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HRH Princess Sirindhorn receives
proceeds from Taal Yatra Charity Concerts
Indian classical concerts raise funds for the Chai Pattana Foundation
HRH Princess Sirindhorn
graciously receives the delegation at Chitrlada Palace. (L-R) Khunying
Tipawadee Meksawan, T.P Seetharam, Khun Busyarat Permsub, Paul Wong, Khun
Sod Saengead, Khun Nanthiya Sawangwuthitham, Andrew Khoo, Khun Jirapha
Prachakjit and Pratheep Malhotra. (Photo: Courtesy of the Bureau of the
Royal Household).
On November 20, members of the organising committee of
the Taal Yatra - An Odyssey into Rhythm Charity Concert were granted an
audience with HRH Princess Sirindhorn in the Sala Dusidalai at Chitrlada
Palace to present her with the proceeds of the charity events for the
benefit of royal projects under the care of the Chai Pattana Foundation.
The delegation, led by Khunying Tipawadee Meksawan, minister attached to the
prime minister’s office, included T.P. Seetharam, charge d’ affaires of the
Indian Embassy, Khun Busyarat Permsub (wife of Gen Kanit Permsub), Paul
Wong, GM Swissotel Le Concorde, Khun Sod Saengead, and Khun Nanthiya
Sawangwuthitham both from the Ministry of Culture, Andrew Khoo, GM of the
Hard Rock Hotel, Khun Jirapha Prachakjit (wife of Gen. Mana Prachakjit) and
Pratheep Malhotra, representing the Thai Sikh Community, the Rotary Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya and Pattaya Mail.
The concerts, organised to celebrate of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty
the King’s accession to the throne, were held under the auspices of the
Ministry of Culture and the Indian Embassy in cooperation with the Sri Laya
Foundation. They featured Indian national artist, the great tabla maestro
and music master Pandit Suresh Talwalkar and his troupe of musicians and
cultural dancers.
Two charity concerts were held at the Thailand National Cultural Centre. The
first performance was on August 26 and the second on August 27, with HRH
Princess Sirindhorn presiding.
This was followed by a third concert in Pattaya on August 28, which was made
possible through the auspices of General Kanit Permsub, Deputy Chief Aide-de
Camp, General to His Majesty the King and Chairman of the National Project.
The musical gala performance in Pattaya received added support and
cooperation from Pattaya City Hall, Thai Sikh Community, Hard Rock Hotel,
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya and Pattaya Mail. (See Pattaya Mail
Vol. XIV No. 36 Friday September 8)
At the Pattaya event Gen. Kanit Permsub, chairman of the organising
committee said, “This concert is organised to honour His Majesty the King on
the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of His accession to the
throne. We are confident that this historic arrangement will further
strengthen the cordial relationships between India and Thailand. In addition
the coming together of the people of our two nations will promote
interaction by enhancing knowledge and understanding of our esteemed
cultures.”
The Pattaya community is a fusion of cultures from all over the world, so
the presence of Taal Yatra was an integrated reason to rejoice. The Indian
music festival was considered to be one of the most beautiful and meaningful
cultural events of the year.
Military personnel take to the streets to back police in crime crackdown
Chonburi Governor Pracha
Taerat and local officials send out nearly 900 officers, sailors and foot
soldiers to curb crime in Pattaya.
Boonlua Chatree
Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat has initiated a massive program that will
see military personnel on the streets along with the police in an attempt to
control the burgeoning crime wave.
Under the Soldiers Help to Prevent Crime in Pattaya program, Pol Maj Gen
Anant Charoenchasri, commander of Chonburi Police, General Aekanant
Rattanasopha, commander of Military Police Div 14, and Rear Admiral Apirat
Sriwattana, deputy commander of Sattahip Naval Base are sending out police
officers, military personnel and volunteers to help prevent crime in
Pattaya.
The fight against crime involves 70 foot soldiers, 70 navy personnel, 70
tourist police officers led by Pol Lt Col Wutichart Luonsukhan, 460 Pattaya
police officers led by Pol Col Suthin Sappuang, commander of Pattaya Police,
and 200 volunteer police officers from Tourist Police Div 4, along with
Banglamung volunteers.
The program will continue for 60 days to create local and foreign tourist
confidence that they and their property will be safe in Pattaya.
Other than the program, Pracha said that visitors can call for assistance 24
hours per day on 1337. He said the issue of tourists who need medical
treatment as a result of crime or accident is being arranged as a matter of
urgency.
Recently Chonburi and the Chonburi Red Cross in cooperation with Pattaya
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn covered the medical expenses of a female
Russian tourist who was shot in the back and Pattaya police are working hard
to bring the culprits to justice.
Singapore warships moor at Sattahip
The Royal Thai Navy and the
Republic of Singapore Navy exchanged mementoes, and the RSN signed the
visitors’ book when the Singapore Navy warships RSS Vigour and RSS
Sovereignty sailed into Sattahip on December 13.
Patcharapol Panrak
Two Singapore Navy warships, the RSS Vigour and the RSS Sovereignty, sailed
into Sattahip on December 13 and moored at Juk Samed, in Sattahip Naval
Base. The two ships were due to stay until December 15.
Lt Com Alan Goh Kim Hua, commander-in-chief of the Vigour, and Lt Com Wong
Chang Tong, commander-in-chief of the Sovereignty, paid an official visit to
Sattahip Naval Base.
Vice Admiral Chanchai Charoensuwan, commander-in-chief of the base,
appointed Lt Com Sanon Pa-Em, deputy chief of operations, to organize a
welcoming party for the visitors at the base headquarters.
The Royal Thai Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy exchanged mementoes,
and the RSN signed the visitors’ book.
Volunteers will help protect Bangsarae marine resources
After their initiation,
volunteers were taken out to Koh Kram to study work going on there.
Patcharapol Panrak
A team of volunteers has been assembled by Bangsarae Sub-district
Municipality to help protect marine and coastal resources.
The announcement was made jointly on December 15 by the Division for the
Promotion of Marine and Coastal Resources, Office for the Conservation of
Marine and Coastal Resources, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources,
the Royal Thai Navy, Bangsarae Sub-district Municipality, Na Jomtien
Sub-district Municipality, and the Sriracha Fishery Research Station.
Heading the briefing session was deputy mayor of Bangsarae Sub-district,
Sutas Tantisaraporn, along with deputy permanent secretary Mrs Kittiya
Somjit and head of the Public Health Administrators Department Mrs Kesara
Punsiri.
Bangsarae Sub-district Municipality will select areas for conservation, and
the volunteers will monitor the sites and undertake work to ensure they are
protected.
David Hong, general manager of Underwater World in Pattaya, presented funds
of 15,000 baht to help support the initial volunteer program.
TAT receives 16 mn baht from city hall for next year’s marketing campaign
TAT Central Office Region 3
director Chaiwat Charoensuk (inset) said he is confident local tourist spots
will be packed next year.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has drawn up its marketing plans for 2007
and has been given a budget of 16 million baht by Pattaya District Office to
support its promotional strategies for Pattaya.
A meeting between Pattaya Business and Tourism Association chairman Thanet
Supornsahasrungsri and TAT Central Office Region 3 director Chaiwat
Charoensuk took place on December 13 at the Green Park Hotel to discuss next
year’s strategies.
The TAT said that it has received a 16 million baht budget from Pattaya
District Office to support its tourism promotion activities for 2007.
Chaiwat said that a new campaign entitled Thailand Unforgettable would be
mounted next year for Thailand, with the intention of increasing the
previous year’s 12 million tourists to 14.8 million, an increase of 8.42
percent, and a growth in revenues to 570 billion baht, an increase of 13
percent.
Mobile team inspects
Sattahip food markets
Patcharapol Panrak
A mobile vehicle toured food markets in Sattahip on December 14 so that
inspectors could examine the products on offer for any contaminants.
The Ministry of Public Health, Chonburi Public Health Office and Sattahip
Community Health Center organized the project, with the team being led by
food inspector Somsak Champathong and three nurses, Mrs Supanda Changchan,
Mrs Suree Yuanglamyai and Mrs Pattraporn Chetwong.
 Inspectors
examine food products at local markets, checking for contaminants. They
found none.
They were checking specifically for six contaminants, namely mycotoxin,
sodium borate, potassium nitrate, formalin, pesticide residue and cadmium.
All of these substances are known to be causes of cancer, hepatic diseases,
nephrology and gomerulonephritis.
Five markets were inspected, the Early Morning Market, Sattahip Naval Base
Market, Sahachaipattana Market, Sriprapat Market and Wong Rianthong Market.
No contaminants were found.
Many Thai and foreign tourists visit Sattahip District, and in addition
there are a lot of people visiting the Naval Base. Seafood is a real
favorite amongst the visitors, and many buy their own food from the markets
to cook for themselves. Sattahip Health Center is therefore very concerned
about food safety and the mass inspection was devised as a way not just of
checking but to reassure the public.
Boat operators file complaint with harbormaster over arrests
Sanit Boonmachai (left), chairman of the Pattaya
Tourist Boat Association, leads the group in their complaint against the
recent arrests.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya boat operators have filed a complaint with the harbormaster after
several of their number were arrested and fined for infringing the
regulations even though the operators claim their documentation is correct.
Over 50 boat operators gathered at the Water Transport Office 6 on December
20 to complain that officers from the Region 2 Provincial Police Station had
arrested several of their number and charged them with various infringements
of the regulations, including being unlicensed to use a boat, not having an
engine number, altering and modifying their boats, and having no boat driver
license.
Seven boat operators were charged and had to pay fines, even though they
said they had obtained all the legal documents.
Sanit Boonmachai, chairman of the Pattaya Tourist Boat Association said that
the purpose of their complaint was not to press charges against any
department, but to ask that the Harbor Department cooperate with the police,
who have a different understanding of the legalities.
He said that the boat operators had previously agreed to cooperate with the
government in performing their work and in following the rules and
regulations, and that this is what they were doing and they have the
evidence to prove it.
Wittaya Chaiyanukulkitti, head of the Water Transport Office 6, said that
Pattaya’s water transport services were developing and that there was a lot
of new equipment coming into use. The boat operators need to have detailed
knowledge of the regulations. The complaints will be investigated.
Russian woman shot by two thieves at Jomtien Beach
Boonlua Chatree
A Russian woman was shot in the back by two youths on a motorcycle
who attempted to rob her as she walked along Jomtien Beach Road.
Police at Khong Tan Sub-station received a report at 2.30 a.m. on December
15 that a foreign woman had been shot in front of the Grand Jomtien Hotel.
Officers led by Pol Lt Col Suthin Sappuang, commander of Pattaya Municipal
Police, rushed to the scene accompanied by rescue workers from the Sawang
Boriboon Foundation.
 Chonburi
Governor Pracha Taerat visits and hands over 20,000 baht to the Russian
victim after she was shot by thieves and hospitalized for over a week.
On arrival the officers found droplets of blood and a .22 shell casing at
the side of the road, the victim having already been rushed to Pattaya
Memorial Hospital by a member of the public. Witnesses told officers that
they saw the woman attempting to run away from two young assailants after
they had stopped her to try to take her belongings, and that the two had
shot her twice in the back before speeding off on a motorcycle.
Police went to the hospital to visit the woman who was identified as
30-year-old Miss Elena Kuzmina, a Russian national. She was unable to give a
statement as she was in serious condition.
A later report from the hospital said that Elena was out of danger and her
condition was improving, but that she needed to be kept under close
observation for a further three or four days as a bullet had grazed her
lung. Elena had been due to travel home to Russia on 18 December.
Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat and Mrs Tipawan Taerat, president of
Chonburi Red Cross, later visited Elena in the hospital, together with Pol
Lt Col Suthin. Chonburi Red Cross is covering all her medical expenses.
Frenchman arrested for filming lewd acts with boys
Boonlua Chatree
A Frenchman has been arrested on charges of creating pornographic materials
with boys at his residence.
Issued with a warrant from Pattaya Provincial Court, police arrested Alain
Paul Griffe, 48, at 5:30 p.m. on December 14 at his home on Soi Kaonoi,
Thanyawan Village.
The police were acting on information that Griffe paid for the services of
young boys from a beer bar in Soi Sunee Plaza, and that he would photograph
and film them having sex with him and later post the material on internet
sites.
Officers confiscated a quantity of photographs and CDs containing obscene
materials that they found in his house. Griffe admitted that he paid the
boys for sex and that he posted the pictures and films on websites.
Three teenage snatch-and-run thieves arrested in crackdown
Boonlua Chatree
Three teenage snatch-and-run thieves have been arrested in a concerted
police attempt to crack down on street crime.
 A
Swedish tourist identifies the gold chain stolen from him at Jomtien Beach.
The importance given to the arrests was underlined by the joint announcement
given at a briefing held in the evening of December 12 at Pattaya Police
Station and conducted by station superintendent Pol Col Suthin Srappuang,
deputy superintendent Pol Lt Col Chanapat Nawalak, and deputy superintendent
in charge of crime suppression Pol Lt Col Sirichai Khruprasertwattana.
They said that the initial arrest had been of a 16-year-old boy identified
by the alias of Pong, who had snatched a gold chain from a Swedish tourist
at Jomtien Beach.
Pong told officers that he had robbed tourists in this manner on at least 10
occasions, and had sold the items he stole at a shop on Soi Nernplabwan. He
deposited the money in a bank account, and used it to visit entertainment
outlets, traveling on a motorcycle that he had bought for 4,000 baht from a
friend identified as Chum, and which he knew to be stolen.
Police enquiries had turned up a number of items connected with Pong,
including three gold chains weighing in total 4 baht, a number of gold
pendants and Buddha amulets, 28 bullets of .38mm caliber, 12,000 baht in
cash, and a red-black Honda Wave motorcycle.
Police also brought in Chum, and another youth identified by the alias of
Kwang, both 16 years old. The two youths said they had carried out at least
five robberies and had spent the money on drugs and entertainment.
Checking the daily police log, officers were able to invite several victims
in to identify the teenage thieves. All three youths have been charged.
Pub security guard injured in drive-by shooting
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya Police Station received a report at 2:30 a.m. on December 16 that a
man had been shot in front of the Jupiter Pub and Karaoke, at Soi Buakhao
Open Market in South Pattaya.
 Police
display the 12-guage handgun the shooters left behind.
Officers arriving at the scene found Weerayuth Wongudom, the pub’s
48-year-old security guard, injured from a gunshot to his upper left arm.
Friends were preparing to send him to Pattaya Memorial Hospital. A Thai
Pradit 12-gauge handgun was found on the ground, loaded with a one shell.
Witnesses said that Weerayuth was sitting talking to friends when a green
Nissan pickup arrived with two men sitting in the back. One of the men
pointed a gun at Weerayuth’s group, and fired.
A second gun was also fired, but it fell from the gunman’s hand into the
road. The truck sped away down the soi towards Pattaya Klang.
Weerayuth said he had no argument with anyone, and that he believed the
shooting was not personally motivated. Police believe this was a case of
young gang members showing off with a gun.
Navy ceremony honors HRH Prince Chumporn
Rear Admiral Chumnum Ardwong,
(director general of the Naval Communications Department, was honored to
preside over a ceremony in memory of the Father of the Royal Thai Navy, HRH
Prince Chumporn Khet Udomsak, on December 19.
Narisa Nitikarn
Rear Admiral Chumnum Ardwong, director general of the Naval Communications
Department, presided over a ceremony in memory of the Father of the Royal
Thai Navy, HRH Prince Chumporn Khet Udomsak, on December 19.
Navy officers and other participants gathered at Pratamnak Hill, where they
were welcomed by Commander Somboon Wirawannawin, head of the Sor Thor Ror 5
Radio Station in Pattaya.
HRH Prince Chumporn was born on December 19, 1880, the 28th son of King Rama
V and the first son of the King’s concubine Moad.
Moad was a daughter of Chao Phraya Surawongwaiwat, who was in charge of the
Defense Ministry at that time.
HRH Prince Chumporn was the first Thai prince to graduate in naval studies
in the United Kingdom. He came back to Thailand determined to build a navy
that was as strong as those found in Western countries, and he was also
determined the navy should be led by Thais, rather than by foreign mariners
as before.
HRH the Prince restructured the Royal Thai Naval Academy, adding courses
that would allow the cadets to learn skills compatible with foreign navies.
HRH Prince Chumporn became known to generations of Thai sailors as the
Father of the Royal Navy, and a ceremony is held each year on the
anniversary of his passing away, on December 19.
Jordanian officials on group study tour of tourism, industry and agriculture in the region
The Jordanian visitors (above)
listen intently to Chaiwat Charoensook and Pratheep Malhotra (below) talk
about the various aspects of tourism and the cooperation between the two
countries in tourism, industry and agriculture.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Government officials from Jordan visited Pattaya on December 16 to study
ways in which some of the city’s tourism techniques can be adapted to
develop the tourism industry of their own country.
The delegation, which also studied various agricultural and trade matters,
visited Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Resort where they were greeted by Chaiwat
Charoensook, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region
Office Region 3, Pratheep Malhotra, managing director of Pattaya Mail
Publishing Co Ltd, and Nong Nooch Garden senior manager Withaya Sriyoothana.
 The
Jordanian group was led by Nasser Shraideh, director of international
cooperation, and included Mahmoud Nejdawi, assistant secretary general of
marketing and information for the Ministry of Agriculture, Miss Maha Ali,
director of foreign trade and policy for the Ministry of Industry and Trade,
Khaled Haial, assistant director of international cooperation at the
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Miss Basma Al-Hassan, researcher at the
international cooperation department, Ministry of Planning and International
Cooperation, and Miss Karma Shawa, international cooperation officer at the
international cooperation department of the Ministry of Planning and
International Cooperation.
Chaiwat and Peter gave an interesting insight into the development of
tourism in Pattaya. Chaiwat informed the visitors of facts and figures
whilst Peter relayed the history of Pattaya from ancient times to what it is
today, a thriving and sophisticated business and residential community not
to mention a world class tourist destination.
Thailand exports include garments, vehicles and accessories, canned seafood,
rice, and plastic products to Jordan while imports include fertilizer,
minerals, fiber for steel manufacture, industrial machinery, scientific and
medical accessories, tools, chemicals, and electrical equipment.
Skål Pattaya thanks supporters of the
67th Skål International World Congress
Skålleagues get together with
the public and private sector to celebrate the success of the Skål World
Congress.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Following the significant success of the 67th Skål World Congress held in
Pattaya last October 15-20, the local organizing committee of the world
event held a thank you party to show appreciation for those who played vital
roles in not only bringing the congress to Pattaya, but also to see it
through without a hitch.
 Ittipol
Khunplome, advisor to the Mayor of Pattaya, gives his greetings to the
gathering.
The social event was held on December 19 at the Moom Aroi Restaurant in
Naklua.
Andrew Khoo, president of Skål Pattaya and East Thailand and chairman of the
organizing committee of the congress spoke of the invaluable support given
by both the private and public sector without which the world event would
not have been possible.
Andrew also thanked the media for their concerted efforts in promoting and
publicizing the event locally and around the world.
Those recognized for their support were, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn,
Deputy Mayors Verawat Khakhay and Ronakit Ekasingh, Chaiwat Charoensuk,
director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region Office Region
3, Kamphol Tangekachai, member of the Chonburi Province Administration
Organization and Thanet Supornsaharungsi, president of the Pattaya Business
and Tourism Association.
 Panga
Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, congratulates
everyone concerned for the success of the event.
Supporting individuals and organizations receiving plaques of appreciation
included Panga Vathanakul and Michael Swart (Royal Cliff Beach Resort),
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Andrew Khoo (Hard Rock Hotel), Ingo Raeuber
(Pinnacle Resort), Paisan Bundityanond (Rabbit Resort), World Travel
Service, Joan and Kate Sarasin (Convention Organisers Co. Ltd.), Thai
Airways International, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB),
Andrew Wood (Chaophya Park Hotel) and Peter Malhotra (Pattaya Mail).
Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort said,
“the success of the 67th Skål World Congress has resounded around the world
which has brought short and long term benefits to Pattaya, the most
noteworthy of which will be take place in the next two years when Pattaya
and PEACH will not only play host to small and medium sized conferences but
also to two big conventions, namely the International Congress & Convention
Association (ICCA), and the world convention of Lions Clubs International.
Three citizens of Chonburi recognized
as outstanding persons of society
Pratheep Malhotra honored as a recipient of this award
(l-r) Pratheep Malhotra,
Supakrit Akhalertlarp and Worawit Nijaya receive their awards from Chonburi
Governor Pracha Taerat.
Narisa Nitikarn
The Media Organization of Chonburi together with the combined press
associations and clubs in Chonburi has chosen three citizens of Chonburi to
receive the ‘Outstanding Person of Society’ award and our very own managing
director of Pattaya Mail Publishing Co. Ltd. Pratheep Malhotra (Peter) is
one of them.
At the annual year-end gala dinner and awards ceremony which was held on
December 23, at the Tai Hee restaurant in Chonburi. More than 200 members of
the media and their families attended this prestigious event, presided over
by Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat and Vithaya Khunplome, former MP of
Chonburi.
 Padungsak
Tantravorasilp
In his report Padungsak Tantravorasilp, chairman of the Media Organization
of Chonburi and president of the Eastern Mass Media Association of Thailand
said, “This is the second year that the awards are handed out and our
committee, which consists of selected members from the Reporters’
Association of Chonburi, Friends of the Media Club of Chonburi and News
Distribution Center of Chonburi, have been very thorough in making our
choices and have finally recognized three upright citizens in our province
who fit the strict selection criteria.
“The person who deserves this award must be one who dedicates his life to do
good for every facet of society. He must be a person of excellent character,
possesses the highest ethics in both his professional and social life.
“This year we chose three such noteworthy persons, namely, Supakrit
Akhalertlarp, chairman of the Weekend Markets Club of the East, Worawit
Nijaya and Pratheep (Peter) Malhotra of the Pattaya Mail.
Speaking of our MD, Padungsak said, “We have observed how Khun Pratheep has,
since it’s founding, taken a small town newspaper and with tremendous
dedication and passion made it into one of the most respectable newspapers
in Thailand. The Pattaya Mail is always on the move and has not stopped
innovating and improving their publications to bring high quality news and
information to the communities of Pattaya and East Thailand in both the
English and German languages. He also produces an English language
television show (PMTV) broadcast on four cable stations across the eastern
seaboard.
“We also commend him for utilizing his media to help efforts for the benefit
of society, be they charity projects or other activities for the good of
Thai and foreign communities. Khun Pratheep’s work with the Pattaya Mail
media group is, and I quote his Rotary ideal, ‘dedicated to creating
international understanding between peoples from different parts of the
world, which will bring world peace.’
“Khun Peter is a member of the Rotary organization and we have observed that
throughout the years he has facilitated many projects to raise funds for
charity. His support through Rotary for the underprivileged in our society
has been quite unique, which has been instrumental in improving the quality
of many lives in our society. We are also pleased to learn that he is now
the District Governor Nominee of our district (3340) and will serve his term
in 2008-09.
“Khun Pratheep is also keen in helping the tourism sector. Throughout the
years he has been part of both the public and private sector working for the
betterment of the image of Pattaya and often traveling overseas as part of
the promotional team. His media group has been active from the start in
encouraging a balanced style of reporting about Pattaya in the Thai and
foreign press and discourages them from publishing stories merely for the
sake of sensationalism. Of late he was a member of the organizing committee
of the 67th Skål World Congress held in Pattaya last October, which was a
resounding success and has brought a good name for Pattaya, for Chonburi and
for Thailand.”
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