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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

HM the King asks new government to make peace its priority

Big New Year countdown at Bali Hai

Utapao airport to be upgraded

Pattaya rescues pawn shops

Chonburi buses workers home for New Year

Pattaya to “wow” tourists again

Police more vigilant for festive New Year

Motorcyclist snatches Italian’s gold chain

Pakistanis charged with selling sex pills

Police crack down on holiday crime

Former police charged with ya ba dealing

Thousands of children immunized against polio


HM the King asks new government to make peace its priority

In this photo released by the Royal Palace, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, standing front row, and his cabinet members listen to HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, left, during a swearing-in ceremony at Chitralada Palace in Bangkok Monday, Dec. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Royal Palace, HO)

Bangkok (AP) - HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday asked the new Cabinet to maintain stability and order. The revered monarch has called on the new government to make peace its priority after months of protests that divided the nation.
HM the King made the comments Monday at Chitralada Palace as he presided over a swearing-in ceremony for the 36-member Cabinet led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
In his brief address, His Majesty the King said, “If you (ministers) perform well, the country could maintain peace and this would be a blessing for the country. It is what Thai people wish for.”
HM the King then went on to say that all Thais wanted to see the country to stay in peace so that they can keep Thainess.
His comments came after months of silence about the turmoil in Thailand that included an eight-day blockade of Bangkok’s airports earlier this month.
Abhisit was elected by Parliament last week as Thailand’s third leader in four months.
By law, the coalition government under the ruling Democrat Party starts work immediately after undertaking the swearing-in ceremony.
Pledging that he would strictly follow HM the King’s advice, Abhisit later told journalists that he would try to bring unity back to the people so that Thais and foreigners would have confidence in Thailand but the efforts could “not be achieved without the cooperation of Thais nationwide.”
Abhisit said he and his cabinet wanted to assure everyone that the government would work for the benefit of the people “on the condition that people should help in building (the country).” (AP & TNA)


Big New Year countdown at Bali Hai

(L to R) Rewat Pollook-In, deputy chief of the Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization, Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, and Urit Nantasurasak, deputy chairman of Pattaya Council meet to discuss the New Year countdown.

Vimolrat Singnikorn
It’s shaping to be the New Year countdown to end all countdowns as Pattaya invests eight million baht to count out the last days of the year to 2009 at Bali Hai Pier.
Pattaya City is joining with Chonburi Administration, MCOT and GMM media in organizing an enormous seven days and seven nights countdown to 2009, starting on December 25 and continuing right through to New Year’s Eve, December 31.
The big week will include performances by superstar artists and fireworks.
The event will officially start at 7:30 p.m. on December 25 at the 15-meter high Christmas tree at Bali Hai pier.
Superstar artists from GMM media include Pang, Paradox, Sua Tanapol, Tik Chiro, Boy, Peacemaker and The Star will perform and there will also be traditional cultural shows.
There will be a daily fireworks display, beginning at 9.30 p.m., talent contests, traditional Thai performances, raffles and shows.
The climax of the weeklong event will of course be the countdown to 2009, when thousands fireworks from 15 different locations up and down the beach, from North Pattaya through to South Pattaya, will be set off exactly as the clock strikes midnight New Year’s Eve. The final events will be broadcast live on Modern Nine TV from 22.30-1.00.
For those wishing to make merit in the morning on January 1, beginning at 7 am, seventy monks will be on the road collecting alms at 3 locations: Larn Pho Naklua; at the Tourist Information Center Pattaya Beach Road before the entrance to the Walking Street; and in front of Surf Kitchen on Jomtien Beach Road.
“For this enormous celebration, we are hoping there will be over 500,000 foreign tourists gathering during the seven days and revenue of 200-300 million baht is expected to be generated,” Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay said.


Utapao airport to be upgraded

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Royal Thai Navy, with financial support from Pattaya City, has unveiled plans to upgrade Utapao Airport to international standard with the new name of “Utapao-Pattaya International Airport.”

Mayor Itthipol Khunplome (left) and Rear-Admiral Varasak Junnoo, deputy commander of the First Naval Area Command.

After its brief but crucial emergency role in the recent closures of Bangkok’s two international airports, Mayor Itthipol Khunplome confirmed that he was ready to support all requirements from the Navy for the airport improvements, expected to be “of great benefit for Pattaya City and other tourist destinations in the east.”
On December 9, Rear-Admiral Varasak Junnoo, deputy commander of the First Naval Area Command, met the mayor at city hall to begin consultations on the work.
The admiral said Utapao Airport is an important international airport under the Royal Thai Naval Air Division, with the capability of being modified to be an international commercial airport.
The terminal can be developed to support from 150 to 400 passengers with a usable area of 2,610 square meters. This includes supporting 50 large airplanes.
The airport has 3,505 x 60 meters of runway, a 432,300-square meter apron, SSR air traffic control system, a fire engine, a security engine, an ambulance, a cabin car, a compact garbage truck, a shuttle van and microbus.
“It will be another gate to Pattaya City and eastern provinces,” Varasak said.
“The airport was used to process more than 60,000 stranded passengers in the recent crisis but the terminal needs to be improved due to it being small and lacking several pieces of modern equipment.”
Mayor Itthipol said that the airport has an advantage of being near several tourist destinations in the eastern region. Several chartered flights from Russia used it during the last portion of the year.
“If it can be modified to international standard then it will boost the region’s economy. Pattaya City is ready to support upgrading work but this matter still needs further consultation before the plan can be submitted for Cabinet approval,” he said.


Pattaya rescues pawn shops

Vimolrat Singnikorn
As countries such as the United States go to the rescue of their banks and the car industry, Pattaya City invests another 20 million baht in its pawnshops to help them face the world economic slowdown.

Pattaya invests another 20 million baht on pawnshops during the economic slowdown.

Suchart Chootipongpisit, manager of the Pattaya Pawn Shop, met Mayor Itthipol Khunplome on December 9 at Pattaya City Hall to sign loan documents from a savings bank to the amount of 20 million baht as emergency investment in pawnshops so they can in turn help their customers.
Suchart said during the New Year holidays many people working here need extra money to go home to the provinces, which makes pawnshops very busy.
“The current economic crisis means more people would be in need of cash; therefore pawnshops need to increase their money stock to deal with the rush.”
The mayor said Pattaya City had already taken a loan from a bank to help the pawnbrokers, making a total of 50 million baht which the city will pay back in installments with a low interest of 1%.


Chonburi buses workers home for New Year

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
The Chonburi transportation office has added more buses to the fleet to transport workers back home to the provinces during the New Year festival.
Chonburi’s administration wishes to ensure that workers from the provinces will be able to return home during the holiday season by adding more buses and manning checkpoints inspecting buses and drivers to ensure safe and smooth operation.

Officers check the alcohol level of bus drivers.

On December 9 at the Rungrueang Bus station in North Pattaya, the transportation office continued its campaign to reduce road accidents during the festive season.
Jirut Visanjit, director of Chonburi transportation office, Nattachet Kunakorn, general manager of Rungrueang Co. Ltd. and officials joined in to inspect buses and drivers.
Jirut said that the checks began some three months earlier and they will become more frequent during the holidays.
It is done to see that all buses are in good condition to transport passengers. Drivers are checked for license and registration, physical health, alcohol concentration and they undergo drug tests.
The Transport Ministry had announced they will try to make sure that passengers are safe in their travels. Call center 1584 is available for taking in complaints from passengers, including about price, stop points, and inappropriate behavior of employees.
Jirut said buses are continually being inspected. Passengers are not being charged for these services, plus they are served free water, cold towels, and coffee on board.


Pattaya to “wow” tourists again

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya is set to wow tourists once again, this time Thais ahead of foreign travelers given the state of the world’s economy.
Bangkok dwellers are being targeted by substantial promotions by Pattaya which hopes to boost local tourism to replace international arrivals, or the current lack of them.

Tourists are wide-eyed at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo booth.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Pattaya City and Central World Bangkok collaborated in organizing the Wow Pattaya promotion at Central World Bangkok December 12-14.
Ronakit Ekasingh, deputy mayor of Pattaya, and Niti Kongkrut, director of TAT Pattaya, opened the expo comprising of booths of 44 hotels, 19 tourists destinations and many more programs during the three days.
The show was divided into three zones:
Wow Natural promoted Underwater World Pattaya, Burapa University Aquatic Institute, Sriracha Tiger Zoo, Khao Kheow Zoo, Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, Heaven Under Ocean, Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm.
Wow Art and Culture promoted Sachatam Castle, Art in a Bottle Museum, Baan Sukaawdee, Miniature City, Water Market, Sudtangrak Restaurant, Potiwej Traditional Massage and Pattaya Club.
Wow Entertainment promoted Alangkarn Theatre, Alcazar Pattaya, Tiffany’s Show, Ripley’s World, Tuxedo Magic Castle, Live Play and Eastern Golf Club.
Organizers hope Thai tourists will say “Wow!” to all these many attractions as well.


Police more vigilant for festive New Year

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya Police have announced more vigilant control measures for the safety of celebrants during the New Year Festival.

Pol. Col. Somnuk Changate, superintendent of Banglamung police station, shows a sticker for making contact and reporting mishaps.

The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association attended a meeting with police to discuss measures to secure life and property during the tourism season and festivities. Members discussed the CCTV project for better protection in the streets.
The meeting at the Green Park Resort attended by Banglamung District Chief Mongkol Thamakittikhun, Niti Kongkrut, director of the TAT Pattaya Office, Jamroon Wisawachaipan, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, Pol. Col. Somnuk Changate, superintendent at the Banglamung Police Station, Pol. Lt. Col. Sutham Chaosrithong, deputy superintendent at the Pattaya Police Station, Pol. Lt. Col. Suwan Un-anan, inspector at Pattaya Tourist Police, Pattaya Immigration, Sattahip Police and hotel representatives.
Pol. Col. Somnuk said recent political troubles have caused more unemployment and increased crime. The Banglamung Police Station does not have a large enough police force and always needs support from other sectors, such as the Civil Defense Volunteers, administrators and municipal officers and residents to report criminal activities.
Pol. Lt-Col. Sutham said Pattaya police and volunteer police man checkpoints on the main roads to suppress crime throughout the city.
Pol. Lt-Col. Suwan said Tourist Police and Immigration officers try to support tourists in all ways to ensure their safe and pleasant stay in Pattaya.
People at the meeting discussed CCTV to monitor the beach front and the main roads, manned by shifts of police officers.


Motorcyclist snatches Italian’s gold chain

Boonlua Chatree
A young motorcyclist snatched a gold necklace worth 200,000 baht from an Italian man riding pillion on another motorcycle and escaped in the busy midday traffic on Thepprasit Road.

Pianthong and Luca report the theft to police.

At 12.30 p.m. on December 12, Pol. Lt-Col. Ekadit Srimul, stationed at the Dongtan police station, received a report from Pianthong Buatik, 30, that she was riding a motorbike to Jomtien Beach with her husband Corago Luca, 43, from Chokchai Village, as her passenger.
When they arrived at the Thepprasit crossroad to Soi Khor Pai a man approximately 20 years old rode up on a black and blue Honda and pulled off her husband’s gold necklace before speeding away in the direction of the Grand Condo.
Luca stated that he had purchased this gold necklace in Italy and offered a reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the chain thief and the return of his property.
Police launched an immediate search in vain and are continuing their investigation.


Pakistanis charged with selling sex pills

Boonlua Chatree
Undercover police arrested two Pakistani citizens on December 12, charging both with selling a large amount of illegal sexual enhancement drugs to foreign tourists.

Shahid Aziz (left) and Usman Talat (right) have been remanded to custody for allegedly selling ED drugs to undercover police.

Muhammad Usman Talat, 26, and Shahid Aziz, 36, were charged with possessing 35 packs of Penigra, 90 Cialis packs, 125 packs of Viagra and 95 packs of Kamagra. Each packet of the drugs contains four pills.
The police charges relate to possession of medicine illegally imported to avoid duty fees and illegal distribution of pharmaceuticals with no detailed product registrations.
Undercover police had set up an appointment to buy sexual enhancement drugs for 60,000 baht allegedly from the accused at the Bang Jak Gasoline Station’s parking lot in North Pattaya. Police said the two men turned up at the appointed time and were arrested with the drugs.
Pol. Col. Krit Wongrit, commander of Tourist Police Headquarters 2, said that Pol. Maj-Gen. Atthakrit Thareechat, commander of the Tourist Police, had ordered the strict cleanout of illegal foreign distributors of sexual enhancement drugs in Pattaya City. The operation will be expanded to the rest of the country as well.


Police crack down on holiday crime

Staff reporters
Commander of the Royal Thai Police in Region 2, Pol. Maj-Gen. Theerayut Kittiwat, has ordered the “cleaning out of all criminals” during New Year Festival.

Pol. Maj-Gen. Theerayut Kittiwat, commander of the Region 2 Police.

He ordered officers to stringently perform their duties including not leaving their area of responsibility accept in the events of private emergency or illness. All available police must be on duty, he said.
On December 16 the commander said many more checkpoints, including mobile ones, were in operation.
As this may annoy all of the road users, police wished to apologize for it. This is being done to protect the public against criminals, especially those with firearms and narcotics.
Regarding traffic during the New Year Festival, police checkpoints will check for alcohol and drink-driving.
Pol. Maj-Gen Bandit Khunachak, commander of the Chonburi Provincial Police, said that the order from the commander of Region 2 is being implemented to crack down on criminals and narcotics.
He said crimes such as gold snatching, car and motorbike theft, plundering and stealing were on the increase due to more people being unemployed.
“Police officers must use all methods to protect people,” he said.


Former police charged with ya ba dealing

Boonlua Chatree
A former Pattaya police officer was arrested allegedly with 450 ya ba pills in his pick-up truck at a police checkpoint on Pattaya 3rd Road on December 16.

Police take Narongrit into custody.

Pol. Capt. Wuthipat Napachot, deputy traffic inspector at the Pattaya Police Station, was leading police and volunteer officers at a checkpoint to inspect motorbikes and vehicles in front of Soi Kaorai and Pattaya 3rd Road in Central Pattaya.
They stopped a pickup truck driven by Narongrit Sengrodrat, 36, of Huayyai, at 11 p.m. Police said while they were searching the vehicle, Narongrit threw something onto the road under the truck.
Officers allegedly found a large bag of ya ba pills there and also three packets in the pickup, confiscating 450 ya ba pills in total and 6,600 baht in cash as evidence.
Narongrit said that he worked as a Pattaya police officer two years ago and that the pickup belonged to a brother.
According to police, the accused had used the vehicle to go to buy ya ba from a teenage distributor on Jomtien Beach to sell, some of the pills having already been sold before he was arrested at the checkpoint.
The accused said the reason for him keeping business cards of newspaper reporters in the vehicle was “for insurance to prevent police from arresting him.”


Thousands of children immunized against polio

Parents bring in their children to register for the first polio vaccination.

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Some 2,000 Pattaya residents brought in their children for their first polio vaccination at the Pattaya Public Health Center as a big vaccination campaign gets underway to eradicate the disease.

Pratheep Malhotra, district governor of Rotary International District 3340, joins in to administer drops to a youngster.
On December 17 the health center was open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children under five years of age. Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn chaired the opening of the polio vaccination campaign.
Apichart Puetpan, deputy city manager, Pratheep Malhotra, district governor of Rotary International District 3340, President Gerard Porcon and a contingent of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Pattaya, city councilors and officials also attended.
The first vaccination day saw many Thai and foreign parents bringing their children in for vaccinations. KFC contributed games to occupy children, Pattaya Arunothai School staff and students and Rotarians were also on hand to help.

Say ahhh - Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn helps the vaccination process.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak said polio was a significant cause of disabilities through muscular paralysis. The virus affects nerves governing the muscles in the limbs and those used for breathing. This causes respiratory difficulties and paralysis of the arms and legs.
The eradication of polio is an important goal for the Public Health Department and was started according to National Public Health Development Action Plan 6.
He said the eradication of polio was a duty requiring cooperation from the entire world. The Department of Pubic Health in Pattaya realized the greater risks from this disease in the transient and migratory population of Pattaya.
Na-Anya Chantrakat, head of the Bureau for the Protection Against and Control of Contagious Diseases in Pattaya, said that this vaccination campaign for children under 5 will protect our most vulnerable.
Polio vaccination drops are available at the health center as well as through a polio vaccination service in 20 schools in the city. Community volunteers also administer the drops in 27 Pattaya communities as do 28 school-nurseries, she said.
Next January 14 public health officials and volunteers will visit worker camps, homeless people and foreign workers on Soi Phothisarn. Vaccination visits in other areas will service children who can’t come to the health center.
DG Pratheep Malhotra stated, “Since 1985 Rotary International’s Polio Plus program has actively worked with WHO, UNICEF and International Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to eradicate this dreadful disease. Since then Rotarians have raised and donated more than US$800 million towards the program and have immunized more than 2 billion children. The eradication of polio is of the highest priority for us Rotarians. It is a promise we made to the children of the world and we have to keep that promise.”

Students from Arunothai School Pattaya perform
a traditional music and dance show.