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Mayor to clean up Larn
Island
Casino plans revived
Vichan Pladplueng
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and city officials once
again stormed Larn Island last week in another attempt to restore order
and remove squatters, making way for development, which may include
building a casino sometime in the future.
Although Larn Island is a picturesque tourist
attraction, the island has been plagued with a number of problems,
including improper sanitation, a lack of police officers to reduce crime,
illegal encroachment onto public property, and a lack of orderliness on
the beaches.
The latest city hall inspection was prompted by reports
that order was disintegrating, damaging the tourist trade.
Mayor Pairat ordered a number of unauthorized
structures encroaching onto public property to be removed and vendors were
instructed to put the beach back into order.
Five people responsible for setting up unauthorized
businesses on Saem Beach public property were given 15 days to remove the
structures and the mayor said a follow-up inspection would be conducted to
verify the removal.
Officials responsible for controlling order also
received a verbal warning that if instructions continued to be ignored,
some officials could be removed.
Mayor Pairat later said there is a plan in the works
for Koh Larn to receive a government center, staffed with the necessary
administrative officials under Pattaya City control, to facilitate matters
of concern on the island. “The new administrative center may be
operational in the coming year, using a budget of six million baht
obtained from the Tourist Authority of Thailand,” the mayor said.
The mayor also referred to the Chonburi provincial
administrative organization’s push to establish the country’s first
authorized casino on Koh Larn, hoping to generate income and jobs. He said
his administration was prepared to provide full support and was already
canvassing different opinions from the public on the possibility.
He said the casino idea was gaining more interest and
the Chonburi PAO is planning to renew its efforts to push the casino plan
following the end of this fiscal year.
Last year members from the Chonburi PAO were ready to
budget hundreds of millions of baht to pour into Koh Larn, but before
anything can start Pattaya must rid the area of all the squatters taking
up area on property identified for development.
Pattaya has also budgeted almost 100 million baht to
improve the public utilities on the island starting sometime next year.
The budget includes a plan to create a public water source on the island.
Entertainment
zoning receiving renewed attention
Move to return to 100-meter distances from
temples, schools and hospitals
Veerachai Somchart and Chakrapong Akkaranant
Hashing out a viable entertainment area zoning plan is
back on the table, and the move seems to be towards keeping entertainment
businesses at least 100 meters away from schools, temples and hospitals.
Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan chaired another
meeting concerning the zoning plans on September 26 at Pattaya City Hall,
with the city mayor, district chief, government officials, school
administrators, the district abbot from Wat Chaiyamongkol and leaders from
the community attending.
Chonburi is included with seven other provinces
identified by the Ministry of Interior to implement zoning in order to
control entertainment venues. Pattaya is the sole area of concern in
Chonburi Province.
The previous plan was to zone Pattaya’s entertainment
businesses into three areas: Zone 1 being the main Pattaya-Naklua Road from
the Dolphin Runabout to Soi Wongamat. Zone 2 being Pattaya Beach Road from
North to Central Road, to include 3rd Road in the area of North Pattaya and
a stretch of road from Dolphin Runabout going in the direction of the 3rd
Road intersection. Zone 3 being Pattaya Beach Road from Central to South
Road, continuing down to Bali High Point.
However, the Ministry of Interior returned the plan to
Pattaya and instructed the city’s administrators to decide whether or not
they wanted zoning, and if so, they should do so with the objective of
limiting the area and number of businesses operating.
The plan was also deemed unacceptable because it would
allow entertainment businesses to be too close to schools, temples and
hospitals. Examples given were Wat Tai Hee off of Central Road near 2nd Road
and Wat Chaiyamongkol in South Pattaya, Pattaya Memorial Hospital and a few
schools.
Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan announced that it
appears Pattaya still wants to pursue plans for zoning. The consensus at the
meeting was to use the previous plan submitted to the MOI, but also identify
an acceptable distance separating entertainment type businesses from
schools, temples and hospitals.
School administrators suggested entertainment zones or
similar businesses be at least 1,000 meters from schools and temples.
However, in the end 100 meters was agreed upon.
Some of the officials at the meeting rationalized the
need for zoning by saying the numerous beer bars lining the main streets in
plain view of tourists from around the world entering into the heart of the
city is disturbing. They also cited the associated activities relating to
crime, prostitution and drugs, along with noise pollution in residential
areas.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat said his office has
received countless complaints about noise problem, with most fingers
pointing at the smaller beer bars and shacks put up without walls or having
only flimsy barriers. He said what may be needed is a new city ordnance
regulating decibel levels.
The chairman of the Pattaya beer bar committee, Samphan
Cholhan, representing more than 1,000 beer bars or similar set-ups selling
spirits located around the city, quickly pointed out that it was beer bars
that originally drew the tourists to Pattaya back in the days when U. S.
forces were stationed in the area. He also said it was unfair to just point
the finger at beer bars because many open air restaurants emitted just as
much noise.
Banglamung district chief Vichien Chawalit suggested that
any business causing a nuisance should be reported to the district office,
and the permit authorizing the sale of alcohol could easily be tagged and
not renewed at the time of expiration.
Closing times for all types of entertainment businesses
in Pattaya was also a brief topic discussed, and the articles contained in
the existing 1966 act regulating nightspots were re-emphasized. The 2.00
a.m. closing time would have to be followed until revisions were made. Above
all, sexually explicit entertainment, drug-related incidents and underage
persons on the premises would be cause enough to cancel business permits.
Off-duty cop
batters two drunk and brawling women at karaoke
Got tired of listening to their squabbling
Boonlua Chatree
Pol. Lance Cpl. Suchart Satha had apparently heard
enough of two women fighting at the Phen Khae Karaoke behind the Skaw
Hotel in Soi Bua Khao. After repeated attempts to get them to shut up, he
dragged them into the street and banged their heads together.
Miss Wadsana Kedsamul, the 35-year-old owner of the
karaoke, called in the disturbance just before the magic hour of 2.00 a.m.
on September 25. She told investigating officers that two women were
involved in a drunken dispute when an irate and inebriated police officer
battered both women in the middle of the street.
 Wadsana
Kedsamul, owner of the Phen Khae Karaoke, examines the wounds of one of
her customers who received a head-banging from an irate off-duty cop
She told police that Wilai Boonkhum and Petchara Wanlee
were drinking at a table inside the Phen Khae and eventually an argument
ensued, with both females bickering back and forth. The owner of the Phen
Khae said a shirtless police officer, who still had his pistol, handcuffs
and radio strapped to his waist, was sitting and drinking next door at
another nightspot.
She said the police officer ordered the two bickering
women to cease and desist, but the women ignored him. After he called for
them to stop once more, and once again they ignored him, witnesses said
the irate officer grasped both females by the neck and dragged them into
the street where he bashed their heads together, dropping them in their
tracks.
The owner of the Phen Khae said the policeman wandered
off in front of customers, which included foreign tourists, who witnessed
the scene. He was later identified as Pol. Lance Cpl. Suchart Satha.
Petchara’s injury was minimal, but the head banging
took a toll on Wilai. Petchara, seeing her former adversary still out cold
on the pavement, immediately helped transport her to the hospital. After
receiving six stitches, she returned to display her wounds at the Phen
Khae, then reported the incident at the police station; however, she was
told to return the following day to register a formal complaint. At press
time, there was no word on the fate of the irate officer.
Women theft victims
claim police didn’t respond
Thieves snatched purse and knocked them from
motorbike
Boonlua Chatree
Miss Sompid Sudchai, 37, and Miss Bang-on Thaiphuang,
27, were riding a motorbike on Pratumnak Road, returning to their home in
Jomtien after selling flowers in Pattaya at around 10.00 p.m. on September
21, when two men drove up along side, snatched their purse and sent them
crashing onto the street.
 Miss
Sompid and Miss Bang-on were more concerned about police not coming to
their aid than the valuables they lost when robbed.
Both Miss Sompid and Miss Bang-on received minor
injuries and reported the incident to Pattaya police. But, they said, no
police officers responded to the call, although personnel from the Sawang
Boriboon rescue unit showed up and transferred the women to the hospital.
Aside from their injuries, the women were more dejected
from police not coming to investigate than the lost valuables, which
totaled 400 baht, an identification card and some miscellaneous items.
Baht bus driver
caught with illegal weapons
Police suspect he was dealing drugs as well
Boonlua Chatree
Thirty-two year old baht bus driver Chatree Chusuwan,
originally from Loei Province, was arrested on September 27 for possession
of unregistered weapons.
Chatree is a member of the Pattaya Song Taew
Federation, and before his arrest drove baht bus number 426.
 Baht
bus driver Chatree Chusuwan was arrested for possession of illegal
handguns and ammunition.
Police initially suspected Chatree of selling drugs and
tracked him down at a Caltex station on 2nd Road. A search of the driver
and vehicle failed to turn up any illegal drugs. Police then searched his
house in Naklua, but once again did not find any illegal drugs. However,
police did find two unregistered weapons.
A modified pistol that had been turned into a weapon
capable of firing a 20 gage shotgun shell, with three rounds of
ammunition, was found along with a .22 caliber pistol and 25 rounds of
ammunition. A single 11-mm shell was also found among the ammunition in
Chatree’s collection.
British fugitive
arrested just outside city limits
Wanted for murder in UK
Boonlua Chatree
Matthew Gerald Timothy O’Connor, 39, wanted for the
1997 murder of Ronald Hinson in the UK, was arrested just outside Pattaya
in Nong Prue on September 25.
Pol. Gen. Sant Sarutanond, deputy commissioner of the
National Police Bureau, revealed the details leading to the arrest. He
said that following coordination between British Embassy officials and the
Foreign Ministry, an arrest warrant was issued for O’Connor by the Thai
court in August.
While on the run, the fugitive O’Connor used the name
of Raymond John Daly, Roy Cann and Phillip Hood. A British police liaison
officer positively identified him at the time of arrest.
In 1997, O’Connor was the managing owner of a bar
called the Bazaar in Gamden Road. A number of witnesses allege he killed
Ronald Hinson with a knife on September 13, 1997.
Following the murder he disappeared, and using false
passports he was believed to have gone to Spain in October 1997. Soon
thereafter he made his way to Pattaya were he has been hiding ever since,
first going by the name of Roy Cann. Later he obtained a fake passport and
switched to the name of Phillip Hood. He has been living with a Thai woman
just outside of Pattaya city limits in Nong Prue sub-district.
Businesses uniting
against garbage removal price hikes
Service hasn’t improved; now looking for
alternatives
The Chatrathai Trash Service Company significantly raised
their fees, and Pattaya’s business community is not happy about it.
City administrators and members from Pattaya’s leading
business groups met with representatives from Chatrathai on September 27 to
discuss the recent rate increase, which now has some hotels and larger
businesses paying 8,000 - 10,000 baht per month.
Part of the concern lies with Chatrathai’s lack of
announcing and justifying the price hikes before implementing them.
Representatives from Chatrathai now say the economic
crisis in 1997, specifically increased fuel costs, is the main reason for
the cost increase, along with minimum wage requirements.
Members from the Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association, Thai Hotel Association Eastern Chapter and the Pattaya Hotel
Community who met at city hall said that the Chatrathai Company has provided
inefficient service over the years.
The business groups had earlier prepared a document
identifying the shortcomings and sent it to the city administration. The
document outlined their dissatisfaction with service, and stated that they
don’t consider the service received to be commensurate with price
increases. The document prompted the meeting at city hall on September 27,
chaired by Wutisak Rermkichakarn, the deputy mayor in charge of city
sanitation.
The Chatrathai Company obtained the concession from the
city in 1992 on a 10-year contract to provide trash collection service in
and around Pattaya. The contract states the Chatrathai Company will provide
the city with 10.5% of the monthly service charges collected from residents
in the community, equating to a yearly sum of 2-3 million baht.
The amount of trash produced in Pattaya has almost
doubled since 1997, from 150 to 250 tons each day. The original agreement
called for price adjustments every three years in accordance with
regulations governed by the ministry of interior, but the last price
increase was in 1995. Due to the economic hardships and other considerations
the city administration disallowed any price increases to homeowners,
maintaining the monthly trash collection fee at 40 baht.
During the meeting, representatives from the business
groups said that the price for trash collection in cities in the north and
northeast average around 2,000 - 4,000 baht, and Pattaya was accustomed to
similar fees until the recent hikes that now have some hotels paying 8,000 -
10,000 baht.
The two sides failed to reach any agreements, and
Chatrathai representatives made no mention of plans to improve service to
justify the rate increases.
The three main organizations, PBTA, THA and PHC, citing
their long dissatisfaction with the trash collection company’s service,
say alternatives are now being sought. Another private meeting is planned in
the next few weeks at the Dusit Resort to discuss courses of action.
New trash site
about to open
Officials tell local residents there’s
nothing to worry about
Pattaya’s new trash disposal site, located on 140 rai
of land near Moo 4 in Khao Mai Kaew, is ready to open sometime before the
end of this month.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, city officials and
Jamnian Keeteepakul, TAO chairman in Khao Mai Kaew, met with over 200
residents on September 26 at a local school near the new trash disposal
site. The city administrators wanted to give the residents official
assurance that no health problems would result after the site becomes
operational.
 Pattaya’s
new trash disposal site is ready to open sometime before the end of this
month.
The decision to relocate the city’s trash site was made
in 1993, long before the new constitution and its requirement to clear major
developments with local residents came into effect, and long before the
members of the current city administration took office.
City officials also showed the residents the city’s
plans to improve roads in the area leading into the site. The improvements
include asphalt and concrete roads, and a drainage system that will provide
convenient access circumventing the adjacent communities and eliminating the
nuisance of garbage trucks constantly passing through the area.
City officials from the sanitation department also
reassured the community that the trash destined for the Khao Mai Kaew
disposal site will contain no contaminated or chemical waste from industrial
plants in the area. Additionally, the 250 tons of waste collected each day
would be passing through recycling procedures that officials expect will
reduce the amount of waste arriving at the new site to approximately 150
tons a day.
They described the trucks delivering the waste as closed
containers with compacting capabilities, which they described were
absolutely necessary to limit the transport cost making it more economical
for the 50-60 kilometer distance involved.
As for the local people’s main concerns of anticipated
underground seepage, lingering odor and associated pests and insects,
officials explained how the trash would be systematically buried using
procedures approved by the ministry of science, technology and environment.
City officials detected little opposition to the disposal
site opening and a large number of people welcomed the possibility of new
employment opportunities available at the site. But in the local community
leaders’ final statements, they said they wanted the government to assume
full responsibility for any negative consequences resulting from the
disposal site.
Lions plan Spelling
Bee and social evening
Lions Club Pattaya recently met to discuss preparations
for their spelling bee on November 17, and members’ social evening to be
held on the International Lions Day on October 8th.
The meeting was held at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel and
for this month the topic of conversation was centered on preparations for
the International Lions Day, which will include the annual spelling bee that
the club organizes to encourage youth in their education.
The contest will be held on November 17 at the Mike
Shopping Mall and the winner will have a chance to compete in the National
Spelling Contest in the future.
President Somchai Manothavorn presided over the meeting,
which was also attended by Lion Premrudee Jitiwuthikarn and Lion Lamai
Phewthong, the president of the Lions Club of Pratumnak, along with other
dignitaries such as Chanyut Hengtrakul, advisor to the minister of Science
Technology and Environment.
Updated every Friday
Copyright 2001 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
Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]
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