|
U.N. forces held hostage in Kang Hang Maew Waterfall National Park
No worries, Cobra Gold to the rescue
As part of the Cobra Gold Exercises 2002, U.N. forces
were held hostage in Kang Hang Maew Waterfall National Park. It was then
up to the cooperative efforts of the Thai Special Forces Unit 1 (Wachiralongkorn
Camp), led by Lt. Col. Nattawut Nakanakorn, and the U.S. Special Forces
led by Maj. Kevin Colyer, commander, to get them out.
 U.S.
and Thai Special Forces infiltrated “enemy” territory at the Kang Hang
Maew Waterfall National Park and successfully rescued U.N. forces held
hostage by a functional opposition group during Cobra Gold 2002 exercises.
In all, 482 Thai Special Forces and 182 U.S. Special
Forces took part in the cooperative special offensive military exercise.
For the hypothetical situation, U.N. forces were being
held hostage by functional opposition groups and asked for help from Thai
and U.S. forces.
To accomplish the mission, Lt. Col. Nattawut said he,
“divided 482 Thai soldiers into operational groups covering different
points at the park.”
“The cooperative armed forces reconnoitered the
tracks of the hostages,” Lt. Col. Nattawut continued, “starting from
dropping parachutes at certain spots at night and patrolling in the
jungle.”
 Special
Forces reconnoitered the jungle, looking for U.N. forces being held
hostage as part of Cobra Gold 2002 exercises.
“Different teams carried out the operation,” he
said, “which involved army infiltration, bomb defusing, pioneering and
sudden attacks.”
During the Cobra Gold 2002 exercise, the U.S. and Thai
forces have recruited local people as voluntary guards along Thai borders.
A lot of villagers are interested in participating in the exercise.
“It’s an honor and a pleasure to participate in the
Cobra Gold military exercise. I have learned how to use weapons and get
trained as a real soldier and can also practice my English,” said a
local volunteer who took the role as leader of the functional opposition
group.
Lt. Col. Nattawut concluded that, “The exercise went
well. There has been great coordination and friendship between the Thai
and the U.S. armies.”
Maj Kevin Colyer added that, “The U.S. forces have
enjoyed demonstrating modern weapons and training to the Thai Army.
Thailand is a beautiful country and the Thai people are very friendly.
There were no problems with the exercises, even with the daily rains.”
Rest assured, the U.N. hostages have been safely
returned and are now ready for their next role in Cobra Gold 2002.
A strong Pattaya team is off to Manila to bid for the Skål World Congress in 2006
Pattaya is working very hard for the
right to hold the most prestigious tourism congress in the world - the Skål
World Congress in 2006. The vote is down to either us or London, and the
final decision will be made in November at this year’s World Congress in
Cairns, Australia. Meanwhile, a strong Pattaya team has set out for Manila
to lobby for Pattaya at the 31st Skål Asian Area Assembly, being held in
Manila this weekend. Full story on center pages this week.
Play it clean - May 31 is Tobacco-Free Sport Day
World Smoke Out begins with World Cup
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced May
31 as World Tobacco Free Day. There is also a campaign to make the day a
sports day with the motto, “Tobacco Free Sports-Play it Clean”.
 The
WHO, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation of
International Football Associations (FIFA), the Communicable Disease
Control (CDC) and regional sport organizations worldwide are launching the
Tobacco Free Sports campaign, encouraging people to participate in sports,
which they feel will help them stay away from smoking and drugs.
The campaign includes the World Cup 2002 in Japan and
South Korea, which will be opened by the director of WHO on May 31 - the
World’s Smoke-Free Day.
Prof. Dr. Prakit Wateesatokkit, secretary of the
Foundation of Non-Smoking Campaign Thailand said, “The foundation
realizes the importance of the non-smoking campaign as present statistics
show that smoking is the main cause of deaths from lung cancer, emphysema,
arteriosclerosis.”
This year the foundation is coordinating with other
organizations in arranging activities to make people realize the
significance of Tobacco Free Sports. Apart from creating awareness of the
danger of smoking, the campaign also aims to create values of non-smoking
among Thai teenagers.
Tourist Police begin water safety training program
Making the beaches even safer for tourists
by Laor Thongpradap
As part of the government’s continuing safety
campaign, Pattaya’s tourist police have set up a training program to
qualify volunteers in water rescue and lifeguard duty along Pattaya’s
beaches.
Increasing numbers of Thai and foreign tourists use the
beaches and waters in the area for recreation. The popularity of water
scooters, high powered motor boats and parasailing pose a threat of
accidents. Since their main responsibility is the safety of tourists in
the resort town, Pattaya’s tourist police are aware that more efficient
rescue programs and trained personnel would be helpful in increasing the
safety of visitors.
On May 17, the tourist police began a program to train
volunteers to patrol the shores and swimming beaches so that they will be
able to render assistance to accident victims and swimmers in trouble.
Trainees who complete the course will volunteer their
services to the tourist business sectors, onshore beachside residents,
public health officers and sea rescue teams. The program will be taught by
experts in sea rescue and water safety.
Police Major Gen. Sanit Meepant, the tourist police
commander presided over the opening ceremony for the program at Grand Sole
Hotel. He was joined by Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, Police
Maj. Gen Naradej Klomtuksing, Pattaya’s Tourist Police Chief, tourist
police and rescue volunteers and guests.
Local tour agencies tour Superstar Capricorn
Star Cruises’ luxury passenger liner now docked at new terminal in Laem Chabang
One hundred and seven tour operators and travel
agencies from the Eastern Seaboard were given a dazzling tour of Star
Cruises’ luxury passenger liner, Super Star Capricorn.
Docked at the company’s newly opened passenger
terminal in Laem Chabang Port, Krittin Nonnstee, in charge of domestic
sales for Star Cruises guided the travel operators around the ship. Super
Star Capricorn is the latest offering from the Malaysian company, Star
Cruises.
The
Super Star Capricorn, docked at the company’s newly opened passenger
terminal in Laem Chabang Port, hosted over a hundred local tour operators
and journalists last week.
Originally built in 1972 in Finland and renovated by
the cruise company the luxury liner has the latest technology in safety
facilities with over 15 million dollars being spent on improvements.
Seven out of the 10 floors are devoted to accommodation
and the ship features a huge swimming, Galaxy of the Stars auditorium for
stage shows, the Starlight Disco and Karaoke lounge, Universal fitness
center, a games center, ski ball court and a full-fledged shopping center.
The ship is manned by a staff of 700 who come from 25
countries. Super Star Capricorn can accommodate up to 1,100 passengers in
comfort.
Cruises are carried out on a regular basis, with
schedule trips to Koh Chang, in Trat every Sunday and Koh Samui on
Wednesdays, followed by Koh Kok off the coast of Vietnam on Saturdays.
The company has recently begun its new trip to Ho Chi
Minh City; in Vietnam over six days/5 nights which has already
successfully began with an occupancy rate of 80 percent.
Muslim community organizes fair to finish new temple
Community leaders donate time and money
The Darul-Ibada Mosque was constructed in the year
1937. For 65 years the mosque served as a place of worship, a school, and
a community service center. As the community grew the beloved temple could
not accommodate the increasing number of people and activities. The
neighborhood desperately needed more space, so a budget of 4 million baht
was allocated for the erection of a new mosque which when completed will
comfortably accommodate up to 150 pupils and devotees.
 Sonthaya
Khunpluem (right), Minister of Science, Technology and Environment
presents a donation to the Darul-Ibada Mosque community to help in the
construction of a new mosque.
Sonthaya Khunpluem, Minister of Science, Technology and
Environment, along with Pattaya City’s mayor, Chonburi’s governor,
local community leaders, clergy and teachers gathered on May 11 at the
temple for the opening ceremony of a fair to raise funds for a new mosque.
Support groups from the private sector, including AIS
International, Tharathip Co. Ltd., and other business representatives
joined the event by setting up booths to sell their goods. The money
collected will be donated to the temple construction.
Foreigners cited as cause of many of Pattaya’s problems
G&PS committees meet to find answers
Foreigners visiting or residing in Pattaya once again
seemed to be the focus of a May 20 meeting of three of the Government
& Private Sector (G&PS) committees at city hall.
The main issues brought up at the meeting were:
resolving the issue of foreign nationals with businesses in Pattaya;
reducing the number of beggars and homeless people (particularly
children); and preventing and solving the problems associated with people
violating Thai cultural values. Three G&PS committees have been set up
to tackle these specific problems.
Chonburi deputy governor Wirawat Wiwatanawanich,
charged with overseeing the progress of these three committees, told
committee members that as part of the province’s policy to resolve the
issue of undesirable foreign labor, Chonburi will not approve work permits
for foreign nationals who apply to operate or work in businesses that are
classed as inappropriate under Thai law. These include internet cafes,
beer bars, restaurants, and karaoke bars.
The provincial administration has ordered the Chonburi
Labor Department, Pattaya tourist police, immigration officials, and
Pattaya and Banglamung police forces to investigate and inspect foreigners
requesting work permits or exhibiting odd behavior that might be
associated with businesses that may damage Pattaya’s reputation.
Businesses that will receive special attention are
restaurants and beer bars that may be a front for child prostitution.
Foreigners operating businesses in the name of their
Thai spouse will also receive special attention. Chonburi governor Chadej
Insawang has ordered the Banglamung chief to thoroughly investigate these
foreigners prior to approving any form of business license, particularly
if it is a beer bar or a go-go bar.
As Chonburi deputy governor Wirawat Wiwatanawanich put
it, the regional administration intends to implement tighter controls to
squeeze out undesirable elements in Pattaya.
Also, at least some of the members of the G&PS
committees set up to solve Pattaya’s problems are trying to totally rid
the resort of child prostitutes once and for all, as well as the
foreigners who prey on them.
From January 16 to the present, committee members have
conducted 21 inspections and rounded up 373 people off the streets of
Pattaya, the majority of whom (221) were from Cambodia. Of the 373 cases,
a number were children, both girls and boys under the age of 18 who were
involved in the flesh trade and begging. As many of the children are not
from Thailand, officials are unable to transport them to the Pak Kred
Welfare Home in Nontaburi on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Committee members said they intend to take up the issue
at the main board meeting to consider the options available for these
children. One suggestion put forth was to provide vocational training at
the Princess Sirindhorn Vocational College to provide them with a trade or
an opportunity to become self-supportive.
The committee produced figures indicating that over 400
street children are allegedly infected with HIV. The committee cited the
Department of Public Health as their source, which also alleges that there
are over 4,000 HIV cases within Chonburi Province.
The committee’s solution will be to look at investing
approximately 150,000 baht to deal with children involved in prostitution,
and set their focus on investigating both foreign and Thai nationals
preying on these children.
As for reducing and preventing people from violating
Thai cultural values, a new committee has been set up to begin a public
relations program to provide information on what can and cannot be done
according to Thai law. The administration will provide information to
private organizations with foreign members; these include Rotary, Lions
and other international clubs such as the PILC. The primary purpose is to
relay important information on Thai law, specifically laws, which broken,
could result in the revocation of visas and work permits.
The new committee will also work with the National
Police Bureau to try to help eliminate illegal tour guides, such as those
caught selling fake Buddha statues at exorbitant prices to tourists at
temples.
People who use the law to deprive women and children of
their civil liberties, and those who are scantily clad and thereby
destroying Thailand’s image will also be targeted, or more specifically,
people involved in beer bars and other entertainment establishments.
The committee will also be tasked with going after
foreigners who repeatedly neglect traffic regulations causing a menace and
a danger to the greater population and themselves. Interestingly, no
mention was made of improving Thai driving habits.
Thailand coming to grips with GATS
Tourism industry still needs improvements to conform with international standards
by Suchada Tupchai
Thai tour operators are working to create an
understanding of the new General Agreements on Trade in Service (GATS), so
on Monday, May 13 at the Grand Sole Hotel Pattaya, Suwat Chutakorn,
director of statistics and research for the Tourism Authority of Thailand
chaired an operational meeting titled, “Preparation for tourism services
under WTO”. Over 60 tour operators in Pattaya attended the meeting,
organized by the department of business economics, ministry of commerce
and the TAT.
GATS was first proposed by developed countries in the
WTO due to the rapid growth of international service trade during the past
20 years, particularly in industrialized markets.
But not until the General Agreement on Trade and Tariff
(GATT) at the Uruguay Round (1986-1994) had talks on the general agreement
become successful.
Since then the general agreement on international trade
in the service sector has been an issue much discussed and negotiated,
resulting in the General Agreements on Trade in Service (GATS) being
formed, the first multilateral agreement on international trade.
Pasit Pumchusri, an academic from the department of
business economics, ministry of commerce, said Thailand’s participation
in GATS under the WTO is good for the Thai government, as it will expand
Thailand’s trade and service markets.
As Thailand, particularly the eastern part of the
country (which includes Pattaya City) earns large income from tourism, the
expansion of trade and service will give direct benefits to the consumers
under the supervision of the Thai government.
GATS conditions for liberalization of trade and service
require that 1) there must be no monopoly in the international trade in
service, 2) there must be no restrictions for Thais in using services
overseas, 3) foreign investors must be able to hold 49% shares in running
businesses with their Thai partners, 4) work permits issued for foreign
employees at the specialist, managerial, and directorial level must not
exceed 1 year with not more than 2 extensions and each time not more than
one year. The conditions in 1) and 2) should be put into action within the
year 2004, and 3) and 4) not later than 2020.
Suwat Chutakorn also said that although liberalization
of trade and tourism would be beneficial to the Thai economy in that it
could bring a lot of foreign investment into the country, there would also
be some effects on the outflow of money into other countries, and the
influx of foreign skilled laborers, especially within ASEAN.
Therefore, he said that Thailand still needs many
improvements, and should focus on weaknesses such as language, tourism
organization, database development, quality assurance, and most
importantly, continuity in human resource development, in order to create
a better standard of tourism services in Thailand.
First-aid training program gets underway
130 people learn how to save lives
Pattaya City recently organized a first-aid training
program geared to educate people to attend injuries and provide primary
treatment to victims of accidents and other health mishaps. 130 volunteers
from communities and schools in Pattaya attended the training program.
 Pattaya
deputy mayor, Wutthisak Rermkijikarn presided over the opening ceremony
for a first aid training program at the Pattaya Public Hygiene Center. 130
people learned how to provide basic first aid, which organizers of the
training hope may eventually save lives.
Pattaya deputy mayor, Wutthisak Rermkijikarn,
responsible for public hygiene and environment for Pattaya City, presided
over the opening ceremony at the Pattaya Public Hygiene Center.
Wannaporn Jaemjumrat, director of the Hygienic and
Environmental Division of Pattaya explained that the program’s mission
is to reduce casualties by giving primary medical training to people who
can assist victims quickly and thereby increase their chances of survival
while waiting for professional help.
Pain and shock are often the main cause of death before
expert medical workers arrive. Thus, a person who arrives at the scene
first must be capable of rendering basic first-aid. Members in the
community who can perform this service can help decrease the number of
deaths resulting from accidents.
Thai Wisdom Fair on hold
Will stop until construction on Beach Road is done
The Saturday Thai Wisdom Fair, which made its debut on
February 23 this year, has now been halted until further notice from City
Hall. Pattaya’s mayor presented the controversial issue to the
provincial governor, calling for a moratorium on the weekly event until
construction is finished on Beach Road.
The mayor has received permission for a temporary
closing of the fair, which came into effect on April 25. The fair will not
resume while Beach Road renovation is in progress. He did not specify if
the event will resume once construction is completed.
Since its inception, a barrage of complaints have
streamed into the mayor’s office from business owners along the stretch
of Beach Road where the fair was set up every week. Many shoppers also
appealed for a halt of this weekly event along the seaside from North
Pattaya to Walking Street.
Their arguments were that the closure of motor vehicle
traffic to this area created severe traffic jams throughout the city, loss
of business to shopkeepers and tremendous inconvenience to visitors and
residents.
Observers said the novelty of the fair wore off quickly
and did not create the excitement first hoped for, since in most
people’s view there was not much to see and the theme was boring.
New life begins in Pattaya Bay next month
Sea population to increase by 3 million
City officials next month will release over three
million fish, shrimp, turtles and crabs into Pattaya’s waters to
regenerate marine life in Pattaya Bay. The project, scheduled to begin on
June 15, is part the city’s restoration plan for the waters around
Pattaya Bay. It is being carried out with cooperation from the Banglamung
Fishermen’s Association.
Rueng
Larpjitr (far right), representing Banglamung Fishermen said, “We’ll
release 3 to 4 million marine animals into Pattaya Bay beginning June
15.”
Spokesman for the group, Rueng Larpjitr said the
release of marine life into the sea will begin on June 15th and continue
to until June 20th. Much of the project will take place away from the
beach area in deeper waters to give the sea creatures the best chance of
survival. It is also feared that the shallows near the beach contain too
much fresh water to assure a successful repopulation scheme.
A fishing vessel will transport the precious cargo into
the middle of the bay and begin releasing the marine animals at
appropriate locations. Marine biologists say that over 50% over the
animals should survive to populate their new habitat.
Nirun Wattanasartsathorn, Pattaya deputy mayor,
explained that this was just one of the projects undertaken by the city to
further promote the city’s clean water image. He said that in years past
the bay had become polluted with effluents from the city’s antiquated
drainage system, but now that the wastewater treatment system is in
operation, tests have shown that the bacterial oxygen demand (BOD) factor
has reached an acceptable level which will now support life.
Nirun said that as a precaution, further BOD tests will
be carried out prior to the release of the marine animals. He added that
everyone involved in the project will be watching the results very closely
and all are hoping for success, since they will want to release more
marine life in the future.
Buddhist Holy Day of Wisakhabucha - May 26
Celebrating the birth - enlightenment and death of the Buddha
Wisakhabucha Day is the most significant holy day for
Buddhists around the world. It marks the beginning of the Buddhist Era
2,544 years ago, and celebrates the miracle of the Buddha being born,
reaching enlightenment and passing away all on the same date.
According to scripture, Prince Siddhartha, also known
as Gautama, who became the Buddha, was born in the eastern foothills of
the Himalayas on the 15th day (full moon) of the sixth lunar month in 623
BC, attained enlightenment while sitting under a fig tree at the edge of
the Nerunchara River on the 15th day (full moon) of the sixth lunar month
in 588 BC, and then passed away at the age of 80 on the 15th day (full
moon) of the sixth lunar month in 544 BC.
The word wisakabucha comes from the word
wisaburanamiibucha which means to pay homage to Buddha on the day of the
full moon in the month of wisaka (the sixth month).
The holy day is observed each year during May (June
during leap years), determined by the lunar calendar, and is on the 15th
day of the waxing moon during the 6th month of the Thai calendar. It dates
back to ancient celebrations in India and Sri Lanka, and this year the day
is observed on May 26.
For this holiday, killing any kind of animal and
drinking alcohol or intoxicating substances is forbidden for 3 days. Wats
are to be adorned with lanterns, flowers and joss sticks as symbols of
worship, and skyrockets will be lit for three days to celebrate.
The day is also designated as National Tree Day in
Thailand.
Gautama (Buddha) was brought up in the family of a clan
leader of regal status, sheltered from life’s miseries. Later in life,
after observing a decrepit old man, a diseased man, a dead man, and a sage
he realized the impermanence of earthly things and began his quest for
enlightenment.
For six years he sought enlightenment through ascetic
practices. He eventually decided it was not to be found in that manner and
resumed the life of a wanderer living on alms. While sitting under a fig
tree in a posture of meditation for what is described as a period of seven
weeks, Gautama resolved not to stir until succeeding. He achieved his
quest, becoming the Buddha, entering a state of Nirvana while still alive.
Whatever took place on that day was the start of
Buddhism as Gautama set forth to reveal his discovery, eventually
spreading into many parts of Asia. Gautama was later recognized as one in
a great line of Buddhas with a concept going back to Vishnu or Siva.
The large following created over 25 centuries ago and
continuing to this day is witness to the fact that something of distinct
value was found, which was explained in the Buddha’s first sermon at
Benares when he said the key to enlightenment is the presence of
suffering.
The sermon told of the “Four Noble Truths”
identifying suffering (birth, decay, illness, death and rebirth) and the
failure to always be able to obtain one’s desires as the continuing
antagonists in life.
Secondly, since everything has a cause, so has
suffering, and when its causes and conditions are removed suffering is
eliminated according to the third truth. The key is to allow the karmic
effects already in existence to play out - not producing any further
karmic chains. Once the cessation of desire ends, all causes have taken
affect and the suffering ends leading to discontinuing the cycle of
rebirth.
The fourth truth is the path to the cessation of
suffering, the “Eightfold Path” or a “middle way” between extremes
of abstinence and indulgence. The steps in the “Eightfold Path”
consists of: correct views, correct aspiration, correct speech, correct
conduct, correct livelihood, correct effort, correct thought, and correct
concentration or meditation.
Devout Buddhists consider Wisakhabucha Day as an
important event and crowds of devotees will participate in ceremonies at
nearby temples, making merit in the morning by bringing alms to monks and
listening to sermons. Later in the evening devotees will continue
assembling at temples to conduct the “Wien Tien” ceremony, walking
around sacred temple grounds three times holding candles, joss sticks and
flowers honoring the Buddha, the Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and the
Sangha, the Buddhist Monastic Order.
The Thai government implemented “National Tree Day”
in the year 1985 as part of a program to restore the forests and increase
public awareness of the importance of preserving the natural environment.
National Tree Day was designated on the same day as Wisakhabucha Day and
activities include many levels of government, schools and local
organizations planting trees in addition to observing Wisakhabucha Day.
Kevin Quill found guilty as charged
Sentenced to six years
Kevin Quill, arrested more than 1 1/2 years ago for
possessing contraband cigarettes and methamphetamines was sentenced last
week to six years in prison.
Quill was arrested Oct. 11, 2000 in Pattaya when during
an allegedly routine traffic stop police found inside two suitcases 1,700
packets of black market cigarettes that did not have duty paid on them.
The driver of the vehicle, Mana Chomuang, 31, from
Nakorn Sawan Province, was also detained for questioning at the time.
Police claimed they had kept him under surveillance
because he had raised suspicion by making frequent one and two-week trips
to Pattaya and Bangkok during which time he would spend large amounts of
money.
Pol. Lt. Col. Pirom Priyakorn, deputy chief commander
of the investigation department and chief foreign criminals office of Pan
Thong District and his team said that while inspecting the contraband
cigarettes, they found and seized 100 methamphetamine tablets that were
concealed in the packets.
Police had said shortly after Quill’s arrest that if
found guilty of possessing methamphetamines, he faced a maximum sentence
of 10 years in prison. For possessing the 170 cartons of contraband
cigarettes the Bang Lamung excise office set the fine at 637,762 baht.
After 19 months of Quill denying the drugs charges, at
9 a.m. on May 19 in hearing room no. 2, Judge Kampol Suthithorn of the
Pattaya Provincial Court ruled him guilty as charged and sentenced him to
6 years imprisonment.
After sentencing, Quill was immediately locked up in
the court’s basement detention cells to await transfer to the Provincial
prison, but was later bailed out by his lawyer who put up 2 million baht
in cash.
Markland jumper identity revealed
Despondent American had serious diabetes
Friends of the man who allegedly jumped off a high
floor of the Markland Condo in North Pattaya have come forward and
identified the body.
American Gary Hart apparently arrived in Pattaya
several months ago from Colorado. A close friend in Pattaya had been
pursuing traces of Hart since he disappeared about three weeks previous.
In checking with the Pattaya police dept, the friend was shown Gary’s
empty wallet found on the body with a photo of he and his girlfriend.
The remains have been sent to Bangkok and the US
Embassy is in the process of making positive identification. The remains
fit Gary’s description. He was very tall (6’5") and of good
build.
Gary was despondent and had serious diabetes. He
recently returned from Cambodia where he fell ill and was robbed of all
his cash. He returned to Pattaya without funds and with serious health
problems. His friends said that, “He was a nice man and we will all miss
him”.
Thailand’s first glass manufacturing forum held
Thailand’s first glass manufacturing forum was held,
updating and educating those in the industry of the latest advancements in
technology and products.
The two day forum held at the Thai German Institute
earlier this month (May 8th & 9th), in Amata Nakorn Industrial estate
was organized by Jebsen & Jessen Specialists in the industry gave
lectures to employees and employers from Thailand’s top glass
manufacturing companies.
 Dr.
Rainer Hauk prepares to give his keynote address at the seminar.
Jebsen & Jessen Co., Ltd. has been in Thailand for
over 40 years and has almost 40 joint ventures and other projects within
Thailand in the fields of glass manufacturing and products controlling air
pollution for major industries.
General manager for the company, Dr. Rainer Hauk said,
“We provide total solutions for the glass industry, from sales and
service to installation.”
The glass industry in Thailand is big business with
some of the major players being Siam Glass and Bangkok Glass. The seminar,
considered one of the first in the country, was held for those on the
floor in the manufacturing plants and offered an insight into the finer
technical details needed in the construction and maintenance of glass
furnaces, as well as the delivery system for delivering raw products.
Glass furnaces are primarily constructed of silicon-based materials, to
avoid any contamination in the melting process.
|
