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H.M. the King lays foundation stone for new international airport's passenger terminal
Nong Ngu Hao, not U-tapao, will replace Don Muang
(AP Photo/Nong Thang)
The Associated Press
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej looks at a model of the
new Suvarnabhumi Airport at the foundation stone laying ceremony on
Saturday Jan. 19 in Samut Prakan Province, 25 kilometers southeast of
Bangkok.
 The
construction project is currently scheduled to be completed by 2005. The
Suvarnabhumi Airport will replace the already overcrowded Bangkok
International Airport, and will effectively end U-tapao’s chances of
replacing Don Muang and becoming Thailand’s new major international
passenger airport.
H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej last Saturday laid the
foundation stone for the passenger terminal of Bangkok’s new airport
that is expected to be ready for business in 2005.
Thailand hopes that the Suvarnabhumi International
Airport, which was first proposed in 1960, will make Bangkok the aviation
hub of the region.
After laying the foundation stone, H.M. the King
presided over an elaborate ceremony that included chanting by Buddhist
monks at the site where the airport is being built in Nong Ngu Hao in
southeastern Bangkok. Government leaders, senior officials and diplomats
attended the ceremony.
H.M. King Bhumibol spent two hours talking to officials
who briefed him about the construction process of the airport, which is
expected to cost 225 billion baht.
About 16 percent of the work has already been completed
since construction of the passenger terminal began on Dec. 1, a government
statement said.
The construction is scheduled to be completed by
December 2004, and the airport, consisting of two runways, will become
operational in 2005.
Initially, the airport will be capable of accommodating
30 million passengers a year but when it is fully built about 100 million
passengers will be able to pass through it every year, the statement said.
The passenger terminal and a concourse are being built
by ITO Joint Venture, comprising Italian-Thai Development PCL and
Japan’s Takenaka Corp. and Obayashi Corp.
The new airport will replace the crowded Don Muang
Airport. Aviation experts say Don Muang won’t be able to handle the
traffic in another four or five years, severely affecting Thailand’s
tourism industry, an important part of its economy.
Officials still plan to make U-tapao Aviation Industry & Logistics Center
Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya expected to be no more than an hour
Veerachai Somchart
With His Majesty the King laying the foundation stone
for the new Suvarnabhumi Airport last week, assuring that the construction
of the new airport will now be completed within the next two years, U-tapao’s
chances of becoming Thailand’s next major international passenger
airport were effectively ended. However, officials still plan to go ahead
with plans to turn U-tapao into an Aviation Industry & Logistics
Center.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was able to drum up
support for a Global TransPark project to service Asia during his visit to
the U.S. this past December. The PM met with potential investors for the
project and received a positive response from Martin Lockheed, the
colossal giant having huge concessions for building and repairing
aircraft, and major contracts with the U.S. military.
However, following the foundation stone-laying ceremony
at Nong Ngu Hao airport this past Sunday, the plan has been reduced once
again and the cost has been trimmed down to a billion baht investment. The
project is now being billed as a Aviation Industry & Logistics Center.
Many airlines in S.E. Asia are already utilizing U-tapao’s
recently completed aircraft repair center.
Officials are optimistic, given that the new
Suvarnabhumi International Airport at Nong Ngu Hao would be mainly
targeting transporting people verses cargo.
Local tourism officials are also expressing
satisfaction with the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, but for
different reasons.
The director of the TAT central region 3 office in
Pattaya, Manit Boonchim said traveling from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya will
be a much faster journey, compared to driving from Don Muang Airport to
Pattaya.
Nong Ngu Hao is much closer to Pattaya than Don Muang,
and with the new and improved highway system, travel time from the new
airport to Pattaya should be no more than an hour.
Cargo ship accident causes 5 km wide oil slick near Sattahip
Officials fear major environmental damage, ship’s captain faces charges
Boonlua Chatree
A Panamanian tanker ran aground on a coral reef
approximately 15 nautical miles south of the Map-Ta-Put Industrial
Estates, in Sattahip waters near Koh Chuang on January 15, spilling
248,000 liters of crude oil and causing a 5-kilometer wide oil spill.
The
tanker “Eastern Fortitude” collided with submerged rocks and spilled
crude oil causing a 5-kilometer oil slick off Sattahip. Emergency
equipment was rushed to the site and set up over an area encompassing a
15-kilometre radius. The oil slick, the biggest in the area for the past 5
years, is expected to cause serious environmental damage to coastal areas
in Sattahip and many of the islands in the area.
The ship’s captain allegedly waited two days before
reporting the accident and now faces charges of failing to immediately
report the accident. He could be subject to fines and up to 3 years in
prison.
At press time, the ship, which has a 5,272 ton gross
weight capacity, was still stuck on the reef.
Booms and plastic floats used to contain spills were
rushed to the site and set up over an area encompassing a 15-kilometre
radius.
Personnel from the Royal Thai Navy, led by Royal Thai
Region 1 Naval Fleet commander, Admiral Aknit Muensiri, and oil spill
containment experts, along with representatives from the Thai Port
Authority were transported to the ship by Thai Navy helicopters to inspect
the situation.
Although the worst of the slick has so far been
contained away from beaches, some of the oil has reached beaches in the
area and is causing serious environmental damage to coastal areas and
coral reefs in Sattahip and many of the islands in the area.
Officials fear the spill, which is reportedly the
biggest in the past five years, will have a major negative effect on
tourism. The oil washing up on shore is already driving tourists away from
Rayong’s main beach areas, and officials fear ocean currents could take
the oil slick in the direction of Rayong’s major tourist attraction at
Samet Island.
Doltham Tantikan, the chairman of the Tapong
sub-district administrative organization, told the press that he was
uncertain how long the clean-up effort would take. The Rayong police
bureau has documented the entire incident and legal action will be taken
against the owner of the ship.
The Eastern Fortitude was traveling to Rayong from
Japan, via a stopover in Bangkok to drop off cargo.
Pattaya determined to become Thailand’s first handicap-friendly resort
City plans to provide a full-range of conveniences for tourists with physical disabilities
Chakrapong Akkaranant
The city administration announced noble plans to turn
Pattaya into the first location in Thailand to provide a full-range of
amenities for seniors and handicapped persons. Under the new scheme,
conveniences for the disabled will be integrated into all city planning,
including public transportation.
 Supatham
Mongkolsawat, advisor to the Chonburi Development Group for Disabled
Persons, presents a bouquet of flowers to Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat
acknowledging the city’s efforts to meet the needs of persons with
physical disabilities.
A January 16 meeting at city hall between the mayor,
city officials, the private sector and representatives from the Chonburi
Development Group for Disabled Persons focused on plans to develop Pattaya
into a tourist city fully prepared to accommodate elderly tourists and
persons with physical disabilities.
No details of the plan were released, and the city does
have a long way to go to reach this noble ambition. Areas needing
improvement include, but are not limited to, more ramps throughout the
city for wheelchair access, crosswalk indicators and walk signal switches
in Braille, “beeping” traffic lights to allow the blind to cross the
street, stopping traffic at crosswalks to allow slower moving and blind
people to get across the street, enlarged restrooms with handrails for
wheelchair access, automatic doors, and elevators in multi-storied public
buildings for wheelchair access.
Prakij Inthisit, chairman of the Chonburi Development
Group for Disabled Persons, said that Pattaya is an ideal location to set
an example for other locales to follow. “There are many disabled people,
both Thai and foreign who reside in the area, and Pattaya is already
internationally recognized for its vocational school for disabled persons
and schools for the deaf and blind,” he said. He also revealed that
there is a major project underway in Banglamung, where the Asia and
Pacific Regional Development Center for Disabled Persons is under
construction.
Prakij also said that the 3.5 million visitors coming
to Pattaya from all parts of Thailand and the rest of the world demand
up-to-date standards capable of providing vital services to all.
Many businesses in Pattaya have already integrated some
conveniences for disabled persons, as has city hall and the new
construction underway along the Jomtien Beach walkway. Additionally, the
city’s air-conditioned mini-bus service, expected to become operational
in March, has also incorporated amenities for elderly and disabled
persons.
Mayor Pairat said that city regulations and directives
from the central government covering the inclusion of conveniences for
disabled persons are already in place and are integrated into building
codes.
Once the plans are implemented, the city hopes to
attract tourists of retirement age and disabled people from both Europe
and the Americas. This segment of population has purchasing power that can
greatly enhance the local economy and that of Thailand.
Police release details of traffic violation point system
16 primary clauses implemented on January 16
Police implemented the traffic violation point system
on January 16, and to make sure that everyone is informed of the new law,
released the following:
The 16 primary clauses in the nation’s traffic
violation point system are divided into four categories. Each invokes
traffic violation points ranging from 10-40 points recorded against
drivers committing offences.
Drivers will be required to attend mandatory driver’s
training for repeating any one violation a second time within a one-year
period. Any driver accumulating over 60 points is restricted from driving
for a period of 90 days.
The breakdown of the four categories covering the 16
clauses in the traffic violation point system is as follows:
Category 1 violations compile 40 points for:
1.1 Failure to stop behind the line at a red light
signal or a stop sign (running red light signal or stop sign).
1.2 Driving under the influence of alcohol or other
intoxicating substance.
1.3 Causing an accident injuring an individual or
damaging personal property, not stopping to provide suitable assistance,
not reporting the accident to police and fleeing the scene of the
accident.
1.4 Vehicles racing on the road.
Category 2 violations compile 30 points for:
2.1 Driving indecisively resulting in a traffic
violation.
2.2 Driving dangerously.
2.3 Driving a vehicle in an abnormal manner or contrary
to usual driving habits.
2.4 Driving a vehicle without concern for the safety of
others or endangering the lives of others.
2.5 Driving over the lawful speed limit.
Category 3 violations compile 20 points for:
3.1 Recklessly passing on the shoulder of a road which
is not considered a traffic-flow lane
3.2 Passing another vehicle where signs prohibit
passing, to include recklessly passing in a congested area, passing whilst
going up a hill, approaching a bridge or curve in the road and within
30-metres of an intersection, roundabout or similar junction. Also
included is passing another vehicle when visibility is impaired by heavy
rain, fog, blowing sand or smoke, etc., limiting forward vision to less
than 60-meters.
3.3 Parking on the side of the road or on the edge of
the road traveled by other vehicles without using emergency flasher or
turning on signal lights during hours of limited visibility.
3.4 Taxi drivers refusing to accept passengers.
3.5 Taxi drivers depositing passengers on the road
after refusing to complete the fare going to the destination agreed upon.
Category 4 violations compile 10 points for:
4.1 Driving a vehicle in a manner obstructing traffic.
4.2 Driving on a walkway without justifiable reason.
Luxury and overspending cause corruption, says Purachai
Living in luxury and overspending are the main reasons
behind rampant corruption in Thai society, according to interior minister
Purachai Piumsombun. Delivering a lecture on Prevention and Suppression of
Corruption in Thai Society, he said the degree of graft is usually
determined in three levels: low, moderate and high.
He explained low degree indicates corruption that is
normally found in all countries, including Scandinavia, Western Europe,
and Singapore. “It seems like a rotten apple among the good ones,” he
said.
He said that, “moderate degree indicates there are
many rotten apples in the same basket. Groups of corrupt people would
gather together, but have no connection with each other.”
“High degree of graft,” he said, “indicates
corruption is rampant in all levels and is networked, which is very
horrible.”
Police Capt Purachai said he has “never had hope of
seeing corruption in Thai society reduced from the high degree to the low
one.” He said he would consider it satisfying, “If the degree could
ease to the moderate one”.
“Today, Thai people think of themselves first, the
family second, and the nation last. More people tend to be corrupt mainly
because they like to live in luxury and overspend. Some can never get
enough to satisfy their greed,” he said.
Certain government officials have made contracts which
put state agencies at disadvantages, instead of trying to protect national
interest. He said current corruption is linked to the drug problem, which
is of great concern. “The country risks facing extinction unless the
situation improves.”
The interior minister said he also believes the number of Thai female
prisoners would equal that of male prisoners in the future because women
have begun to behave aggressively. “More women like to frequent pubs and
discotheques, smoke cigarettes, and have a drink,” he said. (TNA)
Motorcycle passengers must wear helmets too
New emphasis being put on traffic laws
Chakrapong Akkaranant
Chonburi governor Chadej Insawang, alarmed by the
number of deaths on provincial roads, has issued a directive to all
districts to strictly enforce the motorbike helmet law.
According to statistics presented to the governor, two
deaths occur each day on Chonburi roads.
The governor issued instructions to every district in
the province to implement a revitalized campaign emphasizing the use of
protective headgear for both driver and passenger on motorbikes. The
governor hopes this will reduce the number of deaths, as statistics show
that many traffic deaths could be avoided if protective headgear was worn
while riding on motorbikes.
In the initial stages of the new safe driving campaign,
police will issue warnings to violators, and announcements will be posted
to make the public aware of the regulations.
The campaign will also emphasize other safe driving
themes. Slogans include “drunk drivers go to jail”, “speeding
drivers will be prosecuted”, and “using the phone whilst driving is a
no-no”.
The introductory period for the new campaign will
continue until the end of February, and thereafter the regulations will be
enforced with violators facing fines or charges in accordance with the
law.
Different districts in Chonburi Province are now coming
up with various ways to promote safe driving awareness. Respective
campaigns are aimed at setting good examples for younger generations, and
are being directed at entire communities with the goal of saving lives on
provincial roads.
The district chief officer in Banglamung, Chaen
Chernsiva told a gathering of district officials on January 17 that
government officials should set an example by complying with safe driving
regulations. He said government officials are also subject to the same
laws, and “from here on out the use of protective headgear is to be
enforced.”
Central Festival Center managers still complaining about 2nd Road one-way change
Baht bus route planned to alleviate “inconvenience”
Veerachai Somchart and Chakrapong Akkaranant
Thanasombat Sanitwong Na Ayuthaya, Pattaya Central
Festival Center general manager, complained of a “tremendous business
setback” from a loss of customers since the new one-way system was
implemented on January 15. He said it was because of “an overwhelming
inconvenience of the new direction of traffic flow”. He said people
using baht buses are disembarking on North Pattaya Road and now are forced
to walk the rest of the way to the Central Festival Center. Others are
simply avoiding the area due to the change taking them out of their way
and the waste of time.
“This area is congested with large businesses and is
a dense employment area for Thais who are also experiencing difficulties
and inconvenience getting back and forth to work,” he said. “Shop
owners and management support the possible change back and want the entire
plan reassessed and reverted back to a 2-way system. They feel the
original flow of traffic accommodated both customers and employees more
suitably.”
He also said that, in regards to accidents, although
the traffic may flow more smoothly, a lot of drivers were now speeding,
thus turning this stretch of road into a ‘racetrack’ which in turn
creates situations for mishaps.
The general manager at Big C Super Center, Anupong
Khruangam stressed that it is not anyone’s intention to thwart the
city’s plan of improving traffic congestion in Pattaya; however, this
particular change on 2nd Road is negatively affecting all businesses along
this stretch of road.
The general manager from Pattaya Central Festival
Center said that in the interim, while the situation is being evaluated,
and in support of the city’s objective on this subject, plans have been
laid out with the Pattaya Chat Bus Cooperative to help solve some of the
problem. A specified baht bus route has been planned with the intention of
relieving the situation and providing more convenience for the traveler.
A route traveling south from Naklua, involving up to 12
baht buss, and possibly more later on, will travel a specific circuit.
Turning at Dolphin roundabout onto Pattaya Beach Road, they will turn up
Soi 5 onto 2nd Road and pass Central Festival Center to accommodate
customers. From the designated stopping points in the vicinity of Central
Festival Center the baht buses will continue on turning onto Soi 2 and
back onto Beach Road in the direction of Central Road going up to
Sukhumvit Road.
More information can be obtained by calling tel. 361361
#2211.
Young Finn dies in motorbike crash
COLlided with baht bus at closing time
Boonlua Chatree
Daniel Marko Hood, a 22-year-old tourist from Finland,
died instantly in a high-speed motorcycle accident on 2nd Road near Soi 10
on January 17 at 3.45 a.m.
Pattaya police and road accident attendants from Sawang
Boriboon Foundation dispatched to the scene found a gruesome sight.
Apparently Hood wasn’t wearing a helmet. Plus, the impact was so severe
his right arm was severed above the elbow.
Hood’s wrecked Yamaha was nearby, and an abandoned
baht bus, #296, with damaged rear-end was parked on the side of the road.
Witnesses told police that they observed Hood leaving a
beer bar in the Pattaya Land area, a bottle of beer in his hand and
cursing police officers for sweeping through the area and issuing orders
to close up for the night.
Police presume Hood raced-off on the Yamaha headed in
the direction of Central Pattaya, and entering the cluster of beer bars on
2nd Road, which were also closing up for the night, he rear-ended the baht
bus.
Bulgarians arrested for swindling tourists
Using the ol' fast-talking, money exchange
play
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya tourist police arrested two Bulgarians, Tororov
Borislav Atanasov and Drankov Angel Ivanov, on January 15 soon after the
dubious duo pulled a money exchange scam on a tourist from Germany.
 Bulgarian
swindlers Tororov Borislav Atanasov and Drankov Angel Ivanov were arrested
after getting caught pulling the ol’ fast-talking, money exchange ploy
on a German tourist.
German tourist Mr. Hors Nof (sic) immediately contacted
police when he figured out he had been scammed. He reported that the two
Bulgarians had stopped him on Pattaya 2nd Road in Central Pattaya and told
him they wanted to change their leftover Thai money into European currency
before returning home.
During the exchange, the German tourist said one
Bulgarian used a calculator to recheck different exchange rates, then
offered him a spectacular deal whereby he would exchange 44,000 baht for
2,000 German marks.
Mr. Nof said that while continually coaxing him to
recount the money, the other Bulgarian relentlessly babbled on, and then
both men walked off, leaving him doubting what took place. He said he
recounted the money in his hand and discovered he had only 920 baht. The
two Bulgarians ran off when he shouted out for them to stop.
After recording the information, Pattaya tourist police
inspector, Pol. Maj. Noradech Klomtuksing ordered a search for the alleged
con men. Later, two men were picked-up in front of Bungalow 19 fitting the
description, and Mr. Nof positively identified both as the men deceiving
him out of his money.
Atanasov and Ivanov were still in possession of a large
amount of money in different denominations, including euros, pounds
sterling, German marks, US dollars and Thai baht. Some banknotes were
bound up in specific amounts, allegedly to be used in their fast talking
money exchange routine played out on unsuspecting tourists.
Both men were transferred to the Pattaya municipal
police where they were charged with swindling. It was later learned that
last February Drankov was charged with overstaying.
Dutch chef goes missing from Koh Samet
Holland dispatches canine search team
Boonlua Chatree
On January 5, Dutch tourist Anthony Zunnebeld, 39, who
was staying with his wife on Koh Samet, took 200 baht and told his wife he
was going for a walk. His wife has not seen him since.
The local district chief of police, Pol. Col. Phaitun
Pholkan, said a major search is underway, and every government agency in
the area has been alerted, including officers from the National Park on
Samet Island. Volunteers from the community, tourists and provincial
police have gotten involved in the search.
 Dutch
tourist Anthony Zunnebeld went missing from Samet Island.
On January 20, a team of five specially trained dogs
and handlers from Amsterdam arrived at Samet Island to try and help locate
the missing man. The special canine squad, called the Rescue Dog
Westervoort team, has an impressive record of successful missions locating
missing persons. However, as of January 22, they had yet to turn up
anything.
Zunnebeld’s wife, Judith is holding on to the belief
that her husband is still alive. Her sister has arrived from Holland, and
the two plan to remain on the island until either Anthony, or an
explanation is found.
Jan Kuipers, a Dutch Embassy official in Bangkok,
revealed that Anthony had been suffering from mental duress thought to be
from excessive work. He said Zunnebeld and his wife Judith arrived in
Thailand on December 31, 2001, taking a much-needed vacation. Zunnebeld is
the owner of a restaurant in Zwolle, Holland.
According to Judith’s older sister, Anthony and his
wife were frequent visitors to Thailand. They had a particular preference
for Samet Island, especially Anthony, who was fond of Thai food and the
mystique of the Orient.
The search teams have scoured the island’s resorts,
forests and beach areas. The canine team is also conducting night searches
hoping the dogs will respond better during cooler temperatures and without
so many tourists around adding to the confusion. The teams next plan to
survey the coastal waters covering a two-kilometer distance around the
island.
Police have received a few reports indicating Anthony
was sighted as recently as last Saturday, but none of the reports have
been corroborated. One person at a small store on the island said Anthony
made a purchase and was observed walking up a hill before disappearing.
Police investigators questioning boat operators traveling to and from the
island, which also turned up negative.
Lacking any clues or evidence of foul play, the police
believe Anthony may have returned to Bangkok, but relatives and Dutch
Embassy officials refute the theory because Anthony is not known to have
any friends or contacts in Bangkok. A TV news reporter from Holland, who
is closely covering the case, postulates that Anthony would not travel
alone due to his mental condition.
Family members believe Anthony is still somewhere on the island.
Danish drug dealer “tattoos” arresting police
Along with Thai accomplice, arrested for selling ecstasy to tourists
Boonlua Chatree
Jesper Egeskov Hasen, a 34-year-old Dane who is covered
in tattoos, left a few non-permanent “tattoos” on arresting officers
last week. Hasen and his 24-year-old Thai female accomplice from Nakhon
Nayok, Ratanaporn Sanrat, were arrested outside Marine Disco in South
Pattaya for selling drugs to undercover police officers. Hasen resisted
arrest, slightly injuring two undercover officers.
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Jesper
Egeskov Hasen and Ratanaporn Sanrat were arrested outside Marine
Disco for selling drugs to undercover police officers. The arresting
officers were injured slightly when Hasen resisted arrest. |
Police believe the two are members of a larger gang set
up to sell drugs to tourists.
Pattaya tourist police inspector, Police Maj. Noradech
Klomtuksing and Pol. Capt. Savu Saengsuksai, leader of a special unit with
the Foreign Crime Investigation Center, coordinated the ubiquitous sting
operation following an investigation that surfaced information indicating
a team of foreigners and Thai females were selling drugs at the Marine
Disco in South Pattaya.
Undercover police officers allegedly closed a drug deal
at 1:30 a.m. on January 19, but when they identified themselves and
attempted to make the arrest, a minor altercation ensued when Ratanaporn
accused the undercover officers of not being police officers at all. One
of the undercover officers, who of course wishes to remain anonymous, said
that “her audacity incited her partner in crime to take action”.
Both Jasper and Ratanaporn had it in mind to vacate the
area, and the Dane, measuring a muscular 190 cm, was a little much for the
police to handle. He was soon brought under control, however, but not
before inflicting minor injuries on the arresting officers. Evidently
Ratanaporn was also finally convinced that the officers were indeed
policemen.
At the time of arrest, the two only had three ecstasy
pills remaining, all allegedly in Hasen’s possession. Police believe the
bulk of the merchandise was sold prior to arrest.
Hasen was charged with distributing class 1 illegal
narcotics and resisting arrest. Ratanaporn was charged with helping Jesper
resist arrest, and both were transferred to the Pattaya municipal police
station.
Police are continuing their investigation, believing
that 3-4 other foreigners are involved. Police also believe that Thai
females usually hold the drugs, which, police say, makes arrests
difficult.
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