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Bali Hai Marina should be ready to go this month
Boat operators warn of overcrowding already
Veerachai Somchart
The new 238 million baht Bali Hai Marina situated on
18.75 rai of land at Bali Hai Cape has been declared 97% complete and will
be operational just in time for the holiday season in December. The city
planning department revealed that only a few more touches are needed to
finish the project, which they say will bring South Pattaya to life.
The
beautiful new South Pattaya pier is nearly finished and should be fully
operational this month, perhaps as soon as next week.
Sanit Boonmachai, president of the Pattaya Traveling Boat
Club, has warned that there might be some problems regarding overcrowding of
boats docking at the new marina. Currently, there are as many as 400-500
boats anchored off the Pattaya and Jomtien shore. Five years ago when the
plan was initiated that number was only 200.
The city planning department says they have corrected
past flaws that have affected the area’s other piers, such as the one at
Tawaen Beach on Larn Island. The pier at Tawaen is a good example of
careless location planning, poor design and a big waste of money. Boats are
unable to safely dock at the pier for fear of hitting the pillars and rocks
in shallow water.
Pattaya’s city planning department used a better design
and more research went into the location plan so that the pier at Bali Hai
Marina will be effective and efficient. The bumping protection rubber
installed to the sides of the pier to avoid damage to docked boats is of
international quality and is used worldwide.
The Bali Hai Marina development is one of 9 Pattaya
improvement projects. In 1990, the city planning department proposed to city
authorities that 101 businesses on the beach side of South Pattaya - which
were in some way or other encroaching on public land - be dismantled to make
way for environmental improvement.
These businesses were affecting a 119-rai parcel of land
which the city wanted to develop into a major seaside project for the
general public and tourism.
Protests against the city’s claim to the land were
vigorous and lengthy. After protracted negotiations with residents the city
finally agreed to reduce the targeted area to a section of land measuring
18.75 rai.
The Bangsaen Mahanakorn Contractor Company started the construction work
for the marina on June 26, 2000, and the project is due to be operational on
December 12, 2002. The Bali Hai Pier is 803.30 meters in length. Besides the
reception and service terminal, the complex includes a huge parking lot, a
small park, roads linking to Pattaya Third Road and walkways linked to
Walking Street.
Fire breaks out on ground floor of Royal Garden Plaza sending shoppers fleeing
Initial estimates of 4 million baht
in damages
Boonlua Chatree and Songklod Kaewvisit
A fire broke out on the ground floor on the beach side of
the Royal Garden Plaza shopping and sent shoppers and staff running into the
street to escape thick smoke from burning merchandise at around 4.30 p.m.
last Monday afternoon.
Firefighters and police arrived on the scene to find four
shops engulfed in flames - Surfer Girl, Triumph Underwear, the Big Silver
Shop and Hardcore Surf. The thick smoke caused by burning fabric reduced
visibility and firefighters had to don breathing apparatus to fight the
flames inside the center. Local volunteers aided in evacuating the building.
Smoke and water damage to the four shops and the center
was initially estimated at around 4 million baht. Insurance companies will
have to evaluate the final damage bill.
Fortunately there were no injuries from the fire or
through smoke inhalation.
At press time there was still no definite data to
determine where and how the blaze started. Initial reports suggest that
faulty electrical wiring may have caused the fire. However, fire
investigation officers are still in the process of examining the cause of
the blaze.
Upcoming holidays update
Thailand businesses to take 5-day holiday during New Year festival
Next Tuesday, December 10 is Constitution Day in
Thailand, which is an official public holiday. Banks, government offices and
many businesses will be closed on that day.
Also, Thai people will have the opportunity to celebrate
a longer New Year festival this year, as the cabinet on November 25 approved
a 5-day holiday during the New Year period.
Government spokesman Sitha Thivaree said the cabinet
approved December 30 as one more holiday day during the New Year period,
“This allows Thai people to have five consecutive days off for holidays
during the New Year Festival, from Saturday to Wednesday - December 28 to
January 1,” he stated.
City hopes to elevate all schools to international standards within next 6 years
Pattaya School Number 7 the first to undergo the evolution
After members of the city council went to look at Pattaya
School Number 7 the city council held a meeting to discuss the new
improvements which will be done to develop the schools of Pattaya during the
next 2 years with the budget of 65 million baht.
Pinyo Tanwiset, administrator for charity funds of
Chonburi said that by the year 2006 the 47 schools in Chonburi District will
all be up to international standards concerning educational materials,
technology and construction.
The development of the schools will be accomplished with
the involvement of teachers and headmasters, and more materials and
equipment will be provided for students.
All in all Pattaya has 10 public schools but Pattaya
School number 7 has been selected to be the first to undergo the evolution
because it is over 20 years old and its needs are many.
Pattaya School 7 will be given computers and foreign
languages will also be introduced into the system. The school has a total of
1,500 students distributed on 4 floors and has only 40 bathrooms.
In the next 6 years Pattaya City hopes to elevate all
schools to international standards. The plan is to modernize the buildings
and revamp the curriculum. In order to bring the school educational level up
to standards, teachers’ credentials will have to be approved by the mayor.
The city also has a plan to tear down 3 old school
buildings, and rebuild them as 4 story buildings, with 18 classrooms and a
separate cafeteria and gymnasium. This plan will cost about 60-70 million
baht.
Consumers urged to call Regional Consumer Protection Center if cheated
Local officials do preventative survey of local shops
Suchada Tupchai
Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijikarn, Vichit Saengsuksawat,
assistant director of the Chonburi Commercial Department and members of
Pattaya and provincial health and hygiene departments recently conducted an
inspection of consumer items, including electrical goods, food items, and
cosmetics at local shopping centers and stores. This check was to make sure
businesses are conforming to regulations concerning consumer protection
regarding quality of merchandise in the city.
Vichit said that the provincial authorities normally
conduct regular inspections in the interest of consumer safety but seldom
inform the media of their actions.
Vichit went on to say that those found violating consumer
protection laws were given a chance to redeem themselves before the next
inspection and most shops do so willingly.
The team of officials visited the Big C electrical
department to make sure that equipment had the appropriate warnings and
labels displayed clearly.
The inspection team also checked the fresh food section
and the meat department where fresh pork was tested for levels of borax.
They found no infringements and everything was in order.
The next stops on the inspection tour were restaurants
located on Central Pattaya Road. The team found most establishments were
clean and hygienic standards were acceptable. Most had prices for food and
beverages clearly posted according to regulations.
Vichit requested cooperation from all sectors of the
community and if any residents or tourists have been dealt with unfairly or
sold defective goods, he said that complaints can be directed to the
Regional Consumer Protection Center by calling 038 276 770 or 038 270 055.
The inspection regarding consumer protection is timely as
the World Scout Jamboree is coming up and with the increase in the number of
visitors from around the globe the authorities want tourists and local
consumers to be confident in the safety of products and services within the
city and not be cheated or overcharged.
Pattaya to become user-friendly city for the disabled
Thai Constitution requires changes be made
Suchada Tupchai
At the moment, Pattaya City is lagging behind on
implementing measures which would increase the comfort, safety and mobility
of disabled persons. However, the new Thai Constitution is explicit in its
wording that disabled and elderly citizens have the right to public
conveniences and aids which would simplify their lives.
City management, including Deputy Mayor Niran
Wattanasatsathorn, recently met with Suporntham Mongkolsawat, head of the
Redemptorist Vocational College for the Disabled and members of the
community to set about changing infrastructure in Pattaya City which would
make the town more user-friendly for physically disabled members of the
community.
Also attending the meeting was Pharadorn Tharapan, an
expert in the field of designing such facilities. Pharadorn told attendees
that legislation is now in place whereby local infrastructure must include
convenient facilities for the disabled and elderly.
In keeping with the ‘Universal Design’, changes must
be made to accommodate this section of the community. But Pattaya lacks such
conveniences even though it has many examples from cities around the world
to draw from.
Under articles 55 and 80 of the new Thai Constitution
disabled and elderly citizens have the right to these conveniences. These
aids will allow them to be more active in society, to more easily make use
of public places and get around conveniently in government offices.
The legislation also states that there must be signs
clearly posted depicting reserved areas for the elderly and the disabled.
Ramps must be built at entrances to buildings, automatic doors should be
installed, bathroom facilities should safely accommodate this group of
people, as well as elevators, well-lit walkways and parking spaces should be
allocated and reserved specifically for the disabled and the elderly.
Suporntham Mongkolsawat said, “Implementing these
conveniences for the disabled community is not a new idea. Countries around
the world have for many years provided such levels of convenience. Thailand
now needs to catch up. This can only enhance the community as whole by
providing such facilities.”
At the meeting a slide show was presented to show various
designs of conveniences for the disabled from countries such as Singapore,
Japan and the United States.
The meeting concluded with city officers calling for
immediate inspection of the city and construction sites to begin
implementing the changes as quickly as possible.
Over 1,000 clean up the city in honor of our Beloved King
Start of the city’s new Development Project Program
As a tribute to His Majesty the King for his birthday and
to encourage the public to get involved in projects which help improve
Pattaya’s image and appearance, the city organized what it calls the
Pattaya Development Project Program.
People
Power! Many people joined in the fun and helped clean up the city on the
first day of what the city plans to be an ongoing effort in honor of His
Majesty the King.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat last week presided over
the project’s commencement at city hall. Over 1000 city residents, naval
cadets from Sattahip Naval Base, personnel from the health department,
students and business people, including staff from hotels and shopping malls
attended the opening ceremonies.
Pattaya Development Projects will consist of cleaning the
footpaths, a beach clean up, and tidying up public places.
At the opening ceremony the mayor said that this is an
excellent time to begin the project since His Majesty’s birthday is a very
auspicious occasion and people are inspired to do good deeds as a tribute to
their beloved monarch.
The King’s birthday is also Thailand’s designated Father’s Day and
this project is a productive way to show respect to the King. It also
provides a vehicle to educate the public on how important environmental
awareness is to the nation.
Large trees moved in the name of progress
Songklod Kaewvisit
Three large rain-trees, estimated to be around 100 years
old, have been moved from their original location by the Grand Sole Hotel on
Pattaya Second Road to a new home.
On the
night of the move, this woman said she felt like she was losing her friends,
as she had been selling food from the shade of the trees for 9 years.
The three giants were trimmed of their main branches
after which a backhoe carefully dug around the root system before they were
loaded onto a semi-trailer and moved to their new home near Pattaya Folk
Village and nearby Elephant Garden.
The trees were moved to make way for progress. A plaza
will be built where the developer has leased the land for a ‘4 plus 4 plus
4’ lease agreement with the owners.
The
trees were trimmed back before being moved to their new home.
Local residents and business people were generally concerned over the
fate of these three old giants and were relived to hear they were to be
relocated rather than scrapped and sincerely hope they will thrive once
transplanted. However, the removal of the beautiful old trees has left the
area barren and less green.
Anti-Drugs campaign parade scheduled for December 10
To be held annually from now on
Songklod Kaewvisit
A parade will start at Pattaya police station Soi 9 on
December 10 at 4:00 p.m. and end at Walking Street to boost the city’s
‘Anti-Drugs’ campaign.
Rungthip
Suksrikarn, initiator of the project, said that she believes Pattaya’s
upcoming anti-drugs parade/rally will definitely encourage Pattaya residents
to publicly oppose drug use. She also said this event will take place on
December 10 (Constitution Day, a public holiday) every year from now on.
Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, led by its
president, Surat Mekavarakul has put great effort into the campaign, which
was conceived to promote unfavorable reaction towards drug abuse.
The president said the many clubs and associations that
signed up for the event included Lions Clubs, Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association, Rotary Clubs, Pattaya Hotels Club, Eastern Hotels Association,
Gold Merchandisers Club of Pattaya, and YWCA of Bangkok-Pattaya.
Money was raised up to produce 5,000 shirts promoting the
Anti-Drugs campaign, which will be sold at 150 baht in various stores
including gold shops in Pattaya, Mikes Shopping Mall, Sawang Boriboon Life
Foundation, and Tiffany Show Theatre.
The anti-drugs campaign committee will be managing the
proceeds and will use some of the money for sting operations to help police
break up drug rings.
On the day of the parade, the public is urged to wear the
black shirts printed with the anti-drugs campaign slogan and logo.
Surat said it is a good sign to see many associations and clubs join
hands in protesting the use of illegal drugs. He said he hoped that the
campaign would help stop the spread of drug abuse amongst young kids. Surat
added that the public must take this problem seriously and act with
conviction in order to make Pattaya City a clean place for residents and
tourists.
Baywatch
What happened to the city’s ‘shade project’?
Ekachai Kamolsri
Literally dozens of green poles around the city remain virtually
untouched. The poles are standing there, but when are the city officials
going to give orders to plant the vines? Not only are these ‘shade
covers’ not providing any shade, but they have created a nuisance to
pedestrians, as they are placed in obscure sections of the footpaths. They
also do not provide enough room for people using wheel chairs. So much for
Pattaya becoming more ‘user friendly’ for the disabled.
Lewd show raided again
Pattaya police continue to raid entertainment
venues offering naughty shows
The current social order reforms are still in place but
some bars in Pattaya seem to care less. A team of police officers recently
raided the Soi 8 A go-go after receiving reports that the venue had been
offering illegal lewd performances.
Plain-clothes cops posing as tourists slyly sprung their
trap and arrested 3 service girls with one performing naked. The girls were
promptly told to get dressed and were then escorted to the Soi 9 cop-shop.
The owner/manager of the bar was also taken to the police station for
questioning.
The interview went well as the manager amicably told
police that she had been in this business for a long time, and had been
providing tourists who frequent her establishment with racy shows, since
they obviously enjoyed them.
She said her main clients were tourists from China and
Korea who paid 150 baht per head to view something a little provocative. She
said the service had been very popular bringing her good income even though
she knew that it was against the law.
Well, what’s a girl to do? Pay the fine. She was fined
2,000 baht; the performers were also fined 500 baht each.
Bomb squad called to shopping plaza to check on suspicious box
Ominous looking box frightens counter girls
Boonlua Chatree
Police last week were called to a Beach Road shopping
mall to inspect a suspicious box after employees reported that a box
believed to be a time bomb was found at the service counter.
It does
look rather scary, but it turned out to be nothing more than a diving
compass. Phew!
Service counter attendants, Vassana Boonsong, aged 20,
and Anchalee Suda, aged 25, called in the report. When police arrived at the
scene to investigate, they were told by the attendants that an elderly
foreign man had deposited the box at the counter at 4:00 p.m. and then
walked away. However, when they looked more closely at the box they thought
the goods inside looked like a time bomb. Shocked and frightened they
notified authorities.
Without further delay Pattaya police contacted a bomb
squad from the Sattahip Naval Base. A team of experts accompanied by dogs
arrived at the 3rd floor of the shopping mall, creating quite a stir amongst
the startled shoppers. Many didn’t stick around to find out what was
happening and beat a hasty exit.
Half an hour later the foreign gentleman returned to the
counter to reclaim his box, more than a little surprised that he was met by
police officers, sniffer dogs and a team of bomb disposal experts.
Admitting ownership of the box that had created such
paranoia, he told officers that the contents contained a compass for scuba
diving.
Police unwrapped the box and found a black metal diving compass that the
Italian tourist, Carlo Sary had brought with him to Pattaya for the
underwater diving trip. Carlo said he had no idea that such an innocuous
piece of equipment would cause so much panic.
Explosion in South Pattaya workshop leaves 3 seriously injured
10 buildings severely damaged
Boonlua Chatree
Exploding gas bottles and compressors in a South Pattaya
workshop sprayed shrapnel and glass over 20 meters and blew off both legs of
the shop owner and seriously injured the man’s two-year-old son and
16-year-old employee.
Exploding
gas bottles and compressors in this South Pattaya workshop sprayed shrapnel
and glass over 20 meters and blew off both legs of the shop owner and
seriously injured the man’s two-year-old son and 16-year-old employee.
The tragedy occurred at a refrigeration and compressor
workshop on South Pattaya Road, opposite the Bank of Ayuthaya just after
midday on Monday December 2. The explosion ripped through the building
damaging 10 neighboring buildings and a vehicle.
When police arrived on the scene they saw that the
destruction was devastating. Nearby residents and neighbors had already sent
the three critically injured people to Pattaya Memorial Hospital, where they
underwent immediate surgery to stop severe bleeding and remove pieces of one
of the refrigerant bottles that shattered when the compressor exploded.
Police investigators questioned Chusak Chimkaew, who
witnessed the explosion from across the street. Chusak told officers that
shop’s owner, identified as 33 year old Suriya Chaidech, was in the
process of welding the compressor. Apparently Suriya finished welding and
was about to file off the weld when the compressor exploded. The explosion
caused a small bottle of refrigerant gas to also explode and sprayed pieces
of metal in a 20 meter radius. The sheer force of the explosion blew off
both of Suriya’s legs.
Suriya’s two year old son Pawarit and 16 year old
employee Boonmee Sukjit, who were inside the shop when the explosion took
place, were seriously injured from flying pieces of metal.
Pattaya Police Chief Pol. Col. Padungsak Ubekkanon
ordered officers to remove pieces of the gas bottle and hose for police
forensics to examine a possible cause for the explosion. He also told them
to check on whether the shop had the necessarily operating licenses.
Police went to Pattaya Memorial Hospital hopes of questioning the victims
but staff said the injured people were in no condition to be interviewed.
Boonmee Sukjit was reported to be unconscious with multiple shrapnel wounds
and the two year old boy and his father were both in critical condition and
would need surgery.
Confidence man ends up in jail after cheating one too many people
Con charges not levied, but visa overstay charges filed
Boonlua Chatree
An Iraqi national recently confessed to conning a Middle
Eastern visitor out of 16,000 baht by promising the victim he could
‘fix’ a visa overstay because of his alleged insider police connections.
Iraqi
Talal T Chali swindled one person too many and ended up in jail for visa
overstay.
On November 24, local police received a report from
Lamyai Kaewthongdee that her husband, Masood Phoosani, an Iranian national
who had previously been detained for overstaying his visa was cheated out of
16,000 baht by Talal T Chali, an Iraqi national after Talal told them they
he had ‘connections’ in the police station and could help them solve
Masood’s overstay case.
As part of the ‘help’ Talal requested 20,000 baht
from the Iranian who haggled the price down to 16,000 baht. After taking the
money from Masood and his wife, Talal did nothing to help the case, so
Lamyai reported the swindle to officers at the Pattaya police station.
The case was then handed over the Foreign Crime
Suppression Unit, which sent a team of officers in search for the miscreant
Iraqi. They eventually found him outside a South Pattaya entertainment
venue. Officers took Talal into custody when they discovered that he had
also overstayed his visa.
It seems that Talal had been a somewhat prolific con
artist during his stay in the area. During the course of his arrest another
woman, identified as Nayana Wanna told police that Talal had also taken her
mobile phone after requesting to borrow it. Another Iraqi, Ismael Mansoor,
accused Talal of absconding with his mobile telephone and 3,000 baht in
cash. Both wanted police to arrest Talal.
During interrogation Talal T Chali confessed to swindling
Masood out of the 16,000 baht and was apparently willing to repay the money.
Police did, however, charge him for over-staying his visa.
As for swindling the money from Masood, who was currently detained for
overstay, officers said that, as there was no solid proof, they were unable
to arrest him on that charge without a valid court order.
Police Briefs
Motorbike thieves caught with 10
stolen vehicles
Police recently arrested juveniles, Siam (Jack) Kessakorn,
age 17, Suworn Namchaidee aged 17, and Preecha Praraj also aged 17 in the
parking lot at Luk Pla apartment building along with 2 stolen motorbikes in
their possession.
After questioning the three teenagers, police were able
to trace another 16-year-old gang member at his residence in Huay Yai
Banglamung where there were another 6 stolen motorbikes.
The gang admitted to the crime telling police that they
had stolen numerous motorbikes from locals and tourists in Pattaya. The
stolen motorcycles were disassembled and sold to motorbike repair shops for
cash. They said that a few were sold in tact to people from 2,500 to 3,000
baht per bike.
The youngsters confessed that the money obtained from
these crimes was used for social outings and to buy drugs.
French tourists robbed of over 3 million baht in
valuables
French tourists staying in a Jomtien hotel recently
returned to their rooms to find that their video cameras, digital cameras,
golden rings, perfume bottles, suitcases and Euro cash were missing. Four
rooms had been broken into and the loss was estimated at more than 3 million
baht.
Hotel staff told police that prior to the robbery a group
of Middle Easterners had booked a room under a Thai woman’s name. After
the robbery was reported, the staff suspected that these people might have
been involved in the robbery since they vanished from the hotel the next
morning.
The name of the woman on the hotel registry was
Patharaporn Kantao and the form indicated that she was a Chonburi resident
who checked in with a Middle Easterner.
Police are continuing their investigation.
Survey reveals most still reluctant to see transvestites become ministers
Most city residents remain reluctant to see transvestites
become ministers and national politicians, but accept their role in the show
business, according to a poll by Ramkamhaeng University. Dr Arastham
Prommana, chairman of the Research and Development Institute of the
university, said the survey was conducted with a random sample of 1,490
people on “Right and Role of Transvestite and Social Acceptance.”
Of this, 41.3% were male, 55% female with 2.8% being
transvestites.
The poll showed 77.3% viewed transvestites should be
legally protected when they are raped. Currently, raped transvestites are
not entitled to take legal action because they are considered male under the
law.
The survey found 50.5% viewed transvestites should have
the right to get marriage registration while 49.5% disagreed.
On the role people disagreed most to let transvestites
assume, 61.9% said they should not take up a ministerial post and become
national politicians. The poll also found 71.1% viewed transvestites should
not be allowed to use Ms or Mrs. before their name, 64.2% said they should
not use female toilets, 53.3% they should not be exempted from military
service, and 53% they should not wear female student uniforms.
On the role people agreed most to let them assume, 93.7%
said they accept their role in show business. They also agreed to see them
become lecturers, doctors, executives, and nurses respectively. (TNA)
Over 500 residents in Pattaya join in the nationwide’ Exercise for Health’ project in the grounds
of Pattaya City Hall
Suchada Tupchai
They came from all over the area; young, old, active,
sedentary, athletic and even our couch-potatoes rose from their chairs to
join in the fun of a mass aerobic workout on the grounds of city hall last
week.
Mayor
Pairat (right) warms up for the aerobic workout with a little Thai dancing.
As a part of Thailand’s central government policy on
promoting a healthy lifestyle, over 500 Pattaya residents joined over 40,000
people around the nation for the group workout.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat was on hand with the city
management team to officially kick-start the affair, along with members of
the Pattaya Aerobics Association and local health clubs leading the session.
Pattaya City actively supported the national project,
which is one the many activities organized by the Ministry of Public Health
to promote a healthier lifestyle among the population and take an interest
in health issues.
The modern Thai lifestyle has focused mainly on work and
taking care of the day-to-day responsibilities which leaves little time for
exercise. Unfortunately this lack of vigorous physical exercise has resulted
in an increase of various illnesses.
Not surprisingly, Pattaya City introduced a little culture and fun into
this mass workout by holding a warm-up session of Thai traditional dancing.
Adding a little spice to the action, fitness fanatics and aerobic buffs
loved this original idea. After everyone was limbered up the crowd gave
their all during the 1-hour workout.
Pattaya City marches for World AIDS Day
Pattaya Gay Festival raises over 3 million baht for local charities, Heartt2000 and drug rehab center
December 1 is designated as World AIDS Day by the World
Health Organization (WHO). Every year this special day draws world-wide
attention to the prevention and care of HIV/AIDS. This year hundreds of
people in Pattaya, including city officials and residents, turned out in
force, despite impending rain, to march in the parade carrying ‘Safe
Sex’ and ‘No to Drugs’ banners.
Mayor
Pairat Suttithamrongsawat (right), Dr Philippe Seur (center background) and
Chanyut Hengtrakul (center) enjoy the passing parade on World AIDS Day 2002.
This year’s parade began in front of the Nova Lodge
Hotel on Pattaya Beach Road. Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, Santsak
Ngampiches, deputy chief of the Chart Thai Party, and council members, as
well as Dr. Philip Suer, who runs “Help Ensure Aids Rescue in Thailand
Together” (Heartt2000) started the parade which proceeded along Pattaya
Beach Road to South Pattaya. Then the parade returned along Pattaya Second
Road as all the marchers braved a torrential downpour.
Amongst the ranks, the Pattaya Gay Festival marchers
provided a great dash of color and spirit to the parade, affirming their
place in the city as responsible adults and main contributors to the
Heartt2000 AIDS charity fund with over 3 million baht being raised this
year.
The festival’s grand finale for the year was marked
with a beach party at Jomtien on November 29, a Gala Dinner at Bruno’s
Restaurant on November 30, the ‘Walk for Life’ Parade along Beach Road,
on December 1 followed by a street party in Boyz Town.
The two main charities designated by the Pattaya Gay
Festival are the Naklua Drug Rehabilitation Center, where extensive
improvements to their facilities were desperately needed, and Heartt 2000,
run by Dr Philippe Seur, a French doctor who has dedicated himself to
helping local people infected with the HIV/AIDS virus who cannot afford the
cost of the expensive medication vital for their survival.
To date Dr Philippe works under the auspices of Dr.
Jureerat, director of the Chonburi Public Hospital and together they have
helped more than 550 HIV patients, undoubtedly saving many lives.
Current statistics reveal that the group with the highest
rate of HIV infection is laborers - a staggering 43.98 percent. Many are
unaware they are infected until the first symptoms appear.
The Walk for Life in Pattaya was mirrored around Thailand
and the world to promote preventative measures in stemming the spread of the
disease by emphasizing educational and advertising campaigns in communities
around the globe.
WHO has already set the theme for the World AIDS Campaign 2002-2003 -
which will attempt to address the stigma and discrimination of those
infected with AIDS.
Chonburi could see 300 million baht sports complex next year
Veerachai Somchart
Recently Sonthaya Khunpluem, minister of tourism and
sports, revealed that a 300 million baht indoor sports complex called
‘Sports City’ might be built in Chonburi next year and could be
operational as soon as 2005.
He added that Chonburi Province is very suitable for a
big sports center because of its location, which can be accessed through
land, sea and air.
The minister of tourism and sports disclosed that sports
complexes are currently available in large numbers around the kingdom and he
believes that the ministry does not have to invest many millions for more,
“But we must use those existing stadiums more effectively by increasing
the frequency of games and events,” he said.
The minister added that Thailand has a good chance to
host the Asia Indoor Games 2005, if the country can beat Macao’s
capability in organizing the event. “So what we need is an indoor stadium
of international standard that can comfortably handle over 4,000 viewers at
a time. The stadium could also be used for other popular sporting events,
like tennis,” he said.
The minister said that the country must use its resources
creatively and that the eastern part of the nation has great potential for
more development.
Santiphap Techawanit, sports governor of Thailand,
estimated the cost of construction of the giant sports complex at 300
million baht and insisted that Chonburi has the potential to become one of
the host cities for the Asia Indoor Games in 2005. Thailand was recently
nominated.
He agreed that Chonburi Province and especially Pattaya
City have more than enough accommodation available for visitors and are well
equipped with three main channels of transportation.
Apparently Pattaya City has offered a 50 rai section of
land in the Jomtien area to the ministry and is waiting for official
support.
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