|
A most happy birthday to
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
The Kingdom of Thailand on April 2 celebrates the most
auspicious occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s
birthday. We at the Pattaya Mail join in with our most humble wishes
for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for a long, healthy and happy life
on this occasion of the Royal Anniversary of Her Birth.
On February 15, 2007, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
presided at the official opening of a new multi-purpose building at Pattaya
Redemptorist Vocational School and then laid the foundation stone for the
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building at the Pattaya Redemptorist
School for the Blind where she planted a Ta Baek Tree which is to become the
symbol of the school. (Photo courtesy Bureau of the Royal Household)
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn was born on April 2, 1955, the third child of Their Majesties the
King and Queen of Thailand.
HRH the Princess studied from kindergarten to high school
at Chitralada School in Bangkok. She ranked first in the National School
Examinations in the primary level (grade 7) in 1967 and in upper secondary
level (grade 12) in 1972.
Ranked fourth in the National University Entrance
Examination, HRH the Princess enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn
University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, first class honor,
and a gold medal in History in 1976. She continued her studies in two
graduate programs concurrently, obtaining an M.A. in Oriental Epigraphy
(Sanskrit and Cambodian) from Silpakorn University in 1978, and an M.A. in
Pali and Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University in 1980. She enrolled in a
doctoral program at Srinakharinwirot University (former College of
Education) in 1981, and was awarded a doctoral degree in Developmental
Education in 1987.
The principle of using education as a means for community
and social development, which HRH the Princess acquired during her doctoral
studies along with her former experiences in the field, has provided her
with a solid base for her subsequent involvement in community development
activities.
In addition to her formal degree programs, HRH the
Princess has attended several training courses and workshops to enhance her
knowledge and skills in effective integrated development. These subjects
include computer, cartography, meteorology, survey and photogrammetry,
remote sensing and geographic information system and nutrition.
HRH the Princess has acquired first-hand experiences in
working on development projects initiated by Their Majesties the King and
Queen. These projects involve a number of diversified fields including
health and hygiene, education, water resource development, agriculture and
cottage industry by regularly accompanying Their Majesties on visits to
remote areas since the age of sixteen.
From these experiences, HRH the Princess has developed
special interests in agricultural extension to improve school children’s
nutritional conditions; supports education from pre-school to tertiary
levels; and mother and child care. She has also concentrated on helping the
handicapped, especially in using information technology (IT) to develop
independent living and learning skills.
HRH the Princess runs several philanthropic organizations
and foundations. She has been Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross
Society since 1977; Executive Chairman of the Chaipattana Foundation (in
charge of His Majesty’s development and environmental preservation
projects), Ananda Mahidol Foundation (to promote higher education), the King
Rama II Foundation (to conserve and promote Thai Culture); President of the
Sai Jai Thai Foundation (to support disabled veterans), Prince Mahidol Award
Foundation (to award prizes annually to members of the international
community for outstanding performances in the fields of medicine and public
health); and Adviser of the Committee of Thai Junior Encyclopedia Project by
Royal Command of H.M. the King.
HRH the Princess began her teaching career in 1979 when
she started teaching the General Education Program at Chulalongkorn
University. A year later, she joined the Department of Law and Social
Sciences, in the Academic Division of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.
Presently she is Director of the Department of History, and has played an
active part in revising its curriculum. She also supervises the Thai Music
Club at the Academy. Occasionally HRH the Princess gives special lectures at
several other institutions and regularly attends academic conferences and
seminars both in and outside the country.
In addition, HRH the Princess represents Their Majesties
in various royal functions. She also presides over ceremonies as well as
other social and charity functions all through the year. In 1991, HRH the
Princess was awarded the Magsaysay Award for Public Service.
HRH the Princess likes to travel around the Kingdom and
abroad to obtain knowledge of physical geography and peoples’ varied
lifestyles. One of her favorite pastimes is writing articles, poetry and
short stories. Proceeds from her written accounts of her overseas travels
are the main source of income for the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Foundation which was set up in 1979 to support needy students in schools,
vocational colleges and universities.
HRH the Princess loves Thai literature and studies
literature of other countries. She enjoys playing classical Thai instruments
and practicing Thai classical dancing. She also paints and is keen on
sports, including jogging, swimming, biking and trekking - which gives her
an opportunity to learn about plants, trees and geographical features of the
areas.
In addition to her knowledge of Pali, Sanskrit and Cambodian, HRH the
Princess is communicative in both English and French and has been learning
Chinese, German and Latin.
Happy Birthday Princess Ubolratana
Pattaya Mail humbly joins the Kingdom of Thailand in
wishing Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Phannavadi a most happy
birthday on April 5. Princess Ubolratana was born on April 5, 1951, in
Lausanne Switzerland. She is the eldest daughter of HM the King and Queen.
HRH Princess Chulabhorn honors marine killed in South
Rear Admiral Theprangsan Silpabanleng, deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Mrs. Pornpen Kaeyanon, chairwomen of the Royal Thai Navy’s Wives Association, present a bicycle to Master Chanon Inbut, 7 years old, the son of Warrant Officer Third Class Bunchouy Inbut, and present's support money to Mrs. Dawan Inbut, the deceased soldier’s wife.
Patcharapol Panrak
Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak presented
flowers at the funeral ceremony for Warrant Officer Third Class Bunchouy
Inbut on March 22 at the Sattahip Royal Thai Navy Crematorium.
Rear Admiral Theprangsan Silpabanleng, deputy
commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Marine Corps, placed the bouquets
around the coffin of Bunchouy, who was killed whilst on a tour of duty in
the South.
Admiral Sathirapan Kaeyanon, commander-in-chief of the
Royal Thai Navy led the ceremony and was accompanied by Mrs Pornpen
Kaeyanon, chairwoman of the Royal Thai Navy Wives Association. They brought
with them a bicycle to present to Master Chanon Inbut, the seven-year-old
son of the deceased, who had promised the boy he would buy a bicycle for him
when he returned from the South.
Admiral Sathirapan placed the Bangrachan Medal in front
of the coffin. This is a new medal issued by the Ministry of Defense to
military personnel who have shown exceptional bravery in times of conflict.
The medal has been presented only twice before.
During the evening, Admiral Sathirapan presided over the
Tipikata chant ceremony for Bunchouy, lighting candles and joss sticks, and
presented support money to Mrs Dawan Inbut, the deceased marine’s wife.
Bunchouy, a Naval Cadet from Royal Thai Fleet Group 38,
died when his reconnoiter squad was attacked while securing an area at Ban
Dookoo, in South Bareh, Bajor District, Narathiwat Province. Two other
officers, Sergeant Nitiwat Srijarat and Sergeant Supachai Namta-Ngae, were
also injured and were airlifted out for treatment at the Queen Sirikit
Hospital Medical Department.
Green light for giant LED screen
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
A Korean company has proposed installing a giant LED
screen in Pattaya that would act as an advertising and information medium.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and city hall are
considering a proposal from a Korean company to install an LED advertising
board in Pattaya.
The concept is for the screen to be handed over to the
ownership of the city after being operated for 15 years by the Korean
company. City hall has agreed in principle because no public investment
would be required and the screen would be considered beneficial to
businesses and visitors. The proposal has now to be submitted to Pattaya
City Council for approval.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn held at a meeting at
Pattaya City Hall on March 22 to discuss the proposal with councilors and
department heads.
Niran said the LED screen, which is being proposed by
Kevin Jung, president of Tenops Co Ltd of South Korea, would measure 10.5 x
7.5 meters. It would be used for broadcasting information on activities in
the city for two hours per day, and for advertising goods and services for
20 hours per day.
Some of the income would go to city hall, and all the
assets would be given to the city after 15 years of operation.
The meeting agreed to the proposal, but the company was asked to submit
further details. The new proposal would then be submitted to the council for
further agreement.
Army engineers say road will be finished on schedule
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Col Anusorn Panyaboon (left), deputy regimental commander
of the Engineers Regiment 11, Ratchaburi, shows Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn and permanent secretary of Pattaya City Sittiprap
Muangkoom progress being made on the new road.
The eastern end of the new four-lane road being built
alongside the railway by the Army Engineers Regiment from Ratchaburi is on
schedule to be completed by the end of October this year.
An inspection team from Pattaya City Hall, led by Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn and permanent secretary of Pattaya City Sittiprap
Muangkoom visited the site on March 20 to check on progress.
This stretch of the road, known as Phase 2, runs for a
total length of 16.5 kilometers. More than 33 percent has already been
completed. The road is intended to relieve pressure on Sukhumvit Road.
Phase 2 is being built by army engineers, and Phase 1,
the western end, by a private contractor. Although Phase 1 has run into
problems with the shifting of telephone poles, both phases are expected to
be finished on schedule.
Col Anusorn Panyaboon, deputy regimental commander of the
Engineers Regiment 11, Ratchaburi, who is in charge of Phase 2, said the
area is mostly sparsely wooded low-lying land. There are about 250 houses
along the route, but there have been no construction problems. A bridge is
being built, and is 25 percent complete, and there is a box culvert that is
85 percent complete. Laying of pipes under the surface is 25 percent
complete.
If there are no exceptional weather conditions, the project would be
completed on schedule, said Col Anusorn.
Lotus Express expansion plans unsure after city hall threatens legal action
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay wants to reject plans by
Tesco Lotus Express to expand operations in Pattaya.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Tesco Lotus’s expansion plans for its smaller Lotus
Express branches now appear to be in jeopardy, following intensive lobbying
by local shopkeepers and a threat of legal action by city hall against the
company for illegal alteration to a building in anticipation of being
granted permission to open a Lotus Express there.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay said that the local
shopkeepers had grounds to fear loss of business if Tesco Lotus, known at
present for its megastores at North and South Pattaya, went ahead and opened
a series of smaller Lotus Express outlets.
Tesco Lotus (Thailand) Co Ltd has therefore been advised
that their request to open Lotus Express branches in North Pattaya and on
Soi Nernplabwan may be refused.
Verawat said that it has been discovered Tesco Lotus was
in fact modifying a leased commercial building in Soi Nernplabwan for use as
a Lotus Express outlet before permission to do so had been granted.
“We called the Tesco Lotus representative to explain the
problems of local entrepreneurs, and asked for their cooperation in not
going ahead with their expansion plans,” said Verawat. “The company
representative will submit the meeting results to his superiors in the hopes
of their cooperation.
“In the event they don’t accept the meeting results,
Pattaya City will file a complaint against them for illegally altering the
building,” said Verawat.
Verawat said that even though city hall could intercept
the plan to expand the Lotus Express branches into the area, it is difficult
to prevent a large retail organization from expanding its business. Local
laws are not enough to contain a large and determined company, because there
are always loopholes to be found.
However, said the deputy mayor, city hall would find a
way to prevent retailers from other localities from moving into the city, to
provide some degree of protection to the local business people. He said a
meeting with the big operators would be arranged.
Tesco discusses application of modern technology for safety at sea
Narisa Nitikarn
Sittiprap Muangkoom, permanent secretary of Pattaya City,
held a meeting at Pattaya City Hall on March 21 with Tesco Lotus Co Ltd, who
are consultants to the Office Concerning Safety at Sea, to discuss the
installation of high-tech equipment for marine safety off the coast of
Pattaya and Koh Larn.
The project is divided into two parts. One part includes
the construction of a command center building near the helipad at Bali Hai
Pier, and another at Koh Larn. The five existing rescue centers in Pattaya
would be upgraded by installing a computer system to provide information to
visitors, and maps would be installed at a total of 20 locations, 11 in
Pattaya and nine on Koh Larn.
The second part of the project involves the installation
of buoy tie boats at 75 locations to protect natural resources, and a series
of buoys to check water currents and monitor the level of the sea. There
would be one set at Koh Larn and one set at Pattaya Beach, and they would
send the information to the command center at Bali Hai Pier.
There would be GPS equipment in every installation. SOS
equipment for the request assistance would be installed at 50 locations, 45
along the coast of Pattaya and five at Koh Larn. Radar would be installed at
the Bali Hai Pier command center for monitoring purposes, transmitting
information on the direction of boats or the location of an accident.
Training for the officers manning the command center and other installations
would be provided.
Sittiprap said that tie buoy boats have been used in the
past at Pattaya but where not a success because they had been lost.
Three injured in collision
with 10-wheeler
Patcharapol Panrak
Three people were injured during the afternoon of March
20 when a car in which they were traveling skidded in the rain and went
under a 10-wheel truck.
 High
speed and slippery roads resulted in this accident on Sukhumvit Highway.
Plutaluang Police Station received a call from a member
of the public, saying that a Honda Civic had collided with an Isuzu truck on
the Sattahip to Rayong stretch of Sukhumvit Road, between the 182-183
kilometer markers at the No 7 kilometer U-turn.
Officers and Rojana Thamasatharn Foundation rescue
workers went to the site. They found Veerasak Paklab, the 34-year-old driver
of the Civic, injured and trapped in the vehicle. The other two men, Paitoon
Kraichana, 49, and Chanchai Eksuwan, 49, had already been transferred to
Queen Sirikit Hospital, where they were undergoing treatment in the
intensive care unit.
The driver of the truck, 50-year-old Put Kaewkarien, said
he was driving from Sattahip Ice House with a full load of ice that was to
be delivered directly to Samaesarn Pier. He was turning right at the U-turn
to head in the direction of the pier when a car appeared, traveling at a
high rate of speed, and collided with the right wheel of the truck. At the
time of the accident there was heavy rain, which caused the road to be
slippery.
Two service girls arrested in hotel after spiking tourists’ drinks
Boonlua Chatree
Two service girls who drugged and robbed two tourists
were caught with their haul and their sedatives when an alert hotel employee
spotted them trying to flee the premises.
Pattaya Police Station received a call at 5 a.m. on March
17 from the Baiyok Hotel on Pratamnak Road in South Pattaya, the employee
reporting that two guests were unconscious in a room on the sixth floor.
Arriving quickly at the scene, officers found two women
in the hotel. The women, identified as Ms Pisamai Abkab, 30, and Ms Sureerat
Ketrat, 26, were carrying untidy looking bags. Searching the bags, police
found a large amount of property including two cameras, one wristwatch, two
gold necklaces with amulets, one gold ring, two mobile phones, 6,080 baht,
35 US dollars, four credit cards, and 45 violet-colored pills that proved to
be a powerful sedative that affects the mind and the nerves. The drug is
only available on prescription, and if used improperly can lead to death.
The women admitted they had just drugged and robbed two
foreign tourists in Room 6004 on the sixth floor. The men, 33-year-old Satya
Mohan from Japan, and Hatay Mohan Kayastha, also 33, of Nepal, were
transferred to Pattaya Memorial Hospital where, still unconscious, they
underwent anti-toxin treatment.
Pisamai and Sureerat said they met the two tourists at a
bar on Walking Street. Both men were in a drunken state. The women flirted
with them and the four went back to the hotel together. In the room, the
women put five of the pills into whisky glasses, and the two men passed out.
However, because they were hurrying, the women attracted
the attention of a hotel employee as they came out of the room without
locking the door. The employee immediately checked inside the room and found
the two men on the bed. The police were alerted and arrived before the women
were able to leave the hotel.
Cambodian man uses two knives in frenzied attack on
lover who spurned him
Boonlua Chatree
A Cambodian man who murdered a Thai maid who he said
broke her promise to stay with him in return for a dowry was arrested at the
bus station as he attempted to flee back to his own country.
Yaung Yam, age 45, stabbed 43-year-old Ms Surin Wadpootae
to death in a rented room in Pong sub-district during the afternoon of March
14, and then fled. Police caught up with him on March 19 at Chachengsao Air
Conditioned Bus Station, in Chachengsao Province, as he was boarding a bus
to Banteay Meanchey Province in Cambodia.
Yaung said he had been smuggled into Thailand and had
worked in Pattaya City for nearly a year. He applied for a job as a security
guard with the Land Safety and Guard Company, and was sent to provide
security at Attaporn Apartments on Soi Naklua 14, in Naklua. He began an
intimate relationship with Surin, who had been divorced for nearly 20 years
and who worked as a maid at the apartment complex.
Surin told him that if he wanted them to be a couple, he
had to pay a dowry of 40,000 baht. He tried to save money and gave 24,000
baht to her. However, he said that Surin did not keep her word. She quit her
job at Attaporn Apartments and applied for another at the Pong sub-district
administrative offices. She also moved her belongings to a rented room near
her new place of work.
Yaung followed her and rented a room next door to try and
make amends, but Surin refused him and ended their relationship. Infuriated,
he attacked her with two knives in her room. She died from horrific
injuries.
Yaung took a taxi to the Sutawas Temple area, where a
Cambodian friend had a house. There he changed his clothes and then laid low
in a cassava field for almost three days, thinking that would be enough time
for things to quiet down. He then went to Chachengsao Province to get a bus
back to Cambodia, but was caught.
Later, the police had Yaung re-enact the murder. The
deceased woman’s relatives turned up and almost lynched him. Only police
intervention saved Yaung from what many in the crowd of spectators felt
would have been appropriate retribution.
Pol Col Noppadol Sornsamran, superintendent at Banglamung
Police Station, said that this case would long reverberate because of the
two knives used in the frenzied attack on the woman. Police officers, he
said, had traced Yaung through his employers and the owner of the rented
room. These people now face further questioning over employing and harboring
an illegal alien. Yaung himself has been charged with premeditated murder,
and with illegal entry into Thailand.
Burger King delivery rider killed in collision with truck
Boonlua Chatree
A Burger King delivery rider died during the afternoon of
March 22 when the motorcycle he was riding hit a dump truck.
Burger King delivery man Wanchat Pusujarit, 23, was
killed when his motorcycle slid under a dump truck.
The accident happened at the entrance to Soi 18/2 on the
Pattaya-Naklua Road, outside the Sea Lodge Hotel. Police arriving at the
scene found the body of Wanchat Pusujarit, 23. He had died from massive head
injuries. Beside the body was a Burger King bag filled with hamburgers and
fries.
An Isuzu dump truck was stopped in the soi 10 meters from
the body, and under the rear of the truck was the wreckage of a Honda Wave
motorcycle. The driver of the truck, Supachai Piromplad, 24, was seated in
his cab in a state of shock.
Supachai told police he had been driving the truck to a
hotel that is under construction in the soi. He came from the direction of
the Dolphin Roundabout, and performed a normal left-turn. The motorcycle hit
the side of the truck, and the bike and its rider slid underneath. When he
discovered the rider was dead, Supachai got back into his cab to await the
police.
Wife with bottle threatens husband with his own gun
Boonlua Chatree
A female bar owner with a grievance against her husband
hit him on the head with a bottle and, when arrested by the police, told
officers that this time it was only a bottle but next time she would use the
gun she was carrying.
Police were called out at 1 a.m. on March 17 to a
disturbance between a Thai couple at a beer bar in Grand Hall Market on Soi
Buakao. They found 47-year-old Somkiat Yinyao with his head bleeding, and
48-year-old Ms Wannaporn Jaturaporn-A-nan holding a broken beer bottle. The
officers transferred Somkiat to Banglamung Hospital for treatment.
Wannaporn was searched and found to be carrying a .38mm
pistol loaded with six bullets. She said the gun belonged to her husband and
that she had taken it because Somkiat would threaten her everyday after
becoming drunk. She kept the gun with her because she was scared he would
use it. Somkiat had a license for the gun. Wannaporn was charged with
carrying and concealing a loaded weapon.
In an unconnected case during the same night, police
officers at one of the checkpoints set up for security during the Pattaya
International Music Festival held at Soi Chaiyapruk 2 stopped a car that was
being driven at high speed. Inside the vehicle were five youths and two
girls. Searching the car, a bronze Isuzu, the officers found a .38mm pistol
loaded with six bullets. As no one admitted ownership of the weapon, all
seven were charged with illegal possession of a firearm and bullets.
50M baht budget sought for international conventions congress
From left: Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, Suprabha
Moleeratanond, conventions director of the TCEB, Mayor Niran
Wattanasartsathorn, Kajit Habanananda, director general of the Thai
Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau, and Panga Vathanakul, managing director
of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
Narisa Nitikarn
A preparatory meeting was held at Pattaya City Hall on
March 19 for the 46th ICCA Congress and Exhibition, which will be hosted by
Pattaya from October 27 to 31.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and Deputy Mayor Verawat
Khakhay chaired the meeting, with Kajit Habanananda, director general of the
Thai Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau, Suprabha Moleeratanond, conventions
director of the TCEB, and Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal
Cliff Beach Resort, amongst those attending.
More than 1,000 delegates from 80 member countries of the
ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association that has 800
member companies and organizations, are expected to attend the event,
ensuring an extremely high profile for Pattaya and its meetings and
exhibitions facilities.
Thailand has previously acted as a host for the ICCA
Congress and Exhibition, when the event was held in Bangkok 20 years ago.
Kajit said the ICCA represented the cream of the industry
worldwide and that the TCEB would be taking this opportunity to promote
Pattaya as an international standard venue. A support budget of 40-50
million baht would be needed, he said.
Niran said the budget needs to be discussed with the
Chonburi Administration Organization.
Council discusses new sewage treatment plant for Nongyai
Narisa Nitikarn
Nongyai sewage treatment works could be upgraded to
almost twice its present capacity if a different kind of processing system
is used, a specialist in sewage treatment has told city hall.
Dr. Surapol Saipanit, consultant for the construction of
sewage treatment works in Pattaya.
A seminar was held at Pattaya City Hall on March 21 in
which councilors, administrators, and public utilities officials discussed
ways of improving and expanding the city’s sewerage system.
Opening the session was chairman of Pattaya City Council
Tavich Chaiswangwong, and guest speaker was Dr Surapol Saipanit, who is a
consultant for the construction of sewage treatment works in Pattaya.
Dr Surapol said that Pattaya’s sewerage system needs to
be modified and improved, with new settlement ponds built at Soi Wat
Nongyai. At present, he said, the activated sludge system is used. Sludge,
or untreated sewage, settles at the bottom of the primary sedimentation
basin, and when activated it flows into the treatment process.
This system is able to handle 65,000 cubic meters of
sewage per day. But by expanding the ponds and changing the technology to a
step-feed system, the efficiency of the process would be greatly increased
and sewage input of 120,000 cubic meters a day could be handled.
It is anticipated that modification of the Nongyai sewage
treatment works would be started within a year, but this will be a new
system and many factors need to be considered, such as the possibility of
flooding, the effects of the construction of the large pond and associated
works, building of entrance and exit ways, the allowing of capacity for
further expansion, and protests from residents regarding the smells from the
works.
Members of Pattaya City Council discussed other types of
sewage treatment systems, such as an underground sewage pond that would
allow the ground above to be turned into parkland.
Disabled from the Eastern region gather to propose ideas for constitution
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Disabled people from seven provinces in the Eastern
region gathered at the Redemptorist School in Pattaya on March 21 to discuss
ideas that could be incorporated in the nation’s new constitution, currently
in the process of being drafted.
Alisa Phantusak, chairwoman of the special commission.
Thailand’s new constitution, its 18th, is being designed
as a true charter of the people, and a special commission for gathering
information and ideas from the public is working with the Chonburi Province
Constitution Drafting Committee.
Disabled people from Chantaburi, Trat, Sakaew,
Prachinburi, Rayong, Chachengsao and Chonburi gathered with Miss Alisa
Phantusak, who is chairwoman of the special commission.
The ideas put forward at the meeting will be forwarded as
a proposal to the drafting committee. A draft of the new constitution is
expected to be completed in July, and public hearings to begin in August.
The goal is for the constitution to be agreed in September.
Most of the opinions put forward proposed that rights,
liberty and equality for the disabled be enshrined in Thai law, and that
development of services and activities for the disabled be part of official
government policy.
Disabled people would like to see that rights, liberty and
equality for the disabled be enshrined in Thai law.
Baywatch: The day the lights went out
Not so long ago up on Pratamnak Hill, a
local beauty spot midway between Pattaya and Jomtien, city hall reached deep
into its coffers and spent millions landscaping it and providing pathways
along its flanks so that Pattaya’s citizens and visiting tourists could
enjoy walking, jogging and even mountain biking here.
And so that these activities would not have to stop after
sunset, they generously spent even more on lamp standards, placing them all
along the pathways … but after nightfall now the place is shrouded in
darkness, for the expensive lighting system has been systematically
destroyed by vandalizing thieves.
Dozens of these lamps have been pulled down for the three
shades they once held, and even worse, the paths have been dug up so that
thousands of metres of heavy electric copper cable could be stolen and sold
for scrap to metal merchants who don’t ask questions.
Sad isn’t it?
So, full marks to city hall for its original concept and
its valiant effort to further improve the city’s amenities. But nothing out
of ten for failing to protect it from those villains who, for a few baht,
will destroy and steal.
Anyway. What now city hall? Are you going to leave the
damaged lighting system like this? Or are you going to replace the cables
and lamps? Because if you do, and you don’t put a security guard on the
hill, the same thing will happen again. That’s for sure.
Question Box
Question: Howard writes in: Is
there any such thing in Thailand such as a law against excessive noise;
i.e., noise pollution from pickups with 30 speakers in the back or the
trucks advertising some sort of freak show in Pattaya? Or how about banning
those venders in amplified pickups patrolling the sois at 0600 in the
morning telling us that they have the best noodles in town?
Answer: Vehicles wishing to roam
around town, advertising their products, events or services, must first
obtain permission from city hall. If permission is not given, the assistant
city law enforcement officer will immediately make an arrest. Vehicles must
not create noises louder than 90 decibels. If people present a petition (to
city hall) complaining about the vehicles playing advertisements, then
Pattaya city officers will issue a warning for the first offense. However,
if complaints are still received, then permission might not be granted for
the vehicles to advertise.
As for those advertising “the best noodles in town at
0600 in the morning”, according to the Administrative Procedure Act 1992
Section 20, it is forbidden to cook and distribute food on the road and in
public places using a car or a wheeled vehicle. Therefore, all vehicle food
vendors, whether or not they are making noise, are in violation of Section
20 of the Act and are subject to a 2,000 baht fine. If vehicles are caught
doing this, municipality police would immediately make an arrest and
designate a fine. Regarding people with vendor vehicles in the village
causing disturbing noises, a report can be filed with the Pattaya
Municipality Police at tel. 038-253100 ext. 3143, 3144, or the Pattaya City
Call Center at 1337. “The report will be transferred to the unit associated
with this at a later time.”
This information has been supplied by Chatchawan Chimtin,
section chief of Public Health and the Environment in Pattaya City.
Submit your questions to [email protected] and we
will try to find an answer. Questions deemed appropriate (and the answers)
will be published when possible.
|
