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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Kingdom celebrates Wan Chatramongkhol (Coronation Day) May 5

Healthy Pattayans set aqua aerobics record

Today is May Day

City offers to re-host ASEAN summit

Five regions feature at TAT festival this weekend on Beach Road

Police chase more red shirts

City delegates homeless children job

Police arrest red shirt leader

Court orders arrest warrant for Taksin

British man succumbs to head injuries

Government bus crash kills one

Another red shirt leader charged

Free hotel rooms on offer for MICE market

Sattahip fights rabies with free vaccine

Beetle fans release turtles

Chonburi provides help for the poor


Kingdom celebrates Wan Chatramongkhol
(Coronation Day) May 5

(Photo courtesy of the Bureau of the Royal Household)

Photo courtesy of the Bureau of the Royal Household)

Tuesday, May 5 marks the 59th anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. The day is celebrated as a national holiday, and as such all government offices and commercial banks will close for the day.
Whist being crowned King of Thailand, the 9th in the Chakri Dynasty (Rama IX), His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great took a sacred oath to rule with Righteousness, for the Benefit and Happiness of the Thai people, which He has done magnificently, garnering tremendous respect from His people. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great is the longest reigning monarch in the world. Long Live the King!
Each year on the 5th of May, the Kingdom of Thailand commemorates the day when, in 1950, the Coronation Ceremony was held for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, the 9th in the Chakri Dynasty (Rama IX).
HM the King, after studying in Europe, returned to Thailand and was crowned King during an elaborate and highly intricate ceremony that out lavished all previous coronations in Thailand.
A week prior to His being crowned King, on April 28, 1950, H.M. King Bhumibol and Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitayakara were married. Following the Coronation, HM the King returned to Switzerland to continue studying.
The Coronation Ceremony reinforces the stature of the Kings of Thailand. The first such elaborate ceremony was performed when Pho Khun Phamuang succeeded Pho Khun Bangklangthao as the ruling King of Muang Sukhothai. Phaya Lithai, a former leader in Sukhothai, left a historical record in stone describing the coronation ceremony in Sukhothai at Wat Srikhum.
In the beginning of the Ratanakosin era, the first King in the Chakri Dynasty (HM King Buddhayodfa the Great) took the title of Rama I and moved the capital of Siam from Thonburi to the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River, and constructed Krung Ratanakosin (Bangkok). In the process of building the Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) the first King in the House of Chakri refined the coronation ceremony, establishing important protocol that has lasted to this day. All Kings to follow not undergoing the coronation ceremony would be unable to assume the term “Phrabat” in front of the King’s title of “Somdej Phrachaoyuhua”, and more significantly, the symbol of the nine-tiered umbrella would also not be permissible or officially recognized.
The elaborate coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great included all the ancient rituals required for assuming the full title and the nine-tiered umbrella. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej then bestowed the honor posthumously on His brother HM King Ananda Mahidol. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s benevolent act raised HM King Ananda Mahidol’s regal status from seven to a nine-tiered umbrella.
During the reign of HM King Mongkut (Rama IV), Buddhist monks and Brahmin priests were incorporated into the coronation ceremony to conduct rituals to sanctify the auspicious occasion. Previously the ceremony was arranged and conducted by the Royal Palace staff and members of the Royal Household.
The annual coronation ceremony is currently a three-day affair, starting with a ritual “tham boon” ceremony on May 3 to honor the King’s ancestors. Later on the first day, another ceremony is performed, whereby flags of honor are issued to distinguish various military units.
The following day, Buddhist ceremonies continue with chanting rituals, prayers and Brahman priests announcing the auspicious occasion forthcoming the next day (May 5).
On the 5th of May, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX) conducts a merit making ceremony, presenting offerings to Buddhist monks, and leads a “Wien Thien” ceremony, walking three times around sacred grounds at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
In the evening the King conducts another sacred ceremony: changing the yellow cloth on the Emerald Buddha, the guardian symbol protecting the Thai people, which was transferred from Thonburi to Wat Phra Kaew by Rama I.
Many rooms in the Royal Palace are opened for public viewing on Coronation Day. Auspicious ceremonies are performed and displays depicting Royal achievements are exhibited to reconfirm the King’s stature.


Healthy Pattayans set aqua aerobics record

Aqua aerobics participants stretch all the way down the beach as far as the eye can see - 2,047 of them in total, setting a new Guinness World Record on Saturday, April 25. Even though to set the record the exercise lasted only 30 minutes, organizers made a day of the event with contests, games, and booths set up along the beach, climaxing with the record setting performance.


Today is May Day

Friday, May 1 is a public holiday, and as such government businesses and banks will be closed. Many bank branches in shopping malls may be open to cater to foreign exchange, and most exchange booths throughout the city will also be open.
The Thai government declared May 1 as National Labor Day in 1935. Employees are given a public holiday to celebrate the significance of labor.
Other holidays coming up in the near future are as follows:
Visakha Bucha Day (May 8)
Royal Plowing Day (May 11)


City offers to re-host ASEAN summit

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Pattaya officials are brainstorming ways to bring back the ASEAN summit and are using 20,000 free rooms as part of new promotion campaigns to attract visitors back.
The Committee for the Rehabilitation of Tourism in Pattaya met at city hall on April 20 to solve the problem of falling numbers of tourists.

Mayor Itthipol Khunplome (left) and Governor Surapon Pongtadsirikun chair the meeting for the Committee for the Rehabilitation of Tourism in Pattaya.

The conference discussed moving forward with a three-month operation to make available 20,000 free hotel rooms in Pattaya to restore tourism as soon as possible, along with a proposal to re-host the ASEAN summit.
Chonburi Governor Surapon Pongtadsirikun chaired a meeting of the committee attended by Sonthaya Khunplome, former minister of tourism and sports, Wittaya Khunplome, chairman of the Provincial Administrative Organization of Chonburi, and others.
Governor Surapon said after discussing these problems, he would gather all of the data to further submit to the government on behalf of the committee.
On April 21, Pattaya private business gathered to submit a letter to the prime minister, stating their readiness to re-host the next ASEAN summit.
Mayor Itthipol Khunplome said that this committee, chaired by Governor Surapon, included representatives from the Thai Hotel Association - Eastern Chapter, Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, TAT Pattaya Office, Chonburi Tourism Club, Eastern Golf Club and Pattaya City.
He said the national Cabinet had resolved to reduce interest rates on loans for the entrepreneurs victimized by the latest political disturbance.
Sonthaya said the various proposed promotional campaigns, including the free hotel rooms, would become clearer around the beginning of May. He also urged tourism officials to immediately start marketing in Dubai and India.
“This will bring things back to a normal situation and will provide comfort for all sectors very soon,” Sonthaya said.


Five regions feature at TAT festival this weekend on Beach Road

(L - R) Patsalin Savetrat, assistant director of TAT Pattaya Office, Niti Kongkrut, director of TAT Pattaya Office, and Akarawit Thaepasit, assistant director of TAT Pattaya Office hold a press conference on April 27 to announce the festival.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Five Regions Tourism Festival at Seesantawan-Ok from May 1-3 on Pattaya Beach is the latest tourism promotion by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aimed at drumming up more domestic tourism.
This is held annually in May by inviting entrepreneurs from all over the country to open promotion booths and provide special offers. 36 TAT offices will also join in to exhibit local cultures and attractions.
Niti Kongkrut, director of the TAT Pattaya Office, said that the five-region festival aims to promote tourism between provinces to boost internal local economies according to the TAT marketing plan for 2009. The campaign slogan is “Merry Thailand, Thai Economic Vitality.”
This year will be the first that the TAT head office will invite all 36 TAT offices to participate. TAT will also invite entrepreneurs from 76 provinces to take part in this marketing promotion to encourage inland tourism for Thai tourists.
Provincial entrepreneurs can participate in activities divided into two parts, the first held on Pattaya Beach with approximately 64 tents for 36 TAT offices, OTOP distribution booths, and marketing booth support. There will be entertaining activities and folk culture on show from seven eastern provinces.
The second part will be at Central Festival Beach for the hotel and tourist businesses from all provinces to set up marketing promotion booths. There will be special discounts for accommodation and travel to encourage Thais to take to the road and see their own country.
“The purpose of this festivity is to restore inland travel after the economic crisis and political chaos and the slowdown in the number of foreign tourists coming here,” said Niti.
“The number of Thai travelers has also dropped because tourists can now afford fewer expenses. TAT is hopeful that this activity can emphasize tourism throughout the regions,” Niti concluded.


Police chase more red shirts

Boonlua Chatree
Police are pursuing more red shirt anti-government protesters who damaged the PEACH convention hall at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort during last month’s aborted ASEAN Summit.

Pol. Gen. Thanee Somboonsap, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police, talks with the media.

They have charged protest leader Arisaman Pongruangrong and others for assembling more than 10 people and damaging property. Currently, police hold arrest warrants for 19 people, including former prime minister Taksin Shinawatra.
On April 23, Pol. Gen. Thanee Somboonsap, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police (Crime Suppression 2), and a team of high-ranking police visited the convention hall to inspect the damage, even though repairs are nearly completed.
The entourage then proceeded to the new office of the Region 2 Operations Center being used for the special investigation at city hall. No members of the mass media were allowed in.
Pol. Gen. Thanee said after the meeting that this case is a very important one so he is personally overseeing the investigation and pursuing the wrongdoers.
This investigation is already 60% complete with arrest warrants being issued, he said. Four men have been arrested and 15 others are being sought. Police are proceeding with impartiality and speed and the case could be concluded soon, he said.


City delegates homeless children job

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya City in collaboration with the Children Foundation are handing over responsibility for current work to help homeless children to the Children and Women Commissioner.
On April 22 at the meeting room at city hall, Social Welfare Center of Pattaya officials collated information that they had collected on the city’s homeless children to be passed on to the commissioner on April 27.

City officials are working on ways to deal with the homeless children problem.

Pannee Limcharoen, director of Social Welfare Center, said that the city had always tried to solve this problem by organizing ongoing campaigns but had not been effective as it could have been. Problems that continue to arise for homeless kids are crime, drug abuse, and prostitution.
“The cause of this is that children have been growing up believing in the wrong things, such as the trends of games, fashion, and drugs. These kids can easily be found at the railway community on Thepprasit Road Soi 5-6, Soi Sunee Plaza South Pattaya and elsewhere. They are not in the care of parents and face frequent suppression by police,” Pannee said.
Pannee said the city and the Children Foundation see great importance in solving this problem and therefore are passing responsibility onto the commissioner to deal with it more effectively.


Police arrest red shirt leader

Theerarak Suthatiwong
Police arrested an anti-government protester alleged to be part of the red shirt mob that attacked and injured the prime minister’s bodyguard and damaged his car in Pattaya during the aborted ASEAN summit.

Police arrest Ronnachai “Sing” Kongrod for his alleged role in attacking the prime minister’s motorcade here in Pattaya.

On April 20 Pol Col Theerpol Jindaluang, deputy chief for Chonburi police, with Pol Lt-Col Sukthat Pumpanmuang led an undercover police unit to arrest Ronnachai “Sing” Kongrod, 23, from Pichit, who is a suspect according to a warrant issued by Pattaya City Hall on April 9. He is charged with assembling for unlawful purposes more than 10 persons and intending to harm others.
Pol Col Theerpol Jindaluang said that Ronnachai and others had tried to prevent the PM’s vehicle from leaving for Bangkok leading to vandalism of property and injuring a bodyguard.
The incident happened at the intersection of Pattaya 3rd Road and South Pattaya Road on April 7. Jidapa Thanahattachai led the investigation and gathered evidence from photos taken by the press and testimony from witnesses. He sought a warrant to arrest all suspects involved.
Col Theerpol said after the incident, Ronnachai had escaped, but police found that he had returned to Pattaya and was staying in a room at Klichnikorn Apartment.
Police continue to search for other suspects in the mob attack.


Court orders arrest warrant for Taksin

Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya Provincial Court has issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Taksin Shinawatra for assembling more than 10 people to cause a disturbance.
Pol. Maj-Gen. Pramote Patumwong, deputy commander of the Provincial Police in Region 2, received the arrest warrant from the court dated April 21.
The charges include: assembling to operate any activity on public roads in a manner likely to cause traffic hazards; verbal actions in public that are not within the provision of the Constitution; not offering comments or criticism in good faith; committing acts offensive to the nation’s laws; attempting to change the government; gathering as an intrusive threat to use force; damaging property; and joining in a march or parade or procession to obstruct traffic.
Pattaya Police have determined that there were 11 cases in total arising from the anti-government protests by the red shirts at the ASEAN summit on April 12.
Police have studied video recordings and photos, and gathered a large amount of evidence before asking the Provincial Court for arrest warrants for protesters involved, some of whom had already come forward to turn themselves in.


British man succumbs to head injuries

Boonlua Chatree
A British national was found dead after apparently slipping and falling in his bathroom.
On April 22, Pol. Maj-Gen. Suriya Wariwong on duty at the Pattaya Police Station received a report from Panida Oughton, 32, from Sakhon Nakhorn, that her British husband had died in the bathroom at the Choengkao Laundry in Nongprue.
Police found the body of Thomas John Oughton, 50, with a wound on his left eyebrow, and transferred him to the forensic institute to find the cause of death.
Panida, the man’s Thai wife, told police that they had been married for many years. She found her husband dead in the bathroom and thought that he had most likely fell and hit his head on the floor.


Government bus crash kills one

This bus carrying government officials to a seminar in Rayong overturned,
killing one and injuring 50.

Patcharapol Panrak
A bus transporting government officials overturned, causing one death and injuring 50 passengers, two seriously, in Rayong Province on April 21.
200 high-ranking civil servants were traveling in four buses to Pattaya and Rayong to attend a seminar on protection against financial errors organized by the Permanent Secretary’s Office.
A pickup truck allegedly cut off one of the buses, causing it to crash off the side of the highway. The injured included the organizing director and the former governor of Roi Et.
Most of the injured were taken to the emergency room at Queen Sirikit Hospital in Rayong. Some were taken to Ban Chang Hospital whilst two others were taken to the Sattahip Km 10 Hospital.
Noknoi Chimkul, chief of the Treasury Section at the Sadao District Administrative Organization in Buriram, died from her injuries.
Winai Iamthamai, 50, was driving the Hino bus from the Tanatwit Company. The accident occurred on national road 332 near the Soi Setthee intersection in Samnakthon, Ban Chang.
Two of the injured were trapped in the bus and rescuers from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Budhatham Rescue Association, Sawang Rotchana Thamasathan Rescue Foundation and Siam Ruam Jai Rescue helped to cut open the bus to free the injured.
At the Queen Sirikit Hospital, Capt. Sanchai Lertweerawisetsirikul, director of the Surgery Department, and an emergency medical team hurried to treat the injured, two of whom, Noknoi Chimkul, and Anan Panyasombat, had serious injuries.
The organizer of the seminar and former governor of Roi Et, Pinit Pichaikal, was admitted with an injured leg.
Pinit said he sat next to the driver and saw a pickup signaling to turn left, so the bus tried to pass on its right but the pickup turned right instead, forcing the driver to try to avoid a collision. He lost control and crashed off the side of the road.


Another red shirt leader charged

Boonlua Chatree
Pol. Lt-Col. Waipot Apornrat, former MP for Kampangphet and a red shirt protest leader, was arrested and charged with trespassing at the PEACH convention center at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya and placed briefly in jail at the Pattaya Provincial Court.
Hundreds of red shirt members gathered in front of the court to lend their support.
On April 17 Pol. Lt-Gen. Atsawin Narongpan, commander in chief of Region 2, and Pol. Lt-Col. Chanapat Nawalak, deputy superintendent at the Pattaya Police Station, escorted Waipot from Bangkok where he was arrested.
He was charged with illegally assembling more than 10 people, breaking traffic laws, inciting people to break the law and inciting crowds to perform violent acts plus other charges related to the violent protest that disrupted the ASEAN summit.
Police escorted Waipot to jail at the provincial court where his lawyer Ruangdet Luangboriboon bailed him out for 500,000 baht.
Peeradet Trairatanawong, chief judge at the Pattaya Provincial Court, heard the bail application while red shirts gathered outside.
Later, Chetamat Anurat, lawyer for Nopporn Namchiangtai who faced the same charges as Waipot along with Arisaman Pongruangrong and 10 other red shirt leaders surrendered to Pol. Lt-Gen. Atsawin at Pattaya Police Station.
When questioned, Nopporn denied that he was at the scene on April 11 when protesters broke into the convention center, saying that he was only with the protesters on the previous day.
The police confined him and investigated further, finding a photo from a witness and a personal witness to testify against Nopporn before transferring him to court the next day.


Free hotel rooms on offer for MICE market

(L to R) Chatchawan Supachayanont, president of the Thai Hotels Association - Eastern Chapter, Sonthaya Khunplome, former minister of tourism and sports and Niti Kongkrut, director of the TAT Pattaya Office announce plans to boost tourism to Pattaya.

Pramote Channgam
An offer of 20,000 free hotel rooms and a host of discounts and other measures are part of a remedy being discussed to restore Pattaya tourism.
The Pattaya Tourism Rehabilitation Committee met with representatives of Pattaya businesses on April 23 in the Napalai Conference Room at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Pattaya to discuss rescuing the tourism industry.
It was announced also that the government agreed with the principle of re-hosting the ASEAN Summit.
Sonthaya Khunplome, former minister of tourism and sports and chief advisor to the Pattaya Tourism Rehabilitation Committee chaired the meeting. Mayor Itthipol Khunplome, Chatchawan Supachayanont, president of the Thai Hotels Association - Eastern Chapter, Jamroon Wisawachaipan, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association and Niti Kongkrut, director of the TAT Pattaya Office were also in attendance.
The outcome of the meeting was a tourism rehabilitation plan divided into two main marketing concepts, one each for foreign and Thai tourists.
The foreign marketing plan is divided into three strategies: Fam trips, focusing on the mass media in Asia, joining domestic and international airlines in discount tourism packages and giving awards through the www.pattayabeourguest.com website.
For domestic tourism marketing there are four categories which will be announced through TV, radio and print media: providing sales promotion activities for Amazing Thailand Tourism at the Queen Sirikit Center starting soon; more utility discounts around the city and distribution of free hotel rooms for the Meeting, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) market.
Chatchawan said that these promotions will be added to Amazing Thailand scheduled from May 14-17 at the Sirikit National Convention Center, but for the domestic market rather than the foreign market.
This activity will start this month and is scheduled to run for three months. It is hoped that it will be able to put Pattaya tourism back in good shape.
Sonthaya said that this cooperation of all parties would help. TAT Chonburi and sponsors are already putting up a budget of 100 million baht to revive the local economy while TAT is continuing its work abroad to create confidence in Pattaya.
Mayor Itthipol said the city could meet the prime minister’s expectation about the city’s readiness to re-host the ASEAN Summit. The government will bring the matter up for discussion.
Chonburi Administrative Organization is also looking at reducing government tax on accommodation and buildings to help entrepreneurs withstand the economic situation, Mayor Itthipol said.


Sattahip fights rabies with free vaccine

Patcharapol Panrak
Sattahip Municipally is stepping up its attempt to prevent rabies by offering free vaccination and sterilization of pets. Rabies has claimed three deaths so far this year.
The Environment and Public Health Department is working with six service units to organize the free service for cats and dogs.

This little pup receives a vaccination shot to prevent rabies.

On April 20, Sattahip Mayor Pairoj Malakul Na Ayutthaya presided over the opening ceremony for the rabies prevention campaign at the Sattahip Municipality multipurpose hall. During the day, many local residents brought their pets for the free service.
Roj Yonglaoyung, a technical nurse from the Public Health Department, reminded people that there is no cure for rabies; in all cases the victims die. Of all pets diagnosed as carrying rabies, 90% are dogs. The number of animals affected continues to increase every year.
A way to reduce this problem is to offer free vaccination and sterilization of dogs and cats, she said.
The Domestic Animal Center of Chonburi, Domestic Animal Center and Public Health Center of Sattahip, Apakorn Kiattiwong Hospital, Sattahip Navy Base, Nursing Division of the Air Combat and Coastal Guard and Public Health volunteers are all working to help prevent this incurable disease.
Mayor Pairoj said the rabies problem is the main concern of local public health as three people have already died this year after having been bitten by dogs.


Beetle fans release turtles

Club members travel to the navy base in one big convoy.

Patcharapol Panrak
Around 200 Volkswagen Beetle Club and classic car club members convoyed to the naval base at Sattahip to release turtles on April 8 to do their bit for conservation of the turtle species.
Rear Admiral Chumpol Wongwekin assigned Captain Sompoom Prayoonanuthep, deputy director of the Navy’s Psychological Department, Sergeant Dr. Thapol Somsakul, coordinator of the department to guide the club members to the Sea Protection Center at the Navy Base where they released 80 turtles into the sea.
Rear Admiral Chumpol said that the navy base had organized this Thai Ocean Protection campaign with Navy Region 1, which is in charge of the top half of the gulf, Region 2 in charge of protecting the bottom half of the gulf and Region 3 in charge of the Andaman side.
Many associations are cooperating to protect the sea by cleaning up garbage, freeing animals and increasing counter measures against those engaged in illegal activities to harm the sea.
M.R. Pratak Rangsit, leader of the VW Beetle Club, said that this is the first time the car fans contributed to this activity.
Members came in 80 VW Beetles and VW vans. “All are glad to have this chance to come and release the turtles … we are very happy that the Navy is helping to increase the number of sea turtles to combat their extinction,” M.R. Pratak said.

The VW lovers line up on the beach in preparation for setting sea turtles free.


Chonburi provides help for the poor

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Chonburi Administration is ready to give welfare pensions, eyeglasses, and walking sticks to 786 residents from the poor communities in Pattaya during the “Chonburi Administration meets the Public” project to be held on May 29 at Pattaya City School #7.
On April 23 in the meeting room at city hall, Boonthom Rattana-arpha, director of the Chonburi Life Support Center, and her team discussed progress of the project with city representatives led by Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn.

Boonthom Rattana-arpha, director of the Chonburi Life Support Center.

Boonthom provided details on how they plan to organize the day when the expected 786 people will be coming in to receive their pensions, eyeglasses, first-aid kits and canes. This project will help to improve the quality of life for children, women and senior citizens, she said.
She also mentioned that a project to test eyesight will be held on May 13 for 300 people at the Thappraya meeting room at Pattaya City Hall.
This year the “Chonburi Administration meets the Public” welfare days will be held 14 times, the next being June 12 in Nongyai.