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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

City mourns the passing of HRH Princess Galyani

Protests against Tesco Express turn ugly as crowd burns coffin

Prayers held for Navy personnel in the troubled South

New landing stages at Bali Hai Pier will cost 8.3M baht

Stage shows cancelled for Chinese New Year as Pattaya mourns HRH Princess Galyani

Christmas Day was a dog’s dinner for the strays

Foundation stone for sailing monument to be laid soon

‘Pregnant’ transvestite arrested with drugs haul

Fire breaks out at Korean karaoke bar

Norwegian beaten unconscious by thugs at beer bar

Two die in Soi Post Office blaze

Donations pay for hospital transporter

Giant image taken to devotees

Blessings and bonuses as city hall completes successful year

A fond farewell as Fr Paiboon moves to the North

Children’s Day will feature fun and education

Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard welcomes guests from Germany


City mourns the passing of HRH Princess Galyani

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya citizens have been queuing at Pattaya City Hall to sign a book of condolences following the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana on January 2.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn together with senior city administrators signed their names on January 3, when the book was opened.

Frame shops were busy making frames for pictures of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.
Niran said that Pattaya City Hall was observing the mourning period alongside official institutions throughout the nation. Officials are wearing black clothes and the flag is being flown at half-mast for 15 days.
Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, superintendent at Pattaya Police Station said the flag above the police station would be raised at half-mast for 15 days. Private businesses and entertainment outlets will close for a period of mourning, and a declaration regarding the length of mourning for the private sector was anticipated soon.
In Chonburi Province a condolence book was placed in Chonburi City Hall for government officials and members of the public, and a scripted prayer ceremony was arranged for the period January 3 to 9 at the Pakdeepaendin Pavilion. Governor of Chonburi Pracha Taerat directed government officials to wear black clothing for 15 days.

Vendors have been selling white and black clothing, with most customers being working people and government personnel.
Most members of the public have been wearing white and black clothes, and tourists have also been wearing these colors out of respect to the Thai people. Vendors at Naklua Market have been selling white and black clothing with prices starting at 199 baht, with most customers being working people and government personnel. Even the tailor shops have been kept busy, with people bringing their white and black clothes in for repair.
Pol Plaimas, the owner of a well known picture framing shop in Naklua said that many people have been coming in to buy pictures of Her Royal Highness, either for their offices or for their homes.

Pattaya citizens queue at city hall to sign a book of condolences following
 the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.


Protests against Tesco Express turn ugly as crowd burns coffin

Pramote Channgam
Feelings ran high amongst local shop owners on December 28 as they gathered to burn a coffin in protest at the proposed opening of Pattaya’s first Tesco Lotus Express outlet.

The protesters burn a coffin and cardboard people in effigy, trying to chase Tesco Lotus away from their neighborhood.

More than 100 protestors congregated with picket signs in front of the Tesco Express outlet on Sukhumvit Road at Central Pattaya, with their leaders whipping up emotions by saying that the authorities were allowing the store to open against the wishes of the local shopkeepers.
Protests have been held against the opening of the store on several occasions, and the local shop owners have been told the situation is being examined. Construction work on the store was halted briefly, but there has been no final resolution to the situation.
The protest this time became an angry one, with the crowd shouting out against Tesco Lotus and questioning the impartiality of the local government.
Finally, a paper coffin was burned symbolically and officers from Banglamung Police Station had to move in to keep the situation under control.
It took three hours for the protestors to disband, but before they did they vowed to continue their demonstrations until the store project is cancelled. They have also said they would submit a complaint to Pol Gen Saereepisuth Taemeeyaves, commissioner general of the Royal Thai Police, as they believe the decision making process has not been an impartial one.


Prayers held for Navy personnel in the troubled South

Prayers were said for the lives and protection
of personnel working in the troubled South.

Patcharapol Panrak
Six Combat Marines fired a ceremonial volley of 19 shots and 999 firecrackers were exploded in a ceremony on December 27 in honor of the Father of the Royal Thai Navy, Prince Krom Luang Chumporn Ketudomsak.
Vice Admiral Suwit Thararoop, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Marine Corps at Sattahip led officers and men in prayers at the Prince Chumpron Shrine on Mount Laem Poochao for the New Year.
Vice Admiral Suwit said that while the nation celebrates the birth of the New Year, the armed forces are unable to participate in the revels because of their duty to protect the country at all times. But such a duty is a high honor, he said, and every serving man or woman is aware of this.
Prayers were said for the lives and protection of personnel working in the troubled South, and blessings were said for the spirit of the man who created the modern Royal Thai Navy, Prince Chumporn.


New landing stages at Bali Hai Pier will cost 8.3M baht

A budget of more than 8.3 million baht will be used to replace landing stages at Bali Hai pier that are dilapidated because of rust.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya City councilors have approved a budget of 8.3 million baht to build four landing stages at Bali Hai Pier, following the closure earlier of the existing stages because of their advanced state of deterioration.
The budget was approved at a Pattaya City Hall meeting on December 27, presided over by council chairman Tawit Chaisawangwong.
A amount of 8,337,000 baht was agreed on for the four landing stages at Bali Hai Pier, the decision having been made as a matter of priority because of the condition of the existing landing stages that were considered to have reached a dangerous state of dilapidation.
Members of the council expressed concern about the materials to be used for the new landing stages, and asked if they would be more durable than the previous installations. Pichet Uthaiwattananon, director of the Pattaya City Engineering Office said that the material to be used would be processed galvanized steel plating made from high-tensile G550 steel. This would be far more durable than the material previously used, which had rusted after only two years’ service.
Pichet said the new landing stages would be guaranteed for two years, and that the Pattaya Sea Rescue Department would be responsible for the maintenance of the landing stages.


Stage shows cancelled for Chinese New Year as Pattaya mourns HRH Princess Galyani

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Stage performances will not be held during Chinese New Year in Pattaya out of respect for the memory of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who passed away on January 2.

Wutipol Charoenpol, chief of the Pattaya
City Office.

However, Wutipol Charoenpol, chief of the Pattaya City Office said that other Chinese New Year festivities would take place over the period February 5 to 6, and that a company had been appointed to make the arrangements.
A meeting was held on January 3 at Pattaya City Hall to discuss the Cabinet resolution issued in the immediate aftermath of the passing of Her Royal Highness. The resolution was for government and private organizations to hold a total of 100 days of mourning. Government officials must mourn for 15 days, and there is an agreement that all government organizations postpone or cancel the holding of entertainment performances for 15 days, or a total period of 100 days. If it is not important to hold performances, then they should not be held. The government has invited people to mourn by wearing black clothes for a total of 15 days.
To observe the mourning period, Pattaya City has agreed to cancel the holding of stage performances during Chinese New Year, but areas of the city will be lit with Chinese lanterns, and lion dancers will perform.
February 6 will be a day of prayer for the Chinese community, and will be observed only at the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation.
Pattaya City will cooperate with the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 in rearranging a planned stage show with performers from the People’s Republic of China.


Christmas Day was a dog’s dinner for the strays

Stray dogs in Sattahip receive a treat on Christmas.

Patcharapol Panrak
Vice Admiral Sirichai Kanithakul, chief of operations at the Naval Operations Department and who is also head of the department’s Stray Dogs Aid Center Project, organized a special feeding of the dogs on Christmas Day.
Captain Nopadol Supakorn, commander of the Naval Operations Support Division was assigned to arrange for officers and employees to bring beef, pork and chicken to feed the stray dogs at the center, which is located at Sattahip.
The Naval Operations Department has been operating the center for two years and has recently worked together with head of the Sattahip Administrative Organization Pairoj Malakul na Ayutthaya to build kennels.
Currently there are 134 dogs at the center, 59 of them males and 75 females. The funds for looking after them, treating them for sickness, feeding them daily, and maintaining them comes from the donations of kindhearted people.
Vice Admiral Sirichai said that stray dogs can be dangerous, and that rabies is always a potential threat. Even in the course of everyday life the dogs can present a danger, particularly when they stray into the road. As the Navy has responsibility for the security of this area and for those visiting the Navy Base and its activities, the Naval Operations Department founded the Stray Dogs Aid Center. The officers care of the animals.


Foundation stone for sailing monument to be laid soon

Vimolrat Singnikorn
City hall is preparing to lay the foundation stone for a monument that will commemorate the importance sailing has for Pattaya, and the role played by His Majesty the King in encouraging Thai people to take part in this sport.
Designers and members of the public were asked to submit proposals for the design, and these were judged on December 4, 2006. Miss Piyarat Sripat was the winner of the competition.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh said that His Majesty the King, a keen sailor, had taken part in the 4th Southeast Asian Peninsular Games in 1967, participating in a sailboat race with Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana, and had won a gold medal.
Construction of this monument would act as a continual encouragement to Thai people to take part in this sport, and the structure would act as an important landmark for visitors to Pattaya.
The monument will be built on the beach in front of Mike Shopping Mall, with the foundation stone due to be laid early this year.
Construction of the monument will, however, have to wait a little longer, as it requires a large amount that cannot be managed during Mayor Niran’s term. Only the foundation stone can be laid to prepare for construction, and the new team of administrators will continue the project.


‘Pregnant’ transvestite arrested with drugs haul

Boonlua Chatree
Police have arrested the transvestite leader of a bizarre drugs gang whose members included two women and whose favored method of transporting their goods was to tape the packages to their stomachs to make it look as if they were pregnant.

The leader and two accomplices of the “pregnant transvestite” gang are paraded before the media.

A press briefing was held at Pattaya Police Station on December 28 during which station superintendent Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom and deputy superintendent of crime suppression Pol Lt Col. Supachat Piemmanat presented the three gang members to the media, along with a haul of the drugs they had been carrying.
The leader of the gang was identified as Taweesak Kammul, also known as May, an 18-year-old transvestite from Chiang Rai Province who was arrested at Suanthiwaree Village on the Thappraya Road Detour along with 1,956 pills of ya ba that were hidden in his underwear. Taweesak confessed that he had received the drugs from a dealer in Chiang Rai, and that he had taken ya ba with him on domestic airline flights many times. When he transported the drugs he was dressed in women’s clothes and put the packages into his underwear, or wrapped them in cloth and taped them to his stomach. The drugs were sold in Pattaya City to gang members who then sold the pills to customers.
The other two accused were Miss Muay Chinsri, 39, of Nakornpanom Province, and Miss Wariya Chaikrao, 37, of Ratchaburi Province. A police undercover officer had arrested them in the street next to Pattaya Memorial Hospital. They had 1,200 tabs of ya ba that was placed in a plastic bag that was wrapped with tape, and were in a baht bus ready to deliver the drugs when they were arrested.
Police have extended their investigations to pursue other members of the gang, which they know is a large operator in the North.


Fire breaks out at Korean karaoke bar

Fire caused considerable damage to the interior of a Korean karaoke bar
 in North Pattaya.

Theerarak Suthatiwong
Three fire engines raced to put out a blaze at a Korean karaoke bar opposite Fairtex in North Pattaya during the morning of December 28.
Firefighters found smoke pouring from the one-story building, but it took them only 10 minutes to get the fire under control. Considerable damage was done to the interior of the building, an initial estimate putting the cost at 100,000 baht.
Siripol Tabtim, the 28-year-old security guard at the premises said that he was on duty and sitting out in front. He heard the sound of sparks and fire, and saw smoke coming out of the shop. He immediately telephoned Mr Lee (unknown surname), the owner of the shop, and called police officers for help.
During the primary investigation officers surmised that the fire was caused by a short circuit. A fire investigator will, however, examine the scene once again to produce a report.


Norwegian beaten unconscious by thugs at beer bar

Boonlua Chatree
A Norwegian tourist was beaten and badly injured by a gang of Thai men at a group of beer bars in the early hours of December 30, the attackers stealing the man’s property and leaving him unconscious as they rode away on their motorcycles.
Pattaya Police Station received a report of the incident at 2:30 a.m. from an anonymous caller, and rushed to the Wonderful Beer Bar group of bars alongside Second Road.
There are 15 beer bars located on an area of about 10 rai of land, with a stand of trees to the rear of the bars. The officers found a number of tourists drinking, and more than 200 bargirls who appeared unaware that anything had happened. Amongst the trees at the rear of the bars, however, police found the unconscious figure of a man. He was identified as Geir Andre Sirevag, a 26-year-old Norwegian citizen.
The ground was covered in blood. Sirevag, who was shaven-headed, had traces of blood at the base of his left ear from a wound, and there was a swelling on his head. The area above his left ear had an indentation and his eyebrow was bleeding. His body was bruised. The officers with great difficulty carried him out by his arms and legs, and sent him for treatment to Pattaya Memorial Hospital.
Police attempted to question eyewitnesses at the scene, but no one was willing to speak. Later, however, one witness spoke in secret. A Thai man described as being short and overweight had come to the bars with three associates. Everyone was afraid of them. The gang had a problem with the Norwegian man, and they surrounded him and beat him until he was unconscious before carrying him out and throwing him into the trees 20 meters away. They took all his property, then came back to their motorcycles that were parked in front of the bars and calmly rode away. A woman who officers suspect was a beer bar staff member called the police.
Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, superintendent at Pattaya Police Station has ordered a full investigation of all the bar staff members.


Two die in Soi Post Office blaze

Boonlua Chatree
Two people died in a fire at a guesthouse on Soi Post Office during the morning of December 29.
Three fire engines from Pattaya City Fire Department rushed to the Annie Bar building at 9:15 a.m. along with rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation.

Garg Niks, who narrowly escaped, watches anxiously as firefighters extinguish the fire. His comrade perished in the blaze.

Watched by a large crowd of Thais and foreigners, the firemen sprayed water over the building to prevent the flames spreading along the street. It was 30 minutes before the fire could be extinguished.
Two people were found dead on the third floor. They were named as Ravi Kant Gupta, a 23-year-old Indian national who had collapsed on the floor; and Mrs Jampee Jaitrong, a 33-year-old resident of Nakorn Ratchasima province, who worked at the Annie Bar. She died naked in the bathroom.
Mrs Paijit Wangkamlun, the 33-year-old manager of the bar said that Gupta had arrived the previous evening with an Indian friend, 24-year-old Garg Niks. The deceased was drunk and had taken Jampee upstairs.
Officers discovered that the fire began in the sauna room on the second floor. Gupta had opened the sauna door but had fallen asleep. He and Jampee had died from suffocation, while Niks had been able to escape.
Fire investigation officers will prepare an official report.


Donations pay for hospital transporter

Pipat and Mrs Rasri Rattanaprakarn, the owners of
the Phurimas Beach Hotel and Spa at Payoon Beach, Ban Chang, in Rayong, donate a six seat electric  cart to Rear Admiral Nikorn Petweerakul, representing
the Naval Medical Department at Sattahip..

Patcharapol Panrak, Sattahip District
A six-seat electrical cart has been donated to Somdej Phranangchaosirlkit Hospital as a New Year gift.
The cart, valued at 340,000 baht, was presented on December 28 by Pipat and Mrs Rasri Rattanaprakarn, the owners of the Phurimas Beach Hotel and Spa at Payoon Beach, Ban Chang, in Rayong.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the hospital, which comes under the Naval Medical Department at Sattahip, was Rear Admiral Nikorn Petweerakul.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held in front of the patients’ registration building, Pipat said the Somdej Phranangchaosirlkit Hospital was a long established one, and as a large military hospital it helps disaster victims throughout the Eastern region. As the region has developed into a large industrial conurbation, so the hospital’s medical services have expanded. However, the number of carts available to transport patients between departments that are as much as 300 meters apart had been insufficient, hence the decision he and Rasri had made to donate a new one.
Donations had been collected to make up the total required sum of 340,000 baht to buy the six-seat electrical cart. This was done as a New Year gift for the hospital and its patients.


Giant image taken to devotees

Patcharapol Panrak
The abbot of Samakkee Banpot Temple in Bangsarae, Prah Khru Kasem Kittisophon, invited devotees to pay homage to the image of Somdej Prabuddhacharn To as it was being paraded through the streets on December 28.

Prah Khru Kasem Kittisophon invites people to pay homage to the image of Somdej Prabuddhacharn To during a parade on December 28.

The image, which stands 9ft 1in high, is the largest in Eastern Thailand and was erected through the efforts of the abbot.
Amongst the senior Buddhist priests attending Samakkee Banpot Temple were Phra Khru Wibunthammabal, ecclesiastical district officer of Sattahip and abbot of Sattahip Temple, Phra Khru Thammasarasophit, Phra Khru Pipitcholatham, abbot of Najomtien Temple, Chao Khun Bowornrangsi, deputy abbot of Rakang Kositaram Temple in Bangkok, and another 10 priests from temples in the Eastern region of Thailand.
Prah Khru Kasem Kittisophon said that many Thai and foreign people came to worship at the temple and at the image of Somdej Prabuddhacharn To, who had been a revered monk and whose image was created by peoples’ faith and donations.


Blessings and bonuses as city hall completes successful year

Administration praised by Chonburi Province committee

Permanent secretary Sittiprap Muangkhum (center) leads officials in bringing New Years blessings to Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
More than 300 government officials and employees of Pattaya City joined a ceremony at the King Taksin Monument on January 1 to give New Year blessings to the mayor and his deputies.
Permanent secretary Sittiprap Muangkhum represented the city officials as he presented an address blessing the head of the administration and wishing him and his deputies health and success during the year to come.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn in return gave his blessings to all city officials and workers, urging them to take care of their health and well being so that they may perform their official duties happily and with success. Niran compared the work of city officials to that of a cog in a machine: no matter if the cog is large or small, it has an important purpose and without it the machine cannot work properly.
All employees received a one-month bonus from the mayor, who said that the administration had functioned well during the year and had passed an evaluation undertaken by a Chonburi Province committee headed by the deputy governor.


A fond farewell as Fr Paiboon moves to the North

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Father Paiboon Udomdet has bid a fond farewell to St. Nikolaus Church, where he has been pastor for two years, as he prepared to move to Chiang Mai, where he will work with a Mission that covers the North and neighboring Laos.

Fr Weera Phangrak (right), deputy patriarch from the Mission in Chantaburi, blesses Fr Paiboon (left) with white string as Fr Kritsada Sukapat (center) looks on.

A party was held at St Nikolaus Church on December 28 to wish Fr Paiboon well in his new endeavors, and also to welcome Fr Kritsada Sukapat, who will replace him. Fr Weera Phangrak, deputy patriarch from the Mission in Chantaburi and Ronakit Ekasingh, Pattaya City deputy mayor, presented the farewell and welcome speeches.
Fr Paiboon was born on March 26, 1960. He entered the priesthood on April 7, 1988, and was the 12th pastor at St Nikolaus. He graduated with a doctorate in moral theology from Rome in 2006, and can speak seven languages.
At the farewell party, Fr Paiboon’s wrist was bound with a blessing in accordance with traditional Thai beliefs.


Children’s Day will feature fun and education

City hall is preparing for a good Children’s Day this year.

Vimolrat Singnikorn
A busy day is planned in Pattaya for Children’s Day, January 12, with every department within the educational system being encouraged to prepare activities.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon held a meeting on December 18 at Pattaya City Hall to prepare the program, along with representatives of the 10 schools under the city’s jurisdiction.
Wattana said that Children’s Day in Pattaya is traditionally a very active one, and has always received good cooperation from the government and private offices. This year every department within the educational system is being requested to devise activities that are both educational and enjoyable.
Pattaya City Hall will itself be open to the children so that they can see how local government is conducted. Escorted groups will be taken around the various departments, ending with a visit to the office of Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.


Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard welcomes guests from Germany

Karl and Stephanie Krafft are surrounded by the group
for a souvenir shot at Garden Cafe.

Elfi Seitz
The Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard had some visitors from Germany over the Christmas period. In absence of president Stefan Ryser, past president Marliese Fritz welcomed the past president of Rotary Club Bergheim-Erft, Karl Krafft, and his spouse Stephanie, who both came to Pattaya for several days.
Dr Claus Rink of RC Eastern Seaboard, who also is a teacher in Germany, had earlier convinced his fellow RC members from his home country on the idea of a producing an English language CD for Thai students. Both clubs set up a matching grant to produce this CD. Several hundred copies have now been distributed throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Last year, several students from Germany traveled to Thailand to teach and promote the CD.
RC Eastern Seaboard invited Karl and Stephanie Krafft to a dinner on December 30 at the Marriott Resort’s Garden Cafe. Earnest conversations about a planned partnership between both Rotary Clubs were held. It is assumed that the talks will end in June with the signing of a co-operation. For this occasion, several members of the RC Bergheim-Erft will travel to Pattaya again.
The Krafft couple has been visiting Thailand and other Asian countries numerous times. A day after the talks, they flew to Cambodia to visit the historic site of Angkor Wat.