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World’s largest and most expensive cruise ship docks in Laem Chabang
Star Princess brings more than 2,500 tourists to Chonburi
On February 15 the luxurious cruise ship in the
Princess Cruise line, the “Star Princess”, docked in Laem Chabang for
two days after departing Singapore on a 26-day Pacific Rim cruise. Her
Serene Highness Princess Ubolratana was graciously received at the
welcoming in Laem Chabang, and later watched a Broadway show in the Star
Princess Amalfi Dining Room.
 The
world’s largest and most expensive cruise ship, the Princess Cruise
line’s Star Princess docked in Laem Chabang last week, setting ashore
over 2,500 tourists.
The 109,000 ton ship cost USD450-million (about 19.4
billion baht) to build and has 18 levels capable of accommodating 2,600
passengers and 1,200 crewmembers. It is the first ship ever to have 710
rooms with balconies. In all, there are 1,300 passenger rooms on the
Italian built luxury liner.
Travel magazines describe the cruise ship as “the
largest and most expensive cruise ship ever built” and it can also boast
having the only food buffet served 24-hours a day.
The “Star Princess”, virtually a floating city, has
three shows each night plus an upper level disco, movie theatres, casinos,
3 main dining rooms, 12 lounges, athletic rooms, swimming pools, duty-free
stores, a library, business rooms, an AOL internet room, spas and health
centers.
The Pacific Rim tour is a one-time only introductory
tour. Remaining stops include Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and the Hawaiian
Islands before ending on March 10 in Los Angeles.
Amazing Thai Wisdom Fair set to begin on Saturday
South Beach Road off limits to traffic from noon - 2 a.m.
The Amazing Thai Wisdom Fair is set to debut at 1 p.m.
on Saturday, February 23, and continue indefinitely every Saturday. Motor
traffic will be closed off on Beach Road from Bali High Cape all the way
north to the Nova Lodge at Central Pattaya Road, from noon until 2.00 a.m.
 (From
left to right) Deputy governor of Chonburi Preecha Kamolbutra, Chonburi
governor Chadej Insawang, and Pattaya mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat
announced at city hall on February 18 that the Amazing Thai Wisdom Fair
will begin on Saturday, February 23, and continue every Saturday until
further notice.
Minister of Interior, Purachai Piumsombun has agreed to
be the guest of honor at the official opening ceremony, which will start
at 5 p.m. near the Central Road intersection.
The weekly fair is being held to support a number of
government policies, and organizers feel it should promote tourism to the
area and stimulate the local economy by creating a new venue for business
to flow. They also say it will clean up the air along Beach Road for one
day during the week.
Both the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the National
Energy Policy Office are providing financial support, as are other related
agencies.
As many as 20 booths will be set up over the
two-kilometer stretch, selling merchandise from districts and
sub-districts in Chonburi representing the government program “one
tambon - one product”. Organizers are optimistic that in later weeks the
fair will expand to include other districts from around Thailand.
 Over
231 hotels in Pattaya are also being encouraged to help promote the “one
tambon - one product” program by purchasing useful items to be used in
the hotel business.
Various traditional Thai customs from regional areas
will be added to the entertainment. Also on the agenda are Thai boxing,
Thai traditional arts, music, dancing, exhibitions of Thai handicrafts and
local products from all districts in Chonburi.
Games and activities include Thai language crosswords,
Thai fun puzzles, Thai paintings, and much more, all sure to peak
tourists’ interests.
Additional personnel to support traffic control have
been coordinated, and community volunteers and police officers from
adjacent areas will be providing assistance. An emergency action response
force will be on stand-by, prepared to react to any emergency within
5-minutes.
Precautions have been taken to prevent vendors from
setting up randomly in the area, and organizers hope security will
preclude other nuisances on Pattaya Beach Road.
Pattaya 2nd and 3rd Roads will be the main avenues
allowing north and south bound traffic. No mention has been made of what
will become of the side streets, although some of them will be designated
as “access streets”, and will be posted as such.
Although some of the businesses in the area have
expressed reservations about the fair, Chonburi governor Chadej Insawang
said that his office is planning the best it can and asks for the
public’s patience - as it may turn out to be ok.
During a press conference on February 18 announcing the
start of the weekly fair, Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat announced that
the construction on Beach Road would begin as planned in early March. The
mayor said the construction will start in North Pattaya and eventually,
possibly three months later, it will near Central Road. He said when that
time comes, adjustments will need to be made to accommodate the
construction, and if necessary, the fair may be temporarily discontinued.
City council under fire for road construction improprieties
Six councilors have lots of explaining to do
Veerachai Somchart
Six Pattaya city council members (all from Jomtien) are
under fire for alleged improprieties concerning a road construction
project in Jomtien.
The project has yet to receive proper authorization,
yet at last count over 1,000 truckloads of landfill had been brought in
from 26 rai of land that was appropriated by the city to close out the
trash disposal site in Huay Yai.
The project was initially identified as road repairs
needed due to excessive rain, but the extent of the work taking place
appears to be more involved, consisting of an area 700 meters long in an
unimproved area off Chaiyapruk Road, located at the end of the Pattaya
City boundary line.
The source of funds covering construction costs has not
yet been identified and it is unknown whether any funds from the city
budget have been appropriated for the work.
Tongchai Adsong, one of six council members implicated,
said that the work was essential and would be highly beneficial to many,
although he admitted that the work was begun without going through the
usual steps.
Trucks displaying “Adsong” signs have been
identified transporting the landfill to the construction site, but
Tongchai said that he owns no land in the vicinity where the road
construction is in progress.
Two other council members implicated, Thanawat Manhadee
and Amnuay Songpongtham also claimed they have no ties to land in the
area. They said the construction area is public property, but this
contradicts information from Jomtien’s sub-district municipality. Some
portions were said to pass by or through land owned by city council member
Phoonpol Kamuttira.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and the chairman of the
city council, Thawich Chaisawangwon, have set up committees to look into
the matter, and government officials in Chonburi are implementing a
separate investigation.
City council chairman, Thawich Chaisawangwon, revealed
on February 14 that, “The initial investigation may result in disclosing
information damaging the integrity of members of the city council, city
administrators and the city council itself,” although he didn’t go
into detail.
He said, “The initial findings should serve as a
valuable lesson for everyone concerned, and should set an example for
government officials to be transparent if they wish to continue serving
the community.”
The city council members will have the opportunity to
explain the particulars surrounding the incident during the next scheduled
city council conference on March 19.
Makha Bucha Day will be observed this Tuesday
This coming Tuesday, February 26, marks the Buddhist
holiday “Makha Bucha”, also known as “Buddhist All Saints’ Day”.
All banks and government offices, and most businesses will be closed. The
following is a brief explanation of the holy day...
The Buddhist Holy Day of “Makha Bucha” is held in
the middle of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar. Makha Bucha literally
means worshipping (Bucha) in the third month (Makha).
The holy day commemorates miraculous events that
occurred just prior to the Buddha relinquishing his soul; approximately 45
years after the nine months Buddha (Gautama Sakayamuni) spent attaining
enlightenment. The wondrous events include 1,250 of the Buddha’s
disciples, all Arahants appointed by the Buddha, each disseminating the
truths taught by the Buddha in different areas, traveling to meet with the
Buddha at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the area of Rachakhryha, India.
Disseminating the Buddha’s teachings and the journey
to meet with the Buddha are two historical events on their own. The third
miraculous event is that the 1,250 disciples set off on the journey with
no prearranged appointment to meet with Buddha at Weluwan Mahawiharn on
the 15th night of the 3rd lunar month.
The 4th event commemorated on Makha Bucha Day was the
Buddha’s sermons on the 15th night of the 3rd lunar month to the 1,250
Arahants and the truths spoken by the Buddha. Good intentions, not harming
others, avoiding evil actions and making the heart and mind pure in
thought were among the truths the Buddha spoke of.
On the same afternoon, 45 years after attaining
enlightenment and in his 80th year, the Buddha announced to the 1,250
Arahants that he would be relinquishing his soul within the following
three months, thereby entering Nirvana and breaking the constant cycle of
death and rebirth.
The observances followed by devout Buddhists on Makha
Bucha Day normally are conducted in the evening hours and include
attending temples, paying homage to the monks, listening to sermons and
participating in a “wientien” ritual procession where devotees walk
around a stupa three times with flowers, candles and joss sticks. The
ceremonial walk signifies a sign of respect and the belief in the
“Triple Gem” (Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha).
The first circle walked is devoted to the Buddha, the
second circle walked is in remembrance of Buddhist disciplines and the
third cycle walked is devoted to Buddhist monks (Sangha). During each
cycle, devotees repeat specific prayers in the Pali language. After
completing the three circles, the participants place their offerings of
flowers, candles and joss sticks in designated areas in the temple or
shrine. The “wientien” ritual is also conducted on two other important
Buddhist holy days: “Wisakhabucha Day” and “Asalahabucha Day”.
Birds, fish or turtles will be released by some people
to demonstrate pure acts of kindness, in addition to the offerings already
made, with individuals gaining a sense of well being. Others perform these
acts of kindness to acquire merit, hoping that by doing so, in future
existences they will be free of suffering.
Some devout Buddhists will maintain various Buddhist
precepts during the day by refraining from listening to music and other
entertainment, not wearing excessive make-up, not partaking of alcoholic
beverages and sticking to a vegetarian diet in observance of the Holy Day.
AIDS awareness training presented to students at city hall
Chakrapong Akkaranant
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat recently opened the
first of a series of training sessions at the City Hall providing
information on AIDS to 150 students from Pattaya City Schools. The city
administration set up these sessions in cooperation with the city health
office and they are specifically tailored for students in Pattaya schools.
Guest speakers on the subject of AIDS were from Burapha
University and mental health workers from the Rayong Provincial Health
Office. The guest speakers described the AIDS problem as being a
dangerously contagious disease that affects Thai life in every province,
and stressed that young people of school age are no exception.
The students were reminded that Pattaya is not only a
favorite Thai holiday spot but also an international tourist destination.
This creates particularly ripe conditions for the city to harbor HIV
positive individuals in various sectors of the population. Therefore it is
vital that families pass on a high value standard to their sons and
daughters that will help avoid sexually permissive behavior.
Mayor Pairat said economic hardships, single parenting,
limited time spent with children and ignorance of where their children are
and with whom they associate are all problems that compound an already
dangerous situation if due diligence is not practiced.
Training sessions like the one just recently held can
disseminate information and create heightened awareness for young people.
Students must acknowledge the extent of the dangers and either practice
self-restraint or take precautions if they are sexually active.
The information shared in the seminar provided
knowledge on the dangers involved with promiscuous behavior and what kind
of protective measures are available.
HRH Princess Siribhachudabhorn visits Pattaya on mission of charity
Veerachai Somchart and Chakrapong Akkaranant
On Saturday, February 9, HRH Princess Siribhachudabhorn
was at the Pattaya Dusit Resort Hotel presenting shirts with embossed
artwork that She had personally drawn.
 A
young student, on behalf of a generous donor, accepts a special package of
4 beautiful shirts from HRH Princess Siribhachudabhorn, whose work of art
adorns the garment. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts are going toward
educational funds for students from low-income families.
The collection of shirts were being sold to
distinguished figures from the community, with the proceeds going to
support continuing education for students from disadvantaged families in
the primary grades to M-3.
The first 50 people who purchased the shirts in sets of
four were honored by receiving the shirts from the Princess. The shirts
are printed with the Princess’ work of art titled, “Lady Winter”.
Each is autographed with the Princess’ signature “Siribha Mahidol”.
The shirts (free size) come in two colors, black and
white. 1,500 shirts are available in Pattaya selling for 300 baht each.
Ninety-seven couples register marriages in Banglamung on Valentines Day
Ninety-seven couples from Pattaya and Banglamung took
advantage of the significance and sincerity connected with Valentines Day
and registered for marriage at the district office building.
Thitithep Bunyaratphan, the Banglamung district officer
who authorizes signatures on marriage certificates, later said that 12
couples were waiting for the doors to open at 8.30 a.m. on February 14.
During the first hour 26 couples completed marriage registrations. A total
of 97 couples were registered with the last couple finally joined in
official union at 7 p.m.
This year’s count in Banglamung was slightly fewer
than last year’s 121 couples taking the plunge. The slight decrease is
not considered to be significant because a few of the large discount
shopping stores in the Pattaya area were reportedly sponsoring a form of
marriage ceremony as a special service on the same day.
A number of the couples showing up had the female
member obviously a little round and plump in the middle area. The chatter
really picked-up when Kowit Boontala and Siriporn Nonthaphan came in to
register accompanied by their 3-year old daughter and Siriporn with their
second child in the basket for the past seven months.
The couple settled the commotion asserting that a
traditional north-east marriage ceremony, as is customary, was conducted
three years ago in Mr. Kowit’s village home in Sakon Nakhon. After
three-years it was decided to legally register the marriage to satisfy
some suspicious neighbors and family members.
Only one couple selected the special day to cancel out
the marriage wanting a divorce in Rayong, but it was reported that the
request was denied for reasons not divulged.
Pattaya Night road show to ITB gets financial boost
Pattaya’s “Road Show” to the International
Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin, Germany March 17-24 is now fully funded,
thanks to 6 million baht from government sources.
Manit Boonchim, the director of the Tourist Authority
of Thailand central region 3 office, announced that B4m has been allocated
by the Chonburi provincial administrative organization, B1m from
Pattaya’s city administration and another B1m budgeted by the TAT. The
B6m total will cover expenses averaging B75,000 per person for those
accompanying the road show.
The Berlin ITB is considered an enormous event
affording vast opportunities to all related businesses in the tourist
industry to advertise attractions, hotels and special packages to
representatives in the tourist industry from around the world.
The ITB is being held at the Wasserwerk facility in
Berlin where more than 10 halls are arranged, each featuring a different
geographical area separating tourist destinations around the world.
“Pattaya Night” will premier on March 18, from 7
p.m. to 1 a.m. at hall number 26. Her Serene Highness Princess Ubol Ratana
Rajakanya will open the show.
Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal Cliff
Beach Resort Hotel and advisor to the PBTA, said that Pattaya’s
participation at the international tourism exchange is a unique
opportunity to reveal the many positive changes in Pattaya portraying a
new image for the city.
G&PS consumer protection progress
Veerachai Pladplueng
Clearly, residents and tourists need more consumer
protection in Pattaya. They also need to know where they stand in certain
situations, what their rights are, where to go to register legitimate
complaints, and what will be done to address any abuses.
Phisit Boonchang, under-secretary in the office of the
governor, called a meeting at City Hall on February 12 to identify the
problems and discuss what measures need to be taken to address the issue.
A committee has been formed to liaise with government
agencies and the private sector (GP&S), and decide what action can be
taken to generally improve consumer protection and help consumers if and
when they need assistance. During the discussion, but without going into
detail, Phisit gave an example involving a well-known discount supermarket
in Pattaya that was found to have expired merchandise for sale on its
shelves.
He also discussed the public’s on-going problems with
baht bus drivers and various consumer related problems in some hotels and
restaurants that take advantage of their customers, ultimately causing
damage to Pattaya’s tourist trade. Disgruntled tourists who have
inexcusable hassles with businesses and transportation in Pattaya do not
retreat into forgiving silence, but spread the bad news far and wide.
Since education and communication are twin keystones to
the foundation of both consumer awareness and willing cooperation among
the general business community, the committee decided what Pattaya needs
most is a public relations program to spotlight the fact that consumer
assistance is available.
The plan will begin with a public disclosure program
disseminating printed material detailing consumer rights and providing
helpful information on reporting incidents, in Thai and English.
Contact information includes the consumer protection
agency’s four-digit emergency phone number 1166, the postal address:
P.O. Box 99, Bangkok 10302; and their website address:
www.thaiconsumer.net
The next major meeting involving all five of the
G&PS working committees is scheduled on March 28, and the consumer
protection disclosure plan will be submitted during the meeting along with
budgeting requirements.
Sixty-three test positive for drug use at Greenfield Tech bust
Two out of town cops also arrested
Boonlua Chatree
A large police force executed an after-hours raid at
Greenfield Tech on North Pattaya Road, arresting scores of drug users. Two
out of town cops were also arrested for carrying concealed handguns in
public.
Police officers from Pattaya city police and local
tourist police augmented by police officers tasked by the National Police
Bureau, including experts from the police forensic science division and
drug sniffing dogs, participated in the operation moving in on the
nightspot at 2.45 a.m.
Police officers said the air inside reeked with the
smell of drugs. They also said that the people inside hardly noticed their
entrance until the lights were ordered turned on and the music turned off,
at which time everyone began scurrying for the exits attempting to evade
the inevitable drug test. Out of the 300 or more patrons inside, an
unknown number managed to slip out before police barred the exits and took
control of the situation.
After collecting a large assortment of discarded drugs
from the floor the police started taking urine samples from the remaining
people inside, Thais and foreigners alike. Sixty-three people, 31 males
and 32 females tested positive for illegal drug use, including four from
Taiwan and five others from China.
Also arrested were two enlisted police officers
assigned to the Rayong provincial police bureau, Niruj Karnthong and Thong
Thaodam. Both were charged with illegally carrying handguns in public. No
details were available as to whether the two men were tested for drug use.
Vichien Faksakhorn, the 54-year-old manager Greenfield
Tech was arrested and charged with operating a business without legal
permits, allowing underage patrons on the premises, and organizing drug
use on the premises.
Outside, a team of canines zeroed in on Vichien’s
Mitsubishi, and police retracted a plastic bag containing a
methamphetamine substance used to mix with liquid for ingestion. Police
confiscated Vichien’s Mitsubishi along with the class 1 illegal
substance and added an extra charge to Vichien’s list.
Pattaya municipal police assistant suppression
superintendent Pol. Lt. Col. Sakrapee Phreawphanich and Pattaya Tourist
Police Inspector Pol. Maj. Noradech Klomtuksing later divulged that
subordinate police officers from both offices were involved in collecting
information leading up to the raid. Due to the scope of the suspected
illegal activities, they decided to request assistance from higher command
so the raid could be successfully pulled off, the police officers said.
Police have recommended Greenfield Tech be closed
permanently.
Tourist Police break out the big guns
All part of their weekly training
Boonlua Chatree and Damree Muangkaew
Pattaya’s tourist police broke out their combat
weapons last week - M-16 T5’s and M-16 A2’s - to gain a little
hands-on experience.
Weapons proficiency training is part of Pattaya’s
tourist police training program.
 Officers
assigned to Pattaya tourist police division 3 gain hands-on experience
with heavy weaponry during last week’s readiness training.
Pol. Maj. Noradech Klomtuksing of Pattaya’s tourist
police division 3 said that repeated training in the handling of various
weaponry is an important part of the training for all police officers.
“The training includes demonstrations on the use and proper handling of
combat weapons used by special emergency suppression units.”
Pol. Maj. Noradech said that the training helps to
maintain individual readiness. “We conduct weekly readiness training to
ensure knowledge is not lost through lack of hands-on experience.”
The weekly training begins with an in-ranks inspection,
followed by physical exercise that includes a run in areas around the
city. “Physical exercise is emphasized as a routine daily activity in
order to maintain efficiency in the conduct of routine police duties,”
he said.
Once a week, usually on Thursdays after the exercise
program, resident experts present personnel development classes on a wide
range of subjects. The classes increase individual knowledge in police
work, improve individual skills and strengthen the cohesiveness and
readiness posture of the entire unit.
Hotels full during Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year
Pattaya’s tourists book short-time hotels as last resort
Pattaya Hotel Community (PHC) chairman, Suwaj
Phraebhiromrat disclosed that hotel rooms in Pattaya were booked solid
starting from the start of the Chinese New Year on up to Valentines Day.
Over 30,000 room accommodations in the city were booked
by phone, especially the top of the line hotels and other popular hotels
and inns around the city. Callers trying to reserve a room during the
midst of the high season, and with Chinese New Year falling during the
same week as Valentines Day, made it near impossible to secure a room.
The problem provided opportunity for locations around
the city which are referred to as “short-time” hotels. These
accommodations are usually off the beaten path and rooms can be rented for
periods as short as an hour or so.
Yongyut Chaidee, the general manager of one such place
named the Lovely Home Hotel, located in Soi 31 off of Pattaya-Naklua Road,
said that most hotel rooms in Pattaya are booked in advance by tourists
wanting to enjoy special holidays and festivals held in the city.
Valentine’s Day is not an exception. He said he had a lot of calls from
tourists who could not book rooms anywhere else and were desperate for a
place to bed down.
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