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Rayong chemical plant erupts into intense inferno
Rayong governor orders evacuation of the area
Flammable chemicals in the Thai Doe No Den Company in
Rayong caught fire just after noon on April 10, causing an intense inferno
that took firefighters over 5 hours to control.
The plant produces highly flammable solvents and paint
thinner.
 Toxic
smoke billowed over 100 meters into the sky when highly-flammable
chemicals at the Thai Doe No Den Company in Rayong burst into flames.
People in the area were evacuated from their homes and the Chonburi-Rayong
Highway was temporarily closed for fear of explosion.
Thick, toxic smoke billowed over 100 meters high, and
as the smoke spread, Rayong governor Prapan Cholweerawong ordered the area
evacuated.
Wuthisak Wangdee, a production worker at the plant,
told investigators that he and 40 other employees were working on the
first floor as normal when at about 12:30 p.m. they heard what sounded
like a crackling fire coming from within pipes overhead. Shortly after,
they saw sparks near a chemical container, and immediately employed fire
extinguishers to try and contain the fire. However, they could not control
it because of all the flammable chemicals in that area.
Wuthisak said the fire jumped to larger tanks and began
to spread, quickly engulfing the entire second and third floors. Wuthisak
said at that point, all the workers ran for their lives.
Firefighters from ten brigades were called to the
scene, including three foam trucks from Laem Chabang and Maptaphut.
Firefighters were able to remove over 300 barrels
containing about 200 liters of chemicals from the building. Inside eight
large tanks and about 200 barrels were destroyed.
After five hours, firefighters were able to contain the
blaze and keep it from spreading to other buildings nearby. However, the
three-story building was gutted. Damages were estimated at about 50
million baht.
 Building
#4 at the Thai Doe No Den Company in Rayong was completely gutted.
No serious injuries were reported.
People living in the area were evacuated from their
homes for 24 hours to let the danger subside and to allow the carbon fumes
to dissipate.
As the plant is situated next to the Rayong-Chonburi
Highway, roadblocks were set up and only one lane of traffic was let
through for fear the chemicals might explode.
The plant is Japanese owned. Thai managing directors
Vithoon Pramote Paiboon and Narong Tatwongse were not at the scene.
Behave during Songkran or you could be fined
Police announce 2000 baht fines for misbehavers
Pattaya police have issued a strong warning to all
residents and tourists celebrating the Songkran festival that anyone found
using ice, dangerous items like homemade water guns from PVC pipes, dirty
water, or powder of any kind will be fined 2,000 baht.
The warning stated that drunk and disorderly behavior
and any form of sexual harassment will also face strong penalties and a
hefty fine.
Police ask that everyone respect the traditional values
of Songkran and Thai culture.
Freak storm causes property damage and flooding around the city
Mother Nature throws the first water for Songkran
Perhaps Mother Nature wanted to join in the Songkran
fun, as she let loose with a deluge of rain and strong winds on Thursday,
April 11, just days before the national Songkran celebrations were set to
get underway. The freak storm caused flooding throughout the city’s road
network and caused property damage throughout the resort.
 Strong
winds and heavy rains toppled motorbikes and flooded the city streets last
week, just days before the national Songkran celebrations were set to get
underway. Perhaps Mother Nature was just having a little fun?
The freak storm hit Pattaya at approximately 2 p.m. and
was too much for the city’s drainage system to handle. The resulting
overflow of sewage onto Pattaya streets emitted a foul smelling odor; one
which residents and business owners in the South Pattaya area complain is
a common occurrence. Area residents told Pattaya Mail that they
wonder if the city will ever get around to correcting the problem.
Strong winds also toppled motorbikes on Beach Road and
in South Pattaya, knocking them down like dominoes. Fallen tree limbs also
caused property damage.
Most of SEA reefs severely threatened
A report, hailed as the most detailed analysis of
threats to reefs in Southeast Asia, has estimated that 88 percent of reefs
in the region are severely threatened by human activities, according to a
report from Bernama News Agency.
The report, “Reefs at Risk in Southeast Asia”,
cited over-fishing, destructive fishing methods as well as sedimentation
and pollution from land-based sources as the main source of threats to
reefs in Southeast Asia, a region which is considered the global epicenter
of marine diversity.
“Coral reefs are a cornerstone of the economic and
social fabric of Southeast Asia, yet they are the most threatened reefs in
the world,” said Lauretta Burke, a co-author of the report.
The report was published by World Resource Institute,
an environmental policy research institute based in Washington. Burke said
however, “Although our report indicates that the picture is pretty grim,
it will provide resource managers and government officials with the kind
of information that they need to effectively manage their coral reefs.”
The analysis was part of collaboration between 35
scientists from across the region, the United States, Australia and
Britain who compiled a vast database on the region’s coral reefs.
According to the report, over 90 percent of the coral reefs in Cambodia,
Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, China and the Spratly Islands
and over 85 percent of reefs in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are
threatened.
Indonesia and the Philippines, which are among the
world’s largest archipelagos, hold 77 percent of the region’s coral
reefs and nearly 80 percent of all the threatened reefs.
The report concludes that over-fishing threatened about
64 percent of Southeast Asia’s reefs with Cambodia, Japan and the
Philippines exceeding 70 percent.
“If fishing in Southeast Asia is not reduced to more
sustainable levels, both coral reefs and food security will be further
imperiled,” said Mark Spalding, also a co-author of the report.
Southeast Asia has nearly 100,000 sq km of coral reefs or 34 percent of
the world’s total and house over 600 of the 800 reef-building coral
species in the world.
Using the example of Sabah, the report says the state
has about 3,000 sq km of coral reefs, most of which are under medium or
high threat from human activities. “The greatest percentage of threat is
attributable to destructive fishing (89 percent) and over fishing (66 per
cent). Coastal development impacts an estimated 29 percent of reefs while
sedimentation from inland sources impacts an estimated 19 percent of coral
reefs,” the report said.
When the threats from land-based sources of pollution
and from fishing are combined, almost all, or 98 percent of Sabah’s
coral reefs are rated as threatened. “As such, establishing marine
protected areas alone cannot entirely protect coral reefs. Integrated
coastal zone development, with consideration on the environmental impacts
on coral reefs, is an important complementary tool to protect coral
reefs,” said Dr Annadel S Cabanban, a contributing author of the report.
(TNA)
Many local dignitaries pay final respects to one of Pattaya’s “original” city fathers
Choob Watfuangfoong helped develop the Pattaya of today
A large contingent of local figures turned out this
week to pay their final respects to one of Pattaya’s original city
fathers, Choob Watfuangfoong, whose cremation and funeral ceremonies were
held at PotisamphanTemple.
Choob Watfuangfoong, considered one of Pattaya’s
original city fathers, passed away on December 25. He was 80 years old.
Many well-known local figures attended his funeral
ceremonies and offered 9 sets of robes to monks as a sign of respect.
Sonthaya Khunpluem, Minister of Science, Technology and
Environment presided over the special cremation ceremony. The mayor of
Saensuk Municipality Somchai Khunpluem, provincial council member Thonglor
Umpueng, Chonburi MP Charnsak Chawalitnititum, Pattaya mayor Pairat
Suttithamrongsawat and Chanyut Hengtrakul also attended the funeral
ceremonies.
Choob Watfuangfoong was born on February 8, 1921 in
Nakorn Chaisri District, Nakorn Pathom. At the young age of 25 he moved to
Pattaya with his family, then married Ms. Kaset Puangpadung.
Soon after arriving in Pattaya, he began working with
Parinya Chawalitthamrong, at that time the chairman of the land
development department. Together they shared the task of improving and
reforming property in Pattaya, and in large part were responsible for
making the city what is has become today - a world class tourist resort.
Choob is survived by 12 children.
Novices enter monkhood as part of anti-drug campaign
Will learn the Dhamma in honor of HM the King
Over 200 young novice monks entered the priesthood at
Nongprue temple this week as part of an anti drug program in honor of His
Majesty the King.
During their 24-day stay at the temple, the 215 novices
will learn the Dhamma (Buddhist doctrine). The mission is part of an
anti-drug program begun a couple years ago to honor His Majesty the
King’s 75th birthday, an ambitious program that has as its goal to teach
all young men the Dhamma in hopes of discouraging drug use.
On April 9 at 7 a.m. the novices were taken out to
receive their first alms at the old and new markets in Rongpoh. A large
number of believers made merit by participating in the ceremony of giving
alms to the young novice monks.
Many of the alms will be donated to monks at the
temple, as well as to the novices to use during their stay.
The remaining items will be distributed to poor
children in the north east of Thailand at the behest of His Majesty The
King.
Sawang Boriboon Foundation prepared for the worst during Songkran Festival
In preparation of the expected increase in traffic
fatalities and other related accidents during Songkran, the Sawang
Boriboon Foundation set up emergency response outposts at 4 points in the
area so that they could respond more quickly.
The four points where their emergency response teams
were waiting at the ready were: the Kratinglai Intersection flyover; in
front of the Banglamung District Office; along Central Pattaya Road and
by-roads; and at the Grand Condominium crossroad.
Emergency response teams manned all four areas 24 hours
a day during the holiday period.
Pattaya asks Songkran celebrants to protect traditional values
Traditional celebrations to continue April 20
Pattaya’s Deputy Mayor, Wuttisak Rermkitjakarn called
together the leaders and committee members of 16 communities to inform
them that this year the city’s policy is to protect Thai traditions
during the Pattaya Songkran and Naklua festivals.
Wuttisak said that even though the full Pattaya
Festival will no longer be held at this time of year, the annual splash
fest is going on as usual. While the rest of the kingdom celebrated
Songkran on the 13th, Naklua festivities were held on the 18th, followed
by the annual Pattaya splash on the 19th.
On April 20, Pattaya City will hold a scaled down
version of the Pattaya Festival in front of the police station on Beach
Road. Again, traditional values will be emphasized during the many
activities planned for the day.
The day will begin with offering food to monks in the
early morning. Later in the afternoon, the elderly will be honored in
traditional fashion in celebration the traditional Thai New Year.
Other activities are also planned to spice up the
colorful festival, such as shows and traditional Thai games.
In the evening the committee members will pay their
respects to the ancestors through exhibiting ancient traditions that have
been handed down over the generations.
Calling all shutterbugs - City to hold photo competition
“Pattaya-50 years” to highlight the city’s history as a tourist resort
 Kamnod
Sophonwasu, president of the Rotary Club of Pattaya, Pol. Maj. Somchai
Ponsai, chief of the Pattaya Traffic Dep., Chanyut Hengtrakul, advisor to
the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Poramese Ngamphiches,
provincial council member for Banglamung, Aumppol Wannakij, deputy
director of the TAT central region 3 and Nopadol Yotret, special
activities manager for Mike Shopping Mall gathered at the Grand Sole to
announce the “Pattaya-50 years” photo contest which will be held from
May 5 to October 14.
If you have a special photo that you particularly like,
it could be worth a trophy and up to 10,000 baht.
Provincial council member for Banglamung, Poramese
Ngamphiches announced that Pattaya City will be holding a photo
competition titled “Pattaya 50 years”. The theme of the contest, which
expects to draw photo enthusiasts from around the country in a number of
categories, will be the city’s history as a tourist resort in Thailand.
In a press conference at the Grand Sole Hotel
announcing the contest, Poramese said that as a tourist destination,
Pattaya has a colorful history. Organizers of the photo contest want to
focus on the past 50 years through to the current day, depicting scenes
from day to day life in the seaside resort.
The competition is open to everyone from tourists to
residents, Thai and foreign, with the first prize being a trophy presented
by the minister of Science, Technology and Environment Sonthaya Khunpluem.
There is also 10,000 baht in prize money.
Runners-up and other distinguished photos will receive
trophies from the TAT, Chonburi governor, and various associations in
Pattaya.
Applications will be accepted from May 5th and the
contest will run until October 14th this year. The contest is open to all
shutterbugs, and will have professional, hobby photographers, the general
public and youth categories (15-20 years).
The project is receiving support from Pattaya City, TAT
(The Tourism Authority of Thailand) Central Region 3, private enterprises
and government offices.
There is no entrance fee and everyone is welcome to
submit his or her photos to the judges at 358/42 Moo 9, Ban Charoenrat,
Soi Buakhow, Central Pattaya 20260, or call 038 412 709 or the TAT Office
Central Region 3, tel. 038 428 750 from May 5th until October 14th 2002.
Winners will be announced on October 26th.
PBTA asks to shorten Wisdom Fair
“Soi Pattayaland is far enough”
One of the main topics focused on at the Pattaya
Business and Tourist Association’s (PBTA) annual general meeting was the
‘Amazing Thai Wisdom Fair Pattaya’, which involves the closing of
Beach Road from Central Pattaya all the way down to Bali High Point from 4
p.m. to midnight every Saturday. Many of the members of the PBTA meeting
voiced their opinion that the closing of Beach Road is damaging various
businesses.
In a show of hands the members of the PBTA voted to
send a letter to the Chonburi governor asking him to consider reviewing
the situation and rearranging the fair so that Beach Road would only be
closed from Soi Pattayaland southward, rather than all the way down to
Central Pattaya Road, thereby keeping the Walking Street confined to South
Pattaya.
In another issue raised at the AGM, PBTA president
Surat Mekavarakul announced that the association should implement
standards for business operators in Pattaya to follow. Businesses
conforming to the standards would be certified as PBTA approved
businesses, similar to the Pattaya Jewelry Association. Other associations
might eventually come under the same standardization, including the
Restaurant Association of Pattaya, the Pattaya Tourism Association and
tour companies.
Contractor had minor wife - major problems
Son also wounded in murder-suicide
Songpoom Pramoonpong, 46, the owner of the Golden Drome
Contracting Company, last week shot and killed his minor wife, then turned
the gun on himself.
Pattaya police arrived on the scene at approximately
11:20 p.m. and found 36-year-old Prapaporn Puklin dead in her car parked
at the contracting company’s lot in South Pattaya. She had three bullet
wounds to the head and upper body.
Police also found Songpoom Pramoonpong in a building
close by. He had a bullet wound in the right side of his head. He was
still alive at the time, but succumbed to his wounds before he could be
transferred to the hospital.
Seventeen-year-old Thanakarn Pramoonpong was also in
the building with his father. He, too, had been shot, and lay there with a
bullet in his shoulder.
The ensuing police investigation revealed that Songpoom
allegedly shot Prapaporn when she asked him to stop meeting her. This,
plus mounting family and business problems, apparently pushed Songpoom
over the edge.
After shooting Prapaporn, Songpoom went into his house
to ask his wife to take care of his two sons, then attempted to leave. His
son Thanakarn tried to stop him from killing himself, but the gun
accidentally went off during the struggle, shooting Thanakarn in the
shoulder.
Teenage gang hacks man’s arm with machete
Also shoots innocent woman bystander
A group of 5 teenage thugs attacked 30-year-old Samai
Plaenggern with a machete outside the Krua Tai Restaurant in Soi Jirapol,
North Pattaya when Samai attempted to leave the restaurant after a
dispute.
The teenagers also attempted to shoot Samai, but missed
and hit a 17-year-old girl in the leg as she was talking on the telephone
outside.
When police arrived, Samai was bleeding profusely from
his right arm from where the group had hit him with a machete. The young
woman, 17-year-old Kornwipha Gunjant sustained a bullet wound to her right
leg. Both were taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment.
At the hospital, Samai told police that after an
argument with the 5 teenagers, he left the Krua Tai Restaurant intending
to go home, but they followed him outside and began attacking him.
Police are still looking for the gang.
Englishman trapped under crane for over an hour
Survives the weighty situation
One might consider Colin Marshall a lucky man. On April
12, a large crane toppled onto the 43-year-old Englishman, and although he
was trapped beneath it for over an hour, he escaped with his life, albeit
bloodied and bruised.
 This
huge crane became unbalanced and fell over on top of a tractor being
driven by Englishman Colin Marshall, trapping him inside.
Colin Marshall manages the CD Machinery Factory in
Pattaya. At about 4:30 p.m. on April 12, Colin was driving a tractor
through the parking lot at the factory when nearby another factory worker
lost control of the crane he was operating and it fell over, crashing down
on top of Colin’s tractor, trapping him inside.
 After
an hour of hard work, rescue workers were finally able to extricate Colin
from the wreckage - bloodied and bruised, but alive.
By the time rescue workers arrived, Colin was
physically weak and his face, about the only part of his body that
rescuers could see, was covered in blood.
Colin is a big man, yet despite his size, rescue
workers somehow managed to extricate him through a small hole in the
wreckage. His right ear was torn and his body was battered, but he was
alive. He was immediately sent to Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment.
No doubt this is one Songkran he will never forget.
Paraplegic teenager found suffocated in his room
Large mattress had fallen on top of him
Fifteen-year-old Preecha Neangkratok was found dead in
his room last week, a victim of suffocation. The boy was a paraplegic.
The boy’s father, Bhunthan Neangkratok, found the
body under a mattress inside the boy’s room.
The distraught father told police that his son had been
a paraplegic for many years. On that evening, before leaving the house he
propped a large mattress on the wall and put his son to bed. When he
returned home he found that the mattress had fallen on top of his son.
Police believe the boy had been dead for approximately
two hours before being discovered, and that the cause of death was mostly
likely asphyxiation from the large mattress that had fallen on the boy.
His body was transferred to the Nittiwed Institute for
further forensic examination.
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