Pattaya Mail — News

Pattaya receives International award

The diligent work in the going campaign to clean up the city is finally beginning to receive international recognition, as Pattaya now holds the honour of being the only city in Asia to be awarded the prestigious ‘World Travel Market Environmental Company Award’ in recognition of our ongoing work in the recovery and rejuvenation of the environment in Pattaya.

Seri Wangphaichitr, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, was in London at the World Travel Market Environmental Awareness Day on Wednesday 19th November to receive the award on behalf of the Pattaya city. The Hon. Billie Miller Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados made the official address and presentation. The new award was nominated by Travel News Asia, the leading travel trade publication in Asia.

Fiona Jeffery, exhibition director of the World Travel Market said, "The Tourism Authority of Thailand has acted as a catalyst for a whole range of ongoing programmes which is steadily seeing Pattaya recover environmentally. While the TAT has provided funding for the work and strategic guidance, it’s real success has been to rally the local people and organisations to the cause."

"Dedicated staff from hotels and resorts have continued the cleanup and environmental programmes. Local service organisations such as Rotary have invested enormous manpower into local rejuvenation schemes and organisations such as the local Divers’ Association have dedicated hundreds of man-hours to cleaning up the seabed around Pattaya. The leadership and guidance of a steady stream of hardworking local TAT officials made the organisation a more than worthy recipient of this award," added Fiona Jeffery.

Photo: Mayor Pairat is thrilled to receive the news that Pattaya received an international award.

An international panel of judges presents this international award. The award is divided into conservation, preservation and development categories. There were 7 awards in all, with most of the others being won by European countries.

Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat told reporters that he received a fax from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, informing him that Pattaya received the award.

The Mayor said this award shows that the diligent work of the private and business sectors and the many campaigns to clean-up Pattaya by the government have been successful.

The mayor was especially happy, as Pattaya had been a target for media smears over the past 10 years.

The mayor said that this award was a great incentive to continue working on Pattaya’s many projects for a pristine natural and municipal environment. As Pattaya is a world tourist destination, a clean image is a must for the city and this award will further encourage tourists to visit the new ‘Clean’ Pattaya.

Pattaya Mail Cup ‘97 kicks off in high style

All eyes were on the sky at the Jom-Tawan Football Club field on November 23, as the much awaited Pattaya Mail Cup kicked off its opening match in high style, with the first ball brought to earth by Jim McConnell who skydived from a Micro-Light aircraft from Siam Air Sports. Special thanks to Mike Skeet from Siam Air Sports.

Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Chairman of the Provincial Council, received the sacred sphere.

Photo: Hundreds of excited spectators watched in awe as Jim McConnell of Siam Air Sports leapt from a Micro-Light, delivering the game ball to bring the tournament to life.

Pratheep Malhotra, Editor of the Pattaya Mail, delivered an inspiring, and suprisingly, not too long speech. Mr. Malhotra eloquently explained the match was to encourage sportsmanship and good health in Pattaya’s youth. Mr. Malhotra told the cheering crowd that all proceeds from the match would be used to buy sports equipment for Pho Thong Temple School.

The frenzied fans went wild as Mr. Chanyuth presented Pattaya super-model, Daisy Vogt. Daisy executed the official kick-off and the first match began. The players got as much of a kick out of Daisy as the ball did.

The football matches will continue ‘til December 13. Winning teams will receive prizes of 8,000 baht and 5,000 baht, with a trophy.

The Pattaya Mail Cup is being sponsored by private businesses, clubs and other organisations in Pattaya.

The atmosphere at the opening was festive, with both Thai and foreign football fans in eager attendance.

The band from Khao Pho Thong Temple School played rousing selections. The parachutes were provided by Siam Air Sports and many private citizens were generous with their time, making the opening match a success of titanic proportions.

The first game was between Sophon Cable and the Pattaya Team, a 6-0 blowout won by the Sophon Cable footballers.

Matches will be held daily until December 13th. Contributions for this worthy cause are still being accepted. To help the children, kindly donate for their well-being by contacting the editorial department of the Pattaya Mail at 411 240.

Police use K9s to make drug bust

Thirty Drug Enforcement Agency officers using drug dogs raided two entertainment establishments, nabbing a group of young people having a ‘drug party.’

Seeing the police and sniffer dogs, the group threw the drugs on the floor, but the police succeeded in arresting all the young offenders.

Officers searched more than 150 people, arresting 25 without ID cards and 26 people on drug and illegal weapon charges, including one European.

Among the drugs found were Ecstasy, and a new type of drug called ‘stamps’ or ‘paper’ in Thai drug slang. It is believed this new drug is a hallucinogen, related to LSD. The drug is ingested bucally (holding it under the tongue).

Richard Saltuse, (sic) a UK national, was arrested with one-half tablet of Ecstasy.

The purported managers of the establishments were both arrested for carrying illegal .38 calibre handguns.

All those not carrying proper ID were fined 100 baht.

Move to make Pattaya better for handicapped

The Pattaya City Council, business operators, hoteliers and various hospitals are finally getting around to dealing with the matter of improving conveniences for the physically challenged in Pattaya.

Royal Commands from His Majesty the King to see that public places are made accessible to those in wheelchairs and those physically challenged in other ways was received some time ago, yet up to now, nothing has been done.

The law states that these people ‘contribute to Thai society in every sector possible’ and their needs must be met.

As Pattaya is a tourist destination, the City Council deems it especially important to provide every service and convenience to all individuals.

Ramps must be constructed and public toilets modified to help those in wheelchairs.

The City Council passed the following motions:

1. Ramps for wheelchairs will be built on New Third Road and Beach Road.

2. Warning signs will be posted, notifying the public to watch out for people in wheel chairs.

3. Government Enterprises, the Civil Service and Hospitals will be requested to make this campaign a reality within 6 months.

4. Baht bus drivers and the public will be requested to give assistance to those in wheelchairs.

5. Railings will be put up in public toilet stalls to enable people in wheel chairs to assist themselves.

Pub manager busted for dealing amphetamines

An ex manager of a night club on Soi Jirapon was busted for allegedly selling methamphetamine to youths under the age of 18. So many young people were becoming addicted to the drug that various organisations requested police to take action.

Using 7,000 baht in 100 and 500 baht notes, uniformed and plainclothes police officers went into the establishment and contacted the manager Mr. Pairote Nilphothon.

The plainclothes officers told Pairote that they wished to purchase 80 tablets of amphetamine, at a price of 7,000 baht.

The police were told to go to the Daiiki Karaoke to make the ‘pick-up’.

Police then stationed themselves around the area. Later Pairote brought the 80 amphetamine tablets, which the police accepted and paid for. Police then signalled to the hidden officers to make the arrest.

Officers took Pairote to the Pattaya Police Station, where he confessed to selling the drug to young people on a nightly basis.

Police arrested 3 more men involved in the sale of drugs, all of whom operated out of the same establishment.

All four men were charged with possession and selling "Schedule 1" (totally forbidden) substances and were remanded to custody.

AIDS children need your help

Please do not read this if your sensibilities are easily offended.

There are 6 happy children in this picture. The three Thai children are orphans. But they won’t be for long. They have AIDS.

They will probably die within a few years. We say ‘probably’, because a miracle may happen and they may be cured.

Probably not.

Did these children engage in ‘high risk’ activities, such as shared needles or promiscuous sex?

Of course not. These children are victims. They are victims of a disease which they need not have.

Their parents were also victims. Victims of insufficient education about AIDS. They are all dead.

There is still not enough education about HIV and AIDS.

The AIDS virus is not contracted easily.

The six children in the picture are friends. Three have AIDS and three do not. They play together. They eat together. The kids who don’t have AIDS are not afraid of their friends. The children have received basic education about AIDS. They probably know more than many adults.

Education about AIDS requires time, understanding and money.

The Pattaya International Ladies Club and the Saint Andrew’s Society are doing their part to help.

The evening of Saturday, November 29th is the annual Saint Andrew’s Day Celebration.

The above groups are donating all proceeds from ticket sales and donations to The Camillian AIDS Centre in Rayong. The centre is doing valuable work helping those with HIV and AIDS and have a comprehensive education program about the virus. These programs need our support.

Those who wish to help and and/or attend the Saint Andrew’s Ball, call Jo Hall, President of the PILC at Telephone 241-061, or Pat Burbridge at 429-253, 424-708.

Murder on high seas or freak act of nature?

A strange case, which police believe may have been a murder, came to light recently.

Verari Suruf (sic), the captain of a Ukrainian ship contracted by the Ital-Thai Company to dig sea trenches for gas pipes, was washed overboard during Typhoon Linda. Two Ukrainian crewmen reported the incident to the Rayong police, who sent out a search party but were unable to locate the body.

Later, a reporter found the body, which had been washed up on shore. A rope was tied around the neck, with a 20 litre paint can serving as a weight.

Police apprehended the two crewmen, Vakhim Sarlisky (sic) and Sborra Lenko (sic), and later examined the engine room of the ship and found dried blood.

Questioning of the two suspects was slow, due to language difficulties. Police, however, believe the two men are blaming their crime on Mother Nature.

Copyright © 1997 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
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Created by Andy Gombaez