HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Pattaya’s flood problems raised at council meeting

Pattaya City is the ‘youth crime center’ of Chonburi Province

Pattaya City Hall holds orientation for city employees

Free water and coffee at city hall

City council meets to discuss Pattaya’s development plan

New police chief vows to reduce crime and improve safety

Miss Bikini World 2003 visits Pattaya City

Teen hoodlums vandalize Eastern Vocational Institute’s security booth

Teen shootout on Third Road seriously injures passerby

Police briefs

Norwegian man bleeds to death after breaking window with his fist

Phone thief says he stole to feed his infant daughter

Pattaya’s Vegetarian Festival 2004 wowing tourists

Pattaya prepares for bird flu cases

EDITORIAL -Bird flu: an important lesson

Pattaya’s flood problems raised at council meeting

Traffic flow and tourism issues also addressed

Decha Chalermyart

The problem of persistent flooding in Pattaya was raised at last week’s city council meeting. City engineers proposed installing a more efficient drainage system in the affected areas.

Tawit Chaisawangwong, city council chairman, presided over last week’s the meeting when the problem of persistent flooding in Pattaya was raised.

City council members raised the issue, calling for budget allowance to resolve constant flooding along Pattaya Third Road and other badly affected sections of the city.

Wirwat Jirasri, city engineering director told councilors and city administrators that Third Road was once a canal. “This area is a basin in which water collects naturally along Pattaya Third Road and the current drainage system is unable to cope with flooding after heavy rain. Larger drains from Soi Lengkee in South Pattaya up to Soi Pechtrakul should solve the problem. The system would also be linked to the Pattaya waste water treatment plant.”

Wirat added that his department is investigating and costing the project before proposing it to city management.

On other issues, Tawit Chaisawangwong, council chairman discussed the results of an educational trip to Australia to study the country’s tourism and infrastructure development. Tawit said the trip revealed the importance that government organizations place on sporting facilities and environmental conservation. He added Pattaya’s representatives also studied traffic flow solutions.

On the tourism front, Tawit said that despite Australia’s relative close proximity to Thailand there appeared to be a downturn in visitors due to the general opinion that Pattaya had nothing new to offer Australian tourists. He rounded up his report by saying that talks with tourism authorities proved fruitful and the delegates came away with many ideas on how Pattaya can further develop.

Pattaya City later handed over 99,000 baht to local athletes competing in a Jet Ski competition in Arizona, U.S.A., as part of the day’s proceedings.

Pattaya City is the ‘youth crime center’ of Chonburi Province

Deputy governor orders crackdown on young offenders

Suchada Tupchai

The crime rate among Pattaya youth is the highest in Chonburi province. The details were revealed during a brainstorming session between provincial government heads at city hall on September 24.

Wirawit Wiwattanvanich, Chonburi deputy governor called for an earnest effort in reducing youth crime.

Meeting chairman, Wirawit Wiwattanvanich, Chonburi deputy governor, called for an earnest effort in reducing youth crime in the province after statistics showed a marked increase over the last nine months. In all, 78 cases had been resolved with the majority involving vice, child prostitution, theft and public disturbance.

“I want to see these figure reduced. To do so requires the full effort of all concerned departments. It will take time but it must be done,” the deputy governor said.

The full day’s general meeting, held at Pattaya City Hall, saw administrators throughout Chonburi discuss numerous issues to further develop the province as an economic force within Thailand as well as reduce the problems associated with the rapid growth in population.

Wirawit also touched on the recent Asia Bank robbery in Pattaya on September 13, stating that banks and concerned government departments need to improve security measures to prevent criminals from committing the offence and escaping.

During the afternoon session Pisit Ketphasook, Chonburi governor took charge of the proceedings, declaring that he wanted to make Chonburi the export center of Thailand, handling 90 percent of the nation’s export cargo and a major hub for South east Asia.

Governor Pisit said that plans to open a further 6 berths at Laem Chabang port are underway to cope with the load. He concluded the day’s formalities by handing out retirement certificates to senior government officers before adjourning to an evening function in their honor.

Pattaya City Hall holds orientation for city employees

Work efficiency policy laid out

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn recently held an orientation session for 1,000 city employees at city hall to review the current work policy and introduce them to his new management team.

Pattaya City officers and employees attend the orientation session.

In his welcoming address, Mayor Niran explained that Pattaya City has vacancies for new employees every year. “Older employees already know our policy, but I want to inform our newcomers that previously the city administration made work contacts year by year, but that policy has changed. Work contracts will now be up to, but not more than 4 years,” the mayor said. He also presented the group with information on how to work more efficiently in their respective positions.

During the evening, city administrators organized a party at the Baan Sukavadee conference room, presented awards to the best officers and employees for the year 2004 and a farewell get together was arranged for retiring officers.

Free water and coffee at city hall

Decha Chalermyart

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn is offering free cold water and coffee to the public on the first floor of the Civil Registration Department. According to the mayor the idea is a service for the public so they can feel more comfortable while they are waiting to be helped by officials.

The free drinks section at city hall.

The new election administration team of Pattaya City wants to improve the city’s image, so the public will have a good impression when they must contact city officials directly.

Boonlua Chatree

The scene could have been straight out of a Wild West movie. A vicious teenage shootout on Pattaya Third Road scared pedestrians half to death and seriously injured innocent motorcyclist, 23 year old Jenjira Bunsri, as she tried to maneuver her way through the flying bullets.

Pattaya police received a call at 2 a.m. on October 3 that a group of teenagers were on a shooting spree on Third Road. Rushing to the scene, officers found Jenjira Bunsri lying on the ground in a pool of blood. She had sustained gunshot wounds to her left and right ribs. Her boyfriend Manop Meksongsee was in tears as he tried to comfort his friend. Policemen took Jenjira to Pattaya Memorial Hospital where she was rushed into surgery to dislodge the bullets.

Investigating officers questioned witnesses who said that a group of 5-8 teenagers on motorcycles were shooting at each other as they drove down Pattaya Third Road, and then disappeared into the night. At the crime scene officers discovered two spent .38 caliber shell casings and eight .11 caliber shells.

Police radioed other patrolmen in the area to set up a road block. The dragnet caught one perpetrator, Pairat Bunserm, 26, in possession of a .357 caliber pistol and 5 rounds of ammunition, and another five shells in his shoulder bag. Police brought him to the police station for questioning.

During interrogation Pairat Bunserm admitted that the pistol belonged to him. He said on the night of the incident he had encountered a group of men on motorcycles and harsh words were exchanged. He said the hostilities escalated and everyone stopped their motorbikes and proceeded to shoot at each other. Pairat denied knowledge of anyone being injured in the altercation.

Police charged Pairat with illegal possession of a gun and discharging a firearm in public. Officers are waiting for Jenjira Bunsri to recover from her injuries so that she can make a statement as to who it was that shot her.

Boonlua Chatree

Drive-by shooting leaves teenager seriously injured

Chinawat Thaenkaew, 16, was injured in a shootout last week on Pechtrakul Road behind Big C in central Pattaya. Chinawat was shot in the neck with a .22 caliber pistol.

Police, accompanied by two of the victim’s friends, Chinawat Thaenkaew and a man identified only as ‘Golf’, took Chinawat to Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment.

In serious condition, Chinawat was unable to make a statement, but Golf told police he and the injured boy were both on a motorbike and passed a group of teenagers that Chinawat was acquainted with.

The group shouted at Chinawat, but Golf said he and the boy drove on by. The teens followed them; still shouting. One of the youths then fired a gun twice, hitting Chinawat. The group sped away in the direction of Soi A.R in central Pattaya.

Golf said the shooter was wearing a full-face helmet and a black jacket, and would not be easy to identify. Police are still investigating the case.

Burglars fumble forced entry into elderly man’s home

An elderly man came back from a retirement party and found thieves trying to force their way into his house. He shouted for neighbors to call the police and the burglars fled.

Banglamung police received the call on October 1 and arrived at the residence of 60 year old Lertsak Nakchan. A check of the house revealed a trail of evidence where the thieves had attempted to gain entry, including a damaged window and screen, and signs of force on the front door’s iron grill.

Plainly irritated, Lertsak, a former driver for Banglamung Hospital, told officers that this was the fourth time thieves had targeted his home, although so far, no property had been taken.

Cops nab trio with Marijuana

Police Major Sutham Chaoseethong and a team of officers were patrolling Soi 17 in South Pattaya during the wee hours of October 2 and noticed three suspicious-looking Thai men riding a motorcycle without license plates. When they stopped the trio on a routine search, Kwanchai Raksrap, 19, Kitiwat Kongsamree, 22, and Srongsak Nilathana, 24, were arrested for possession of 100 grams of marijuana.

Officers also impounded the motorcycle as disputed property and all three were charged with possession of a class 5 illegal drug.

Noisy betters busted

Police received a report of gambling going on in a house located in Soi Jurarat. Police stormed the residence and found 11 enthusiastic people noisily engaged in a rowdy game of dice.

Officers arrested Payab Suetrong, Gongjit Chantarawong, Sayan Thongyoo, Jiraporn Puangtabtim, Walada Kraibut, Woradee Khanthongdee, Rabiab Lamlert, Samai Kho, Primploen Phetphong, Marin Siamsang and Sumalee Saengthong and hauled them off to the police station.

Evidence against the 11 offenders included dice and 100 baht in cash. Bail was denied and the unlucky gamblers now sit in the lockup as they await court proceedings.

Sting operation
nabs drug mule
and owner of Soi Nernplubwan gas station

After a lengthy surveillance, Banglamung investigation officers determined that a ring of methamphetamine dealers were peddling their drugs at the Mebtato petrol station on the corner of Soi Nernplubwan and laid plans to catch them. Pol. Lt. Col. Komsan Mabamrung from the Banglamung police station and his team prepared 12,000 baht of marked banknotes in hopes of nabbing the dealers in a sting operation.

In the wee hours of September 30, officers lay in wait and arrested Maethee Monkoltae, 20, with 1,200 methamphetamine pills in his possession. During questioning Maethee admitted that he was a mule for a big operation. He said most of his deliveries involved the transaction of 1,500 speed pills and that the gas station owner, Yuthana Bungklan, 33, was one of his usual customers.

Undercover officers used Maethee to make the unlawful delivery to the gas station owner. When Yuthana paid for the drugs, officers revealed themselves and made the arrest. District narcotics officers are continuing their investigation and are searching for the ‘big fish’ that operate the drug ring.

Norwegian man bleeds to death after breaking window with his fist

Boonlua Chatree

A Norwegian man sadly bled to death in a local hotel room after he angrily punched his fist through a glass window.

Police arrived on the scene after receiving a report that a foreign national died in a hotel room located on Pattaya Second Road. When officers arrived, they found the body of 21 year old Christopher Andreas Wathne on the floor, covered in blood. An examination found a deep 4 inch wound on the man’s left forearm, and subsequent loss of blood is believed to have been the cause of death. A further check of the room revealed signs of a struggle on the bed, a broken window and shattered glass on the floor.

Investigating officers interviewed Kanchana Pannork, 24, and found out the deceased had arrived at a bar on Soi 8 where she worked and bought her out of the bar on the condition she would have sex with him at his hotel room for 2,000 baht, which she agreed to.

However, when they arrived at the room, Kanchana said Christopher was very drunk and began to bully and beat her. Frightened, Kanchana said she escaped the abuse by exiting through the window in the next room. She said the foreigner became so enraged he punched through the window and sliced his arm, which began to bleed profusely.

Police sent the body to the forensic lab to determine the exact cause of death.

Phone thief says he stole to feed his infant daughter

Boonlua Chatree

Qatar national Jassim Mohamad Alhaie, 41, reported to police that while he was sitting in the food court near the fountain area of the Royal Garden Department Store in South Pattaya, a Thai man approached him and snatched his Nokia mobile phone from the table and ran in the direction of Wat Chaiyamongkhol.

Qatar national Jassim Mohamad Alhaie points to Sarayuth Chan-A-ka, accusing him of stealing his mobile phone.

Soon after, patrolling police picked up Sarayuth Chan-A-ka, 19, from Udon Thani with the stolen phone still in his possession.

Before being charged with theft, Sarayuth told officers he worked at a gay bar on Soi Pattayaland 1, but didn’t make enough money to support his two year old daughter. He said he became a thief to supplement his income.

Pattaya’s Vegetarian Festival 2004 wowing tourists

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

This year the city is going all out to make Pattaya City’s Vegetarian Festival 2004 a lure for tourists and residents.

The Pattaya city council in cooperation with TAT Central Region 3, the Sawang Boriboon Foundation, Chonburi, and private organizations recently met to finalize plans for this traditional fete.

The festival began October 13 and will run through October 23 on the Sawang Boriboon Foundation premises on Naklua. The promotion of this ancient tradition has received great response from the public and participants as it is one of the region’s most colorful spectacles.

This year Pattaya City is determined to restore the 2,000 year old festival to its original glory and hope the event will equal, or even surpass the one which is held in Phuket every year.

Chinese in origin, devotees fast for a prescribed period to cleanse their bodies and souls in preparation to honor ancient deities, and pray for health, luck and prosperity in the coming year.

Minister for Sports and Tourism, Sontaya Khunplome presided over the opening ceremonies at 4:30 p.m. on October 13. The festivities then began with a dragon parade and a sacred procession to Bali Pier, making its way along South Pattaya’s Walking Street, turning right onto South Pattaya Road to Chaiyamongkhol Temple, where turned right onto Central Road to the Pattaya Third Road intersection. Here members of the procession took a bus to Pattaya School No. 3 in Naklua and restarted the parade traveling to Larn Po to bid welcome to the “Kiew Aoung Huk Jow” and the “Boddhisattava” in Naklua.

A highlight of the event will star famous chef Jabchai Jae who will attempt to make the biggest pot of vegetarian food, which will be served to the public. Officials from the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum will be on hand to record this historic event.

Prasit Thongtitcharoen, Sawang Boriboon Foundation vice president said, “This vegetarian festival during the 9th month of every year has existed for more than 2,000 years. It started in China during a period of horrendous floods in which many people and animals died. Survivors believed that if they refrained from eating meat, thus sparing the animals, the gods would look upon them with favor and would not send anymore devastating floods.

Pattaya prepares for bird flu cases

Region’s poultry farms being thoroughly monitored

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

As the avian flu rears its head once more in Thailand, Pattaya administrators and health officials are making contingency plans to head off the spread of the virus. All areas will be tested at great lengths to prevent the disease from affecting the region.

Wuttisak Rermkijikarn, deputy mayor in charge of public health called a meeting with government department heads to head off bird flu in Pattaya and Banglamung.

Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijikarn met with health department officials and government supervisors to plan their attack on preventing bird flu from spreading in Pattaya and Banglamung. The plans entail extensive surveys and testing of chicken and duck farms in the area.

“Pattaya’s health department is already out checking for signs of the bird flu virus. Thankfully there are no cases found but we (the administration) must remain vigilant and ensure it does not spread,” said the deputy mayor.

The second measure was raised by Bancha Nongnooch, Banglamung health director, “Farmers in the region raising chickens and ducks must ensure their fowl is not infected. We have set down strict guidelines to ensure that no animals from outside the region are imported, especially other birds. All farmers must keep their farms clean and tidy to reduce the chance of infection. Officials are making regular inspections until the threat is over.”

EDITORIAL -Bird flu: an important lesson

Suchada Tupchai

Thailand is again bracing itself in anxious anticipation of the endemic spread of the avian flu virus. Even after the government fought tooth and nail to rid the disease from the nation, it stands ready to fight again after 2 recent human fatalities from the disease. The populace is more prepared and no more so than the eastern region, where one death has occurred in the province of Prachinburi.

Following the scare, Chonburi governor, Pisit Ketphasook is on a steep learning curve to quickly enforce government policies to tightly control the spread of bird flu. The governor has ordered and quickly deployed a task force to cover all districts in the province to stave off any potential bird flu cases among bird populations, specifically on both free range and commercial farms.

Educational materials have been distributed and farmers are better informed on the bird flu than they were the first time around to the point where standards imposed are close to being tight government legislature rather than guidelines. The reason? To prevent the same economic damage from reoccurring, particularly in the export market.

Pattaya herself is now under watchful eye due to being surrounded by agriculture and numerous farms. When the bird flu first hit the region tens of thousands of birds were destroyed as a result, and the affects were felt throughout the community.

Pattaya as a tourist destination was also affected as numbers dwindled during the crisis. The measures now being taken to prevent and control that from re-occurring are now in progress with the entire area being put under the microscope for any signs of the disease. The results are now also being made public, both the PR and the real story.

The reality is that trying to hide the facts is in no way going to make the problem go away. Allegation and admission of the sweeping facts and problems on the initial onslaught of the bird flu have now come to light after officialdom censored the media on the initial spread of the bird flu in Thailand. The government’s reason - as they claim - was “to protect economic interests”. Once news of the virus spread and their fears were realized, the export market took a literal swan dive to oblivion. They learnt the hard way!

It’s time the government, local and national, stood up and accepted reality to solve and prevent problems on a long-term basis and not just look for a ‘face saving’ way out. It’s time to accept and face reality and not just ‘cover a dead elephant with lotus leaves’ in the hope it won’t be seen, as they have already tried to do previously.