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Province seeks extra storage sites
to prevent repetition of water crisis
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Chonburi province’s reservoirs and klongs will be dug to
deeper levels and extra water storage sites are being sought in an effort to
avoid a repetition of the current water crisis.
Pinyo Tantawiset, Chonburi Provincial Administration
Organisation (PAO) chairman, and Deputy Governor Wirawit Wiwattanvanich met
with Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn to discuss water storage possibilities and
to inspect Banglamung’s main water source, the 200 rai area of Mabprachan
reservoir.
They surveyed the start of a digging project that will
increase the depth of the reservoir by another 3.5 metres, located in front of
the Pong sub-district administration office.
“The governor, as head of the committee in solving the
water problems, has called regular meetings weekly to help solve the water
shortages,” said Pinyo, “But you must understand the heart of the problem
is a natural shortage of water and it is difficult to counter that.
“Today, the governor has ordered the dredging of nine main
water reservoirs in Chonburi - all of which are short of water - in order to be
able to take more water in the future.”
The Huay Too reservoir in Sattahip currently has the most
water, revealed the PAO chairman.
“I have told the governor that if there is no rain within
the next two weeks, we will transport water from Sattahip to help Pattaya. We
don’t want residents to go without, and to have adverse affects on tourism.
The governor has seen the seriousness and is searching for effective ways to
transport water to Pattaya.
“We have also ensured that water trucks will be on hand to
service residents and businesses when needed and have agreed that in the long
term further reservoirs would be needed to sustain Pattaya in the future.”
The PAO has been discussing with Mayor Niran the possibility
of finding land for other storage sites. The requirement is for medium to large
areas of land that would act as back-up for the current reservoirs. The local
administration is responsible for finding the land necessary to meet the needs
of supply and demand.
Deputy Governor Wirawit meanwhile described progress on the
artificial rainmaking project. “We have requested the artificial rainfall
centre to designate one plane to cover the most affected areas and specifically
the Mabprachan dam in Pattaya, but the main point is that the climate and
clouds must be right to seed,” he said.
“This is being done on a daily basis and positive results can already be
seen at the Bangpra reservoir. Pattaya City has allocated two million baht
towards buying the necessary chemicals to seed clouds in the area.”
Media and government seek closer cooperation at debut seminar
Pattaya Mail given a “thumbs up” Suchada
Tupchai
The first “Local media and government policies”
seminar was staged at the Ambassador City Hotel in Jomtien on June 18. The
Office of the Prime Minister and the Government Public Relations Department
hosted the event for over 100 media representatives from the eight eastern
provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi, Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi,
Chachoengsao and Srakaew.
The minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office,
Suranand Vejjajiva and Pol. Gen. Chalermdej Jombunud, spokesman of the prime
minister’s office chaired the seminar. Spokespersons from each of the
ministries gave told reporters, that this was the first time such an event
had occurred.
 Suranand
Vejjajiva (center), minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Pol.
Gen. Chalermdej Jombunud (right) spokesman of the prime minister’s office
and Sutheera Timkanjana (left), Chantaburi Region 7 Public Relations Office
director look at the Pattaya Mail and other local newspapers.
“Today’s seminar is the first of it kind in
presenting the prime minister’s policies to members of the local media,”
said Chalermdej. “Prime Minster Thaksin has two main new projects: a new
expressway for the Suvarnabhumi Airport and the further development of 25
dams and reservoirs throughout the country.
“There is also the SML (small, medium, large)
development projects for managing villages, and the PM is of the opinion
that the latter is aimed at solving problems and easing difficulties for
residents at these basic levels.”
After the opening addresses, the media was separated into
the main groups of print, television and radio. The aim was to discuss
relevant problems in gleaning information from local government offices and
solving them through a brainstorming session.
The media in smaller areas have often faced difficulties
in gathering correct information from government officials in order to relay
it to the general public. Most of the time officials prefer to release only
positive news and hold back on the more negative aspects by withholding
information. The trickle-down effect is that the story is incomplete, when
it is in fact important for the community to know the good and the bad of
any given situation.
Other issues addressed smaller regions where local
administrations do not have a formal public relations department with which
to provide correct information. Members of the media also saw the need for
further cooperation and regular updates from their respective provincial
governor’s office and that currently there are many areas where
cooperation between various departments is lacking. However, it was agreed
that the government and the media must work together for the benefit of the
general public and face the same problems.
“This has been called a one-party government but many
things have improved, from the economy with an increase of 3.3 percent,
progression of various projects, down to freedom of rights in publishing
news in Thailand,” said Suranand.
“The Thai media have a great deal of freedom but the
government requests that you be aware in reporting the information and
differentiate that from opinion because in the past, this was common
practice. The result was that residents could not tell the difference
between fact and opinion, in order to form their own opinions. Report what
you wish but remember its effects on the country, the city, town, etc.
“We all know that squabbles and disagreements sell, but
I would like to remind you of the effects and the ripples caused
internationally. We must all compete in the news industry. By that I mean
there are those countries that have good intentions and what is presented
will generate opinion, but sometimes negatively - whether towards the
country, religion and/or the populace.
“Giving an opinion can be detrimental but allowing
those to form an opinion based on fact is more beneficial.”
Following the speeches, the media was given the
opportunity to ask questions and present their opinions to government
officials from each region with the majority looking for answers to problems
in their specific provinces. The seminar wound up with the majority seeing
the benefits of the media and the government working together and improving
public relations for the benefit of the general public.
Ed’s note: During the discussion, the Pattaya Mail was talked
about and hailed to be the better, more innovative and informative newspaper
on the Eastern Seaboard.
Light relief for Beach Road with stylish new illuminations
Narisa
Nitikarn
 New
Thai design lighting is being installed on Beach Road.
As Pattaya City continues with the project of burying
telephone, electrical and TV cables along Beach Road, 117 new light posts
are being installed. The new lighting is stylishly designed, depicting Thai
arts and set to light the road from the Dolphin Roundabout to South Pattaya,
creating a safer environment for residents and tourists.
“The lighting project is part of placing all cables
below ground,” said Panyachote Sonkom, city design supervisor. “The
project in total will cost around 250 million baht and is from the 2004
budget.
“There will be additional lighting around the public park area, near
the Royal Cliff, which has an estimated cost of 10 million baht and is aimed
at providing not only safety, but also a Thai ambience.”
Problem of sexual service boys in Pattaya is growing
Narisa Nitikarn
The number of young boy prostitutes in Pattaya is
increasing fast, adding to the resort city’s unwelcome reputation as being
the centre for child prostitution in Thailand.
A conference on problems and solutions in public health
and quality of life was chaired at city hall on June 10 by Deputy Mayor
Ronakit Ekasingh and Suwit Phothiracha of the Public Health Department at
Nongbua Lamphoo Hospital. The meeting was attended by officers of the World
Vision Foundation, the Fountain of Life Women’s Centre, and Pattaya Youth
Activity Centre.
 Deputy
Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh (right), and Suwit Phothiracha (left) of the Public
Health Department at Nongbua Lamphoo Hospital, and vice chairman of the
public health and quality of life development committee, were co-presenters
of the conference.
Ronakit said that Pattaya City has developed very fast,
which has created a lot of problems. Society should not let children fall
into situations where they can be sexually exploited, and cooperation from
all official departments is needed to ensure that every person has the
potential for a decent future.
The World Vision Foundation presented data on the child
prostitute problem. The main centres are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and
Phuket. Previously, Phuket had the most child prostitutes but this problem
decreased after the tsunami. Pattaya has now taken over, and the numbers are
increasing.
The number of young boys involved in prostitution is
growing for several reasons. One reason is that the number of tourists
coming to Pattaya seeking sex with boys is increasing. Another reason is
that because of the earlier focus on sex with young girls, that side of the
business has become less visible. Young girls can be ordered by phone and an
agent will deliver the girl to the buyer’s location. Less attention has
been given to the problem of young boys selling themselves and so the number
has been increasing.
Another problem of course is the number of children
coming in from other provinces to live in Pattaya, where they often fall
into a life of poverty that leads to the selling of themselves for sexual
services.
The Pattaya Youth Activity Centre said that the solution to the child
prostitution problem is always there. But it cannot succeed without
cooperation from all departments. Children need to be shown how they can
increase their income without selling sex. It is not only the wandering
children who sell themselves for sexual service. Some students from other
provinces come to Pattaya under their own accord, selling themselves because
they need money to pay for their school terms. Others do it simply because
they see easy money, with which they can cultivate a taste for good living
which becomes difficult to control.
Mayor urges community to be strong in facing local drug problem
We must unite in fighting drugs menace, says mayor
Narisa Nitikarn
Pattaya as a centre for migrant workers and both Thai and
foreign tourists faces immense social issues, one of the most worrying being
the drugs trade, and it is only by those who live here uniting and being
strong in the face of such problems can these difficulties and dangers be
overcome, says Pattaya’s mayor.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn presides over the meeting to develop community
based plans to deal with the current drug problem in the city’s community.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presided over a meeting at
the Soi Buakow Public Health Centre on June 13 to discuss a research and
development study involving the Thanyarak Institute, conducted under the
medical department of the Public Health Ministry. Community leaders and
public health volunteers attended the meeting.
“Pattaya has many problems to face, as it is a tourist
city and there are many foreigners here, and problems have arisen with
people from other provinces. These people are traveling to the city in
search of a better income and as a result some take the criminal path, said
Niran.
“Others engage in plying drugs, an issue that is
becoming increasingly prominent. But from today I call for everyone to
cooperate and join hands in preventing drugs from taking control of the
community. Central city residents must maintain and retain strength in
fighting this problem because it will be a long fight.
“The government is trying to look after society in
earnest, including improving knowledge and educating residents on the
factors of those involved in the drug scene. When the community is strong
and united, only then can we drive this menace from the nation,” said
Niran.
Angoon Phatrakorn, Thanyarat Institute deputy director,
added that the situation here is more confused than it is in other provinces
because there are many foreign influences involved and many tourists
visiting the area.
“We cannot solve the problem as we would in other towns and cities in
other provinces; the difference is that the local community wants to solve
the problem and defeat the drug menace in the long term. The benefits of
education and activities held to beat the problem are specific,” Angoon
said.
Baywatch: Sleepy sign
Suchada
Tupchai
At the South Pattaya road intersection reporters spotted
this large green sign announcing the road re-surfacing project. The 10
million baht contract has been allocated to Silarwat Partners Co Ltd, with
city officers supervising the works in progress.
One wonders what they have done with the 10 million baht because, judging
by the quality of the sign, with half of the stand missing, one would hope
the work is not being carried out to the same low standard. The sign also
stands in front of another urging motorcyclists to wear helmets in the
interest of safety. Officials have yet to lift a finger to correct the
situation and have left the sign to “sleep” on its side, leaving
residents to wonder what the supposed project supervisors are doing (never
mind that they are digging huge holes in the road, leaving them for a while,
then returning to fill them in, a tactic used at some prisons to keep the
inmates busy...)
Police urged to crack down on baht bus drivers violating traffic laws
Boonlua Chatree
Over 300 of Pattaya’s finest met at the Day Night
Hotel on June 15 for the Pattaya police department’s monthly meeting. Pol
Col Somnuk Changate, Pattaya superintendent, addressed a number of issues
during the proceedings.
“Officers must focus and carry out orders and polices
of the National Police Bureau,” said Somnuk. “This means crime
prevention in all its aspects. We fight the criminal element eye-to-eye and
tooth-to-tooth, especially over the drugs menace. We must also assist
residents and help ensure they are safe from crime.”
 Pol
Lt Col Chanwat Nuanluk, deputy police superintendent in charge of the
criminal investigation department and Pol Col Somnuk Changate, Pattaya
superintendent.
Somnuk said that each department must aim to serve the
public and ensure that those who break the law are detained, especially
concerning traffic violations among the baht bus drivers in Pattaya.
“They frequently break traffic laws and officers must
act accordingly and fine them for violations,” said the Pattaya
superintendent. “Those who commit more serious offences must face the
court system. We cannot allow them to continue and action must be taken
equally and without feeling any obligation of letting them off. There must
be a line that cannot be crossed.”
Deputy superintendents also addressed officers on
furthering ongoing criminal investigations. When officers arrive at a crime
scene they must collect as much evidence as possible and request forensic
officers to investigate where needed. As for current cases still in
progress local senior police urged subordinates to hunt down criminals
still at large. It is important to conclude as many cases as possible
leading to the arrest and court appearances of the offenders.
The other main topic raised was that police are ordered
not to moonlight for bars at any cost.
Hard times for fallen comedy star Yaem
Current address: Pattaya Beach
Boonlua Chatree
Yaem Lookyi, performer of the novelty song
“A-ba-di-bi-A-ba-di-be” and a former member of the comedy team Yong
Lookyi, has been sleeping rough on Pattaya Beach after hitting hard times and
traveling down to the resort from his home province in search of work.
A Pattaya Mail reporter found Yaem sprawling
sleepily at a reception desk in Pattaya police station, where the former star
has been helping with a police public relations campaign. Yaem, dressed in a
shabby blue shirt with jeans and sandals, looked quite destitute. Shocked, the
reporter asked him how his circumstances had changed so drastically.
 Yaem
Lookyi, formally a popular star, has fallen on tough times.
Yaem, whose real name is Uaem Chankaew, is a 40-year old
native of Udon Thani province. He had been a comedy performer with the Yong
Lookyi team for 12 years, but said that his life was not improving. Close to
tears, he told the reporter that he quit Yong Lookyi three months ago. He
worked briefly in the rice fields of Udon Thani for 130 baht a day, but said
he couldn’t afford to support his children. Yaem has a 12-year old son in
primary school class 5, a 10-year old daughter in class 3, and another
daughter aged four in kindergarten.
Deciding that Pattaya might be a better source of income
than his home province, Yaem put his 21-inch TV in the pawnshop to pay for his
children’s schoolbooks and set out for Fun City. He said he hasn’t yet
been able to find full employment, but he was lucky in that wherever he asked
for work they gave him some food and pocket money. Right now he has 1,300 baht
to his name. He intends to collect 2,000 baht so that he can redeem his TV set
from the pawnshop for his children. He said he doesn’t need any luxuries for
himself.
Asked how he feels about his descent from comedy star
status to beach sleeper, Yaem said he wasn’t ashamed. The most important
thing is to support his family. He has his own rice field of 15 rai but the
drought has brought him problems. As for sleeping rough, he has to try and
reduce his living costs and doesn’t want to pay for a hotel room. “I have
to handle this because I am poor,” he said.
Pattaya police station organises a public relations show that plays in the
villages each week. Police Officer Chainarong Chai-Ind said that he has hired
Yaem Lookyi to be a comedy player in the team that staged a show on June 18.
Yaem was paid 500 baht for his work. A far cry from the days of
A-ba-di-bi-A-ba-di-be and the frenetic comedy of Yong Lookyi.
Security guard accused of molesting 16-year-old girl
Boonlua Chatree
A 16-year-old girl claimed that a security guard molested
her on Pattaya Beach. The girl, given the alias of Ae, reported to Pattaya
police station that the man said he was a police officer. Directed to the
scene, at the entrance to Soi 4, police found Piam Kaewperm, a 39-year old
native of Surin province. Ae said she had been sleeping on the beach when
Piam touched her breast, then her genitals. Piam was escorted down the road
for further investigation at the police station.
16-year-old
“Ae” points to security guard Piam Kaewperm who she accuses of molesting
her.
Piam told police he was a security guard. He said he did not do the deed
of which the young lady had complained. He said he had felt sorry for her,
seeing her asleep, and had only attempted to cover her with his jacket.
Instead, the girl claimed he was acting indecently. He didn’t understand
why it should happen like this. Police detained him for further questioning.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Gambling den bust nets 400
baht
Police raided a room in the Niran Grand Condo Building on
Soi Arunotai in the early hours of June 12 following a tip-off about an
illegal gambling den there.
Officers approaching the scene found many pairs of shoes
outside the room, and a noise from inside that indicated people were
gambling. They knocked on the door, and when it was opened they forced their
way inside. Seven women and one man were arrested, and a set of cards, a
tablecloth, and 400 baht seized as evidence.
Ms Laddawan Charoenlap, 40, admitted she was the owner of
the room, and police charged her with allowing the premises to be used for
gambling without a license. The other seven players were charged with
illegal gambling.
Shot teen says will take
care of matter himself
A 19-year old youth was shot in the leg with a .38
caliber pistol while riding his motorcycle past the Paradise Hill
crossroads.
Police called to the scene found the man, Pairot
Suwannakhot, sitting next to his black Honda Wave motorcycle and holding his
wounded right leg, which was covered in blood. He was transferred to
Banglamung Hospital, where it was discovered that the bullet had passed
through his leg and out around the top of his thigh. Pairot was released
after treatment.
The victim, however, declined to file a report with the
police, saying it was his private matter and he would clear it up by
himself. He gave only a statement saying that he was riding his motorcycle
along Soi Khao Noi when he saw a red and black Honda Wave coming in the
opposite direction, and that someone shot him before riding away. Pairot
said he can remember the assailant and that the police didn’t need to
worry, he will follow it up himself.
Police seeking robbery
gang
Police pursued a gang of armed robbers who mugged a man
at Duck Square in South Pattaya and rode away on motorcycles.
The mugging happened on the night of June 7, when six men
attacked and robbed Kritawat Suwanmajo. Police seized one of the gang, named
as Amnat (or Ball) Nakchamnong. They later identified another of the
assailants, named as Santhad (or Ball) Meechan, aged 18, and arrested him.
Santhad was charged with possessing a pistol. Police are now searching
for the remaining four gang members, named as Pae, Tee, An and Wao.
Investigators resolve to clear up Larn Island situation
PM to head special committee to resolve 20 year old issues
Suchada Tupchai
A large contingent of 50 Department of Special
Investigation representatives, led by deputy director general Pol Col
Phokpiboon Potranant, called on city hall on June 14 to try and hammer out a
resolution to the problems on Larn Island.
The delegation was greeted by Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn. Niran said that in reality, the situation that has
recently come to a head has in fact been around for a long time. The main
issue is that the Koh Larn district came into being when Pattaya was
declared a special administration in 1978, when Pattaya was granted control
over the district.
“Since then, there have been continuing small problems
over the years, such as removing stones and rock from the island and selling
them in the market - which is against the law - to the present day where the
main issue is those encroaching on public land,” he said.
Pol Col
Phokpiboon Potranant (left), Department of Special Investigation deputy
director general, Sutham Petchgate, Larn Island community chief and Pol Lt
Col Jitapol Tongkhumwan, deputy Pattaya police superintendent in charge of
Larn Island.
“However, the real issue currently lays with 320 rai.
Most of this is near the Sa-mae Beach area with the main issue over land
ownership. In other areas, the problem is buildings constructed without
approval. Whatever the case may be, I believe that the island is government
land and have fought the problems throughout. If we do not fight the problem
and we do not prosecute, despite being hurt on issues of protest etc, we
must persist.
“I personally, will fight for the return of government
land to its rightful owners,” the mayor concluded.
Sutham Petchgate, Larn Island community chief, said that
on Larn Island, people are making a living without proper documentation, as
well as those building structures without correct approval. Near the beach
area, there are around 20 people carrying out such activities. The issue has
led to problems of effluent being released into the sea, further creating
environmental problems. There are also people on top of the island’s hill
carrying out similar activities. As such, last month the city removed one
such structure using the law and legislation in place to do so.
As for the 320 rai, Pattaya City has ownership but island
residents have dug up the ground and removed stones on this land. The city
has used legislation to rectify this problem. However, the problem is that
the courts decided against the legislation, with the city losing the case.
The result is the problems we are facing today. Apart from issues of
encroachment there are only 118 plots of land with title deeds. The solution
is to use evidence and political know-how in association with the law and
the forestry department to preserve certain areas.
“The city has allowed certain concessions in the past
but such cases have not featured land encroachment or illegal
construction,” said Sutham. “Currently the provincial governor, under
the CEO budget, has arranged public planning specifically for Larn Island.
This is the early phase of legal process, after which the full
specifications will be made known for construction and environmental
preservation, and the city will enforce the law to control the island in
order to solve these problems. The ministry of interior will formally
announce the details at a later date.”
Sutham also said that there are those “of influence”
on the island, and they use that influence to encroach on public property
from government officers who say that it is for the benefit of all and
specifically private enterprise. Sutham cited the case of Chom
Tangthammasathit, who is allegedly a major offender and has already
requested title deeds from the land department.
“However, Pattaya has been in the process of fighting
this case for some time and currently there is some attempt to pressure
government officials to talk with senior government officers to create more
pressure from the top.”
Sutham added that threats have been made and the city has
forwarded documents to relevant departments but has received little interest
from them. Even Pattaya police station has failed to follow up on
complaints, “This another reason why the city has requested help from the
National Police Bureau to aid with the cases,” said Sutham.
There are currently 2000 homes on Larn Island with the
majority encroaching on public land. The city has drawn a line: Sa-mae Beach
area is off limits, as are conservation areas such as the hill, beaches and
government property. Other areas where people are earning a living have yet
to be rectified because of the wait for the civil planning bill from the
provincial government.
Pol Col Phokpiboon Potranant said the problem is that it
has not been clearly defined which area is under control of which department
and who is responsible for looking after it.
“This will create even more problems in the future, and
those current issues must be dealt with urgently,” he said. “As of
today, we can now ascertain the heart of the problem and work towards the
benefit of all concerned in resolving the issues.
“The Department of Special Investigation will meet to discuss the
matters and research all facets of authority and then proceed with methods
to solve the problems legally. The prime minister will head the committee
and we will be able to get to the bottom of the problems once and for
all.”
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