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New railway road hit by traffic jams
Traffic lights at intersections might help
Pramote Channgam
Traffic problems are already bedeviling the new road being built
parallel to the railway line, before the road is even completed.
The road is seen as an important element of the plan to ease the city’s
traffic problems, as it allows vehicles to leave Sukhumvit Road. Running a
distance of 16 kilometers, the road runs alongside the railway tracks from
the Krathinglai Junction to Huay Yai Sub-district.
With the project now 90 percent complete, a lot of local people are now
using the road, and consequently the jams have already begun.
Surasak Huasun, 31, a resident of Soi Wat Bun Sampan says he regularly uses
this route and that the traffic builds up between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
This period he said is the worst time because of the children returning home
from school, and people going home from work. The main traffic problems
occur at the junctions, which lack traffic police. Traffic lights might
help, he said.
The problems have been exacerbated by the partial closure of Soi Wat Bun
Samphan, where city engineers are laying a large water pipe, and where there
is at present a diversion. Drivers are at present using Soi Nernplabwan,
causing traffic build-ups there.
Amnuay Na-ek, acting on behalf of the construction supervisor said that
Pattaya City traffic officials are now being used at the crossing points to
help ease traffic flow.
As the road has yet to be completed and handed over, there is little else
that can be done at this stage, says Amnuay.
One lane at Soi Wat Bun Samphan is now being opened for traffic, and the
situation is expected to ease by the end of the month.
Underground power cable installation at Jomtien discussed
Underwater cable project on
Koh Larn also being considered
Pramote Channgam
Pattaya City and the Provincial Electricity Authority are discussing
the timetable for installing power cables underground along Jomtien Second
Road.
 Pichet
Uthaivatananon
A meeting took place during the morning of May 16 at Pattaya City Hall,
chaired by Pichet Uthaivatananon, director of the Pattaya Public Works
Department, with Chanchai Banditsaowapak, who heads a national government
body named Underground Cable Project for Large Cities, and representatives
of the Provincial Electricity Authority.
Jomtien Second Road runs for a distance of 7 kilometers and the first stage
of the project for widening the road has just been completed for a distance
of 2.7 kilometers. The road widening was the responsibility of the city, and
the moving of the cables underground comes under the Provincial Electricity
Authority.
Chanchai explained that the power supply is divided into two systems, one
having an operational distance of 2.8 kilometers with a power of 22
kilowatts, and the other an operational distance of 1 kilometer with a power
of 115 kilowatts. The two systems are being implemented under a budget of
202,517,033 baht.
After this meeting, the Underground Cables Project for Large Cities and the
Provincial Electricity Authority were due to set up an operational team to
cooperate with the Pattaya Public Works Department for the installation of
cables along Jomtien Second Road.
The Underground Cables Project for Large Cities was created from a cabinet
resolution on August 26, 2003. The Provincial Electricity Authority approved
a budget to support the project for an amount of 1.107 billion baht,
covering operational areas in 18 provinces at 25 locations.
Chanchai spoke also about the underwater project on Koh Larn, which has a
budget of more than 300 million baht. The process of obtaining permissions
for this to go ahead is currently underway, and it is estimated the project
would be ready to begin by February 2009.
Forum debates strategy for
local development and
production of Eco Car
Tax breaks proposed for project participants
Pramote Channgam
Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat chaired the opening of the Manufacturing
Forum 2008 on May 15, during which the strategy for the local manufacturing
of the Eco Car was discussed.
 Acharin
Pattanapanchai
The forum was held at Thammasat University’s Chonburi campus in cooperation
with the Industrial Promotion Center in Region 9 and Reed Tradex Company.
Held for the automotive and electronics industries, the event attracted more
than 250 specialists involved with this sector and acted as a precursor to
the Automotive Manufacturing 2008 expo that will take place at BITEC in
Bangna from June 19 to 22.
Reed Tradex director Mrs Nichapa Yosawee said that Thailand’s Board of
Investment is backing investments in six projects relating to the
development of an Eco Car, that together total 6.8 billion baht, and that
when the vehicle goes into production it will greatly add to Thailand’s
stature as a center of automotive manufacturing.
The forum included a talk about trends in international vehicle production,
and the strategy to support the Eco Car.
Ms Acharin Pattanapanchai, deputy secretary general of the BOI spoke about
the rights of the manufacturers who would participate in the Eco Car
project. They would, she said, be exempt from engine import duties and
income tax for existing projects located anywhere in the country for up to
eight years. Furthermore, the rate of excise tax would be lowered from 30
percent to 17 percent.
This would help in the continuing development of Thailand’s industrial base
and that of the automotive industry.
The Eco Car is a small production car that would run on a minimal supply of
petrol, with consumption being set at no more than 5 liters per 100
kilometers. The size of the engine would be no more than 1,300 cc for a
gasoline engine, and no more than 1,400 cc for a diesel engine. Fuel
emissions would comply with the Euro 4 emission standard, the toughest
standard of its kind.
The Eco Car would be manufactured according to the safety standards of the
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Neighbors save burning house
No one hurt; minor damage
Boonlua Chatree
Neighbors saved the house of a Pattaya couple who had gone to Chiang
Mai, locking the house up with their two dogs inside, when a short circuit
in a water pump set fire to the property.
 Firefighters
finish extinguishing the blaze. No one was hurt, and even the abandoned dogs
were unharmed.
Banglamung Police Station received an emergency call at 3:20 a.m. on May 20
from a resident in Pantip Village, located on Sukhumvit Road opposite Soi
Thepprasit, to say that a fire had broken out at a house in the same
village.
Firefighters and police rushed to the scene, where they found that a fire
had broken out on the exterior wooden stairs that led to the second story of
the house. Neighbors had gathered to throw water on the fire, and the
firemen also sprayed water until the flames were put out.
It was discovered that the house was well locked, and that the Thai couple
that owned it had gone to Chiang Mai, leaving only their two dogs inside. No
one was injured, and the animals were unharmed. Investigations revealed that
the origin of the fire was a water pump under the stairs leading to the
second story.
Police say it was fortunate that the neighbors discovered the blaze in time.
Only the water pump and handrails were damaged, along with minor damage to a
bicycle. The officers took notes and photograph as evidence, before
informing the owners of the house, who stated that they were on their way
back for further examination.
City stages exhibition to mark World No Tobacco Day
Quit smoking exhibition May 31
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
World No Tobacco Day, May 31, will be observed by an exhibition
jointly organized by Pattaya City and Bangkok Pattaya Hospital at conference
room 401 on the 4th floor of Pattaya City Hall.
The dangers of smoking and of contracting diseases from inhaling the smoke
of others will be illustrated, and there will also be an area where visitors
can have their lung functions tested.
Priest Maha Pong Talaputto will give a talk on the dangers of secondhand
smoke, which has now been officially classified as carcinogenic, and other
activities will include a quiz. The exhibition is open on May 31 from 12:30
p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
World No Tobacco Day was initiated in 1988 by the World Health Organization
to promote awareness of the dangers of smoking. It is held on May 31 every
year.
Examinations take place
for free eyeglasses
Over 200 residents turn up for free checks
Vimolrat Singnikorn
More than 200 Pattaya residents gathered at the Thappraya Room
at Pattaya City Hall on May 22 for eye examinations that will lead to
them being supplied with free eyeglasses.
 Sripan
Nakbenja, 86, is all smiles as she receives her very own eyeglasses for the
first time in her life.
The examinations were part of a project that supports the disabled and which
also supplies items such as wheelchairs and walking sticks.
Social worker Arunratsamee Boonkerd said there was a need amongst a great
many people for physical aids, and that the heads of the 27 communities in
Pattaya had identified the most needy.
Examinations are, however taking place before eyeglasses or equipment are
distributed, to ensure that the individual receives the equipment that is
most suitable for the particular disability.
One of those attending the eye examination was Grandmother Sripan Nakbenja,
a sprightly 86-year-old from the Kratinglai Community. She said she enjoys
reading books, but finds it very difficult because of problems with her
short sightedness. She has an old pair of eyeglasses given to her by another
person, and this is the first time she has ever enquired about getting a
pair of eyeglasses for herself.
The eyeglasses will be distributed in June, and further information on this
service will be provided to the communities.
Teak saplings planted in
observance of Environmental Day
Recyclable items donated to Pattaya Public Health Center
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
One thousand teak tree saplings were planted on May 23 in observance
of World Environmental Day.
 Mayor-elect
Itthipol Khunplome (right) and city officials plant trees on World
Environmental Day.
Mayor-elect Itthipol Khunplome inaugurated the planting at a ceremony at the
Eastern National Sports Training Center on Soi Chaiyapruek, along with
Pattaya City permanent secretary Sittiprap Muangkoom and city hall
department heads.
Mrs Wannaporn Jamjumrus, director of the Pattaya Public Health and
Environment Department said the planting was organized to mark World
Environmental Day, which occurs on June 5 every year. The department
organizes a major event each year that helps to create awareness of ways in
which the environment can be conserved and protected.
Two activities were held this year. The morning of May 23 saw the beginning
of the planting of 1,000 teak saplings in the area surrounding the Eastern
National Sports Training Center. The Young Plants Cultivation Station in
Rayong supplied the saplings.
The second event was the receiving by the Pattaya Public Health Center on
Soi Buakao of recyclable items, which took place in the afternoon. These
were then passed on to Pra Payom Kalayano, the Buddhist priest who has
become well known for recycling goods in return for robes and necessities
for monks.
Coral reefs extended at Marine Corps Bay with rocks and piping
Plan begun to regenerate area coral
Many hands make light work -
and much mirth, too.
Patcharapol Panrak
Coral reefs are being created and expanded at Royal Thai Marine
Corps Bay by the use of PVC pipes and the submerging of rocks.
The project is being undertaken by the Royal Thai Marine Corps in
cooperation with the Sattahip Sub-district Administrative Organization.
Pairot Malakul na Ayutthaya, chairman of the Sattahip Sub-district
Administrative Organization inaugurated the project on May 17, when life
preservers, diving masks and PVC pipes were presented to Capt Narongsak
Jatakanon, head of the Tourism Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Marine
Corps at Prince Chumporn Camp.
Peng Buahom, deputy head of the administration said that the project was
being undertaken at this location because of the status of the bay and Toey
Ngam Beach as a favorite tourism destination in the area.
Pairot said that the preservation and protection of the marine environment
has to be an active matter. The area around Kai Tia Island has beautiful
coral, but some of it has started to decay. The Pattaya Public Health and
Environment Department has already examined this, and has devised a plan to
regenerate the coral.
He added that Prince Chumporn Camp acts both as an important base for the
military forces and as a protector of the marine environment. Sattahip
Sub-district Administrative Organization had therefore devised a budget to
install PVC pipes and submerge rocks upon which the coral could grow. The
budget includes necessities such as the presenting of life preservers and
diving masks to the Royal Thai Marine Corps for use in undertaking the work.
Arrests continue as police crack down on foreign pedophiles
Boonlua Chatree
A number of foreign pedophiles have been arrested in a crackdown
against those who visit Pattaya for sex with underage boys and girls.
 Chalee
Kengthanyakit
A media briefing was held on May 19 by Pol Maj Gen Panya Mamen, deputy
superintendent of the Investigation Center at the Department for Suppression
for Transnational Crime, Pol Col Manoo Mekmorhk, deputy commander of the
Tourist Police, Pol Col Naradet Klomtuksing, superintendent of investigation
at Tourist Police 2, Tourist Police Headquarters, Pol Maj Col Suwan Un-Anan,
chief investigator at Pattaya Tourist Police Station, Pol Col Nopadol
Wongnom, superintendent at Pattaya Police Station, and Ms Mariel Schaltz, an
official from the USA.
At the briefing it was stated that the police were aware of a number of
foreigners that were buying sex with children under the age of 15, and that
arrest warrants had been requested from the Pattaya Provincial Court.
 Michael
Terence Burns
Four arrests were announced during the briefing: Michael Paul Willey, age
30, from the United States; Christopher Dee, a 43-year-old Canadian citizen,
who was a teacher in Pattaya City. Dee was arrested while driving past
police officers with a 13-year-old boy hidden in the trunk of his car.
A Japanese man, 73-year-old Noboru Fukuda was next to be arrested. Police
investigations revealed that the suspect had paid seven juveniles to commit
an obscene act. The youngsters were taken in for questioning in front of a
social welfare officer to collect information that was used in the run-up to
his arrest.
The fourth warrant, dated May 18, was used to search a house in Moo 5, Soi
Thepnimit, after investigations had indicated that the foreign owner of the
house was frequently bringing boys in for lewd acts.
It was a large luxury house well enclosed with a fence on an area of
approximately one rai. In the house was a former cook named Michael Terence
Burns, a 65-year-old British national. He was sitting on a sofa in the
living room with eight boys: two 14-year-olds, three age 17, and three age
19. Chalee Kengthanyakit, the 45-year-old manager of a bar located opposite
Chulalongkorn Hospital was also in the house.
In the bedroom the officers discovered a large amount of lubricant jelly,
gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, condoms, and pornographic pictures of the boys.
Chalee stated that he provided the boys to Burns for sex. All of the boys
had been in the house for five days. Some of them were brought from Bangkok,
and others from Pattaya. The children received 1,000 baht for each night of
service. Burns claimed he was able to have sex with three of them per day.
After the boys had completed a stay of seven days, they would be moved back
to Bangkok or Pattaya.
Burns was charged with committing lewd acts with children less than 15 years
of age, and Chalee was charged with providing the children.
Pol Maj Gen Panya said that he had been assigned by Pol Lt Gen Adisorn
Nonsri, commander of Central Investigation to arrest foreigners who were
committing lewd acts with youngsters less than 15 years of age. There are
approximately 200 of them that need to be cleaned out of Thailand within
seven days, and blacklisted from re-entering, he said.
 Michael
Paul Willey (foreground) and Christopher Dee (with glasses) are brought into
the station, along with Michael Terence Burns (face covered).
Pol Maj Gen Panya said that many foreign tourists come to Pattaya looking to
have sex with young boys, and that it was difficult for the police to
suppress this kind of activity because of the large numbers of vagabond
children that need money to survive.
Another media briefing was held on the following day, May 20, to announce
the arrest of two more men charged with having sex with underage boys.
Pol Maj Gen Panya said that police and social welfare officers interviewed a
number of children. One nine-year-old boy given the alias of O stated that a
foreigner living at Ek Mongkol Village 4 on Soi Kao Talo had hired him to
perform oral sex, and that he received 1,000 baht for each day of service.
He had already done it four times, and each time the foreigner allowed the
boy to play video games first.
Police obtained a warrant from Pattaya Provincial Court to enter the house,
a large property standing on an area of approximately 100 square wah and
surrounded by a fence. Luc Jean Marie Vos, a 49-year-old Dutch national was
arrested and taken to Banglamung Police Station.
The second case concerned a 12-year-old boy given the alias of Nam and a
10-year-old given the alias of Nung. Both stated that a foreigner from
Sombat Village had hired them to provide sexual service orally, and that
they received 500 or 900 baht each time. They went to see the man twice a
day, in the morning and in the evening.
Police obtained warrant number 756/2551 from Pattaya Provincial Court, and
went to the house where they arrested Ian Charles Tracy, a 43-year-old
British citizen.
Pol Maj Gen Panya said that the campaign would continue and that Soi Sunee
Plaza in South Pattaya in particular is being watched very closely as it is
a known center for underage sexual service boys and procurers.
Noboru Fukuda (seated, right)
was amongst
those caught up in the police dragnet.
Ian Charles Tracy (left) and
Luc Jean Marie Vos (right)
face the press with presiding officers.
British man faces charges of having sex with 15-year-old boy
Boonlua Chatree
The Children, Juveniles and Women’s Division of the Royal Thai
Police arrested a British citizen who paid a boy 1,000 baht for sex in a
leased room in Pattaya.
Officers from the division together with Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom,
superintendent at Pattaya Police Station had gone to room number 301 at a
guest house on Pratamnak Road in South Pattaya at 3:30 a.m. on May 23.
 Andrew
John Gallacher
The officers used a spare key to open the door to the room, where they found
Andrew John Gallacher, a 46-year-old British citizen, unclothed and in bed
with a 15-year-old boy given the alias of Nat.
An agent had advised the police that Gallacher had paid for Master Nat at a
gay bar on Soi Sunee Plaza in South Pattaya, and had brought the boy to the
room for sex.
Nat claimed that Gallacher had tricked him into coming to his room for sex.
The foreigner had asked him to perform oral sex on him, and would give him
1,000 baht for it.
The Children, Juveniles and Women’s Division of the Royal Thai Police
charged Gallacher with having sex with a minor between 15 and 18 years of
age.
Police lift the lid on manhole scam
Thieves, fence and getaway
driver are sat before the media.
Boonlua Chatree
Two thieves who stole manhole covers and used a baht bus to make
their getaway were arrested on May 18, along with the baht bus driver and
the fence who was going to dispose of the haul.
Pol Col Noppadon Wongnom, superintendent at Pattaya Police Station paraded
the four villains for the benefit of the media.
The manhole thieves were identified as Boonruang Botnork, age 26, and Anurak
Sa-ardpan, 24. The driver of the baht bus was On Rodbua, age 56. The owner
of the secondhand shop that had agreed to buy the stolen goods was Pol
Pengjam, 52. They were arrested with evidence consisting of a total of seven
50 x 100 centimeter waste well covers valued at 49,000 baht. Baht bus number
510 from the Pattaya Cooperative was also impounded.
The manhole covers, which were the property of Pattaya City, had been stolen
from the Pratamnak Road area, and the thieves were apprehended at Pol’s
secondhand shop on Soi Jularat.
The four men were charged with stealing public property and using a vehicle
to transport stolen goods.
Sattahip donates
essential supplies to cyclone-hit Burmese
Sattahip Municipality donates
essential supplies to help the victims of cyclone Nargis in Myanmar to the
Disaster Relief Center of the First Fleet of the Royal Thai Fleet at
Sattahip District.
Patcharapol Panrak
Sattahip Municipality has made a donation of essential supplies to
help the victims of cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.
Sattahip Mayor Narong Boonbanjerdsri along with members of the council and
the administration on May 17 took supplies including rice, drinking water
and dry food to the Disaster Relief Center of the First Fleet of the Royal
Thai Fleet at Sattahip District, where they were received by First Fleet
commander-in-chief Vice Admiral Chaiwat Pukarat.
The Navy under the directive of its commander-in-chief Admiral Sathiraphan
Geyanon has set up a number of Disaster Relief Centers throughout the
country to receive supplies for the Burmese.
Vice Admiral Chaiwat, who is also director of the Sattahip Disaster Relief
Center, said that the Thai people had responded with donations of supplies
specifically requested, including electric lights and torches, zinc plates,
tents or canvas shelters, convenience foods, rice, and drinking water.
He said that aside from the food and water shortages, there is also a
problem in Myanmar with the spreading of diseases. The Thai people and the
Royal Thai Navy will continue their efforts at humanitarian relief for their
neighbors the Burmese.
Royal Thai, U.S. service members
deliver supplies to shelter
Lance Cpl. Aaron D. Hostutler,
Combined-Joint Information Bureau
Representatives from the Royal Thai Marines and the United States Marine
Corps and Navy came together May 9 and 10 to bring supplies to a shelter
home for children in Pattaya.
Day one consisted of Royal Thai and U.S. service members bringing 54 boxes
containing boys and girls clothes, toys, books and various linens to Mercy
Center, a shelter home to 25 children ranging in age from six months to 10
years.
The next day, Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin, commanding general, Marine
Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, accompanied by Marine Corps Community
Services officials, supplied the center with items including diapers, toys,
crackers and milk.
The donation of the various supplies was part of a community relations
effort held to help those in need.
“We have so much,” said Krusa-Dossin. “Sometimes we take that for granted.
It’s important to get these supplies in the hands of the people who truly
need it. After all, these children are the future.”
Most of the children at the center come from parents who either could not
care for them or chose not to, according to Fred Doell, the founder of the
center.
“Almost everything that we have at this center has been donated,” he said.
It is through the donations and volunteers that the children get the help
they need.
The supplies in the original donation of 54 boxes came from Camp Hansen.
Officials with Operation Goodwill in Okinawa gathered the supplies from
various donators there.
“The Marines in Okinawa have provided greatly,” said Doell. “We appreciate
their help.”
Along with donating supplies, volunteers also donated their time to help
accomplish work that needed to be done at the center. They helped to clear
bushes, move equipment and clear dangerous debris from the yard where the
children play.
Among those volunteers was Lance Cpl. Phillip Alexander Jr., legal clerk,
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
“I love kids,” he said. “So this was a great opportunity for me to come out
and play with them and hopefully make a difference in their lives.”
Service members usually have a mission they need to concentrate on, said
Ames. This was a good opportunity for them to do some good in other areas as
well.
“It’s all about helping those who are less fortunate,” he said. “We may not
be able to change the whole world, but if we can help even one child, that
one positive change may make a positive impact on the world.”
The children’s center is housed in what used to be a diamond-polishing
factory, according to Doell.
“This place use to be a place of polishing diamonds,” he said. “We hope to
help these kids polish up to be diamonds themselves. It’s the donations and
volunteers that help us to accomplish that mission.”
The visit was part of Exercise Cobra Gold 08, a joint/combined multinational
exercise focusing on maintaining and improving military to military
relationships among the United States, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and
Japan.
Volunteers and children stand
together outside of the Mercy Center,
a shelter home for children in Pattaya, May 10.
The volunteers donated more than 54 boxes of goods to the center.
(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron D. Hostutler)
Navy observes 85th anniversary of the passing of Prince Chumporn
Patcharapol Panrak
Apakorn Day on May 19 was observed by the placing of wreathes at the
Prince Chumporn Monument at Sattahip, with the Royal Thai Navy, the Royal
Thai Army and the Royal Thai Air Force represented, along with government
and private organizations.
Vice Admiral Sriwisuth Ratarun, commander of the Sattahip Naval Base lit
joss sticks and candles, and Admiral Prawit Srisukwattana, commander of the
Royal Thai Fleet laid a wreath. The Navy fired a 19-gun salute from the Thai
Cyber Military.
 The
Royal Thai Navy places wreathes at the Prince Chumporn Monument at Sattahip
to observe Apakorn Day on May 19.
Monks conducted a chanting ceremony, and food was arranged at the multi-use
pavilion in Chumporn Park.
This year marked the 85th anniversary of the passing of Prince
Apakornkhietiwong Chumporn Ket Udomsak, who was born on December 19, 1880,
and passed away on May 19, 1923. He was the 28th child of HM King Rama V,
his mother being Queen Mhod, HM the King’s concubine.
HM the King sent Prince Apakorn to study naval tactics in England. After he
graduated in 1900 he became Lieutenant Junior Grade, the equivalent of
Lieutenant Commander nowadays, and HM the King appointed him as commander of
HTMS Maruthawasitsawat.
In 1901 the Prince became the deputy commander of the Navy Department, which
he subsequently restructured and developed to place the Royal Thai Navy on
an international footing.
Prince Apakorn died of fever in Chumporn Province on May 19, 1923. He is
acknowledged as the Father of the Thai Royal Navy, and May 19 every year is
observed as Apakorn Day.
Seven trucks take donated
supplies to army center
for transport to Myanmar
The Disaster Relief Center at
the Royal Thai Navy Region 1 in Sattahip delivers donated supplies for
cyclone-hit Myanmar to the Royal Thai Army Center.
Patcharapol Panrak
The Disaster Relief Center at the Royal Thai Navy Region 1 in
Sattahip on May 18 delivered donated supplies for cyclone-hit Myanmar to the
Royal Thai Army Center, the goods being transported by a convoy of seven
army trucks.
Director of the Disaster Relief Center Vice Admiral Chaiwat Pukkarat
supervised the loading of the supplies that had been donated by Sattahip
residents.
The donations had been organized through Vice Admiral Sriwisut Ratarun,
commander-in-chief of Sattahip Naval Base, Rear Admiral Chaiwat Sriakarin,
commander-in-chief of Air and Coastal Defense Command, Pairot Malakul na
Ayutthaya, chairman of the Sattahip Sub-district Municipality Administrative
Organization, Narong Bunbancherdsri, mayor of Sattahip Municipality, and
companies under the Sahapa Group in Sriracha.
As the devastation of cyclone Nargus became known, Admiral Sathiraphan
Kaeyanon, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy had ordered all the Navy
Disaster Relief Centers in Thailand to set up donation centers to receive
necessities such as dry food, rice, drinking water, electric lights and
torches, galvanized iron, and canvas tents and shelters.
After the convoy of trucks had arrived at the Royal Thai Army Center,
preparations were made to transport the supplies across the border into
Myanmar.
Police trainees take part in mangrove planting
Patcharapol Panrak
Officer trainees from the Police General Staff Department in the
29th Tertiary planted an area of mangroves on May 16 at Major Mountain Beach
in Sattahip, in cooperation with the Royal Thai Navy.
Pol Maj Gen Autaruek Thareechat, head of the Institute for the Development
of Police Administration located on Viphavadee Rangsit Road, in the
Chutuchak District of Bangkok organized the project.
The trainees were taken to Major Mountain in Samaesarn Sub-district as part
of an educational tour. This is where the Shrine of King Taksin the Great
and the Thai Island and Sea Natural History Museum are located.
Capt Apakorn Yukongkaew, commander of the Naval Special Warfare Group
welcomed them, and brought some kohng kahng trees to plant at Major Mountain
Beach.
Capt Apakorn said that Major Mountain is one of Thailand’s most important
centers for collecting information on botany, as it studies the species of
plants on a variety of islands and islets, as well as the marine
environment. This is being done as part of the Royal Project of Her Royal
Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, for maintaining valuable natural
resources.
Pol Maj Gen Autaruek said that the trainees were all commissioned officers
with the rank of police captain and are from every sector of the Royal Thai
Police. They were both male and female, and totaled 160 officers.
The course curriculum is for training in theory, practical application, and
outdoor study. The Institute for the Development of the Police
Administration was working with the Naval Special Warfare Group because of
its responsibility for the protection of the marine environment.
The experience, said Pol Maj Gen Autaruek, would help increase the knowledge
and vision of the police officers and consequently those working under them.
Officer trainees from the
Police General Staff Department in the 29th Tertiary plant mangroves at
Major Mountain Beach in Sattahip.
Cobra Gold 2008
concludes
US Embassy, Bangkok
The 27th annual Cobra Gold exercise, a joint and combined
multi-national military exercise hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand,
concluded last week in Moungkom, Lopburi Province. This year participating
countries included Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and the United States.
 U.S.
Ambassador to Thailand Eric G. John shakes hands with Gen. Ruengroj
Mahasaranond, Thai Armed Forces Supreme Commander during the closing
ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold 2008. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by
Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer)
Cobra Gold 2008 opened on May 8 and consisted of computer-simulated command
post exercise, field training exercises, and humanitarian/civic assistance
projects.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Eric G. John
said, “Cobra Gold is a vital tool not just to enhance U.S.-Thai relations,
but also to strengthen our bonds with other countries in the region. Thanks
to all of your efforts, Cobra Gold remains a mark of our combined commitment
to regional stability in Southeast Asia.”
The cataclysmic landfall of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma on May 2, had
a profound effect on Cobra Gold 2008. Thanks to the extraordinary support of
the Royal Thai Armed Forces, U.S. military assets were able to participate
in Cobra Gold, while preparing humanitarian relief operations at the same
time. To date, more than thirty flights of U.S. C-130 aircraft have flown
from the Royal Thai Navy Airbase, Utapao to Rangoon to deliver plastic
sheeting, water containers, hygiene kits and food. The United States has
8,000 service members and four Naval Ships now in international waters off
the coast of Burma ready to help when requested by the Government of Burma.
Heroes emerge from the storm
Rebecca Lomax
You are looking at the faces of heroes, ordinary people who, when
confronted with unimaginable disaster, have faced it with courage and
nobility. These are the people of Burma who survived the violence of Cyclone
Nargis and are now forced to struggle against another insidious force, the
treachery of their own government.
 A
true hero - leading the way by boat.
These are the people who were not warned of the potential for death that
this storm carried even as it bore down upon them. The rest of the world
knew its trajectory and wind force, the danger from storm surges and
flooding. They heard it on the news or read about it on the internet. But
these people, these heroes, did not have access to that information.
These are the people who, when the storm finally passed over them and they
dared emerge from shelter, saw unspeakable horrors - the body of a baby
dangling from a tree branch, clusters of children’s bodies floating in a
flooded field, bodies littering the rice paddies along the flood line after
it receded. Bodies, more bodies, and no one to remove them from their sites
of death and perform the rites and rituals that are so important in a
Buddhist society. None to mourn them. Everywhere there was destruction,
whole buildings moved off of their foundations, walls down, telephone poles
and trees collapsed onto them. But in the rural areas, there was nothing
left standing but the more substantial temples.
So the people who were left moved slowly towards the only safety and
stability they could visualize, the temples. And the monks began to work for
the benefit of all beings, feeding them and helping to take care of their
injuries. Soon volunteers from within the country emerged, and included
doctors and nurses, people carrying medicine to the sick and injured, people
with rice.
Offers of aid came from all over the world, compassionate people and
governments pledged ships full of food, water, portable shelters, sanitation
equipment, medical supplies and relief workers. But the government refused
to allow them inside the country. Bodies remained in the fields and in the
ditches, and in some areas remain there still. Compassionate people tried to
remove them, tried to tend to the bodies in the Buddhist way. But there are
too many bodies and too few workers. Inside the temple walls, the monks and
volunteers fed and clothed the people with whatever they could find. They
helped them in their grief. And the word spread.
Soon the military government heard what was happening, and so they evicted
the people from the sanctuary of the temples; they turned away the workers
with HIV drugs, the doctors with skills and supplies, the gifts of food from
Thailand and other countries. But the heroes, those incredible ordinary
people, did not stand down. They took the food, clothing, supplies and
medical care to the people on the roadside. They delivered it by boat. And
when confronted by the military, they found a way to get around the problem.
The doctors shared their packages of noodles. The monks organized clothing
and handed it out. The woman with HIV drugs delivered them to the mom and
her baby. But the heroes will not be quieted. As a boat makes its way into
the Irrawaddy delta, the photographer focuses on the face of a very brave
man who leads the way, a Buddhist monk. He knows full well the dangers, but
this is his country and these are his people. He, and all of the heroes,
will be there for them.
Locally, please send donations to the Fountain of Life bank account listed
below. You can contact Rosanne Diamente at mrdiamente2003 @yahoo.com for
clothing and food donations.
Fountain of Life (Burma Relief Fund)
Bangkok Bank, Muang Pattaya Branch
78/47 North Pattaya Rd., Pattaya, Chonburi 20260
Acc No: 484-0-457446
Swift Code: BKKBTHBK
The people of Burma (Myanmar) are still desperate for our help!
Doctors and nurses share their
packages of noodles.
Monks distribute food to
survivors lined up alongside the road.
Finalists ready for Miss Tiffany Universe competition
The field was whittled down to
30 contestants to compete in the Miss Tiffany Universe 2008 beauty contest
final on May 30.
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Friday May 30 will see the final round of the Miss Tiffany Universe
2008 beauty contest, with the selection narrowed down to 30 finalists from
the 56 entrants in the previous round, which was held on May 25.
The 30 finalists, aged between 18 and 25 years, will compete on-stage at
Tiffany’s Theater for the top prize of 100,000 baht, a car, and gifts from
the sponsors. The first runner up will receive 40,000 baht and the second
runner up, 20,000 baht.
Other titles will be up for the taking during the evening, with Miss
Beautiful Costume, Miss Photogenic and Miss Cordiality each receiving 10,000
baht. The contest will be broadcast on Bangkok Broadcast Television Channel
7 from 10:20 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Election commission approves Itthipol as city mayor
Still need final, national approval
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Chonburi Election Commission on May 23 announced its approval of
Itthipol Khunplome as the new Pattaya City mayor, following the election
held on May 4.
 Mayor
Itthipol Khunplome
Pulsakdi Sangkaew, chairman of the Chonburi Election Commission said that
the official period for ratifying the election results is 30 days, but to
date there have been no significant complaints regarding the election
process and that the Commission felt confident in issuing its approval.
Pulsakdi added, however, that the National Election Commission has to issue
a final approval, and that this would only be done after the 30-day period.
Only if a major complaint with evidence was submitted would there be a
delay, he said.
None of the other candidates has raised any issue with regards to the
conduct of the winning candidate or his party, said Pulsakdi, and that had
made the whole procedure a smooth one, with no obstacles to the approval
process.
As soon as the National Commission’s approval is received, the first council
meeting would be held at Pattaya City Hall to approve the new mayor before
he could take office.
“What I’m now waiting for is to call in the mayor elect and the new city
council to receive the official documentation which will be issued from the
National Election Commission,” said Pulsakdi.
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