Asst. Director pulls handgun in City Hall

Angry with Budget Chief

The Assistant Director of the Pattaya Health and Environment Department, Sunai Litranon got hot with Jatrachai Panurad, the Chief of the Pattaya Budget Office at City Hall, claiming the office was sitting on his department’s budget allocation, referred to in Thai as pickling in brine.

The assistant director barged into the budget office demanding that the paperwork for the funds get completed and released. He then pulled out a gun and threatened the budget officer.

The budget chief later told police that after Sunai came storming in, he told Sunai that his department’s budget allocation was being processed. Apparently this didn’t satisfy Sunai, who declared, "When did you become such a big shot? Get the funds obligated."

"Then to everyone’s surprise he pulled a gun and walked away, turning around telling me to watch my step," Jatrachai said.

Deputy City Manager Niran Watanasadsathorn told Pattaya Mail the matter should never have been reported to police. "It could have been settled in-house. Anyhow," he added, "a committee will be designated to investigate the incident and the Sanitation (Health and Environment) Department’s two million baht allocation will be processed."

The next day the Deputy City Manager said after looking into the matter further it was discovered an order was given to the Chief of the Budget Office to have any requests for funds under five million baht processed by subordinates in the office, rather than doing the processing himself. This was meant to expedite procedures in the budget office.

Apparently Jatrachai, the Chief Budget Officer, has yet to heed the order and persists on personally processing every budget request. This is causing the entire budgeting system to be slower than it should.

"Actually," Deputy City Manager Niran said, "I am in agreement with Sunai in a way. There has never been any faults found with him in the past and his work is always completed punctually." He added the matter should reach some sort of an agreement soon.

The Budget Chief said he did not want an incident like this occurring again.

Road Show members provide report to City Council

Make improvements and they will come

A Public Relations Sub-committee and Pattaya City business members went before the Pattaya City Council to summarize the results of the Pattaya Road Show that recently went to Australia and New Zealand.

City Council Member Panga Vathanakul chaired the meeting.

The meeting was held to discuss both the results of the trip and to identify why tourism to Pattaya from the two countries has declined.

Analysis shows that prices in different areas of Thailand competing for tourism have increased. In the early days of the modern tourism era, Pattaya and Phuket were Thailand’s two main tourist destinations for people from "Down Under", with Phuket being more expensive than Pattaya. However, the situation changed, and now many tourists from Australia and New Zealand are going to Chiang Mai rather than coming here to Pattaya.

The tourists from the two countries came to Pattaya in large numbers in 1991, but since 1991 the numbers have fallen off. Statistics show that 300,000 tourists from the two countries were still vacationing overseas, but visiting other areas, including Malaysia and Indonesia.

Panga said that it appears Pattaya will have to emphasize public relations methods to promote Pattaya. The main factor that must be improved is the environmental concerns in and around the area.

She said that funds have been appropriated in the amount of 1,800 million baht to make environmental changes in Pattaya (the new wastewater treatment plant), which are expected to be completed next year. Once they are complete a major public relations campaign will be mounted in foreign countries to portray the new environmental systems implemented, hoping to lure more attention to Pattaya.

The representative from the consultant company looking after the 1,800 million baht wastewater treatment project, however, said that it is difficult to predict exactly when the project will be completed. Some phases are still in the contracting stage, but to date the project is almost 95% complete. After December of 1999, what will remain is the assembly of the machinery itself. Once assembled, a period of testing the equipment is required. Therefore, it is hard to say when the project will be completed.

Next the members from the Road Show articulated that the trip to Australia and New Zealand was very successful in portraying the many changes that have been occurring in the area over the last few years.

The Road Show members invited 100 representatives from various tour agencies to visit Pattaya for a first hand look at what the area has to offer. 95 agents responded. On July 6th, a group of representatives from tour agencies in both countries visited Pattaya to conduct a survey. They then went on to Malaysia.

Items that were of concern were improving the standards of food, roads, and making the area a safe and secure location for tourists to visit. Another group of up to 700 representatives from the tourist industry from both countries is expected to arrive in June of next year to conduct further inquiries.

Three European teachers caught with young boys

Three school teachers on summer holiday, one from England and two from Holland, were arrested this week after police caught them in the acts of having sexual conduct with boys under the age of 15.

Two Hollanders and one Brit, all teachers here on summer break, were caught naked in bed with boys under the age of 15.

Philip Howat, 39, a kindergarten teacher from England, Plins Cornelius, 42, and Bolm Johanus, 51, both teachers from Holland were arrested in their Central Pattaya hotel rooms.

The three were apprehended during a combined Pattaya and Saen Suk police investigation into a group of foreigners who had arranged a sex tour to Pattaya that offered young boys.

Police went with an arrest warrant to the suspects’ hotel where the cashier confirmed the foreigners were taking young Thai boys up to their rooms. A spare key was obtained and police immediately entered their rooms, not giving the occupants time to prepare themselves.

Police first entered Howat’s room, catching him in bed with a 14-year-old boy from Chaiyaphum Province.

Police then entered Cornelius and Johanus’ room and caught the two of them engaged in similar activities with one other 14-year-old boy.

The three men and two boys were allowed to dress, then taken to the police station for further investigation.

Philip Howat, considered an upstanding citizen back home in England, told police he is employed as a kindergarten teacher. Cornelius and Johanus also said they were teachers, back in Holland. All three were spending their school break in Pattaya.

The men told police they met the boys in the Mekin Market in Soi Bua Khao and near the V.C. Hotel.

The two boys told police they were offered 500 baht apiece to come to the room where they could play video games.

The hotel cashier told police that the foreigners brought different boys into the hotel with them each night during the early morning hours when it was quiet and unlikely that they would be noticed. The boys would be seen later leaving the hotel by themselves.

Police told reporters the three foreigners signed documents agreeing to pay 50,000 baht apiece for their wrong doing if released. The police are keeping the documents as further evidence while they await trial for luring children under the age of 15 into performing lewd sexual acts.

The young boys were transferred to the Children’s Center in Rayong.

Uni-Thai accused of dumping chemicals into the bay

Dead fish washing ashore

Fishermen in Laem Chabang are concerned with the foam in the water along a 500-meter stretch of beach in their area, and the dead sea life that is washing ashore.

Laem Chabang Village Commitee Chairman Sene Phuthong (center) points to the foaming waters and dead sea life along the Laem Chabang shore.

Sene Phuthong, Chairman of a Village Committee (Moo 3) in Laem Chabang District led a group of concerned residents to bring up the matter with Laem Chabang Mayor Bunleut Nonsin on July 18th.

Members from the Chonburi Environmental Office (Region 3) and officials from the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate conducted an inspection of the beach area and collected various specimens of the dead aquatic life for testing. Sure enough, tests proved that dangerous chemicals were being dumped into the area’s water.

Mayor Sene said that there had been many indications like this in the past but never to this extent. "The cause is certainly coming from the Industrial Estate and the villagers in the area won’t even eat the fish caught in the vicinity, fearing they’ll end up like the smaller creatures," he said.

"Just a few days ago," he said, "Uni-Thai’s large boathouse, which is near the Laem Chabang village, was caught dumping chemicals into the bay. News reporters were notified and they videotaped the incident. The villagers are worried that the chemicals will kill off the fish that they raise nearby."

Director of Laem Chabang Port Phiraphon Traiwatana has called out Uni-Thai’s administrators to find out exactly what was dumped into the water. The Director was told the black substance was powdered metals and the persons dumping the material into the ocean were suppose to have disposed of it on land, but they got careless and lazy.

Then, on July 21st, Minister of Industry Suwat Liptaphanlop, Secretary Minister of Agriculture Vitaya Khunpleum, Director Phiraphon, Laem Chabang Industrial Estate Manager Dr. Sanit Bantujan, and Vice-Governor of Chonburi Chongchai Anantakul all visited the site and concluded that the incident should never have happened.

"This type of incident causes industry investors to stay away as they do not want to be part of such carelessness," they said. "This incident will be pursued in the courts to be a lesson to the guilty parties. Hopefully this will prevent further mishaps."

The Ministry of Science and Energy Technology issues procedures and policy for controlling chemical waste. The Office of Policy on Environmental Plans is the agency responsible.

But after this incident it appears the government will have to sit down with the Ministry of Science to come up with standards to control industrial waste and find out for sure just what the powdered metals dumped into the water was composed of.

Ex-teacher arrested for pedophilia

Advertising his 15-year-old lover on the Internet

Pattaya Tourist Police arrested John Joseph Kosky, 67, a former teacher from Melbourne, Australia, for sodomizing a 15-year-old boy.

Kosky was also advertising the boy’s services on the Internet, broadcasting that the boy could be contacted at a local condominium. The ad gave the full address of the condo.

John Joseph Kosky, formerly a teacher in Melbourne Australia, was arrested this week for sexual misconduct with a minor.

Police had been watching and collecting information on Kosky. On July 26th they felt they had sufficient evidence and went to his condominium to make the arrest. When police entered Kosky’s room they found him with the boy.

A search of the room produced numerous compromising photos of the two along with videotapes of them with four other foreigners who police were able to identify from the videos. E-mail messages were also confiscated as evidence.

The boy told police Kosky had agreed to pay him 400 baht per day for sex and to pose for photos to advertise his and other youth’s services on the Internet. The former school teacher has been incarcerated and charged with engaging in lewd and immoral acts with a minor.

Laem Chabang looking for well behaved children

Laem Chabang has organized a competition for the most well mannered youth of Thailand, to help promote conservation of Thai Traditions.

Laem Chabang Mayor Boonlert Nomsilp said that, "In this day and age of hi tech communication, it has become very easy to exchange different traditions and cultures between peoples from all parts of the world. This has brought in much knowledge and influence from the West into the lives of the Thai people. Therefore, to preserve ancient Thai culture and traditions, the Laem Chabang Municipality has organised a project to teach children in the community good manners and behavior. This project will also organize a competition to choose the ‘Best mannered children in the community’."

The competition was held on Thursday 29th July 1999.

Royal photo calendar on sale

Lions Club of Pattaya invites the public to purchase calendars that contain photographs courtesy of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. All proceeds will be donated to Her Royal Highness for Her various charity projects.

Surat Mekavarakul presents the calendar for distribution and sale. Proceeds to be presented to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for her charitable projects.

The Lions Club of Pattaya under the leadership of Lion Visit Ek-ak has acquired 400 calendars for sale to the Pattaya community. The calendars contain a collection of rare pictures, which HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has graciously permitted to be published. The calendars sell for 150 Baht and can be obtained at the following locations: Mike Shopping Mall, Thai Bank on South Pattaya Road, the Communications Authority of Thailand on South Pattaya Road, Khun Ampai Vichai at Obchai Gallery, Big C department store and at the Pattaya Veterinarian Clinic. This limited edition is unique and only for those who appreciate the value and meaning of the objectives of this charitable project.

Mayor leads campaign to beautiful Central Road

Honoring HM The King’s upcoming 72nd Birthday

Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat presided over a ceremony on July 9th, promoting a Road Beautification Project in honor of His Majesty the King’s upcoming 72nd Birthday.

The mayor took the campaign to the streets, bringing along many city administrators to join with the area’s residents, students and business people. As part of the program, questionnaires were distributed to find out the opinions of local residents.

Mayor Pairat leads city officials and residents in starting the road beautification project on Pattaya Center Road in honor of HM The King’s 72nd Birthday.

The city plans to beautify Pattaya Central Road first, as an example, with other city roads to follow.

The beautification plan consists of planting trees and flowers along the sides of the road and in the islands, along with road and water drainage improvements. New street lighting will be installed and street signs giving directions to important locations will be standardized to portray a more picturesque setting.

The Drug Prevention and Suppression Plan is also included in the overall campaign, as well as the Health Department’s involvement with their plans to decrease the problem of Hemorrhagic Fever and neuter cats and dogs.

Both the local government and the business sector have given their full support for the campaign.

Road Show member’s observations from abroad could help Pattaya

Surat Mekavarakul, Managing Director of Mike Shopping Mall, said that he feels the Pattaya Road Show to New Zealand and Australia was a great success, in part thanks to the help from TAT and Thai Airways.

Surat told Pattaya Mail, "We went on this trip to find out why a large number of tourists from the two countries have stopped visiting Pattaya in the last eight years, and to spread news pertaining to the many changes in the Pattaya area.

"There will be representatives from four of Australia’s tour companies coming to Pattaya on Thai Airways to get a first hand look at the area and to see for themselves what changes have taken place. Thai Airways is providing them with free airfare."

Surat went on to say that the tour companies represent as many as 700 customers, some of whom will be visiting Pattaya in June next year. This could mean revenue in the area of 100 million baht coming into the city. Another group of customers from smaller agencies is expected in April.

Surat added that the people from both Australia and New Zealand have a good standard of living, a modern society with good environmental practices and good heath standards. Therefore, the people of Pattaya should be preparing a better quality of life by maintaining similar sanitary standards to impress the representatives. This is so they can return home with good reports, and even return here again while convincing others to come as well. Areas requiring attention should be corrected with a combined effort from the entire community, including the local administration and the private sector.

Something that should be realized by all is that visitors to Pattaya should not be taken advantage of. From establishment owners to all people who come in contact with tourists should consider the long-term approach, which will have a lasting affect on visitors, encouraging them to spread good information about our area and return again and again.

Currently the city administration is making a concentrated effort by improving the roadways, electric service, telephone service, and water service. But once these areas are in order the budget should then be directed to improving the economy by promoting tourism to Pattaya from both in and outside of Thailand. If a combined effort is achieved by all with Pattaya presenting an inviting atmosphere for tourists to enjoy, then the entire year could experience large numbers of tourists coming to Pattaya. The economy would improve steadily, wages would improve, and the quality of life would improve for everyone. But, Surat also said that if the combined effort does not come through from both the administration and the private sector then the investments were done for nothing.

Mrs. Sophin Thappajug, Pattaya City Council Member, and Mrs. Rungthip Suksrikarn, General Manager of the Sunbeam Hotel, helped organize the Pattaya Road Show to Australia and New Zealand. Both women returned from the Road Show very impressed by some of the things they observed in the two countries. They say those things could prove to be very positive if implemented in Pattaya.

Mrs. Rungthip was fascinated with the attractive beauty and the convenient travel found in the three cities. "Each city had a clean, neat appearance. The city of Sydney, Australia was especially noteworthy with its orderly appearance. Even though Sydney is a large city with a great number of residents, the homes, businesses, and streets all presented a very pleasing public image. There was no unsightly rubbish or other unappealing items discarded in front of the buildings or along the city streets.

"Businesses and homes divided their trash into three categories for the sanitation collection companies to collect: recyclable items, dry trash, and wet garbage. Each had a separate container. The residents assisted by diligently separating the items into the appropriate containers for the sanitation department to collect accordingly, unlike the trash collected in Pattaya, which is all collected together haphazardly with some of the trash remaining on the street. Dogs and cats are not seen roaming the streets eating from thrown out garbage like in Thailand. The animal owners must pay registration fees for each animal and some owners spend more money for obedience training. We could learn from some of their methods used, which would surely improve the overall appearance, the sanitation standards and the environmental conditions here in our homeland.

"The beaches seen in the two countries do not compare to the beauty of our beaches in Pattaya. However, the beaches are very pleasing to the on-looker because there is no trash cluttering the area, and no food stands or umbrellas distracting the natural beauty of the coast line. The buildings and homes along the beach are one-story structures that do not block the view of the ocean, which can be enjoyed by on-lookers from a distance. Even older homes almost 100 years old are kept up, presenting a suitable appearance and demonstrating a sense of responsibility to younger generations. Observers can enjoy a natural beauty that the residents portray not from decorating the area or their homes so much as merely maintaining a neat, orderly and clean appearance. There is no great expense involved, either, if compared to the cost when creating an artificial appearance. Clean public restrooms are also available, and unlike Pattaya, there is no charge to use them. Pattaya ought to have similar services.

"Public transportation is very comfortable and convenient, with subways and passenger vehicles going out and coming into the cities. There are very few personally owned vehicles due to the expensive parking fees in town, therefore, the public transportation system is preferred, which is both convenient and quick. Additionally, traffic fines are very costly and the traffic laws are strictly enforced, whereby drivers rigidly follow the traffic regulations. Very seldom is a driver seen violating traffic regulations."

After returning and witnessing the beauty in the two countries, Mrs. Rungthip desires to relay her observations to both the city administration and the Pattaya community. She hopes to instill a combined effort in improving Pattaya’s overall appearance to visitors and identify a direction for the city administration to follow.

Once a direction is decided upon, members from the business community, including all the local clubs and organizations, could assemble to brainstorm a plan on how to achieve the goal. With the first and foremost step towards the goal being a continuing and combined effort by the administration and the local community to maintain a clean, orderly and pleasant appearance throughout the city. This goal should not require the use of additional funds from the administrative budget, basically requiring community involvement and understanding. Later, when funds in the budget become available for environmental use, it may be discovered the action is already underway.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.