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Kingdom celebrates Chulalongkorn Day
Many activities planned for October 23
His Majesty
King Chulalongkorn
the Great
Suchada Tupchai
Chulalongkorn Day, October 23, is a national holiday and
ceremonies will be performed throughout Thailand to mark the day that the great
King passed away in the year 1910.
This year, since the holiday falls on a Saturday, banks,
government offices and many businesses will be closed on Monday, October 25.
King Chulalongkorn was instrumental in modernizing the
Kingdom of Thailand and is credited with many visionary accomplishments,
including the establishment of the Council of State, setting up 12 different
ministries which reorganized the government administrative system and the
abolition of slavery.
King Chulalongkorn’s other ambitious achievements included
establishing trade and diplomatic contact with foreign governments, and
introducing revolutionary changes throughout the kingdom regarding police
security, a postal system, hospitals, and railroads.
The great King also was instrumental in maintaining the
nation’s sovereignty during a critical period in history when powerful
nations were expanding their influence and colonizing neighboring countries.
Local ceremonies will be held at the Chulalongkorn monument in front of the
Banglamung district offices. Hundreds of community representatives, business
owners, students and press will be present to pay their respects to a great
king.
TRT party announces 7 regional candidates for Parliament
Thai Rak Thai Party officials recently
announced the party’s candidates for Parliament for the 7 election zones
in Chonburi. The new national election will be held after January 5, 2005.
Chosen candidates are: 1st Zone, Sanga Tanawong; 2nd
Zone, Amarin Tangprakob, a new candidate, formerly of the Chonburi Province
Administrative Organization; 3rd Zone, Sontaya Khunplome; 4th Zone, Urasit
Mitiwutworalak; 5th Zone, Itthipol Khunplome; 6th Zone, Chanyuth Hengtrakul
(former president of the Chonburi council who has over 20 years experience
in politics to replace Chansak Chawalitnititham, who quit politics and will
continue in his private business), and the 7th Zone, Poramet Ngamphichet,
formerly of the Chonburi Administrative Organization. In this zone there is
one more candidate, Vice Admiral Roj Wiwatphoomiprates, an ex-zone
candidate. Thai Rak Thai will decide on October 5 between the two. Santsak
Ngamphichet and Somchai Sahachairungruang would move to senator candidates,
and Sontaya Khunplome, tourism and sports minister would also be one of the
candidates on the Thai Rak Thai Party’s lists.
The announcements and introduction of the candidates were
made at a seminar titled “Political Procession Promotion Program” held
at Thamrongbuasri Hall in Burapha University. Sora-At Klinprathum, minister
for Social Development and Human Services and vice-president of the TRT
Party presided.
Organized by the Political Party Development Foundation,
and the Election Committee Department, the seminar aimed to educate the
public about politics and encourage them to participate. In attendance were
Somchai Khunplome, Saensuk municipality mayor; Pisit Boonchuang, Chonburi
deputy governor and advisor for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and
former Member of Parliament for Chonburi; local administrators, and district
and village chiefs.
The first part of the seminar, given by Sora-At
Klinprathum, vice president of Thai Rak Thai, was about political
essentials, including reform. The session included an evaluation of Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s term in office including policies in place
regarding Thailand’s economic performance, foreign investment, monetary
policy and the national One Tambon One Product scheme.
The seminar continued with a special debate on “Local
development and participation in politics”. Somchai Khunplome, Pinyo
Thanwiset, president of the Chonburi Administrative Organization, and Pisit
Boonchuang debated issues regarding important political policies for
Chonburi, including future development of the province. They agreed that
future plans would require cooperation from all local leaders, 103
organizations in all, including the Province Administrative Organization,
the Municipality, and the District Administrative Organization.
At the end of the seminar Pinyo Thanwiset, Chonburi PAO chairman along
with local political groups, organization representatives and community
leaders gave flower baskets to bless Somchai Khunplome on his 67th birthday
which fell on September 30.
Pattaya’s traffic committee meets to define police jurisdiction
Told not to fear those of influence
Suchada Tupchai
At 1 p.m. on October 12, Sanit Boonmarchai, city council
chaired the monthly meeting of the Pattaya governing and protection
committee. Also at the meeting was former Pattaya mayor Suchai Ruayrin, who
was asked to join the meeting to advise on ways of finding solutions to
various problems.
Opening the meeting, Sanit Boonmarchai said, “The most
pressing problem at this time is traffic and safety at various points
throughout the city. The problems have arisen because police are only
patrolling and enforcing certain points and not focusing on the overall
picture. Issues such as motorcyclists without helmets, drivers with no
licenses and those without vehicle documentation are all just part of the
law and it would be better if they also take notice of foreigners riding
large bikes. Many of them have no license and there have been many problems,
especially involving accidents, right up to drink driving. In the interests
of safety I ask that these standards be enforced.”
Sanit also went on to say that there is no clear line of
jurisdiction between Banglamung and Pattaya police stations and that police
are missing their respective goal in enforcing the law.
“This problem can lead to the police officers’ duties
being compromised. It is important to create the maximum benefit for
residents and their safety,” added Sanit.
A police representative from the Banglamung station
informed the meeting that they have problems performing their duty because
many people only see their own convenience as important. The police officer
went on to say that city administrators should inform police when they make
changes. He cited an example of parking - overnight what was a legal car
park was changed to a no parking zone. As for haphazard parking, when police
perform their duty they are accosted and verbally abused and many people use
high ranking city management officials to get them off the charges. Such
incidents interfere with police doing their job.
Former Pattaya mayor, Suchai Ruayrin gave his opinion,
“I think that all those concerned should not be prevented from performing
their duty just because of relationships or friendships. Similarly, you
should not be intimidated by those of influence. I suggest that all police
officers make it clear to city officials in such cases that there is no
influence where the law is concerned, especially when it affects residents.
Concerning the change of parking zones, those on duty should take
responsibility, otherwise the problem will grow and it will be even harder
to solve a chaotic mess.”
Further issues discussed included motorcyclists driving
against the flow of traffic, particularly at the Sukhumvit - Central Pattaya
Road intersection, which also causes many accidents. The point was raised
that spots such as this do not have regular police monitoring. Suggestions
concerning a clear jurisdiction and how Pattaya and Banglamung police and
relevant departments can resolve problems are to be put to high ranking
police officials in the very near future.
Residents groan over city road development program
Motorists run gauntlet of road construction and dangerous detours
Suchada Tupchai
After receiving numerous emails and complaints about the
state of Pattaya’s ongoing road re-surfacing under the 2004 budget,
reporters visited a number of sites. The general feeling among business
owners and residents was one of dissatisfaction with the excessive length of
time taken to complete the projects.
 Soi
Khao Noi and others have become obstacle courses during the lengthy road
re-surfacing. Is the end in sight?
One such soi is Soi Khao Noi (Soi Wat Boonsamphan) where
such a project is currently being undertaken. The road surface has been dug
up and contractors are concreting new sections of road and replacing storm
water drains at a snail’s pace.
The project, according to sources, was slated to begin on
March 31 with a completion date of December 25, 2004 at a cost of 8,709,050
baht. The Koh Poti Partners Company Ltd. are working the site. The
2-kilomter stretch of road from Sukhumvit to Soi Chatkaew is under the
supervision of Chaluay Ditthakarn, civil engineer 6, and Anuwat Jaenglang,
mechanical engineer 2.
Further inspection revealed that a signboard stated:
“The road will be closed from August 22 to 31 between the hours 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Please use other routes.” The board itself
has confused residents with many understanding that the project would be
completed by August 31.
Whatever the case, Soi Khao Noi still needs plenty of
work, as there are a number of deep holes. The marking for these dangerous
hazards is a piece of re-enforcement bar with a flag tied to it – this,
added to the uneven road surface, is an appalling disregard of safety
measures.
One resident said, “Normally Soi Khao is quite busy
because many use it as an alternative route to Soi Nernplubwan, which is
very congested. Now with the road works on this soi, Nernplubwan is even
busier. Soi Siam Country Club is also still under construction so we cannot
use this road as an alternative, either. I think it would be better if
Pattaya City appoints people to look after and ensure better convenience for
residents. In Soi Khao Noi, it’s necessary to have a safe road because
there are always accidents due to the poor signage during the road
re-surfacing.”
Apart from Soi Khao Noi, residents in other areas are
suffering similar problems, as contractors slowly carry out their road
resurfacing work. Such areas include Soi Wat Boonkanjaram in Jomtien, with
its meter-long deep holes, with no warning signs or attempts to cover them,
and a section of Soi Siam Country Club, which is nowhere close to
completion. Soi Chaiyapruk, a main artery from Sukhumvit Road to Jomtien
Beach and a concentrated residential area, is still under construction, and
almost impassable.
The entire program is a farce, as residents and motorists are forced to
navigate other routes to their destination, still with a chance of running
into unexpected obstacles in the process. The roads mentioned are only a few
which are still ripped up by contactors who are dragging their feet on these
projects. Administrators and contractors should pay attention to the
residents who are forced to cope with abhorrent conditions, especially in
the aspect of safety.
TAT and Pattaya City reveal marketing plan for 2005
Targeting Asian and Bangkok tourists
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
TAT Central Region 3 director Niti Kongkrut’s Pattaya
promotional plan for 2005 has as its main aim attracting foreign tourists from
the Asian region and local tourists from Bangkok.
TAT has a promotional budget of 10 million baht to advertise
Pattaya City in-country and abroad, and will divide the funds into 2 parts;
domestic advertising will receive a budget of 4 million baht, and another 4
million baht will be allocated to promotion abroad for disseminating information
to the mass media. Where the other 2 million baht will be used was not
mentioned. The main foreign markets targeted in Asia are China, Korea,
Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
This strategy was revealed at a meeting set up last week by
TAT Central Region 3 and the Pattaya City administration. The theme of the
meeting was to call on individual organizations to discuss adjustments in the
marketing plan for 2005. The new plan calls for the promotion and an innovative
ad campaign to promote Pattaya City as a world class tourist and business
destination.
Attending the meeting, held on October 11 at the Sunbeam
Hotel in Pattaya, were Niti Kongkrut, director of TAT Central Region 3 and
members of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Associations (PBTA), Eastern Thai
Hotel Associations (THA) and Pattaya City administrators.
The session called for the finalization of the advertising
strategy for Pattaya City 2005, corresponding to business and tourism expansion
for the future.
Pisai Panomwan Na Ayuthaya, Pattaya City councilor, and
responsible for sports and tourism for Pattaya City also proposed to open the
market to Vietnam by using the new Suvarnabhumi Airport as a selling point since
travel time from the new airport to Pattaya will be less than one hour.
Niti Kongkrut pointed out that Pattaya City has an advantage
over the southern resort island of Phuket as it is close to Bangkok, which is a
major draw for international tourists. Niti added that the new domestic
promotion campaign is also certain to entice more people from the capital city
to holiday in Pattaya than ever before.
Prime suspect in brutal murder escapes Thailand, returns to Belgium
Thai-Belgian treaty prevents extradition
Boonlua Chatree
and staff reporters
Sam van Treeck, prime suspect in the brutal murder of
Phuket dive master Chompoonut “Jeab” Kobram, has escaped Thai justice
and fled to Belgium. A non-extradition treaty between Thailand and Belgium
will most likely prevent his return to Thailand.
Jeab Kobram, 23, was found dead in van Treeck’s rented
apartment in Jomtien on June 26. She had been stabbed at least 48 times.
Nothing was stolen from the apartment, leading police to surmise that this
wasn’t a robbery gone bad, and was more likely a murder committed during a
fit of rage.
 The
victim, Jeab Kobram and her three year old daughter Cherie.
Investigating police collected strands of hair from the
deceased’s hands, as well as blood and tissue samples from under her
fingernails and sent it off for forensic testing. Region 2 forensic officers
also gathered finger and hand prints from the crime scene.
Although police cannot release the forensic findings,
with the evidence gathered, which included a building security video showing
that van Treeck was in the building at the time of the murder, plus witness
statements, police felt they had enough to arrest van Treeck as the prime
suspect in the case.
Sam van Treeck, 24, was arrested on June 27. During 6
hours of questioning, he maintained his innocence, but police remained
unconvinced and remanded him to custody to face charges of first degree
murder. Van Treeck spent 17 days in jail, but was granted bail on July 14.
 Sources
confirm that van Treeck’s passport is still in the custody of the court
system.
On September 20, Prosecutor Jakawal Sankhae formally
charged van Treeck with murder. Van Treeck appeared in court with three
defense lawyers and representatives of the Belgium Embassy who offered to
serve as his guarantor, and his bail was renewed.
On October 9, news began filtering in that van Treeck had
escaped to Antwerp, Belgium the previous day. Reports from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Belgium confirmed this. Sources also reported that van
Treeck was appearing in the local media, professing his innocence.
Pattaya Mail crime reporter Boonlua Chatree interviewed
the officer in charge of the case, Pol. Maj. Chalermkriat Sirimark, crime
investigation inspector stationed at the Dongtan police box, to try and find
out how this might have happened.
Pol. Maj. Chalermkriat said, “The case is now out of
the hands of local police… After conducting the investigation and
questioning some 15 witnesses and gathering evidence, including surveillance
video evidence, we arrested the suspect, compiled all the evidence and
placed it in the hands of the Pattaya court system. The public prosecutors
pressed charges and the case was under process awaiting trial. The fact that
he (van Treeck) was released on bail is a court matter and nothing to do
with police. The fact that he has fled the country is also a court matter on
how they wish to proceed.”
Pol. Maj. Chalermkriat added that he was surprised to
hear that van Treeck had fled the country, since he believes that the courts
are still holding van Treeck’s passport to prevent this very type of
incident from happening. Inside sources later confirmed that van Treeck’s
passport is still in the custody of the court system, which indicates that
van Treeck used illegal means to exit the country.
Friends and relatives of the victim are upset over this
turn of events, but at this point in time it doesn’t appear as though they
will be receiving any closure in the case against van Treeck. The
deceased’s fianc้e’s mother, Canadian Rene Rodin, related to
Pattaya Mail that, “A Thai journalist had written (Renee Rodin) in
Vancouver to let (her) know ‘the Van Treeck family has powerful
friends’.” This often sounds the death knell for justice here.
A Thai court official, who refused to give his name,
revealed that in these cases the court system carries out their own
investigation after a suspect has been arrested. Whether they confess or
rebuke the charges is irrelevant, it’s up to court investigators to
clarify and corroborate the story with evidence and witnesses as presented
by the police. In this specific case the courts will coordinate with all
necessary officials and it is down to whether Thailand has an extradition
treaty with Belgium or not.
Sources in Belgium have revealed that they do not.
Thailand and Belgium signed a treaty in 1936 stating that no Belgians will
be extradited to Thailand, or Thais extradited to Belgium. The only way that
Thailand will be able to bring van Treeck back to face charges is if Thai
authorities register an international warrant for his arrest, and if van
Treeck is arrested for any offense outside of Belgium and in a country that
does have an extradition treaty with Thailand, Thai authorities can then
petition said country.
Our sources in Belgium also revealed, however, that in theory, van Treeck
could be tried in Belgium. Thai authorities would need to petition the
Belgian authorities, asking for them to conduct their own investigation. It
would then be up to the Belgian authorities to conduct an investigation and
decide whether to pursue charges against van Treeck. Our Belgian source told
Pattaya Mail, “At this point I have understood that Belgian authorities do
not plan any action in this case.”
Lustful men arrested after daytime abduction
Snatched young girl from entrance of convenience store
Boonlua Chatree
Police received a report on October 11 that two men had
abducted a 16-year-old girl from the entrance of a 7-Eleven store and fled
with her on a motorcycle in broad daylight. The girl’s mother was waiting
at the scene when officers arrived.
In tears, the girl’s mother, Warunee Arjkaew, told
officers that she and her daughter ‘Suay’ had been shopping in the
store on Soi Khao Noi. She said when they walked out, two men, later
identified as Chaiyant ‘Boy’ Khonsua, 22, and Anand ‘Pak’
Wicheinchai, 17, rode up on a motorcycle and snatched her daughter like a
rag doll and sped off.
Police radioed officers in the area and caught up with
the trio. The young girl was returned to her mother, badly frightened but
unharmed.
Both men admitted to their crime and were charged with
kidnapping and attempted rape of a minor.
‘Meth’ dealers caught packaging for street sale
Boonlua Chatree
On October 15, Pol .Lt. Col. Maethee Preecha and a criminal
investigation unit was on patrol and found a group of ‘ya ba’ dealers
distributing within the Pattaya police station’s jurisdiction. Police
proceeded to arrest 4 of them at house No. 44/21 Soi Arunothai 11. They were
preparing methamphetamine tablets in portions before distributing them to the
market.
The police found Supitthaya Angko, 20, in possession of 460
speed pills wrapped in a yellow ceramic bag, plus 80 pills she claimed were for
her personal use, a 2 baht-weight gold chain, and 1 mobile phone. Pratthana
Plumchit, 29, was found in possession of 14 speed pills and a mobile phone.
Wichian Jaimuang, 26, had 2 speed pills and 1 mobile phone in his possession,
and Adun Charun, 39, was not carrying drugs but had a mobile phone. The police
detained the group and seized the evidence, including the mobile phones and a
motorbike. They were all charged with possession of a class 1 narcotic and await
court proceedings.
Service girl accused of theft, but denies allegations
No money – no arrest
Boonlua Chatree
An angry man called the tourist police when a service girl,
whose services he had procured for 500 baht, allegedly helped herself to 8,000
baht and disappeared into the night – barefoot.
Prasert Timrod, 55, told officers that he had arranged a deal
with Duangporn Puikrathok, 38, to stay the night with him at his home in Pattaya
for the sum of 500 baht, to which she agreed. When they arrived at Prasert’s
house, he left her sitting in his living room and went to the bathroom. He said
he had hung his trousers on a chair before visiting the loo, and when he
returned, the woman and 8,000 baht were missing. He said she had left her shoes
behind and suspected she’d climbed the fence in his back garden to escape.
Officers called in the report to patrolmen who nabbed the
woman on Sukhumvit Road, just in front of the Highway Patrol station, as she was
waiting for a motorcycle taxi. She denied the allegations and since she didn’t
have the 8,000 baht in her possession, no arrest was made.
Police briefs
Patcharapol Parnrak
Jealous lover
attempts to kill girlfriend but stabs cop instead
Officers in Sattahip received a report that a policeman
had been injured in an altercation at a party and had been sent to the
hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Police arrived at the scene and arrested Nit Khetkayan,
27, and charged him with assault with a deadly weapon. Witnesses said Nit
was drunk and had an argument with his girlfriend at a party. When a
plainclothes policeman attempted to break up the fight, Nit stabbed him.
Wanna Sangkaew, 43, the object of the jealous lover’s
lust, told officers she was fending off Nit’s attentions when he became
angry and threatened to kill her with a knife. Her friend and the police
officer had tried to come to her rescue, and Nit attacked them both.
Drunken man
damages crematorium
Sattahip police received a report that a nearby crematorium
had been damaged at the Payub Temple. When officers arrived at the scene, Chan
Srisaiya, 32, told them that a vandal had forced opened the door and scattered
the ashes of the urns inside. Chan also said there witnesses to the event.
Investigating officers detained Sommart Tocharoen, 40, at his
home in Sattahip. The suspect had discarded his dirty clothes outside, but when
police questioned him, he was still smudged by ashes. Witnesses identified
Sommart as the vandal.
In his defense, Sommart said an elderly relative of his had
died and was cremated at the Payub Temple, but he could not be present for the
funeral rites. He said his relatives had harassed him for not coming to the
funeral and in a fit of rage, he got drunk and desecrated the crematorium.
Sommart was charged with destruction of private property.
Banglamung District chief bids farewell
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Local and provincial politicians bade farewell to Surapol
Tiensuwan, former Banglamung district chief at a party last Friday evening
at the Garden Seaview Hotel. Surapol has been promoted to director of the
local governance department under the Ministry of Interior.
 Chanyuth
Hengtrakul (left) said he hoped to see Surapol Tiensuwan (right) become a
provincial governor on his way up the ladder.
Throughout the evening well wishers presented gifts and
spoke about Surapol’s achievements as Banglamung district chief and his
dedication to his work.
Surapol moved to Banglamung as district chief on August 4, 2003 from
Sattahip. Throughout his time he has worked tirelessly to reduce the drug
problem and enforce government regulations on errant entertainment venues.
He took up his new post on October 11.
EDITORIAL: Energy saving - a joint effort
Suchada Tupchai
As the nation celebrates the vegetarian festival and
creates merit with the gods, at the same time many must face the headaches
and accept an increase in the cost of retail goods, consumables and fresh
food. In Pattaya prices are rising constantly.
Even more disheartening is the ever-present increase in
fuel costs, which are set for yet another step up this week. Electricity
rates are also set to increase by 5 satang per unit with another increase
between February and May 2005 in accordance with the rise in diesel prices
at the pumps around March. Residents are faced with the trickle down effect
as it reaches the basic consumables and day to day items, blowing the price
out of proportion.
With the advent of increased energy costs, government
agencies are brainstorming and making plans to address the issue and looking
for energy alternatives for power stations by changing internal systems,
specifically in the industrial sector.
Measures have already been taken throughout the country
to turn off advertising signs, reduce road lighting and control operating
hours of petrol stations, shopping centers and public facilities. The
results are less than favorable. The majority of people are calling on the
government at all levels to find alternative methods, and alternative energy
sources, as a more acceptable means of controlling the crisis, such as
boosting awareness in the nationwide campaign to conserve energy.
No matter how hard the government tries to plan energy
conservation or find an alternative source, to whatever effect, the most
important aspect is not to allow utilities and facilities to be downgraded
to an unsafe level. The response of the masses must be that we all
participate, face the problem and find a solution together.
An earnest effort by all is the best way to combat rising
costs. On the other hand, we must also look at the big economic picture; not
as easy at it seems. Wasted power, fuel or electricity in our day to day
routine should be considered and not only thought of as “it’s there,
it’s convenient, we should use it and the government should try to control
it.”
So, turn off that extra light, shut off the air con when
you’re not in the room and keep the air con at a reasonable level when you
are using it, take showers not baths, walk don’t drive to the store around
the corner, use public transportation when feasible; in other words, it is
up to you, too, to find ways to conserve energy.
In reality the situation is different for each person,
each enterprise, government or private. If we all make a positive effort to
overcome the difficulties and conserve power, we can make a difference and
ride through the problem. If we make it work to our advantage, what can the
future bring? Thai’s as a nation are proud to act and help our country to
the best of our ability. If we all do our part, we can make a difference.
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