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Niran Wattanasartsathorn and his team finally sworn into office
Ambitious plan: Aiming for 100 percent effort
Staff Reporters
The mayoral offices, which have been vacant for the last
four months now have new tenants.
At 9 a.m. on June 8, Niran Wattanasartsathorn, joined by
his management team, journeyed to Chonburi to meet with the provincial
election monitoring committee and sign the forms, finally to be officially
sworn in as Pattaya’s new mayor.
The election results were officially declared valid on
Friday, June 4, two months after the elections.
 Niran
Wattanasartsathorn receives official documents from Veerasak Pornpiboon,
Chonburi Election Monitoring Committee member declaring him as new Pattaya
city mayor.
Following the signing in Chonburi, Pattaya’s new mayor
said, “From this point I intend to do my utmost as mayor. The first urgent
item on the agenda is to resolve flooding in areas of the city, especially
since we are in the rainy season. Next up we will work on eradicating crime
and prostitution … this will certainly be a long-term plan.”
Later, the Pattaya Mail met with Niran for an
exclusive interview regarding his policies.
“In conjunction with the council, and, as the new
mayor, we have already laid out clear plans that will provide the most
benefit for residents. The first plan is to improve efficiency within city
hall and renovate the building after 4 months of no management. Everyone
needs to be focused on one goal for the benefit of this growing city. Some
areas need to be revitalized to ensure the highest standard of work and
efficiency for the greater good of the people,” Niran said.
Externally the new mayor added that he intends to work on
the educational system to include dual language tuition to ensure that
students have access to education and extracurricular activities as well as
improve vocational training. Other projects include increasing the number of
nursery schools for toddlers as well as school bus services.
Plans are afoot for a youth sports center on Thepprasit
Road following the completion of the city indoor athletics stadium currently
under construction.
“Other sections that are weak that require attention
include the tourism sector, which I will take care of. I intend to be a
salesman for the city and sell the overall picture to improve numbers.
Together with the TAT and the minister of tourism and sports, we have come
up with a plan, which has already been announced.
The aim is to separate the city into four sections:
Naklua will be slated as a cultural destination, specifically with its
traditions, Pattaya Beach is to be the center of activities, Jomtien will be
the center for water sports and Koh Larn a retreat and center for marine
tourism,” he said.
Other policies the new mayor mentioned included tighter
controls and enforcement for the city songtaew bus drivers and improving the
road systems and safety.
“The important factor is the cooperation required from
outside departments, such as the electrical and water authorities and other
public utilities, and to ensure that everything runs smoothly, right down to
the construction and maintenance of roadways, which has plagued Pattaya for
years.”
Niran said he would urge all involved to take a step back
from their personal gains and look at the bigger picture for the benefit of
city development in resolving such problems.
“Because Pattaya has a diverse and transit population,
many of whom are not native to the area and come from different social and
economic levels, I consulted with Mai Chiayanit, chairman of the Nongprue
District Administration Organization, to ask for his cooperation in helping
reach a unified goal. The increase in people from other provinces is
straining public resources and infrastructure and as a result affects the
basic necessities. Whatever the case may be, we are working together to come
up with a resolution plan.”
Within Pattaya, Niran pointed out that there are many
issues that have been left unresolved for dozens of years and that he and
his team intend to work on these, using the confines of the law and through
constant explanation to those affected in order to reduce the chance of
problems occurring.
“I intend to follow the law and make sure it is
enforced equally and fairly to resolve many issues. Pattaya has an annual
budget of over 1 billion baht, which does not include local revenues, and we
intend to put it to good use to improve Pattaya. The master plan and budget
has yet to be fully studied, but that is something that is on the cards, as
there needs to be a clear and definitive system for fund allocation.”
When asked if he was confident in his team to handle the
job as city management, Niran firmly replied, “I have 100 percent
confidence in the ability of my team and our only obstacle is the race
against time to get things done.”
Niran’s four deputies will be responsible for various
duties. Wattana Jantawaranont will control the city’s legal and
educational sector, Wuttisak Rermkijikarn will take care of the city’s
health, hygiene and environment sector, Wirawat Khakhai is in charge of the
financial and development sections and Pattana Boonsawat in charge of
administration.
Niran added that he will call a meeting to formally
announce the appointments in the very near future.
Once the documents were signed, the city management team
made their way to the home of Somchai Khunpluem, Saensuk mayor, to thank him
for his guidance and support.
Somchai expressed his ideas and suggestions on how to
develop the city properly, so that it could handle the rapid growth as an
international tourist city.
“In my opinion, there are many things that need to be
developed and problems rectified in Pattaya. With a new management team
there is the opportunity for a new wave of development to take place. I urge
that advisors are wisely chosen to ensure they are professionals in their
field to enhance the city and carefully plan its future but we will meet and
talk on this later,” said Somchai.
“Pattaya must go forward and as a tourism destination
… it is necessary that the plans are flexible enough to adapt to the
constant changes, specifically once the new Suwanabhumi airport is open, to
cope with the increasing number of visitors. Plans for developing the South
Pattaya area around the 101…” (*referring to the 101 “illegal”
businesses on the ocean side of Walking Street) “…include a 40-meter
wide ring road that can handle numerous vehicles and vendor stalls at an
estimated cost of 800 to 900 million baht, due in the next 1-2 years,”
revealed the Saensuk mayor.
Mayor Niran finished his exclusive interview with Pattaya Mail by
saying, “One thing I would like to say is thank you to Pattayans for
believing in me enough to serve them as the mayor. I intend to live up to
their hopes and expectations for betterment of all.”
Government eyes nightspots for energy saving closures
The government announced on June 4 that it
could order the early closure of entertainment venues in order to bring down
fuel costs, as the Ministry of Energy conceded that its energy saving measures
had been largely unsuccessful.
Speaking after a joint public-private sector brainstorming
session on how to save energy, Cherdpong Siriwit, permanent secretary for
energy, announced a shift in focus in the government’s energy saving
campaigns. Whereas in the past the government had relied almost solely on
public cooperation, it would introduce more obligatory measures to cut fuel
consumption.
Suggestions brought up in the meeting included floating the
price of benzene, which would push up octane 95 to 21.07 baht per liter and
octane 91 to 20.37 baht per liter. The price of diesel, however, would remain
unchanged in recognition of its vital role in the economy.
The second suggestion was to close petrol stations, while
the third was to close all entertainment venues by 1 a.m. Fourth, the meeting
proposed switching off every other streetlight; fifth, to shut down television
stations after midnight; and sixth, to switch off advertising billboard
lighting after 9 p.m. Cherdpong said that the suggestions would be put before
the next cabinet meeting to determine which would be implemented.
According to government estimates, oil imports could grow
by 100 percent over the next 10-20 years. This year has already seen
particularly high oil imports, with oil imports in May alone standing at 544
million liters. Oil imports in April were worth a whopping 6 billion baht more
than during the same period in 2003. (TNA)
Lions Club of Naklua-Pattaya donates stretcher to Sawang Boriboon Foundation rescue unit
Suchada Tupchai
The Lions Club of Naklua-Pattaya has donated a stretcher to
the Sawang Boriboon Foundation to be used by it rescue unit.
Lion Pramote Pattanasin, the club’s past-president, Lion
Somsin Tipmanee, community service director and other club members made the
donation on May 27. It was part of the club’s monthly projects to help the
community. They have been concentrating on children’s education funds.
Prasit
Thongtidcharoen (3rd left) receives the stretcher from members of the Lions Club
of Naklua-Pattaya.
Pramote said that at the last board meeting a request was
received to supply this life-saving equipment to the foundation. The club
therefore decided to acquiesce at a cost of 20,000 baht. The funds were raised
at the 1st Lions Motor Rally held last month.
Prasit Thongtidcharoen, chairman of the Sawang Boriboon
Rescue Unit, received the stretcher and thanked the Lions. He said that the
rescue unit was an important function of the foundation and that the stretcher
would benefit various organizations in Pattaya and Banglamung.
As a sign of gratitude, he presented the Lions members with a sacred Chinese
“Poy Sian Chow Sue” amulet.
Chonburi governor inspects Naklua markets
Invites residents to petition his office with complaints
Decha Chalimyart
In accordance with a recent policy handed down by the
Interior Ministry in Bangkok, Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook on June 1
toured a number of Pattaya-Naklua markets to inspect the level of hygiene
and cleanliness.
The governor was accompanied by Surapol Tiensuwan,
Banglamung district chief, Apichart Puechpan, Pattaya’s deputy permanent
secretary and acting mayor, and Wannaporn Jaemjumras, head of the Pattaya
hygiene and environment department.
 Chonburi
Governor Pisit Ketphasook, along with Surapol Tiensuwan, Banglamung district
chief, Apichart Puechpan, Pattaya’s deputy permanent secretary and acting
mayor, and Wannaporn Jaemjumras, head of the Pattaya hygiene and environment
department toured a number of Pattaya-Naklua markets to inspect the level of
hygiene and cleanliness.
During the tour governor Pisit told reporters, “The MOI
wants fresh markets around the country to clean up and become hygienic
places where people can feel comfortable about buying food.
“The aim is to gain cooperation from vendors and market
operators to improve procedures and implement at a least a once-a-week
cleaning schedule to prevent the spread of disease. We are just following
the policy.
“The project is also part of HM the Queen’s 72nd
birthday celebrations to promote clean food for residents and tourists
throughout the country. I also urge that if anyone has concerns, they can
send a petition to the governor’s suggestion box. I will read all of them
and rectify what I can. The rest will be forwarded to the prime minister’s
suggestion office in Bangkok for further action,” added Governor Pisit.
The Chonburi complaint/suggestion box is located outside the governor’s
residence in Chonburi district.
Drug prevention training held for Pattaya youth
Illegal manufactures getting ready to target Eastern Seaboard
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya’s Infection Control and Prevention Department
recently held a drug prevention training session at city hall for students
attending Pattaya schools.
Apichart Peuchpan, Pattaya’s deputy secretary and
acting mayor, presided over the ceremony. The training aims to stop the
expansion of drug abuse and trafficking in the East.
Students from
participating schools in Pattaya participate in activities and listen to
lecturers.
Collected data shows that a cross-section of Pattaya
youth, both in the student population and amongst dropouts, is addicted to
drugs. Disturbing news also revealed that drug manufacturers have started up
their illegal business on the Eastern Seaboard, aiming for the target groups
here and in the Bangkok area.
Over 200 students from schools in Pattaya including
Banglamung School, Pithisampanpittayakarn School and Rachapanich Navy School
attended the training.
Lecturers from the Public Health faculty of Burapha University
enlightened them with information bout illegal and dangerous drugs including
the serious consequences of drug addiction and illegal possession, leading
these youths to fully comprehend and realize the unhealthy effects of drugs
to themselves and society.
SOS Rice presents scholarships and rice to underprivileged children
Over a million baht in cash and goods, and 9,074 kg of rice donated
Decha Chalimyart
The SOS Rice project has donated a very impressive sum of
819,280 baht, 9,074 kg of rice and other goods worth 182,560 baht to help the
province’s children.
Sanga Kijsamret, chairman of SOS Rice from 2001 to 2003,
on May 26 chaired a function to distribute the proceeds raised last year. The
event was held at the Green Park Resort and among the many prominent citizens
present were Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Pattaya Business and
Tourism Association, and Mai Chaiyanit, chairman of the Nongprue Tambon
Administration Organisation.
SOS Rice - a
project that has lasting benefits for all concerned. Beneficiaries and
benefactors pose for a group picture.
Pattaya attorney-general, Poramet In-chumnum presented
plaques of appreciation as a sign of appreciation to benefactors and others
who have tirelessly worked to make this project a success.
Sanga gave an insight into the SOS Rice project, saying it
has been ongoing for many years. “The funds raised have been distributed to
various organizations to help in the development of poor and underprivileged
children in Chonburi. This project is well known and has staunch supporters
from many people in our community.”
He went on to say, “The three phases of the project are
complete and I am pleased to announce that we have donations amounting to
819,280 baht, 9,074 kg of rice and other goods worth 182,560 baht.”
The beneficiaries are the Pattaya Orphanage (250,000
baht), the Redemptorist schools for the Handicapped and the Blind, schools
under the jurisdiction of Pattaya City (50,000 baht), schools under the care
of the Nongprue T.A.O. (50,000 baht), the Amateur International Boxing
Association of Chonburi (50,000 baht), the Youth Observation and Protection
Center of Chonburi (30,000 baht), the Ban Poonsri Oupatham home for drug
rehabilitation (30,000 baht), the Fountain of Life Foundation (30,000 baht)
and the Youth Sports Center of Pattaya (30,000 baht).
Speed dealer busted in Sattahip
Cambodia new traffic route on the high seas
Pacharapol Panrak
Over 300 amphetamine tablets were seized and a man has
been charged with selling and smuggling illegal drugs on May 27 in
Sattahip. Rittee Semma, 44, was arrested while trying to sell amphetamines
to an undercover policeman at a house in a Sattahip village.
Narcotics officers were alerted to the suspicious
behavior of teenagers who were coming and going in the house. After a
period of surveillance, they raided the residence.
Amphetamine tablets were found in white straws. During
the raid, 5 teenagers - one of them wore a uniform of Sattahip Technical
School - managed to alluded officers and escaped the scene in the darkness.
Rittee pleaded guilty and revealed that he bought these
amphetamines from a Cambodian crew in Samaesarn who were smuggling them
from Cambodia. Police said this is the new route of maritime drug
trafficking via the East Coast from Cambodia.
Swedish criminal nabbed in Pattaya after fleeing Phuket court case
Cannot escape the long arm of the law
Acting on information from Phuket police,
Chonburi and Pattaya foreign crime suppression officers located the
whereabouts of Pauli Karppinen, 40, at his Chaiyapruek condo in Jomtien.
Police went to the man’s accommodation to arrest him on
June 3 but discovered the premises locked. They later found Karppinen drinking
in a bar in Soi Diamond, South Pattaya.
 Pauli
Karppinen was arrested in Pattaya for crimes he allegedly committed in Phuket.
Officers detained the Swede for questioning. Karppinen
confessed to fleeing court proceedings in Phuket after paying the 300,000 baht
bail bond after being charged with carrying a loaded weapon and explosives.
Karppinen admitted that he fled court proceedings, coming
to Pattaya to enjoy himself rather than face jail, adding that he was staying
with his father, who had already returned to Sweden.
Police escorted the Swede to his Jomtien apartment and
discovered the court orders, nothing else illegal was found.
A number of tattoos on the foreigner’s body and neck were
also cited as common among criminals in Sweden, where allegedly he also is
sought for other crimes.
Karppinen was taken to Soi 9 before being extradited to
Phuket to face court proceedings.
Police posse round up katoeys on Beach Road
“The great holiday katoey roundup”
Pattaya police and tourist police
were kept busy in the early hours of June 2 detaining numerous
‘women of the second category’ plying their trade on Beach Road.
 The
Swiss tourist victim points to the women-wannabes who robbed him of
cash and valuables.
Pattaya police made their first sweep of the
beachfront in Pattaya and Jomtien at 1 a.m. following numerous
complaints from tourists concerning the unsavory propositions made by
this nefarious group of shadow dwellers. In all 9 ‘women of the
second category’, aged between 15 and 32 were detained. Their
personal details were recorded and they were charged with disturbing
the peace. Each was fined 100 baht before being released on their own
accord.
The second posse, led by local tourist police,
sprung into action at around 3 a.m. following a complaint by a Swiss
tourist that he had been accosted by a band of katoeys and they had
stolen cash, a 5 baht weight gold chain and his mobile phone.
Tourist police arrested the three ‘men’ later
identified as Veerapong Sensook, 27, Somwahng Kruangtaisong, 23, and
Nidnoi Saklupar, 22, for the theft.
All three admitted to their crime and were charged
with theft and placed in custody facing a court appearance.
The evening’s round up proved somewhat
successful but how long will it be before more of the same types of
crimes occur?
Man commits suicide after failing to find his wife of 10 years
German national Thomas Lichtenstein, 41, who arrived in
Pattaya on June 5 in search of his wife of 10 years, apparently committed
suicide after failing to locate her.
Police were called to the Palm Garden Hotel just after 1
a.m. on June 7. Officers entered the room to find an empty bubble pack of
the prescription drug Loraxepam, an anti-depressant. Initial examinations
revealed no signs of foul play.
Police questioned Yuawadee Rangsri, 25, a long time
friend of Lichtenstein who he had asked for help in finding his estranged
wife, Sobaprai Rinpothisarn. Apparently the missing missus had returned to
Thailand from Germany 3 months ago.
Yuwadee told police that Lichtenstein was desperate to
find his wife and had waited long enough. She went on to say that Thomas had
given her some cash to buy beer and cigarettes and that he had told her to
take the room key should he be asleep when she returned.
It was when she returned that she discovered that he was
dead.
Thomas Lichtenstein’s body was transferred to the
police forensic institute for a post mortem examination.
Police tour beer bars looking for mafia types
Many fled the venues before officers arrived
Boonlua Chatree
Following the attack on a British bar owner and his wife
in Soi Pattayaland 2, a team of 40 officers toured Sois Pattayaland 1, 2 and
3 just after midnight on June 7, searching for those that would impress
their ‘influence’ on others.
The inspection turned up no real results, except for
overpriced drinks and many punters enjoying themselves. The very people
special crime units were looking for had left their venues prior to the
inspection fearing any legal hiccups.
The inspection is the result of the Pattaya police
crackdown following the recent visit of Pol. Lt. Gen. Jongrak Juthanont,
region 2 police commander for a meeting with the Pattaya precinct in which
Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tiengrungroj, Pattaya police superintendent said,
“...we will record all details of those who act as dark influences within
the city and subsequently clear them out of Pattaya.”
Some of the bars on the inspection are known to conduct
lewd entertainment in the absence of law enforcement officers. Most are
pre-warned when an impending raid is about to take place.
Despite this, inspections will continue until those
responsible for extortion are detained.
Police briefs
Staff reporters
Man arrested for waiving weapon on Walking Street
Police were led on 30-minute chase around the streets of
South Pattaya in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The chase followed a
report of a youth on a motorcycle waiving a gun in the crowded area of
Walking Street causing late nigh partiers to scatter.
The 25-year-old man, identified as Supachai Wanichpong,
was forcibly detained by police and crime prevention volunteers after riding
through crowded section of the popular tourist area. Police eventually
caught up with him in front the Chaimongkol School.
Police charged Supachai with disturbing the peace and
fined him 100 baht, but he is more likely to face stiffer penalties because
his unregistered motorcycle had been illegally altered for road use.
The bike was impounded pending further investigations.
Man shot dead by jealous boyfriend
The escalating tempers plaguing Thai youth reached a
boiling point yet again when an 18-year-old man was shot outside a South
Pattaya disco at 2.30 a.m. on June 4. The motive for the shooting was
jealousy.
Arriving at the scene police found Siriwattana Garkaew
lying in a pool of blood from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was rushed to
the Pattaya Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Police spoke to witnesses at the scene and it was
revealed that three men on a motorcycle fled the area after the shooting. A
description and license plate number were also given.
Officers radioed ahead and caught up with the three men
hiding in bush land off Soi Thepprasit Road. The perpetrators had ditched
the bike and were in hiding. The area was cordoned off and police moved in,
arresting the three youths, dragging them from the marshes. One of the men
was still carrying the murder weapon, a .38 caliber pistol with five rounds
remaining. All three were remanded to custody.
The shooter, identified as Somkid Thamniyom, 18, admitted
to his crime saying that he became enraged with jealousy after his
girlfriend had given her telephone number to the victim. He said he left the
venue, collected his friends and lay in wait to exact revenge.
Somkid was charged with first degree murder, plus
carrying and using a loaded weapon in public without a license.
The two accomplices, who cannot be named as they are
minors, were implicated as accessories to the shooting and are facing
judicial proceedings.
The Great Rayong Fruit Festival hits the streets of South Pattaya
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A taste of Rayong and the eastern provinces traveled to
Pattaya for the 2nd Annual Great Rayong Festival, held at the Baiyoke Hotel
in South Pattaya. The opening ceremonies were held on June 1, with local
dignitaries presiding.
The festival, which runs until June 13, features
agricultural produce, local cuisine and OTOP products from around the
region, and is riding on the success of last year’s inaugural event. The
aim is to entice Thai and foreign tourists to the festival to savor the
local delicacies as well as bolster the farming sector, which has often seen
the effects of bad weather and unpredictable growing seasons.
 (L
to R) Surapol Tiensuwan, Banglamung district chief, Withaya Sriyuthana,
Baiyoke general manager and Niti Kongrut, Tourism Authority director for
Central Region 3 set the opening ceremonies in motion.
Produce such as rambutan, durian, mangosteen, and longan
are currently in season and ripe for those willing to indulge.
Withaya Sriyuthana, Baiyoke general manager said, “The
festival is designed to boost the local tourism sector and the local
agricultural industries in Rayong and neighboring provinces. It is another
facet in supporting the agricultural backbone of the region.”
The Baiyoke has received support from the Banglamung
district administration as well as local business including OD Bowl, Camelot
Hotel, VC Hotel and Central Pattaya Hotel.
Pattaya gets behind World Environment Day 2004
Pattaya Beach cleanup makes hard work fun
Each year June 5 is marked as World Environment Day
after the first cooperation agreement created by the United Nations in
1972. To this day communities around the globe participate in numerous
activities to clean up their surroundings. Pattaya is no different, and so
it was that members of the government and private sectors - with culpable
aid from Pattaya school children - proceeded to Pattaya Beach for a day to
clean the beachfront and enjoy some fun and games on June 3. Nattapong
Juabmee, Pattaya deputy secretary presided over the opening ceremonies.
 Young
women proudly display their recycled outfits.
The day was split into two main competitions; the first
among the 10 Pattaya schools to design a World Environment Day poster and
the second, the best items made out of recycled materials as well as the
clean-up activities. Each aimed at educating the youth and general public
on the necessity of caring for the environment.
Pattaya City, the kingdom of Thailand and indeed, the
world, still face huge problems with the environment in terms of pollution,
energy usage, specifically the use of fossil fuels, and a growing
population which places a strain on natural resources.
 Some
of the recycled inventions on display.
Recycling campaigns have had some real success in
Pattaya. Locals are now more informed about the concept and know where to
locate their community’s nearest recycling center. More people now know
exactly what the center accepts and how it works. School kids work on
creative recycle projects and community leaders pitch in to spread the
word. Residents and business are also becoming more aware of the unseen
army that works behind the scenes.
Scouts were
out in full force to perform some heavy beach cleaning.
Once everyone had worked up an appetite removing litter
and dangerous items from the beach, all participants were treated to a free
lunch and refreshments before the judging of the competitions was held. An
aerobics session was also held.
The day was a success with everyone doing their part to keep Pattaya
clean and make a contribution to the world’s environmental future.
New environment president elected on World Environment Day
Pattaya-Scotland environment connection
Scottish
Environment Link
Fred Edwards, a frequent visitor to Pattaya who takes a
keen interest in the environment of Thailand, takes up office this week as
president of Scottish Environment Link.
Fred comes to Link with a plea to Scotland’s voters to
go out and use their vote on June 10. Full-time voluntary worker in a range
of organizations involving ecology, conservation and social justice issues,
Fred is particularly concerned at the forecast election deficit.
“Scotland needs ordinary people to be more involved in
the political process and not to underestimate the importance of these
elections,” he urges. “We’re being warned of a 22% turnout - that
would be a huge deficit in relation to the significance of Europe for
Scotland and would really fly in the face of what we know about grass-roots
action around environmental issues here in Scotland.”
Link is the forum and collective voice for Scotland’s
voluntary environment movement, whose members are behind the everyone
campaign launched last year to raise environmental awareness. The campaign
is now actively promoting the June election opportunity for voters in
Scotland to influence the impact of European policy on their concerns.
“This campaign is a great initiative in encouraging people to demonstrate
their concerns,” Fred Edwards believes, “and plays an important role in
highlighting the convergence between these and many international
development themes.”
Link’s chair, Lloyd Austin said, “Fred’s breadth of
experience will be invaluable to a coalition like Link where concerns range
from climate issues and resource use, through planning, sustainability and
participation, to landscape and the management of our great outdoors. And
we’re particularly pleased to welcome him at this time, given the link
between his interests - environment, international development and social
justice - and the goals we are pursuing here in Scotland.”
Scottish Environment Link is the forum for Scotland’s
voluntary sector environmental organisations, enabling sharing of
information and expertise and joint work in pursuit of environmental
sustainability. Membership at June 2004 stands at 29 full and 7 associate
member organisations.
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