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Thousands watch first ever Pattaya Long Boat races “Singh Rungrod” wins top prize Vichan Pladplueng and Chakrapong Akkaranant Thousands of spectators turned out for the spectacle of the first ever “Pattaya Long Boat Festival” November 10-11 at the Mab Prachan Reservoir on Siam Country Club Road. Many of Thailand’s top long boat racing crews participated in the event, competing for cash prizes and trophies in the name of HRH Princes Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
A replica of the Royal Barge takes a place of honor before the races begin. The “Singh Rungrod” barge from Pichit Province, formerly named the “Theptidakhao”, was crowned the overall champion after winning the 55-rowers division in category “A”. The team was awarded the coveted trophy and a 30,000 baht cash prize. It was the first time the “Singh Rungrod” team raced under their new name, and in the finals they won two straight over a rowing barge manned by personnel from the Sattahip Naval Base. Other winners were: “Thepathaiyud” won the 30-rowers division of category A, “Thepaphaitun won the 55-rowers division of category B, and “Thepasriporn” won the 30-rowers division of category B. The event was a new idea to promote tourism to the area and carry on an age-old tradition. Organizers hope to develop it into an annual affair with participation from top-level competitors from all over Thailand coming to Pattaya to compete. One spectator commented that, “The announcer narrated each race in an unbelievable frenzy, trying to describe the action, and just listening to his play-by play account in Thai, whether understood or not, was worth the trip out.”
Chonburi governor Chadet Insawang presided over the opening ceremony, during which gusts of wind on an otherwise clear and beautiful day nearly blew away the V.I.P. tent. Among the many guests were Withaya Khunpluem, secretary of the Ministry of Labor and the president of the Chonburi Athletic Association, Banglamung District chief officer, Vichien Chawalit and the festival organizers from Nong Prue and Pong sub-district administrative organizations (TAO). The grand event started with a parade of rowing barges and the positioning of the trophies in a place of honor under the canopy of the replica of the Suphanalongse. The first day of races consisted of each boat racing three times. The winners of 2 out of the 3 races went on to the finals the next day. The day’s activities also included a demonstration race from the members of the Pattaya Windsurfing Club.
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Another thieving katoey arrested
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TAT improvement project on Jomtien Beach grinds to a halt Community demands participation The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s 23 million baht construction project on Jomtien Beach has been halted to appease some of the residents and beach vendors in the area. The finished TAT project would result in 14 rest areas, walkways, a bicycle path, and steps leading to the water, as well as other improvements along a four-kilometer stretch of beachfront property on Jomtien Beach Road. The plan also includes correcting a 400-metre stretch where coastal erosion is a concern near the existing roadway. Surveys have already been conducted on soil, vegetation and water depths in the area. Late last month, disgruntled Jomtien residents and business operators held a protest, saying the city administration neglected to consult the public before beginning construction, and that the construction was destroying the area’s last remaining natural beach area.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat tried to persuade the protesters that the construction plan would be beneficial to tourism and business operators alike, but the protestors were still not convinced. The mayor also said that if necessary the matter could go before the city council for review and possible revisions. Last week, it did just that, and after a meeting at city hall, it was decided to halt construction until the matter could be reviewed and input gained from the residents of the area. Members of the Jomtien community, business operators on the beach area, city administrators, representatives from the TAT, ATT Consultant Company Limited (the architects who designed the layout of the project) and the construction company, Wiwat Engineering were all in attendance at the city hall meeting. All agreed to prevent further erosion at designated points along Jomtien Beach and to maintain the goal of promoting tourism. However, the protesting residents and beach business operators complained that the sections of the project that would provide rest areas, which would be 300-400 meters apart spread out over a 2 km stretch beginning at Dongtan curve, and ramps to provide easy access into and out of the water for watercraft, which would be also be 300-400 meters apart spread out over the next 2 km of the project, would encroach into their business area, limiting the space for lounge chairs for tourists. The protestors also said the rest areas would limit the view of the ocean. However, the city administrators and the TAT argue that the rest areas would improve business along the beach, and one million baht in city money was invested to support the project. Manit Boonchim, director of the TAT central region 3 office in Pattaya, said it was his office’s business to promote tourism to the area. He insisted that the TAT is not an agency that just does whatever it pleases, and that since it was first envisioned in 1997, the Jomtien Beach project was studied carefully and city planners have been involved all along. Initially the city level of government was consulted and the project idea was forwarded to the Ministry of Interior, which further coordinated with the Tourist Authority of Thailand and the development council. Boonchim said the deteriorating condition on Jomtien Beach prompted action and funds were requested from the government to support the improvements; however, the limited budget eventually necessitated foreign funding, which arrived from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, after which the construction began in earnest. The TAT’s stance is that the plan can be revised, and that it would be appropriate to incorporate the community’s concerns and revise the plan to accommodate any areas identified as detrimental to the natural environment. “The truth of the matter is,” said Boonchim, “a clear understanding with the local community should be settled beforehand and the local government, in this case Pattaya City, should inform the public. Otherwise similar projects might be cancelled if the development council is not certain whether the public would be in agreement.”
Second Road one-way: no way says Big C Plan delayed after protests from Big C and Central Festival Center The city administration had set yesterday, November 15, as the date to implement the plan to turn 2nd Road from the Central Road intersection to Dolphin Circle into a “one way” stretch of road. But the results of a meeting held on November 7 rearranged the plans and changed the start date to January 15, 2002. Pattaya’s deputy mayor, Nirand Wattanasadsatorn, members on the city’s traffic reorganization committee, consisting of city council representatives, municipal and highway police, and members from the business community were at the November 7 meeting. Also attending were the general managers from the Pattaya Central Festival Center and Big C, Thanasombat Sanitwong Na Ayuthaya and Annop Amatayakul. The two managers were concerned that the public was not fully aware of the plan to convert the section of 2nd Road into “one-way” and requested that the start date be postponed until this coming April. Just recently informed about the November 15 start date, the general managers felt business might be seriously affected and reasserted that the opening of the new Lotus Store on North Pattaya Road on November 17 was not part of their concern. Pattaya municipal police chief, Pol. Col. Phadungsak Ubekhanon, said that the plan was specifically intended to alleviate traffic congestion. He said that if the traffic reorganization committee and other agencies involved were in agreement, that it was possible to change the start date. Pol. Col. Phadungsak also specified the necessity to instruct baht bus drivers to adhere to traffic regulations, because problems are anticipated on North Pattaya Road involving U-turns in front of City Hall and at the street leading to Central Festival Center. Blocking off both locations is under consideration to prevent accidents. The overall plan to turn the stretch of 2nd Road into a one-way street is part of the TAT’s project to make improvements in Pattaya and rejuvenate tourism. Opinions have already been solicited from 120 businesses operating along that section of 2nd Road. In the future, opinions from tourists and the general public will be surveyed, and fliers will be distributed outlining the plan to convert the section of road to one-way.
This year’s SOS Rice Campaign began on November 1 and will continue until January 31, 2002. Donation boxes have been positioned in supermarkets, banks, restaurants, bars and hotels all over the city. The SOS Rice Program was first started in 1996, and was organized by a Belgium businessman named Didier Frere. It has continued each year, raising funds for disadvantaged families in the Chonburi area. Last year the campaign raised over one million baht in cash and rice, and assisted thousands of children and families all over Chonburi Province. The S.O.S. program is held only once a year but helps to feed children from needy families throughout the entire year. It is a great opportunity for those with the means available and the good will in their hearts to pitch in and donate to a worthy cause. Surat Mekhawarakul chaired last year’s rice and fund raising program and this year Sanga Kichasamred, owner of S.K. Construction Co., is chairing the S.O.S. Rice program.
Chonburi Governor addresses Community Crime Watch Volunteer graduates Boonlua Chatree At the end of a recent five-day training session for 154 volunteers from local communities, Chonburi Governor Chadet Insawang gave the group an inspirational speech.
Chonburi Governor Chadet Insawang (left) addressed a new class of Community Crime Watch Volunteers. Governor Chadet emphasized the important role each volunteer has in protecting the community, and said that their involvement in contributing to social improvements is admirable. Governor Chadet also expressed his admiration for each member for volunteering and sacrificing their personal time away from work and family. The crime watch program is designed to get the community involved in reducing the rising crime rate by assisting local police and reporting information about possible crime before it happens. The governor emphasized that this type of reporting can be accomplished by anyone, and that it is a vital assistance to police.
City council helps students gear-up for Eastern Region Municipal Games Chakrapong Akkaranant Adisorn Phonluk-In, vice-chairman of the Pattaya City Council, presented athletic equipment and 5,000 baht to support students at City School 5. The donation was made to help prepare them to participate in the Eastern Region Municipal Games from November 19-24 in Prachinburi.
The donation included equipment to help the students gear-up for table tennis competitions at the games. In the past, athletes from City School 5 have excelled in table tennis and last year the school’s table tennis players won eight out of the nine categories of table tennis. City School 5 is highly recognized for having excellent table tennis players in both primary and secondary grades and the coaches are also highly commended for their training expertise. Champion players from the regional municipal games will be going on to compete in a national level competition that will be taking place in Chiang Rai. Witnessing the presentation were Thawich Chaisawangwong, city council chairman, and Faruk Wongborisut, a local teacher and member of the city council, along with the school’s athletic coaches.
Updated every Friday Updated by
Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk. |
These
boats are really long...
Shant
Tomassian points to the thief he described as, “a man dressed up as a
woman”.
Sun
Nakhun was charged with the premeditated murder of a farm worker named Khe.
Naklua
residents point to an area where an escaped crocodile was recently seen.
TAT’s
Jomtien Beach improvement project has been brought to a halt until local
beach vendors can be appeased.
Adisorn
Phonluk-In presented athletic equipment and 5,000 baht to students at City
School 5.