Hale-Bopp

The Science Centre for Education at Chumphol Naval School in Sattahip is inviting anyone who is interested in viewing the once in a lifetime celestial spectacle Hale-Bopp Comet to join their outing tonight, April 4.
Hale-Bopp was at its brightest on April 1 when it came closest to the sun. However, astronomers say that the comet will be visible to the naked eye on the north-western horizon from April 1-10, and again April 25-30. The best time for viewing is just after sunset until about 7:30 p.m.
Hale-Bopp, one of the brightest comets in modern history, last visited our solar system 4,000 years ago. The spectacular celestial show has already been visible in the northern hemisphere for several weeks, and came closest to the Earth - 199 million kms away, twice as far as Mars - on March 22. Its next visit to Earth will be 2,364 years from now.

Save the dugongs

Recent sightings of dugongs (sea cows) in Makham Pom Bay near Rayong, and reports of at least five deaths due to fishing of the benign creature, have led fishery officials to plan to declare the bay a no-fishing zone.
“The sea around Makham Pom Bay has the potential to be a dugong habitat,” Veera Rattanachinda, Chief of the Marine Life Conservation Unit in Rayong, said, “because it has an abundance of sea grass which is dugongs’ main source of food.”
Fishermen have already been asked not to use nets near the bay, and preparations are underway to turn the area into a protective zone for the endangered species. Not all fishermen are heeding the warning, however, most likely due to the profitability of dugong meat. Villagers living near the mouth of the Prasae River in Rayong told Veera that a group of fishermen had caught four dugongs and sold their meat for 200-300 baht per kilo.
According to Subin Phusuwan, a former senior staff member of Burapha University’s Marine Science Museum, another group of fishermen in Trat killed five dugongs last month, while another group found the dead body of a huge dugong in the same area.
Under Article 47 of the 1992 Wildlife Conservation Act, anyone who captures marine life in no-fishing zones is liable to a four-year imprisonment and/or a fine of 40,000 baht. Illegal pos-session of dugongs or causing them harm also carries severe penalties, because of their “endangered species” status. Turning Makham Pom Bay and the surrounding area into a “no-fishing” zone would be aimed directly at saving these creatures from extinction.
Mr. Veera’s efforts have been somewhat rewarded, as he and fellow experts from the Fisheries Department, on an inspection tour of the area, sighted two adult dugongs, estimated to be more than 100 cm long weighing around 80 kilos, and two bay dugongs, estimated to be about 30 cm long and weighing 15 kilos.

Illegal immigrants rounded up in Pattaya

A nation-wide hunt for illegal immigrants netted these 33 Burmese construction workers in Pattaya.

Orders came down from Police Lt. Colonel. Somchai Vanichseni, the Commander of Immigration, instructing the Immigration Section of the Police Department to comb the country looking for illegal aliens who were engaged in undesirable activity.
The Pattaya Division responded to this policy and on March 27 found out for sure that there were illegal aliens hiding out near a construction site on Soi Nern Plub Waan in Banglamung.
Police arrested 33 Burmese illegal immigrants who had craftily sneaked into Pattaya and were masquerading as construction workers.
The Burmese told the police that they had entered the country through Mae Sod in Tak province, led by a Thai man whose name they did not know. The Thai man charged them 5,000 baht each and sent them to work in different areas of the country, mainly on con-struction sites.
The illegals arrested in this raid had been in Thailand for over 1 year.

Policeman suspected in double murder

Police Sergeant Phothong Kulawong, stationed in Prajinburi province, is the prime suspect in the murder of his wife Sommai Kluwong, 37, and her fortune teller friend, Sunee Cha-umthong, 58.
Both women were found with their skulls crushed in a house in Banglamung after neighbours complained of a strong odour emanating from the residence.
When police entered the house they found that it had been thoroughly ransacked. Ascending to the 3rd floor, police found the two bodies.
Police first summoned Sunee’s husband, Mr. Samak Cha-umthong, 83, for questioning, who told police that his wife had been missing for 4-5 days. He said she told him she was going to Sommai’s house to tell her fortune. He had gone to the house, but when he saw it was locked, he did not feel suspicious.
On the same day, police did a thorough investigation of the murder sight. Officers ordered investigators to expedite the investigation as they had suspicions that the murderer was possibly Sommai’s husband, police Sergeant Phothong Kulawong, stationed in Prajinburi province. These suspicions were due to the fact that investigations revealed that the couple had been separated and Phothong had tried to make up with Sunee, to no avail. This ended in a violent quarrel. After this quarrel, neighbours noted that the house was totally silent. Later, the two women were found dead.

Pineapple growers protest/block roads

 Pineapple growers blocked the highway in order to force Siam Pineapple Industry Company to pay them 57,000,000 baht owed to them for over four years.

Pineapple growers from the Nikom Patana district staged a protest against the Siam Pineapple Industry Company in which over 100 people blocked the road with private vehicles.
The growers were demanding that the company pay 57,000,000 baht owed to them by the company for over 4 years. The head of the board of directors is Mr. Samran Kalaykamnanruj and Mr. Samarn Siripat, Managing Director. The factory is the biggest in East Thailand and a major exporter.
After the protest began, the factory’s administrators sent Mr. Wansiri Charoenporn out to tell the protesters that the factory has been waiting for help from The Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives, The Ministry of Commerce, The Ministry of Industry, The Ministry of the Treasury, The Department of Internal Commerce, and other responsible parties. Apparently, the factory is waiting for repayment from the government and the Welfare Bank of 54,000,000 baht. The factory was also waiting for a loan of 450,000,000 baht from the government, using the factory as collateral.
After this, representatives of the growers met with the ministers of all the above named ministries and departments. After the meeting , the ministries reimbursed the factory’s VAT returnable of 10,250,595.00 baht. They also paid a compensatory fee for sugar of 1,897,881.00 baht. The government also advanced the company 42,700,000.00 baht, using the factory as collateral. These moneys were used as an initial payment to the growers. This satisfied the growers who moved their vehicles and un-blocked the road. But they are still blocking the entrance to the factory as they have not been paid yet.

Pattaya Woodstock 1997

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has scheduled, for the first time in the history of Pattaya, the “Pattaya Woodstock 1997”, to boost tourism in Pattaya.
Mr. Sethaphan Buddhani, Director of TAT Central Region Office, Region 3 (Pattaya City), disclosed that the “Pattaya Woodstock 1997” will take place on Saturday, April 5, 1997 from 18:00 hrs. To 6:00 hrs. the following day at the field next to the Pattaya Administrative Hall (City Hall). The concert will feature well-known Thai singers, ranging from veteran artists to currently popular performers, to please both the Thais and foreign tourists alike who enjoy music. A total of 10,000 people are expected to turn up at the concert.
“The aim of the Pattaya Woodstock 1997 is to promote tourism in Pattaya as well as to boost the economy and create a more positive image of Pattaya. The message will be delivered through music, which can be appreciated by people of all nationalities. It is also a great opportunity for music lovers to join in and have a good time,” Mr. Sethaphan said.
The event will be a 12 hour, non-stop concert which will attract both the local and foreign tourists of all age groups to Pattaya and the neighbouring provinces.
The Pattaya Woodstock 1997 will take off on Saturday, April 5, 1997 at 18:00 hrs. with veteran performers such as the Hot Pepper Singers, The Shadow Band and Soloists like Vinai Panthurak, Jaruk Viriyakij, Jirasakdi Pinsuwan, and Thewan Sapsanyakorn.
From 21:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs., currently popular artists from various music corporations will take to the stage. They include “J”-Monon Jira, Breeze, and Mikey from Polygram Company; Jennifer Kim, Santhorn Krajyurasen, and Jo and Mask from Stone Company; Eugene Company; Audi from BMG Company; Pong Pong and Khan Tee from Music X Company; Angel from Ursa Major and Student Ugly and Young December from Sony Music.
From 24:00 hrs. To 3:00 hrs., there will be a folk music performance by “Nga” Surachai Janthimatborn, “Ad” Yuenyong Opakul, and “Poo” Pongsith Kamphee.
From 3:00 hrs. to 6:00 hrs., it is Heavy Rock time with Laem Morrison, The Olarn Project, Rang Rockestra, Jimmy and Nurse and T.N.T. and many more.
Tickets, priced at only 100 baht, will be available at Pattaya Administrative Hall, and Central Department Store (Pattaya) starting from Friday, March 21, 1997, and at the concert.
Mr. Sethaphan said in conclusion that all proceeds from this concert extravaganza will go towards improving the areas surrounding the statue of Krom-Luang Chumporn Khet Udomsakdi in Khao Tappraya, Pattaya City.

Pattaya Festival returns for Songkran

Songsak Yomjinda, Pattaya’s City Manager, announced this year’s Pattaya Festival will take place on April 17-19.
The opening of the festival on April 17 will be on the beach in front of Soi’s 4 and 5. The opening will feature flossy floral floats decorated with countless cut flowers from the city’s hotels. There will be prizes awarded for the best float in two categories. The first will be for the most beautiful float. The second will be awarded to the float which most represents the ‘conservation of the en-vironment’.
The next activity will be a cultural exhibition, followed by a land and water sports competition, a stage per-formance and the water festival.
One of the most interesting activities will be the Prince Bira motorcar and bicycle race at Bira Circuit in Pattaya. This is named for HRH Prince Bira who was an international racing driver who won many prestigious international car racing events.
Other activities that will be held include a beach volleyball match, a Sepak Takraw match, a Thai boxing match, windsurfing competitions, a sand-castle building competition, an exhibition of a traditional Thai village, a performance of Thai classical music, an exhibition of traditional flower making, and a martial arts demonstration.
The Isan association of Pattaya will also present that famous Lao dance, the Serng. The association will also shoot off traditional rockets, as well as a Som Tam making competition.

Chonburi Festival 1997 to run April 9-17

Sujarit Pajchimanan gave a news conference about the upcoming Chonburi Pro-vincial Festival which will be held on April 9-17. There will be many events and activities, all of which are free to the public.
The most important event will be the ceremony of respect paid to the Buddha and his teachings on the occasion of the Songkran Festival. There will be a Lady Songkran parade and a Miss Songkran Goddess competition. Monks will be anointed with lustral water. Elders will be blessed with water and blessings will be asked of them in return.
There will also be a ‘conserve Thai customs and culture exhibit’.
The Thai Red Cross will be selling tickets for a lucky draw. Among the prizes are a motorcar, a motorcycle, gold and other valuables worth a total of over a million baht.
An anti-amphetamine con-cert will also be held, sponsored by the Nithitat Promotion Co., Ltd.
Other performances will be sponsored by the Chonburi Cultural Centre, a concert by Media of Medias Ltd and a performance by the Royal Academy of Dance, Roi-Et Province.
Another entertaining per-formance for Thai speakers will be Lam-Tat, an art in which a male and a female singer try to insult each other in an amusing fashion. The content is usually bawdy and all melodies and words are totally unprepared. The woman usually wins in this battle of wit. The performers will be the Nai Phuk and Wang Teh groups. Performances by the Army and Navy will also be given.
To give even more meaning to the festival, now in its 65th year, various cultural groups will sponsor exhibitions to educate the public on the dangers of amphetamine use.
Famous Thai painters will be giving demonstrations of their art and techniques.
A coconut grating competition using the traditional tool called the ‘rabbit’ will be held.
The list goes on and on.
Many local products will be on sale and it should be great fun. Those who would like to see Thai culture at its most Thai are invited to attend.
The venue will be the lawn in front of Chonburi City Hall.

He stole it all

Police arrested Mr. Boonchart Sa-wangwong, 22, for purse snatching after he had jumped into the sea to escape officers.
Boonchart had snatched a purse belonging to Ms. Kongkern Srichan-thanet as she was walking on the beach with her 3 year old son. Boon-chart also managed to wrench a 46 gram gold chain from her wrist.
After arresting Boonchart, who also tried to escape on a motorcycle, police found that the motorcycle was also stolen. He now awaits booking.

After attempting different methods of escape, Boonchart was caught and now awaits his trial.

Mobile Public Health Unit in Pattaya

Pattaya now has a Mobile Public Health unit which will begin service on April 1, 1997. The unit will be on duty from 4-8 PM every day. The vehicle will be parked in front of the Public Health Office in the entrance to Soi Kasem Suk(Chong Mansion) on 3rd Road.
The unit will be giving free information on fire prevention. Public health services will include dental examinations and free UHT milk for children, free condoms and birth control pills. There will be a knowledge quiz with prizes for children. Information on the various legal registration procedures and information on Pattaya will also be available.

Death highway claims young exec

Rittirong’s life was tragically ended by a senseless auto accident.

Rittirong Arunrat, a young executive with the Electro-Lux Corporation of Thailand, was killed in an automobile accident last week in the area of the Siam Country Club.
At the site of the accident police found a smashed pick-up truck and the trailer of an 18 wheel truck on the shoulder of the road not far from away.
Witnesses said that they had seen Rittirong driving the pick-up at very high velocity and weaving from one side of the road to the other as if intoxicated. When he reached the Siam Country Club junction, the bulky trailer could not brake quickly enough to avoid the collision.
The driver of the trailer fled the scene.

Navy teaches sailing and environmental awareness

Over 100 youths, aged between 10 and 25, were taught how to sail and to respect the marine environment.

March 24th saw the beginning of a course in basic sailing at the Sailing Club of Thailand’s clubhouse at the Naval Base in Sattathip. The course will conclude on April 6th.
Admiral Krayim Phichaikul, the Administrative Director of the Sailing Club presided at the opening.
The club gave young people who are interested in sailing a basic training course in the fundamentals of the sport. At the same time, the group also had ‘talent scouts’ on the look-out for any young sailors who showed great promise in the sport. This would give the club the opportunity to help any especially talented young sailors and encourage them to enter national and international sailing competitions.
The club’s members took the opportunity to educate the young people on the beauty and importance of the sea and instil a sense of responsibility for marine conservation in Thailand’s youth.
The course was divided into 2 categories; one to train in the sailing of Optimists for people 10-14 years of age. Sixty young people took this course. The second category was general sailing in Laser and Okay Dinghies for people from 14-25 years of age. Forty-nine people joined this course.
It is hoped that these course will encourage an interest in not only sailing, but also the conservation of the marine environment and the development of self-discipline and general sportsmanship.

Seminar on marine safety

The Deputy Prime Minister presided at a seminar on safety on the high seas and the prevention of all marine accidents.
Members of the both the Public and Private sectors attended the seminar. The Port Authority of Thailand, the National Accident Prevention Council, The Navy, The Marine Police and The Department of Commercial Aviation were also represented.
Experts from the Port Authority and the Royal Thai Navy gave short workshops on locating people lost at sea and first aid treatment for marine accident victims. This was followed by a discussion on ways to increase safety in Thailand’s waters.
There was lively discussion during the question and answer sessions from those whose living is made in marine areas, but may not be knowledgeable enough to instruct employees and others concerned in basic water safety. The landlubbers at the seminar were also most grateful for the various government agencies at-tending as they gave valuable information on how to co-ordinate rescue operations during typhoons and search operations when necessary.
Some of the business people present confessed that before the seminar they had not even known which agency to call in case of emergency.
The various agencies stressed the need for improved safety standards and the old adage that prevention was better than cure.
The seminar closed with a party which featured seafood as the main course.

Senior citizens will have their day

Wanchart Wongchana, District Head of Sattahip, recently spoke about Thailand’s senior citizens. He lauded Thai elders for their role in the preservation of Thai culture and their interest in handing on traditions to younger generations.
Wanchart said there were now over 4.8 million senior citizens in Thailand and various clubs and organisations were being formed by the government sector and the seniors themselves.
One senior citizen, Ms. Lamduan Maneechan, a founding member of the Senior Citizen’s Group of one sub-district in Sattahip, said that the group was founded for mutual moral support and also for the very special purpose of giving interested young Thai people an opportunity to learn more about Thai cultural ways which are disappearing. The group teaches Thai handicrafts such as basket and mat weaving, kite-making, and cooking, and also gives young people a look into the past through the telling of ancient Thai stories, legends, poems and songs. Ms. Lamduan said she was very surprised as the first visits the group received were from classes from various schools, who she felt were coming to visit the ‘old people’.
“But it all seemed to turn around”, she said with a giggle. Soon the groups, “usually teenagers” became interested “in what we knew and started to ask us about our lives when Thailand was a gentler place. Both the girls and the boys were very surprised when they found that we old ladies were not bad sword fighters, as in Thailand’s past women warriors traditionally fought with two swords. This art used to be taught in many schools.”
From this one club, other clubs began being organised and an official Senior Citizen’s Day is officially being lobbied for in Parliament. Another bill is being pushed through to ensure that all people over 60 receive the Social Security benefits due to them.
Sattahip is leading the way, and its first Senior Citizen’s Day will be held on April 22, 1997. There will be a merit-making ceremony. The elders will be anointed with lustral water and a lucky draw will be held.

International magic and comedy star dies

Roger (right, holding the duck) with partner Milo.

Friends and admirers will be saddened to learn of the recent death from cancer of Roger Coker, 66, the younger half of the cabaret act Roger and Milo. One of their star performances was a clever illusion involving a live duck which was made to vanish, a routine which was still going strong after nearly fifty years.
Roger and Milo appeared in over 40 countries and, in 1966, took part in a Royal charity show in Bangkok attended by Their Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. Amongst their many achievements was to top the bill at the famous Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris for nearly seven years, as well as appearing regularly on American and British TV. Their final magic act was at Loew’s Hotel Cabaret in Monte Carlo in 1995.
Roger was a familiar sight in Pattaya, his base for many years, riding on his bicycle and sporting a safari type hard hat. He was also a great authority on the history of the mass media and, more than once, was called upon to settle an argument in the local quiz league. His wit, intelligence and charm will be missed by all who knew and respected him. His partner Milo continues to live in Pattaya.

Save the day drug treatment center

Pol. Capt. Chirat and the many youths he helps need your help in keeping the Ban Poonsri Ouppatham drug treatment center running.

Pattaya is Thailand’s premier seaside resort with many places of particular interest to tourists, especially pleasure providing places. Millions of tourists from all over the world come to Pattaya every year. As a result, Pattaya has a lot of problems, including drugs. The problem of drug spreading and trafficking in Pattaya is very severe.
It is not easy to suppress drug spreading and trafficking, since drugs seem to be easily available in various parts of the City. There is a high relapse rate among drug addicts.
Police Captain Chirat Phichitpai is head of the Drug Suppression Unit in Bangla-mung District. Instead of sending the arrested drug addicts to detention centres or prisons, he keeps them for treatment and takes care of them, just to provide them a chance to go back to society. With his own salary and financial support from other committed individuals, he started a Drug Treatment Center called Ban Poonsri Ouppatham in Naklua, for the benefit of the community.
Many young addicts leave other treatment centres immediately after the detoxification stage, without finishing full term treatment; they are only physically cured but not mentally! The treatment service at Ban Poonsri Ouppatham is carried out in all 4 stages, namely pre-admission, detoxification, rehabilitation and follow-up stages, using the “Peers Help Peers” approach.
The “Peers Help Peers” program was designed for drug addicts to help their friends overcome addiction and lead a drug-free lifestyle. When any of them suffers from withdrawal symptoms, the others give moral support. This approach has turned out to be very successful.
Pol. Capt. Chirat provides the boys with a stable, healthy environment. He tries to gain the trust of the drug addicts and to build up their self-esteem. The young men call him ‘’Dad” and he calls them ‘’Son”.
Another positive point about this Drug Treatment Center is that the drug addicts work with the authorities by giving them information about the drug trade, resulting in the increased arrest of drug offenders. This supporting role is voluntary and not compulsory.
Pol Capt. Chirat runs the program of Ban Poonsri Ouppatham with the co-operation of Banglamung Hospital. Doctors and nurses from the hospital provide medical checks and counselling services and supply the substitute drug Methadone.
Most of the drug addicts are out-patients (about 100 every day !). But an approximate number of 30-40 drug addicts are allowed to stay at the center, which was modified from a chicken farm.
Unfortunately, running the center requires money and actually the expenses exceed the available amounts from donations and from Pol. Capt. Chariot’s salary. The cost of providing 3 daily meals and other necessities such as toothpaste, combined with the high cost of water and electricity, makes the financial situation very critical.
Pol. Capt. Chirat was recently so dejected that he was thinking of closing down the center, which would be very unfortunate.
We cannot let this happen !
Pol. Capt. Chirat has devoted himself tirelessly to the anti-drug effort to overcome drug threat. As a result, the statistics on robbery in Banglamung District have declined considerably after Ban Poonsri Ouppatham opened its doors. Not only that, but many young lives have been saved thanks to Pol. Capt. Chirat and his programme.

Seminar on Ya Ba abuse

Police Lieutenant Thanapong Chakkapark, the Deputy Governor of Chonburi Province, lead a seminar on dealing with the spread of amphetamine abuse. Ways to quell the ever-rising and alarming use of this dangerous and addictive drug were discussed.
The target group which attended was made up of more than 200 village heads and leaders. Emphasis was placed on the education of adults so that this problem may be addressed in a non-hysterical manner. The most visible abusers of amphetamines are teenagers and working class people.
Aside from discussion and solutions, the provincial government also listened to various leaders who spoke on present problems which have been caused by amphetamine use.

Beach Road cluttered by vehicles for rent

by Kittisak Khamthong

Vehicles for rent have been in evidence on the streets of Pattaya for over 20 years, even before Pattaya was incorporated as a city. At first, the only vehicles available were bicycles and motorcycles. These were used by tourists for sightseeing and recreation in Pattaya’s gentler days.
Now they may be seen along the entire length of Pattaya Beach Road. The type of vehicles available has also increased to include motor-cycles from Hondas to Harleys, motorcars of various sizes and every possible variation. Beach Road now looks like the elephant graveyard of vehicles. They have become an eyesore as the many complaints attest confirm.
They are also taking up space which should be reserved for the cars of Thai and foreign tourists who come to Pattaya for leisure. The problem has become so bad that many people, wanting to escape the sight of this garden of Technicolor steel, do not come to Pattaya Beach, but go to Jomtien where there is ample parking space and no gaudy gangs of vehicles.
There was once an attempt to solve this problem. The renters were allowed to park one vehicle on the road as advertising and were to keep an album of pictures of the other conveyances they had available for customers to choose. This worked for a while, but did not suit everyone, as the renters wanted to clutter the streets and certain people made money from this. So the clutter returned. This way it was profitable for everyone. Except the citizens and visitors!
There are now 43 different dealers along Beach Road, each of whom displays an average of 30-50 motorcycles and motorcars. There is no control over the number of vehicles whatsoever.
At a recent meeting of the Committee of the Private and Public Sector, which had not met in two years, there were members of the various local business and law enforcement organisations. The Pattaya Business and Tourism As-sociation and Chatpong Chatphoot brought this problem up and asked that something be done about it. The governor of Chonburi’s response was to delegate responsibility to Pattaya police officials.
It is thought that this problem may be solved in the near future, due to the waste water treatment plant that will be abuilding. To do this, the water pipes along the road must be dug up along the entire Beach Road. This will make the parking of any vehicles impossible.
As to where the vehicle renters will move to, that is a still unexplored area.
This idea was hailed by the entire membership of the meeting. An ‘act of God’ type solution like this is much easier than actually making people obey laws.
But we still must wait and see if the good of the masses will take precedence over the greed of the privileged few.