Koh Larn presented a large number of documents concerning motorcycle taxi registration at the Chonburi Department of Land Transportation. They said that with the yellow license plates issued for more than 100 official motorcycle taxis on Koh Larn, it would be easy to spot and remove any interlopers in the future.
Regulations will now be drawn up for specific motorcycle taxi ranks at Naban Pier. These would allow taxis from only one rank to travel to Samae Beach, and for other ranks to travel to other locations. This would prevent the scramble and arguing amongst drivers touting for the business.
Sanit said that regulations are also being drawn up to control the baht buses on Koh Larn. Pictures would be taken of the vehicles to keep a record, and each would be painted with an identifying number.


Questions asked over Suvarnabhumi highway connection

The road is slowly advancing towards completion.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, led by association president Chamroon Witsawachaiphan, has asked about progress on the construction of Special Highway No 7 from Chonburi to Pattaya, voicing concern that the project has progressed only 60 percent because of the problem concerning lands surrendered to the government.
Porawut Chanpen, assistant engineer on part three of the project said that the Department of Highways had authorized construction of the road under a 2006 budget of more than 2 billion baht, the objective being to provide a fast and convenient connection between Pattaya and Suvarnabhumi Airport.
This project has been divided into four parts. The first and second sections start from the 4km +100 marker, and from the Chonburi overpass. The project ends at the 42km +400 marker at the International School of the Regents, and runs for a total distance of 38.3km. It will use the old path of Special Highway No 7, and will add four traffic lanes. Currently, this section of the project is planned for completion in August of 2008, and is 70 percent complete.
Parts 3 and 4 have a budget of more than 1 billion baht, and were started in December 2005. The road has four traffic lanes that are 7.2 meters wide. It started from the old No 36 intersection to Sukhumvit Road between North Pattaya and Central Pattaya, and runs for a total distance of 7.7 km. This section has two intersections that can connect to the local road at the Pattaya Water Drainage Well and Chaiyapornwithee Road.
Construction on parts 3 and 4 has been delayed, and the project is unlikely to be completed by its May 2008 target. This was due to the right of ownership for the land that the road had to pass over. The construction stage for this section has reached 60 percent.
Chamroon said the project could be significantly beneficial and convenient for the public and tourists when it is completed, because the highway would be very convenient and allow a fast connection to Pattaya.


Finnish man arrested for groping woman

Groper - Jari Tapani Koskela was arrested for groping Miss Naowarat Noree.

Groped - Miss Naowarat Noree makes out a report to police.

Boonlua Chatree
A Finnish tourist was arrested on December 20 for committing an indecent act against a Thai woman on Walking Street.
The incident happened at 1 am, when Pattaya Police Station received a report from Miss Naowarat Noree, 30, of Kanchanaburi. She complained that a man had groped her, and then had poured beer on her.
Police officers went to the scene and found a drunken Finnish citizen named as Jari Tapani Koskela, age 42. They escorted him to the cells to wait until he was sober enough to be charged.


Tourist Police on full alert for undesirables

Tourist police are on high alert during this holiday season.

Boonlua Chatree
Tourist Police officers have been mobilized to be especially alert for groups of ill-intentioned people who might pose a threat to tourists during the New Year season.
The officers gathered at 4:30pm on December 20 in the yard in front of Tourist Police Station 4 for a briefing from Pol Maj Gen Chuchart Suwannakhom, commander of the Tourist Police.
Pol Maj Gen Chuchart said that every police officer must be united in suppressing people who have ill intentions and pose a threat to tourists, whether directly or indirectly, while they are on vacation.
During the Christmas and New Year season every year, Pattaya is particularly busy and this provides a temptation for undesirable characters, said the commander.
“It is our duty to provide tourists and the public with safety and security. This task will not be successful without sacrifices, endurance, perseverance, and awareness from police officers.”


One man killed in motorcycle collision

Boonlua Chatree
A crash between two motorcycles left one man dead in the early hours of December 19.
Pattaya Police Station received a report at 2 am that a man had been killed in a motorcycle accident at Pratamnak Road in South Pattaya, in front of the Nova Hotel. Arriving at the scene, officers encountered a large amount of traffic on the road that had to be diverted before starting the investigation.

Once again, speed kills.
One man was lying dead on the road, but no evidence as to his identity was found. His appearance was that of Middle Eastern descent, and he was estimated to be 35 to 40 years old. His body was examined, and it was discovered that his neck was broken. He had blood protruding from his nose and mouth. Police sent the body to Banglamung Hospital for examination.
The motorcycle the deceased had been riding was a bronze and black Honda. It was lying on its side about 1 meter away from the dead man. Two meters away from that was a blue and black Yamaha Mio lying on the road. Beside the motorbike was Daniel Rajske, a 34-year-old Czech national, whom the officers questioned.
Rajske said that he was riding his motorcycle from the South Pattaya Second Road traffic light intersection in the direction of Pratamnak Hill. When he arrived at the scene of the accident, the deceased man’s motorbike was traveling at a high speed. It was not able to navigate the curve, and collided with him.
Police investigations continue.


Media provides lunch for blind students

Vimolrat Singnikorn
The Pattaya Mass Media Club served lunch to more than 100 students at the Redemptorists School for the Blind on December 12.

(From left) Chaiyot Phoopattanapong, chairman of the Pattaya Mass Media Club, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Visa Chimdee help feed the blind children.
Club chairman Chaiyot Phoopattanapong led his committee in providing the lunch, which was also attended by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh.
The atmosphere during the lunch was a warm and happy one, the members of the press serving the blind children themselves. Afterwards, the students sang a song of thanks to the media for their kindness.
Chaiyot said that the Pattaya Mass Media Club currently has about 60 members and is active in community affairs in addition to representing the press.

Pattaya Mail’s Ariyawat Nuamsawat helps take care of the blind children.


Free dental care offered to residents

Pramote Channgam
Free dental services were provided by Pattaya City on December 14, one of the activities arranged in honor of the 80th birthday of His Majesty the King.

Free dental services were provided by the Princess Mother’s Medical Volunteer Foundation.

Tavich Chaiswangwong, chairman of Pattaya City Council and Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay jointly opened the event, which was held at the multi-purpose building at Pattaya School No 8.
The organization was handled jointly by the Pattaya Department of Public Health and the Environment, and the Princess Mother’s Medical Volunteer Foundation.
Residents of Pattaya and its environs received dental checkups and advice on oral hygiene, and free dental services including fillings, tooth extractions and dentures.
There was also a campaign for the 10 schools under Pattaya City jurisdiction, with a competition designed to impart knowledge to the students. Prizes for the competition were valued at 8,000 baht. The winning prize went to Pattaya School No 6, second place went to Pattaya School No 2, and third place went to Pattaya School No 8. The money prizes received were 4,000, 2,500, and 1,500 baht.
Apart from receiving dental services, residents could also have checkups for high blood pressure and diabetes. Advice was given to those who wished to give up smoking, and information was available on protection from sexually transmitted diseases. Free haircuts were provided by Jutamas Beauty School.


Patients on social security diverted to other hospitals as Pattaya Memorial ends contract

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya Memorial Hospital has announced that it will end its social insurance contract on January 1, and that consequently the responsibility for up to 60,000 people will be moved to the Chonburi Social Security Department.

Sorarit Loykulanan from the Chonburi Social Security Department makes the announcement.

The announcement was made on December 12 at the Dusit Resort by a panel of spokesmen that included Sorarit Loykulanan of the Chonburi Social Security Department, Dr Somkiat Bowornsaereepathai, deputy director of Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, Mrs Tasanee Maneenet, president of the Personnel Management Association in Pattaya, and Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay.
The Chonburi Social Security Department stated that it has made arrangements with two hospitals for people receiving social security, namely Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital in Sriracha, and Queen Sirikit Hospital.
“Regarding this problem, the Social Security Department will move the people receiving social security, and who have applied to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment, to another hospital,” said Sorarit.
“Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital and the Queen Sirikit Hospital both have social insurance contracts, and the validation will start on January 1, 2008.”
Sorarit said that there are approximately 60,000 people receiving social security. In addition to the hospitals they can use the Social Security Health Center on Pattaya Second Road, or more than 20 other clinics in Pattaya City. They can also use government hospitals throughout the country in case of an emergency. This is enough to support the people receiving social security.
“Those receiving social security in Sattahip can use Queen Sirikit Hospital for the treatment of illnesses. Those receiving social security in Sriracha, Banglamung and Koh Sichang can use Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital in Sriracha, or other social security networks in the area.”


Fond farewell to TAT’s Pinnart who leaves Pattaya after 20 years’ service

Pinnart Charoenpol (standing, center), outgoing assistant director
of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3, says goodbye
to all her friends at TAT, Pattaya.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya City bid a fond farewell to one of its most energetic promoters of tourism on December 13, when a party was held at the Green Park Hotel for Mrs Pinnart Charoenpol, outgoing assistant director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3.
Pinnart, who has been working with the TAT in Pattaya for 20 years, is being transferred to the same position at TAT Central Region 5 in Trad. This is the first move she has made to a new posting during her entire career with the TAT.
The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association hosted the farewell party for Pinnart, who takes up her new position at the beginning of next month.
Deputy mayors Ronakit Ekasingh and Verawat Khakhay were on hand along with PBTA president Chamroon Witsawachaiphan to give their warmest best wishes and congratulations to the greatly liked and respected Pinnart, who has promised that she will return soon to Pattaya, but next time as a tourist herself.


Best of Isaan on display

Pramote Channgam
The best of Isaan is on display at a fair being held at Pattaya School No 8 on December 28 and 29.

Having fun making old Isaan style somtam.

The announcement was made on December 12 at Pattaya City Hall by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, mayoral advisor Itthipol Khunplome, and Sukreep Klikrachai, president of the Isaan Pattaya Club.
Sukreep said the fair is a New Year celebration and will feature traditional Isaan dance and song performed on stage by well-known artists. December 28 will feature Satid Thongchan and Jet Chamrun, and December 29 will see performances by Dang Jittakorn, Chalerm Bamrung, and Top Isaan Moh Lam.
OTOP products from the Northeast will also be on sale, including silk and “ou”, an earthen whisky jar that is a specialty of Putai. One activity that should not be missed is the inevitable somtam competition.
One difference this year from previous fairs is the holding of the Most Beautiful Isaan Man competition, which is actually for women of the second category. This replaces the traditional Miss Isaan contest, which always featured real girls. Clearly, there will be no shortage of competitors for the new competition.