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Welcome, Madam President
Rotary Club Taksin Pattaya installs new president
Newly
installed President Marlies Fritz (front 2nd
right) is congratulated by the lovely ladies of the YWCA. Charter
President Peter Thorand (left) joins in to make for a perfect picture.
Elfi Seitz
The Rotary Club Taksin Pattaya after four years of
existence finally has a woman at the helm.
President
Dieter Précourt delivers his year-end report before ending his term
in office.
Marliese Fritz, who for a long time was a member of the
Rotary Club Jomtien Pattaya before moving to the mainly German-speaking
Taksin Club as treasurer, is the new, charming and energetic president.
She will have the responsibility of overseeing the
100th anniversary of Rotary. The international organization was founded by
Paul Harris in Chicago on February 23, a century ago next year.
 Past
District Governor proposes a toast to his Majesty the King.
During the celebration hour in the meeting hall of the
Amari Orchid Resort, Dieter H. Pr้court was called in at the
beginning of the evening by the Master of Ceremonies, the charter
president Peter Thorand, to launch his last session as president.
While the Thai anthem and the Rotary anthem were
played, the new vice-president, Stefan Ryser, carried the Thai flag and
the new vocational director, Robert Stancke, carried the Rotary flag into
the room and planted them next to the stage.
This solemn act was followed by a wonderful performance
by the student brass band from School Number 8 during the buffet dinner.
In their neat and new uniforms, which were sponsored by the club, they
looked as if they came directly out of an operetta.
 President
Peter Malhotra of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya congratulates
President Marlies on her installation.
But there was also other entertainment. The future
president had put together a musical movie, although she was busy with a
lot of other preparations. It not only showed beautiful classical music,
but there were also real alphorns playing to underline the wonderful
pictures from the Swiss alpine countryside.
 District
Governor Surat Buawan of district 3340 R.I. and President Dieter drink for
the good health of all Rotarians.
Finally, it was time and in the presence of many
honoured guests and members of Rotary, Surat Buawan, the future governor
of Rotary District 3340, handed Marliese Fritz the chain of the outgoing
president Dieter H. Pr้court.
One member of the Rotary Club Taksin Pattaya, Stefan
Heinert, received a special award - an honorable Paul Harris Fellowship
medal for his efforts with regard to the club’s website. Many other
honoured guests and representatives of clubs, who cooperate closely with
the Rotary Club Taksin, received bouquets.
Stefan
Ryser marches in with the Thai national flag at the opening ceremonies.
At the end of the evening, it was the new president who
beat the gong to mark the end of the meeting. But the evening had not
ended, because Marliese received many bouquets and single red roses from
all attendees who wished her luck and success for her difficult task in
the coming year.
The new board: Marliese Fritz, president; Stefan Ryser, 1st
vice-president and club-service director; Erwin Rohner, 2nd
vice-president; Stephan Heinert, future president, secretary and
webmaster; Hans Schaad, treasurer; Peter Thorand, community service
director and sergeant in arms; Robert Stancke, vocational service
director; Dieter H. Pr้court, immediate past-president und
international service director.
Friends
came from all around to congratulate Marlie and wish her all the success.
The
marching band from Pattaya school number 8 provided lively entertainment.
Navy Air Coastal Defense Command comes to the aid of endangered sea turtles
Tourists and divers urged to avoid off-limits islands
Pacharapol Panrak
In Thailand’s gulf waters there are currently 4
species of sea turtles on the endangered list, each of them subjected to
human predators looking for eggs, shells or fresh turtle meat. The decline
in numbers led to the formation of the Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle
Conservation center in Sattahip and Rayong provinces under the watchful
eye of the Navy Air Coastal Defense Command.
 The
green turtle, leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle and the Ridley turtle
all frequent the Sattahip region, laying their eggs on 16 beaches on the
island of Koh Krarm.
The green turtle, leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle
and the Ridley turtle all frequent the Sattahip region, laying their eggs
on 16 beaches on the island of Koh Krarm. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN)
patrols the island around the clock.
The turtles annually lay their eggs between May and
August on the island because of its lack of human occupation. However,
because of human intervention, some of the turtles have gone elsewhere to
lay their eggs without being disturbed. The navy is changing this to coax
the marine animals back to the island to preserve the species.
Head
of the conservation project, Capt. Eakasak Tuksoon, Navy Air Coastal
Defense Command director told reporters, “It is our responsibility to
protect their natural habitat and make certain that when turtles lay their
eggs they are not disturbed by humans, as they are very sensitive.”
Head of the conservation project, Capt. Eakasak
Tuksoon, Navy Air Coastal Defense Command director told reporters, “As
we all know, sea turtles live a very long time and survive contentedly in
natural surroundings. It is our responsibility to protect their natural
habitat and make certain that when these creatures lay their eggs they are
not disturbed by humans, as they are very sensitive. They are currently in
danger of becoming extinct through human interference - either because
people search them out for food, use their shells for jewelry or they are
inadvertently caught in outmoded fishing nets. Part of our job is to
ensure they lay their eggs in peace and that they remain as a permanent
part in the vast marine life in the Gulf of Thailand.”
Capt. Eakasak added that when research showed the
decrease in turtle population the navy set up the center for Sea Turtle
Conservation, and that they are the only department thoroughly qualified
to care for the animals. The center takes care of the turtles to ensure
they lay their eggs. Once hatched the babies are raised in nurseries until
they are ready for release back into natural surroundings.
“There are well-documented sites where sea turtles
make their homes in the bay region on the islands of Koh Krarm, Koh Era
and Koh Jarn. As such we patrol these islands around the clock.”
Rear Admiral Thana Boonart, commander of the Naval Air
and Coastal defense unit added, “Now is the ideal time for the turtles
to lay their eggs as the sand is not hot ... I have instructed Capt.
Eakasak to keep a close watch on the islands so the animals are not
disturbed by humans. As for natural predators, we let nature run its
course. I would advise all tourists and divers to stay away from the
turtles, as they are easily scared off, even if you mean no harm. The
islands are enticing to visitors because of the clear waters, white sandy
beaches and unspoiled surroundings. They are, however, under naval control
and I urge everyone to resist the temptation to stop off at the
islands.”
In 1979, H.M. Queen Sirikit founded the Royal Sea Turtle Conservation
project on Koh Mun in Rayong. Since then the RTN has supported the project
and assisted in preserving various species by annually releasing up to
3,000 sea turtles annually.
TT&T opens high speed Internet access in Pattaya
New T-Speed broadband to expand nationwide
Suchada Tupchai
Multinational communications company TT&T, which
launched its new high speed internet service in Thailand earlier this
year, has now expanded it operations to Pattaya. The company, which has
1.5 million telephone subscribers in the region, launched T-Speed at their
Carrefour branch on June 10.
 The
‘Rum Auyporn’ (dance of receptions and blessings) is always a pleasure
to watch.
Suroj Lamsam, Senior Vice President Marketing &
Services Group, opened the ‘Meet & Greet T-Speed’ and said,
“TT&T has introduced high speed internet services in four provinces
starting with Chiang Mai, Phuket, Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima, and now
Pattaya in Chonburi has become the latest. We currently have around 8,000
subscribers; 21 percent are home users, 20 percent are internet cafes, 15
percent are companies and 10 percent use the service for online gaming.
Hotels, schools and industry use the balance. As for Chonburi, we
currently have around 300 customers using T-Speed.”
Suroch added that he expects to see figures increase to
at least 30,000 nationwide by the end of the year. The company has also
joined forces with the Telephone Organization of Thailand and major
internet service providers. The company boasts up to 2 Megabytes per
second (Mbps) and is offering an opening promotion for home users from 999
baht per month with unlimited hours.
For further detail contact TT&T on 0 2693 2100 ext. 1501-4 or visit
their website: www.ttt.co.th
Suroj
Lamsam, Senior Vice President Marketing & Services Group introduces
T-Speed to Pattaya.
Promotion
girls recommend a variety of packages.
The
grand opening of ‘Meet & Greet T-Speed’ at Carrefour feautred a
number of shows, including some fast tempo numbers to match T-Speed.
Suroj
Lamsam briefs to the reporters about their new service and the future
plans.
Navy pilots seed clouds as part of ‘Royal Rain’ project
Pacharapol Panrak
Thai people are well versed in the knowledge that the
northeastern provinces are currently facing water shortages through lack
of rain. This is a direct contrast with other regions in Thailand that
have numerous reserves of water through consistent rains. Hence, the birth
of the Royal Rain project.
The Royal Rain project began in 1955 after HM the King
visited the northeastern region of Thailand. Upon learning of the
hardships faced by residents and farmers due to the lack of water
resources, His Majesty set up a cloud seeding project.
 The
Nomad aircraft currently used in the cloud seeding project.
Since then, navy pilots have been sent annually to seed
the clouds in an effort to bring rain to ease the drought in the parched
provinces of northeast Thailand.
Rear Admiral Nikom Homjaroen, commander of the Royal
Thai Navy Air division said at the recent launch of this year’s project,
“For the last 17 years, 8 provinces in the northeast have received extra
attention from the navy under the auspices of the Royal project. Nakhon
Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, Roi-et, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham and
Chaiyaphum are most affected by drought. We have assigned C-47 aircraft -
although quite old, it is perfect for the task - to provide extra cloud
seeding services to induce rainfall.
Admiral
Vichai Yunangkoon speaks with LCDR Damras Wisessuwan before takeoff.
“In 1991 we received permission to use an altered
Nomad aircraft to carry out the operations due to its better safety
features and ability to fly at higher altitudes,” added Rear Admiral
Nikom.
This year’s project was launched on June 8, and
Admiral Vichai Yunangkoon, commander-in chief of the Royal Thai Fleet
presided over the ceremonies.
“This year, the Royal Thai Navy, in conjunction with
the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will continue to seed the
clouds over the skies until October 31, a total of 4 months and 22 days.
The takeoff and landing base for these operations is in the province of
Prae. Prae and the surrounding provinces will also come under the project
where we will use two Nomad aircraft to complete the cloud seeding
operations.”
Over 30 officers, led by LCDR Damras Wisessuwan are
scheduled to carryout this year’s project.
“Each year, we are proud to help those facing
hardship in the northeast and want them to know that the Royal Thai Navy
is there for them,” said the admiral.
Once operations begin and results are successful,
officials at all levels will visit Prae and surrounding areas to provide
encouragement.
The launch ceremonies took place at the Naval Air Division airport in
Bang Chang, Rayong on June 8.
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