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Alisa Phanthusak elected to Constitution Drafting Council
‘Democracy has to be restored
as quickly as possible’
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Alisa Phanthusak, assistant managing director of Tiffany’s Theater, is
amongst the 100 people elected to be a member of the Constitution Drafting
Council.
 In
an exclusive interview with Pattaya Mail, Alisa Phanthusak (left) talks with
Kamolthep Malhotra about her duties as a member of the Constitution Drafting
Council.
The Council has been formed following a Royal command and according to
Section 23 of the temporary constitution announced on January 1.
The function of the Council is to draft a new
constitution, and it has a six-month timeframe in which to do this.
Alisa, who is one of the few women to be elected to the Council, said that
she is very proud to accept and to be serving the country in this way.
 My
life has changed considerably. I must attend parliament often and have to
study the former constitution carefully to be able to make improvements to
some of the articles.
“I am very happy to be able to play a part in helping
resolve the current problems,” she says. “I’m sure that everyone would
welcome the opportunity to help support their country.”
Alisa says she studied political science at Chulalongkorn University, but
although she has maintained a keen interest in politics ever since, she had
never considered playing an active role in politics.
“On this occasion, however, I gave serious thought to standing for election
to the Constitution Drafting Council, because I felt there is such important
work to be done.
 People
must pay attention to the media. They have to read newspapers and watch
television everyday to be able to understand the current situation and
recommend viable solutions.
“At present the country faces many problems, such as the
explosions in Bangkok at New Year. The need now is to complete the
democratic reform process so there can be an election as soon as possible.
“If we don’t, confidence inside and outside the country is going to fall,
the stock market and investments will suffer, and there will be great
difficulty for the nation.
“We cannot afford any obstructions to the democratic reform process, and we
must ensure that we have the support of everyone.”
One of the areas in the previous constitution that was lacking and that
created trouble in the country regarded party lists and the matter of
election or appointment for the position of prime minister. This area, says
Alisa, is a critical one for reform.
 I
would like to see Thai people participate in the constitution drafting
process as much as possible, so that the new constitution will become of the
people, for the people, and by the people.
Alisa says it is important the six-month schedule is
observed, so that democracy in Thailand can proceed as fast as possible.
Alisa Phanthusak was born on November 6, 1974, and obtained a Bachelor’s
Degree in Public Administration in 1995 with the 2nd highest honorary rank
majoring in Finance.
She later graduated with a Master’s Degree in Business
Administration for Major Bank Financial Management from George Washington
University.
Currently Alisa is the Assistant Managing Director of Miss Tiffany’s Cabaret
Show and Woodlands Resort. She is also the Vice President of the Thai Hotel
Association (Eastern Chapter).
Any one wishing to make any suggestions that will be helpful to her work as
a member of the Constitution Drafting Council can e-mail her at
[email protected]
Walking Street Chinese protest over New Year festival date
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Chinese New Year celebrations in Pattaya have run into trouble with the
Thai-Chinese population of Walking Street, who disagree with the day set for
the festival saying that it does not correspond to tradition.
 Deputy
Mayor
Ronakit Ekasingh
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh held a meeting at Pattaya City Hall on January
8 between officers and companies that are organizing the Chinese festival at
Pattaya. February 14 to 18 was set for the celebrations, which will focus
around Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya.
Ethnic Chinese residents and workers are complaining that the last day of
the event, February 18, is the day for praying to ancestors and the goddess
of luck, according to their beliefs. City hall has, however, set this as the
last day for the festival, and that is not acceptable to the Chinese people.
City hall signed a contract with AT Organizer Co Ltd to organize the Chinese
New Year festival for Pattaya City at a fee of 1,316,000 baht.
With Walking Street decorated in the traditional Chinese red, the festival
will include a Chinese roll eating contest, a lion show, competitions, and a
concert.
Not-so-smart start for Smart Card IDs
Narisa Nitikarn
Smart Cards for the making of new ID cards are out of stock, not just in
Pattaya but also across the country, and residents needing to renew their
IDs are being supplied with temporary extension documents.
 Somsak
Charoenphon, head of the Pattaya City management office said that the entire
country has the same problem concerning Smart Cards that are out of stock.
Somsak Charoenphon, head of the Pattaya City management office, held a
briefing at City Hall on January 4 to explain that while many people were
complaining about being unable to have a new ID card, the matter was outside
the control of Pattaya City.
Somsak said it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior to work
with the company that has been awarded a contract to produce the Smart
Cards. A low quality card had been produced that was unsuitable for use.
Instead of the required 64 kilobytes capacity, the cards had only 32
kilobytes. There is consequently a delay while a production company capable
of making the specified cards is found.
Pattaya had tried to find a way around this problem by issuing old-style ID
cards, the kind that were used before the Smart Card concept was announced,
but had received a quota of only 300 blank cards per month. This is not
nearly enough, because apart from expiring cards, Pattaya is attracting a
large number of immigrants each month. Somsak said that the Pattaya office
has 300 people per day applying for new ID cards, so consequently 300 a
month is far behind the requirement.
Somsak said the Pattaya office was able to issue a document to use in
conjunction with the expired ID cards. It was the only option at present
available.
“People must wait for the Smart Cards from the Ministry of Interior,” he
said. “Pattaya City has no authorization to manage ID cards.”
Somsak added that a public announcement would be made when the Smart Cards
arrived. Complaints over inconvenience and related problems should be phoned
through to the head of the office for the Pattaya City manager at tel. 038
25 3100 ext 3119.
Water storage tanks will be ready by March
Vimolrat Singnikorn
March is the date when Pattaya’s improved system for water piping and
storage is expected to be complete.
The project, undertaken with a government budget of 261.4 million baht,
began on August 29 last year, with contractor Bangsaen Mahanakhorn laying
new pipes around Pattaya and Nongprue in order to rectify water flow
problems.
 Banjong
Srisuk talks about the water storage and pumping project.
Banjong Srisuk of the Pattaya Irrigation Department, which is responsible
for the project, said that an additional pumping station with one 2,000 and
one 1,500 cubic meter water storage tank was constructed at Wat Boonsamphan
district to feed Khaotalo and nearby areas. Another 1,500 cubic meter water
storage tank was placed at the Thappraya pumping station, and a system
implemented that will help prevent water leakage.
Pattaya has been divided in 23 zones and each zone’s water consumption
demand is assessed. Water is fed according to those demands. It is
anticipated that the whole system will be operational in March.
“The department has had to stop water supplies to households in some areas
to increase the water pressure that will be stored in the tanks which is for
the benefit of all in the long term,” said Banjong.
Chonburi to control motorcycle taxi rank operators
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
More than 200 operators of motorcycle taxi ranks gathered at Pattaya
Municipal Police Station on January 11 to hear Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh
explain the measures being undertaken to ensure the taxi ranks are run in an
orderly manner.
 Chonburi
authorities want control the number of operators and tighten the license
registration regulations.
This is being undertaken in association with the Chonburi authorities to
control the number of operators and tighten the license registration
regulations.
Ronakit said there are a large number of motorcycle taxi rank operators in
Pattaya and in the past the government sector hasn’t played any part in
controlling and carrying out checks. However, from now on the policies of
the governor of Chonburi will be implemented to limit the number of
operators, which will facilitate the management of regulations and reduce
excess competition between operators.
Ronakit asked Pattaya Municipal Police to cooperate in the registration of
operators to facilitate checks and controls, and to ask the drivers to help
the police by reporting any suspicious behavior and thereby help protect
tourists and residents.
“If the project receives cooperation it will help with the overall image of
Pattaya,” said Ronakit. “The project is to be implemented as a matter of
urgency and meetings will be held with other operators in Chonburi.”
Baht bus driver awarded for helping police
Pol Lt Col Wuttichat
Luansukhan awards a certificate of appreciation to baht bus driver Prasert
Sukma.
Boonlua Chatree
Tourist police have presented an award to a baht bus driver who pointed out
a thief who had drugged and robbed a tourist.
Pol Lt Col Wuttichat Luansukhan, inspector of Pattaya Tourist Police 4,
presented the award to 45-year-old Prasert Sukma at a ceremony at the
entrance to Walking Street on January 7.
Wuttichat said that Prasert had set a good example as a responsible member
of society and had helped the tourist police by signaling them so they could
catch the criminal. Baht bus drivers are in a position where they can often
be of help to the police in identifying suspicious behavior, and Wuttichat
said that with more help like this, crime could be cut dramatically.
Visitors are urged to contact the tourist police any time on 1155 if they
need help.
Governor assembles police and armed forces to ensure maximum safety
Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat (left) called a
general meeting to discuss how Pattaya and other parts of Chonburi can be
secured in the wake of the bombings in Bangkok.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat called a meeting of Region 2 Provincial
Police, senior Army officers from the 14th Military Circle, from the Nawamin
Rachinee army camp in Chonburi, senior Royal Thai Navy officers from
Sattahip, and business sector representatives at Pattaya City Hall on
January 12 to see how Pattaya and other parts of Chonburi can be secured in
the wake of the bombings in Bangkok.
Pracha said that although Pattaya has so far been safe and calm, everyone
needs to be alert to the possibility that as a major tourism center the city
will be at risk. In the event of a suspicious object being found, there is a
procedure that should be followed, and it was important to do this
correctly.
Pol Lt Col Atsawin Kwanmuang, commander-in-chief of the Provincial Police in
Region 2, said that the police work in cooperation with the army and navy to
take care of safety and property around the area, on a 24-hour-a-day basis,
and would continue to do so until everyone was convinced that Chonburi and
Pattaya were free from harm.
Col Mettrai Jetsadachat, deputy commander-in-chief of the 14th Military
Circle, from the Nawamin Rachinee army camp in Chonburi said that everyone
should be on the alert constantly, and that CCTV had an important role to
play.
Rear Admiral Apiwat Sriwatthana, deputy commander of the Sattahip Naval Base
said that in Chonburi and Pattaya City, a strategy is in place for the
protection of the public.
Jet ski accident leaves one dead, another seriously injured
Boonlua Chatree and Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A Swedish tourist riding a rented jet ski off Jomtien Beach accidentally ran
into a donut boat, a circular inflatable raft being towed behind another jet
ski, killing one Thai tourist and seriously injuring another.
 An
accident between a jet ski and a donut boat similar to this one resulted in
one death and one serious injury.
The accident happened at around 2 p.m. on January 15 near Jomtien Soi 9.
Police from Dongtan police sub-station at Jomtien Beach were called to the
scene, along with Pattaya sea rescue workers.
At the scene, officers found Jarmo Kalevi Huovinen, 38, a Swedish national
who had been taken into custody. The jet ski with its front end smashed-in
was parked at the edge of the beach.
The two injured parties were Niwat Chaisuthi, 26, who was seriously injured
and Weerawit Hanhaboon, 18, who had suffered a gaping neck wound and died on
the way to hospital.
The donut boat driver told officers that the deceased and injured had hired
the boat and had been in the sea for about 15 minutes. As he was dragging
the boat back to the beach the jet ski driven by Huovinen smashed into the
boat knocking the two into the sea resulting in the injury to one and the
death of the other.
Huovinen was taken into custody for further questioning and could be charged
with negligence causing death and injury.
City administrators are looking into the issue. Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn has instructed Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh to inspect
the area and the donut boats. Ronakit learned that the boats were 2 year old
American imports, which are very popular among tourists at Pattaya and
Jomtien Beaches and Koh Larn.
Ronakit said that he had ordered the donut boat services terminated in
Pattaya while meetings are held to lay out standards in order to avoid more
accidents. He added that before using imports, licenses must first be
applied for the safety of tourists and their property.
One in the eye from officious security guard
Boonlua Chatree
A British man who parked his car in front of a construction site while he
waited for his disabled wife to join him was punched in the eye by the site
security guard.
 Security
guard Pachara Pongsararak was arrested for slugging a British man who parked
his car in front of a construction site.
The incident happened on January 7 in front of the Pattaya Pavilion
construction site on Second Road. Police were called to the scene where they
found the visitor, Graham Peter Briggs, 62, standing near a black Lexus and
nursing a black eye. His wife Pauline, 62, was helping to hold him upright.
Police discovered that the perpetrator was 32-year-old Pachara Pongsararak,
a security guard on the project. They arrested him and took him to Pattaya
Police Station.
Pachara admitted to hitting the visitor. He said that the man had parked his
car obstructing the way in and out of the construction project. He told the
man to move, but he did not, therefore he punched him in the eye. Police
charged him with assault and physical and emotional injury, and put him in
the cell.
Briggs said that he is a foreman at a steel factory in the Rayong industrial
area, and lives at a house in Na-Jomtien. He had brought his wife for a meal
in Pattaya. His wife is disabled, having had a leg amputated. He had parked
his car temporarily at the site, as it is a public area, and was waiting for
his wife to join him. The guard had told him to move, but Briggs was
concerned for his wife, who would have had to walk further. Briggs said he
asked the guard if he could stay there temporarily until his wife arrived,
but the guard shouted loudly at him and then came up and hit him.
Some local people who witnessed the incident were outraged, and called the
police for help. Briggs was sent to hospital for treatment to his eye.
Police trace service girl who stole from German tourist
Boonlua Chatree
A service girl who stole money and property from the room of a German
visitor while he slept was traced by police back to her home province, where
she was arrested.
The German reported to police on December 29 that he had brought a woman
from Walking Street in South Pattaya to his residence at the Sunee
Apartment, on Soi Nern Plabwan, for “short time activities”. He was
intoxicated and fell asleep, waking next morning to find that the woman was
gone and so were all his belongings. Missing were 300,000 baht in cash, one
NEC notebook computer, one Olympus camera, and his three bankbooks from
Kasikorn Bank, Bank of Ayudhaya and Bangkok Bank.
Police investigations quickly revealed that the woman’s name was Mrs
Patcharin Kongmee, age 28, and that her hometown address was in Pakchong,
Nakhon Ratchasima. An arrest warrant was obtained from Pattaya Provincial
Court on the same day, December 29.
Nakhon Ratchasima police were contacted to guide the tourist police to her
home. They found Patcharin cleaning in front of the house. Police presented
the warrant and searched the house, where they found the stolen property.
Patcharin confessed to the theft. She said she intended to sell the goods
and use the money to open a dry goods shop. Of the cash she had taken from
the German’s room, only 105,000 baht was left. Police seized all of the
stolen property and brought her back to Pattaya, where she was transferred
to Banglamung Police Station.
Thieves break into Swede’s room and get away with 300,000 baht
Boonlua Chatree
Thieves broke into the room of a Swedish visitor in the early hours of
January 5 and escaped with a safety box containing money and property worth
over 300,000 baht.
 Police
investigate the scene of the crime.
Police and a forensic expert were called out to the scene of the crime at
Casa Lucasanna Apartment in Thappraya Road, where in a fifth-floor room they
found Anders Valfridsson, 41, waiting for them. The room had been ransacked.
A safety box that had been inside the wardrobe had been taken, with the
victim’s passport, credit cards, iPod, and 20,000 baht and 10,000 Swedish
Kronor inside. A notebook computer that had been on the table had also been
taken.
Officers established that the thieves had gained entry by forcing the louver
window beside the bed, where the forensic officer found fingerprints.
Valfridsson said he had been staying in the rented room for three months. He
had ensured the room was fully locked up before going out at about 9 p.m.
and that he returned soon after midnight. He found his room had been broken
into, and estimated his total loss at about 300,000 baht.
Ms Tala-Arn Watchareewong Na Ayuthaya, the 37-year-old owner of the
apartment, stated that at about 8 p.m. two youths had come to ask about
renting a room. After looking round they said they didn’t like the
apartment, and left. They are suspected as being the thieves.
After examining the louver, police believe they came in from the Weena Guest
House, which is next door to this apartment. Police investigations have
identified an Uthai Thani man who had rented the fifth floor room
immediately adjacent to Valfridsson’s room. He had taken the room for two
days and along with two friends had checked out one hour before the
burglary. The group took a large travel bag with them in a car. Police will
now track the men down and check their fingerprints.
11 injured as pickup flips over
Boonlua Chatree
Eleven people were injured when a pickup truck over turned on the
Krathinglai-Rayong road near the Khao Maikaew intersection at Pong at about
10:30 p.m. on January 4.
Sawang Boriboon rescue workers and police were called to the scene where
they found the bronze Ford flipped over in the median of the road with five
men and six women lying injured beside the vehicle.
Eye witnesses stated that the pickup was traveling at high speed when the
driver appeared to lose control. The vehicle hit a post in the median and
turned over.
The driver, 49-year-old Suthep Kemphet, suffered severe cuts to his face and
head. His passengers, mainly members of the same family, suffered cuts and
bruises, and one had a broken arm. All were transferred to Banglamung
Hospital for treatment.
Vietnam delegation visits Pattaya’s IT system at city hall
A delegation from the National
Assembly of Vietnam, led by Honorary Secretary of the National Parliament
Bui Ngoc Thanh (center), visited Pattaya City Hall to see how the city’s IT
system works.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A 14-man delegation from the National Assembly of Vietnam, led by Honorary
Secretary of the National Parliament Bui Ngoc Thanh, visited Pattaya City
Hall on January 5 on an educational tour to see how the city’s IT system
works.
The visit was part of a formal visit to Chonburi Province, and the
Vietnamese group was welcomed at city hall by Chonburi’s Deputy Governor
Monthian Thongnit and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn.
Vietnam has a government policy to develop IT and to create an
“e-parliament”, but as Bui Ngoc Thanh explained, the Vietnamese have no
experience in IT. The country has received support from the United Nations
Development Program, and overseas visits to view IT systems is part of this
process. Singapore and Japan are other nations that the delegation will
visit.
Monthian said that Chonburi Province has an extensive IT system that links
22 different government departments and also links with 75 provinces, and
that this is used both for intra-department use and to serve the public.
Additionally, he said, Chonburi has a website that the public can use for
general enquiries or to make complaints.
Mayor Niran said that in Pattaya the system, in addition to serving
residents, also provides help and security for Thai and foreign tourists.
Throughout Pattaya City there are currently about 85 CCTV cameras, and there
is the 1337 Call Center system that functions 24 hours a day. Although the
Call Center has been open for only two months, there are already about 7,000
tourists per month using it for information.
Consecration ceremony held for submarine
Buddhist priest Pranop from
Kor Hong Temple in Hadyai led the consecration ceremony at Pattaya Pier.
Boonlua Chatree
An airplane scattered popped rice and flowers into the ocean as an offering
at 1 p.m. on January 7, as the Sports Writers Association of Thailand in
cooperation with Pattaya City carried out a consecration ceremony that is
part of its drive to raise funds for disabled sportsmen.
Buddhist priest Pranop from Kor Hong Temple in Hadyai led the gathering at
Pattaya Pier for the ceremony.
Following the scattering of the rice, a boat was sent out to consecrate a
submarine that was anchored in front of Koh Larn. After the 30-minute
ceremony there, a solar halo appeared, which was considered an auspicious
sign.
This consecration ceremony was the fifth of nine. The next was due to be
held at Pra Khao Temple in Ayutthaya on January 13.
Buddhist monks perform a
consecration ceremony for a submarine anchored in front of Koh Larn.
Disoriented sea turtles head for Koh Sak
Patcharapol Panrak
Sea turtles that are apparently lost and have been swimming around Koh Sak
have attracted crowds of divers to this part of the bay.
 Sea
turtles that are apparently lost have been spotted swimming around Koh Sak.
Director of the Pattaya City Office on nearby Koh Larn, Sutham Phetchgate,
said that an earthquake might have disoriented the turtles, who would have
normally gone to Koh Kram to lay their eggs. Sutham’s office is working with
the Royal Thai Navy to ensure the turtles come to no harm.
The turtles, who are thought to number about 10, were brought to the
attention of the general public on January 7 by Amnuoy Saengkaew, the
56-year-old owner of a dive shop and tourism boat service on Third Road. He
said that since New Year, Thai and foreign tourists had been renting his
boat to dive around Koh Sak, which is located to the north of Koh Larn,
because they had discovered there were a lot of sea turtles swimming there.
The turtles appeared to be unafraid of the human visitors, and didn’t shy
away when swimmers approached with a camera.
Thai divers said that they were most likely the turtles looked after by the
Royal Thai Navy at Koh Kram, and had lost their way. Or that they been
attracted by the recent sinking of the warship Kood to the north of Koh Sak.
The decommissioned vessel was deliberately scuttled to form another
attraction for divers and a colony for sea life.
Sutham said that sea turtles had never been known to lay their eggs at Koh
Larn, Koh Sak or Koh Krok.
Vice Admiral Chamnong Kittipeerachon, commander-in-chief of the First Fleet
and director of the sea resources preservation center, said it was strange
to see the turtles around Koh Sak, as there is usually too much sea traffic
in this area for them.
Koh Larn locals wait for green light on community health center
Narisa Nitikarn
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn chaired a meeting at Pattaya District
Office on January 8 to discuss an application to build a community health
center on Koh Larn.
 Sutham
Phetchgate, director of Pattaya District Office at Koh Larn.
Amongst those attending the meeting were representatives from the Provincial
Public Health and Local Public Health Departments and doctors from
Banglamung Hospital.
Sutham Phetchgate, director of Pattaya District Office at Koh Larn explained
the details of the project saying that there is a first aid center on the
island that provides preliminary medical treatment to locals and injured
tourists.
However, the center lacks equipment and locals have joined up and donated
money for the construction of a community health center, but there is an
issue in which the land that they wish to build the center on doesn’t have a
land title deed.
Local residents have consulted with the Public Health Ministry who informed
them that the center would have to be built on land belonging to Pattaya
District Office, namely the site of the existing first aid center, but
approval from the Public Health Ministry for the construction of the new
community health center has not yet been issued.
The budget for the proposed center is 13.8 million baht, and once approval
is received construction will begin immediately.
However, the community health center must be managed by the Public Health
Ministry and would therefore be bound by numerous regulations such as having
nine medical personnel who would include doctors, dentists and nurses on
rates of pay in accordance with ministry standards.
Sutham added that local residents would accept all proposals so long as
there is the equipment and specialists available to treat locals and
tourists who fall ill and suffer accidents, especially accidents at sea.
Bikers to ride in peace and
campaign for safety
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The Thailand Motorcycle Club is planning its fourth Ride for Peace project,
with a run to be held on February 16 and 17.
 Prasan
Nikachi, president of the Thailand Burapha Motorcycle Club discusses
organizing the 4th Ride for Peace Project at Pattaya City Hall.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Somsak Jaroenpol, head of the Pattaya
City management office, held an organizational meeting at Pattaya City Hall
on January 9, with Prasan Nikachi, president of the Thailand Burapha
Motorcycle Club and his committee members.
The ride, which will begin from the front of the indoor sports stadium on
Soi Chaiyapruek 2, is aiming to campaign for the wearing of crash helmets
and the use of daytime headlights, in addition to being a tourism event.
Prasan said the project is supported by organizations including the American
Classic Cars Club, the Cowboy Club, the Classic Motorcycle Club, and the
Para Motor Club.
More than 2,000 motorcycle riders from Thailand and overseas will take part,
and there will be sideshows such as a para motor show, a cowboy show, and a
concert with the Marihuana Band.
Third camp for vagrant children is proposed under 500,000 baht budget
Narisa Nitikarn
Representatives of child and youth organizations along with officers from
Air and Coastal Defense Command attended a meeting chaired by Deputy Mayor
Wutisak Rermkitkarn at Pattaya City Hall on January 9 to discuss the next
Sai Yai Rak San Fan Youth Camp Project, part of an ongoing campaign to
resolve the problem of homeless and vagrant children.
 Deputy
Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn presides over a meeting to discuss the next Sai
Yai Rak San Fan Youth Camp Project.
The camp, which will be the third in the series, will be for a duration of
six months and is being organized under a 500,000 baht budget. A date has
yet to be set.
As proposed at the meeting, the camp will be on a far more elaborate scale
than before and will involve the setting up of children’s help centers at
areas such as Soi Sunee in South Pattaya, a notorious gathering ground for
young runaways and delinquents. By using these centers, officers will be
able to reach those most in need and offer them shelter, food and advice.
The target is to gain the trust of the children, and to show them the
advantages of growing up as responsible members of society.
From left: Supagon Noja,
manager of the Redemptorist Street Kids Home, Sopin Thappajug, chief justice
of the Juvenile and Family Court in Chonburi, and Nittaya Patimasongkroh,
chairwoman of the Y.W.C.A. Bangkok-Pattaya Center, were on the panel at the
meeting.
Evaluations of the second Sai Yai Rak San Fan Youth Camp
Project have not been very encouraging. Monitoring officers have reported
that of the 30 children attending, within one month of leaving the camp 70
percent had returned to the same area they were living before. Within six
months, 10 percent had been sent to the Children’s Probation Center through
being involved with narcotics or robbery.
Sopin Thappajug, chief justice of the Juvenile and Family Court in Chonburi,
said that only 10 percent of the attendees had returned to normal society,
but that this was a positive result and should be an encouragement for
further projects.
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