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Laem Taen festival shows off local cuisine
Food, fun, and entertainment on Bangsaen Beach
Suchada Tupchai
The two-day Amazing Laem Taen Seafood Festival kicked off
last Friday in Bangsaen as part of the province’s efforts to increase
visitors to the region. The Laem Taen Festival showcased local seafood at the
beachside venue. Pisit Ketphasook, Chonburi governor and Somchai Khunplome,
Saensuk municipal mayor, opened the festival.
The festival focused on activities to promote tourism,
displayed local handicrafts, seafood specific to Bangsaen, underwater diving
and a held free concert for visitors. There was also a range of competitive
cooking and eating events.
“Chonburi has a wealth of natural resources, such as clean
beaches and beautiful waters. This event is aimed at boosting the number of
visitors to the province and increase awareness of the government’s One
Tambon One Product project. I believe that we will see an increase in the
seafood market through skilled preparation and cooking by residents. This in
turn will raise awareness among the community to care for the environment,”
revealed Governor Pisit during his opening speech.
The event was well attended by numerous residents and visitors from many
provinces who joined in the festivities.
Somchai
Khunplome (left) watched the concert along with Pisit Ketphasook (center).
Itthipol
Khunplome (left), Chonburi parliamentary member sang a duet with the famous
Jintala Phoonlarp.
Plenty of
fresh seafood was available for the hungry.
There were
lots of fun things to do for the kids, too.
A sand
sculpting competition was one of the highlights. This activity is held in
Bangsaen every year during the annual Songkran celebrations.
Deputy governor meets the press
Media clamors for answers to longstanding issues
Suchada Tupchai
The local media last week grilled Deputy Governor Phisit
Boonchuang and city administrators on social and legal issues. The deputy
governor was standing in for Governor Pisit Ketphasook during a three-hour
meeting at city hall.
 Phisit
Boonchuang, Chonburi deputy provincial governor chaired the meeting with
local media at city hall.
First on the agenda was the progress regarding Baan
Sukhawdee’s encroachment on public land. Coconut palms that were planted
and paid for by the city have been removed from the venue, and the media
called for an update on what action has been taken.
The response given by local administrators was, “The
issue is still under process and we (the city) have requested that the
owners pay restitution for the coconut palms. It is a slow process but we
are dealing with it.”
Questions about the city’s prostitution and the
increasing number of transvestites who solicit customers, particularly on
Beach Road, were also raised as the press continued their onslaught.
Pol.
Lt. Col Sakrapee Preawpanich (right), Pattaya police deputy superintendent
and Pol. Lt Col. Somchai Phongsai (left), Pattaya traffic inspector received
their fair share of flack during the meeting.
“This is a longstanding problem in Pattaya,” replied
the deputy governor. “Not only does it destroy the city’s image but
leads to many other problems as well,” Phisit added.
Pol. Lt. Col Sakrapee Preawpanich, Pattaya police deputy
superintendent promised, “In the very near future we intend to
substantially reduce the problem in cooperation with the provincial social
development department and decrease the number of individuals involved in
these activities. They are the origin of numerous problems which include HIV
transmission, illegal drugs and crime.”
Deputy Governor Phisit added, “Pattaya police station
has 400 staff and the station requires more officers. We have suggested that
the governor increase the number of police stationed in Pattaya.”
Continuing their line of questioning, the media pointed
out the hordes of services girls in many of Pattaya’s sois (side streets)
who proposition people on the street. Some newshounds claimed that residents
and female tourists were so intimidated they were not game to walk along
these sois.
More questions addressed Pattaya’s traffic problems,
including the ever present baht bus conflict. Reporters called for further
resolutions to resolve these issues as well. The media pressed for more
answers as they continued to interrogate administrators, and called for the
relevant departments to act on recurring problems.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn concluded by saying, “The problems are
not new but the new city management and councilor intend to deal with each
one swiftly in due course. We will keep the media informed of the updates as
they happen and eventually the public will see the results of our hard
work.”
Regional sports development planning outlined
Added focus on educational sporting competitions
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Educational representatives throughout the nation
converged on Pattaya to discuss plans for furthering developments in the
sporting arena. The 2-day conference took place at the Grand Sole Hotel,
with Sombat Glinpar, the ministry of sports and tourism’s deputy permanent
secretary chairing the discussions.
 Sombat
Glinpar, the ministry of sports and tourism’s deputy permanent secretary
chaired the planning seminar in sports development.
The conference aimed to increase the number of events for
school and university students in Thailand, drawing much attention from
education officials and academics alike. Discussions also raised the issue
of hosting a nationwide sporting competition with each region holding their
respective events.
The focus is in accordance with the Thaksin government’s policy on
promoting sport and exercise to the masses and create a healthier nation in
the process. The conference rounded up on Friday August 27.
City lays down policies for community leaders and committees
More definitive guidelines must be set
Suchada Tupchai
Pattaya’s new management team recently made a move to
inform and educate village leaders as to what will be expected of them
regarding their duties in order to more effectively perform their tasks. The
idea is to standardize procedures in order to avoid confusion and eliminate
the many gray areas encountered in the past.
 Wuttisak
Rermkijakarn, Pattaya deputy mayor chairs the meeting.
Over 200 people from the city’s 27 communities attended
a meeting at city hall last week in which Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn
outlined policies and procedures.
Those who attended the meeting are instrumental in
developing and guiding their respective villages; and with new committees
formed, the initial aim is to create understanding of what is required of
them.
“We are here to ensure that you understand what
responsibilities are entailed in being a community committee member. In the
past there was no definitive outline to work by. That has changed and we are
here to make sure everyone understands,” said the deputy mayor.
Community leaders also informed the city administration on problems they
were facing and were advised to work with the relevant government
departments and city councilors to resolve minor issues.
MOC launches ‘Blue Flag’ program with major retail chains to beat inflation
Blue means savings for customers
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
With the increasing prices of consumables, due in part to
rising oil prices, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) has joined hands with
retailers to promote a consumer savings program. The launch in Pattaya was
held at the Carrefour Shopping center.
(L-R)
Laurent Hamlet, Carrefour merchandise director, Daniel Meredet, Carrefour
Pattaya store manager, Siripol Yodmuangcharon, director of internal trade
department under the Ministry of Commerce, and Pussadee Kampanthong,
director of bureau price and quantity administration cut the ribbon to
launch the project in Pattaya.
Siripol Yodmuangcharon, director of internal trade department
under the MOC, with Carrefour executives launched the project to combat rising
prices.
The project includes the country’s six major retailers, and
176 major department stores. The aim is to cap prices on basic commodities such
as eggs, vegetables, fruit, rice, canned foods, chicken and other meat products.
Carrefour now has over 1,000 product lines under the ‘Blue Flag’ project,
which will continue until September 30 this year.
“The Blue Flag project is an assurance against rising prices not only for
consumers but also for retailers. Carrefour is happy to participate in the
government run project. Consumers at all 19 stores throughout Thailand will
receive the benefits and savings on their grocery bills,” said Laurent Hamlet,
Carrefour merchandise director.
Kelakasar Beauty School provides grand sendoff for graduating class
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Over 200 students from the Kelakasar Beauty School
recently turned out at the Hard Rock Hotel to receive their graduation
certificates.
 Ajarn
Surathep Thanprasert, secretary to the Chonburi private education department,
Ministry of Education presents certificates to graduating students.
The ceremonies took place in grand style as local VIPs and
teachers from the school handed over certificates to graduating students.
During the evening, graduates showed off their skills in a fashion show,
complete with make-up and hairstyles. A buffet dinner was laid out and everyone
celebrated for the rest of the evening.
Hawksbill sea turtles return to Sattahip waters
The first group of infant hawksbill sea
turtles, nurtured under a Royal Thai Navy-supported protection program, has
successfully returned to the ocean off the beach at Sattahip.
Sixty-seven baby turtles crawled from a number of
40-centimeter-deep holes which their mothers had dug for their birth. They
hatched from 90 eggs their mothers laid naturally in the holes. The eggs
have been guarded by the Royal Thai Navy against any disturbance by humans.
All 67 turtles crawled back into ocean as a group of program officials and
reporters watched their progress.
The hawksbill sea turtle population in the Gulf of
Thailand is small and in danger of extinction because of illegal fishing
and the mammals’ limited ability to reproduce. The female turtles can
only lay a maximum of three fertile eggs at a time - three times less than
green sea turtles. (TNA)
Dengue fever cases down 50 percent
The government’s drive to reduce
incidents of dengue fever has proved highly successful, with cases of the
disease down 50 percent from last year, the director of the Department of
Disease Control announced recently.
Citing the latest figures for the potentially fatal
mosquito-borne disease, Dr. Charal Trinwuttiphong said that over the first
eight months of the year, both the number of cases and the number of deaths
from dengue fever nationwide were half the number recorded during the same
period in 2003.
From January to August this year, there were 21,082
reported cases of the disease, or 33 cases per 100,000 head of population, and
25 deaths. The government aims to keep the incident rate below 50 per 100,000
head of population throughout the year.
Figures from the first eight months of the year showed
Rayong to have the highest incident rate, at 89 per 100,000, with the northern
province of Mae Hong Son at the opposite end of the scale with only six cases
per 100,000. Bangkok was also a dengue fever hotspot, with cases in the Lad
Phrao district a staggering 199 per 100,000.
Dr. Charal said that the government’s nationwide dengue
control strategy was to encourage members of the public to at least once a
week destroy the breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that carry the disease. (TNA)
City Scope with Mayor Niran
:
Friends, Pattayans, countrymen, lend me your ears
Community leaders join seminar to improve speaking skills
Suchada Tupchai
“Effective public speaking is the key to reaching out to
the public,” said Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.
In his unstoppable quest to upgrade the conditions of Pattaya,
and not only on environmental issues, hygiene and raising the standards of
living of the citizens of Pattaya, the mayor has dug into the grassroots of city
hall management and initiated a program to improve the public speaking skills of
leaders of every department in both the public and private sector.
 After
Mayor Niran opened the seminar, Wannapa Wannasri, director of the Diana
Institute of Development conducted it.
“The public already have a hard time understanding official
jargon, let alone when an official goes out to meet them and cannot put into
proper comprehensible words what the government policies are and what is
expected of the people. This causes misunderstandings and absolute failure,”
the mayor said.
Hence a program was devised with the cooperation of the Diana
Institute of Development, directed by Wannapa Wannasri, one of the most
respected public speakers in Pattaya and east Thailand.
The first session saw more than 40 people from various
professions join in the Effective Public Speaking seminar held at the city hall
conference room. Assisting in the seminar were Ms Bupha Songsakulchai and Ms
Ratree Thongsai, two up and coming talented public speakers in their own right.
Ms Wannapa said, “The concept of public speaking begins
with training the basics of speech. One does not become a good public speaker by
reading textbooks alone, but one has to practice one’s public speaking ability
on a regular basis. In time a person can become a great orator.”
The programs are continuous and those who are interested in joining can
contact the Diana Institute for Development at the Diana Garden Resort for more
information.
Armed teens rob 7 Eleven
Boonlua Chatree
A gang of six teens robbed the Nongkate Yai 7 Eleven
branch in the early hours on Saturday morning. As they ransacked the store,
the gang, armed with guns and knives, repeatedly threatened the two staff on
duty. They fled on motorcycles after taking 5 packets of cigarettes and over
2,000 baht in cash.
Police
question the clerk at the 7 Eleven store after it was robbed by armed
teenagers.
Wichitchai Chaichet, 21, and Apichnant Parnson, 22,
described the armed gang as between 18 and 20 years old. They told police
that two of the youths held a knife to their throat and a gun to their head
during the robbery. They said the gang fled in the direction of Pattaya on
four motorcycles.
The store has a close circuit TV camera and a red police box outside,
with police patrols checking in every hour. Investigating officers inspected
the TV footage to try and identify the thieves and are continuing their
investigations.
Banglamung police arrest 3 murderous thieves and a rapist
Boonlua Chatree
Extensive investigations by Banglamung police led to the
arrest of 4 men involved five shootings.
The first, Narongsak Sridumdee, 20, was arrested in his
Naklua home for the shooting death of Ari Ruetichai in Banglamung. He was
charged with first degree murder.
Ruetnarong Glinkajorn, 20, was detained for the shooting
of Oot Wattana, 18, on October 22, 2003 in the Nongplalai district.
Ruetnarong was charged with first degree murder and illegal possession of an
unlicensed weapon in a public place. Another warrant was issued for
Ruetnarong in June this year when he shot and critically injured Anuwat
Sawangjit. He received an additional charge of attempted murder.
Armed with an arrest warrant Banglamung police continued
on their string of arrests, this time catching up with Naronsak Prakobtham,
17, charged with the shooting death of Jirasak Puechkunjol during a robbery
in which Narongsak stole the dead man’s motorcycle. He also shot and
injured another man during the same crime in the Kratinglai district on June
6 this year. Narongsak was charged with one count of first degree murder,
one count of attempted murder, theft and illegal possession of a firearm in
public.
Lastly, officers arrested Naronchai Fuengjaroen, 20, for
the rape of 16-year-old girl in Banglamung. He was charged with deprivation
of liberty and rape.
All men are now facing lengthy jail terms and possibly
the death penalty for their crimes.
Local tourist police round up beggars
Boonlua Chatree
Following a string of complaints from tourists,
Pattaya’s tourist police launched their latest street cleanup on Friday
evening to rid Pattaya of its beggars. Tourist police targeted South and
Central Pattaya as well as Beach Road looking for those annoying customers
drinking in bars and indigents sleeping on the footpaths. In all over 20
people were detained, including three Cambodian beggars, and were sent to
Soi 9 for further processing.
Some of
the caught beggars were laughing at the police station - perhaps it was
because they knew they wouldn’t need to beg for food that night.
The city is clamping down on these individuals who cause
annoyance to foreign visitors because complaints are regular. Often these
people lay in wait for the odd drunken tourist to stagger by and take the
opportunity to relieve visitors of their personal belongings.
All were charged with vagrancy and the Cambodians were sent to
immigration police for deportation.
14-year-old boy shot dead
500 meters from home
Mother says her son was threatened by classmate
The body of Jaroon Konfoon, 14, was discovered laying
in the middle of the road on the morning of August 24, just 500 meters from
his Naklua home. The boy died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. He
had also been severely beaten about the head.
Police arrived on the scene to find the boy’s mother,
Paiboon Konfoon, weeping over her son’s body. Officers inspected the area
and discovered a single shell casing from a 9mm pistol nearby, plus the
boy’s shoes and socks. The boy’s Honda motorcycle was also missing and
there were signs that a struggle had preceded the shooting.
Paiboon told police that her son, a student at the school
in Nernplubwan, had asked her to wake him at 4 a.m. as he was competing in a
sepak takraw game at Assumption University that day. Paiboon added that she
only became aware of her son’s death when neighbors discovered the body
and told her.
Investigating police suspect that there were at least two
perpetrators in the crime with two possible motives. The first being a
‘regular’ motorcycle theft, in which the boy may well have refused to
hand over his bike at gunpoint, or it was related to a school argument.
Jaroon had told his mother that he had had a problem with another student
and that the other boy threatened to kill him, even to the extent of
pointing a gun to his head within school grounds.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Water police night raid nets illegal fishermen with protected species
Region 3 water police arrested 12 Thai fishermen and 5
Cambodians for illegally fishing in protected waters. The raid took place
under the cover of darkness.
Water police boarded the two vessels approximately 3
kilometers from the coast. Officers found each of the vessels contained
protected fish. Under the current laws, police were able to fine the
fishermen over 65,000 baht.
Whilst in custody, the fishermen refused to cooperate
with police when asked who had employed the Cambodian workers. Nonetheless,
all were transferred for legal proceedings.
Woman shot dead by estranged
boyfriend
A nineteen-year-old woman was rushed to the Pattaya
Memorial hospital after being shot in the head by her estranged boyfriend.
Mallikarn Sripui died during emergency surgery to remove a 9mm bullet lodged
in her head.
Police investigating the incident spoke to the victim’s
mother and aunt, who told them that she had recently broken up with her
boyfriend, identified only as Art.
They went on to tell police that the three of them were
chatting after returning from the police station to register their
‘divorce’. Art turned up asking to borrow 100 baht for a taxi fare home.
Mallikarn grabbed her purse to give Art the money, but he pulled out a
pistol and shot her in the head, then fled the scene. Investigating police
told reporters they expect to make a speedy arrest.
More bogus goods dealers busted
The crackdown on pirated goods has slowed but local
tourist police are continuing their vigilance, and arrested two dealers in
Pattaya on Friday evening.
Chawalit Prachachankul was detained when police caught
him wandering around a bar near the Dolphin Roundabout. He was selling fake
brand name watches including Rolex, Cartier, Gucci, Tag Huer and others.
The second man, Sarayuth Junkhum, 18, was arrested for
setting up a street side stall selling brand name shirts.
All items were confiscated as evidence and both men were
charged with distributing fake merchandise in breach of intellectual
property and copyright laws.
Jealous teens beat couple
A group of 10 youths beat a young couple after they made
suggestive comments to a young woman. The couple attempted to flee but was
hounded by the gang who viciously attacked them just 100 meters from the
police station, then sped of in the direction of South Pattaya.
Vasant Limprasert, 25, and his girlfriend Siriporn
Gunsaengsee, 22, told police they were riding along Central Pattaya Road
when the group of youths made lascivious comments about Siriporn. A verbal
melee ensued before Vasant decided to avoid further problems.
Vasant told police that he attempted to outrun the group
of 4 motorcycles but they caught up with them near the entrance of Soi 10.
Both Siriporn and Vasant received numerous cuts and
bruises in the attack, which was most likely out of jealousy, and requested
police help in seeking justice. The pair was sent to a local hospital for
treatment before the case was handed over to criminal investigation
officers.
Motorcycle racer dies in the heat of competition
A 36-year-old Udon Thani man died when he lost control of
his motorcycle at high speed during a race with local youths. The accident
occurred at approximately 2.30 a.m. on August 21 in the Pattaya-Naklua
stretch of Sukhumvit Road.
Banglamung police and Sawang Boriboon personnel arrived
on the scene to find the totaled motorcycle on the road with its owner,
identified as Surasak Srisrurin some 40 meters away. Surasak broke his neck
and died almost instantly.
Initial investigations revealed that Surasak had
apparently been racing along Sukhumvit Road against a group of local youths.
It was reported that one rider and his pillion passenger had kicked
Surasak’s motorcycle at high speed causing him to lose control. The group
fled the accident scene before police arrived.
Surasak’s body was taken to the Banglamung Hospital
where relatives were contacted to commence funeral rites.
Theft victim delivers swift justice
Englishman Steve Parkinson delivered swift justice to a
16-year-old thief after the youth and another man snatched his 5 baht-weight
gold necklace. Parkinson gave chase on his Honda Phantom and rammed the pair
near the Grand Hall market in Soi Bua Khao in the early hours of August 21.
Police arrived on the scene to find Parkinson detaining
the young criminal in a headlock. Parkinson told police that the 16 year
old, identified only as Wallop, and another man tore the gold chain from his
neck as he was waiting to turn. Undeterred, Parkinson gave chase and rammed
the pair on the bike. Officers searched the youth’s pocket to find the
chain, complete with three Buddhist amulets, and took him to Soi 9 for
questioning.
Back at the station, police brought in Mawee Kaewlue, 19, who was
suspected to have taken part in the theft. However, Mawee said that the bike
was his and that the 16 year old and an accomplice had stolen the bike at
gunpoint. A quick check led officers to quickly remove Mawee’s handcuffs.
They charged Wallop with two counts of theft and sent him to a holding cell
pending judicial proceedings while police search for his accomplice.
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