|
|
PM Thaksin to talk with President Bush about U-tapao expansion Thai PM to meet with US President end of next week Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to meet with US President George W. Bush during an official visit to Washington D.C. from November 26-28. The development of the Eastern Seaboard is scheduled to be one of the main topics of discussion, and the PM is expected to put emphasis on the Global TransPark (GTP) project at U-tapao Airport under U.S., German and Thai cooperation.
PM Thaksin is going to the U.S. in part to reassure the American government of Thailand’s commitment to the global battle against terrorism following the terrorist attack on September 11th. Whilst there, the Thaksin administration hopes to turn the situation into an opportunity to gain additional US assistance in reviving the Thai economy. The Eastern Seaboard plan calls for attracting investors to turn U-tapao into a combined production and transportation center, as well as to build roads, update utilities, and build plants to produce aircraft spare parts and aircraft tires. Expanding aircraft maintenance facilities are also planned. To date, 42 aircraft have been serviced and over B1.4 billion in revenues have been generated at the U-tapao aircraft maintenance center, majority owned by Thai Airways International and operated by the Thai Aviation Engineering Company. By the end of this year the Commercial Aviation Department in the U.S. is scheduled to conduct an efficiency inspection at the center, which is the first step towards authorizing future service to U.S. commercial aircraft.
Drug law changes - 15 pills now constitutes intent to sell
Dealer of “fake” watches arrested
Police arrest two at roadside checkpoints
Drug dealers caught sampling merchandise
Two seriously injured in drive-by shooting at motorbike taxi stand Police believe it to be drug related Boonlua Chatree Two men were wounded in a drive-by shooting on November 8 on Pratamnak Road. Witnesses told police the shooters drove away in the direction of Jomtien Beach. Sanong Phansamrong, 35, a resident of moo 11, Nong Prue, and Suchart Khamkut, 40, a former resident of Chanthaburi were taken to Banglamung Hospital at around 2.00 a.m. Sanong was shot in his left leg twice and once in his right arm, and Suchart took bullets in his upper right leg. Both were shot with a 9mm weapon. Both men were unable to explain the shooting, telling police they were minding their own business when two riders on a green Honda Nova with no plates drove up and began shooting. However, Pattaya police suspect the crime was drug related due to the fact that the same motorbike taxi stand has been the site of numerous drug arrests in the past. According to police sources, more than ten searches for illegal substances have been conducted at the location, some actions produced results and arrests were made whilst other searches came up empty. The source also said the shooting probably involved a double-cross or some other form of revenge concerning the sale of methamphetamine drugs. No arrests were made at the time of this reporting.
US Embassy Consular Services section held ‘Town Meeting’ in Pattaya Gaining feedback post September 11 Officials from the Consulate Services section of the US Embassy visited Pattaya last week to gain feedback post September 11. The visit, which normally would have been publicized, was kept relatively quiet, relying instead on relaying messages to ‘wardens’ in the area to spread the word to fellow US citizens.
Rodriguez Gonzales from US Citizens Services said that whilst Thailand in general is a very safe place for US citizens to reside, he still advises caution and common sense. He mentioned that a number of minor incidents have occurred in Bangkok involving Middle Eastern visitors and American tourists, due to the current situation in Afghanistan. However, the majority of problems in the region have been occurring in Laos where people are being approached by strangers. He said the US State Department recommends people carrying US passports refrain from traveling to Laos. Gonzales also said the phones have been ringing constantly since the terrorists acts in America on September 11th and that the Thai government departments and immigration have been very supportive of US nationals visiting Thailand. In Pattaya, as it is in much of the rest of Thailand, it’s business as usual with little or no hassles. US Citizens wishing to register with the Embassy to receive regular information can contact the Consular Services Section at the US Embassy on 02 205 4049 or register online at http://usa.or.th/embassy
Forty-six Pattaya hotels have now received fire safety certification Chakrapong Akkaranant Thapabutra Chomsaewee, director of the Labor Control and Social Welfare Department, awarded fire safety certification to a number of hotels in Pattaya and Chonburi on November 12 during a presentation ceremony at the Pattaya Dusit Resort Hotel, bringing the total to 46 hotels in the area that have received the certification.
Certificates and flags symbolizing fire safety certification were awarded to the hotels that recently passed the fire safety inspection standards established by the Department of Labor Control and Social Welfare. Prior to the presentation, Thapabutra addressed the audience and re-emphasized the urgent need to implement fire safety. He referred to the fire at the Royal Jomtien Hotel as, “one of the most terrible accidents, causing a huge loss of life and property that many people wish to forget.” He also mentioned the Thai Oil Refinery explosion and the more recent fire at a paint factory in Chonburi’s Phanthong District. Given that Chonburi Province is an industrial center providing much employment for the country’s labor force, employee safety is an important concern for the labor control department. Pattaya is also a major tourist destination in Thailand, and the personal safety of tourists visiting the area is of major importance as well. Both factors are included in the objectives established in the departments fire safety standards. This was the fourth fire safety certification presentation to qualifying hotels in the Pattaya and Chonburi areas.
S.O.S. Rice Campaign in full swing This year’s S.O.S. Rice, which began earlier this month, is getting into full swing, with donation boxes positioned throughout the city.
The annual charity raises much needed rice and money to support various charitable functions, young children and disadvantaged families. Points manned by volunteers will be collecting donations until the end of January and donation boxes are located in super markets, banks, restaurants, bars and hotels. A donation fund account has also been established at the South Pattaya Thai Farmers Bank. Anyone desiring to make a donation into the bank account can do so directly into account number 330-2-64389-9.
Governor Chadej addresses Rotarians from 11 Chonburi clubs
The recently appointed governor of Chonburi, Chadej Insawang, himself a former Rotary Club president, addressed members from 11 Rotary Clubs in the Chonburi area on November 8 during a dinner at the Sri Niyom Restaurant.
Rotarians from Sattahip, Phutaluang, Pattaya, Taksin Jomtien, Laem Chabang, Sriracha, Bang Saen, Ban Beung, Phanat Nikhom and Chonburi gathered at the restaurant to greet the mayor.
Governor Chadej, who told the audience it was good to be back among his Rotary brothers, spoke to the Rotarians about his policies. He said he supports the Ministry of Interior and the ministry’s policies regarding enforcing entertainment business closing times, and keeping drugs and the underage out of nightspots.
He said that businesses found to have illegal drugs on the premises could be subject to having all their assets seized, and those found to be offering sexually explicit entertainment would be closed. He also said that foreign owners of businesses found to be fronting for illegal activities would be referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for “blacklisting”, which would prevent their re-entry into the Kingdom.
The governor also told the Rotarians that measures are underway to improve traffic in Chonburi, Sriracha, Banglamung and Pattaya. He said that statistics from the provincial health office show that two people are killed every month from traffic accidents, and said that most cases involved motorbikes and drivers not wearing protective headgear.
Governor Chadej also addressed the AIDS awareness campaign and said AIDS statistics are a cause for alarm. He said that over 10,000 cases have been registered in Chonburi Province, and that 5,000 people have died from the disease.
Updated every Friday Updated by
Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk. |
Prime
Minister Thaksin hopes to gain US support in developing U-tapao Airport when
he meets with President Bush next week.
After
a three-month investigation, police were finally able to arrest all 8
members of a gang of house burglars.
Chalong
Suksai was arrested with over 1,000 illegal watches.
Rodriguez
Gonzales from US Citizens Services addressed US citizens living in Pattaya.
Thapabutra
Chomsaewee, director of the Labor Control and Social Welfare Department.
Look
for the S.O.S. Rice Campaign banners and donation boxes at a location near
you.
The
delegation from the Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya was also there: (L-R) Max
Rommel, Stephan Heynert and President Peter Thorand.
The
leaders of the movement (L-R) Past District Governor Premprecha Dibbayawan
(Jomtien-Pattaya), P.P. Wiwat Srichartchai, P.P. Prapan Thinarong and
President Kamnod Sophonvasu of the Rotary Club of Pattaya.
David
Jeater, secretary of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya chaperones President
Vilawan Aphichartworapong and Past President Pranee Chamvej of the Rotary
Club of Sriracha.
Rotarians
in fellowship and song. (l-r) District Governor Nominee Prasert Chaimano, RC
of Laem Chabang, President Yupin Suthamno of the Rotary Club of Chonburi and
Governor of Chonburi, Past President Chadet Insawang.
PDG
DR. Prathuang Khongkam, who was also the Charter President of the Rotary
Club of Chonburi 33 years ago, welcomes the governor of Chonburi, Past
President Chadet Insawang as the newest member of the club.
The
governor is flanked by deputy governor of Chonburi, Veeravith Vivatwanich
(L), Past President Pratheep Malhotra of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
and Charter President Sumon Jaikid of the Rotary Club of Plutaluang.