|
“Water - two billion
are dying for it”
Pattaya’s theme this year for World Environment Day
Pattaya
schoolchildren take part in drawing contests to promote this year’s World
Environment Day theme, “Water - two billion are dying for it”.
June 5th was World Environment Day, which is celebrated
globally. Pattaya joined the occasion by holding an official gathering on
the beach in front of Soi 4, presided over by the Mayor Pairat
Suthithamrongsawat who was joined by government officials and members of the
private sector.
Local
scouts clean up Pattaya Beach, doing their part to help on World Environment
Day.
World Environment Day was initiated as a campaign to save
the global environment, which has been seriously damaged through either
change in global weather patterns or ruthless exploitation of natural
resources. Numerous crises now affect the world’s population in every
nation, resulting in drought, famine, overpopulation, fossil fuel depletion,
pollution of air and water, disappearance of marine life, and other man-made
disasters.
The world’s population is now facing a severe water
crisis and it is estimated that over 2 billion people in various regions do
not have access to clean, safe water.
A United Nations Conference on the Human Environment is
being held in Stockholm from June 5 through June 16. A United Nations
Environment Program has been planned to discuss and find ways to solve the
problems.
In keeping with the global theme, Pattaya City organized
activities under the theme of “Reserve Water for Life and prevent
Crisis” with an aim to educate the general public on the importance of
natural environment preservation.
The activities included waste recycle products, a painting contest
featuring the environment, beach development, and exhibitions from schools
and communities.
Get ready for
“Pattaya 4 Fun” festivities
City to host beach funfests
4 weekends in a row
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat announced that
preparations for the upcoming “Pattaya 4 Fun” events have been
finalized, and will run over 4 weekends starting Saturday June 21.
The first Saturday will start off with the making of the
world’s biggest ‘tom yam’, Thailand’s famous spicy sour soup. This
event will be presided over by Sontaya Khunpluem, Minister of Tourism and
Sports.
Other activities will include an ice carving contest,
cocktail preparation by a champion bartender, cabaret show from Tiffany, and
music concerts on the beach.
The second weekend will include a ‘som tam’ contest
which will decide who can make the tastiest, hottest papaya salad.
Traditional dances from Mini Siam and music concerts by Pattaya Band and XL
Step will make sure things stay lively.
On the third weekend the public will be treated to more
fun with the Miss Pattaya International contest featuring ‘women of the
second category’.
The last weekend will feature a Seafood Rally and a lot
of food tasting, as well as a magic show from the Crocodile Farm &
Million Years Stone Park topped off with music concerts by Duo Sumet and The
Pang.
Every weekend the Chefs Association of Pattaya, Thai
Hotels Association (Eastern Chapter) and the Pattaya Hotels Chapter will
display various Thai and international foods along Beach Road.
All events will be held along Beach Road from Soi 4 to Central Road, from
5:00 p.m. to midnight.
Hi-tech Submarine Company encounters resistance from city officials
Mayor says proposed route is inappropriate
Suchada Tupchai
Representatives from the Hi-tech Submarine Company met
with resistance when they submitted project plans for their underwater tours
to city hall. Both Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and council member Sanit
Boonmachai suggested that perhaps the company would benefit from further
study.
The company has already built two 48-seat submarines at a
value of 18.6 million Hong Kong dollars each and intends to conduct tours in
Pattaya waters. Proposed routes for the subs would encompass a 1.44 sq.
kilometer area, 1.5 kilometers east of Larn Island through to Sak Island.
Company representatives said they chose this route
because the waters between these two islands are clear and clean enough for
passengers to enjoy.
However, Mayor Pairat commented that he failed to see how
the project would be a success along that particular route. The mayor said
that, “The proposed route is part of the main traffic area for many of the
boats in Pattaya. There is no evidence of authorization to use this specific
route and there has been no information provided as to whether it is safe to
carry out the project. I suggest that the company goes back and conducts
more research.”
Sanit Boonmarchai, city council member added, “The
Hi-Tech project is inappropriate and will not work because Pattaya already
has the Pattaya Pakarang Company operating glass bottom boat tours from
Tawaen Beach on Larn Island. The company’s validity has been questioned
because of reports that valuable underwater resources are being damaged as a
result.
“Many departments see these projects as detrimental to
the environment and Pattaya’s tourism image. However, Pattaya Pakarang
already has permission from the port authority to operate its business
providing they stay within a safe distance of the coral reef. But the
government has no concrete way to prove whether they are honestly operating
within the guidelines,” Sanit said.
Sanit added, “In reality, I don’t believe that the
Hi-Tech Submarine will begin operation before the end of the year because
the only guarantee is their word. But the procedures still remain in
question. If they conduct business like this, it will destroy the city’s
tourism future.”
The mayor concluded, “Hi-Tech should review their
project again and apply for the relevant licenses and permits to operate and
come up with feasible research data before presenting the project in the
future.”
Hi-Tech company has already registered the two
submarines, Hi-tech 1 and Hi-Tech 2, with the Port Authority. Hi-Tech is
registered with the BOI and as such receives special tax benefits and
exemptions. The company has also been certified by the Port Authority that
its vessels are safe. The routes suggested have been declared safe for
tourist use as they are 1 nautical mile from major shipping lanes.
The company expected to import the subs into Thailand
from China around the middle of this year, but were delayed by the SARS
health scare, which chased away thousands of Chinese tourists. As a result,
plans to operate the submarine have been put off until closer to the end of
the year.
The company selected Pattaya for this project because it received support
from the relevant government departments. It is still waiting for a decision
as to when the company can begin its tours.
English language lessons begin for court personnel
Helping foreigners who find themselves in court
Songklod Kaewvisit
Court officers of Justice Region 2 and Pattaya City court
have set up a training program to teach the English language to court
personnel.
Presided over by Ekachai Liampaisal, chief judge of
Region 2, the English training program will run through July 9 and is being
taught by Roger Denny.
Judge Ekachai said that since Pattaya City is a popular
tourist destination for foreign visitors, tourists who come here expect
service providers to be able to communicate with them in the internationally
accepted English language.
Government offices are often called on to serve tourists
and this includes legal offices and courts.
The English program was initiated with an aim to train
the personnel working for the court systems to increase their English
language skills to accommodate the tourists and expatriates in this tourist
city.
It is believed that such training will benefit both the
service provider and the receiver with more efficient communication.
Thai Navy project aims to break world record for coral plantation
Songklod Kaewvisit
Over 600 scuba divers from around the country will gather
in Sattahip on June 14 to participate in the Royal Thai Navy’s attempt to
break the world record for coral planting.
Ajarn
Damrong Supasit from the Marine Sciences School Activities Center in
Plutaluang, Rear Admiral Chaiyawat Pukkarat, director general of the Naval
Ordnance Division, and Krisada Kamolrinthip, marketing manager for Pernot
Rickard (Thailand) Co. Ltd. announced that the navy will attempt to set a
world record in planting coral.
Rear Admiral Chaiyawat Pukkarat, director general of the
Naval Ordnance Division, announced the record breaking project aims to
increase awareness of coral conservation in the region. It has received
support from the Royal Thai Navy, Pernot Rickard (Thailand) Co. Ltd. the
activities center at the Marine Sciences School in Plutaluang and National
Scuba Club.
Scheduled for June 14, divers will begin planting and
repairing damaged coral in the areas around Sor Beach and Krarm Island. The
area will become an underwater national conservation park to preserve coral
and other marine life and prevent fisherman from using the waters in that
area for commercial purposes.
The coral to be used in the project will be taken from
Ratchapat Rumpaiphunee Technical Institute nurseries in Plutaluang and
placed by divers participating in the event.
Divers from the National Scuba Club will also repair
damaged coral by fixing and adding metal and PVC pipes around which the
coral can grow. Once repaired and planted the coral is expected to grow from
10-20 centimeters per year.
In all a total of three main activities will take place
on June 14. 1. Relocation of coral from nurseries and planting it in the
specified areas. 2. The planting of new species of coral. 3. Clearing the
area of debris to preserve the environment and promote it as an ideal spot
for recreation divers under the concepts of eco tourism.
Divers interested in joining the conservation project can contact the
Naval Ordnance Division, Captain Pratahad Rachapar at tel. 01 439 5763 or
the National Scuba Club at 02 466 1180 ext. 063-1244.
Chonburi gets
new governor
Pisit Khetphasook arrives from Chiang Mai
A big governmental high-ranking position shift happened
last week during the mobile cabinet meeting in Phuket. Six governors have
been moved around. Former Chonburi governor, Sawarng Srisakun has been
re-assigned to director-general of public works and town planning. Pisit
Khetphasook has been moved from Chiang Mai to take over the governorship of
Chonburi Province.
New
Chonburi Governor Pisit Khetphasook.
Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, Minister of Interior (MOI), said
he proposed the shift to the cabinet to increase the effectiveness of
reducing the number of drugs cases and mafias in those provinces.
The MOI said Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told the
cabinet that position adjustments could be carried out at anytime to create
fairness and efficiency in management of all provinces, but especially
provinces that were known to have mafias and dirty-handed officials.
Pisit Khetphasook, former Chiang Mai governor who has
replaced Sawarng Srisakun, had gone through a tough and long governmental
career in Supan Buri. He rose from district chief to permanent secretary,
and finally became vice-governor of Supan Buri. Governor Pisit has a close
relationship with Banharn Silpa-acha, leader of Chart Thai Party.
Governor Pisit still has 3 1/2 years before his retirement. He said his
new position as Chonburi governor has nothing to do with increased
enforcement of mafia cleansing in Chonburi, it only was the result of
position shifting that was ordered by the minister of interior. He concluded
that nevertheless he was satisfied with the minister’s order and would try
to do his best as Chonburi’s governor.
Hungry elephants go on eating rampage in North Pattaya
Two ravenous jumbos munched through farmers’ fields while their mahouts were ‘out to lunch’
Boonlua Chatree
Residents in North Pattaya called police at 1 a.m. on
June 6 after a male and female elephant destroyed banana trees and
vegetation in a quest for food and water.
Where
do full-grown elephants eat? Wherever they want to, and this pair decided
that North Pattaya farmlands would do just fine, despite pleas from local
farmers to spare their crops.
Officers arrived on the scene to discover two young
elephants, between 4-5 years old, creating havoc in the bush land behind
Holding Massage on North Pattaya Road.
The pair was voraciously eating everything in their path:
grass, banana trees, and drinking from large water containers on private
property. The elephants’ clueless mahouts were nowhere in sight.
Police and residents attempted to chase off the hungry
jumbos after they destroyed a large amount of agricultural goods. The
Kocharn Elephant show is situated nearby and groups of residents and police
officers frantically tried to coax the elephants back to their temporary
homes because they were destroying everything their path.
Eventually the situation cooled down and when their
bellies were full the animals made their way back to where they had come
from. Residents who sustained damaged to their property felt sorry for the
hungry animals and did not press for legal action against the elephants.
With the current economic downturn in the tourist industry, it is
apparent that many of these displaced animals have to suffer due to the lack
of responsibility of their caretakers. But when times are tough, it appears
that nature must take its course, as it did in this case.
Pattaya Carnival 2003 is now doubtful
Committee rejects proposals from two companies to host the same old style of festival
Veerachai Somchart
A shadow of doubt was cast over this year’s Pattaya
Carnival at a recent committee meeting. The two companies presenting plans
for the carnival, Ten Expo Co. Ltd., which set a budget at 5 million baht
and Matching Entertainment Co. Ltd., with a budget projection of 31 million
baht, failed to satisfy the committee’s requirements due lack originality.
Pisai Phanomwan na Ayuthaya, head of Pattaya Tourism
& Sport committee said, “The proposals by these two companies do not
display anything new and bright for the Pattaya Carnival ... (their
proposals) are mostly the same as before. Activities should be interesting
to attract visitors to the carnival. I move that the budgets be reassessed
and lowered to a more reasonable level. The idea of holding stalls along
Beach Road has been done and requires a significant amount of expense and
effort to ensure it is done correctly. I recommend that the project fall in
line with the current ‘Hansa-Pattaya Chonburi’ campaign.”
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat said that there had been
only two companies vying to run the Pattaya Carnival, and unfortunately both
missed the whole point of the carnival.
“The proposals are not only unattractive but also
expensive and in the committee’s opinion, as is my own, we move to cease
using both companies to provide ideas for Pattaya Carnival 2003. We must
seek a new company which presents a better proposal that will focus on a
theme that will attract visitors as well as involve the local community as
an important player in the carnival.
“We will call a meeting with representatives from a new
company to share our ideas as to what we require,” the mayor concluded.
The Pattaya Carnival was previously held every year from
April 12-19, but was rescheduled to November - December so it wouldn’t
coincide with Songkran. Last year’s carnival was cancelled because the
previous company failed to produce the required results on schedule.
Opening ceremony emphasizes importance of CARAT Thailand
LT Chuck Bell
Public Affairs Officer
Cmdr., Task Force 712
The importance of interoperability in today’s world
only increases. That’s reason enough, said U.S. Embassy Bangkok Charge
D’Affaires Ravic Huso, for the U.S. to remain committed to exercises like
Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), despite heavy operational
demands on naval forces in the Pacific.
Sattahip,
Thailand, (June 6, 2003) — Commander, Destroyer Squadron One, Capt. Terry
A. Bragg, commander of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)
task group greets a member of the Royal Thai Marine Corps following the
CARAT Thailand opening ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Chuck Bell.
The ninth annual Thailand phase of CARAT, with 3,000 U.S.
and Thai personnel taking part, kicked off June 6 with a colorful ceremony
at the Chuk Samet port facility here. With Thai Sailors and Marines standing
in formation side-by-side with U.S. counterparts, and a slight breeze
fluttering copious U.S. and Thai flags, leaders emphasized the critical
nature of the largest bilateral naval exercise between the two countries.
The exercise runs for more than a week.
The Navy has realized the importance of CARAT exercises
since its beginning as a vital one that provides our men and women in the
Navy with the chance to enhance knowledge, proficiency and experience since
CARAT encompasses several tactics and aspects of modern naval warfare, said
Vice Adm. Somjai Watanayothin, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Fleet.
Damage
Controlman 3rd Class Jason McPherson (left) and Damage Controlman 3rd Class
Dax Mears, both of USS Vincennes (CG 49), help a local community member mix
concrete during a community service project at the Ban Khao Bai Sri
Elementary School. Sailors created concrete slabs to support playground
equipment and painted the school’s open-air dining facility. U.S. Navy
photo by Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Tim Gustafson.
This year’s edition includes training in areas such as
at-sea maneuvering and communications, naval gunnery, diving and salvage,
explosive ordnance disposal, mine warfare, airborne maritime patrol,
amphibious operations and force protection.
The goals of this exercise are clear, Huso said. To give
our navies the opportunity to train together to enhance our naval
operational readiness and to prepare us to work together to meet real world
maritime challenges, and to ensure regional stability and security.
A four-ship task group with an embarked Marine Air Ground
Task Force (MAGTF), Landing Force CARAT, spearheads U.S. participation that
includes a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, U.S. Navy Seabees and a
variety of other units. The task group, led by Capt. Terry A. Bragg,
commander of Destroyer Squadron One, includes the guided missile cruiser USS
Vincennes (CG 49), dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), guided
missile frigate USS Curts (FFG 38), rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard (ARS
50). Approximately 1,500 U.S. Sailors and Marines are taking part, along
with a like number of Thai counterparts and nine Royal Thai Navy ships.
As part of the CARAT exercise, U.S. Sailors and Marines
will join their Thai counterparts in many projects to help local
communities, Huso said. They will build a general-purpose building at a
local school, and will provide medical and dental care and medicines to
those in need. This is an extremely important element of the exercise: it
demonstrates the dedication of our militaries to community service.
CARAT, a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military
training exercises with several Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN)
countries, is designed to enhance interoperability of the U.S. sea services
and those of friends and allies throughout the region in a variety of
mission areas of mutual benefit.
Rear Adm. Jeff Cassias, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, who
operates from Singapore, is responsible for overall CARAT coordination in
his executive agent role as Commander, Task Force 712.
Residents thrash thieves for robbing foreigner and his wife in South Pattaya
Local vigilantes avenge attack on victims
Boonlua Chatree
The power of community action kicked into action after
two men on a motorcycle robbed an Italian tourist and his Thai wife near the
intersection of South Pattaya and Second Road. Answering a call for help,
local residents detained the young thieves and gave them a beating when they
tried to escape.
Cherdsak
Krungcharoen and Rungroj Lekon were beaten to a pulp by local residents for
robbing Italian tourist Santo Brain and his Thai wife Somjit Oonsri. The two
thieves told police that they had been committing these acts for a long
time, but until this night, no one had interfered.
When police officers arrived at the South Pattaya
location in the early hours to collect the two thieves, they found both men
lying on the ground unconscious.
Once they were awakened, the pair willingly went with the
cops to the police station, probably feeling safer in a jail cell. Both
confessed to the crime and submitted to a search.
Officers found a 5 baht-weight gold necklace, 2 gold
pendants weighing 2 baht weight, 2 mobile phones and a wallet. They also
confiscated the motorcycle used in the robbery.
The victims, Italian national Santo Brain and his Thai
wife Somjit Oonsri filed a complaint against the muggers.
Santo and Somjit told police that they were walking in
South Pattaya when the two criminals rode past and snatched Somjit’s bag
and gold necklace. When they called for help people on the street swiftly
came to their rescue and detained the culprits. Only after the thieves put
up a fight to get away did the good Samaritans use force to restrain them.
The pair was later identified as 28-year-old Cherdsak Krungcharoen and
26-year-old Rungroj Lekon, both residents of Nong Yai. The two miscreants
told police they had been committing these acts for a long time, but until
this night, no one had interfered.
Brit arrested for
credit card fraud
Caught trying use bogus credit card to purchase gold
James North, 39-year-old British national, was arrested
after trying use a bogus City Bank credit card to purchase gold in South
Pattaya.
James
North was arrested for trying to buy 60,00 baht worth of gold with a
non-valid credit card.
Shop assistant, Kitti Permsiriwallop called police after
he noticed a discrepancy with the card. Officers arrived at the Honest Gems
& Goldsmith on Pattaya Beach Road to find James Ian North still on the
premises and holding a sales slip for gold worth over 60,000 baht.
Kitti told police that the man had walked into the shop
to purchase the gold with the credit card. The amount of the transaction was
approved and it was only when he took a closer look at the card that he
found a discrepancy.
Kitti said he checked with the Kasikorn Bank and
discovered the card was not valid and then called for police assistance.
North denied all allegations saying that his card was valid and demanded
a lawyer to be present during questioning. Police remanded the tourist in
custody where he will await charges and a court hearing.
Would-be murderer arrested before he could commit the crime
Scorned lover goes gunning for revenge
Police received a radio report that a man carrying a
pistol was walking around Soi VC saying that he was going to shoot someone.
Police rushed to the scene and found a man that fit the description. During
a body search, officers found a .22 caliber pistol and 4 rounds of
ammunition.
The enraged offender was identified as Chalermpol Rungsri,
age 21, from Nakorn Sawan, who told police that he was looking for a man
with whom he had lived with for the past 2 years, but now wanted to kill him
because he broke his heart by leaving him. Officers took the man into
custody.
During interrogation, a youth identified as 17-year-old
Wiwat walked into the police station and announced to everybody that he was
the person Chalermpol was looking for.
Wiwat told police that he did not realize when he left it
would cause his lover to become so angry and jealous.
Chalermpol is now in police custody and will be charged
for illegal possession of a firearm and carrying a weapon in a public place.
The couple’s irreconcilable differences will have to be worked out after
Chalermpol serves his sentence.
“Lazy” local cops rousted for taking too much leave
Six Pattaya cops pull 3-hour boot-camp style exercise drill as punishment
Boonlua Chatree
“Get the lead out, gentlemen!” To teach a lesson to
Pattaya police officers that laziness is noticed, last Wednesday Pol. Lt.
Col. Sakrapee Preawpanich, deputy superintendent of crime division, Pattaya
police station, called six police officers on the carpet for taking too many
days off and showing up late for roll-call. He ordered them to get a little
more exercise and the program he ordered made them sweat.
“Gimme
fifty, officer!” Six Pattaya policemen who had been missing a bit too much
time lately were put through vigorous exercise to try and teach them a
lesson that slackers will not be tolerated.
Sakrapee told Pol. Capt. Kanond Meesawat to give the
policemen some basic lessons in physical warm-ups including jump-walking,
marching with and without arms, running around the station, and S. K. rifle
cleaning and firing. And so he did. Non-stop for 3 hours.
Then came the lecture. Sakrapee said, “To be a good policeman you have
to be active, and be more responsible to do this job.” He said it is
inappropriate for police officers to skip their routine jobs to do other
business and they all must report to the station on time. He warned that
slacking off and insubordination could result in suspension, and could even
land a cop in jail.
Three-year-old child found murdered in Pattaya Naklua
Little girl beaten, raped and strangled - police are searching for killer
Boonlua Chatree
The body of 3-year-old Issara Jandtupluang was found on
third floor of a townhouse in Soi Noree in Pattaya/Naklua.
Criminal investigation officers from Banglamung police
station conducted a preliminary examination and found that the child had
been raped and strangled.
The girl’s mother, Sumalee Jandtupluang told police
that she had picked up her daughter from a friend’s place the prior
evening after finishing work. She allowed young Issara to play in front of
the house for a short period. At approximately 6.30 p.m. she went to call
her daughter and her new husband, Samphan Markhun, only to discover that the
pair were nowhere in sight. She went searching for her daughter but she was
nowhere to be found. It was only in the morning that Sumalee made the tragic
discovery.
Police attending the crime scene found traces of semen
near the girl’s genitalia as well bruises and pubic hair. Forensic police
collected samples as evidence in the case before sending the child’s body
to the Police Forensic Institute for a post mortem examination.
Criminal investigation detectives are evaluating the
evidence which they hope will lead them to the murderer.
|
