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In praise
of free trains
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The number of Pattaya travelers using free train rides has increased
by up to 20%.
With the economy turning down and fuel prices turning up, the number of
people going by train is growing by more than 20%, especially during long
weekends and before a new school semester begins.
As part of its six measures to reduce basic costs of living, the government
is continuing offering free third-class train travel, effective from
February 1 to July 31, 2009.
Train use has increased since
the government
began offering free third class service.
Pattaya Railway Stationmaster Manas Lekkuna said that it
had been crowded at the station with locals and tourists taking the free
train rides, especially on Fridays and Mondays when they traveled to
Bangkok.
“The free trips help reduce living costs for low-income users such as
government officers, students and vendors. Since the policy began 20% more
people are using trains, especially back to school during May. They take a
train to Bangkok then hop on to buses to their destination,” he said.
There is only one free trip per day to Bangkok, the train departing at 2.40
p.m. and arriving at 18.25 p.m. and returning from Bangkok at 6.55 a.m.
arriving in Pattaya at 10.35 a.m. Free tickets can be collected 30 minutes
before the train leaves and foreigners pay only 31 baht.
Yupin Jaisat, 45, a masseuse on Jomtien Beach, has been using trains for
more than 10 years.
She said, “It is a reliable service from Pattaya to Bangkok, very convenient
in every way with no traffic jams and very safe as well. Most importantly it
is now free which helps me save money because other transportation is more
expensive. Even though this project ends in July, I will continue taking
trains.”
Maliam Amas, 60, said, “I have no job but have to take a train to Bangkok
once a month. I’m happy with the free-ride service as it helps me reduce
expenses. Sadly it’s only one trip a day. I’d like to appeal to the
government to please extend this service as more service will be very
helpful to people like me.”
Pub owners told to control noise
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
As 60% of complaints from Pattaya residents received through the
1337 Call Center are about excessive noise from pubs and bars, 120 owners of
these businesses were called in by the city to a seminar to understand the
law and its penalties.
 Apichart
Puechphan, deputy municipal clerk of Pattaya City, clarifies for
entrepreneurs the laws and penalties for noise disturbance.
On April 28 at city hall, the Public Health and Environment Office convened
a meeting on noise pollution caused by entertainment places in the city.
Apichart Puechphan, deputy municipal clerk of Pattaya City, presided over
the meeting to clarify to entrepreneurs the laws and penalties for noise
disturbances.
He said that Pattaya was the number one tourist destination in the eastern
region and noises created from pubs, bars, karaoke clubs, machinery and
furniture businesses were difficult to avoid even though they disturb
residents living nearby.
The public health legislation of 1992 states that violators may be fined up
to 10,000 baht for noise pollution and public disturbance.
The entertainment venues will be inspected and if they are violating the
law, a notice will be given and if nothing is done, city officials have the
right to seize the owner’s license,” said Apichart.
Chatchawan Chimtin, head of the Sanitation Department, said that while many
entertainment venues were simply trying to make a living, we must take the
wellbeing of society as a whole into consideration and officials will do
their best to solve the issue and keep the peace for the public.
Province to burn waste to produce electricity
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A 3 billion baht project to use 800 degree Celsius heat to
incinerate the city’s garbage and produce electricity is now back on track
after being shelved for two years.
On May 12 at a meeting at city hall between the Department of Local
Administration and CUGU Environmental Protection and Resource (Thailand),
the waste disposal project was once again brought up for discussion.
 Pattaya
permanent secretary Sittiprap Muangkoom (center), and Pornpoj Bandittayarak
(right), head of Chonburi’s local administration, discuss the waste project
with other officials.
Chief of Chonburi’s local administration Pornpoj Bandittayarak said, “The
idea originated with former Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat, who proposed
burning rubbish to produce electricity.
“The current method of burying the city’s refuse underground is not
environmentally friendly. It can be toxic for underground water and our
communities. So bringing back the project is a must. A committee is now
considering possibilities before starting,” he said.
The committee has divided the local administration into three zones: the
first is Amphur Muang and Sriracha, second is Amphur Ban Bung, Panas Nikom,
Bo Thong, Panthong, Koh Chan and Nong Yai, and the third is Banglamung,
Sattahip and Pattaya City.
The 15 districts involved have signed a memorandum of understanding to
reconsider the waste disposal project.
“But the factory must conform to the law and be environmentally-friendly as
well,” said Pornpoj.
Pattaya permanent secretary Sittiprap Muangkoom said, “We plan to use a
private company for the project to make full investment and take full
responsibility. We would just collect the garbage, then deliver it to the
factory. The factory would be leased for 30 years and after the contract
finishes, would be handed back to the local administration. During the
leasing period the company must train staff so they can continue to work
there after the factory reverts to local government,” he said.
The local administrations of Banglamung, Sattahip and Pattaya City have
chosen CUGU, which has more than 20 years of experience in incinerator
technology. The proposed area for construction is at Tambol Khao Kaew Mai
where the city’s waste is now being buried.
Officials are now studying possibilities and estimating an additional
expenditure of around 10 million baht. They will send a report to local
administrators to pass to the new Chonburi governor and relevant departments
to consider.
Concert scheduled to show support of national values
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A “nationalistic concert” under the theme of “Under His Majesty the King
there is unity in the land” will be hosted by the 14th County Militia, 1st
Army Area Command, jointly with the Chonburi Administrative Organization on
Friday May 22 in the field in front of the Chonburi Town Hall.
 Col.
Surin Paeto, deputy commander of the 14th County Militia.
There will be shows performed by actors, actresses and singers, fireworks,
performances by students from Chonburi schools and a four region cultural
demonstration. Free food and beverages will be available.
Meanwhile the County Militia held a community radio network and Cable TV
seminar at the Nawamin Club, Her Majesty the Queen’s Camp in Chonburi on May
6.
Col. Surin Paeto, deputy commander of the 14th County Militia, chaired the
seminar which urged the mass media to be more supportive of the country’s
institutions.
Col. Surin said that there is currently no mercy in our country and that the
mass media has been incorrectly representing reality in the news.
“(Mass media) should respect its ethics and not use itself negatively,
avoiding any points of view that might cause chaos among the people,” he
said.
Apart from the concert, there will also be people signing the “Gathering to
be united and perform good deeds for the father” project, medical services
and diagnoses by a mobile medical unit, a distribution of blue flags for the
economy, an exhibition of His Majesty the King and an exhibition of the work
of government and private services available for the people.
Everyone is invited to gather to express our unity and to be good citizens
who support the Nation, Religion and the Monarchy at the nationalistic
concert, he said.
Local road to be ready this month
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh told the press on May 12 at city
hall that Pattaya Bypass, construction of which started in mid 2006 with
a budget of 340 million baht, would be ready by the end of this month.
New traffic lights will be switched on May 24 to improve traffic flow
and reduce accidents.
 Pattaya
Bypass is nearly finished.
It is a two-lane road with the width of 10 meters on each side starting
from Kratinglai intersection down to Soi Huay Yai, with a length 16
kilometers. This, he said, should help ease traffic congestion for those
living in the area as well as to prepare for future growth.
Ronakit said that currently the local road was 80% completed and at the
testing stage, to completed by May 24.
“Our contractors have agreed to complete the project by that date, but
if any technical problems should occur, there will be an extension of
only 12 days,” he said.
The water drainage system to prevent flooding is not fully completed and
minor finishing touches are still being made, he said.
Chonburi governor transferred following cancelled ASEAN meeting fiasco
Cabinet orders transfer of 10 provincial governors
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
At the Cabinet meeting held on May 6, ten provincial governors
were ordered transferred from their present positions to new postings
around the country.
Of note was the swift transfer of Surapon Pongtadsirikun, governor of
Chonburi province who had held this position for only 7 months.
 New
Chonburi Governor Senee Jittakasem.
It is widely speculated that the reason for the governor’s transfer was for
his inability to enforce law and order, as the red shirted protestors
disrupted the ASEAN meeting held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya
last month. The outbreak of violence resulted in many injuries and extensive
damage to both public and private property.
This lack of security and safety measures for foreigners and Thais alike
resulted in the cancellation of the ASEAN meeting which has caused Pattaya
and the country extensive financial losses plus loss of confidence in the
country’s ability to protect foreign visitors.
The new governor of Chonburi is now Senee Jittakasem who was transferred
here from Sisaket province replacing Governor Surapon who is now the
governor of Chachoengsao province.
Plans to search sunken
containers put on hold
Patcharapol Panrak
Plans to open and search the now infamous sunken containers for
signs of human remains have been put on hold to search for missing divers.
Pol. Col. Thanawat Phunyu, a Sattahip Sea Police captain, said that his
superior Pol. Maj-Gen. Misakawan Buara ordered him to immediately discover
the truth of the sunken containers.
Pol. Col. Thanawat said he and his crew were ready to investigate the site
on May 13. The initial plan was to dive down and record on video and photos
the contents of containers, but the mission was cancelled.
Pol. Col. Thanawat said that his superiors aborted the mission to instead
search for the two missing divers who drowned on May 10 at Rong Nang Rong
Khon Island. One of the divers has since been found (see story on page 4),
the other is still missing.
He said they plan to dive again to open the container soon, although at
press time no time or date was given.
Samaesarn District in Sattahip has been abuzz with rumors about human
skeletons in the containers found sunken at different locations on the
seabed.
Pramote Towsakul, head of Samaesarn Sub-district and Daengra, a skillful
diver who can dive deep without breathing gear, said there were rumors among
fishermen that some eight containers had been found sunken at three
locations at the depths of 25, 30, and 50 meters.
The first spot is between Koh Pai and Koh Kham, second about 30 kilometers
south of Koh Juang and the third east of Koh Jarn and Samaesarn Bay near to
the place where many skulls have been dredged up in the past.
Kamnan Pramote said villagers called this area a sea tomb and believed that
bodies found in the sea were most likely the result of murders.
Relatives of those who went missing during Bloody May 17 and 20, 1992 are
also urging the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to find the truth since
some of them believed that these could be the remains of their relatives
killed during the bloody military sweep 17 years ago.
Along with the rumors, there is suspicion about the “funny behavior” on the
part of the authorities who seem to be dragging their heels in bringing the
truth to the eyes of the public.
Many fishermen are talking about this and keeping an eye on it for fear that
the authorities might quietly send a team down there and destroy all
evidence of the dead, Pramote said.
Vice-Admiral Chaiwat Pukkarat, commander of the Navy’s 1st Division, said
rumors had been spreading all over the area for a long time but there was no
serious move to discover the truth.
He said Sattahip Naval Base is ready to respond to any request for
transportation, equipment and personnel to investigate the matter.
Divers take an initial look at
one of the infamous sunken containers.
BAYWATCH: Sidewalk hole causing concern
Pramote Channgam
Residents are concerned that some of our diminishing tourists may be
lost down a big hole in the sidewalk at the Thepprasit junction near the
Hanuman curve. They have called on the city to fix it – and not for the
first time, either.
On May 6 residents alerted the media that the gaping hole approximately 1.5
meters wide and 50 cm deep, now collecting garbage, would sooner or later
cause nasty accidents.
A big hole in the sidewalk has
residents concerned,
as up to now, no one has been looking into it.
The hole has apparently been there for some time and is
connected to the road re-surfacing project on Jomtien 2nd Road, but no one
has yet appeared to repair it.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh said that this area was under construction and
that reinforced concrete was being used for four lanes of road measuring 7.2
km, estimated to be completed by 2010.
Regarding the complaints about the hole, he said it will be filled in the
road re-surfacing project. Nonetheless, the city will contact those directly
responsible to solve this problem.
In the meantime a cautionary sign will warn passers-by to avoid veering off
the road at this spot to avoid accidents while waiting for these repairs to
be completed.
Student diver’s body found
Patcharapol Panrak
The search for two missing scuba divers in a diving mishap in rough
seas near Rong Khon Rong Nang Island off Sattahip on May 10 by navy ships
and a helicopter, recovered the body of diver trainee Pote Sawangwongsaree,
25, on May 13.
 A
navy rescue team brings the body to shore.
A foreign tourist diver, who hired a boat with his group to dive at the same
area, found the body with a name tag of Pote. The body still had diving gear
attached to it, and rested on the sea bottom. The new divers brought the
body up to the surface.
The Naval Base Region 1 was contacted and a supporting ship was sent to
bring the body to Juk Samed Pier for relatives to claim.
Vice-Admiral Chaiwat Pukkarat, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s 1st
Division, said that finding the body took a long time because of many
obstacles including strong wind and high waves.
He said the body didn’t float up to the surface because it was stuck at a
rock under water. The missing instructor, Wiwat Tiranakornkul, who went to
rescue his trainee during the accident, still has not been found.
Three charged with smuggling diesel
Patcharapol Panrak
Police arrested three men who were allegedly smuggling diesel fuel
from ship to shore at Pirom Pier at Samaesarn in Sattahip on May 7.
Pol. Col. Somchai Sunthawanik, superintendent of Sattahip Police, led a
squad of police and volunteers to raid the illegal petrol transportation in
progress.
Found at the scene were a six-wheel truck with 34 drums of fuel on the back,
and two one-ton trucks with eight jugs each.
 Police
arrested three men for smuggling diesel fuel from ship to shore.
Police arrested three drivers: Sakorn Pongchai, 30, from Khon Kaen, Porn
Dangloi, 42, from Pichit, and Pratya Taso, 34, from Samutprakarn. Two other
drivers escaped the scene.
While making their arrests on the Pirom Pier, police spotted three sailors
jumping off a boat moored not far from the pier.
Police stormed into the blue 18-meter-long boat named Piyachol and found an
ID card of a man named Boonriab Soijit, 52, suspected to be the captain.
Police also found 16 tanks that can take 1,000 liters of liquid each and
other 10,800 liters of petrol in other tanks. Police pumped all the petrol
out of the boat and kept it as evidence.
Police said Sakorn, one of the arrested drivers, made a phone call to a
Sergeant Berm to tell him of the police raid just before he was arrested.
Later a man called into his mobile phone and asked to talk to police at the
scene in attempt to persuade police to let culprits go free, but failed.
According to police, Sakorn told them that a man from Samutprakarn hired his
team to transport 1,000 liters of diesel from the pier to him.
He said that his boss had a contact with “Ja Berm, a sea police who could
make the transfer easy for everyone.” He allegedly said his team had once
made a success transfer of fuel from the pier.
Pol. Col. Somchai said the arrests came after many complaints were received
that there were many modified boats illegally smuggling diesel fuel from the
middle of the sea to be sold inland.
He said his team was investigating which sea policeman was involved in this
illegal transfer.
Fourth gold robbery suspect
remanded to custody
Boonlua Chatree
The fourth suspect in a gang of up to six armed men who robbed a
gold shop in Jomtien was arrested by Pattaya Police at his wife’s house in
Bangkok on May13.
Five robbers, heavily-armed with military assault weapons, held up Yaowarat
Gold Shop Jomtien Branch and stole 280 baht weight in gold. The subsequent
shootout with police injured a police officer and four children passers-by.
A sixth man was also believed to have provided support.
Police had previously arrested three suspects: Kasem Klindee, 34, Surachat
Yodthong, 27, and Kamol Sangperm, 36, seizing a small arsenal of weapons and
ammunition as well as some gold.
At 2 p.m. on May 13 Pol. Col. Theerapol Chindaluang, deputy commander of
Chonburi Police and Pol. Lt-Col. Chanapat Nawalak, deputy superintendent of
Crime Suppression, led a team of investigators to arrest Sakol “Son” Raksa,
26, from Buriram.
He was found at his wife’s leased house in Bangktadee in Bangkok. Police
said he had a one-baht weight gold chain, one cell phone and a hood and was
taken into custody at the Pattaya Police Station to continue the
investigation.
According to police, Sakol said that he was an accomplice in this group as
he needed money for his wife to give birth.
Sakol “Son” Raksa, 26, from
Buriram, the fourth suspect arrested for the recent gold heist in Jomtien,
is led into Pattaya Police station.
He allegedly said that during the robbery Surachat was
the driver, Kamol was the front-seat passenger and he and Wichit Raksa,
still at large, were sitting in the back. When the car stopped in front of
the shop, he, Kamol, and Wichit walked into the shop and Kamol started to
fire and jump on the gold cabinet.
He broke the cabinet’s glass with the Akar rifle and filled a bag with gold
jewelry before they escaped. They divided up the stolen gold before going
different ways.
According to police, Sakol grabbed 20 gold necklaces and took a taxi to his
wife, who is eight-months pregnant. He sold one gold necklace for 10,000
baht to take care of his expenses.
Police have an arrest warrant out for his relative Wichit Raksa, 28, who is
still at large.
Temple fair held in honor of Luang Por Ee
Eight monks chant prayers and
blessings during the ceremony.
Patcharapol Panrak
Pupils and followers of the revered monk Luang Por Ee, abbot of Wat
Sattahip who passed away in 1946, held an annual celebration in his memory
May 1-7.
Monks at the temple organized the celebration for the late monk who was
well-known for his wise teaching of the scripture as well as amazing magical
powers. This included his magic amulets to prevent people from disasters
like danger from aircraft attacks during the Second World War and dog bites.
At 6.45 p.m. on May 1, Vice Admiral Sriwisut Rataroon, Commander of Sattahip
Naval Base, presided over the opening ceremony to pay respect to the abbot
at Wiharn Wat Sattahip with Phra Khru Tassaneeyakunakorn, head monk of
Sattahip District.
Eight monks chanted prayers and blessings. Phra Khru Wiboon Wiboonthammaban,
Sattahip District advisory monk and current Abbot of Wat Sattahip,
representatives of the Royal Thai Navy, government heads, local
administration organizations, village headmen and followers of Luang Por
attended the ceremony in large numbers.
Vice Admiral Sriwisut
Rataroon, Commander of Sattahip Naval Base,
presides over the opening ceremony.
The annual fair at the wat has been held since Luang Por
Ee was alive to encourage the public make merit together. When Luang Por Ee
passed away, monks and worshippers at Wat Sattahip built a statue of him at
the temple as a memorial for all to pay their respect.
The fair from May 1-7, complete with over 200 stalls from around the
country, also raised funds for temple buildings, sleeping and sitting
places, beds, and seats for use by temple visitors.
Luang Por Ee was described as a strict monk who followed Buddhist teachings
and practices. He passed away on September 20, 1946 at the age of 81.
Immigration police take aim
Pol. Col. Arnonnun Kamollut
(left), Superintendent at the Pattaya Immigration Office, begins firearms
training for immigration officers at the shooting range in Huayyai in
Banglamung.
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya’s Immigration Police superintendent recently led training
for immigration officers on how to use weapons correctly to comply with the
Kingdom’s Gun Act.
 Immigration
police are taught the best way to handle their firearms.
On May 5 at the shooting range in Huayyai in Banglamung, Pol. Col. Arnonnun
Kamollut, Superintendent at the Pattaya Immigration Office, led the weapons
training for more than 100 Pattaya immigration officers. The goal was to
train them in basic firing and tactics for safe procedures.
Immigration police not only provide service on immigration matters but they
also conduct police investigations and crime suppression.
According to the law, an immigration officer is a police officer who is
therefore required to know how to use a firearm correctly and for police
work. This creates safety for the lives and property of the public and
tourists especially in Pattaya.
Gold shops tighten security
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Police are working with gold shops in Pattaya to improve security,
such as installing CCTV, SOS buttons and automatic doors following the
recent violent armed robbery of a gold shop in Jomtien.
 Pol.
Lt-Gen. Sudham Chaowsrithong, deputy director of Crime Suppression with
Pattaya Police.
Pol. Lt-Gen. Sudham Chaowsrithong, deputy director of Crime Suppression with
Pattaya Police, discussed preventive rules for gold shops with Somchai
Manothavorn, president of the Pattaya Gold Shop Association and shop owners
on May 12 at Pattaya Police Station.
The new preventive rules to protect gold shops are:
1. Installation of CCTV at vantage spots in the shops. 2. SOS button in case
of emergency. 3. Automatic door or durable bar gate. 4. Train gold shop
staff to detect suspicious customers. 5. Gold shops to cooperate on opening
hours. 6 Avoid leaving a woman staff alone in the shop. 7. “Please take off
helmet and black sunglasses before entering” signs. 8. Gold shops must have
merchandise authorized certificate. 9. Display contact information for
Pattaya Police Station 038 420 802-5, 038 424 186 or 191.
Somchai said that it is very impressive that the robbers were quickly
caught.
“We will be cooperated with police and discuss shop operating hours again.
We are rewarding 5,000 baht to the policeman who was injured fighting those
criminals.”
Navy hands out scholarships
Vice-Admiral Sriwisut Ratarun
(foreground),
Commander of Sattahip Naval Base,
chaired the presentation of 244 scholarships.
Patcharapol Panrak
Vice-Admiral Sriwisut Ratarun, Commander of Sattahip Naval Base,
chaired the presentation of 244 scholarships to students of four different
levels worth two million baht at the base’s clubhouse hall on May 7.
Thirteen scholarships of 4,500 baht each were given to students at
university level, 67 scholarships of 3,500 baht each were for students at
Mathayom or higher primary level, 116 scholarships of 3,000 baht each went
to students at Prathom or secondary level and 48 scholarships of 3,000 baht
each at nursery level.
Half of the two million baht scholarship was donated by Thai Military Bank
and the other half came from the Navy.
Vice-Admiral Sriwisut said education is one of the most important matters
for the youngsters to be able to become good citizens but they also need
assistance from their parents and teachers to become such.
The Navy base sees the importance of education and wishes that those
children are guided into the right path in life by education and good care
by their families.
He added that the summer break was nearly finished and kids would be back to
school soon. He said he hoped that the students and their parents would use
the scholarships for the most efficient and productive outcome.
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