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Severe flooding drives out Banglamung residents
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Continuous heavy rains over Pattaya and especially the Banglamung area for a
couple of days around September 22 brought severe flooding to some low-lying
areas.
The worst affected area was at the front of Wat Thakradaan, which was
swamped by water flowing in from surrounding higher areas, and the
Banglamung canal where more than 60 households were affected.
Where the water level rose higher than 1 meter, city officials have been
warning residents and instructing them to remove their property from their
homes. Banglamung Disaster Relief Services meanwhile sent officers into the
field to provide assistance, clearing out the canal and unblocking drainage
pipes to lower the flood level.
Narathip Faglerk, member of Banglamung Municipal Council said that the area
at Wat Thakradaan is low-level and lies next to Banglamung Canal, and that
the area often suffers flooding with water from higher lying areas like Khao
Mai Khaew and Tatian Tia flowing in. On this occasion rough seas made the
situation worse. Water cannot be drained into the sea and the only thing
that can be done is to help people move their belongings out of their homes
to lessen the damage.
Pattaya asks public to be vigilant in the wake of Had Yai bombing
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pol Col Somnuk Changate, superintendent of Pattaya police station, and
former member of parliament for Chonburi Zone 7 Chanyuth Hengtrakul held a
meeting with local business people, community representatives, and
representatives of the service sector including motorcycle taxi drivers, to
ask for their cooperation in securing areas in the wake of the bomb blasts
that occurred in Had Yai on September 16.
Pol Col Somnuk said that sabotage has the ability to cause great danger to
life and property, and in addition it threatens the livelihoods of everyone,
as it damages the reputation of a destination as being safe and secure for
tourists.
Even though Pattaya has yet to experience any problems, the city is a main
tourism location and as such it is better for everyone to be on their guard.
The local administration has prepared for emergencies with security systems
in place but officials need the continual cooperation of local business
people and the general public.
In addition to keeping continually alert and reporting any suspicious
activity to the authorities, practical measures such as the installation of
CCTV were encouraged.
Garbage and debris from flooding blocks Soi Kao Talo drains
Vimolrat Singnikorn
City maintenance workers hurried to clear out water drainage pipes along
Soi Kao Talo on September 19, following reports by residents that the
earlier flooding in the area had blocked the drains with garbage and
debris.
 Deputy
Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn and officials oversee clearing out water
drainage pipes along Soi Kao Talo.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn directed the cleaning-up operation that
was carried out as a matter of urgency, as water was unable to drain
away from the soi.
Wutisak explained that the Kao Talo area is at a lower level than
Nongprue sub-district, and therefore a lot of sand and soil flowed from
the direction of Nongprue when heavy rainfall occurred. This led to the
blocking of pipes in Soi Kao Talo.
The drainage pipe-cleaning vehicle was expected to be on site for up to
one week clearing out the blockages.
City hall has also assigned an officer to resolve the problem with open
water drains as a matter of urgency, to reduce the risk of flooding in
that area.
Junction to be widened as accident prevention measure
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
City councilor Banlue Kullavanijaya, in his capacity as chairman of the
engineering committee led councilors from Zone 2 on September 21 to examine
the possibility of expanding the junction of Pattaya Third Road and Soi
Photisarn, opposite Wanderland Village.
 The
junction of Pattaya Third Road and Soi Photisarn, opposite Wanderland
Village, is a site of many accidents.
Banlue said the plot of land available belonged to Paisan Saesow, the owner
of Wanderland Village. The land, which is empty, runs for 40 meters
alongside the road at a distance of 4 meters. Paisan was donating this plot
to the city so that the road, which curves here and is often the scene of
accidents, could be widened.
The Provincial Electricity Authority is now being contacted to remove an
electricity post so that the land can be leveled and used for widening the
road.
Military takes over satellite station at Sriracha
Soldiers take over the
Sriracha Communications Satellite Station to prevent it being used by
supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Sriracha Communications Satellite Station was taken
over by the military during the coup on the night of September 19.
A group of officers and troops moved into the station as a precaution
against it being used to transmit images by supporters of ousted prime
minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The military has said it is willing to vacate
the premises immediately when the current situation is resolved.
At Laem Chabang Port everything was normal with no military presence, and
cargo ships entered and left normally.
64 mn baht ‘Town of Infinity’ archways considered for Pattaya entrance
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A proposal to erect two large archways on Sukhumvit Road to enhance the
entry to Pattaya City was discussed on September 21 at Pattaya District
Office.
 An
artist’s rendering of the archway at Krating Lai Intersection, which has
been designed under the concept of infinity.
Representatives of February Image Company Limited, which made the proposal,
suggested a theme entitled “Town of Infinity” to help brand Pattaya as being
a tourism destination unlike any other.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, city councilor Banlue Kullavanijaya, and
Pichet Uthaivatananon, director of Pattaya Public Works listened to the
proposal.
Nawat Thongsawang, director of February Image said that the Pattaya entrance
archways would be erected at both sides of Sukhumvit Road at Krating Lai
Intersection, to welcome tourists to Pattaya.
The arches would carry a design theme based on infinity and symbolizing the
aspects of ocean and nightlife. They would be constructed of synthetic
materials stretched over cables.
Building of the archways would require a 64 million baht budget.
Administrators will consider the proposal before taking it to the next
meeting of Pattaya City Council.
Pattaya residents unfazed by coup
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya residents appear to have taken the coup of September 19 in their
stride. A snap survey by Pattaya Mail reporters on the streets the day after
the coup found that most Pattayans were not worried because it was
non-violent, although most wanted to see a quick end to the situation.
 Sanya
Makrun
Sanya Makrun, a Pattaya local said, “The situation was peaceful and there
should be no problems. If there is an end to the situation, the public will
benefit. Pattaya tourism also shouldn’t be affected, because Pattaya is
already famous. It may even bring in more tourists.”
Saeksan Saelee, a trader at Pattaya Central market said, “It should produce
good results as a new government will be formed and many changes will be
implemented. We have to see when the new prime minister will take control
and how he intends to govern. However, I would like to see a quick end to
the problems so the country can get back to normal. Apart from these
problems there is also the problem in the three southern provinces and the
claims for sovereignty there which are very worrisome too.”
Ra-iad Kanjame, a resident of Central Pattaya, said that
she felt happy and had accepted the events, “But tourism will be affected in
some ways and I would like to see a quick end to the situation.”
Pattaya itself seemed quiet on that day, as people were at home watching
television following up on the latest developments.
Saeksan Saelee
Ra-iad Kanjame
American tourist is latest victim of necklace snatchers
Boonlua Chatree
An American engineer on vacation in Pattaya was the latest victim in the
escalating crime of snatch-and-run thieving, which police say now happens on
average six to eight times per day.
 Leo
Madley makes a report at the police station.
Leo Madley, a 36-year-old American citizen who is working as an oil engineer
in Dubai, reported to Pattaya police station that just before 3 a.m. on
September 18 he had been taking a taxi back to his room at the Mike Beach
Hotel on Soi 4. About 200 meters from the entrance to the soi, on Second
Road, a motorcycle with two riders appeared alongside the taxi. The pillion
rider snatched his 22-carat gold necklace, valued at 40,000 baht, and the
thieves sped off in the direction of North Pattaya.
Madley headed straight for the police station in his taxi, but although a
radio call was sent out to police patrols the robbers had vanished.
Police say that other similar crimes had happened during the same evening
and that this form of robbery is happening between six and eight times per
day, on average. The robbers are usually young people, working in teams of
two. They drive a dark-colored motorcycle and wear black clothing. They are
very experienced in what they do, waiting until police are out of the
immediate area before striking very quickly and then fleeing. The thieves
know the area intimately, and the police are unable to catch them. The
public are warned to be extra vigilant with their personal possessions such
as necklaces and handbags.
Fire causes 200,000 baht worth of damage to townhouse
Patcharapol Panrak
A fire that broke out at a townhouse at Pairing Land Village, Plutaluang,
started at the top of a wardrobe that was used as a Buddhist image shelf.
 Approximately
200,000 baht fire damage as done to Tula Onsri’s townhouse in Plutaluang.
Members of the public alerted Plutaluang police station at 5:30 p.m. on
September 16 to the fire, which had broken out at a house on Soi 2.
Firefighters rushed to the scene, and extinguished the blaze in 20 minutes.
The property, the home of 24-year-old Thai Airways employee Tula Onsri, was
badly damaged. Investigators discovered the blaze had started at the top of
a wardrobe, where there was an electrical plug. No one was in the house at
that time. Damage was estimated at approximately 200,000 baht.
Swedish man killed by bus while arguing with girlfriend
Boonlua Chatree
A Swedish man in the midst of an argument with his Thai girlfriend died
when he accidentally stepped in front of a tour bus.
Pattaya police station received a report at 12:30 a.m. on September 17 that
a foreign man had been struck by a Tran Presser Co Ltd bus on Sukhumvit
Road. The incident happened 500 meters away from Pattaya Central Road
opposite Central Park Village.
Arriving at the scene, officers found the bus at the side of the road, its
windscreen broken, and the body of the victim lying near the right door of
the vehicle. He was identified as Walter Johnsson, a 57-year-old Swedish
citizen.
There was a Thai woman crying beside the body. Her name was Ms Thongpan
Kaewmanee, age 36. She said she had been walking with the deceased, and they
had been arguing. Johnsson was impatient when crossing the road, and was hit
by the bus. His body flew up and hit the windshield. The driver attempted to
flee the scene, but bystanders stopped him.
Driver Noi Kabuankla, 37, said that he was taking the bus from North Pattaya
to Lotus in the direction of Thepprasit to pick up employees. He was
attempting to pass another car when he hit the foreign man forcefully.
Police charged Noi with careless driving and vehicular manslaughter, but he
protested that although he did run into the man he was not driving
carelessly. Police put him in a cell pending further investigations.
Daylight robbery
at the Swedish Consulate
Boonlua Chatree
Thieves broke into the offices of the Swedish Consulate in Pattaya
during broad daylight and escaped with a computer and other electronic
equipment that they loaded into a pickup truck.
 Thankhawirut
Busaba reports to police that a thief had broken into the Swedish Consulate
in Pattaya.
The burglary happened on the morning of September 15 and was reported by Mrs
Thankhawirut Busaba, 34, an officer at the consulate. Thieves had taken a
computer, a fax machine, a copier and a scanner.
Glass in the front door had been broken, and the thieves had unlocked the
door to let themselves in. Police found tire marks from a pickup in front of
the office, which is in front of Pattaya Provincial Court. A forensic
officer found fingerprints and police are now checking their records to try
and match them.
City hall presents seven motorcycles to Banglamung police station
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn
and Pattaya Councilors donate 7 motorcycles to Pol. Col. Noppadon
Sornsumrarn, acting on behalf of the Banglamung police superintendent.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
City hall donated seven motorcycles to Banglamung police station on
September 19, at a presentation led by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and
attended by city councilors.
The motorcycles, to be used by police patrols, were accepted by Pol Col
Noppadon Sornsumrarn, acting on behalf of the station superintendent.
Mayor Niran said that Pattaya City had a policy to support all official
departments, especially the police stations within the city’s jurisdiction
who take care of the safety of residents and tourists. City hall had
approved a budget of 461,300 baht for the seven motorcycles.
Banglamung police station had had only a limited number of motorcycles for
police patrols, and some of the vehicles were in poor condition, so last
year the station had made a request for help to city hall.
Navy proposes sea and coastal safety plan
Vimolrat Singnikorn
A plan to enhance sea and coastal security and safety was discussed at a
meeting at Pattaya City Hall with Rear Admiral Taweewut Pongpipat, chief of
staff of the Royal Thai Navy Fleet at Sattahip, his deputy Captain Taksin
Kritsangkrit, and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn discusses safety with Royal Thai Navy officers.
The plan is part of a government directive to develop an improved national
security plan, and it also involves the 13 governors of the coastal
provinces on the Gulf of Thailand, namely Bangkok, Chantaburi, Chachoengsao,
Chonburi, Chumporn, Trat, Prachuab Khirikhan, Petchaburi, Rayong, Samut
Prakarn, Samut Songkram, Samut Sakhon and Surat Thani.
At this meeting Rear Admiral Taweewut proposed a plan to secure the sea and
land areas under the jurisdiction of Pattaya City. The fleet at Sattahip has
the necessary vessels and helicopters for use in the event of sea and land
disasters, and the plan sets out new standards of safety commensurate with
the needs of residents and international tourism.
Also submitted was a natural sea resource preservation plan that focuses
especially the conservation of coral.
Mayor Niran said Pattaya City already had a plan for sea and coastal safety
but still lacked the expertise for full safety at night, and consequently
the navy plan is welcomed as an enhancement to the safety of residents and
visitors.
Cost of call center project leaps by 30 mn baht
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya City’s proposed call center project is going to need an
additional 30 million baht, more than doubling the initial estimate, if it
is to become a reality.
At a meeting of Pattaya City Council on September 8, Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn proposed an amendment to the budget for the call center
project, a necessary step as this will incur a debt exceeding one year and
the obtaining of approval for TOT (Public) Company Limited to undertake the
project.
It was requested that the budget for the project be increased from 26 to 56
million baht.
Niran said Pattaya needs to develop and modernize its communications systems
for tourists, and that the provision of a call center for tourists and the
general public would greatly improve the city’s efficiency in providing
services and remedying problems.
The project had earlier been submitted to Pattaya City Council but was not
approved as the council wanted to study the proposal further. The time
period that had elapsed since the first proposal has resulted in the need
for a higher budget, which now needs to be approved and formalized.
The meeting approved the proposals of administrators and the project will
progress in stages.
Life goes down the drain for garage owner threatened with gun
Boonlua Chatree
A garage owner who fled in fear of his life from an armed man and hid in a
drainage pipe was stuck in there for three days when his foot became
trapped.
Banglamung police station received a report at 2 a.m. on September 9 that a
man was trapped in a water drainage pipe on Soi Nongprue, at the entry to
Mabprachan reservoir. Police went to the scene with officers of the Sawang
Boriboon Foundation.
They found the man inside a drain with an opening measuring 50 cm x 50 cm.
Opening the drain cover, officers released Saereepong Banchong, 30. He was
very tired and dirty, and his feet and hands were wrinkled from staying in
the water for so long.
Saereepong said he was the owner of Banchong Garage, located near the bridge
800 meters away from the scene. Late in the afternoon of September 6 he had
been drinking with a man named Kwan (unknown surname) who lived on Soi
Nongprue and two other friends in front of his garage. A dispute arose
between him and Kwan, and Kwan took out a gun from his waist and threatened
to shoot him. Saereepong was afraid and ran away.
He hid in the drainage pipe but his right ankle became trapped. He shouted
for help but nobody heard him. He couldn’t help himself, and was stuck there
for three days. When a stick floated by he used it to poke the drainage
cover for help. Some villagers found him and informed the police.
Mrs Ploy Yodnum, 21, came to the scene after finding out that someone had
found her husband. They were glad to see each other again, because she had
already filed a missing persons report at Banglamung police station after
looking for him for several days. Police advised Saereepong to see a doctor
for treatment of his apprehension, and are currently looking for the
troublesome Kwan.
Dial 1337 for new call center due on line during October
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn
(middle left) shakes hands with TOT Public Company Limited assistant
managing director, Suthep Srisuwan after the signing of the service
agreement.
Narisa Nitikarn
A contract was signed on September 14 with TOT Public Company Ltd to set
up the automated call center that will act as Pattaya’s central information
service provider for residents and tourists.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn signed the contract along with assistant
managing director Suthep Srisuwan.
The call center number will be 1337 and the service will operate 24 hours
per day. The total investment is 80 million baht over a three-year period
and it is expected that the call center will be in operation this October,
with calls costing 3 baht nationwide.
Niran said the service would require 29 personnel working in three shifts to
provide 24-hour services. Operators will be assigned appropriate to the
information that they will be providing, such as tourism related
information, entertainment facilities, hotels, restaurants, travel routes
and tourist attractions.
Some operators will be responsible for linking information between
government organizations and tourists and locals as well as providing
up-to-date news and information as it happens. They will also be trained to
receive complaints and respond to calls for assistance. Operators will be
selected based on their language skills to provide information for tourists
in languages that will include English, German, Chinese and Japanese.
“During the first one to two years the call center will be evaluated and
input from service users analyzed to summarize the good and bad points which
will help to further improve the system,” said Niran.
Foundation stone is laid for new offices as Nongprue upgrades to municipality status
(from left) Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, Governor Pisit Ketphasook, Sonthaya Khunplome, and
Sucharit Patchimanan cooperatively preside over laying the foundation stone
for the Nongprue District Municipality Office.
Narisa Nitikarn
With the upgrading of Nongprue Sub-district to become Nongprue
Municipality, a foundation stone ceremony for the new offices was held on
September 11, with Sucharit Patchimanan presiding.
Attending the ceremony were local politicians and administrators, religious
leaders, and representatives of private organizations. Amongst those present
were Sonthaya Khunplome, Santsak Ngampiches, Chonburi Governor Pisit
Ketphasook, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.
Visitors were welcomed by Mai Chaiyanit, former head of the Nongprue
District Administration.
The foundation stone laying ceremony of the Nongprue District Municipality
building was conducted to Brahman rites, and with a Buddhist priest and a
Moslem imam praying for the success of the endeavor.
Located on an area of eight rai, the new building is a concrete one with
five floors, measuring 24 x 45 meters. It is being constructed under a 60
million baht budget. Nongprue Sub-district Administration became Nongprue
Municipality on September 11 this year.
There was also an official inauguration ceremony for Nongprue Municipality,
led by Sonthaya. He spoke about the 11 years of development Nongprue
Sub-district Administration had undergone before being designated by the
Ministry of Interior as Nongprue Municipality.
Mai spoke about future progress as Nongprue Municipality, saying that the
next stage is to nominate a committee that will arrange for the selection of
candidates to represent the municipality, ready for the people to exercise
their right to vote.
Candidates line up for new Nongprue Municipality Council
Mai Chaiyanit presents his
team’s candidates.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Mai Chaiyanit, former head of the Nongprue Sub-district Administrative
Organization, on September 12 at the Grand Sole Hotel introduced candidates
for the new Nongprue Municipality Council.
The candidates described their abilities and experience to the selection
committee, which has to field candidates for three zones, a total of 21
positions.
Mai put himself forward for the position of mayor of Nongprue Municipality,
saying that he had long political experience serving the people of the
former Nongprue Sub-district. He had 21 years experience as village chief,
or kamnan, and had been head of the Nongprue Sub-district Administrative
Organization for three terms, until it was changed to Nongprue Municipality
on September 11.
Mai had been instrumental in pushing for the upgrading of status from
sub-district to municipality. He said this would bring many benefits to
residents, and that the community will enjoy budgets for development that
will in turn allow residents to enjoy a higher quality of life.
Formerly, community representation comprised 28 people from 14 villages. The
area will now be adjusted into three selection zones with six members per
zone, a total of 18 people. This will inevitably bring some problems in
selecting candidates, because it will cut out some old members and former
local leaders.
Mai said, however, those former representatives would still have a respected
voice, and that most of the new people on the team would already have
experience in local administration and other matters. Also they would be
elected by popular vote, and consequently have the backing of their local
communities.
The administration team consists of Mai Chaiyanit, candidate for mayor of
Nongprue Municipality; Anek Patthana-Ngam, Winai Intharapitak, and Niypm
Tiangtham, candidates for the position of municipal councilor; and Somsak
Wongsiriwimol, candidate for secretary to the mayor.
The municipality councilors in Election Zone 1 are for Village No 1, Village
No 2, Village No 3, Village No 4, part of Village No 6, Village No 11 and
Village No 12. There are six candidates: Wichai Luangmuang, Wichan Biaklai,
Somchai Chimwiset, Surasit Ratchasee, Yongyut Charoenrat and Man Inpithak.
Election Zone 2 covers part of Village No 5 and Village No 6, Village No 7,
Village No 13 and Village No 15. The candidates are Wirat Pattanangam,
Somsak Jaedaman, Preecha Wongsiriwimol, Paiboon Bilsalem, Weera Tubkhan and
Yaya Sensuree.
Election Zone 3 covers part of Village No 5, Village No 8, Village 9 and
Village No 10. The candidates are Suwat Ratchatawattanakul, Prayut
Panprasong, Wanchai Sanngam, Tasana Petsiri, Tiang Amhae and Narong
Pollook-In.
Three companies bid
for Loy Krathong festivities
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh on September 9 chaired a meeting to
discuss the festivities surrounding this year’s Loy Krathong, which falls on
November 5.
 Mongkol
Nikayavimon, creative director for Dhanapon Creative, shows his designs.
Three companies, namely Dhanapon Creative, VC Spot Production Co and GOTO
Event Organizer were invited to put forward their proposals for the
organization of the festival, which will be centered on Bali Hai Pier.
Ronakit said that this year the city is emphasizing beauty and greatness for
the Loy Krathong festival, and that the event is planned to be even bigger
than last year. This year is a very auspicious one in that His Majesty the
King is celebrating his 60th year on the throne, and so the preservation of
Thai culture will be the theme of the event.
The proposals put forward by the three companies will now be studied and a
selection made soon. All three proposals were in accord on stressing
Thai-ness and in holding a Miss Loy Krathong pageant.
Full-scale emergency exercise staged at Laem Chabang Port
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A full-scale disaster control exercise was held at Laem Chabang Port on
September 15, with more than 100 people participating to learn at first hand
the procedures to be mobilized in the event of an emergency.
 Prakit
Prachonpatjanuk and Maj. Gen Timothy J. Lowenberg.
The exercise centered around the Social Welfare Center at the port and
amongst those attending were Prakit Prachonpatjanuk, Maj Gen Timothy J
Lowenberg, adjutant general of the Washington National Guard Directorate,
Chalermkiat Salakkham, deputy director of Laem Chabang Port, and
representatives of various divisions within the port, the Department of
Maritime Transportation and Commerce, the municipality, and local hospitals.
The heightened danger of attack during the war on terrorism had prompted the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) to suggest the full-scale
exercise, a program that has been devised in the USA and which was carried
out with the assistance of American expertise.
 All
departments need to cooperate during an emergency.
Prakit said the exercise was based around a demonstration of a leaking
chemical container within the port area, and needed support from many
departments according to the training plan.
Maj Gen Lowenberg said that in previous years Thailand and Washington had
held cooperative training to increase abilities to protect property, and
that the exercise at Laem Chabang Port was to ensure that key personnel were
fully briefed to mount an immediate action plan in the event of a disaster.
The exercise was based around
a demonstration of a leaking chemical container within the port area.
Trained rescuers evacuate the
injured.
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