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A Most Happy 45th Birthday HRH Princess Chulabhorn
Born on July 4, 1957, Her Royal Highness Princess
Chulabhorn is the youngest child of Their Majesties King Bhumibol
Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
 Pattaya
Mail joins the Kingdom in humbly wishing happy 45th birthday to a most
remarkable person, HRH Princess Chulabhorn.
HRH Princess Chulabhorn has two daughters, Their Royal
Highnesses Princess Siribhachudhabhorn and Princess Adityadornkitikhun.
Her Royal Highness graduated from the Faculty of
Science and Arts at Kasetsart University with a Bachelor of Science Degree
in Organic Chemistry, First Class Honors, in 1979. Her Royal Highness
completed her doctorate work in organic chemistry in 1985, and received
her Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Mahidol University in July of the
same year, and has a supreme record of academic achievement.
She undertook postdoctoral studies in Germany in 1987
and has since been a visiting professor at universities in Japan, Germany,
and the United States of America. She holds Honorary Doctorate degrees
from no fewer than nine universities around the world. In 1986, she was
appointed as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in
London and was awarded the Einstein Gold Medal of UNESCO.
Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn is chairperson
of the Working Group on the Chemistry of Natural Products collaborative
program between the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science and the
National Research Council of Thailand.
HRH Princess Chulabhorn has received international
recognition for her scientific accomplishments, in her appointment to
various United Nations posts, namely special advisor to the United Nations
Environment Program and member of the Special High-Level Council for the
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction of the United Nations.
As a result of her experience as a scientist Princess
Chulabhorn became aware of the difficulties Thai researchers have in
obtaining the necessary funding for their research. In 1987, she
established the Chulabhorn Research Institute to provide a new fundrais
ass ing agency. This institute now acts as a focal point for the exchange
of intellectual and other resources in Thailand for the purpose of solving
urgent problems confronting the country in areas of health, environment,
and agriculture.
As president of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, the
Princess currently directs five special research projects; the AIDS
program, a program on restoration and integrated development of the
flood-affected areas in Southern Thailand, seawater irrigation for
cultivation of economic marine species and preservation of mangrove, the
rabies eradication program and a special project for accelerated
immunization in five southern provinces in Thailand. Through these
programs the Princess plays an auspicious role in improving the
environment and living standard of the villagers in a number of Thai
provinces.
Chonburi administration to rid Pattaya of cheating tour guides
Take “get tough” stance on tour guides cheating tourists
Veerachai Somchart
Pattaya didn’t write the book on fleecing tourists,
but the authorities are getting ready to ‘throw the book’ at tour
guides who think they can flagrantly take advantage of visitors here on
holiday.
To counter what is becoming a threat to Pattaya’s
image as a tourist destination, Preecha Kamolbutr, deputy governor of
Chonburi led a meeting on June 25 to discuss what measures authorities can
take to stop these people from taking advantage of innocent visitors.
Surat Mekavarakul, chairman of Tourism Business
Operators Association described the issue as a critical problem deeply
entrenched in Thailand’s tourist business. He said that tour guides make
a habit of overcharging tourists for services and ask outrageously high
prices for goods.
“Most of these tour businesses are Chinese owned and
their operators are from the mainland,” he said. “The tour agencies
offer very cheap package trips to tourists. But when the visitors get to
Pattaya, they are fleeced when extra charges are tacked on when they
arrive.”
Tour operators often up the commission fees, overcharge
for entertainment and sightseeing, and often drag tourists into sleazy
nightspots where lewd sex shows are being performed.
Recently, a group of 21 Chinese tourists complained to
local police that some of the tour guides of Terng Fei Tour Agency,
including guide Natthawat Liangpansakul charged an extra 8,000 baht to
each client after they got here, even though the individuals had already
paid the agreed price of 16,750 baht per person. Huddled on the steps of
White House Resort in Jomtien, the group of tourists was told by their
guides that those who didn’t cough up the extra cash would not be
allowed to check into their rooms and their passports would be
confiscated.
Shaken at this news, the group paid up. Then to their
chagrin, they were told to stay in their rooms and not venture into the
streets of Pattaya alone because the city was a high crime area and too
dangerous for individual sightseeing. Needless to say these tourists were
not impressed with their visit here.
At the meeting, Preecha Kamolbutr said, “After
discussions with tour business operators we found that most (illegitimate)
guides and tour agencies try to find a chance to rip off the tourists. The
Tourism Authority of Thailand, however, tries to coordinate with the
Tourism Authority of China to enforce the Tourism Business Act in order to
control the tour business operation in the country.”
The meeting was well attended by representatives from
many different legitimate organizations, including the Thai Hotel
Association in Eastern Chapter, Pattaya’s Hotels Club, Pattaya police,
Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 Pattaya, Pattaya tourist
police, and Pattaya Tour Boat Association.
Preecha went on to say, “This problem is partly
caused by the fact that tour businesses only have to pay 50,000 baht to
receive a license to operate a tour agency, which is too low. This sum
doesn’t always cover compensation to related business operators when any
collateral damage occurs. That is why there are a lot of tour agencies
operating in Thailand. When something goes wrong, they just let themselves
go bankrupt, close the agencies and ignore the debt. This tactic
invariably hurts other businesses.”
A proposal was put forth that the amount tour agencies
pay the government for a license to operate should be increased to at
least 100,000 baht and up to 1.5 million baht. The increase would price
out some of the scam artists, but legitimate businesses should have enough
working capital to run proper operations.
Singapore and Hong Kong once faced the same problem,
but rid themselves of deceitful tour agencies after the governments set
higher collateral to make it more difficult to get a license.
District administrations hold parade on World Anti-Drugs Day
Drugs, trafficking and addition destroy families
On June 26, the three district administrations of Pong,
Nongplalai, and Nongprue collaboratively held an anti-drug parade, led by
Pramern Siriroop, chairman of Pong district administration committee;
Chalem Tubtimthong, chairman of Nongplalai district administration
committee; and Mai Chaiyanit, chairman of Nongprue district administration
committee, on World Anti-Drugs Day. More than 200 people participated in
the parade.
Mai Chaiyanit, chairman of the Nongprue district
administration committee said, “The purpose of this anti-drug campaign
is to encourage villagers to take part in activities and discuss the drug
problems in our society. We need to publicize the dangers of drug abuse.
Moreover, the campaign included demonstrations of drug rehabilitation and
resolution for drug addicts.”
Mai Chaiyanit went on to say, “I brought villagers to
take part in this event because I want them to be aware of the social
problems caused by drugs today. They need to really understand how illegal
drugs, trafficking and addiction can destroy their families and
communities.”
Pattaya Police and Hard Rock Hotel face off in football friendly
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya
police and Hard Rock Hotel staff played a football friendly to build
better relations.
In a soccer match organized to enhance their
relationship, Pattaya police and staff of the Hard Rock Hotel played a
football friendly on the Silapakam grounds in Naklua.
The general manager of the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya,
Andrew Khoo told reporters, “The aim of the competition was to help
improve relations between the hotel staff and police officials, as well as
to promote a healthy lifestyle through exercise.”
The game ended with the Pattaya municipal police
drawing the staff of Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya 4-4.
Local schoolchildren box out drugs
Thai boxing tournament held to discourage drug use
Laor Thongpradap and Damree Muangkaew
Local schoolchildren competed in three categories of
Thai style boxing in the “Pattaya Thai Boxing Match Against Drugs”.
“Ram Wai Krue” (where boxers pay their respects to their teachers),
“Fighting techniques” and “Kita Muay Thai” (musical Thai boxing)
were contested June 24-25 in the activity room at Mike Shopping Mall.
 Local
schoolchildren performed a Thai boxing show to open festivities for the
Pattaya Thai Boxing Match Against Drugs.
Boxers in each category were separated into male and
female classes and further separated into kindergarten, primary school and
high school.
All boxers dressed in traditional Thai boxing uniforms,
except for the “Kita Muay Thai” which allowed any suitable dress.
The competition started with the schoolchildren
performing traditional Thai boxing dances. They then presented flowers of
appreciation to all sponsors taking part in the organization of the
tournament.
Winners were presented with prizes and trophies.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat presided over the
opening ceremony and said, “Boxing matches strengthen young people’s
determination to resist drugs and develop healthy interests, and are part
of a national program to promote Thai traditional values.”
“Thailand is in the middle of a national campaign to
fight drug abuse and rescue its young people from drug addiction, gambling
and other anti-social occupations,” the mayor continued. He also
stressed the need for cooperation from various organizations to work hard
to achieve the goal of encouraging Thai youth to develop healthy minds and
bodies and become contributing members of society.
Harbor Department approves ‘Amazing Under the Sea’ project
Mayor expresses some reservations
The Harbor Department recently put its stamp of
approval on the new underwater tour venture being promoted by the Hitech
Submarine Co. Ltd., which hopes to begin operations as early as October
this year.
The project will be given a 4-year trial, through to
2006. As part of the project, Hitech Submarine Co, Ltd. also plans to
provide funding for marine research in the area, as well as coordinate
activities that promote environmental awareness among young people.
 (L
to R) Attapol Wannakit, assistant director of the Tourism Authority of
Thailand Central Region 3 Pattaya, Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, and
Harbor Master Wanchai Sarntultat review Hitech Submarine Co. Ltd. plans to
begin operating an underwater tour venture.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat expressed some
reservations about the project, but is nonetheless cautiously optimistic.
At a recent city hall meeting, Hitech Submarine Co.’s managing director,
Boonsong Orsukon gained approval from the mayor and Atthapol Wanakit,
assistant director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3
Pattaya, plus the police and representatives from government and private
sectors.
The 60 million baht Thai-Chinese investment project
will provide an undersea tour service, using two 48-seat vessels, 23.10
meters wide, equipped with one 3-storey ferry, one land base, five rescue
boats and five high-speed boats. The vessel is registered as a water
vehicle type 57 in accordance with Thai marine law. The object of the tour
is to allow visitors to explore marine life under the sea.
General Surasak Iamraksa, the project advisor said,
“The undersea tour service will be operated from 08.00-16.00 hrs, with
each trip lasting 30 minutes. The fare for each trip will be B2,000 per
person. Service will officially open in October.”
“This approval is a good sign for the undersea tour
business in Thailand; a tour business that attracts a large number of
Chinese tourists, but wouldn’t be operated in China. The undersea tour
could draw as many as 50,000 tourists from China per year, making at least
100 million baht for Thailand annually,” Surasak said.
Attapol Wannakit, assistant director of the Tourism
Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 Pattaya, said the undersea tour
service is part of a program to help Thailand become the Tourism Capital
of Asia within 3 years. He said TAT believes this unique project will
bring more tourists to Thailand.
“The potential target groups for this undersea tour
are Chinese and European tourists, as middle age people in this group seem
to enjoy traveling with a combination of entertainment rather than just
nature appreciation. Geographically, most regions in China and Europe are
not able to provide undersea tourism of this type. Therefore, this kind of
adventure will be particularly interesting to this demographic sector,”
Attapol said.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, however, expressed
some concern about adding to environmental problems, since the vessels
will be sailing underwater along Larn Island, where there is still a lot
of beautiful coral. “The undersea tour service must be careful not to
damage coral reefs,” he cautioned.
Police to set up fund to tackle city’s drug problems
Seeking ways to raise money to fight crime
Boonlua Chatree
Drug problems in our community are getting out of
control. But crime fighting and effective law enforcement need money to
produce positive results. Most local government departments lack an
adequate budget to address this escalating problem. The Pattaya Police
Station Board Committee is now launching a project to set up an
independent fund to enable policemen to run activities in order to
eradicate drug dealers and drug consumers in Pattaya.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Sakrapee Preawwanit, deputy
commander of Pattaya Police Station, and Surat Mekavarakul, chairman of
the Pattaya Police Station Board Committee, are spearheading a plan to set
up a fund to resolve drug problems in Pattaya.
Fundamentally relying on donations from different
government organizations and NGOs the fund will be used to lure drug
dealers into sting operations.
Surat Mekavarakul started off by donating 5 coolers, a
motorcycle, and 50,000 baht to the project. Other organizations donated
25,000 baht.
Soon there will be donation booths set up at department
stores, and the Pattaya Police Station Board Committee will also organize
events such as charity concerts and parties as fund raisers for the
program.
Unidentified body found in cassava field
Thai male stabbed several times
Vichan Pladplueng
Two workers recently got a terrifying surprise when
they found the body of a murdered man in a cassava field in the Thakientia
Sub District.
After receiving a report of the grizzly discovery,
police and Sawang Boriboon personnel rushed to the scene. The unidentified
man is believed to be Thai, 30-35 years old. The victim received several
stabs wounds to the chest and another two to the face. Police estimated
that he had been dead for at least 3 days prior to being discovered.
One of the men who found the body, Aran Janwong, told
police that he and his friend were working in the cassava field as usual
when they noticed a strong stench close by. Alarmed at the smell they
began looking around and were shocked when they discovered the decomposing
body.
Pol. Maj. Sutin Nilyam from the Banglamung police
station said no identification documents were found on the victim.
Officers suspect that the man may have been murdered elsewhere, and that
the perpetrators probably removed all identification and dumped the body
in the field.
The body was transferred to the police forensic
institute in Bangkok for autopsy and police will conduct an investigation
to try to identify the victim.
Hollywood at Sea Disco spanked for operating after legal closing hours
Police now “keeping a close eye” on the party barge
Veerachai Somchart
Hollywood at Sea, Pattaya’s newest disco has been
fined three times so far for servicing customers after 2:00 a.m.
Police Colonel Padungsak Ubekhanon, Pattaya
superintendent said, “Hollywood disco is within the Pattaya police
department’s jurisdiction just like the city’s other entertainment
venues.”
 Police
Colonel Padungsak Ubekhanon, Pattaya superintendent said, “Hollywood at
Sea disco is within the Pattaya police department’s jurisdiction just
like the city’s other entertainment venues.”
However, he said, the police are trying to be fair.
“There are reports that the disco has been operating later than the
legal closing time. But I do understand that the nightclub is located at
sea and it takes time for customers to get back to shore. I’m certain
there will be no real problem concerning overtime operation. I’m also
just as certain that our officers are scrutinizing the disco.”
Interestingly, Padungsak added, “In fact, I don’t
appreciate that there is such a grand entertainment venue in town. But as
Pattaya is a tourist city, it’s inevitable to get involved with the
entertainment business. Therefore, it’s crucial that every department
coordinates with one another to keep order in our society.”
Owned by Wichai Rodpia, a member of Pattaya’s city
council, the floating disco is anchored in Pattaya Bay. It had a lavish
grand opening presided over by Somchai Khunpluem, aka ‘Kamnan Po’,
mayor of Saensuk Municipality.
Formerly a restaurant named Kingstar, the Hollywood at
Sea was registered and approved as an entertainment venue type 3 (4),
under the Entertainment Venue Act 1966, and reopened as a disco and
nightclub. The ownership spent 20 million baht renovating the floating
disco, which can now accommodate 1,000 customers.
Police raid go-go bar for immoral shows
Eight showgirls arrested for lewd performances
Boonlua Chatree
In another undercover operation, Pattaya police raided
the Soi 8 Ago-Go after conducting an investigation which proved the bar
was the venue for objectionable shows.
The bar, located 200 meters from Pattaya police
station, was raided earlier this week with 8 showgirls and the manager
taken into custody. Undercover cops from the special crime suppression
unit received orders from the chief of Region 2 Police to rid the Pattaya
nightlife scene of these blatant sex shows.
 Police
display props used for lewd sex shows confiscated from the Soi 8 Ago-Go.
Police raided the bar and arrested the owner, manager and performers. All
were temporarily detained before being fined 500 baht each and released
with a warning.
During the arrest, police confiscated a number of props
used in the stage shows including strings of flowers, razor blades, blow
darts and other items, which were kept as evidence. The 8 girls, the owner
and the manager of the bar were taken to Pattaya police station for
questioning.
The owner of the bar was identified as 27-year-old
Ladar Wongsing. Ladar told police that she was forced to make the decision
of providing such entertainment to increase business.
Ladar said that prior to introducing sex shows she sold
‘lady drinks’ at 500 baht each in order to make ends meet. But
“surprisingly”, even this tactic did not do much to improve her
profits.
She said since she was still losing business her
partner, identified only as ‘Rick’, a Dutch national, decided to
entice customers by offering these lewd shows. Partner ‘Rick’ fled the
scene as soon as police revealed themselves and it became apparent that
the bust was going down.
The manager of the bar, Sathiriya Pongplad was charged
with being responsible for the lewd entertainment and fined accordingly.
The 8 showgirls, aged between 20 and 44 were temporarily detained before
being fined 500 baht each and released with a warning.
Local and regional police are continuing their
crackdown on lewd entertainment in the region as part of the central and
provincial government’s new social order policy campaign.
Tanker loaded with steel crashes into fish nursery
Damages estimated at 5 million baht
A severe storm blowing off the coast in Sattahip Bay
drove a tanker loaded with steel into more than 60 fish nurseries before
it ran aground.
The Woranawin 9, a steel tanker with 871.33 gross
tonnage, 41 meters long and 8 meters wide collided with the fish nurseries
located in front of Rad Island during a squall.
According to the investigation, the ship, owned by
Woranawin Transportation Co. Ltd., departed from Bangsaparn Port in
Prachuab Khirikhan Province to unload steel at Maptaput in Rayong. At 4
a.m. a storm drove the tanker off course and into the fish nurseries.
As the ship tore through the defenseless nurseries, its
propellers caught the fishery ropes and dragged the nurseries in its wake.
Out of control, the ship and nurseries ploughed into the island.
Sayan Songsai, 45, a local fisherman and owner of the
fish nurseries said, “I was cruising in my boat to check the fish
nurseries, as I do every morning. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw
all the fish nurseries were destroyed. This has been our major source of
income over the years. As economically important breeds, one fish nursery
can make 70,000 baht, and this foothill area of Rad Island has been great
for our fish nurseries. We have made good business on this fish breeding
for generations. I just don’t know what we will do now.”
During the period of 2001-2002 statistics show an
increase of sea accidents involving tankers colliding with islands, which
have resulted in deaths and environmental damage.
Local and national products feature at Eastern Seaboard’s ‘One Product, One Tambon’ Fair
Suchada Tupchai
Manufacturers from all over Thailand exhibited their
products at the ‘One Product, One Tambon’ Fair and ‘Thailand Grand
Sale’ held at Central Festival Center Pattaya.
 Chonburi
Governor Chadej Insawang cut the ribbon getting the festivities underway.
A result of cooperation between governmental and
private sectors, including 7 provincial offices of commerce in the eastern
part of Thailand, the fair was part of a project to promote tourism in
Thailand.
With major support from the Tourism Authority of
Thailand, the goal was to exhibit and sell Thailand’s local and national
quality products to attract foreigners to come to Thailand and buy Thai
products. The exhibit simultaneously enabled Thai manufactures to expand
their markets.
The fair, held June 27 to 30 at the ground and the
second floors of the Central Festival Center Pattaya, was filled with
booths selling products and a stage for traditional Thai performances.
The opening of the fair on June 28, presided over by
Chonburi Governor Chadej Insawang, gained attention from many local
residents and visitors to Pattaya. Well-known public figures such as
Preecha Kamolbutr, Chonburi deputy governor; Major General Arthorn
Lohitkul, commanding general of Armed Forces 14, Manit Boonchim, director
of Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region District 3, and
Thanasombat Sanitwong na Ayutthaya, general manager of Central Pattana
Public Co., Ltd. attended at the opening ceremony.
Chadej Insawang said, “I am impressed, seeing so many
people from different provinces in the eastern region working
cooperatively to hold this fair. Events like this can help bring foreign
currencies into the country, and promote Thai culture and tourism in
Thailand.”
The Power of Dance shines through in the Cheerleader Contest 2002
Suchada Tupchai
The Power of Dance shone through throughout the
Cheerleader Contest 2002 held June 21-30 at the Royal Garden Plaza. The
area’s best cheerleaders proved they could go up against any team from
anywhere as they danced and cheered through to the finals.
 The
Dance Guarantee team gave a championship performance, winning the under
15-year-old category of the Cheerleader Contest 2002 held by the Spring
Court at the Royal Garden Plaza.
The Dance Guarantee team in their red, white and blue
outfits performed some amazing acrobatic feats and in the end were awarded
top prize in the under 15-year-old category.
The Dragon and PNK teams were also outstanding
performers, and were good enough to earn second and third place honors.
In the over 15-year-old category, the green, yellow and
white clad Sheen team took home the championship trophy. PBAC All Stars
and Poseidon made it all the way to the finals, where they were awarded
second and third places.
The winning teams received 20,000 baht and the Minister
of Science, Technology, and Environment Sonthaya Khunpluem Trophy.
Supadit Maneerattanajaratsri, managing director of
Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya, and Amorn Amornkul, general manager of Royal
Garden Plaza Pattaya presided over the finals, held by the Spring Court.
Supadit said, “The competition was part of the
‘2002 FIFA World Cup in Pattaya’ activities, and was held to encourage
youth to play more sports and keep away from drugs and gambling.”
Budget cuts won’t deter from Pattaya Carnival 2002 planning
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya City administrators finally approved a budget
for a private company to run this year’s Pattaya Carnival. Perfect Rich
Co. Ltd. will take charge of running the festival, and representatives of
the company told administrators that preparations are being made to make
the festival an “international event” that will draw tourists to the
city from around the globe.
The final budget for organizing the festival was
reduced to 12.9 million baht from the 20 million baht initially proposed
by the company. But Perfect Rich is certain that with the reduced budget,
the festival could still be organized to become a world-class event.
Pattaya’s party planners, led by Wattana Jantawaranon,
Pattaya deputy mayor, recently met at city hall to discuss Pattaya
Carnival 2002 with directors from Pattaya’s public works division,
treasury division, academic division and representatives from Perfect Rich
Co. Ltd.
This year’s Pattaya Festival, changed from previous
years, will be held from November 15 to 19 with a wonderfully timed grand
opening ceremony on November 16, a day after the festivities are scheduled
to begin.
The festival is one of the biggest events in the region
and, like seemingly everything else being done nowadays (aside from trying
to solve the drug problem), is aimed at promoting tourism in Thailand.
There will be a number of shows at the festival which will focus on
cultural diversity throughout the four regions of Thailand, including Thai
classical music performances. Parachute jump demonstrations will grace the
opening of the festival.
Festival activities will cover the areas from North
Pattaya Road to South Pattaya Road, presumably on Beach Road, which will
be closed from 4 p.m. on November 16 for the grand opening ceremony.
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