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City awards rescuer after last week’s boating accident
Pulled 11 people from the water
Songklod Kaewvisit
Following the boating tragedy off the shores of Pattaya
on March 4th which killed one man and injured several others, Pattaya City
presented an award to rescuer Rattana Olar for service to his fellow man.
The
humble Rattana (2nd from left) said, “When you help someone out of a life
threatening situation, you don’t think about receiving awards. The
instinct is just to help out your fellow man and do the right thing.”
A speedboat driver, Rattana Olar was ferrying two
passengers to Pattaya from Larn Island when he saw the 2-level tourist
vessel go down. Rattana said he immediately rushed to the scene of the
accident. He pulled 11 people, including two children, from the water, took
them to shore and instructed a baht bus to take them to Pattaya Memorial
Hospital.
Rattana said, “When you help someone out of a life
threatening situation, you don’t think about receiving awards. The
instinct is just to help out your fellow man and do the right thing.”
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat presented the award on
March 6 to Rattana for his quick thinking, courage and able assistance which
helped save tourists in trouble. The mayor said, “I present this award to
Rattana Olar for services to the community. It is a token of our
appreciation and an encouragement for doing the right thing by your fellow
man.”
Afterwards the mayor added, “There are still many good people in
Pattaya and the city is prepared to support and honor such people. We value
people like Rattana because they are very important to the country and the
community.”
One of the missing captains now in police custody
Thammarat “Ae” Supawit was taken in to custody by
Pattaya police, one day after the sinking of a tourist boat off the shores
of Pattaya. The incident claimed the life of one tourist and injured several
others.
In a press conference police announced that they had
detained the captain of the ‘Mettar Namchok’ but are still on the
lookout for the second man involved, identified only as ‘Boy’.
Following an interrogation, Ae told police that he had
driven the boat to Larn Island whereas ‘Boy’ had brought the boat back
to Pattaya. Ae went on to say that when they were returning to Pattaya the
boat felt odd and he went to investigate. When he looked in the engine
compartment he discovered the boat was taking on water and tried to pump it
out without alarming the passengers.
Ae said the pumps were not able to keep up. Water kept
gushing in and the boat began to falter. When he finally decided his efforts
were useless, it was already too late. As the water reached the lower deck
level he finally told the passengers to move to the top deck.
Although Ae protested and said he was not responsible,
police charged him with negligence causing death and injury and unauthorized
operation of the boat.
Officers also questioned Attiya Puangsuwan, the owner of
the vessel as part of the investigation process. At this stage checks reveal
that the boat in question was modified to become a tourist vessel.
Port authorities are investigating as to whether the
appropriate licenses were issued as required by law.
Pattaya Mail receives ‘Outstanding English Language Newspaper’ award for 2003
The ‘Best in the East’ 5 years in a row
Suchada Tupchai
Pratheep
Malhotra, managing director of Pattaya Mail Publishing Company, accepted the
Eastern Mass Media Association of Thailand’s award for “the eastern
region’s outstanding English language newspaper both in news presentation
and promotion of tourism” from Chadej Insawang, permanent secretary of the
Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
For the 5th year in a row, the Pattaya Mail Newspaper was
awarded “the eastern region’s outstanding English language newspaper
both in news presentation and promotion of tourism” by the Eastern Mass
Media Association of Thailand. Pratheep Malhotra, managing director of
Pattaya Mail Publishing Company accepted the award from permanent secretary
of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Chadej Insawang.
March 5 marks the National Press and Media Day. As part
of the celebrations on this day, outstanding individuals and institutions in
the media in the Eastern part of Thailand are recognised for their
outstanding contribution to the betterment of the profession and to society
as a whole.
The awards presentation was held at Bangsaen Beach Resort
in Saen Sukh District. Representatives from Pattaya and Eastern region media
flocked into the party, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere. Chonburi
Province Deputy Governor Preecha Kamolbutra, Somchai Khunpluem, Saen Sukh
municipality mayor, Manit Boonchim, director of Tourism Authority of
Thailand Region 3, Komsan Eakkachai, Chonburi permanent secretary, and
permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Chadej Insawang
were present on the day to present awards to outstanding press in many
categories.
Phadungsak Tantaraworasilp, president of the Eastern Mass
Media Association of Thailand said the association was first established in
1978 and has been active for 25 years. Every March 5th is celebrated as
National Press and Media Day, and it was also a great opportunity for press
and media representatives to meet once a year and exchange experiences.
The gathering also builds good working relationships amongst association
members and announces honorable press and media people who truly dedicate
themselves to the community and society.
City officials to announce official opening date for Bali Hai Pier
March 25 is D-Day for boat operators to get their act together and start accepting tourists
Songklod Kaewvisit
The recently completed 238 million baht Bali Hai Pier in
South Pattaya was officially handed over from the contractors to Pattaya
City by Somchai Metwattharakul, a civil engineer from the Department of
Public Works under the Ministry of Interior. In the latest development of
the ongoing process, Pattaya City and departments involved in the project
are trying to ensure that everything is set to go ahead and officially open
the new facility after a site inspection.
The
recently completed 238 million baht, 803-meter Bali Hai Pier is scheduled to
open on March 25.
Niran Wattanasatsathorn, deputy mayor in charge of
managing the project, along with water safety officials, municipal officers,
traffic police and port officials inspected the site to resolve issues of
entering and exiting the new pier area, parking issues and other lingering
problems.
Niran said, “The city has set a date to officially open
the new pier on March 25, but currently we have a number of problems to
overcome such as parking for cars and boats. Traffic access needs to be
addressed as does traffic flow in the immediate area and surrounding roads
including Walking Street. This street is very narrow and leads to the 7
meter wide, 803 meter long pier. We must impose strict order in the area to
preempt potential problems.”
The deputy mayor said the number of tour buses using
Pattaya Third Road might cause heavy congestion, not only on the road itself
but also in using the small confines around the pier area to turn around. He
added that these buses may have to park underneath the bridge leading to
Pattaya Third Road so as not to create mass chaos in the immediate area.
“The mayor’s policy is to move the tour boats to the
beach and short term moorings in Pattaya Bay. The new pier can handle almost
2,000 boats per day and the city is currently looking for a private
contractor to manage the facility after a 6-month to 1 year period in which
data will be collected to form the basis of the management tender. We will
also set an area aside for visiting ministers in the upcoming APEC Tourism
Charter on April 9 attending the conference at PEACH. We want to put this
new attraction on show,” said the deputy mayor.
Prime Minister to preside over opening of Pattaya Music Festival
Over 100 artists will perform from 6 p.m. to midnight for 3 days
Veerachai Somchart
This year’s Pattaya Music Festival is going to be
bigger and better than ever. Because last year’s festival was such a
roaring success, the city is going all out to make this increasingly popular
annual event an unforgettable experience that no one will want to miss.
In a meeting at Pattaya City Hall on Monday March 10,
Pisit Boonchuang, Chonburi deputy governor announced that Prime Minister
Taksin Shinawatra has confirmed that he will preside over the opening
ceremonies of the Pattaya Music Festival for 2003. Joining him on the red
stage near city hall will be Thai superstar, Thongchai ‘Bird’ Macintyre
and a popular Japanese band. The opening ceremonies will be broadcast live
on national TV channel 9.
Along with the honor of having the prime minister open
the festival, this event will bring together local and international bands
from countries around the world, including Japan, Korea and the United
States, and over 200 of Thailand’s leading artists and performers, for a
weekend of almost non-stop music and dance.
Highlights include the appearances of Thai and
international music superstars including Jinthala, Catariya English,
Jirinpura, Nakarin ‘Pang’ Kingsak, Silly Fools, Modern Dog, Jetrin
Wantansin, Theerapat Sajakul, Peter Corpdirendall, Cristina Aguilera, and
Mike Phiromporn.
Another 100 artists from over 12 record labels will play
a range of Rock, Hip Hop, Easy Listening, Jazz and Thai Country (Luk Thung)
hits on three main stages.
Booths selling music paraphernalia, tapes and CDs will be
set up around the area. Manit Boonchim, director TAT Region 3 office in
Pattaya announced that the 3-day/3-night festival also includes Walking
Street festivities, the Pattaya Star Rally, and Pattaya Photo Contest.
Extra buses will run from Bangkok to Pattaya throughout
the three-day festival. The TAT has also prepared information brochures for
visitors on how to get here, where to stay, parking, restaurants and
programs for the event.
In a press conference, Minister for Tourism and Sports
Sonthaya Khunpluem said, “The event is sure to be a winner due to an
extensive public relations program and will enhance not only Pattaya’s
image but the nation as well.”
The minister added, “Pattaya will also host the Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting on tourism this coming April, bringing
journalists from around the globe to Thailand. Both these events are aimed
at promoting tourism and we are confident that the music festival will be a
huge success, bringing almost 300,000 people to the city. Based on last
year’s average expenditure of 1,051.71 baht per person it could total
around 700 million baht which is a big boost to the local economy.”
Those interested in more information can contact: The Tourism Authority
of Thailand Email: [email protected] or the TAT Office in Pattaya during office
hours at telephone number 038 428 750 or fax 038 429 113.
Elephant Light and Sound Show becomes area’s newest tourist attraction
Songklod Kaewvisit
Thailand is famous for its elephants. These proud and
mighty jumbos will now be performing in a jazzy new attraction which shows
off their talents and visitors will get a chance to learn more about these
magnificent animals.
Somchai
Khunpluem (Kamnan Poh), Saen Sukh municipality mayor recently presided over
the opening ceremony for the Elephant Light and Sound Show, the newest
tourist attraction in Pattaya.
Somchai Khunpluem (Kamnan Poh), Saen Sukh municipality
mayor recently opened the Elephant Light and Sound Show, the newest tourist
attraction in Pattaya. Thais and foreigners will be able to learn the
history of Thailand, or Siam as it was known in the old days, through the
elephant performances.
Mai Chaiyanit, president of Nongprue District
Administration Organization (TAO) said the MI Entertainment Company led by
Man Inthphithak, member of Nongprue TAO and Mitr Inthphithak, a local
businessman, saw an opportunity to develop and promote the unique heritage
of Thai culture in the eyes of today’s Thais and foreigners.
Mai wants visitors to learn the history of Thailand and
the hardship the kingdom went through while keeping the country free from
colonization by foreign land hunters in the old days. King Naresuan the
Great fought the country’s enemies with elephants during the Ayutthaya
era. Elephants were then regarded as a symbol of victory and strength in the
battles. He said those great and unforgettable battles should be reenacted
to show audiences.
Kamnan Poh said that Siam was often invaded by enemies
but had never surrendered to them. “We have to thank our former kings who
saved our country from evil’s hands,” he said.
“The long history of Siam will be shown to tourists so
they may better understand the kingdom. The demonstrations will also convey
how proud Thai people were in the greatness of our kings and how they fought
to keep the country free from colonization,” said Kamnan Poh.
Elephant Light and Sound Show’s arena is situated on
North Pattaya Road. Shows are presented twice daily at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Shows are divided into 4 parts. The first part will
present lifestyles of Siamese in the Ayutthaya period where men used to
practice their fighting skills, women stayed home and prepared food, and
kids would play in the fields.
The next part of the show is the Loy Krathong Festival
which was actually initiated in the Ayutthaya period.
Then visitors will see how elephants are caught. They
will be surprised how much expertise and experience is required to catch a
pachyderm.
The last part of the presentation portrays elephants in
the battlefield led by King Naresuan the Great, who fought to keep Siam free
from enemy invasions.
This lavish elephant show with light and sound is unique to Pattaya and
should not be missed.
Chinese delegation visits Pattaya during trip to bring holy tooth of Lord Buddha to China
More than half of the 51 members of the Chinese
Delegation of Buddhist monks and government officials who came to Thailand
to bring back to China the holy tooth of Lord Buddha, came for a two-day
visit to Pattaya.
Chinese
Chamber of Commerce president, Boonsong Srifuengfung (center black suit) led
Chinese clerics and officials on a visit to the Romance of the Three
Kingdoms.
They stayed at the Horseshoe Point Resort and Country
Club, where they showed great interest in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms
tourist attraction and in a special Chinese horse show, performed by the
owners Chainarin and Chaikiri Srifuengfung and his beautiful daughter
Cherie.
The group - including some Shaolin monks - also visited
the meditation center at Wat Yan, which is located just outside of Pattaya.
On their second day, the delegation went to the Rayong
Industrial Estate, showing great interest in Thailand’s technical
development.
After a religious ceremony in the city of Buddha, Nakhon Pathom, the holy
relic Lord Buddha’s tooth was sent to China on March 1st under heavy
guard.
Pattaya readies for MOI social order policies and drug suppression action plans beginning this month
‘Thai citizens for social order’ free concert to
promote the best of Thai culture
Suchada Tupchai
In a meeting at city hall on March 6, Mayor Pairat
Suttithamrongsawat met with representatives of RS Promotions and city
management officials to prepare for the ‘Thai citizens for social order’
concert to be held on March 15.
Mayor Pairat said, “The concert is in cooperation with
the policies of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) regarding social order and
drug suppression. A number of activities have been held in the past
including education programs and a walk against drugs. The concert is aimed
at encouraging people to participate in the activities, follow the social
order policies and stay drug free.”
The MOI’s number 2, Pracha Maleenont will be the guest
of honor and will officially open the concert. Featured musicians from RS
promotions, well known in the Thai music industry will perform on stage
throughout the concert.
The event will also include other off-stage activities
including a Muay Thai boxing display, games, karaoke and a host of other
events around the city hall area in North Pattaya.
The free concert is expected to begin at 8 p.m.
Set around the stage area during the concert, a number of
donation boxes will be put in place to aid community-based projects run by
the provincial governor. Those making donations will also receive a letter
of thanks for supporting the social order campaign.
Austrian bar owner stabs bar manager and slashes his own throat
Cutthroat tactics fail so he tries 4th floor balcony in suicide bid
Boonlua Chatree
Austrian national Bernhard Radlelger (sic), went on a
rampage after a heavy drinking session on Wednesday night, March 5, stabbed
27-year-old Wijit Sarwongsa in the left shoulder and then fled the scene,
allegedly bent on committing suicide.
Drunk
and confused, Austrian national Bernhard Radlelger (sic) threatens to jump
from a 4th floor balcony at Sunee Plaza.
Police were called to the Sunee Plaza address in the
early hours of March 6th after officers received a report of a stabbing.
Arriving at the scene they found Wijit lying on the floor screaming in pain
with a large knife wound to the left shoulder area. The injured man was
rushed to the Banglamung Hospital for treatment and is described as being in
a serious but stable condition.
Meanwhile Radlelger had run off. After a search police
found him standing on the 4th floor balcony of a nearby building ready to
fling him self over the side. Police stalled for time while they positioned
a makeshift net intended to break the Austrian’s fall. Another group of
cops headed up the stairs of buildings next door in an effort to persuade
the stressed out foreigner not to jump. Alarmed, they saw that the man’s
neck was bleeding profusely from an attempt to slash his own throat in order
to put an end to his woes.
Officers stormed the balcony managing to detain the man
before he could jump to his death. He was escorted to Pattaya police station
and questioned when he had calmed down.
During questioning it was revealed that the 40-year-old foreigner had
invested in the Done In Bar, located in Soi Sunee Plaza with Wijit as a
partner. Business declined, leaving the foreigner and the business with no
money to pay either electricity or the water bills - both of which were cut
off - and no money to pay the rent. This pushed the foreigner to his limits
and he began drinking heavily. When he became completely drunk he allegedly
picked up a knife and stabbed Wijit, then tried to cut his own throat. When
that failed he decided to leap from a building to end it all, but even that
was thwarted by police.
Gun toting snooker shark arrested after displaying his weapon in public
Saichon Lomgun may be a good snooker player, but waving
around a firearm is not only unsporting but illegal. When a complaint was
made, he got busted.
The staff at a Yensabai snooker hall called the police to
report that a customer was prominently displaying a gun holstered on his
hip. Police arrived to check the complaint and found Saichon in possession
of a 9mm pistol and 2 magazines carrying 18 rounds of ammunition.
Arrested and taken into custody officers asked for an
explanation but the man gave none. The offender was charged with possession
of an unlicensed weapon and display of a firearm in a public place.
Tourist police detain mail-order ecstasy dealer
Woman just received a cache of drugs from Holland
Acting on information that illegal drugs were entering
the city through the postal system, a drug suppression team set up a sting
operation to catch the offender.
Using marked banknotes, Pattaya tourist police officers
bought ecstasy pills from 23-year-old Kwanchai Boonpeng in front of an
apartment building in South Pattaya. Once the deal was completed officers
revealed their identity and promptly detained the young woman, taking her
into custody for further questioning.
Kwanchai said she had received the drugs through the mail
from her husband in the Netherlands, each time receiving 80 ecstasy pills
hidden in a package containing music cassettes. She confessed to selling the
pills to tourists in the Walking Street area and in the Marine Disco for
almost four years and making a healthy income from the business.
Officers confiscated over 2 and a half baht-weight of
gold, 15,000 baht in cash and the 5 ecstasy pills in Kwanchai’s
possession.
Her healthy income will most likely sicken and die since
she was charged with possession and distribution of a class one illegal
substance.
New Zealander dies at home after daily exercise routine
Boonlua Chatree
Fifty-six year-old Antony Raymond was found dead in his
Jomtien Condotel apartment last week after returning from a day on the golf
course. Mr. Raymond, a New Zealand national, was reported to have had a
steady exercise routine including golf and running.
An initial police survey of the apartment revealed no
signs or evidence to suggest foul play. It appeared that just as Raymond was
removing his shirt, he blacked out and collapsed on the floor.
Officers recorded the scene and sent the body to the
forensic institute for a post mortem examination.
Trigger-happy gangsters send foreign diners fleeing for their lives from Jomtien French restaurant
Vandalism causes 600,000 baht in damages - owner suspects intimidation over lease dispute
Boonlua Chatree
Six men dressed in suits walked into the Rotisserie
French Restaurant in Jomtien last week and proceeded to smash everything in
sight. Then they fired shots. The Rotisserie was crowed with customers at
the time and 20 diners left the food on their plates and fled for their
lives as the men continued their vicious vandalism rampage.
Worakarn
Sanwimol and Chef Hans show police the damaged equipment. Chef Hans Fludiger
said, “If people like this are so blatantly operating in Pattaya, the city
most certainly will lose its image as being a safe tourist haven.” Damage
done by gangsters is estimated at over 600,000 baht.
The incident took place Thursday, March 6 at 10:30 p.m.
Owner Worakarn Sanwimol told officers six clean-shaven men with crew cuts
got out from a Black Kia automobile. The men walked into the restaurant
prominently displaying guns, lumps of wood and a metal rod approximately
1-meter long. Once inside the establishment they started to smash tables,
chairs, glasses and refrigerated cabinets containing expensive wines. When
they finished they fled the scene.
Worakarn said 20 foreign tourists were dining in the
restaurant when the crime started. One of the hoodlums confiscated a German
diner’s mobile phone. Terrified, all the customers scattered and ran,
fearing for their lives.
Worakarn said he suspected the event might have been the
result of his refusal to renegotiate the rental contract, which was already
perfectly legal.
Worakarn said that the 3-year rental contract with a
local lawyer outlined that rental would be based on 6 percent of the overall
takings of the business. However, the lawyer later tried to hedge and
demanded that Worakarn sign a new lease contract for 30,000 per month.
Worakarn refused to sign.
Worakarn said that his refusal probably upset the lawyer
and he suspects the evening’s events may have been an act of retribution.
The Rotisserie’s Swiss Chef, Hans Fludiger said that he
had come to Thailand because it was safe and thought such incidents would
not happen. He added that he had experienced acts of intimation such as this
while working in Brazil, and added that Brazil does not have a good
reputation for being safe.
“If people like this are so blatantly operating in Pattaya, the city
most certainly will lose its image as being a safe tourist haven,” said
Chef Hans.
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