HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Essex begins Cobra Gold 2009

Thousands make merit on Makha Bucha Day

Thai fire-extinguishing ball being released upon the world

Mediums placate the gods in Sattahip

Entertainment venues told to ensure adequate fire safety

Condo workers demand pay

Police catch hotel thief

Illegal workers deported

Police confiscate slot machines from mall

Farang body found in sea

Two arrested for house burglaries

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Essex begins Cobra Gold 2009

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson
The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived off the coast of Thailand Feb. 7 to participate in Exercise Cobra Gold 2009.
Cobra Gold is a regularly scheduled multinational exercise hosted annually by the Kingdom of Thailand. CG 09 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security.

Ensign Ryan Kalmore from St. Croix Falls Wis. assigned to the forward-deployed dock landing ship USS Tortuga uses a stadimeter to find the distance from the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock as it steams alongside the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex during a replenishment at sea while en route to support Cobra Gold 09. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Didier/Released)
“Working with our long-time friend and ally, Thailand, is always one of the highlights of our spring patrol,” said Essex commanding officer Capt. Brent Canady. “Cobra Gold provides a great opportunity for all nations involved to improve (their) interoperability.”
Essex is operating with the dock landing ships USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), and the guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63), along with military personnel representing Thailand, Singapore, Japan and Indonesia. The exercise is being held to demonstrate the ability to deploy a joint task force rapidly to conduct joint/combined operations, transition of authority with a United Nations Force, and a field training exercise.
During the exercise, Essex has been conducting naval maneuvers with the Royal Thai Navy. Essex sailors are also participating in a community relations project at a local school. Activities include minor repair work, painting and spending time with the children.
“One of our goals is to be ambassadors of goodwill and friendship,” said Cmdr. Chin Dang, Essex command chaplain. “That goodwill works both ways, too. When a sailor goes out and does something good for someone in need, it makes them feel good about themselves.”

Cprl. James Anderson paints a shelter at Sang Song La Nursery in Sattahip, along with Royal Thai Navy Sailors and other U.S. Marines and sailors as part of a community relations project during Cobra Gold 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Dan Garcia)
The project is scheduled to take place during a port visit, which will also serve as a chance for sailors and marines to enjoy a few days in Thailand. Essex Morale Welfare and Recreation department is offering a variety of tours featuring the country’s rich culture and exotic landscape.
“We try to offer a variety of tours for the sailors and marines during each port visit,” said Mick Hultz, Essex afloat recreation specialist. “Thailand has a rich and varied history that Essex sailors are going to get to explore.”
In all, Essex’ MWR will offer 13 tours, featuring everything from Thailand’s ancient city of Muang Boran to its famous floating market. Many Essex sailors are not strangers to the country. This visit will be the second for Aviation Machinist’s Mate First Class (AW/SW) Guy Dickantone, of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW) Stephanie Kendall paints a school building at Sang Song La Nursery in Sattahip. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Dan Garcia)
“Last visit, I toured the floating market and it was very interesting,” said Dickantone. “You travel through the market just like the Thai people did before there were roads. You float through, buy what you want to buy and keep moving.”
Dickantone said he has seen Thailand’s diverse culture first-hand and is looking forward to something new during this visit.
“MWR tours are great because they give sailors a chance to experience a foreign country with a group of familiar people,” he said. “It’s also provides sailors a fun educational alternative to the nightclubs and bars and helps them to stay out of trouble. Hopefully it will be a safe, enjoyable port visit for everyone.”
Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

Thousands make merit on Makha Bucha Day

Buddhists light candles and incense sticks to pay respect to the Buddha,
Dharma and Sangha at Wat Nong Yai.

Buddhists are blessed with holy water from the revered monk at Wat Nong Yai in North Pattaya, after tamboon, or making offerings to the monks.

Revered monks lead the Buddhist followers
in the wien thien ceremony at Wat Nong Yai.

Staff reporters
February 9 this year was an important day for all Buddhists, as it was the date on which Makha Bucha Day (Buddhist All Saints Day) fell. This important occasion for Buddhists marks the first sermon of the Lord Buddha to 1250 monks.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands of Buddhists perform the wien thien, walking clockwise 3 times around Wat Nong Yai in North Pattaya.

In Pattaya, thousands of devout Buddhists turned out at local temples to conduct ceremonies that have been performed throughout Buddhist history, and make merit for themselves and their families.
The morning ceremonies were filled with people presenting offerings to the monks, performing “tak baht” and listening to monks preach the Dharma, or teachings, of the Buddha.
Ceremonies were continued in the evening, with many people performing the “Wien Thien” whereby believers light candles and circle the temple’s prayer room three times.
This holy day commemorates the miraculous event when 1,250 disciples of the Buddha, Gautama Sakayamuni, traveled to meet with the Buddha with no prearranged agreement, at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the area of Rachakhryha, India.
Worshipping or ‘Bucha’ occurs on the 15th Day of the waning moon of the third lunar month, or ‘Makha’. This year the event fell on February 9.
The day gained official recognition in Thailand during the reign of King Rama IV and became a nationally observed day with all government institutions closing down and observing the rituals associated with Buddhist commandments.
Devout followers participated in morning ceremonies, making merit and listening to sermons at local temples, and later in the evening returned to the temple to perform the “wien thien ceremony” - walking three circuits around sacred grounds, paying homage to the “Triple Gem” or the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. The day is observed all over Thailand.
Other countries where the Buddhist faith is predominant and where Makha Bucha Day is officially observed as a national day include Nepal, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and India. Other countries with populations observing the day but in limited numbers include China, Korea and Vietnam.
Disseminating the Buddha’s teachings and the journey to meet with the Buddha on the 15th night of the 3rd lunar month are part of the historical events that include the sermons and truths spoken by the Buddha.
Having good intentions, not harming others, avoiding evil actions and making the heart and mind pure in thought were among the truths spoken by the Buddha. Additionally, other truths spoken by the Buddha cautioned individual restraint in all that attracts one’s attention, to include desiring possessions belonging to others, and exploiting others for personal gain.
Before departing, the Buddha also referred to the people’s interest in making merit, gaining self-esteem and a comfortable reassurance that moral integrity exists. More importantly, having faith in the “Triple Gem” (Phraratanatrai) was illustrated by emphasizing the importance of avoiding drunken, irresponsible and immoral behavior, and maintaining focus on supporting loved ones while being content in one’s existence with friends and without selfish greed.
This year was busier than most years, as the holy day fell on the day after the weekend, when most people returned home to be with their families. One Buddhist said that during the past year many untoward events took place, so all the family made merit to bless the departed, create greater understanding among family members and teach Buddhism concepts to the younger members of the family.

Thai fire-extinguishing ball being released upon the world

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Ponwachanan Kraimart is now ready to export his award winning fire-extinguishing ball to over 50 countries worldwide.
The Thai’s invention has already won five global safety awards, and his company is now ready to be manufactured on a large scale and exported.

Inventor Ponwachanan Kraimart (left) presents a gift to Alongkorn Ponlaboot, Deputy Minister of Commerce.

The proud inventor said that the ball, weighing 1.3 kg and filled with chemical powder, explodes when exposed to extreme heat for 3-10 seconds and will quickly put out a small fire.
On January 30 at Siam Safety Company in Soi Wat Nong Yai in Banglamung, Deputy Minister of Commerce Alongkorn Ponlaboot presided over a press conference for the Elite Fire Ball.
The inventor, representatives from the National Research Council, Volunteer Aid Association of Thailand, overseas distributors, the media and guests attended the press conference.
Ponwachanan said the ball is very effective in putting out a small fire. With a big fire it will still do its work by reducing the intensity of the flame. It is very easy to use as there is no need to get near the flames, as the ball can simply be thrown at the fire and the chemical bomb will do its job effectively.
Ponwachanan also said that the ball could be hung in areas such as the kitchen so that in case of a fire, the ball would automatically explode. The 120 db sound it makes would also alarm family in the rest of house.
Plans are being made for a manufacturing plant on five acres of land which will produce 100,000 balls a day.
But Deputy Minister Alongkorn said that currently there are many violations on the patent of this invention by people with financial and political power, to the financial disadvantage of the inventor.
The ministry is taking actions to protect intellectual property by co-operating with national police and punishing heavily those who violate the law.

Mediums placate the gods in Sattahip

Mediums cut their tongues in an attempt
to communicate with the Chinese God of death.

Patcharapol Panrak
Mediums were helping to relay messages from the gods to humans at the Pattani Shrine and the Shrine of Ngek Sian Hong Tae in Sattahip in this the Chinese Year of the Ox.
Various ways were being used to change bad personal fortunes for the better to get ready for a good year to come.
Two mediums did this by making cuts on their tongues and using the blood to worship the god of death. Then a Chinese God was invited to communicate with a spiritual medium through a human corpse.
Faithful followers who had gathered at the Sattahip shrines on February 4 believed that the Chinese God had actually come to relieve suffering humans on earth, especially those who were born in the Year of the Monkey, the Pig, the Horse and the Dragon, which are intertwined with the Year of the Ox.
People who were born in the Year of the Ox were told to be cautious on the waxing moon on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month (or February 9, 2009, and June 21, 2009). There might be an accident, and people should not be careless. They should also attend a ceremony to extend their lives.
Regarding people who were born in the Year of the Horse, they should also attend the ceremony to change their misfortune in a ceremony to lengthen their lives.
The mediums who were bleeding their tongues amazed worshippers by seemingly not feeling any pain.
To these worshippers, human life is connected to the stars and any help from above could make a vital difference to this Year of the Ox.

Entertainment venues told to ensure adequate fire safety

(L to R) Banglamung District Chief Mongkol Thamakittikhun, Sumet Sara-Aporn from Chonburi Public Works and City Planning, and Chonburi Deputy Governor Pisit Boonchuang talk about fire safety.

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Chonburi entertainment venues have been told to ensure adequate fire safety to avoid another fatal blaze such as the New Year’s Eve tragedy at the Santika Pub in Bangkok.
Local officials said that failure to comply with the recent fire safety directive from the Ministry of Interior could result in hefty fines and/or imprisonment.
On February 3 at Pattaya City Hall, Chonburi Deputy Governor Pisit Boonchuang outlined operational fire safety guidelines in a meeting with Banglamung District Chief Mongkol Thamakittikhun, Sumet Sara-Aporn from Chonburi Public Works and City Planning, and 200 entrepreneurs from the Banglamung area.
Deputy Governor Pisit said that the government’s policy stresses the safety of buildings, life and property and entrepreneurs are expected to do their share to ensure the safety of their customers.
For breaches of the law there is maximum fine of 60,000 baht or three months in prison, or both.
He said building and operating licenses must correspond to the building’s use. The law also requires the venues have a fire safety system covering fire exit, building plan information, fire extinguishing equipment, fire alarms, and emergency lighting.
All Pattaya entrepreneurs are encouraged to gain a better understanding of all legal standards involving installation, building operations and controls necessary for their operation.
The regulations also include no underage customers (under 18 years of age), no firearms, no drugs and no lewd shows.
Breaking any of these regulations will lead to a closure of the venue for either 60 days or 90 days.
Pisit said officials will strictly monitor safety with regular inspections according to the Entertainment Code.

Condo workers demand pay

Construction workers block the entrance to this building site,
demanding six months worth of back pay.

Patcharapol Panrak
Dozens of protesting workers blocked the front of a condominium construction project on Jomtien Beach to demand that a foreign investor pay them more than six months of back pay.
The Thai building contractor reportedly had to mortgage his house and pawn his cars to pay his workers. The project manager had on credit supplied construction materials worth more than 60 million baht but the investor is refusing to pay for them.
But the project owner came to meet workers’ representatives and promised to pay up no later than 10 p.m. on Monday before driving off in his luxury car.
On February 4, Pol. Lt-Col. Gritsiri Prasertchoke, Najomtien Chief Inspector, led police to the condo project in Najomtien where more than 100 workers had closed the entrance to the construction site.
Waving protest signs demanding to be paid, the workers blocked the site. Police negotiated with them in vain to clear the road but the workers vowed to stay put until they get paid.
Wittaya Cheunprasert, 30, from Pratumthani Province, is project engineer turned protest leader. He said that he was the building contractor for this project which had been going for about 18 months but started to have financial problems six months ago.
The project owner keeps postponing payment of wages and material costs, recently offering 300,000 baht which was not nearly enough for overdue bills of more than six months, he said.”

Police catch hotel thief

Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya Tourist Police arrested a former hotel employee red-handed as he was allegedly trying to steal electrical goods worth 700,000 baht from a hotel, having been hired to do so by another former employee of the same hotel.

Nakhon (seated) was caught trying to steal items from the California Hotel.

At 4 a.m. on February 4, Pol. Lt-Col. Suwan Un-anan of Tourist Police Station 4 and other officers went to the California Hotel on Pratamnak Road and nabbed Nakhon Manorangsimorakot, 37, from Chachoengsao, as he was allegedly in the middle of trying to unscrew a stove hood from the hotel kitchen.
Police seized one cooker hood, a bag of tools and two ya ba pills.
Hotel caretaker Komrat Patwongwan, 46, told police that from January 27-30 a thief had been breaking into the hotel, which was closed for renovation.
Missing were two 32” flat-screen televisions, seven color TVs, six refrigerators, nine air conditioners, two microwaves, and other valuable items valued at more than 700,000 baht.
According to police, Nakhon told them that Nok, a former caretaker and wife of the hotel’s owner, had hired him for 2,000 baht to remove the hotel goods and deliver them to her house in Petchabun. He thought that all of the property belonged to Nok.
Regarding the ya ba, he said Nok had purchased it for him to consume.

Illegal workers deported