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Pattaya gets new fleet of fire trucks
Drug agent arrested with 600 methamphetamine pills
Customers steal new motorbike from hired driver at gunpoint
Bangkok police officer’s unruly behavior lands him on opposite side of the bars
Nightspots behave for new governor’s tour
New governor of Chonburi introduced at city hall Expounds on policy, expectations and closing hours Chonburi’s new governor, Chaded Insawang introduced himself at city hall and talked of Pattaya’s special status, how it is important to get the public involved in local government, and how different levels of government must work together. The new governor, accompanied by deputies and close officials, was in Pattaya on October 8 to explain his views on various policies and interactions between the Chonburi government and Pattaya’s city administration. Chaded Insawang took over the provincial governor’s office on October 1, exchanging positions with former governor Sujarit Pachimnan, who takes Chaded’s vacated position as director of the community development department in the ministry of interior. Sujarit had been Chonburi’s governor for 5 years.
Governor Chaded began by saying he hasn’t yet been in office long enough to expound on matters of policy and future direction concerning Pattaya, and that he would need to gain a more thorough understanding of on-going actions. However, he did address a few of his initial impressions. Firstly, Governor Chaded said he feels that Pattaya’s special status doesn’t imply to the city’s budget of over 600 million baht, or the area governed, but instead refers to how that budget and area are administered. “The term ‘special’ and the status applied to Pattaya,” he said, “is directed at the method involved in administrating Pattaya’s government, which is in a constant state of change, requiring adaptability.” “For example,” he said, “promoting tourism did not necessarily mean only striving to attract more tourists to Pattaya by any possible means whilst ignoring the negative impact, both immediate and on future generations. An alternative approach would involve the inclusion of positive social change that could not only improve tourist numbers but also have positive affects connected to every type of business.” “Implementation of social order is only one part in the overall scheme to develop the tourist industry,” he added. “(Improving tourism) also includes improvements in areas such as sanitation, entertainment zoning, eliminating weapons in public, and integrating new technology.” The governor also said the use of closed circuit cameras to monitor traffic conditions would be a key asset to reduce crime. Secondly, the new governor talked of the importance of public participation in government to establish positive social change. He said, “From here on it would not be entirely up to the ministry of interior, the provincial governor, the Pattaya city mayor or local politicians and police, but the public and private sector must get involved.” He was adamant that the public has an important role in deciding the future of the nation. The new governor then stated that different levels of government need to work together. He said he was confident that he could work amiably and productively with everyone, no matter what office or department was involved. Governor Chaded later met with local proprietors to address zoning and entertainment. He indicated that the MOI was close to completing the changes contained in the 1966 entertainment act associated with types of entertainment business not previously covered, such as beer bars, karaoke and specific types of massage venues. He said the changes were in the last phase, and were waiting to go before the cabinet and parliament. He added that once they were in effect, it would be absolutely necessary to adhere to the laws as written. He also said that it would be a mistake to think that the social reforms implemented by the MOI would be a single negative factor affecting tourism. He said that contrary to popular opinion in the nightspot arena, the social reforms being implemented could very well be a positive step in attracting more tourists to Thailand. Chaded said the three main points continually advocated by Purachai Piumsombum, the Minister of Interior, could prove to be very positive factors in creating a more desirable and acceptable environment for tourists to enjoy during their holiday in Thailand. The main points are: eliminating drugs from nightspot premises, keeping the underage from entering such establishments, and eliminating lewd entertainment in these businesses, which, Governor Chaded said, “Could even prove to increase sales in the alcohol beverage industry.” The new governor also stated that if entertainment businesses were to continue operating around the clock, the outcome would add to social problems and increase the number of crimes and drug related incidents. He reasserted the minister of interior’s statement requesting businesses in the entertainment and nightlife arena to wait for regulations on local zoning to become final. Afterwards, he said, it would be more feasible to pursue requests for relaxing hours of operation. Governor Chaded said he anticipates the responsibility to insure no drugs, no underage and no lewd shows would switch from police agencies to proprietors themselves. The new governor said what he anticipates in the foreseeable future would be awarding certificates of honor to post at establishments operating in accordance with the law. Businesses not complying with the new law could face closure of 30 days up to 90 days, being black listed on tourist lists and company chartered tours, and being publicized on various websites on the internet. The governor pointed out that other changes with similar mechanisms were included making it clearly evident that competing for honorable awards in the long run would be more worthwhile.
Siamese twins, separated, but need help Operation incomplete, parents have no money Boonlua Chatree Sangthong Osopsri and his wife Laksana contacted Pattaya Mail requesting assistance in revealing their desperate need for help in ending the torture that their children have endured since birth. Fourteen months ago Laksana gave birth to twins, Acharee and Akhana, who were joined at the bowels. Doctors in Chonburi were able to separate the two daughters but after 40 stitches each the surgery was incomplete, leaving the intestines exposed at the naval and requiring bowel evacuation from the same area.
The twins were crying when reporters arrived and the parents explained how the children lived in continuous pain from the long wounds that refuse to heal. Sangthong, age 34, and his wife Laksana, age 33, related to reporters their life of poverty and described how they hardly make enough to eat each day, and said they can no longer bear the torture that their children must endure. Their hope is that through gaining media attention, they might alert some official in a high enough place to come to their aid, such as Khun Sudarat Keyuraphum, the minister of public health. After seeing their children’s agony each day, they are no longer too proud to ask for help and are quite willing to accept help from anywhere. When asked why they don’t take advantage of the government’s 30-baht health coverage plan Mrs. Laksana tearfully explained how both her and Sangthong were not Chonburi residents, excluding them from participating in the government health coverage plan. The government plan stipulates the 30-baht authorization cards (gold cards) can only be obtained in the provinces where individuals are registered. Both parents are registered in Udorn, therefore, in order to seek medical assistance on the 30-baht plan they must return to Udorn and obtain the 30-baht authorization cards before seeking medical assistance, and only in that particular province.
Scores of people show for Kamnan Poh’s 64th birthday Vichan Pladplueng Politicians and individuals from all over the eastern region started showing up early in the morning on September 30, bringing bouquets of flowers and gifts for wishing a happy birthday to Somchai Khunpluem (Kamnan Poh), the eastern region overseer and municipal mayor of Saensuk.
Among the many distinguished guests were Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silpa-archa, and Prawat Uttamot, consultant to the Ministry of Interior. Many local politicians from the Eastern Seaboard area also attended, including Chanyut Hengtrakul, Chart Thai Party List member and personal consultant to the minister of science, technology and environment; Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and some city council members; Banglamung District Chief Vichien Chawalit; Chansak Chawalit-Nittitham and other Chonburi MP’s. Following his young days as a crewmember on fishing boats and with only a minimal education, Somchai Khunpluem first started making his mark in the business realm by marketing fishing rights in Cambodian waters. He later turned to businesses on land, assessing construction contracts and associated concessions, steadily progressing until today having contacts with almost every business imaginable Somchai and his wife, Mrs. Satil, have five children, four of whom are involved in politics at different levels. The eldest son, Sonthaya, is currently the minister of science, technology and environment, and he was previously with the ministry of interior. Withaya holds the post as secretary in the ministry of labor and social welfare. Their daughter, Miss Jiraporn, is the chairperson of Ban Bangsaen and Ittiphol is a Chonburi MP from constituency 5. Their 4th son, Narongchai, has not yet entered the political arena.
Updated every Friday Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk. |
“Phang
Wong-ngeun”, age 15, gave birth to this healthy female.
Police
finally got Prayun Chuaysri after months of surveillance.
Russian
females were arrested for working without permits and for their
involvement with sexually explicit entertainment.
Chonburi’s
new governor, Chaded Insawang
Acharee
and Akhana, joined at birth, need help to complete their separation
operation.
Chart
Thai Party leader Banharn Silpa-archa was among the many who helped Kamnan
Poh celebrate his birthday.