 
|
Pattaya hosts National Lions and
Leos Club Convention
5,000 members from both the Lions and Leos Clubs from
all over the Kingdom converged on Pattaya for their national convention and took part in
the largest parade ever to be seen in the city.
The Clubs, 314 in all, held their 34th Annual Congress in Pattaya from
24-26 March at the Dusit Resort, and celebrated with a grand size parade that will be well
remembered by residents and visiting tourists alike for many years to come.
 Captain Khajit
Hapananont, shown presiding over the opening ceremonies, and members from the Pratamnak
and Pattaya Chapters hosted this year’s convention.
The parade started at Walking Street on the afternoon of 24 March and
stretched all the way back to Bali High Point. A collection of exceptionally adorned
floats competed for prizes in the categories of best decorated and most original. Marching
bands accompanied the floats throughout the parade with the participation of the Royal
Thai Naval Band from Sattahip, the Aksorn Group and various public schools.
The parade led off with a float from the Lions and was followed by the
Leo groups, with the host Chapter from Pattaya Pratamnak in prominent position. The
impressive parade drew a lot of attention from residents and tourists as they lined the
streets watching the passing spectacle.
The float winning the most beautiful award went to the three, 3-wheeled
peddled bikes from the Phechanakhornphing Lions Club in Chiang Mai. The most original
award was presented to the Ocean Turtle Preservation float from the Lions Club in
Samutsakhorn. Other floats included an entry from Phrae with an anti-drug campaign theme,
a boat filled with produce from the floating market in Ratchburi, and another float filled
with sweets and fruits from Phetchaburi. Dancing lions symbolizing Pak Nam Pho from
Nakhorn Sawan and another anti-drug entry from the Pattaya Pratamnak Lions Club filled the
streets starting out at 4.00 p.m. and taking more than two hours to complete.
The following morning the conference began when Lion Captain Khajit
Hapananont presided over the opening ceremonies. Chonburi Governor Sujarit Pachimnan
welcomed the visiting delegates and Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat gave members
an informative introduction to the city.
 The “Old
Man” with a float decorated in the theme of Ocean Turtle Preservation, an entry from
the Samutsakhorn Lions Club, took the award for the float with best originality.
The conference covered results and achievements from the past year with
announcements and information disseminated on new changes to Lion Charters.
Later in the day, each chapter held its own conference at different
hotels in Pattaya, discussing the information received and electing new leaders.
During Pattaya Chapter 310 C’s conference, after announcing the
year’s results, the former Governor of the Chapter, Lion Somsak Thedsalee presented
the “Lion Award of Excellence” to member Namjai Chanmanun, President of the Chao
Praya Club. The new Governor in Chapter 310 C was elected with the votes going to Lion
Phichit Chuekwong from the Ratanakosin Lions Club, and the vote for Vice-Governor from
Chapter 310 C went to Lion Nerit Phechararat from the Pattaya Lions Club.
The Leo Club, youthful future members of the Lions Club, chaired by the
President of the Pratamnak Lions Club, Lion Nitaya Patimasongkhro, also started their
convention on 24 March at the Yu Pattaya Hotel in Soi 4, with its annual theme of
“Leo Vision for the Year 2000”. The Leo Clubs participated in the International
Lions parade and went to the main conference held at the Dusit Resort. In the afternoon
the Leos partook of a visit to the Bang Saen Ocean Museum and then to Pattaya City’s
Muang Jamlong. In the evening the Leo members attended the gala “Leo Night” at
the Yu Pattaya Hotel with over 200 members exchanging ideas and getting to know a group of
young people from Japan.
The Lions International Convention came to a close on 26 March with
members returning to their respective clubs to carry on their charitable work for the year
2000. Next year’s conference is scheduled to take place in the Cha-Am District in
Phetchaburi.
City administrators discuss the
future of Pattaya
Mayor’s deputies announce their plans
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat met with his deputies on 24 March, one
month after being re-elected, to discuss policies and strategies for future action to be
undertaken by City Hall and its administrators.
 Mayor Pairat
Suttithamrongsawat (center) and his deputies (from left) Niran Watanasatsathorn, Watana
Chantanawaranon, Wutisak Reumkijakarn and Wirawat Khakhai.
Deputy Mayor Niran Watanasatsathorn, chief of the City Manger’s
Office, opened the meeting by identifying the actions already taken in restructuring his
office in providing a more efficient service to the community. The office also coordinates
action with local police and the fire department. Niran reported that the next area he
plans to address, is the unacceptable traffic problems in Pattaya, specifically
identifying the erratic and unorganized parking of vehicles.
Deputy Mayor Watana Chantanawaranon, in charge of two areas, the Social
Welfare and Education Departments, introduced plans to improve the quality of education in
Pattaya’s public schools, so that they would equal the standards found in privately
run institutions. He addressed, and intends to correct the present shortage of qualified
teachers and the lack of educational materials to support the nearly 10,000 students
attending public schools. Meanwhile, he says, “Teachers conducting their
responsibilities in demanding situations will be recognized and those teachers delivering
an unacceptable standard of education will receive the appropriate disciplinary
action.”
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Reumkijakarn, in charge of the Health Department
and responsible for improving the quality of life for residents, reported back on a
campaign providing animal neutering services and animal disease prevention training in the
city. The deputy identified the many Karaoke Bars in the area as a major cause for
concern, stating that complaints from residents were on the increase. Control is being
monitored closely by the district administration office that is responsible for the
issuing of Karaoke licenses and permits.
Wirawat Khakhai, the City Treasurer, said a project to improve tax
collection, making the procedures more convenient and efficient to the tax payer, is soon
to be introduced. A survey is being conducted to highlight existing gaps making it
impossible for businesses to evade paying the required taxes. The survey results will be
submitted for consideration and appropriate action, once completed. Plans to computerize
tax collection in the future are also being implemented.
Mayor Pairat delegated the different responsibilities to his four
deputies, but he will personally attend to the department of city maintenance. During the
first meeting with his deputies he reiterated his intentions to make positive changes in
the city administration, and the goal of the administration is to obtain visible results
within one year. He emphasized that Pattaya residents who want to make their voices heard
have an open door and a ready ear with the city council, 24 hours a day. His plans include
organizing the Song Teaws and directional signs in the city. The city maintenance
department has already received instructions to report any discrepancies requiring
corrective action
No KGB here
No foreign organized crime in Pattaya
Pattaya Police Superintendent Pol. Col. Pinit Sachareon strongly denied
claims made by National Security Council Secretary General Kachadpai Burusphat that former
KGB agents were running illegal businesses in Pattaya.
Secretary General Kachadpai stated last week that ex-KGB Russian agents
had used “sophisticated intelligence material to set up criminal networks in Pattaya,
Phuket and other tourist spots in Thailand.”
Pol. Col. Pinit denied the statement, saying that other than the
Russian who murdered another Russian last year, who was promptly arrested, no other
Russian criminals were operating in his area of responsibility.
“In fact,” he said, “no more foreign organized crime has
been found since German Wolfgang Ullrich was arrested last year.”
Charred body found
Police believe it to be British expat
An employee from the Siam Local Boat House Company discovered a charred
body on March 28 in a field near the Chaimongkhol Temple in South Pattaya.
 The charred
skull, false teeth, bone fragments and some pieces of clothing of body were found which
police believe was Englishman G. Pleither.
Although the body was burnt beyond recognition, police believe the
corpse to be that of 48-year-old Englishman G. Pleither, possibly from Liverpool. Police
found a green cloth wallet, without any money inside, underneath the body, but which did
contain a Ciro Bank Card belonging to G. Pleither and a name card from the Traitana
Apartments. Pleither had gone missing from his apartment.
The caller notifying police, Bunlyy Rodlang, informed police the same
area was caught on fire just a few days earlier and the Pattaya fire department had put
the fire out. The fire department extinguished the fire from a distance and never noticed
the body.
Police began their investigation suspecting murder was involved, with
the fire being started to conceal the body. But further investigation revealed that it may
have been suicide. Police questioned people who knew Pleither, who told them that Pleither
had made a number of suicide attempts in the past.
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances
surrounding G. Pleither’s death, and have transferred the body to the Forensic
Facility for further examination.
Randy Russian tourist gets more
than a handful
Lands in jail for indecent behavior
A young waitress employed at the Thianlong Restaurant complained to
police that a foreigner had fondled her breasts in public, causing her considerable
embarrassment.
Police officers met Miss Rungnabha Jaroenphrom in front of Mike’s
Shopping Mall where the 21-year-old girl from Lopburi pointed out her assailant standing
nearby. Police then escorted the woman and her assailant to the station in the hopes of
resolving the incident. The accused man was identified as a 35 year old tourist from
Russia named Mona Ehow Ruzel who was staying at the Pattaya Park Hotel.
 Russian tourist
Mona Ehow Ruzel couldn’t see anything wrong with grabbing the breast of a young woman
he didn’t know. He was duly arrested and charged with indecent behavior.
Ruzel denied any wrong doing, claiming he was merely teasing the girl
and gently squeezed her breast in fun. He did not seem to understand why it resulted in
such a big fuss, because, just earlier, he was doing the same thing in a few beer bars and
nothing was said by anyone.
Miss Rungnabha told police she had just stopped off at the shopping
mall to pick up a few things before going home when she saw Ruzel approach her, and, as is
customary in Thailand, she smiled in response to the foreigner’s stare. She said his
action took her totally by surprise, as he grasped her breast in the public area. She
insisted charges be brought against the man for his indecent behavior.
The charges of indecent conduct in public were duly registered in
police records. Ruzel remained adamant, and in his defense, refused to sign the registered
complaint. He was subsequently put in jail where he remains in custody.
Meeting held to improve tourist
security
Hotels asked to help
The mayor, city council members, various police chiefs from the
province and officials from the Thai Hotel Association Pattaya Chapter held a meeting to
discuss and implement stronger tourist security procedures. The discussions focused on
incidents involving visitors and the many criminal acts that are reported daily by them.
Most of these reports were of tourists being conned or swindled.
 Bang Lamung
District and Pattaya City Police Officers attending a meeting discussing tourist safety.
Chonburi Police Commander Pol. Major Gen. Phanuphong Singhara Na
Ayuthaya commented on the incidents, describing the police mission as being a difficult
task because of the amount of tourists visiting Pattaya, in ratio to the number of police
officers assigned to crime prevention. Two police officers patrol each of the city streets
on alternate shifts every night. The police have enlisted help from many agencies in
trying to prevent an increase in these types of criminal acts.
Major Gen. Phanuphong said, “Additional assistance is needed from
hotel management to report any unusual activity before an incident occurs, that otherwise
would be unobserved by the patrolling police officers”. The police agencies in
Pattaya and Bang Lamung plan to increase the number of patrolling officers in the near
future.
Annual Pattaya Festival planning
in progress
Wet time in the old town next month
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat chaired a press conference at the Grand
Sole Hotel on 22 March to announce the events to be included in this year’s Annual
Pattaya Festival. Members from the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association and the
Tourism Authority of Thailand office also attended the meeting.
 Pattaya Mayor
Pairat Suttithamrongsawat (center), PBTA representative Phisai Phanonwan Na Ayudthaya
(left) and the Director of the TAT Region 3 Office (Pattaya) Sethaphan Bhuthani (2nd from
right).
The “Pattaya Festival-2000” will be held 14-19 April, and the
opening ceremony will take place at 5:00 p.m. on 14 April in front of Soi 4 and 5 on
Pattaya Beach Road. Deputy Minister of Communications Sonthaya Khunpleum will be the
Master of Ceremonies, and the event will enjoy television coverage.
Different stage performances and entertainment will be provided each
and every night along Beach Road from 7:00 p.m. A grand carnival parade on 14 April will
highlight the opening of the festival. A number of prizes and cash awards of up to 100,000
baht for the best displays in the parade will be up for grabs. Prizes will be awarded for
the best dancing, costumes and float in the parade. There will no limit to the number of
entries participating in the carnival, but each group must have a minimum of 50 persons
playing their own or recorded music. All floats and groups are to take up a space no
larger in width than three meters and with a depth of no bigger than ten meters. Floats
can be accompanied with performers.
To enter contact the Pattaya Education office before 4 April 2000.
UNICEF
Representative speaks on Child Rights
Praises Thailand’s commitment, asks for
continued progress
Gamini Abeysekera, UNICEF Representative for Thailand, asked judges and
other senior personnel in the Thai courts to “bring justice and peace to the world,
especially to the vulnerable children and their families.”
 Gamini was the featured speaker at the Workshop on Juvenile
Justice, which took place at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort on 18 March.
Gamini told the justice workers that, “UNICEF is keen to see that
the rights of the child are protected in the process of law... I stand before you to
present my case on behalf of those children who may be sometimes innocent persons who get
into difficulties beyond their control. They need sympathy, understanding and guidance in
as much as love and care, not only until proven guilty to be sentenced, but even after if
it happens to be the case, and when they are being ‘punished’ or more
appropriately being rehabilitated.”
The UNICEF Representative outlined four key activities implemented
under the “Juvenile Justice System Reform” (JJSR) project of the Department of
Central Juvenile and Family Court with the support of UNICEF Thailand since 1999: 1.
Review of existing legislation and codes to improve compliance with the CRC; 2.
Development of instruments for the assessment of situations of individual children who are
in conflict with the law and their families; 3. Development of the rehabilitation
alternatives for children in conflict with the law; 4. Strengthening the capacity and
raising the awareness of professionals working with children including juvenile judges and
personnel in the detention centers.”
“This workshop,” Gamini said, “signifies Thailand’s
strong commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and her efforts to
continue improving the situation of Thai children. Thailand has always taken the lead in
this part of the world in promoting the rights and needs of children. This Workshop is
another example where CRC is really translated into action by Thailand, after having
ratified it in 1992.”
The workshop focused on the issues related to policy and coordination
of the juvenile justice system with a view to improving protection of child rights,
including problems of rights violations in detention centers. “In this context,”
Gamini said, “we may also look at the measures for improvement of understanding and
coordination between judges and associate judges, and the readiness of the courts in the
implementation of the new Criminal Procedure Amendment Act of 1999. These together with
other legal processes are needed in order to promote a ‘child-friendly’
court.”
Thailand has the distinction of being the first to prepare and present
a progress report to the CRC Committee in Geneva. Thailand is now engaged in the
preparation of the second report.
However, there is still room for improvement, as was outlined in the
concluding observations of the CRC Committee on Thailand’s 1st Report given at the
19th Session on 9 October 1998 in Geneva:
“While the Committee notes that the State party has enacted
legislation relating to the establishment of the juvenile courts, it is still concerned at
the general situation with regard to the administration of juvenile justice and in
particular its compatibility with the Convention, as well as other relevant United Nations
standards. The Committee is particularly concerned that the juvenile justice system is not
implemented throughout the State party. The Committee is also concerned at reported cases
of ill-treatment of children by law enforcement personnel. The Committee recommends that
the State party consider taking additional steps to reform the system of juvenile justice
in the spirit of the Convention... and of other United Nations standards in this field.
Particular attention should be paid to considering deprivation of liberty only as a
measure of last resort and for the shortest possible period of time, to protecting the
rights of children deprived of their liberty and to expanding the juvenile justice system
to ensure full coverage throughout the State party. Training programmes on relevant
international standards should be organized for all professionals involved with the system
of juvenile justice”.
Commenting on the Juvenile Justice systems’ primary focus:
“the situation of children and young people under the age of 18 who come into contact
with the justice system as a result of being suspected or accused of committing an
offence,” Gamini said, “It is crucial to know how the young offenders are dealt
with, and to look at the implications of sentencing options, with particular attention to
those involving deprivation of liberty. It also should encompass the prevention of
juvenile offending and the social reintegration of offenders as well as to the special
problem of children incarcerated with their mothers. It must also pay special attention to
the conditions of juvenile prisons and camps or ‘homes’.”
On this matter, Gamini said, “Given this general background and
Thailand’s specific developments in the field of Child rights, it is a great
encouragement to see the Central Juvenile and Family Court’s action to follow-up on
the concerns raised by the CRC Committee. Rarely this happens, as in many countries
reports and studies and their recommendations end up in the shelves of government and UN
offices or such places. This may be the first time that provincial chief judges, senior
judges and directors of the detention/rehabilitation centers ever came together to deal
with child rights protection in the juvenile justice system.”
He urged the judges “to take the lead to de-mystify and simplify
some of the professional and procedural complexities and harmonize and popularize legal
jargon to make them more understandable to others and develop knowledge and capacities of
others. In other words, we need your legacy to be passed on to others... Empowerment of
people should be a public good both locally and internationally.”
“Therefore,” he concluded, “I encourage you to think
about training a cadre of judges who can in turn, be trainers on various aspects of child
rights protection to develop appropriate training programmes and serve as resource persons
on juvenile justice issues. UNICEF stands ready to link them with the existing institutes
in other countries as well as to support with some technical and financial inputs. UNICEF
would like to reassure all of you of our commitment to protect and promote Child rights.
We are happy to provide both technical and financial support within our means toward your
efforts to evolve a more efficient and child-friendly juvenile justice system in
Thailand.”
New date set for wastewater
plant
Perhaps by November this year?
The Samprasit Construction Company, in charge of building
Pattaya’s 1.8 billion baht wastewater treatment plant, says they hope to have the
plant on line by November, 2000.
 Construction
status of the final tank
Sathan Phetrakul, Director of the Samprasit Construction Company, told
this to Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat at a progress update held at city hall.
Representatives from the Macro Consultant Company and the Ministry of Scientific
Environmental Technology were also at the meeting.
The city of Pattaya has funded 10% of the overall cost of this project.
The initial completion date was scheduled for June 1999, but two extensions were called
for which delayed work on the facility.
The project still awaits the power equipment to be shipped from Europe.
Samprasit is identifying June 2000 as the construction completion date, but after testing
and operational training, the facility should be fully operational by November of this
year.
Other related topics discussed during the meeting were methods of bill
collecting from Pattaya residents for usage costs, with special usage fees for hotels and
other industries. The city is considering enacting regulations governing the operational
costs, which are expected to be in the area of 40 million baht per year. In addition,
decisions must be made on who will service the project once completed.
The new face of
Walking Street
Starting to deteriorate already
When the idea was announced to the general public of the laying of the
new pave work in “sea life” patterns on Walking Street, the project wasn’t
well received by a lot of people, because of the economic situation at that time. Now that
the project is completed, nearly everyone is pleased with the finished product; that is,
nearly everyone, with the exclusion of the Sanitation Department. The Sanitation
Department has not been attending to the cleaning of this new surface as regular as should
be done.
 The new,
“designer” Walking Street - how long will its beauty last?
Many businesses along Walking Street are now getting into the habit of
placing items such as planted trees on the new walkway surface, obstructing the easy flow
of walkers, and when this area is open for traffic, these plants and trees create
difficulties with parking and access.
This amazing “one of a kind” road surface in Pattaya, admired
by residents and tourists alike, will need to be maintained properly, or the one million
baht project will soon turn into an eyesore with the many intricate sea life designs
portrayed on the street surface becoming unrecognisable.
Admiral H.R.H.
Prince Chumphorn Khet-Udomsak
The history behind the monument of ituated on
Pattaya's Thappraya Hill
by Phiraphong Jeeranai
H.R.H. Prince Chumphorn was the 28th son of
the most beloved and revered King of Thailand H. M. King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V).
Born on December 19th, 1880, the Prince was given the name of Chao Abhakorn Kiatwonges. He
was the first son born to the King’s concubine Chao Chom Hmod, whose father was a
member of the Royal Court’s Defense Ministry during the reign of Rama V.
 Admiral H.R.H. Prince
Chumphorn Khet-Udomsak. A monument of the Prince is located on Thappraya Hill in Pattaya
and was dedicated on May 16, 1995.
The Prince was brought up in the Chumphorn Palace in the southern
region, where he lived until he reached the age of 13. The young Prince was then sent to
England for schooling with King Chulalongkorn’s son, a Prince destined to become Rama
VI, the future King of Thailand.
Prince Chumphorn completed his education in the year 1900, and two
years later received the rank of navy lieutenant. He served in the Royal Thai Navy for 23
years, during which time he attained the rank of Admiral. At age 44, whilst serving as
Navy Minister of State, he contracted a severe case of pneumonia. The Prince retired to
the coast of Chumphorn where passed away on May 19, 1925. King Mongkut (Rama VI) sent a
Royal Ship to receive the Prince’s body for a Royal cremation ceremony at Phra Meru
in Sanam Luang near the King’s Palace on 24 December 1925.
During Admiral Prince Chumphorn’s career as naval officer, he
distinguished himself by initiating many changes, including modernizing methods in naval
communications and improving the Royal Thai Navy Officers School. He was responsible for
implementing the use of flag signals and signal lamps. During 1906 he orchestrated a Naval
Engineering School, and, as the school progressed, it became part of the Naval Officers
School, the name of which was changed to the Naval Academy. In 1907 students from the
Naval Academy were sent to train in foreign countries. These students also included a
group of 100 naval cadets from King Mongkut’s Royal Ship that toured Singapore,
Batavia, Java and Billington Island.
Prince Chumphorn’s many achievements in modernizing the Thai Navy
had a lasting impact, instituting efficiency in the ranks and strengthening the Thai Navy
with the required disciplines and advanced training programs, turning the Thai Navy into
an impressive military force capable of protecting the nation’s sovereignty.
Price Chumphorn is highly revered by members of the Royal Thai Navy and
is remembered by seafarers as the maritime father. Two men in the Royal Thai Navy,
Commander Thun Netornmukda and Commander Pichai Suwannawisut, appropriately thought
Pattaya, recognized as a major tourist city located on the gulf coast and having a large
population engaged in fishing, should have its own monument honoring the beloved Prince.
In 1995, the two Naval Commanders drafted a letter to the Commander of
the Royal Thai Navy identifying their plan to erect the monument on Pattaya City’s
Thappraya Hill. Their idea received approval. The Area 5 Royal Thai Navy operates a radio
broadcast station on Thappraya Hill, reasonably close to Thai Naval Bases and conveniently
situated where visitors can pay their respects and honor the Prince.
The monument is located on the top of a hill, with a clear view of the
city and appropriately overlooks Pattaya Bay.
The dedication and unveiling ceremony was conducted on 16 May 1995. The
statue of the Prince, which is twice his life size, is constructed on a platform tall
enough to inspire the loyalty and dedication of Thai citizens and visitors to the Kingdom.
The construction of the monument received a great deal of support from
the local government administration and from the private sector in the form of financial
contributions. Road improvements made at the site have turned Prince Chumphorn’s
monument and Thappraya Hill into a beautiful tourist attraction.
Public
Relations visit to China scheduled in April
Chonburi’s private sector is planning a public
relations trip to China, led by Chonburi Governor Sujarit Pachimnan. The trip is scheduled
to take place from 16-20 April.
The group will include members from the Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association. A fixed number of 10 persons in the group has been set as guests of the
Chinese government. This group will meet with representatives from the cities of Heu Nan,
Khai Fong, Lua Yang and Jeung Jow.
The visit will include the signing of a friendship agreement and a
cultural exchange, affording the opportunity to discuss future plans of promoting trade
and tourism between the localities. The group will also visit a number of tourist
attractions in the area, such as ancient religious sites and gardens.
Mayor issues a
stern directive prohibiting elephants on the city streets
Large mammals pose hazards to tourists
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat has taken a stand against having
elephants brought into the city limits, saying, “This action creates a possible
danger to visitors and residents.”
The mayor went on to say that Pattaya has enough problems as it is, and
with these huge mammals walking the city streets, it becomes one more item degrading the
city’s image. “An accident is just waiting to happen,” he said. “That
would indeed certainly harm Pattaya’s tourist trade.”
The elephants are brought into the city entertainment areas during the
night hours, where they try to attract tourists to coax them into buying fruits from the
owner to feed the elephants.
The mayor announced that any business people who maintain elephants in
the Pattaya community are warned to control these animals and their owners, by prohibiting
the elephants from entering the main streets. Strict orders have been issued to police and
enforcement officers to make arrests should this directive not be followed.
The mayor stressed that if an elephant is found walking in the busy
streets, and is employed by a local entertainment business, then that facility will be
ordered closed.
Sealing the
Hole in the Ozone Layer
There have been world-wide concerns about the use of
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) for many years. The “hole” in the ozone layer
is thought to be the result of unregulated use of these ODS, a principal one being the
group of chemicals known collectively as CFCs. The danger of widespread global warming is
merely one of the hazards associated with this phenomenon.
 Hans-Jürgen
Lohr of Lohr Trading and Consulting receives his international certification for having
converted the operation to stop the use of CFCs in their spray insulation.
However, much work has been carried out throughout the world, and with
the United Nations working through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS),
some significant advances have been made to eliminate the use of ODS and thus reduce the
deficit in the ozone layer.
CFCs are used extensively in the production of insulating polyurethane
foams and one of the foremost Insulation Spray Engineers in Thailand is the local group,
Lohr Trade and Consulting. Last month, the United Nations and the Thai Ministry of
Industry, through the Department of Industrial Works, awarded Lohr Trade and Consulting
international certification for having converted their operation to stop the use of the
CFCs in their spray insulation.
This expensive conversion was carried out with supervision from UNOPS
and involved modification and retro-fitting of spray equipment in addition to the use of
new chemical formulations.
The Thai government involvement was as a signatory to the Montreal
Protocol of 1999, whereby Thailand agreed to reduce the use of CFCs in this country. Lohr
Trade’s conversion to this new technology has now been recognised by the Thai
Government as a great step forward for Thailand itself and goes a long way to help
Thailand meet its obligations under that Protocol.
With the operations of this local company now spread throughout
Thailand, it is pleasing to see a Pattaya based group taking such a forward thinking and
responsible attitude towards safe working practices. Congratulations, Hans-Jürgen Lohr
and Lohr Trading and Consulting!
Copyright 2000 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, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
|
|