The meaning of Songkran is to move from one place to the other. This is in reference to the earth revolving around the sun. The complete circumference, of course, is the universal marking of a New Year. The ancient Thai calendar was divided into twelve months. The lunar Thai year begins with the month of April, unlike the lunar Chinese New Year, which begins the end of January or beginning of February, or the Western New Year, which begins on the 1st of January. Taking the years in a cycle of 12, the Thai and Chinese calendars are defined by unique animals and each year has a certain predicted characteristic. In the West, the year is taken in a cycle of 12 months and each month has a certain predicted characteristic based on astrological computations of each month.

During the reign of King Rama V, a great compromise was reached. The King wanted to bridge the differences in the Thai and Western calendars. This wise King saw the need for a unified calendar to facilitate commerce between East and West. Therefore, if you look at your Thai calendar, it is divided 12 months and 365 days, which is the same as the calendars of the West. The year, however, is different. The Thai year reflects the year of Buddha, which is 543 years older than the Christian calendar. If you are looking at a Thai calendar, you must subtract 543 from the year for the current Christian calendar year. This year, 1998 is the Thai year 2541 or Year of the Tiger. King Rama V changed the calendar but explained to the Thai people that the calendar did not change their celebration. April 13th would always be the Thai New Year. Recently, the government dedicated an additional two days to the holiday to allow the people to travel to far provinces to celebrate with their families.

The celebration of Songkran for Thai is actually a very gentle and beautiful expression of love and respect. The tourists of Thailand are familiar with the water and talc or power that is thrown by the bucket-full, but this is not the true Thai celebration.

There are four parts to the Thai New Year celebration. Because the Thais hold the family in such great respect, all the family joins together either at a temple or at the home of one family member and participates in the four parts of the Songkran celebration. The first is to "make merit". Special food is prepared and given to the monks in respect for their position as teachers of the Buddhist doctrines. This offering to the monks usually takes place in the morning. The second part of the celebration is the bathing of the statue of Buddha. The Buddha is honored by bathing with clean water scented with rose and jasmine. The third part of the celebration is honoring the elders of the family, such as the Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. Clean scented water is gently poured over the hands of the honored person. As the water is poured, the family prays for the health and happiness of each person. The family shares in a feast of delicacies that has been prepared with great care, not only for the taste but also for presentation. Beautifully carved fruit is arranged among the various dishes to please the eye as well as the taste buds. The fourth and last part of the celebration is the prayers offered toward their ancestors, loved ones and honored teachers or advisors. The Thai do not bury their dead but cremate them and small portions of the ashes are reserved for traditional ceremonies. During the Songkran celebration, the family uses small portions of the reserved ashes to pray and show respect for the memory of those departed.

During Songkran, Thais enjoy a special dish that refreshes from summer that is called " Khao Chae" Rice with jasmine water and its side dish. The reparation of the scented water is a ritual unto itself. Traditionally, rainwater is used, however clean water from any source maybe used. A scented candle, which is made in the same style as the Royal cuisine, especially for the preparation of scented water, is lit and placed inside a clay pot. The pot is then covered and left untouched through the night. In the morning the candle is removed and clean water is placed in the pot up to three fourths full. Fragrant rose perfume and jasmine petals are placed in the water.

Best wishes from the Balcony Restaurant & Catherine Bond

On Friday, 3 March 98, at Don Muang Airport, police investigators from region 2 arrested Russian Hardo Kerz and charged him with the murder of Tractor Restaurant owner Kostatine Povoloski.

After 5 days and nights of investigation by over 100 officers, police were able to track down and identify Kerz as the assassin who gunned down Kostatine Povoloski in Pattaya last week. Kerz, a citizen of Estonia, was on his way out of Thailand when he was picked up at the airport.

Aided by police, Hardo Kerz re-enacts the assassination of restaurant owner Konstatine Povolski in Pattaya last week.

Police. Lt. Col. Supathee Bunkhrong, Deputy Chief of the investigation squad of Region 2, stated that, "Kerz was hired by local Russians to kill Mr. Kostatine. The man came into the kingdom on 24 March and finished his job on 30 March. We were led in the wrong direction in the beginning, but we found out in time and were able to get back on the right track, and we got our man."

"Kerz rented a pick up two days before the day of the assassination, then returned it at 10:00 the day after," the Lt. Colonel continued. "The owner of the truck, Jamlong, found a bullet in the pick-up but was afraid and therefore threw it away on the beach. But Jamlong later heard about the assassination of the Russian, so he went up to the police to report the incident. From there we found out that Kerz had booked his ticket back on the 6th of April. We then found out that he had also booked a ticket to another destination on Friday the 3rd. We took an eye witness who saw the man clearly on the night of the assassination to the airport and waited for him. When Kerz was spotted in the departure lounge, police officers went directly to him and asked to see his passport. Instead of handing over the requested document, Kerz attempted to run away, but was captured by officers who had surrounded the area."

After 5 hours of interrogation, Kerz confessed that he was contacted by Janos Hook, a Russian, who allegedly offered Kerz the sum of US$5,500 to assassinate a person in Pattaya. Kerz stated that after he assassinated Povoloski, he stayed in Sawasdee Mansion, then returned the pick up the next day. After that he went to return the gun and receive his payment, then left Pattaya on the bus to Bangkok.

The police then went to the Russki Restaurant and found Mr. Janos Hook on the second floor. Hook denied all the charges made against him, saying that he knew nothing about the matter. Hook is now in police custody for further interrogation.

The assassination was believed to be motivated by business conflicts, and police have the names of more Russian expats that are believed to be involved.

Pattaya Tourist Police received a claim from Bjorn Rasmussen, a 37 year old Danish citizen and a regular visitor to Pattaya City, that he had been incarcerated for over 2 months for a crime he did not commit and extorted out of 3.6 Million Baht.

Photo: Bjorn points out the police officer who arrasted him without giving him a chance to defend himself.

On 13 March 1997, Bjorn was arrested under suspicious circumstances from his hotel room in South Pattaya. The arresting officer from the Pattaya police performed an illegal search of his room, then told him to confess to raping a young girl, a crime he said he never committed. The staff of the hotel backed up his claim, stating that none of them had ever seen him with the girl in question.

During his stay in Pattaya jail, Bjorn was denied legal representation. When he asked to contact the Danish embassy the arresting officer told him that he would take care of it. The embassy was never contacted until Bjorn was transported to Chonburi court, at which time he was granted his request to call the embassy himself.

Since Bjorn refused to confess to the crime he says he didn’t commit, he was incarcerated in Chonburi prison for over 2 months. During his stay in jail, a Thai woman known to him, Ms. Orathai Nonsiri, claimed to know influential police officers and offered to help by paying off the constabulary with the sum of 800,000 baht, and pay damages to the girl of 600,000 baht. Bjorn maintained his innocence and refused damages to the girl, but agreed to pay the 800,000 baht "bail". Ms. Orathai subsequently drained his bank account of a total amount of 3.6 million baht.

"Ms. Orthai had contact with the Danish Embassy at all times," Bjorn told Pattaya Mail. "She told the Embassy that everything was all right as she was helping me. She transferred all my money into her account in another bank. Some way, some how, she was able to bail me out as the embassy was questioning her about the case of 800,000 Baht."

After Bjorn was released from jail, Orathai wrote him a check for the sum of 1,886,000 Baht and gave him her bank book, which she said would contain another 600,000 Baht. When Bjorn found both accounts to be empty, he filed his complaint with the Tourist Police.

"Ms. Orathai contacted my lawyer and offered to return 800,000 Baht if I would withdraw the charges against her, but I said no," Bjorn stated. "I really wish to get my money back, but that is not so important anymore. What I want the most is to expose this to others, and get the officer to receive punishment for what he has done."

"I am now out on bail, and I have been back home to Denmark 5 times already. I always return to be at the trial to show my innocence. It has cost me a lot of money already, and I do not know how much more it will cost me before the case is over. I will take this case as far as I can and will fight for my rights. I will not allow this incident to pass by for nothing," concluded Bjorn.

Tourist Police Lt. Thanomsak Indhrabutr, Chief of Pattaya Tourist Police Investigation, has taken on the case and has sent out his minor officers to look for Ms. Orthai to arrest her and bring her to trial. "Whoever is involved in the matter will be brought to the light and will be prosecuted according to Thai law," said the Lieutenant.

The Nordic Police Liaison Officer in Bangkok has been informed of the case. He stated that the matter has to be brought up by the Danish Embassy to the Thai Authorities, but he promised to do whatever he can.

The first ever Miss Pattaya contest will be held on April 24-25, 1998, at the Dusit Resort Pattaya. The winner will represent Pattaya and compete in international beauty contests.

Those interested in becoming the first Miss Pattaya may enter between April 3-15 from 9:30-18:00 hrs at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok, the Dusit Resort in Pattaya, or the Thai Public Relations Co. Ltd., in Bangkok. All entrants must have proper identification and bring 2 two inch photographs. They must report on the 22 of April for the elimination round between the 24-25 of April.

All entrants must be at least 17 and not over 25 years of age. Entrants must be Thai nationals.

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat told reporters that the purpose of the ‘Miss Pattaya’ contest was to promote tourism in the time of the rock-bottom economy. This will be the first ‘Miss Pattaya’ contest and the city hopes it will have tourists flocking to the city.

Pattaya City set up a feasibility committee to investigate the possibility of buying computers for use in the Pattaya schools.

The city is considering the purchase of 8 computers at a cost of 999,650 baht.

However, there is a group of people who believe the purchase is not ‘transparent’, with some suspicion about the high prices of the machines. Ban Muang newspaper published an article on the issue.

To help squelch the suspicions, the Pattaya committee has published a list of items to be purchased and the prices. They are as follows:

10 computer tables  10 chairs  10 printer (typwriter) tables   10 computers   10 normal speed laser printers   1 high speed Laser printer  1 high resolution scanner  10 back-up generators

2,600 baht each.  1,100 baht each.  2,600 baht.  605,000 baht.  198,000 baht.  32,450 baht.  35,200 baht.  66,000 baht.

 

Three companies submitted price bids. The envelopes were opened and the Astoria Company Ltd. was deemed to have submitted the most suitable bid.

Tourists and residents will be treated to many festivals in the Chonburi area during the Songkran week running from April 10th through 19th. The following is a list of festivals and their features.

The Chonburi Festival will be held from April 10-18 at the Chonburi City Hall. Activities include: Prayer to the Sihing-Ming Holy Image, the local deity; the traditional Songkran merit making festival, which consists of offering food to monks and blessing them with lustral water; and elders will be blessed. There will also be the Chonburi Red Cross Fair during this time. Bargain-priced products may be purchased at the fair and there will be a lucky draw, with proceeds going to charity. Pledges for organ donations will also be taken.

From the 19th - 21st, the Sriracha fair will be held at the public area on Loy Island and the Municipal Office of Sriracha. Activities include a light and sound show entitled ‘The Land of Surasak Montri’; a performance of the Thai drama ‘Khun Chang-Khun Phaen’; a musical performance by the University of the East; a cultural show from the 4 regions of Thailand; a Thai ‘Lam-Tat’ performance and Thai boxing. The boxing will be especially fun, with well-known boxers Nong Oom and Petch Nam Nung participating on the 19th of April. Musical tapes of ‘Koh Loy, Koh Rak’ will be sold. Singers and musicians will perform. Guest singers will also be at the performance. Somchai Khunpleum, the Mayor of Saen Sukh, will preside over the festivities.

The ‘Wan Lai’ Festival in Bangsean will be held for one day only, on April 17the in the city district. Activities will be held from morning ‘til night, including a sand castle competition, a Miss Wan Lai competition, a traditional sports competition, a hoop Takraw competition, and a mini-marathon. Performances will feature name singers Sunaree Ratchasima, Mayura Faseethong, Suda Srilamduan, Chanitha Thidathai, and Aachee Sianglor. Traditional Thai ‘Likay’ hero Chaiya Mitrchai will thrill the ladies in the daytime. In the evening the stupendously famous Yui Yartyer will sing. All events are free.

Another festival being held for the first time is the ‘Boon Baan Beung’, from April 17-19, with many things for visitors to enjoy.