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HRH Princess Chulabhorn opens International College of Surgeons’ 35th World Congress
Her Royal Highness Princess
Chulabhorn is greeted at the Royal Cliff upon her arrival to open the 35th
World Congress of the International College of Surgeons.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn on October 25 formally opened the
35th World Congress of the International College of Surgeons, organized by
the International College of Surgeons Association of Thailand and staged at
the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH) at the Royal Cliff Beach
Resort.
The congress, held under the theme “A Challenge for Surgeons”, was held
between October 25 and 29 and focused on the use of new technology in
surgery, and the impact this has on the skills of surgeons.
Six honorary members of the college were presented with certificates from
Her Royal Highness, 28 members of the administrative committee received
memorial coins, and 11 new bachelors received honorary certificates. After
the presentation, Her Royal Highness formally opened the congress with a
speech.
Following the opening, Her Royal Highness toured the exhibition that was
held alongside the congress before thanking the administrative committee and
the organizing committee and departing from the event.
City hall to clamp down on dilatory contractors
Warns against making a mess during high season
Noppadon Chaichana
City hall is to crack down on contractors who carry out sub-standard work or
who delay projects.
 Suwit
Nongyai, member of Pattaya City Council, said that some contractors hired by
the city do not complete their work on schedule.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh chaired a meeting of departmental heads on
October 18 to consider measures to take against contractors who breach
regulations. The intention is for the measures to be proposed to Pattaya
City Council for ratification into an Act.
Suwit Nongyai, member of Pattaya City Council in his capacity as chairman of
the Budget Audit Committee said that some contractors hired by the city do
not complete the works on schedule.
Others do not carry out the works as specified in the contract. Some are
even willing to pay fines imposed on them by the city regardless of the
effects that their negligence has on the public.
On questioning, contractors give excuses such as lack of sufficient labor,
or heavy rains delaying the work. But these are not really the reasons for
the delays, because the contractors are responsible for carrying out the
works to the agreed terms of the contract. Ronakit said that if severely
adverse weather conditions really are the reason for delaying a project,
then city hall will listen: labor shortages, however, have to be compensated
for by the contractors.
Ronakit added the tourist season is about to start and any hiring or
entering into contracts with contractors must not have a negative impact on
Pattaya’s efficiency or image as a world-class tourism destination. Along
with those contractors who delay handing over works, the companies who
create eyesores with their projects or cause unnecessary traffic congestion
will also be taken to task.
The matter will be brought up at the next meeting of Pattaya City Council to
discuss procedures and implement rules and regulations.
New police chief says IT systems will help solve Pattaya’s problems
Ronakit Ekasingh (right)
explains the CCTV to Police Colonel Sutin Sapphuang, Pattaya Police
commander.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya’s new police chief has spoken of the advantages of the city’s new
information technology systems in helping to beat crime, solve the traffic
problem and create better public order.
Pol Col Sutin Sapphuang, who has taken over as commander of Pattaya police,
and Pol Lt Col Santi Chayniramai who is taking over as superintendent of
crime suppression, were visiting the new Call Center at Pattaya District
Office on October 26, where they were welcomed by Deputy Mayor Ronakit
Ekasingh.
The visit by the two police chiefs was part of a study they are making on
Pattaya’s IT systems, as directed by Pol Lt Gen Asawin Kwanmuang, commander
of Region 2, who wants Pattaya, Banglamung, Tourist Police and Immigration
Police to see how to best use the operation of CCTV (closed circuit TV), as
well as the automated call center and coordinate on solving crime and
traffic problems.
Ronakit said that Pattaya has invested millions of baht in its IT systems.
There are now more than 100 CCTVs throughout the city, and the automated
call center will not only serve the public but will also act to warn of
dangers and other problems in a speedy and efficient manner.
After the visit Pol Col Sutin said that the system would be of great benefit
in keeping public order and helping crime prevention, but staff would need
to learn more deeply about the system in order to use it to its fullest
potential. A meeting was scheduled for November 3 between Region 2 police,
local police stations, Pattaya District Office and Pattaya City Council to
further discuss and plan operations.
BAYWATCH: How many city hall workers does it take
to change a light bulb?
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Within less than three months, the lighting for the words on the Walking
Street arch at Bali Hai has ceased to operate properly. Despite the
investment in time and money to erect this new archway, an important element
in the image of the area, it seems no one is able to change the light bulbs
promptly.
The archway carries an image of Their Majesties the King and Queen, with
text in both Thai and English reading “Long Live the King”. A grand opening
ceremony for the archway was held on August 12 this year, but on October 17,
at around 8 p.m., the sign had a distinctly moth-eaten appearance with many
of the lights spelling out “WALKING STREET” inoperative.
Sea cow swims alongside youngsters in Dongtan Bay
Patcharapol Panrak
A group of youngsters out learning how to sail in Dongtan Bay were
enthralled when a sea cow, or “moo nam” (dugong) surfaced beside their boats
and swam alongside them for three hours.
While the youngsters were enjoying the company of their new aquatic friend,
the Royal Navy issued an announcement to fishermen forbidding the laying of
all kinds of nets in the bay.
 Youngsters
learning how to sail received and extra treat when this sea cow surfaced for
a visit.
The sighting occurred on October 23. Rear Admiral Apiwat Sriwattana,
secretary general of the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, received a
report from Julapong Chanyim, sailboat control officer at the Water Sports
Center Building on Beach Road, Dongtan Bay, that he was leading 64
youngsters on the basic sailing course at Royal Thai Fleet Bay next to
Dongtan Bay.
They had found two sea cows that appeared to be calves up to 1 meter in
length. One of them dove deeply in the training area, while the other raced
alongside the training sailboats. The sea cow came close to them and let
them pat it on the head and nose, and it stayed with them for three hours.
Rear Admiral Apiwat said that sea cows had been spotted fairly often
recently at Sattahip Bay, especially in front of the Sea Turtle Preservation
Center at the Air and Coastal Defense Command. Unhappily, four dead sea cows
have been found during this year on the beach. One was found on Bangsarae
Beach, one at Laemtian Pier, one in the Royal Thai Fleet Bay, and one at Had
Yao.
Admiral Nopporn Atchawakom, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Fleet, said
it was a good sign that sea cows were living in Sattahip Bay, as it means
the sea environment is improving and is rich in natural resources.
The Coastal Defense Force at Squadron Region 1, which is responsible for the
Sattahip coastal patrol, will ensure the fisheries not to lay nets that
might ensnare the sea cows.
Baht bus driver seizes snatch thief
Boonlua Chatree
A baht bus driver seized a thief who attempted to snatch a gold chain
from a Ukrainian passenger, and held him until the police arrived.
 Heroic
baht bus driver Manat Champa (right) helped passenger Becruchuo Ruslan
(left) detain a snatch and run thief and recover Ruslan’s gold necklace.
The crime happened at 1 a.m. on October 27, in front of the Camelot Hotel in
South Pattaya. Police officers led by Pol Lt Col Wuttichat Luansukhan,
inspector at Tourist Police 4, were called to the scene where they found a
baht bus parked at the side of the road. Nearby was a blue and black Honda
Wave motorbike. Beside the bus was a Ukrainian, Becruchuo Ruslan, 28, and
Manat Champa, a 38-year-old Pattaya baht bus driver. They were detaining a
youth who had attempted to escape with Ruslan’s necklace.
The youth was identified as Panya Sodsaeng, age 17. In his right hand was
part of a 3-baht gold chain, and the other piece with a cross was on the
road at the scene. The victim pointed him out for the police, and said that
Panya had an accomplice who had fled the scene.
Ruslan had taken the baht bus with a friend from his residence on Soi
Pattaya Park into town. Panya and his accomplice, a 16-year-old who has been
identified by the nickname Mad, were driving around looking for a victim.
Mad was driving the motorcycle. They followed the baht bus and pulled
alongside so that Panya, from the pillion seat, was able to reach inside and
snatch the necklace from Ruslan.
The bus driver, Manat, saw what was going on and tried to bump into the
motorbike. The thieves attempted to flee but although Mad got away, Panya
was detained. Police have established that Panya has carried out this form
of theft on several previous occasions, and he has been charged. Officers
are now on the trail of the elusive Mad.
Female thieves drug Indian tourists and steal their property
Boonlua Chatree
Police are searching for two service girls who drugged and robbed two Indian
tourists, and are following up on copies of ID cards left with the reception
desk of the hotel in which the tourists were staying.
The incident was reported to police at 12:30 a.m. on October 22, and police
went immediately with Sawang Boriboon Foundation officers to the scene on
the second floor of the hotel on Pratamnak Road.
There they found two very groggy Indian tourists, Shiva Rudrappa Muthappa
Chellvappa, 47, and Govindasmy Nald G. Suresh, 39, lying on the bed. The
officers gave them first aid before transferring them to Banglamung
Hospital. The room had been ransacked and had not one object of value
remained. There was one used condom on the floor, and two bottles of Chang
beer and Tiger beer on the table.
Police questioned Mrs Samniang Maneechan, 35, the head room maid of the
hotel, and she stated that the two Indians had been paying for the room
since October 19. They normally went out at noon, but on the date of the
theft they didn’t. She thought it unusual and she therefore opened the room
with the service key and found the two men. She then alerted the police.
After treatment Muthappa and Suresh said they had hired two Thai women
approximately 25-30 years of age from Walking Street for 500 baht each for
sex. In the room they drank beer but then couldn’t remember anything else
until they had been transferred to the hospital. Later they said that the
property inside their luggage was gone, including one gold necklace, three
gold rings, one mobile phone, a digital camera, 8,000 baht, and 5,200 US
dollars.
The officers followed up with the hotel and discovered that the hotel
employees had made copies of the two women’s ID cards before allowing them
to go with the Indians into the room. They have been named as Ms Nuanwan
Khunachak, 30, of a Bangkok address, and Ms Chicha Kongsida, 21, from Sakon
Nakhon. Police are now on their trail.
Brit slaps female bar owner and is set upon by ‘good Samaritans’
Boonlua Chatree
Police were called out to the Susie Karaoke and Beer Bar next to Beach Road
Soi 4 at 03.30 hrs on October 14 after receiving a report that a foreign
tourist had been beaten and injured.
On arrival the officers found that the bar was still open with tourists and
bar girls sat around drinking, and they ordered the bar closed because it
was operating after hours.
The injured man who was sat at the front of the premises with blood
streaming down his face was identified as James Caffery, a 52-year-old
British national. He had suffered a 5cm long gash on the forehead, his
cheeks were swollen and he also had a split lip. He was in a dazed state.
Caffery told officers that he was sat drinking at the bar alone and became
drunk. He got into an argument with the Thai female bar owner and slapped
her once before she sent him out of the bar and instructed five youths to
beat him up outside. He requested that the bar owner take responsibility for
his injuries because he had already apologised to her.
The owner, Mrs Pornphan, 39, said she intended to press charges against
Caffery for assault. On hearing that, Caffery asked police to take him to
hospital so he could have his injuries treated. He added that he didn’t want
to press charges but would make a report later.
Pornphan denied instructing the youths to beat up Caffery, saying that they
witnessed him slap her and were good Samaritans and took him to task for
hitting a Thai woman. She said that she would not press charges if he
didn’t, but filed a report to protect herself in case he pressed charges
later.
Drunk driver plows into crowd at beer bar
Boonlua Chatree
A drunk driver lost control of his car and plowed into customers sitting at
a beer bar in the early hours of October 24, seriously injuring four people.
Officers from Pattaya Police Station were called out at 3 a.m. along with
officers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation to a group of bars in the Made
in Thailand Market on Second Road. At the scene was a four-door orange Ford
pickup that had collided with the Dao Kai Bar, smashing tables and chairs
and seriously injuring three Thai people and one foreign visitor.
 Workers
tend to the injured after a drunk driver plowed into a beer bar on Second
Road.
The injured were taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital. Most seriously hurt was
34-year-old Mrs Saichon Khamtum, who suffered stomach injuries severe enough
to cause her intestines to protrude. The other three requiring extensive
treatment were Ms Yanee Kuaprakon, 19, Ms Ratda Wichasawat, 36, and Baul
Staoobants, 51. Several other people sustained cuts and scratches, but
weren’t seriously injured.
The driver of the pickup had attempted to flee the scene but was restrained.
His name was Singha Phianthamdee, age 30, a resident of Saraburi. He was
clearly in a state of drunkenness and when police tested his alcohol level
he was found to be over the limit.
Singha said that he had borrowed the car from his friend, and was on the way
from South Pattaya to Central Pattaya. He claimed that a baht bus had
overtaken his truck and cut in front of him, causing him to swerve and
collide with the beer bar.
Eyewitnesses, however, stated that Singha was driving at a high rate of
speed, and had passed and cut in front of the baht bus to turn onto the soi
near the beer bar group. Because it was so close he didn’t have time to slow
his car down. Singha has been charged with drunk driving resulting in damage
and injuries to people and property.
A brief look at Loy Krathong meanings and traditions
According to the history written by King Mongkut in 1863,
the Loy Krathong festival has its roots in ancient Brahmin culture, going
back some 700 years. The spirits of the river were given offerings which
were sailed in the river in small boats (krathongs) and in this way the
owner of the krathong would gain absolution. This was a Brahmin belief.
 The
small boats fashioned by the beautiful and talented Nang Noppamas, the
daughter of a Brahmin priest and wife of King Phra Ruang, were notable for
their construction and beauty. It was this king who then dedicated the
krathong to the memory of the Buddha, and decreed that the event would be
called Loy Krathong and that it should become an annual celebration to
commemorate the skill and beauty of his consort. In this way he lifted it
out of Brahmin culture and installed it into the accepted Buddhist way of
life. This is the reason that the krathongs now carry three incense sticks
representing the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
During the Loy Krathong Festival, people decorate their krathong with
flowers, joss sticks and candles which will then sail away, taking with them
bad health, bad luck and unhappiness.
Lanterns are well-known symbols in the Loy Krathong Festival, too, being
used to decorate houses and temples in worship of the guardian spirits.
There are four kinds of lantern used in the festival: the hand-held rabbit
lantern, the hot air balloon lantern (kom loy), the hanging lantern for
religious worship, and the spin lantern installed at the temples. The belief
in lanterns is that the lights inside compare with the wisdom the people
will gain in the next life.
Loy Krathong, one of the Kingdom’s favorite holidays is this weekend
Loy Krathong festivities in Pattaya will be held
throughout the weekend, with the official date being November 5. The
festivities will be highlighted by krathong competitions, Miss Noppamas
competitions, food booths, music, fireworks, and even a full moon party on
Koh Larn.
 Loy
Krathong at the Dusit Resort Pattaya is always a sight to behold.
On November 5 in Naklua, activities will be centered around Lan Pho Public
Park. Well-known country singers Yui Yatyer and Sossai Romphothong will join
the celebrations and there will be a Khamkhan and Rock Kaopun comedy show. A
krathong contest, using only natural materials, will be held between 1 p.m.
and 5 p.m. There will also be a Nang Noppamas contest and fireworks in the
evening.
It seems Walking Street plans to go all out for the festival, with the
activities lasting 3 days. From November 4 - 6, food and beer booths will be
set up in the street, plenty of music is on tap, the ladies will be dressed
in their best Loy Krathong dresses, and a grand fireworks display will light
up the night sky.
A Nang Noppamas contest will also be held on Beach Road, in front of Mike
Shopping Mall (near Soi 12) on Sunday, November 5 beginning at 6 p.m.
The Koh Larn Beer Bar Association plans to hold a Full Moon Party beginning
Saturday night, November 4, and not ending until 3 a.m. Monday, November 6.
The Full Moon Party is set to kick off around 5 p.m. Saturday and will
feature DJs, food & drink booths, a fire twirling show, and fireworks at
midnight. A Reggae party is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. Sunday, November 5,
followed by carnival type event starting at 1 p.m. and featuring Thai
boxing, darts, dunk the lady in a pool, and more. At 6:30 p.m. the Full Moon
Party starts again, and ends at 3 a.m. with a grand “See you again on
December 8” fireworks display.
All the events listed above will also feature the traditional floating of
the krathongs with everyone joining in to sing the Loy Krathong song on
Sunday evening, November 5.
Most hotels in town will also have special Loy Krathong festivities. Contact
your favorite hotel for further details.
Walkie-talkies presented to step up Walking Street security
Walking Street Committee’s
deputy head, Sunthon Kangsirikul and members distributed walky-talkies to
Pattaya City, received by Tavich Chaisawangwong and Ronakit Ekasingh.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Walking Street Committee has distributed walky-talkies to municipal
officers with the aim of increasing their ability to respond fast to matters
regarding the safety of tourists and thereby help to improve the image of
Walking Street as a tourist attraction.
The equipment was presented at a meeting of the Walking Street Committee at
Pattaya City Hall on October 26, with Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh as
chairman.
Eight walkie-talkies were given for the use of volunteer municipal officers,
with Ronakit and head of Pattaya City Council Tavich Chaisawangwong
receiving them on behalf of the municipality.
Deputy head of the Walking Street Committee Sunthon Kangsirikul said that at
present the crime rate on Walking Street is high, with many tourists
affected by criminal activity, and that the walkie-talkies will enable a
greater efficiency to be achieved and help to enhance the street’s image.
Ronakit said that city hall had a policy to promote Walking Street as a
prime tourism attraction and that the success of the policy depended very
much on cooperation from both the business sector and officialdom.
Hotel association discusses tourist safety
Members and guest speakers of
the Thai Hotel Association - Eastern Region.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The importance of health and safety for tourists was the subject of a
talk given to the Thai Hotel Association - Eastern Region by Janet Griffiths
from Safety in Asia during the association’s monthly meeting held on October
19 at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel.
Association chairman Chatchawal Supachayanont also briefed members on the
new safety measures being implemented in cooperation with the government
sector.
Chatchawal said that with the high season about to get underway, 70 percent
of Pattaya’s hotel rooms are already booked.
The meeting also discussed the Pre-WTM Road Show which will be held on 31
October in Stockholm, and which proceeds to Switzerland and Copenhagen.
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