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Pattaya unites against reviving Amazing Thai Wisdom Fair
“It does more harm than good”
Veerachai Somchart
Now that Beach Road construction is complete,
authorities are considering reviving the Amazing Thai Wisdom Fair, but
local residents and city officials have united in a stance against
starting it up again.
The Amazing Thai Wisdom Fair, which commenced earlier
this year to bring an air of festivity and promote commerce every weekend
along Beach Road from Dolphin Circle to Walking Street in South Pattaya,
was temporarily discontinued on April 25th due to construction.
However, while the weekend street fair was in
operation, authorities received numerous complaints from businesses and
residents that the closing of Beach Road to vehicular traffic destroyed
passing trade and created chaos around the rest of the city’s roads
through traffic gridlock.
On August 22nd Pattaya City officials, with the support
of local business associations called for a complete halt to the fair. It
was decided that the fair was creating more harm than good and was
detracting from Pattaya’s image. A suggestion was made to move the fair
from Beach Road to a location in North Pattaya where it would not create
as much havoc with traffic flow. However, the general consensus was to
dispense with it entirely.
The topic resurfaced during a meeting of the government
and private sector committees on September 12. Preecha Kamolbutr, deputy
governor of Chonburi, speaking on behalf of Governor Chadej Insawang, once
again raised the issue for discussion, and while it was agreed that the
governor would be kept informed, it appears that the community is united
against starting up the fair again.
Hotel business affected by non-smoker protection regulation
Smokers may have to pay higher room rates
At a meeting of the Thai Hotel Association, held on the
11th of September, problems arising between smokers and smoke detectors in
hotels in the Eastern Seaboard area were discussed. Smoke detectors have
to be installed in lifts, dining rooms, pubs, karaokes and lobbies, but
the THA has issued orders to hotels to refrain from installing them until
a solution to the problem has been found.
Buntrick Kusonwit, manager of the City Hotel, Sriracha,
and vice president of the THA, said hotels must find a way to solve this
problem in order to make hotels safe for non-smokers, but habitable for
smokers.
More meetings will held on October 18, and on November
8 to find a solution to this problem since the hotel industry is the
biggest business in the Pattaya area. The association realizes that when
there are many different rules, tourists will become confused and will not
be satisfied with the hotel and pass on ‘bad news’ to potential
customers.
The THA agreed that if too many different orders are
sent to hotels there will be confusion for the hotels and their guests.
This issue must be handled with precision and clarity.
Buntrick further said that smokers may have to pay
extra since many hotels will have to invest to upgrade to conform to new
rules. The THA sees that there is only one way to solve this problem. He
said hotels must choose how to solve the smoke detector problem
themselves. Many hotels have already installed smoke detectors, but most
have only made smoking and non-smoking areas, and the THA will continue to
discuss ways to have smoke detectors in hotels while still allowing
tourists to smoke if they wish.
Hotels with karaokes face music copyright restrictions
Hotel karaokes must pay confusing entertainment taxes
Follow this if you can. The topic of music copyright laws
was brought up at the last Thai Hotel Association (THA) meeting at the Town
in Town Hotel. Felix Pichit Tantiprasut, THA vice president cautioned
members that although hotels on the Eastern Seaboard provide less karaoke
service than those of the north and northeast regions of Thailand, the law
governing these services still applies.
Present laws give music companies such as Grammy and RS
the right to charge for their copyrights at 300 and 700 baht per month
respectively. Grammy Entertainment charges an additional 400 baht for the
use of their intellectual property. Therefore, the expense for hotels with
karaoke should be calculated at about 250 baht per day. Those that do not
provide foreign music do not have to pay the photo rights fee or the
copyrights. At present many hotels are being sued for violation of copyright
laws, as well as Internet service rights.
Chachawal Supachayanont, association president said that
he will appeal to the concerned government sectors to request paying the fee
yearly to avoid complications as well as suggest ways that the music
companies can collect their fee in a more legal and transparent way.
Second Pattaya Rowing Barge Festival planning progressing well
Organizing committee reports all systems go
The organizing committee of the Second Pattaya Rowing
Barge and Long Boat Races reported that preparations are going well. The
much-anticipated event will take place at Maprachan Reservoir in November.
Pranerm Siriroop, chairman of Pong District
Administration Organization, said the organization responsible for public
relations and promotions has been widely publicizing the event, using
brochures, radio broadcasting, newspaper, cable TV, sign boards and
cutouts. Many private companies have now also come forward to offer
sponsorships for the event.
The races will be held November 16 & 17 at the
Maprachan Reservoir, located on Siam Country Club Road, which is claimed
to be the world’s largest still water dam for long boat races.
The races will be divided into two categories: long
boats with 55 rowers and long boats with 30 rowers. Other sporting
activities over the weekend will include windsurf races and long-drums
competition.
The whole area will have a festival like atmosphere
with stalls set up to display and sell items from the One Tambon, One
Product Co-op.
City “revamping” Central Pattaya footpaths to accommodate disabled
 Those
pesky signs - city officials are having work crews remove signs along
Central Road that are either an eyesore or are obstructing footpaths.
City mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat has reiterated
that when the footpaths along Central Pattaya Road are completed, ramps
will have been built to provide easy access for wheelchairs and disabled
pedestrians.
The mayor also confirmed that the during the Center Road beautification
project, inappropriate signs and signposts that are obstructing footpaths and/or
spoiling the scenery are being removed.
TAT Region 3 begins teacher development project
To support tourism in Chonburi and Samut Prakarn
Veerachai Somchart
The TAT, once again on the drive to support tourism in
the region, took a fresh approach by educating educators on the
effectiveness of supporting the tourism sector.
A conference was held September 12-13 with this objective
in mind and was attended by over 80 representatives from schools and
colleges both in the Chonburi and adjacent province of Samut Prakarn.
Preecha Kamolbutr, deputy governor of Chonburi was the guest of honor.
The conference covered issues relating to Thailand’s
future involving today’s students and the role that teachers play in
instilling the right attitude in their young students. Students can help the
future of tourism in Thailand through communication, culture and overall
friendliness and service towards the greater community.
The Thai tourism industry has developed rapidly in
previous years, more specifically in Chonburi as a major tourist center and
the province of Samut Prakarn, which has seen a surge in interest from both
foreign and Thai tourists. The surge has been accredited to the long history
of Samut Prakarn and many of its ancient cultural traditions and
destinations.
Interaction between Thai students and foreign visitors
can be positive and helpful. The idea is that students will get the chance
to promote the very best of Thai culture and foreign tourists will be
delighted to receive correct information and a good impression of the
kingdom.
Pattaya Hotel Club pleads for tax reduction
The Pattaya Hotel Club (PHC) recently held an official
meeting to brainstorm for solutions over some issues that are affecting the
hotel industry. The absence of a room price floor limitation and a hotel
business premises tax reduction were urgent topics.
The niche market of Pattaya is in distress. Tourists from
China represent more than 40% of business in Pattaya. Competition has seen
some hotels pressed into lowering their room rates to B300-350 per night to
stimulate revenue. This has created harsh times for small and medium sized
hotels. Price controls on hotel room rates seems impossible in Pattaya,
unlike in Phuket, as there are more than 40,000 rooms in and around the
city, not including mushrooming low-price rental rooms and condominiums.
During the meeting held at the Green Park Hotel Suwat
Paepiromrat, president of PHC said hotel taxation laws should be
commensurate with facts. City Hall is currently enforcing tax collection
laws formulated for hotels nationwide without studying the real situation of
each location.
Hotels in Pattaya are taxed for parking lots, beauty
salons, lobby lounges, swimming pools, stores, and many other attractions.
Some of these services do not make a profit and in some cases are amenities
which actually cut profits.
Suwat said that, for example, the tax estimate that
Pattaya City Hall calculated for Dusit Resort was 1,500,000 baht, but the
hotel managed to negotiate the tax down to 1 million baht explaining that
the city’s tax estimate was not realistic. Hotel officials explained that
there is no profit from the car park or swimming pool services and to tax
them for it was unfair.
Currently hotels are paying administration fees to the
District Administration Organization. In the near future, all businesses in
Pattaya will be allocating money to City Hall to cover 10% of the wastewater
treatment project worth 1,800 million baht for the next 15 years.
Unfortunately, hotels do not yet have a consensus on a room rate floor
limitation, which makes it difficult for the hotels to survive.
The PHC hopes to talk with the Thai Hotels Association (THA)
and Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA) to solve problems
related to hotel taxation, wastewater treatment fee collection, and a room
rate floor curb.
THA joins in the OTOP Co-op
Suchada Tupchai
THA and 35 hotels have signed in as members of the One
Tambon One Product (OTOP) Co-op. One Tambon One Product is one of Chonburi
Province’s projects to raise the quality of the local products up to
standard and expand the markets.
Presided over by Chonburi Governor Chadej Insawang, a
meeting on One Tambon One Product was recently held, attended by THA
President Chachawal Supachayanont and representatives from 24 hotels.
Chadej said that involving hotels in the One Tambon One
Product is an excellent idea. He felt it is a good opportunity for the
hotel industry to obtain quality local products and can encourage local
people to become more productive.
Hotels can use hygienic vegetables, eggs, soaps and
shampoos, as well as other edible products and herbs.
The membership fee for joining the Co-op is 100 baht.
Membership also allows members to buy co-op shares at 100 baht per share -
not exceeding 1000 shares per person.
Interested parties can call 038-784064 for details.
Local residents beginning to tire of Central Pattaya beautification project
Mayor asks for understanding and cooperation
Suchada Tupchai
City Hall is receiving a barrage of complaints
about the ongoing construction along Central Pattaya Road. Most
complaints center on how disorderly the construction is progressing,
and how unattractive the area has become. But concern is also being
expressed that footpaths are in such disarray they pose serious
danger to pedestrians.
 City
officials got out to inspect the situation on Central Pattaya Road.
Residents are complaining that footpaths are in such disarray they
pose serious danger to pedestrians.
In response, Pattaya City’s mayor recently led
his deputy mayor and other officials to the area to inspect the new
footpaths.
The mayor and city officials talked to people
whose businesses are being affected by the on-going construction and
discussed which measures should be taken to improve the situation.
The mayor asked the public to remove unsightly
debris, be patient and support the beautification plans while the
city continues to improve walkways. He said that eventually a
slope-way will also be constructed for the convenience of disabled
people.
Felix Cheremnykh re-enacts August 30 Bank of Ayudhya robbery
Two Russian alleged accomplices remain silent, other accomplices remain at large
Boonlua Chatree & Vichan Pladplueng
On Wednesday September 11, 100 armed police officers, led
by the deputy commissioner of Region 2, Police Gen Phirom Boonrodpanich took
Felix Cheremnykh to the Bank of Ayudhya in South Pattaya. There Cheremnykh
re-enacted the events that he and four others committed during their armed
robbery of the bank on August 30th.
Cheremnykh, who confessed to participating in the robbery,
led officers through the re-enactment in which police played the role of the
other four gang members. Officers donned masks similar to those used during
the robbery.
 Felix
Cheremnykh reenacts the murder of Pol. Sgt Maj. Songkitti Maneechote during
the armed robbery of the Bank of Ayuthaya in South Pattaya on August 30.
The first point of reference was in Jomtien. After the
robbery the group collected a stolen pick up from ‘Sura’ on Sukhumvit
Road. Then they went on to Ocean Marina Yacht Club where they parked the
rented Toyota, which was used as the second getaway vehicle. The bank robbers
had their getaway boat already moored at the pier in Jomtien at 7 a.m. on the
morning of the robbery.
Once inside the bank, Cheremnykh told officers how he and
the others entered the bank wearing rubber masks. He said that he was
carrying a knife while Udarov and Mimlikeev carried guns.
Felix
Cheremnykh shows police how the gang allegedly bagged the stolen money and
headed for the exits.
He said the gang forced the bank staff to lie on the
floor. Then they demanded that the bank safe be opened. Cheremnykh told
officers that Pol. Sgt Maj. Songkitti Maneechote was already in the bank when
the gang entered. The police officer pulled his gun on the gang and managed
to fire a shot, but missed.
Cheremnykh said he then tackled the officer and wrestled
the gun away from him. He explained that while he had the policeman pinned to
the floor the gun went off and a bullet nicked Cheremnykh in the leg.
Police
officers “playing the roles” of the other suspects don masks to help
police reenact the bank robbery.
During his struggle with the policeman Cheremnykh claimed
‘Sura’, another member of the gang, shot Pol. Sgt. Maj. Songkitti in the
head. Cheremnykh did say that he was not absolutely sure who pulled the
trigger on the weapon that killed the police officer.
During the scuffle other members of the gang ordered bank
staff to open the safe. They seized the money and stashed the cash into a
large bag while one member was stationed on watch. Once they had the money
the four men ran out through the back door of the building to the waiting
getaway car, then sped off in the direction of Jomtien.
 Felix
Cheremnykh, who has
confessed to taking part in the armed robbery of the Bank of Ayuthaya in
South Pattaya and the murder of Pol. Sgt Maj. Songkitti Maneechote, reenacts
how the gang escaped in a van waiting outside the back of the bank.
Police retraced the steps of the group to the point where
they changed cars and split up, 3 of them taking off in the rented Toyota and
the other two in another vehicle.
The plan was for the group to wait one night on Krarm
Island before heading south into international waters. However, the boat they
purchased was in poor condition and they also had to buy extra fuel before
they fled. The fuel purchase detained them in Prachuab Kiri Khan Province on
the other side of the Gulf of Siam.
Pol. Gen. Phirom said that this re-enactment will be vital
additional information to add to the investigation and Cheremnykh’s
confession. He said, “The ‘show’ has enabled police investigators to
get into the minds of the robbers. It will also help determine who is
responsible for the death of the police officer.”
Phirom stressed that even though the other two men in
police custody have remained silent and not offered to cooperate with
investigators, he predicted there will be no problem convicting them. He said
the police already have enough incriminating evidence without their
confessions.
When asked about the hunt for the remaining two suspects,
including ‘Sura’ who is allegedly the Thai national involved in the
robbery, Pol. General Phirom said, “We are in the process of investigating
their whereabouts and expect an arrest in the near future. However, at this
time we are not able to provide any further details, as it might hamper the
investigation. The police will push for the death penalty when the case goes
to court.”
The three Russian suspects appeared in court for the
second time on Friday the 13th. Felix Cheremnykh, Mapat Mimlikeev and Renat
Udarov were formally charged with the robbery of the Bank of Ayudhya on
August 30. Their first court date was on September 2 at the Pattaya Court of
Justice.
Only Felix Cheremnykh has admitted to the crime. Mimlikeev
and Udarov are maintaining their silence. All three were ordered to be held
apart for another 12 days before their next court appearance.
Pol. Sgt Maj. Chaywat Bensuton said the trial is underway,
but there is still more evidence to be collected. Twenty-five witnesses are
yet to testify.
After five hours in court, the suspects were once again returned to prison
where they will be detained until their next court appearance on September
25.
Criminal gang kidnaps and robs elderly, fortune telling Buddhist nun
Crime in Pattaya has recently taken on some rather
bizarre characteristics. Three men and one woman, disguised in police
uniforms kidnapped a 63 year old nun, named Kimlang Boontao, from the
nuns’ quarters at Mount Pra Yai.
The gang accused her of violating the Buddhist principle
called “por ror bor song”, accusing her of being a ‘fortune teller’,
which, according to the kidnappers, violated her vows as a nun and gave them
the right to arrest her. Apparently they didn’t seem to think that if the
woman really was a fortune teller, then surely she would have seen them
coming and avoided the entire mess.
Nonetheless, once the 3 kidnappers had coerced Kimlang
into in the car, they robbed her of 18,000 baht and a mobile phone, two
things that wouldn’t necessarily come immediately to mind when considering
what and elderly fortune telling nun might have in her possession. The gang
then forced her out of the car at the North Pattaya/Naklua roundabout.
Police suspect that the gang knew about the nun’s hobby
as a fortune teller and that she most likely had cash in her possession, so
they decided to pose as officers of the law in order to make the robbery
easier.
The perpetrators are still at large.
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