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Beach Road power lines
to go underground soon
Other areas to follow suit
Songklod Kaewvisit
Soon to
be a thing of the past, these power poles and cables should slowly become
extinct along the beach later this year when the city begins to dig up the
beautiful new sidewalks to bury all cables.
Pattaya Beach Road will receive a new look
in the near future, as unsightly power lines and telephone cables will soon
be buried underground.
In a meeting at Pattaya City Hall last week, Mayor Pairat
Suttithamrongsawat met with government officers and engineers to discuss the
new 68 million baht project. City officials called together government
officers, state and private run enterprises involved in the project to
discuss the details of burying electrical cables, telephone cables from the
Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) and the Communications Authority of
Thailand (CAT) as well as local cable operators’ cables.
Currently, the large number of power poles and ugly
cables prevents pedestrians from using parts of the footpath. One of the
benefits of the proposal would be to beautify the 3-kilometer stretch along
Beach Road from the Dusit Resort to the end of Walking Street.
The project also falls into line with the Electric
Generating Authority of Thailand policy to discontinue the use of above
ground electricity in popular tourist cities such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and
Pattaya.
Further inspection and surveying of Beach Road is slated
as the first phase of the greater plan. The city will use funds from its
2003 budget and the Regional Electrical Authority will plan the construction
from its 2004 budget.
Once electrical cables on Beach Road are buried underground, others will
follow shortly after, as the process is expected to spread out to other
parts of the city. Construction will begin once all the necessary logistics
have been completed.
The process of removing ‘dark
influences’ in Banglamung begins
Over 1000 motorcycle taxi operators register with Banglamung authorities
Songklod Kaewvisit
More than 1,000 motorcycle taxi drivers from Banglamung
and Pattaya turned up at the Sawang Boriboon Foundation in Pattaya-Naklua to
register with Banglamung officials last weekend.
Over
1,000 motorcycle taxi operators queue up to register with officials at the
Sawang Boriboon Foundation in Pattaya Naklua as part the new law in the
fight against organized crime and mafia style gangs.
The registration is part of the central government’s
policy of eradicating mafia-type control over motorcycle taxis around the
country and the latest war on toppling dark influences in Thai Society in
order to step up the nation’s progress.
Motorcycle taxi riders have been extorted, threatened and
controlled by mafia-type people over the years. Most earn a very minimal
amount each day and have to pay inflated fees to people controlling taxi
queues. This latest effort in reducing this type of influence is just one of
the 15 guidelines laid down by the government in the crackdown.
Riders turned out with ID cards, house registration papers, licenses and
taxi permits to register in the first round. The government has set today,
June 20, as the deadline for riders around the nation to register under the
new laws and should any of them be threatened or extorted they can
immediately report the incident to police for further legal action.
Eastern European and Russian travel writers and
tour operators visit Pattaya
Officials attempting to dispel SARS rumors
Songklod Kaewvisit
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat welcomed 150 journalists
and tour operators from Russia and Eastern Europe at the function rooms in
Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens last week. The visit, sponsored by the Tourism
Authority of Thailand, Chonburi and Pattaya Administrations, was part of a
campaign to convince this valuable tourist market that Thailand is free from
SARS and the kingdom’s eastern region is a great tourist destination which
offers amazing variety at reasonable prices.
This
friendly little pachyderm sends a jumbo message to tourists - there is no
SARS in Thailand.
The outbreak of SARS in April brought the travel industry
in Thailand to its knees as huge numbers of people canceled their travel
plans. Sontaya Khunpluem, Minister for Tourism and Sports recently met with
travel industry leaders, airlines and the Thai Hotel Association in an
attempt to breathe new life into the ailing industry.
Eastern European nations and the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) - the former Soviet Union - have long been a worthy
market for travelers in Thailand. The visit by the 150 professionals in the
travel industry was just of one the many attempts to spread the news that
Thailand is free from the dreaded flu virus.
The trip by journalists and travel business operators ran
from June 7 to 14 under the minister’s plan and received cooperation from
the operators from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other eastern European
nations. The Chonburi and Pattaya visit ran from June 8 to 11.
The mayor and Manit Boonchim, director of the TAT office
Central Region 3, took the group to the Million Years Stone Park &
Crocodile Farm, Sriracha Tiger Zoo, Alcazar and Tiffany shows and a tour and
buffet dinner at Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens where they received a warm
welcome.
Manit said, “This visit by journalists and tour
operators from Eastern European nations and the CIS is a good means of
promoting Pattaya and Thailand, especially after the difficulties the
tourism industry is now facing. This enables them to see first hand there is
no SARS in Thailand and we hope that they relay this message back in their
own countries, which, in turn will increase numbers and improve the
economy.”
Current TAT figures reveal a 70 percent downturn in foreign arrivals
since the outbreak of SARS in Asia. The invitation is just one of the many
projects that the TAT and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports have undertaken
to boost the economy and regain lost revenues.
Underwater resource conservation project research planned
Four famous islands to be studied: Larn, Krok, Phai, and Sark
Songklod Kaewvisit
Pattaya City administration officials and Tesco Company
Limited personnel met last week at the Pattaya City Hall to pave the way for
a major joint project which will undertake the preservation of four Pattaya
islands. The underwater resource conservation project will begin after
theoretical and technical research is completed.
Pattaya City’s initial move towards islands and sea
conservation research took place last year when it hired Tesco Company
Limited, a private natural resource research company, to examine the
underwater environment near Larn Island and other islands around Pattaya.
The project aims to protect and develop the islands as prime tourist
attractions in Thailand’s eastern region.
Tesco Co produced underwater map to show current coral
reef abundance and suitability for the area to be opened for underwater
tourism. The company was also contracted to study short and long-term
potential damage that may occur from tourism activities.
The city said if Larn Island passes the test, it would be
announced as a main tourist destination that will draw a great number of
underwater excursions to the region and generate vast revenue for the
region.
Larn Island underwent severe deforestation some 2 decades
ago, but has regained its lush natural environment in recent years and has
now become one of the most visited tourist sights in Pattaya Bay. The
island, situated 7.5 kilometers off Pattaya shores has a wide range of
natural beauty.
Sark Island is approximately 600 meters from Larn Island
and is another important spot for eco-tourism and coral reef diving. It too
has a long white sand beach of 250 meters and is being included in the
study.
After the research is complete Tesco Co. will start the
process of floating buoys to designate areas for underwater tourism.
Pattaya hosts first round of 2003 National Slender Supermodel Pageant
Five finalists chosen to compete in Bangkok in July
Songklod Kaewvisit
For the first time in its 23-year history the annual
Thailand Slender Supermodel pageant is holding qualifying rounds outside the
greater Bangkok area. The first round was recently held in Pattaya and five
young ladies were selected to compete in the final, scheduled for Bangkok
later this year.
The
five finalists selected to strut their stuff on the catwalk in Bangkok this
coming July. The youngest is 14-years old, the oldest 18.
Twenty-two of Pattaya’s most beautiful women lined up
at the Big C Super Center in South Pattaya last weekend to participate in
the pageant. Officially opened by former Chonburi governor, Sawarng
Srisarkun, who has now moved up the political ladder to the position of
director-general of the Public Works Department, the would -be supermodels
were given the chance to display their talents and skills to the panel of
judges.
The move to bring the pageant out of Bangkok was intended
to give young women in the provinces a chance to compete at the national
level.
Contestants must show an array of confidence, talent and
congeniality, as well as the figure to match.
The final five selected to move onto the next round were 18-year-old
Sunanta Puttaraksa; 15-year-old Shirley Tomingas-Lamp, Porntima Jumparsri;
Marlisa Lutz at the tender age of 14, and 18-year-old Amaraporn Chowulera.
The five finalists will meet with other finalists at the Sofitel Central
Lardprao in Bangkok on July 25 to see who will become Thailand’s next
supermodel.
Lucky Sriracha local wins 200,000 baht from National Tax Bureau
Send in your VAT bills, earn a chance
to hit the jackpot
Songklod Kaewvisit
Chatree Luanchit, a Laem Chabang factory worker and
Sriracha resident recently won the first cash prize of 200,000 baht from the
VAT bill drawing held late last month. He received his prize last week.
Samruay
Khamsang (left), Chonburi Tax Bureau 2 official presents a cheque worth
200,000 baht to lucky winner Chatree Luanchit, a Sriracha resident.
The prize drawing takes place every week to give away
200,000 baht and another ten prizes of 10,000 baht each to lucky people who
send in their VAT bills to the National Tax Bureau after they purchased
goods from any market or store that issues tax bills.
The hard work the National Tax Bureau had been putting in
to publicize the need for merchants to issue their customers with tax bills
was deemed “unimpressive”, so they came up with the idea to urge people
to send in their tax bills for weekly prize drawings to boost compliance,
and it actually drew a lot of participants each week.
The rules are simple: after a buyer receives a tax bill,
he or she can write their name and address behind the bill and send it to
P.O. Box 345 Samsaennai, Bangkok, 10400. Tax bills must be legitimate and
should not be older than 6 months.
Lucky winners’ names will be announced each week on
www.rd.go.th
Contestants can also call 02-2728321 to check to see if
they won, or watch Channel 3 Rabiang Khao program every Friday.
The campaign started May 16, 2003 and will continue until
April next year. The total amount of prizes being given away amounts to over
15 million baht.
After a month of giving prizes to VAT bill senders, two
lucky contestants were found to be living in Chonburi, including Chatree.
Chatree said he was in “deep shock” and was very happy to win. He said
he would use the money to pay off his housing debt with the bank. He said he
usually buys some goods from the Seven Eleven store near his home and
received the tax bills. He then mailed them to the Bureau without any hope
of winning.
Another fortunate Chonburi local was Yudhana Jiaranaipong, a Central
Pattaya Road resident who won 10,000 baht from the Tax Bureau.
YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya looking for
10 best mothers in Banglamung
To be presented with certificates on Mother’s Day
Songklod Kaewvisit
The YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya is searching for the most caring
and comforting mothers in Banglamung District to recognize on Mother’s Day
this year, in celebration of HM the Queen’s 6th cycle birthday.
Nitaya Patimasongkroh, YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya president,
Sopin Thappajug, Diana Group managing director, Wannapa Wannasri, secretary
and YWCA members met at Diana Diving Range to work out the details of the
certificate presentation ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place on
August 7 at Tiffany Theater, Pattaya Second Road between 1-4 p.m.
This year YWCA will pay tribute to the 10 best mothers in
different sub-districts in Banglamung. Ten mothers will be selected from
different areas including Pattaya City, Nongprue, Pong, Khao Maikeaw,
Takhiantia, Nongplalai, Banglamung Municipality, and Huay Yai. The selection
will be done through the help of each Tambon Administration Organization and
Pattaya City Hall.
YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya initiated the campaign in 1990 and
organized it for six consecutive years, but the campaign became inactive in
1997. The YWCA decided to revive the idea this year.
The association will also take this opportunity to honor
HM Queen Sirikit on her auspicious 6th cycle birthday celebration this year.
Approximately 200,000 baht was set aside for the event. The association
is now presenting a request the Royal Palace Office for the honorable
presence of HRH Princess Soamsawali for the day’s event.
Plastered tourist attempts to stab
passersby near Central Festival Center
No one injured; tourist sobers up in Soi 9 monkey house
Boonlua Chatree
This
tourist, apparently in an alcohol-induced state of madness, seemed bent on
inflicting knife wounds on passersby. His bravery, however, waned when a
squad of police arrived.
Police rushed to Central Festival Center in North Pattaya
after a witness called for assistance to stop a drunken foreign man with a
knife from attacking people in the street.
After the foreigner, who, at the time of going to press,
remained unidentified, spotted the police force marching towards him, he
threw the knife into a nearby drain. Police noticed that the peace breaker
was heavily intoxicated so they carefully approached him and took him into
custody. Police were able to retrieve the knife, which they kept as
evidence.
No one was injured but the cops took the drunk to the Pattaya police
station and waited until he sobered up to interrogate him. When he’d
regained his senses he was charged with disorderly conduct and attempted
assault.
Norwegian tourist dies from apparent drug overdose
Boonlua Chatree
Management of a Soi Buakow hotel notified Pattaya police
after a security guard discovered the body of 35-year-old Norwegian national
Dahl Gaute in his hotel room.
Norwegian
national Dahl Gaute died last week of an apparent drug overdose.
Police arrived at the hotel to find the body sprawled out
on the bed. Nearby was a needle and a bag of white powder was found on the
bedside table. Tests revealed the substance was heroin and the apparent
cause of death was an overdose of the narcotic. Officers estimate Gaute had
been dead 2-3 hours before discovery.
When police questioned the hotel security guard he said
he was doing a routine security check on the hotel floors when noticed the
door to Gaute’s room was open. The guard said he knocked on the door to
make sure everything was okay, but got no answer so he entered the room to
check and discovered the body. He notified hotel management of the discovery
and police and Sawang Boriboon personnel were call to the scene.
The body was transferred to the police forensic institute for an autopsy
to validate the cause of death and relatives of the dead man have been
notified to collect the body.
Special Foreign Crime Suppression Units arrest German pedophile after 1 year ‘affair’ with 11-year-old girl
Disgusted apartment residents spit at foul predator as he is led away by police
Boonlua Chatree
Special Foreign Crime Suppression Police raided the
business premises of German national Uwe Jürgen Winkler at in Soi
Rungland, South Pattaya. Armed with a court order officers took Winkler to
his apartment in Hagone Condominium located off Soi Thepprasit to seek
further evidence incriminating the foreigner in child pornography and
engaging in sexual acts with an underaged girl.
Uwe
Jürgen Winkler (inset) is led away from his apartment to face charges
of sexual assault of a minor under 15 years of age.
After a number of foreigners living in the area had
called local police requesting them to investigate the dubious actions of
the 41-year-old German, police set up a net of surveillance involving male
and female officers from the criminal investigation department to monitor
his behavior.
Female officers also questioned the young girl.
Identified only as Na, an 11-year-old 6th grade student in Pattaya, she was
interviewed by police and the department of prosecutions before being taken
to a local hospital for a medical examination.
Test results showed that the young girl had been sexually
active. She then relayed her story to police.
Na (not her real name) told authorities that she had been
staying with the foreigner for over a year. Each day he would drop off and
pick her up from school, not allowing her to go anywhere. She said that the
man would force himself on her daily and said if she told anyone that he
would kill her. He also gave her a daily allowance of 30 to 50 baht.
Based on the girl’s statements, medical records and
surveillance data police obtained an arrest warrant from the courts and on
June 9 the document was issued, leading to the raid on the man’s premises.
Police detained Winkler at his computer shop in Soi
Rungland in South Pattaya before escorting him to his apartment off Soi
Thepprasit. In Uwe Winkler’ 2nd floor apartment police discovered further
evidence involving 11-year-old Na and another young girl, as well as
sexually explicit material ready to uploaded to the Internet.
Police requested the youngster to point out her deviant
benefactor, and when she did, Uwe Winkler was handcuffed and led out of his
apartment with officers confiscating all material as evidence.
Disgusted foreign residents in the condo block spat in
the German’s face as he was led away in handcuffs. Concerned that emotions
might get out of hand and turn to violence, officers rushed the offender to
the police station.
Uwe Winkler denied all charges of wrongdoing, insisting he had treated
the young girl as his own daughter. Unmoved by his protests in the face of
all the evidence against him police detained and charged Winkler with sexual
assault of a minor and carnal knowledge of a child under 15 years of age.
Englishman plummets to his death from condo balcony
Reasons behind the tragedy remain a mystery
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya police and Sawang Boriboon Foundation rescue
personnel rushed to Casa Condo situated behind Pratamnak Hill, Jomtien after
receiving a report that a foreign man’s body was found in the parking lot.
The deceased was later identified as British passport holder Barry Wilson,
age 35.
Wilson’s 24 year-old wife, Rung Soonram, from Buriram
Province told police that the two had been living together in the condo for
a year, after Wilson had obtained his long-stay visa in Thailand.
During questioning, Rung alleged that her husband had
recently expressed a wish to die, but since she didn’t see any symptoms of
depression, physical illness or mental illness, she had not taken the
comments seriously. She said she had no idea why he might have leaped off
the building.
Wilson’s body was transferred to Banglamung forensic
unit for further examination.
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