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The Kingdom rejoices in HRH Crown Prince
Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Royal Birthday Celebration
HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
and Mom Srirasmi Mahidol became the proud parents of a baby boy born on April
29 at 6:35 p.m. at Sriraj Hospital in Bangkok. It is the couple’s first
child.
HRH Crown Prince Maha
Vajiralongkorn’s assignments include Commanding Officer of the King’s Own
Bodyguard Regiment and Command, Commanding General of the Royalty Security
Command, and Instructor Pilot of the F-5 E/F.
(Photo courtesy Bureau of the
Royal Household)
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was born
on July 28, 1952, in the Ambara Villa of the Royal Dusit Palace in Bangkok. He
is the second of four children, and is the only son of Their Majesties King
Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Queen Sirikit.
The Crown Prince received His primary schooling at Udorn
Hall of the Dusit Palace and attended secondary school in Sussex and Summerset,
England. In August 1970, the Crown Prince attended the King’s School,
Paramatta, Sydney, Australia and in 1976, He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Military Studies at the University of New South Wales. The Crown Prince also
attended the Royal Thai Army Command and General Staff College, graduating in
1978, and later received a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Sukhothai Thammatirat
University in Bangkok in 1987. In 1990, He successfully attended the Royal
College of Defense Studies in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej conferred upon his son
with the title of “Somdech Phra Borama Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha
Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman” on December 28, 1972, making him the
Crown Prince and Heir to the throne.
HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn attended numerous
military training courses in Australia and the United States, with observation
tours in England, Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands. A long list of
military courses attended by the Crown Prince includes helicopter and high
performance aircraft flight training, special warfare training, demolition
training, parachute training, and courses in small arms and other weapons used
in modern warfare.
Some assignments include Commanding Officer of the King’s
Own Bodyguard Regiment and Command, Commanding General of the Royalty Security
Command, and Instructor Pilot of the F-5 E/F. Intermittently, He engaged in
actions for counter-insurgency purposes in the North and Northeast areas of
Thailand as well as for protective purposes in areas around Cambodian refugee
camps at Khao Lant, Trat Province.
The Crown Prince has continued the Royal Family’s
assistance programs to underdeveloped areas around the country and visited
depressed urban areas around Bangkok distributing food and necessity items to
people in need. Another impressive undertaking was His participation in a
fertilizer preparation project in Suphan Buri Province using natural
ingredients to enrich the land in support of the country’s great agricultural
pursuits. Farming is considered to be a highly significant and noble profession
in Thailand and the Royal Family takes an active role in advancing the vital
industry of agriculture.
This year, HRH Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and Mom Srirasmi Mahidol became
the proud parents of a baby boy born on April 29 at 6:35 p.m. at Sriraj
Hospital in Bangkok. It is the couple’s first child.
HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has enjoyed a busy year
HRH
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s benevolence appeals to all people in
the Kingdom.
(Photo
courtesy Bureau of the Royal Household)
Earlier this year HRH the Crown Prince visited people
in the southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwas to listen to
their problems and find ways to help them in the short-term and long-term
process. HRH met with Muslim priests, local community leaders, volunteers,
the dedicated mobile medical team and its doctors, and the general people.
HRH also urged the officials to mutually improve the irrigation system to
aid farmers and other agricultural activities.
In July HRH the Crown Prince travelled north to mark
the opening of Poppy Hall in Golden Triangle Park, in Chiang Saen
district, Chiang Rai, constructed under the patronage of the Mae Fa Luang
Royal Project. In the past hill tribe residents grew opium for their
living but after mutual efforts by the Royal Family, government and local
community heads, today the people understand the bad affects of opium.
Consequently they have changed to the farming of fruit, vegetables and
other cash crops, resulting in a vast reduction of the number of opium
growers in the country.
On April 29 th,
the whole nation joined the Royal Family in celebrating the birth of the
newborn baby boy of HRH the Crown Prince and his beloved Mom Srirasmi
Mahidol.
Mom Srirasmi Mahidol was admitted to the 72 Years
Building of the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, where HRH was in the
operation room from the beginning of the delivery until the baby was born,
and personally photographed the moment of birth. After the delivery, HRH
cuddled his baby in his arms for the press. The people of Thailand were
very happy to know that mother and the child were healthy.
On the auspicious occasion of the 53 rd
Birthday of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, we, the Pattaya Mail
and all the staff, join the Kingdom in humbly conveying our best wishes to
HRH the Crown Prince and his family.
Foundation claims innocence in building illegal structure on Pratamnak Hill
Incensed by media presence at meeting, builders demand closed session
Narisa Nitikarn
An illegal structure built on Pratamnak Hill, near the
Large Buddha Temple, is to be removed on the instructions of city hall.
Representatives from the Mahakijpaisarn Foundation responsible for the
infringement dispute the city’s claim and met with the mayor and city
council chairman last week to discuss the issue. Incensed at media presence,
they called for a private meeting but were denied, with administrators
saying that everything must be transparent.
Deputy
Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh (left) and Tawit Chaisawangwong (right), city council
chairman, speak with representatives from the Mahakijpaisarn Foundation.
The building, which is unfinished, is on public land and
has been erected without authorization. An order to halt work was given on
April 21 this year, but building still continued. On June 22, following a
site visit by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh
and city councilors and officers, builders were ordered to tear down the
structure.
City council chairman Tawit Chaisawangwong told
foundation representatives, “Your intentions are good but the structure
was built on public land without authorization. The land has been slated for
an improvement project that includes a public park and the monument to King
Thaksin. Consultations have already taken place and we have spoken with the
foundation. They began building without authorization in 2003 and extended
the wall to its present state to today.”
Foundation representatives were adamant that they stopped
construction once ordered by the city and that no progress had taken place
since then. City officials surveyed the area in the past few weeks, when
they found the structure to be around 80 percent complete.
“We received donations from thousands of people,
including a Yaowarat business to build the facility. We, as a foundation,
love Pattaya the same as you, and wanted to attract more visitors to the
city. Our aim was to improve the area out of real sincerity, not create
problems. That’s why we are here to speak with you,” said one of the
representatives, who along with the others did not want to be highlighted in
the media, again asking for a private meeting.
Tawit Chaisawangwong told the visitors that the media was
following the case and that they were not informed of the meeting. “We
must be transparent on all issues. It is not necessary to hold closed
meetings on this issue.”
The response from Tawit clearly disturbed the foundation
representatives. Aware of the reaction, Tawit asked if the foundation
intended to remove portions of the building to allow for the King Thaksin
statue and would they contribute to the construction cost.
Mayor Niran said that the King Thaksin monument must come first, and
there will be no change to the location. “Will the foundation remove the
building in the given time? The city has already requested the Department of
Art to survey the area,” said Niran.
Ferry companies fighting for passengers are disrupting sail schedules
Closing highway U-turns also discussed
Narisa Nitikarn
Infighting by ferry companies at Bali Hai pier is
creating friction, the Pattaya City safety and stability committee heard
during its monthly meeting at city hall, chaired by councilor Sanit
Boonmarchai.
Sanit
Boonmarchai, Pattaya City safety and stability committee chairman and city
councilor said, “There are serious problems stirring at Bali Hai over the
Larn Island routes.”
“There are serious problems stirring at Bali Hai over
the Larn Island routes. This is affecting visitors and passengers because
operators are competing for business. In the past there was only one
operator. Now with the new operator already registered with the city but not
with the port authority, the competition is creating friction,” said
Sanit. “Operators have changed their routes and are leaving ahead of
schedule in order to gain more passengers.”
The committee chairman went on to say that he would
gather further data on the issue before presenting it to the city council
for further discussion and resolutions, specifically concerning timings and
fares between the two companies. Both, he said, would be present at future
meetings.
Pat Srirattana, a legal advisor said, “As for the fare
increases to Larn Island, Pattaya City can adjust them without going through
the provincial system because the price of fuel has increased dramatically
and will continue to do so.
“If the operators have not yet increased the fares,
problems will follow with boats waiting to be full of passengers before
departing. With the excessive waits, it will significantly deter tourists
and passengers from using the service at all due to the excessive time
between journeys.”
Sanit added that in order to create a controllable
system, the routes and timing would have to be clarified and designated
accordingly such as hourly departure times.
On other issues, Pol Lt Col Somchai Phongsai, Pattaya
traffic inspector, revealed traffic congestion was becoming worse along
Sukhumvit Road at two specific points in the Naklua district. He told the
meeting that the reason behind the increased congestion was the road
widening being undertaken by the city.
“One solution is to close off the U-turns in these areas during peak
hours,” said Pol Lt Col Somchai, who added that this method would be used
as a last alternative.
Complaints lead to creation of Walking Street vendors’ register
City wants to stop drunken vendors from sleeping on the street
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Walking Street committee met at city hall on July 14,
with the mayor as committee chairman calling in members, vendors and
officials. The main topic focused on vendors selling their goods from 11
p.m. to 3 a.m. along the strip, many blocking walkways and creating havoc
with pedestrian flow, as well as drunken vendors sleeping in front of their
stalls.
The conditions have resulted in numerous complaints to
city hall, and in administrators’ eyes helping tarnish the image of the
city.
“The complaints are valid and I would like to see this
type of issue to be completely resolved, as we don’t want to damage
tourism. The image such problems present is not a good one. As for
complaints of vendors extending their stalls further than allowed and
blocking walkways, I request that committee members make a register of all
vendors including what their products are and where their stall locations
are in Walking Street,” said Niran.
“I ask that everyone cooperates on this issue so that
such problems do not reoccur. Otherwise, the city will fine those who are in
breach of regulations.”
Lake and klong water to be used to help alleviate crisis
Government and private agencies search
for methods to increase water production
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
A brainstorming session at the Green Park Resort on July
13 brought together representatives from Chonburi and Pattaya’s government
and private sectors, searching for methods to increase useable water in the
region.
Buntarik
Kusolvisit, Thai Hotels Association - Eastern Chapter president, Preecha
Kamolbutr, Chonburi deputy governor, Thanes Supornsaharungsri, PBTA president
and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.
A promising idea was raised with the suggestion of a
short-term solution using water from the Wat Yarn Lake and Banglamung Klong,
pending further testing.
Thanes Supornsaharungsri, Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association (PBTA) president, chaired the session aimed at reducing the
effects of the water crisis on the tourism industry in Pattaya and Chonburi.
He was joined by a panel of senior government officials including Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, Preecha Kamolbutr, Chonburi deputy governor,
representatives of the Eastwater Company and Bundarik Kusolvitya, Thai Hotels
Association - Eastern Chapter president.
The long period without rain has created a devastating
shortage of water in the region with effects felt by residents, businesses
and industrial sectors.
“There has been much talk [in the media] about the
government providing water for the industrial sectors but no one has said
anything about the negative affects on the tourism sector, which has been
hurt by the lack of water,” said Thane.
“We have often been self-sufficient and have a number of
trucks deliver water on a daily basis. But after receiving complaints from
tourists over the poor water quality, which has affected our businesses, we
are asking for help to find a long term solution.”
Bunsom Yutithampinyo, Chonburi Irrigation Office chief
replied, “After surveying the water levels in Chonburi, we have found them
to be very low, which has also caused a reduction in production. The
department has planned and begun implementing procedures to solve the problem
both in the sort term and on a long-term basis.
“In the short term, we intend to transport water from
the Banglamung Klong to the filtration plant to produce water. This is
subject to further quality testing. If successful, we can effectively produce
a further 40,000 cubic meters per day for Pattaya.
“We are also looking at the lake located in Wat
Yarnsangyararam as an emergency reserve if needed. This will need vehicles to
transport water as there is no direct pipe to the lake,” said Bunsom.
The Chonburi Irrigation Office chief revealed the long
term plan was a joint operation with the Eastwater Company in building a
pipeline from the Bangpakong River to the Bangpra reservoir.
“This is a long term project and should be completed by
next year at a cost of up to 2.5 billion baht. Apart from that another
reservoir is planned in the Marb Waisom area of Khao Mai Kaew district. It
will be linked to Mabprachan and supply up to a further 8 million cubic
meters, as well as an additional 1 million cubic meters from the Huay Kainao
reservoir.”
Preecha Kamolbutr, deputy governor, voiced his support of
the idea of using the Banglamung klong as a source, with only basic sand
filtration being used before transporting to the main systems.
“It is something that is immediately effective. Whatever
your plans are I suggest you carry them out as quickly as possible,” he
said. “Judging by the current levels in the Mabprachan reservoir, it will
be dry by September.”
A future project is to also pump water in from two Rayong facilities,
Dokkrai and Nongplalai reservoirs, to the Bangpra reservoir as another
alternative.
Citizens becoming more responsible about tax payments, says deputy mayor
“Pattaya, fun every square inch of the way”
Narisa Nitikarn
As part of the city administration’s plan to meet
local residents monthly to inform them on progress and developments,
Wirawat Khakhai, deputy mayor in charge of the finance department, urged
all residents to pay their respective taxes.
“The methods for paying city taxes have been quite
difficult in the past. However, the system will be made easier with
computerization and everyone can pay land, house, sign and development
taxes this way. We are planning to implement a One Stop Service where you
won’t have to waste time in queues,” said Wirawat.
It was revealed that the number of people who paid their
taxes last year had increased from the 2003 figure. “It appears that
people are beginning to realize their responsibilities ... I think this
year we’ll see another increase,” the deputy mayor said. “The city
uses these funds to develop, maintain and promote Pattaya through hosting
activities and festivals.”
Wirawat said a strong PR campaign is in development,
using taxpayers’ money to promote the city through a new slogan
“Pattaya, fun every square inch of the way”. Media releases and a
15-second TV ad would be created to develop the tourism industry.
Local infrastructure is also being improved, with plans
to install more CCTV cameras along Pattaya and Jomtien Beach to increase
safety in these areas.
Century-old wetlands community under threat of destruction from business tycoon
Boonlua Chatree
Residents in Village 3, Klong Done sub-district, Samut
Songkrarm are enraged over actions by a businessman who is blocking off a
major waterway that has been used as their main route to the ocean for the
past 100 years or more.
More than 60 families who have lived on the waterway for
many generations are now being forced from their homes.
The business owner, who purchased large amounts of property
in the area, has built a shrimp farm that extends to the banks of the klong,
which is clearly public property. With the filling of the dam, over 50 homes
have been lost and on top of this the same businessman is now charging 1,000
baht per year to use the land they have been on for generations.
Residents have called for assistance from the village
headman, with no response. They have also asked for help from the provincial
governor, but no one has been to survey the area. The community has even sent
letters to the prime minister.
With nowhere else to go, residents now intend to call on
HRH Princess Sirindhorn, a frequent visitor to the wetlands in the area, for
help.
British man arrested on child molestation charges
Boonlua Chatree
Nicholas John Rabet, a 56-year-old British national, has
been arrested at his Central Pattaya residence on charges of child
molestation and carnal knowledge of minors under 15. Inside the house were
two boys aged 11. Officers confiscated 11 Gameboy machines and games along
with cash and other items.
 Nicholas
John Rabet being fingerprinted before placed in the local holding cell until
his court appearance.
Rabet was taken to Soi 9 for questioning. Details of how
the arrest came about were not revealed, with police refusing to answer
questions. However, Rabet’s modus operandi was explained. It is alleged
that he would lure the boys to his home with offers of video games. One of
the boys, a 12-year-old, told of how Rabet would ask them to undress when
playing the games while Rabet had his way with them. They were paid 300 baht
each time and the boys were given a “commission” if they brought in
others. The boy, who cannot be named, said that Rabet had children at his
house every day.
Police also revealed that Rabet’s lascivious activities
had been taking place over at least 11 years and that there were hundreds of
children who had been subjected to the foreigner’s perversion.
On Friday afternoon, a lawyer for Rabet showed up at
Pattaya police station with 200,000 baht, requesting bail for his client.
Pol Maj Sriprapar Suparattanachote, head of the children and women’s
division, refused to allow bail on the basis that Rabet was a danger to
society.
Rabet’s legal representative was preparing for court proceedings to
seek bail. If convicted, Rabet could face many years in a Thai prison.
US resident jumps
to his death in Jomtien
Boonlua Chatree
A US resident jumped to his death from the 10th floor of
a condominium block in Soi Wat Boonkanjanaram just after midnight on July
12.
Police from the Dongtan sub-branch arrived at the scene
to find the body of Craig Byron Briggs, age 60, from New Jersey, USA. The
body was taken to the forensic institute for examination.
Officers inspected Briggs’s room to find the door had
been locked from the inside. They forced an entry but could find no signs of
foul play or anything out of order.
Police later questioned the dead man’s wife, Chonthiya
Oonmuang, 38, who explained she was out at the time, working at the nearby
market as a vendor. She rushed home when she heard the news.
Chonthiya said they had been together for some time and
that Briggs was under stress due to financial problems. She said he would
often go out drinking.
Police have informed the US Embassy of Briggs’s death.
Bar girl stabs Frenchman
for throwing a beer bottle at her
Boonlua Chatree
A French tourist who threw a beer bottle at a bargirl was
left in a critical condition when she stabbed him in retaliation.
Police received notification from Pattaya Memorial
Hospital at 1 a.m. on July 4 that a tourist had been admitted with a stab
wound to his stomach. He had been rushed to the hospital by Miss Chaipim
Duangchan, 35, owner of the Ding Dong beer bar on Soi Buakao.
Officers at the hospital found Jean Francois, a
42-year-old French national, with a knife puncture wound to the left region
of the abdomen, below the navel. His intestine was protruding from his
belly. A fellow Frenchman, 42-year-old Dominic-Marie Philip, had accompanied
him to the hospital.
Chaipim told the officers that she had been holding her
birthday party at the bar. The two Frenchmen had joined in the fun. As
Chaipim blew out the candles on her birthday cake and the guests at the
party started to sing “Happy Birthday”, Francois threw a beer bottle at
the face of Miss Oh, one of the bar workers.
Oh told Francois that Thai people dislike that kind of
behaviour. It was very demeaning. Francois became angry and slapped Oh’s
face twice. Oh then took a knife from her pants and stabbed him in the
stomach.
Police are currently seeking the feisty Miss Oh.
Fire razes coconut processing plant
Boonlua Chatree
Fire at a Takientia sub-district coconut processing plant
caused 10 million baht’s worth of damage to stock and equipment.
Firefighters and police arrived at the scene around 3
a.m. on July 13 to witness a large blaze fuelled by dry coconut husks on the
10-rai site. It took just over three hours to control the fire, with
firefighters from 10 units constantly spraying unaffected husks to prevent
the blaze from spreading.
Flames,
fuelled by dry coconut husks, engulf a 10-rai plot.
A number of imported vehicles and equipment were damaged
in the fire along with a large amount of stock.
Plant manager Ittipat Thanprasitikul, 37, told Banglamung
police that everyone had finished work around noon the day before and staff
were sleeping. The plant’s owner was at the other factory in Samut
Prakarn.
Investigators sifted through the remains looking for
clues. Initial suspicions pointed towards a careless employee discarding a
cigarette, or an electrical fault. The third possibility suggested by police
was that the fire was deliberate in order to claim insurance funds.
The factory processed coconut husks for decorative furniture
manufacturing.
Police briefs
Boonlua Chatree
Decapitated body
discovered in Pattaya Bay
A Coast Guard patrol discovered the decapitated body of a
man nine nautical miles from the shore in Pattaya Bay.
Police at South Pattaya pier examined the body, which
they surmised had been in the water for at least eight days. A very clean
cut had severed the head, and the man appears to have been killed and dumped
in the water. Investigators believe the body is that of a foreign man aged
around 24.
Efforts are continuing to try and identify the victim.
Police have urged fishermen and naval personnel to be on the lookout, and
hotel records are being searched.
Drunken traffic cop beaten
by restaurant customers
A senior police officer and two tour bus drivers who
became drunk and noisy in a restaurant and upset the other customers were
badly injured when the customers set upon them and beat them up.
The incident happened at 12:30am on July 5, when officers
from Pattaya police station were called out to the Nong Frame Restaurant on
North Pattaya Road.
At the scene they found Pol Sgt Maj Thongkham Kamsuksiri,
a 45-year old traffic police officer, unconscious and with wounds to his
head from where he had been struck with a wooden object. With him were two
bus drivers, Chit Palawat, 39, who also had head injuries, and Narong
Rodkaew, 43, who had wounds to the head and mouth, and extensive bruising to
the body. The three men were transferred to hospital where they each needed
at least 25 stitches.
Investigations revealed that Pol Sgt Maj Thongkham and
his friends were eating and drinking at the restaurant, and had become drunk
and noisy. The group annoyed customers at four other tables, who paid their
bills and left.
About 20 minutes later five of the customers came back
with wooden staves. Without saying a word they went to Pol Sgt Maj
Thongkham’s table and beat all three men to the floor, then rode away on
motorcycles.
Police are investigating.
Katoey ya ba dealer
grabbed by police
A katoey who had a lucrative line in selling ya ba to
other katoeys in Walking Street and South Pattaya entertainment venues has
been arrested.
Police following investigations tailed the suspect back
to his apartment on Soi Kor Pai and frisked him. They found a total of 3,200
orange ya ba pills, along with an order that had been placed on his
cellphone.
Surasak (Lek) Sampaothong, 43, said that he received the
ya ba from another dealer who delivered supplies to him by car, and that he
sold the tabs to other katoeys for the price of at least 350 baht. He said
he had been doing this for quite a long time.
Police charged Surasak with dealing in a class 1 drug.
Battered burglar detained
by residents declares innocence
Police were called to a residence in Soi Korpai at around
2 a.m. on July 11 where they found the occupants and neighbours detaining a
young man who they said had attempted to break into the house. At first
appearances it looked as if the residents had dished out some justice to the
would-be thief, who was looking somewhat battered.
Officers searched the pockets of Chaiya Nuasungnern, 24,
to find a wallet containing 740 baht. The house occupant, Thitiporn
Saengsodar, 22, claimed it was hers and that the man had taken it.
Chaiya was taken to Soi 9 for further questioning. He
claimed he was not trying to break into the house but using it as a place to
hide.
Chaiya explained that he had gone to the nearby 7-Eleven
store where he was attacked by a gang of youths, causing multiple facial
injuries. He went on to say that he was on his way back home and noticed a
gate open and decided to hide for a while in case his attackers gave further
chase.
Unconvinced, police charged him with attempted breaking and entering with
intent to burgle. Chaiya denied the charges and said he would prove his
innocence in court, and refused to sign the charge sheet.
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