Governor halts mill closure

Farmers say they need time to bring in crops

Thai Wa Cassava Flour Mill #5 was partly built on Royal Thai Navy land in Rayong and Sattahip. The Navy wants the land back, and earlier this year ordered the Thai Wa Company to dismantle the mill within 120 days.

However, Rayong Governor Chaijit Ratakhajorn stepped in and delayed the closure, saying that local farmers need more time to bring in their crops.

Hundreds of cassava growers and local residents turned out to express their concern about the Thai Navy’s takeover of the Thai Wa Cassava Flour Mill #5.

This action started 28 years ago when officials set the cost of the take over at 3,085,125 baht, but the Thai Wa Company would not accept the amount offered. In 1989 Thai Wa took the Navy to court.

Two years ago, the court ordered the Navy to pay up, including a 7.5% interest charge, bringing the amount to 27,113,849 baht. The Navy paid the amount to the court and the Thai Wa Company was then paid.

Production at the mill was stopped at the end of March, and part of the dismantling was begun.

But in March of this year, 300 farmers convinced the governor of Rayong to delay the action until the end of the year so they could bring in their existing cassava crops.

The Rayong governor then sent a document describing the circumstances to Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, explaining the plight of the cassava growers in the area.

On the 12th of May, 30 officials appointed by the Prime Minister met with the Thai Wa Company, reps from the Thai Navy Base in Sattahip, and more than 300 concerned farmers to listen to the facts, hoping to clear up the matter.

During the meeting, representatives from an Agricultural Group represented the farmer’s complaint, explaining the farmers require the delay in order to bring in the cassava crops to the Thai Wa Mill #5.

If the #5 mill were to close down, the farmers would be forced to transport the harvested cassava to a mill located further away, causing them to loose any profit that would have been gained.

In addition, the group said a two year extension was more in line because the closure of the mill will cause hardship to more than 2,000 families who make their living from the cassava industry in one manner or another. The families would have to find new employment involving new training which could take up to two years.

The Manager from the Thai Wa Mill #5 said that the company is not looking forward to the closure, which also will involve paying compensation to the mill employees, and it will take Thai Wa a considerable time to recover from the closure.

The officials participating in the talks concluded that the Thai Wa Mill #5 was under obligation to close down, especially after accepting the money from the Thai Navy. As for the crops of cassava, Mill #5 is one of many cassava flour producing mills operated by the Thai Wa Company Ltd., and there are many other mills in the area that can be utilized. If necessary, another mill can be established in the vicinity.

Compensation has been paid to the workers of the mill, but not the farmers. Thai Wa Mill #5 was instructed to use the money received from the Thai Navy to assist the soon to be unemployed farmers.

As for the suggestion to extend the takeover for an additional two years, this would have to be decided at a higher level and at a later time.

The farmers were told to respect the laws governing the country, adding that the funds paid to the Thai Wa Mill #5 are funds that were collected in taxes.

Assault Charges brought against Chalerm’s son

Allegedly beat up young woman at wild party

by Kittisak Khamthong

Sub-Lt. Wanchalerm Yubamrung, a son of the deputy leader of the New Aspiration Party, Chalerm Yubamrung, stands accused of beating a 20 year old woman at a wild Wisakhabucha Day party in Pattaya.

The party, held at the Garden Sea View Hotel, was put on for employees, supporters and sponsors of the Taurus Pub in Bangkok. Many media stars and offspring of wealthy Bangkok residents were in attendance.

The party was held in Pattaya, for on the holy Wisakhabucha Day, bars and entertainment establishments in Bangkok are ordered closed. The observance is relaxed in Pattaya and bars are allowed to remain open.

Pattaya authorities, expecting the worse, were on alert and were present at the hotel to quell any disturbances.

However, aside from parking problems due to the plethora of Benz’s, BMW’s, Volvos and the like, police were unaware of any disturbances until the next day.

In the late afternoon the following day, Miss Sawita Chuengsrisawat, 20, reported to Banglamung police that Sub-Lt. Wanchalerm Yubamrung had beaten her up.

The incident allegedly occurred the previous evening after Miss Sawita showed up at the party with another man. Apparently Sub-Lt. Wanchalerm was jealous and announced that, "Anyone who has danced with me doesn’t go dancing with someone else." He then smacked her in the face.

Sub-Lt. Wanchalerm is one of the two brothers still under investigation for allegedly forging draft card documents. Both have been released from the police force.

Sub-Lt. Wanchalerm is said to be volunteering to run for political office with the New Aspiration Party in Bangkok.

The Chonburi Provincial Police Commander has come to Pattaya in person to oversee the case and has ordered that Sub-Lt. Wanchalerm be brought in for questioning. If he doesn’t show up in the allotted time a warrant for his arrest will be issued.

The particulars surrounding the incident have also been forwarded to the Minister of the Interior.

Hotel employee steals ATM card

Rings up half million baht before getting caught

Miss Noi Raichareurn and Mr. Pramot Misomsin were arrested last week and charged with theft as they were sitting at a restaurant in Bang Saray.

A Canadian, John Albert Carmichael reported to Pattaya Tourist Police that his ATM card was stolen from his central Pattaya hotel room.

It was fun while it lasted, but now it’s time to pay for their sins. Noi and her accomplice Pramot can look forward to plenty of time behind bars to remember their spending spree.

During investigations, police discovered that Miss Noi, a room maid at the hotel, disappeared without giving any notice. Video tape at the Siam Commercial Bank showed clear pictures of Miss Noi withdrawing money from an ATM machine.

Miss Noi could not have made it any easier for the police to discover her guilt, although how Miss Noi cleverly obtained the ATM card’s code has not been revealed.

During her week long spending spree, Miss Noi purchased gold necklaces and bracelets, made a 130,000 baht down payment on a house, and deposited 200,000 baht in her bank account. When she was arrested she had 29,500 baht on her person.

The ATM card was kept by the ATM machine during her last transaction prior to her arrest.

Love triangle leads to stabbing

Lover #2 stabs Lover #1

Miss Suni Chu-It, age 22, must be quite a catch. Her #2 boyfriend, Nophakhol Sukchai, most likely trying to be #1, stabbed current #1 boyfriend Dedcha Nikradanon.

Apparently Nophakhol doesn’t watch Thai soap operas, otherwise he would have known that the woman always goes for the injured party.

Such was the case in this incident. Miss Suni reported the incident to police after taking Dedcha to Pattaya Memorial Hospital.

Dedcha, 24, was stabbed in the stomach and suffered from a serious wound. Investigating police found Dedcha at the hospital with attendants in the process of stitching up his two inch long and two inch deep wound.

Dedcha was, however, able to tell police the name and address of the man who stabbed him. Police went to the address given but the man identified as Nophakhol Sukchai, age 23-24, could not be found.

The incident occurred along Jomtien Beach Road about 20 meters from the police station. Dedcha was stopped on the street by Nophakhol, who insisted Dedcha break-up with Miss Suni. Apparently Miss Suni’s charms are very powerful because Dedcha refused to the break-up, which infuriated Nophakhol.

Nophakhol allegedly drew a knife and thrust it into Dedcha’s gut.

Police are still looking for Nophakhol.

Man gunned down in cold blood

Victim of mistaken identity

Chaiyut Samakid, age 28, last week was felled by a shotgun blast, apparently the victim of mistaken identity.

Chaiyut’s older brother, Somkhid told police that Chaiwat Chae-eao, 19 years old from Phuket, had come to their house on Soi Nern Phlab Wan, calling Chaiyut to come out. When he did, Somkhid said, Chae-eao gunned him down with a 12 gauge shotgun.

Chaiyut took the full shotgun load to his chest and died from his wounds.

Somkhid told police that the alleged gunman, Chaiwat Chae-eao, was formerly employed as a photographer for the Wilaisamut Tour Company on Lan Island.

Somkhid explained to police that Chae-eao shot his brother dead because he heard that he told his employer that he stole a camera from a tourist. This caused Chae-eao to lose his job.

Somkhid added that Chae-eao was misinformed, because it was not his brother who had sold him out.

Police are still searching for the murderer and have put out a warrant for his arrest.

Amphetamine addict gives himself away

Caught with ya ba in his ear

Pattaya Police last week spotted a man hotwiring a motorcycle in the area of the Taihi Temple. After apprehending him, police continued to investigate the surrounding area.

Police came across a suspicious individual and questioned him as to why he was in the area, suspecting he may have been involved in the theft of the motorcycle.

Suphod Sedthawilai, age 26, assured police that he was not involved in the theft, stating that he was merely looking for a place to smoke his drugs.

Police thought it wise to search the man further and found one amphetamine pill, type orange, neatly tucked away in Suphod’s right ear. He was taken in to the station and arrested for possessing a class 1 illegal drug, and questioned further to see if he was involved with the motorcycle theft. He is awaiting trial in either case.

Hotels warned to watch for key duplicator

Suspect returns after checkout to rob rooms

Chachawan Suphachayanont, Chairman of the Thai Hotel Association (THA) of the East, is warning the hotel industry in Pattaya that there is a foreign tourist duplicating hotel keys and robbing the hotels.

The suspect, believed to be from Turkey, checks into a room at a posh hotel and stays one night. During his brief stay, he allegedly makes a copy of the keys. After checking out, he later returns and commits robbery in the same room.

The information was announced at a THA conference on May 28th.

The suspect has hit two five star hotels in Pattaya, stealing 400,000 baht and 500,000 from guests at the two resorts.

Information indicates the individual committing this crime is a known person who has been legally charged for this type of crime in his past. The suspect is from Turkey and carries a fake passport.

THA is in the process of obtaining a photo of the criminal to provide to all members so they are aware of and can identify the person.

Pattaya hosts international seminar for the blind

Redemptorist School for the Blind receives Asian Blind Union

The Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind hosted a seminar for the Asian Blind Union. The seminar was held from May 27-29 at the Garden Beach Resort Hotel

The seminar objectives were the three components of leadership training consisting of ideology, organization skills and awareness.

Before 1983, there were two organizations serving the blind people; one was called "The World Council Welfare for the Blind" with both sighted and blind people serving on the executive committee; the other organization was called "The International Federation of the Blind" consisting of only blind people on the board.

The two organizations carried out services on their own accord. Later it was realized that if they merged into one body called the "World Blind Union" (WBU), with one seat on the United Nations, they could have a stronger voice to empower international concerns for the rights of blind persons.

People with eyesight are not to blame for people being blind, and no doubt they have their own problems. However, a society where people do not feel responsible for each other is an unsafe, cold and miserable place to spend one’s life. Who knows who will lose their eyesight tomorrow? No one has a guarantee to keep their vision for the rest of their lives. What is established to assist the blind today, may turn out to be anyone’s salvation tomorrow.

The leadership training seminar was arranged for young blind people in SE Asia, not more than 35 years old, to become competent leaders of the blind in the future. The financial support for the seminar came from the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (NABP).

New place for trash

Pattaya receives 60 million baht for trash disposal

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat announced that the Ministry of Science and Environmental Technology has allocated 60 million baht for a new trash disposal facility in Pattaya. Preparations have now begun for the facility, which will be located in Khao Mai Keo Sub-District.

Planning for construction of the facility began three years ago, but obstacles were encountered concerning the identified land area. The land was involved in a law suit as to whether it was preserved forest area or not, causing the project to be delayed. The courts decided that the 140 rai identified for the facility was not a preserved area and the project is now underway.

The Mayor explained that now that the land dispute has been decided, the allocated funds have been released from the Ministry of Science and Environmental Technology. The project can begin immediately. "The facility is greatly needed in Pattaya due to ever increasing quantities of rubbish," the mayor said. "If it is not completed on schedule, the city could become buried in its own waste."

The project is expected to be completed around 2001 or 2002. Currently, up to 200 tons of rubbish is collected every day, and on holidays up to 300 tons is collected.

Mayor Pairat says he anticipates the new facility will be completed in time before the facility now being used in Pattaya reaches its full capacity level. Thereafter the new facility will provide for 5-10 years use in the future.

Presently, the city uses the services of the Thai Chatra Company for its trash removal because it hauls away all types of discarded items. In the past other companies were not punctual, causing problems. However, the city government doesn’t want to have control of trash removal in Pattaya because five million baht is required in the budget to run the operation and five million could be better utilized elsewhere.

How to guard against Hemorrhagic fever and food poisoning

Medical personnel explain protective measures

Dr. Kanda Nawong and Pattaya City Health Officials presented a lecture to village volunteer members and housewives from the Pattaya area, emphasizing preventive measures that can be taken to guard against Hemorrhagic fever and food poisoning.

Mosquitoes are the carriers of the alarming disease Haemorrhagic fever, which has afflicted many people in Thailand. This can often be fatal, especially in young children. Mosquitoes multiply rapidly in stagnant water sources which can occur in the area of the home. Measures can be taken to protect home water sources by covering jars and other containers storing water where mosquitoes could reproduce.

Another step can be taken by mixing a chemical called "Sai Base" in water containers, which is an effective way to keep mosquitoes from multiplying further. Sai Base can be purchased locally and is not harmful to humans.

The medical personnel went on to discuss food poisoning and cholera, causing dysentery. The symptoms create constant bowel movements with severe stomach pain. In severe cases shock can result if proper intake of fluids is not administered. People suffering from severe cases should be seen by medical personnel as a matter of urgency.

Illegal land intrusion in Naklua continues

Still trying to find someone to blame

Following up on the illegal construction and the removal of soil in the area of Naklua Market, there is still much confusion as to who is involved and to who authorized the work, if anyone.

Pattaya City’s Manager insists that the city is not directly involved, but is nonetheless attempting to resolve the matter.

Apparently, pier officials in the area have reported the alleged intrusion to police claiming that the city of Pattaya is responsible for the intrusion.

Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat is also sure that the city administration is not involved. He said he believes local residents upset with accumulated trash in the area are involved in the soil removal.

Residents have collected contributions to build a recreation site in the area with the city’s approval and the soil removal may be involved in that construction.

Residents believe pier officials should have done something long ago because the area is a mess and cleaning it up is long overdo. Currently, Pattaya City does not have the required funds to get involved, and the local residents have taken the job on themselves. The area belongs to the city and is not owned by any private citizens.

Pier officials, under the jurisdiction of Chonburi Province, are taking this matter to court, but locals hope to bring the matter to a close beforehand. When funds become available, the city will develop the area and make it a presentable site.

Police officials say the matter has not yet been investigated and they have yet to receive any evidence from pier officials supporting their claim. In addition, they have not clearly identified anyone being at fault, which makes it difficult for police. "If there are individuals clearly identified who are at fault," a spokesman said, "then the police will act on the matter immediately."

Pier officials, however, claim that the accusation is sufficient enough for police to investigate the matter and find out who is actually at fault. Thereafter it will be up to the accused to collect evidence in their defense.

Chonburi receives first agricultural center

Center to enhance agricultural results

Chonburi became the first province to receive an agricultural technology advisory center from the Agricultural Co-op Ministry. The Ministry plans to establish the centers in all sub-districts.

Together at the opening ceremony of the Huay Yai sub-district agricultural technology advisory center are (from right to left) Sansak Ngarmphiches, House Member and Committee Chairman; Somsak Surawadi, Vice-Chairman Agricultural Expansion Department; Withaya Khunpleum, Secretary Minister of the Agricultural Co-op Ministry; Chansak Chavalititham, Industrial Committee Member. The center is the first of 54 other centers soon opening in Chonburi Province.

The new advisory center is located in Huay Yai sub-district and is the first of its kind. The center will be the focal point for disseminating agricultural advice, with the intent of enhancing agricultural results in the region. Resident experts from the government and local agricultural organizations will advise the center.

Withiya Khumpleum, Secretary Minister of the Agricultural Co-op Ministry, chaired the opening of the new center in Huay Yai sub-district. Many honored guests participated in the opening, and over 500 local residents witnessed the event.

Chonburi Province plans to establish 54 centers, which are scheduled to be completed by September of this year.

The two sections within the centers will consist of agricultural advisory officials and the center director in one section, and the second section will be composed of resident experts knowledgeable in the following areas:

1. Planting and horticulture expansion
2. Complete cycle flower production
3. Raising orchids for trade
4. Natural agricultural technology
5. Agricultural cross-breeding
6. Paddy/grove/plantation integration
7. Increasing production process
8. Ox-face flower production for trade

Banglamung board prepares development plan

Deciding how to spend 100,000 baht

Banglamung District Chief Praseut Thanasettakorn held a meeting with the District Development Committee to discuss how to spend money earmarked for stimulating the economy.

The borrowed funds, in the amount of 53,000 million baht (from the Miyasawas Plan to stimulate the economy) have been disbursed to offices within the Ministry of Interior. This has now been divided up and budgeted in the amount of 100,000 baht allocated for each village, or in the case of sub-district level 5 areas the amount is 120,000 baht.

The funds are designated for project labor costs or for projects designed to increase wages. The 1999 development projects will have sub-committees directing and allocating the budgeted funds for projects at the sub-district level according to guidance from the District Development Committee.

The projects will be run entirely at the sub-district level by purchasing materials and hiring labor at rates established by respective provincial governments.

Project identification will be performed in two ways. Firstly, a platform is to be programmed whereby local residents will assemble and put forward ideas for developing their respective areas. Secondly, the sub-district will consider the ideas and submit the proposed projects to the District Committee for approval.

The sub-districts have also been informed that pictures are to be taken, in three stages, as the projects progress. The photographs will be forwarded to the District Development Committee.

This method allows local residents the opportunity to provide their views as how to improve the current economic situation.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.