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A most happy
46th birthday to
HRH Princess Chulabhorn
Born on July 4, 1957, Her Royal Highness Princess
Chulabhorn is the youngest child of Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej
and Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
HRH Princess Chulabhorn has two daughters, Their Royal
Highnesses Princess Siribhachudhabhorn and Princess Adityadornkitikhun.
The
Pattaya Mail joins the Kingdom in humbly wishing happy 46th birthday to a
most remarkable person, HRH Princess Chulabhorn.
Her Royal Highness graduated from the Faculty of Science
and Arts at Kasetsart University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Organic Chemistry, First Class Honors, in 1979. Her Royal Highness completed
her doctorate work in organic chemistry in 1985, and received her Doctor of
Philosophy Degree from Mahidol University in July of the same year, and has
a supreme record of academic achievement.
She undertook postdoctoral studies in Germany in 1987 and
has since been a visiting professor at universities in Japan, Germany, and
the United States of America. She holds Honorary Doctorate degrees from no
fewer than nine universities around the world. In 1986, she was appointed as
an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in London and was
awarded the Einstein Gold Medal of UNESCO.
Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn is chairperson of
the Working Group on the Chemistry of Natural Products collaborative program
between the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science and the National
Research Council of Thailand.
HRH Princess Chulabhorn has received international
recognition for her scientific accomplishments, in her appointment to
various United Nations posts, namely special advisor to the United Nations
Environment Program and member of the Special High-Level Council for the
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction of the United Nations.
As a result of her experience as a scientist Princess
Chulabhorn became aware of the difficulties Thai researchers have in
obtaining the necessary funding for their research. In 1987, she established
the Chulabhorn Research Institute to provide a new fundraising agency. This
institute now acts as a focal point for the exchange of intellectual and
other resources in Thailand for the purpose of solving urgent problems
confronting the country in areas of health, environment, and agriculture.
As president of the Chulabhorn Research Institute, the Princess currently
directs five special research projects; the AIDS program, a program on
restoration and integrated development of the flood-affected areas in
Southern Thailand, seawater irrigation for cultivation of economic marine
species and preservation of mangrove, the rabies eradication program and a
special project for accelerated immunization in five southern provinces in
Thailand. Through these programs the Princess plays an auspicious role in
improving the environment and living standard of the villagers in a number
of Thai provinces.
Council presses city management to enforce law and order in Pattaya
Spread of adverse rumors during APEC meeting irks police
Songklod Kaewvisit
Pattaya’s city council recently questioned city
managers, senior government officers and local law enforcement agencies on
what actions are being taken to ensure safety and security within the city
and the present status of the city’s motorcycle taxi rank system.
Farouk Wongborisoot led the questioning regarding safety
and security in Pattaya in light of the recent detention of suspected
terrorists in Bangkok, foreign government travel warnings aimed at Pattaya
and Phuket, as well as the recent intrusion into the Interior Minister’s
Jomtien apartment.
Speaking for the city mayor, Pol. Lt Col. Sakrapee
Preawpanich, deputy superintendent of Pattaya police station pointed out,
“Pattaya police are constantly in communication with metropolitan police
and news agencies. During the recent APEC meeting a number of rumors were
being spread through the media regarding a potential threat of an incident
occurring, but nothing happened.”
“It is unwanted news like this that has damaged
Pattaya’s name. Many of the reports were unclear, nonetheless, the Pattaya
police station is in constant communication with both Banglamung and
Sattahip stations and reports are monitored on a daily basis. All
departments are keeping a sharp eye on groups of wayward youths and Middle
Easterners. We (the police) also have a very good network of business owners
keeping their eyes and ears open for anything suspicious or those people who
have ill intentions,” Sakrapee said.
Council member, Saengsorn Suntornsilp raised the issue of
order among the city’s 223 motorcycle ranks, questioning both the city and
police on the progress of the campaign including those unscrupulous riders
overcharging fares and generally having a poor standard of behavior.
In response, Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat said that
city management is in the process of collecting data and has already begun
re-zoning the city into 4 sections, each with their own specific colored
vest.
“All data collected will be entered into a computer
database. Once that is completed we will be able to effectively weed out
undesirable operators,” concluded the mayor.
Pol. Maj. Somchai Pongsai, traffic superintendent added,
“With over 3,000 riders in Pattaya alone it will take some time to
register each and every one. Once completed all ranks within their specific
zones will be easily identifiable and those riders who attempt to take
advantage of passengers or who break the law will dealt with accordingly.”
The traffic superintendent said that those caught
operating illegally could jeopardize the rank system, but ultimately the
decision of how to effectively control it will be up to city administrators.
Residents plead for CNN and CNBC
‘They are monopolized’ says Sophon Cable TV MD
Sophon Cable TV has been receiving an influx of queries
as to why they do not currently broadcast CNN and CNBC. Viewers claim that
these were the best source of news and information from around the world and
are adamant that they should get that service.
Sophon
Cable TV MD Chanyuth Hengtrakul says that perhaps an email writing campaign
might help bring back some of the programs lost due to exorbitant
subscription fees.
Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Sophon Cable MD, confident that he
could get the message to all his supporters through the most widely read and
the best newspaper in the east, contacted the Pattaya Mail to assist
him in doing so.
Chanyuth said, “I understand all of you, my valued
subscribers, and I wish I could do something to help. In the past we were
legally subscribing to CNN and CNBC and broadcasting these channels to you
as a service. But then, not too long ago, these channels became monopolized
by a major company in Thailand and they have insisted on charging exorbitant
prices to broadcast them. Considering the cost of membership of watching
Sophon Cable, there was no possibility that I could meet with their demands.
I have given my subscribers other programs of the same high quality to
replace them, such as the hard hitting Fox News, the exciting Adventure One,
Channel V and shows from practically every country in the world whose
citizens are living here in Pattaya - A total of 60 channels. But I know you
all want CNN and CNBC. I think we can get them, but I will need help from
all of you. If there are enough e-mails sent to both these TV giants telling
them of the need to watch their shows here in Pattaya, I think they might
find a solution to our problems. I am willing to pay for their services, but
it must be within reason.”
In closing, Chanyuth asked all of his subscribers to
write to www.cnn.com and www. mscnbc.com to ask them to help.
Pattaya Mail spoke with many of our readers and there
also seems to be a lot of requests for ESPN. This was brought to
Chanyuth’s attention and he has taken the request into consideration.
Sophon Cable TV is the most popular cable TV service in Pattaya and
watched by over 30,000 viewers in the Pattaya, Jomtien and on the other side
of Sukhumvit,
Pattaya lends a hand to help people suffering from recent flood damage
Most, however, hope city fathers fix the problem so that it doesn’t happen again
Heavy rains over the last week resulted in serious flood
damage in many areas in Pattaya City. Residents in the Wat Chai Mongkol
area, behind Welcome Plaza Hotel and Pattaya Third Road near the new pier
suffered from the floodwaters, which temporarily cut them off from the
outside world. Their household furniture and utensils were also seriously
damaged.
City
officials brought over food and basic necessities to distribute to 80
families that suffered through last week’s flood.
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, Deputy Mayor Wutthisak
Rermkitchakarn and city officials brought over food and basic necessities to
distribute to 80 families that suffered through the calamity.
The help has put smiles on the people’s faces once
again. It was also an attempt to show that the city did not desert the
people. The necessities that the city handed out to the suffering included
dried food, raw rice, and other basics to ease their hunger and agony.
The city also put up tents near the area for those whose
houses were affected by the flood. City officials visited the community near
Pattaya Third Road and found that people’s mattresses, clothes and
furniture were soaked and some were totally ruined.
Villagers told the city that during the heavy rains pipes
under the street could not drain away the huge amount of rainwater,
resulting in flood damage around the city. Many, although grateful for the
token help, pleaded with the officials to fix the problem so that the next
time a normal storm hits, they don’t have to go through the entire
procedure again.
The mayor ordered his men to dig up the mud and garbage that settled in
the drains to stimulate water flow.
Water levels in Pattaya’s two
reservoirs on the rise
Damri Muangkaew
With the advent of heavy rains in Pattaya last week
causing much of the city to flood, water levels in the Mabprachan and Chark
Nok reservoirs have risen, but only slightly.
Water levels in the reservoirs were dangerously low in
April, but with the recent foray of rain, dams are beginning to return to
normal. As the rainy season approaches it is hoped that both of these vital
water sources will again provide the necessary commodity to the populace.
Earlier this year the lack of water forced many residents
in the city to go without running water. Authorities were unable to
guarantee a constant flow and an alternative method of supplying homes was
arranged and a water saving campaign was launched.
Despite the recent heavy rains authorities have urged residents in and
around Pattaya to continue to conserve water until such time as the dams
return to their pre-crisis levels, hopefully after lots of rain.
Pattaya Tourist Police put Larn Island motorcycle taxis in order
Nationwide campaign to crack down on “dark influences”
Suchada Tupchai
Control and order among the nation’s motorcycle taxi
riders reached Larn Island this week. Pattaya Tourist police visited the
island and, with community leaders, registered the island’s 120 motorbike
taxis and 31 baht-bus drivers as part of the campaign.
Larn
Island taxi drivers register with local officials in the nationwide campaign
to crack down on “dark influences”. It’s not all bad; at least they
get nice, new, brightly colored vests to distinguish them from the rest of
Pattaya.
During the Larn Island taxi service registration process,
drivers were required to produce ID cards, licenses, vehicle and house
registration papers. Officials conscientiously recorded the details, which
then will be fed into a computer database. In addition, Larn Island taxis
will receive their own special colored vests to distinguish them from the
rest of Pattaya. It is not known how many of Larn Island’s taxis actually
operate in Pattaya, or vice versa, but that is another matter entirely.
Those who were not present for the initial registration
have until the end of the month to produce the relevant documents or face
being left out in the cold, without a nice new colored vest, and unable to
operate.
The campaign runs under the central government’s crackdown on ‘dark
influences’ and those people extorting money out business operators such
as motorcycle taxis.
Brother-in-law shoots sister’s husband after suspected infidelity
Boonlua Chatree
Concerned over his sister’s well being, Surasak Polrat
shot and injured his younger sister’s husband, 40-year-old Sanant Sensorn
last Saturday evening. Sanant sustained a bullet wound to the upper abdomen
before being taken to Banglamung Hospital for treatment.
Police were called to Soi 6 in Central Pattaya shortly
after midnight when they received the report. Officers arrived on the scene
to find a motorbike left parked in the middle of the street and a pool of
blood nearby. When officers questioned witnesses they found out that the
victim was known in the neighborhood and was seen talking to staff at a beer
bar when a man on a motorbike rode up. The man walked over and punched
Sanant before shooting him once in the stomach and then fired another shot
in the air before fleeing on foot.
Police interviewed the injured man at Banglamung
Hospital. He told officers that the man was his brother-in-law, and formerly
worked as a security guard at a nearby hotel. When asked why his wife’s
brother would shoot him Sanant told police that his wife was employed as a
cashier at another bar in South Pattaya and had suspected him of infidelity.
Police confiscated the bike at the scene of the shooting
before questioning Sanant’s wife as to the whereabouts of her brother, who
is now facing charges of attempted murder and carrying an illegal weapon in
a public place.
Ministry of Commerce tells Pattaya police to tighten enforcement on pirated merchandise
Songklod Kaewvisit
The Ministry of Commerce is standing fast on its tough
policy to eliminate the sale of pirated goods in Thailand, including illegal
VCDs and watches. Orders have been handed down from the central government
to Pattaya that illegal goods and their vendors in the city must comply with
the law.
A
Ministry of Commerce working group, led by Secretary Orathai, paid a visit
to South Pattaya to survey the market for illegal goods. She said there are
still plenty on display.
Pattaya law enforcement officers have been told to arrest
sellers and confiscate their illegal goods. Since the beginning of the year
raids on vendors and shopkeepers selling fake products have produced some
arrests, but sellers are getting smart and are finding cunning ways of
evading the cops. Others simply take their chances and play the percentages.
They sell their goods in open areas and take their punishment if and when
they are arrested. Calculating the profit margin, they gamble that they can
make good money even if they are arrested and their goods are seized.
Orathai Thanajaro, Minister of Commerce secretary
recently made an official trip to Pattaya to attend a pirated goods
extermination meeting and deliver a stricter policy to Pattaya police
officers.
Orathai said she often received reports that Pattaya City
and nearby areas were still the main places that people can buy pirated
goods such as pirated VCDs and fake watches. She said the Ministry has
issued strict regulations to control illegal trafficking and urged sellers
to register with the Ministry to get a license to sell VCDs. Orathai said
the Ministry offers a reward of 10% of the amount of seized goods to anyone
who reports pirated goods trading activity to the authorities. She also said
that the Ministry will award 3 baht per CD to anyone who leads police to
where a deal is going down.
Pol. Lt. Col. Sakrapee Preawpanich, Pattaya police
station deputy superintendent, said Pattaya police confiscated 6,477 VCDs in
2001 and 5,150 in 2002. He added that since the beginning of this year 7,739
VCDs have been seized.
Mobile phone theft gangs rampant in Pattaya
Cops suggest owners hide their telephones when in public
by Staff reporters
The theft of a mobile phone in Pattaya is no longer
unusual news, and it happened again last week. 23-year-old Chittra Putsorn
made a report to the police that her mobile phone and shoulder bag had been
snatched by 2 young men while she was eating at a noodle shop in South
Pattaya, and officers have been unsuccessful in catching the thieves.
Their advice is that since these gangs are so prolific in
Pattaya, cell phone owners should keep their telephones out of sight when
they are in public places.
Deadly wine kills birthday party in Pattaya
One man dead, four others in hospital
Damri Muangkaew
A birthday party in a South Pattaya apartment turned
deadly when 5 people began feeling dizzy and nauseated after consuming
almost half bottle of fruit wine. The five were rushed to Pattaya Memorial
Hospital with symptoms of poisoning. One man died from the toxic substance.
Four others remained in hospital in a stable condition after doctors removed
the contents of their stomach.
Nirut
Sukharoj (right), Chiang Rai Winery Co., Ltd. legal advisor, filed a
complaint and asked Pol Lt Col Chatchawan Phisuthiwong, deputy
superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, to help search for those who
produce bogus La Sante wine and to bring them to justice. Nirut is holding a
bottle of real La Sante wine - the killer bottle of wine sits at the center
of the desk.
The deceased was identified as Boonnak Sriya, 42, a staff
member at the Siam Bay View Hotel. According to reports, after he drank a
cup of the wine he vomited and passed out.
Relatives of the sick men handed over the remaining wine
and the bottle for further testing at the police forensic institute. The
wine bottle had a La Sante label on it.
“During their investigation, police poured some of the
liquid from the wine bottle into a plastic cup, and it burned through the
plastic,” Lt. Col. Supot Amnatmankong of the Pattaya police said.
Tests revealed at least three highly toxic solvents in
the wine: Tertrahydrofuran (THF), gamma butyrolcatone (GBL) and acetonitrile
or methyl cyanide. THF is used for producing PVC pipes and cement, GBL is an
industrial solvent used in the paint industry and for cleaning heavy
machinery, and acetonitrile is used to make pharmaceuticals, pesticides,
plastics, batteries and inorganic salts. A hospital spokesperson said that
usually THF and GBL would smell strong enough to deter anyone from consuming
it, but surmised that perhaps the partygoers were already too drunk to
notice.
Real La Sante wine is made by the Chiang Rai Winery Co., Ltd., in Chiang
Rai, but company representatives said the bottle and label in question were
poor copies of its product. Factory manager Nopparat Suwantemee said the
company is offering a 100,000 baht reward to anyone who provides information
leading to the arrest of those responsible for the fake wine.
Local entrepreneur and special reporter for Channel 3 shot dead
Police being kept busy, as numerous motives are surfacing
Boonlua Chatree
Manop Maneejant was murdered last week, shot 10 times -
four to the head and six to body. One of the shots pierced his groin. Manop
was indicted on rape charges in April.
Manop was the owner the Thai language newspaper, Pattaya
Weekly, and a special reporter for national TV Channel 3. He was on his way
home after attending a party at the Banglamung Cable TV station.
One of the witnesses, Somkiat Inthusap, who had attended
the party with Manop, told police that as they were leaving the party and
making their way to Manop’s vehicle, 4 men on two motorcycles rode up in
front of Manop. Two of the men shot him numerous times in the head and
chest. Somkiat said that since he was walking a ways in front of Manop, he
didn’t see the men until shots were fired.
The four men were on unregistered motorcycles and each
was wearing full-face helmets, hiding their identity.
Police collected 10 shell casings from a 9mm and an 11mm
pistol. Manop’s mobile phone was also missing from the crime scene.
Based on descriptions given by an additional three
witnesses, police discovered the four men had abandoned their motorcycles at
a location on Pattaya Third Road and fled in a pickup truck.
Further investigation suggested one of at least three
motives for the murder. The first concerns Manop’s indictment on rape
charges in April. Manop had allegedly pretended to be a police officer and
raped the wife of an army man. The woman’s friend, identified only as Pui,
was angry over the reduction of the charges to aggravated assault and
threatened Manop, who in turn tried to have Pui arrested on charges of
theft. Pui was allegedly heard telling a group of youths that he would like
to kill Manop.
The second motive relates to alleged public land
encroachment involving a property developer constructing a commercial
building in Soi Buakow. Manop had allegedly extorted money from the
developer and was asking for more.
The third motive concerns a number of fliers pasted in
telephone boxes and shopping centers throughout the city. The flier, in Thai
language, warned everyone to stay away from this “dangerous reporter”.
Numerous other incidents have come to light and
investigating officers have not ruled out an incident involving the Chonburi
Region 2 Police.
Pol. Lt Gen. Phirom Bunrodpanich, Region 2 deputy police
commissioner and Pol. Lt. Gen. Sanh Khamtieng, Region 2 police commissioner
have instructed that a bank nearby to the shooting hand over a copy of their
surveillance video taken at the time of the murder. Special regional
investigation police are now also involved in the matter.
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