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F1 Drivers Frentzen and Heidfeld make pit stop on way to Japan
by Dr. Iain Corness
Following five years of effort by Stefan Ryser, on behalf
of the Sauber F1 supporters club of Pattaya, he was rewarded with both the
current F1 drivers dropping in to Pattaya on their way to the final round in
Japan. Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Nick Heidfeld received a hero’s welcome
at Shenanigan’s Pub on last Sunday evening.
 Stefan
Ryser (center), on behalf of the Sauber F1 supporters club of Pattaya,
welcomes to Shenanigans Heinz-Harald Frentzen (left) and Nick Heidfeld
(right), drivers on the Sauber F1 team.
The welcoming crowd showed the mix that makes up the
Pattaya society, with the mayor, Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and YWCA
president Nitaya Patimasongkroh both being present, along with the various
office bearers from the two English language Rotary Clubs in Pattaya, the
Jomtien-Pattaya and the Taksin-Pattaya, being present in large numbers. The
head of the team, Peter Sauber, was also made an honorary member of the
Taksin-Pattaya Rotary Club and his certificate was accepted by one of his
staff on his behalf.
The Sauber team, being Swiss, also attracted the Swiss
community to come to the Irish pub. The languages being spoken ranged from
English to Swiss German and Belgian, but all were linked by the common bond
of motor sport, and in this case, motor sport at the top echelon.
The drivers received a standing ovation as they entered
the pub and were kept busy for over an hour, signing autographs on publicity
photographs, shirts, caps and bodies, as well as smiling graciously for 30
minutes of photo opportunities.
Ex-racer, Dr. Iain Corness of the Pattaya Mail, spoke
with both the drivers in a public broadcast interview, with the audience
learning more about motor sport, F1 and the two drivers in 20 minutes than
they would have learned in a lifetime. He uncovered such little known facts
such as Heinz-Harald Frentzen’s father is an undertaker, the opposite
career from his son who has made his life’s work being an overtaker!
Neither driver would comment on whom they considered to
be the best driver currently in F1, but both conceded that they thought that
Michael Schumacher would win his 6th world championship in Japan this coming
Sunday (12th).
With both Frentzen and Heidfeld not having their
contracts renewed for 2004, they were again non-committal as to their plans
for next year, but neither felt that this was the end of their careers.
Stefan Ryser is hopeful that he will again be able to
bring the Sauber F1 drivers to Pattaya; however, it will not be Frentzen and
Heidfeld.
Deputy governor orders an end to illegal street signs
Offers an incentive for businesses to operate within the law
Suchada Tupchai
Deputy Governor Pisit Boonchuang met with government and
private sector committee members at city hall last Friday to discuss the
latest progress on the city’s various projects. The deputy governor
addressed the issue of sidewalk order, and said that streets are in urgent
need of cleaning up.
 Supakorn
Chusilptong, director of the Pattaya building construction control
department, informs the committee on the city’s current progress (or lack
of it) in their attempt to remove illegal signs.
Supakorn Chusilptong, director of the Pattaya Building
Construction Control Department said, “Currently we are cracking down on
Beach Road and side-soi vendors and getting rid of illegal and obstructive
signs to improve the area for tourism. Many of the offending signs have
already been removed.
“We are also instigating proceedings against those who
release wastewater onto the streets and plans are underway to widen roads
and footpaths for pedestrian traffic,” Supakorn added.
Commenting on these issues, the deputy governor said,
“There are still many shabby and illegal signs on the roadside. In fact
the number is so great that is hard to discern if Pattaya administration is
doing anything at all. I suggest that the relevant officials survey the city
again to get a clearer picture and proceed with enforcing the current
legislation at all levels. This must include business licenses and building
and sign permits because there are just too many businesses currently
encroaching on what appears to be public property.”
“The city should provide incentives to those operators
who obey the law by reducing their taxes, and strictly punish those that
stubbornly refuse. In any case, it is the city’s responsibility to handle
the situation,” said Pisit.
The deputy governor also emphasized the need for city
management to get their act together and resolve the inherent problems for
the benefit of the community. He urged concerned parties to work hard to
reinstate order and find ways to eliminate the chaos currently plaguing
Pattaya. “It’s not too late to start getting the house in order,” he
said.
50 million baht desalination plant planned for Larn Island
Water costs to residents would be more than halved
Damri Muangkaew
Pattaya City is considering a proposal to invest 50
million baht to build a desalination plant to produce drinking water on Larn
Island’s Saem Beach.
The East Water Resource Development and Management Co.,
Ltd. proposed a plan that would use reverse osmosis to produce potable water
for the island’s 2,000 permanent residents. The company intends to spend
29 million baht in the first phase of the plant, which would be capable of
producing 250 cubic meters of water a day.
 Sokul
Chueapakdee, a representative of East Water Resource Development and
Management Co., Ltd. told city administrators that East Water would spend
over 50 million baht to build a desalinization plant on Larn Island.
The initial charge for tap water would be 63 baht per
cubic meter and the plant would increase production over the next five
years, spending an additional 22 million baht to expand capacity to 500
cubic meters a day and 750 cubic meters a day within 10 years.
East Water would cover the cost of construction and
pipeline installation and collect water fees for 20 years before
transferring the project to the city.
The city administration is studying plans for the
project, but officials requested that East Water increase water prices every
five years instead of three years as was presented in the original proposal.
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat said, “The islanders
are now forced to buy water from the mainland at 140-150 baht per cubic
meter. Demand now stands at 300 cubic meters of water a day.” The mayor
called for further reduction in price of water to residents.
Mayor Pairat added that the city would most likely
support the project but emphasized that the company ensure that production
capacity can be increased if required.
Saem Beach, the planned location for the plant, is also
an area on the island in which the Tourism Authority of Thailand is
currently in the process of a 200 million baht renovation project to improve
infrastructure around the beach area.
Millionaire’s mansion thought to be encroaching on public land
Officials ordered to do comprehensive survey
Veerachai Somchart
When a millionaire’s house situated off Sukhumvit
Highway on Kratingrai Beach recently became national news after complaints
were lodged that it was encroaching on public land, Pattaya City Hall
officials went to investigate the accusations. Sukhawadee House, which
belongs to a local wealthy resident, Dr. Panya Chotithewan, was said to be
trespassing on 16 rai of land that the city claims belongs to the public.
Around 200 coconut trees were also missing from the beach area.
 “Land
department officials will have to meticulously survey this piece of land and
determine whether it belongs to the city or to the private owner,” said
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat. The Sukhawadee House is now highly
safeguarded since it has become hot and controversial news in Pattaya.
Banlue Kullawanich, chairman of the city council and a
contingent of members inspected the area. They found that the coconut trees,
which the city had planted for the beauty of the beach worth 800 baht each,
were gone. An initial inspection of the premises showed signs that the house
might be encroaching on public property.
The inspection was conducted on September 24, and an
investigation team was formed and given 15 days to find out the facts.
However, no further information has yet emerged.
Preecha Kamolbutr, vice governor of Chonburi Province,
said he received a protest that the house was intruding into the public area
of Kratingrai Beach. Preecha said he was ordered by the governor, Pisit
Khetphasook to inspect the property and promptly clarify the borderline that
divides the city’s property and Dr. Panya’s land.
The vice governor said, “It is the responsibility of
the Banglamung Land Department to survey the land. Pattaya City spent over
10 million baht to beautify that controversial beach area for the general
public to visit and view the sunset. Coconut trees and grass were planted,
and a concrete footpath was installed. Currently it seems that Sukhawadee
House has taken over the area, which is against the law.”
Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat commented that it was not
acceptable for anyone to knowingly commandeer public land. He said, “Land
department officials will have to meticulously survey this piece of land by
the beach and determine whether it belongs to the city or to the private
owner.”
It has been reported that Sukhawadee House is now highly
safeguarded after it became hot news. Nearby residents said that security
guards forbid them from walking along the disputed beach area.
Careless mahout lets elephant out to feed along busy street
Hungry jumbo blocks one lane of traffic as startled motorists maneuver around it
Damri Muangkaew
Where does a full-grown elephant eat? Wherever it wants
to, and last week one decided to dine along the side of the road on Soi
Potisarn in Naklua.
 Surprised
motorists had to queue up to get by this hungry elephant on Soi Potisarn in
Naklua last week.
Residents and motorists gaped in awe when the huge
elephant meandered down one lane of the busy road as heavy traffic roared
by. Onlookers were worried that the elephant, unaccompanied by its mahout,
would cause a disturbance in the community or get hit by a passing vehicle.
However, as it turned out, the pachyderm was just feeding
in roadside grasslands, but the mahout had left the animal on a very long
chain and it was blocking one lane of traffic, with the animal’s keeper
nowhere in sight.
Residents in the area told reporters that the elephant
was probably from a nearby show, but without the mahout’s help it would be
very hard to coax the animal out of the road.
After blocking traffic for an hour the elephant returned
to the grass to feed and the mahout turned up to take his charge back to the
elephant camp, allowing traffic to return to normal.
Luckily neither the elephant nor any motorists were
injured during the incident. It is illegal to bring elephants within the
city limits
Drunk driver kills teenage boy on Third Road
Quick action by police nabs fleeing offender
Boonlua Chatree
The government’s anti-drink driving campaign has yet to
pay off. On Saturday evening a 14-year-old boy riding on a motorcycle was
tragically killed on Pattaya Third Road by an inebriated driver.
The teenager, identified as Diamon Naikristof Lepper,
died when a Nissan pick-up truck rammed in to him. The driver of the vehicle
fled the scene of the accident.
Police and Sawang Boriboon personnel attending the scene
spoke to witnesses before radioing ahead to catch the reckless driver.
Officers caught up with Chatree Ounsaeng in the damaged
pick-up near the entrance of Soi Yumae. Totally drunk, Chatree was taken to
the police station for questioning and later charged with driving under the
influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and causing the death of another
person.
Over 200 tourist police officers attend training seminar to aid tourists
Suchada
Tupchai
According to the policy of the government under the
leading role of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, tourism is considered as
one of the top moneymaking activities in Thailand. Since Thailand is being
promoted as one of the hubs of tourism in Asia Pacific and in the world,
more tourists of different nationalities are flooding in each year. The
responsibility for their well-being remains in the hands of security
providers since the Kingdom is being promoted as one of the globe’s safest
places to visit.
 Police
Coronal Vichai Charoenpong, Region 1 superintendent tourist police officer,
officially opened the training seminar to aid tourists.
The Tourist Police is a front-line group of officers that
bears great accountability in keeping tourists happy and out of trouble. The
Tourist Police Department, under the supervision of Sontaya Khunpluem,
Minister of Tourism and Sports, is continuously upgrading their skills and
training.
Last week, September 25 - 28, under the direction of
Police Major General Panya Mamen, superintendent of tourist police
department, an instructive seminar was held for tourist police officers.
During the seminar, the officers were trained to
effectively help foreign visitors, how to communicate with them, and how to
support tourism activities by providing security and vital aids. Brochures
containing fundamental communication dialogue in three different languages
including English, Chinese, and Japanese were distributed.
Many consider Thailand as one of the most popular and
safest tourist destinations in the world. But when a visitor meets with a
difficulty, tourist police play a leading role in helping international
tourists sort out various problems and continue to enjoy their stay in the
kingdom.
Underground Lottery dealers busted in Soi Siam Country Club
Three small-fry arrested but cops still looking for the ‘big guy’
Boonlua Chatree
Last Wednesday Banglamung police raided an unregistered
house in Soi Siam Country Club Moo 5 Nongprue district after they were
certain that an underground lottery business was being run in the house.
Police arrested three illegal lotto dealers identified as
Kanha Wichaikamjorn, age 41, from Buriram, Siriwimon Kana, age 34, from
Chonburi, and Sasitorn Saengsri, age 33, also from Chonburi.
 Caught
with the illegal underground lottery tickets, the women were quick to try
and shift the blame to their “leader” who just happened not to be home
at the time of the arrest.
Police confiscated 70 lottery number registration papers
that involved almost 400,000 baht, 9,000 baht in cash, two calculators, one
fax machine, two mobile phones, and a bankbook containing almost one million
baht.
Police arrested the threesome on the grounds of selling
illegal lottery tickets and brought them to Banglamung police station.
During interrogation, the ladies confessed that they were working for a man
named ‘Long’, living in the North Pattaya area. Police are still
searching for the mastermind of the operation.
Navy bomb disposal unit called in to check M67 explosive left
at dumpsite off Soi Nernplubwan
Boonlua Chatree
Banglamung police were called to a dumpsite on Soi Lablae,
located off Nernplubwan after residents reported discovering a M67 explosive
in a bag.
Police and Sawang Boriboon personnel rushed to the scene
to check out the report. At the scene police found the explosive in a bag
near a refuse container.
The navy bomb disposal squad from the Ordnance Department
was called in to remove the threat. Experts arrived on the scene and
carefully attended to what was a potentially dangerous situation. The
disposal unit personnel unscrewed the device to find that the gunpowder and
detonator had already been removed.
Police in the area had apparently reported seeing a group
of teenagers on motorbikes and had stopped them to the check their
credentials. They suspect that it was one of the teenagers who dumped the
bag out of fear of being caught with an illegal item in his possession.
Special police unit raids Larn Island in search of drugs
Two drug users caught red-handed as third suspect attempts seaward escape
A tip-off that illicit drugs were being
consumed on Larn Island triggered a narcotics officers’ raid at the
suspected location. Arrested at the scene were Adirekm, a 38-year-old man
from Chonburi and Somjai, age 26, from Srakaew. Equipment for drug
consumption and a package of marijuana, as well as knives were seized as
evidence.
The third suspect tried to elude capture by jumping into
the sea behind a house. However, officers caught up with the man as he tried
to swim away. Twenty-nine year old Wichai from Phayao surrendered after he
was surrounded by police. Wichai was previously working as a guide, taking
tourists for diving off Larn Island. He admitted to the crime saying the he
had actually found the dried marijuana on the shrine altar and took it home
for consumption. All the men were charged for possession and consumption of
a class 5 illegal substance.
Banglamung district chief surprises followers by “only” warning 3rd Road bar owners
Could officials finally be “turning over a new leaf”?
Boonlua Chatree
At 2:45 a.m. on October 1, Surapol Thiensuwan, Banglamung
district chief led a troop of voluntary officials and a squad of Pattaya
police to inspect restaurants and bars that might be violating the legal
closing hour and serving alcohol to underage youths in the Pattaya Third
Road area.
After visiting the already closed Dance Fever in Soi
Jirapol, the group of officials moved on to the Rhino Pub and found a huge
flock of people still drinking in and outside the venue after legal hours.
The district chief did not make any big scene, but only called the owner
over to give him a warning.
The group then visited the Beer Hima Bar on the Pattaya
Third Road, which was also still open and serving alcoholic beverages. Not
far from the bar, they found two young men angrily wrestling in the middle
of the street. Police arrested the two hot-blooded youths and transferred
them to police station. But surprisingly the district chief let the party of
drinkers carry on, and again only gave the owner a warning.
A bigger surprise arose when the group stopped at Roi
Paed Phan Kaew bar. They found big crowd of police officers and night
beaters sitting and drinking even though it was now 3 o’clock in the
morning. The owner of the place was called over for a warning and let go.
City forced to clear drains to ease flooding after heavy rains
Drains welded shut to prevent theft give cleaners a headache
Damri Muangkaew
Following the recent spate of heavy rains, city cleaners
were forced to clear away large amounts of rubbish, sand and debris from
many of the city’s drains in order to ease flooding. One such troubled
area was along Pattaya Second Road from Central Pattaya to the Dolphin
roundabout. Cleaners removed drainage grates and cleaned out a copious
amount material that was blocking water flow.
 Watchai
Piangkij, a member of the cleaning team, said he is “proud to carry out
such service for the city, keeping it clean for residents and visitors.”
Watchai Piangkij, a member of the cleaning team, said he
is proud to carry out such service for the city, keeping it clean for
residents and visitors. He also stated that most of the blockage came from
sand and dirt, but there was a lot of trash and garbage in the drains as
well.
“Once we complete Second Road we will move down along
Beach Road and on to Walking Street. The only difficulty is removing the
welded grates to get into the drains,” added Watchai.
City maintenance crews recently welded the grates shut to
prevent the rising rate of theft. Garbage collectors had been stealing the
heavy steel grates to sell. Pattaya administration and maintenance
departments are scurrying to replace the missing drain covers for the safety
of motorists, but not all of them have yet been replaced.
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