Pattaya mini-bus service issue back in vogue

The most recent proposal involves the Amornphant Motor Company Ltd. from the Suan Siam Group in Bangkok. Representatives from the company have been in negotiations with the Chonburi Transportation Office, and have initial plans to begin servicing three areas in Pattaya.

However, the Pattaya Baht Bus Federation is opposing the idea and is objecting to any scheme which would interfere in the pursuit of their livelihood. But since they have failed to come up with satisfactory improvements in servicing the city, the city administration at this point looks ready to once again try to introduce the mini-bus alternative.

Pattaya mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat said that the city has been waiting a long time for a company willing to venture into the bus service business. Companies previously displaying interest, and the city’s own plans have been thwarted by one obstacle after another.

The mayor said that the owner of the Amornphant Motor Company from the Suan Siam Group in Bangkok, Amnat Luangamornlert, told him he is ready to start running an air-conditioned mini-bus service before the end of the year.

The routes are still tentative, but 14 air-conditioned mini-buses seating 20 passengers are now being planned to service three areas from 6 a.m. to midnight. Six of the vehicles would service a city route from the Krating Lai intersection to Jomtien Beach, with four more vehicles going around North Pattaya, and four other vehicles servicing the Potisan to South Pattaya area.

A fee of 25-30 baht covering the entire route is under consideration. Suitable rates for other routes are still being surveyed. This service will target foreign and Thai tourists, since the city believes most tourists coming to the area are unfamiliar with the baht bus system and to date there are no clear routes to explain to visitors. The city hopes the mini-bus service would clear up the confusion, and provide transportation at reasonable rates.

The head of the local Baht Bus Federation, Sutap Sukhojai understands that the air-conditioned mini-bus service is a threat to business for baht bus drivers. The federation is taking the matter seriously, saying local traffic would be disrupted resulting in further congestion, and drivers would clash over customers.

Entertainment community calling for 4.00 a.m. closing time

Local government says clean up your act and you might get your wish

Representatives of Pattaya’s entertainment industry are asking local government officials to change the legal closing time from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Preecha Sanguansak, representing Pattaya’s entertainment businesses, and Samphan Cholrahan, the leading rep for beer bars in Pattaya, presented a written request for a 4.00 a.m. closing time to Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan on August 24th at the Chonburi PAO office. Bhinyo Tanwised, the chairman of the provincial administrative organization (PAO), and other prominent politicians from the local area were also present when the governor received the document. The written request also outlined the businessmen’s justification for extending the closing hours.

Samphan Cholrahan (2nd right), leading rep for beer bars in Pattaya, presented a list of grievances concerning the 2.00 a.m. closing time to Bhinyo Tanwised, the chairman of the provincial administrative organization. Other prominent politicians from the local area observe receipt of the document, which is intended for the minister of interior and the prime minister.

The nationwide strict enforcement of the 1966 law requiring entertainment businesses to close at 2 a.m., unlike other crackdowns in the past, has been ongoing for nearly 3 months. Owners of these businesses are complaining that this is severely hurting business and if it continues, many may be forced to close their doors.

Locally, Pattaya bar and nightclub owners and those dependent on the industry see the city as one of the nation’s most successful tourist destinations, and are saying that Pattaya should not be treated like other places due to its special status identified in the constitution.

PAO chairman Bhinyo Tanwised told the businessmen that their document would be forwarded through channels all the way to the prime minister as requested, but he reiterated Pattaya police chief Pol. Col. Phadungsak Ubekhanon’s suggestion that if the entertainment businessmen would implement controls to limit unwanted activities that are of major concern to the central government, they would have a better chance of succeeding in getting the closing time changed. “Closing at the required time of 2.00 a.m. until the law changes is one thing,” Bhinyo said, “but until positive steps are taken to stop underage persons from entering such businesses and eliminate the escalating drug problem, real change will be slow in coming.”

Samphan Cholrahan (left), leading rep for beer bars in Pattaya, discusses the closing time issue with Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan, Advisor to the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Chanyut Hengtrakul and Chonburi MP Vittaya Khunpluem.

He suggested such actions as appointing a reliable person to check identification at the door, and providing support to the anti-drug campaign in some visible and tangible way could be of great value. “Implementing positive steps and portraying a better image could result in smoothing the way in obtaining a 4.00 a.m. closing time,” Bhinyo said. He also added that Pattaya’s constitutionally recognized special status as a separate entity, unlike a province or even a municipality, adds merit in justifying their request.

Pattaya’s police chief also implied that once stricter controls were in place to control underage patronage and eliminate drug related activity, changing the law would be easier.

The PAO chairman, Bhinyo Tanwised, said he understood Pattaya’s survival is linked to the entertainment business and added that if it were solely up to him, closing times in Pattaya would not be an issue. He said he believes what is needed is stricter zoning controls to keep businesses from disturbing residential areas with late night noise and exuberant behavior.

He also suggested that if the group of businesses operating entertainment venues in Pattaya were to consolidate their efforts and lead the way in tackling the drugs and underage problems, it could lead to desired change. Bhinyo said that protesting the issue, using mass demonstrations, would only have a negative affect, as it would present a poor image, show an uncooperative attitude and could slow the process further.

Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan agreed with the PAO chairman and said the decision to change the 1966 regulation rests with the minister of interior. The official closing time stands as 2:00 a.m. and as yet there are no special exceptions.

Two arrested for trying to smuggle drugs into jail

Both added to inmate roster

Boonlua Chatree

Two, shall we say, less than intelligent gang members were caught last week trying to smuggle drugs into the jail at Pattaya police station. Suwan Chiangmuang, 25, and Uthai Phlaetita, 26, were swiftly added to the inmate roster when police found 20 methamphetamine pills hidden in food the two were trying to bring to an inmate. The drugs were allegedly meant for sale among the inmate population.

Some people just don’t think before they act. But officers at the Pattaya police station know this and very carefully inspect food brought in for prisoners.

On August 19, Pol. Cpl. Chatchai Trakulsri was the officer on duty at the jail cells on the 2nd floor of the Pattaya police station and was inspecting an evening meal brought in by the two local characters. The two men were there to deliver some roasted chicken and sticky rice to a 26-year-old female inmate named Jantphen Sakulkaew, who is serving time for a drug-related offence.

When Officer Chatchai began probing the food more thoroughly than expected, the two men started to act very nervous. Just as the policeman was about to break up the sticky rice both men bolted down a flight of stairs and out of the police station. It soon became clear why, as the officer found what was later identified as 20 methamphetamine pills concealed inside the rice. The officer ran after the fleeing men while calling for assistance.

Suwan and Uthai were apprehended whilst running down Soi 9. They were charged with possession with intent to distribute class1 illegal narcotics.

The two admitted to their stupidity, and identified Jantphen as the person instructing them to bring in the drugs for sale inside the jail. Jantphen allegedly convinced the two stooges that it could easily be pulled off if they kept their cool during the delivery.

Student guns down karaoke owner

Maybe he didn’t like their singing?

Vichan Pladplueng

After a heated argument in a karaoke bar on August 20, a Pattaya student shot and seriously wounded the owner of the Chaophraya Karaoke.

The shooting took place at 1:00 a.m. at the Chaophraya Karaoke located in Soi Potisan Moo 6, Naklua. Banglamung police responding to the call found the owner, Chaiwan Charernsuk lying on the floor with a serious gunshot wound in his upper body. Police immediately transferred him to the Bangkok-Pattaya emergency room.

Miss Wanna Phansak, a 19-year-old employee, told police that six students, aged 17-20, from a well known school in Pattaya entered the karaoke and ordered a bottle of whiskey. Miss Wanna said she and other girls in the bar were called to the table to join the party. Trouble started when the owner, Mr. Chaiwan came in and told the group to lower the noise, saying he didn’t want to disturb the neighbors. By this time the students were drunk and ignored the owner’s request.

According to Miss Wanna, one of the students, drunker than the others, deliberately broke a bottle in defiance of the owner’s second request to quell the noise. This prompted all the other customers to call for their bills and depart the bar. She said an argument ensued, and when the owner threw them out of the bar, the students threatened to return later and shoot him dead.

Soon after departing, the group of students returned and attempted to carry out their threats. Witnesses told police how one of the students carrying a gun, and followed by the others, walked in and shot the owner down. The gang then rode off on motorbikes.

Witnesses got a close look at the shooter and the licence plate of the bike on which he escaped. Police said they expect to make the appropriate arrests soon.

At press time, Mr. Chaiwan was still in critical condition but doctors said he would pull through.

U.S. sailor found dead in hotel room

Police suspect heroin overdose

Boonlua Chatree

US sailor Jason Cogswell, 22, was found dead on his South Pattaya hotel room bed around noon on August 22. Cogswell had been stationed aboard the USS Carl Vinson, one of the ships in the US Navy flotilla in town last week for R&R.

Pattaya police investigated the death and found no indications of a struggle. A black travel bag with personal belongings was lying at the head of the bed, implying no theft was involved.

Also found in the room was a 2-inch long straw containing a white powdered substance police suspected to be heroin. The opened straw was registered as evidence and U.S. Naval officials were notified.

Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation personnel transferred the body to the police forensic lab for further examination.

Officials from Royal Palace perform burial ceremony for Khun Mae Tong Suttihamrongsawat

Many pay respects at mayor’s mother’s funeral

Mrs. Tong Suttithamrongsawat, the mother of Pattaya’s mayor, passed away at the age of 72 on August 19 at the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. She was undergoing treatment for hardening of the arteries.

Khun Mae Tong Suttithamrongsawat

April 19, 1929 - August 19, 2001

From August 19-27 scores of mourners from the community joined the many dignitaries from government office paying their respects. The entire city council and officials from the provincial government attended the funeral, as did Sonthaya Khunpluem, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, and a representative of HRH Princess Soamsavali.

On August 27 the funeral procession moved to the Jung-Ngian Cemetery in Chonburi’s Ban Beung District where representatives from the Royal Palace conducted the burial ceremony, laying Mrs. Tong to rest.

Mrs. Tong, originally from Phichit Province was born on April 19, 1929, and was married to Phisal Suttithamrongsawat. The couple raised six children, three boys and three girls.

Mrs. Tong was known as a very energetic person with a strong will and these traits were passed on to all of her children, each of whom achieved individual success. She was well respected in the community and supported many worthy causes, such as the Eastern Region Home for the Elderly, the completion of hospital buildings and services, the Karunawed Handicapped Assistance Facility, and the construction of the School for the Blind. She also donated to completing the image of Buddha at Wat Chaiyamongkol in Pattaya and the completion of the funeral spire at Wat Prachumkongkha in Banglamung.

Mrs. Tong received the “Outstanding Mother of the Year” award in 1994 for her diligent efforts in raising six children who achieved success, becoming business owners and leaders in local government. May her soul be cherished on its journey and rest in peace following all the goodness that she accumulated while on this earth.

City may begin charging parking fees soon

8,000 U.S. servicemen storm Pattaya

US Navy makes surprise gift of medical supplies to Banglamung Hospital

Navy plays golf to raise funds for sailing

Thai Air Force trains volunteer instructors in AIDS prevention

Updated every Friday
Copyright 2001  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
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Updated by Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]