|
HRH Princess Sirindhorn presides over joint Thai
and Australasia Royal College of Surgeons seminar
HRH Princess Sirindhorn
is welcomed by Dr. Noppadol Wora-Urai,
president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand.
HRH Princess Sirindhorn visits the exhibition hall.
Story & Photos by
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Thai surgeons gained insight into new medical techniques
and breakthrough research from Australian and New Zealand counterparts at a
joint meeting of surgeon colleges from Thailand and Australasia.
The joint meeting of the Royal College of Surgeons of
Thailand and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons was opened July 26
by HRH Princess Sirindhorn at the Ambassador City Hotel. The ceremony also
marked the Thai college’s 35th anniversary.
Ian Civil, President, Chair of Council and Executive of
the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons was impressed with the large
numbers of attendees at the seminar.
Dr. Noppadol Wora-Urai, president of the royal college in
his report said that “Patient Safety and Quality Improvement” was the theme
of the meeting with Thai doctors getting updates on basic and advanced
research, technological advancements and refinement of surgical techniques.
Panels discussed the value of advanced techniques, patient safety and good
surgical practices.
Ian Civil, President, Chair of Council and Executive of
the Australasia College, applauded the royal college’s work to gather so
many attendees and aggregate so many academic sessions in the program. About
1,300 medical professionals attended.
More than 20 high-profile guests from around the world
were invited to the congress to impart information, “creating a great forum
for sharing knowledge and experience in surgical frontiers and
breakthroughs,” Civil said.
The event was also a chance for Aussie and Kiwi doctors
to get a holiday in Thailand to see and experience the charms of the Land of
Smiles.
HRH Princess Sirindhorn also presented an honorary shrine
to the Best Surgeon of 2010 and the administrative committee of the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons.
More than 1300 delegates
from Thailand and overseas attended the seminar.
PM Abhisit commemorates Coronation Day in Sattahip
Navy and marines organize day of ceremonies and activity
Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva inspects the honor guard upon his arrival.
Patcharapol Panrak
In commemoration of the 60 th
anniversary of His Majesty the King’s coronation, Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva made an official visit to the Royal Thai Marines Corps base in
Sattahip on July 31.
In a day of ceremony and activity, the event saw the
premier inspect troops, lay a memorial wreath, lead ceremonies honoring the
Thai and navy flags, and paid tributes to commemorate His Majesty’s historic
visits to the Marine Corps base throughout His 60-year reign.
The day began with a welcome by Admiral Kamthorn
Phumhiran, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and Vice Admiral Suwit
Thararoop, Commander of the Royal Thai Marines Corps, along with government,
military and private-sector dignitaries. The Prime Minister led an
inspection of the honor guard and active-duty servicemen before laying a
wreath at the Marine Corps monument to honor soldiers killed while in
service of their country.
PM Abhisit walks back after having performed the
ceremonial ritual to honor the King.
Sixty paratroopers showed off their skills in different
jump formations. A lecture and demonstrations also detailed the histories of
the Royal Thai Navy flag and Thai national flag. At dusk, Abhisit joined in
the singing of the national anthem as the flag was lowered from the mast.
The Prime Minister then went on to visit the exhibition
at Kon Hin Yai, or “Big Rock,” in the center of Toey Ngarm Beach where His
Majesty the King had erected a marine flag on April 19, 1966. That was the
date His Majesty made His historic 14-hour crossing of the Gulf of Thailand
from Klai Kungwon Palace in Hua Hin to the Marine Base in Sattahip, an
arduous journey of 60 nautical miles.
Later that evening, three amphibious vehicles approached
the beach from the sea, with the middle transporter bearing a huge portrait
of HM the King. Prime Minister Abhisit climbed onto the amphibian and
performed rituals pledging allegiance to the King.
He then led the soldiers and officials in declaring their
love and loyalty to the Great Monarch followed by the singing of songs in
praise of the King and the Royal Anthem.
The evening concluded with colorful entertainment by
girls dressed in Hawaiian costumes and leis performing hula dances, much to
the enjoyment of the premier and his delegation.
Three amphibious vehicles, the centre one
carrying
a portrait of HM the King, prepare for a beach landing.
As the sun sets on the horizon, PM Abhisit and
high-ranking
officials walk to the ceremonial area for an evening of fellowship.
Ladies in Hawaiian costumes and leis performing hula
dances,
much to the enjoyment of the premier and his delegation.
Buddhist Lent traditional festivities observed in city
Long weekend brings in much needed revenue for businesses in Pattaya
People of all walks of life flock to the temples
to halp
mould the Khao Pansa Candles.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Tens of thousands of tourists flocked to Pattaya last
weekend to celebrate the 4-day Asalahabucha and the start of the Buddhist
lent holidays.
Festivities began on July 26, when Buddists all over the
country when devotees flocked to temple to make merit by pouring wax into
moulds to create ‘Khao Phansa’ candles and present them to the temples.
Though the skies opened up on the night of July 26,
flooding most of the city, but by the next morning, the streets were dry
again and visitors could still enjoy a fun day on the beach.
Traffic stretched for several kilometres on Sukhumvut
Road, not to mention bumper to bumper traffic on Pattaya’s streets, but
traffic police and volunteers kept vehicles moving and no serious accidents
or disturbances took place.
Buddhist Lent marks the beginning of the period the monks
stay within their temples for three months, during the height of the rainy
season. Consequently, the presenting of candles, food and robes has long
been of great practical as well as symbolic importance, and forms one of the
most important festivals of the Thai year.
Government approves investment loan for Bangkok-Rayong high-speed train
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The government has approved an investment loan to build a
high-speed rail train line linking Bangkok and Rayong.
Industry Minister Chaiwut Bannarat talks about loan
approval for a new high-speed rail link between Rayong and Bangkok.
Speaking at a July 23 investment seminar in Pattaya,
Industry Minister Chaiwut Bannarat said an official announcement about the
size of the investment and its funding source will be made later. However,
he said he was able to announce that the loan was approved with hopes of
stimulating the economy in the Eastern Seaboard.
“It’s very important to drive investments in the eastern
provinces for a multitude of parties to realize the economic potential and
investments in this region,” Chaiwut told about 500 people attending the
Board of Investment seminar at the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort. The
train line, he added, would enhance the region’s transportation system and
logistics industry.
“With Thailand’s recent economic and political problems,
it’s important for the world to understand the economy here is recovering
and improving,” the minister said.
Government rallies public around flag in effort to reunite nation
Phasakorn Channgam
Thailand’s ruling party is trying to reunite a
politically torn nation by literally rallying people around the flag.
About 500 bureaucrats, students and private sector
representatives took part in a “Our tri-coloured flag, the strength and
unity of Thailand’ seminar at Jomtien Beach’s Ambassador City Hotel July
22. The agenda was to teach the history of the flag and how to
“properly” sing the national anthem.
Rapeepan Sariwat, speaks of honour and respect for
the Thai flag.
Organized by two departments in the Prime Minister’s
office, including one dubbed the “Office of Strengthening National
Identity,” the workshop is one in a series the Prime Minister’s Office
is organizing to help fire up patriotism and try to unite people under
the Thai flag, rather than the red, yellow, pink or blue banners of
their political faction.
Seminar leaders pointed out the Thai flag has long
been a cherished symbol of independence for Thailand and taught proper
ways to display and respect it. Rapeepan Sariwat, chief inspector at the
Prime Minister’s Office, said the government is also putting together a
manual on correct display of the flag.
He added that “the flag is a tool for national
reconciliation, and says ‘the Thai flag and the national anthem are
symbols of Thailand. We respect the flag, and we gather with pride in
Thailand’s independence and the sacrifices of the fore fathers.”
Half of Thai youth do nothing on Buddhist Lent occasion
Poll says half of Thai youth are not interested in
religious activities on the Buddhist Lent occasion.
The poll was carried out by the Ministry of Culture in a
bid to sound out opinions of 8,095 children aged 13-22 toward the Buddhist
Lent festival.
Base on the poll, 76.12% knows that the Buddhist Lent
Festival starting on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar
month to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month,
while 78.63% knows that the Buddhist Lent is a time that monks and novices
are devoted to study and meditation and not venturing out for a period of
three months.
Half of the sample group or 57.03% had planned to give
alms on the Buddhist Lent Day followed by making merit but the other half or
42.97% had not planned to be engaged in any religious activities on the day.
According to Culture Minister, Nipit Intarasombat, the
responders had suggested the Ministry to come up with activities that would
help promote the importance of Buddhist occasions and continually publicize
campaign on anti-enticement practices during these occasions.
Meanwhile, the Buddhists guidebooks should be published
and given out to educational institutions nationwide and that the Ministry
should also promote the candle making activity and traditional candle
offering ceremony to be widely known among children in all areas. (NNT)
PTT closes 8 NGV stations
for pipeline upgrade
Theerarak Suthathiwong
Natural gas vehicle service stations in Pattaya are
unaffected by PTT (Public) Co. Ltd.’s decision to close its main pipeline
for repairs.
Wiboon Ruckthongsuk: pipeline to close for 90 days.
Thirty-eight stations in eight provinces including
Chonburi and Rayong were impacted late last month when the gas company shut
operations to install upgrades to its pipeline-based distribution system.
Eight of those shut down were in Chonburi.
Chanphen Group Deputy Manager Wiboon Ruckthongsuk said
stations along the PTT pipeline in downtown Chonburi, Banglamung, Ban Bung,
Chachoengsao-Sattahip Road Km 83, Sriracha Road No. 331, Bor Win, the Laem
Chabang Industrial Estate, and Sahapat Industrial Estate would be closed for
90 days.
The closings are part of the gas company’s plans to
improve the quality of gas used in NGVs. The upgrade should be completed
sometime in October.
A NGV propelled car tanks up at a PTT station.
Wiboon said that consumers shouldn’t worry short supplies
as other stations that receive gas via truck are not affected. This includes
three stations in Pattaya.
Surachai Wongsawat, owner of the Rama 2 Mart Part.
Station said his natural gas comes from a depot in Ban Bung. He said there
appears to be enough gas there to meet demand during the shutdown.
Surakiat Paothanom, manager of the Laem Chabang 2 NGV
station, said PTT was aware the closure of several stations could cause
disruptions. That’s why the closures were delayed until July 24 when his
station opened for service.
A large station, it can cover about 30 percent of all the
area’s supplies alone. Thirteen other small stations will remain open in
Chonburi.
BAYWATCH: Obstacle course for the disabled
Vimolrat Singnikorn
 Walking
around Pattaya looking for interesting things to write about, we chanced
upon this unique landscape on the beach near Central Road, which caught our
attention.
On first sight, we complemented city hall on their
consideration to help the physically challenged people who depend on
wheelchairs for mobility, by building a sloped path leading from the road to
the beach area.
Taking a closer look we see that except for the sloped
surface near the footpath, the rest of the way is unpaved leaving a stony
and sandy rough surface, which would make it quite a challenge to roll the
wheelchairs over.
Not only that, but they also have the tree blocking the
path to contend with.
We are curious as to why city officials would choose this
spot to build the path. Not only is it inconvenient for the handicapped but
with the open dilapidated electrical box on the ground, which looks
menacingly dangerous and could portray a negative image of our
‘international’ beach resort.
Bogus lawyers busted for extortion
Boonlua Chatree
Bogus lawyers who promised to fix the legal problems of
foreigners who paid them large amounts of cash were arrested after a
potential victim became suspicious.
Region 2 Provincial Police July 17 arrested Sirikorn
Kumpa, 33, Sukanya Songkhuntod, 33, and Mattana Huayyai, 31, at the Big C
shopping center in South Pattaya after (Thai national) Anchalee Frei handed
over 40,000 baht in cash and a cheque for 340,000 baht to the women as part
of a police sting.
Police move in on the bogus lawyers in South Pattaya.
Lt. Col. Kwanpichai Manoocharoensap, chief of
Investigation and Crime Suppression in Region 2, said Frei had filed a
complaint about a group of people claiming to be lawyers, but who asked for
large sums of cash to clear her legal problems. She was concerned it was a
scam.
Investigators discovered that in fact, it was. The group,
led by Pulsawat Kerdkaew set up a “law office,” in Nong Plailai and
specifically targeted foreigners with legal problems. They claimed that, if
they paid enough, they could settle any legal charges with prosecutors and
the courts.
Pulsawat and another accomplice Angkana Kerdkaew are
still at large.
Ex-boxer security guard stings
Brit attempting to sleep on beach
Boonlua Chatree
A former boxer hired to guard beach chairs after hours
gave a British tourist a knockdown blow for trying to borrow the locked-up
property under his care.
Christopher Theodore Harwood Topham, 57, admitted to
police that he knocked over a pile of folded-up beach chairs off Beach Road
at Soi 10 while trying to take one to lie on at about 1 a.m. July 20. He
claimed he didn’t realize the chairs were locked-down private property.
Topham, his knees bleeding, is attended to by a member of
the tourist police volunteers after his unlucky encounter with a beach
boxer.
He found out the hard way when Nung Inkong, 27, a former
57 kg.-class amateur boxer with the Sid Yodthong Boxing Camp, pulled him
away from the chairs and knocked him to the ground, cutting the tourist’s
knees. The Bangkok native told police he mistook the Brit for a thief and
was only doing his job.
Harwood, who presumably had a hotel somewhere, said he
was tired and simply wanted to lie down on the beach after midnight. Nung
said the beach was dark and it was difficult to see who had knocked over the
chairs.
The British man declined to press charges, but police
still made Nung pay him 1,000 baht and warned the boxer to be more like a
butterfly and less like a bee when not in the ring.
Four foreigners among 30 arrested in city-wide raids of drug, sex parties
Police display the suspects along with evidence seized
during their raids on drug dens and illegal parties.
Boonlua Chatree
Four foreigners were among 30 people arrested in a
city-wide sweep of after hours drug and sex parties.
Australian David Nell Hill, 31, Frenchman Patrick Drace,
Gavin John Laidlaw of Scotland, 42, and American Hans Henric Leiman were
arrested along with four Thai women in their 20s in three separate incidents
in the early hours of July 23.
The raids netted a large cache of Class 1, 2 and 5 drugs,
including 10.7 g. ya-ice, 19.6 g. of cocaine, six ya-ba tablets, a pack of
dry marijuana and copious amounts of drug paraphernalia. Additionally, a
male-shaped sex toy and pornographic DVDs were also seized during the arrest
of the 62-year-old American and his 23- and 26-year-old female companions.
During the July 23 police press conference, officers said
more than 20 other Thais were also arrested on drug charges in a Pattaya-wide
“clean out” of drug dens and illegal parties.
13 early-teen boys found
in Sunee Plaza bar raid
A police officer talks to the youngsters employed at the
go-go bar.
PM / Bunlua Chatree
Thirteen underage boys were among those arrested during a
raid on a Sunee Plaza gay bar by Chonburi Immigration Police.
The July 24 crackdown at the Nice Boys a-Go-Go came after
an undercover officer attempted to purchase the sexual services of a
13-year-old. Investigators discovered that the club employed 13 boys between
ages 13 and 15 and operated an illegal room where sexual acts were
performed. The teens were sent to the Child and Women’s Rights Protection
office.
Police arrested Nirut Rakmooklang, 35, and charged him
with human trafficking, running a prostitution business, employing minors
and allowing minors on the premises. Ekachai Tomee, 30, was also arrested
and additionally charged with forced child labor. Investigators also seized
illicit CD-ROMs, files, work schedules, and other records.
Officers also tested 50 employees and 40 foreign
customers for illegal drug use. Twelve of the workers tested positive for
methamphetamine use and were arrested on narcotics consumption charges. All
the foreigner tested negative and were released.
The Thais who tested negative were nonetheless taken to Pattaya Police
Station where they had to pay a fine of 1,000 baht each for working in an
illegal prostitution business.
Russian couple assaulted during failed robbery
Boonlua Chatree
A Russian man was slashed and beaten by would-be necklace
snatchers gunning for his girlfriend’s gold.
Boga Tyrev, 30, sustained knife wounds to the back,
shoulder and ear and cuts to the head July 24 when he tried to fight off two
Thai men attempting to rob 32-year-old companion Oleysya Pobtolenko. The
pair were walking on Pratamnak Soi 4 when the robbers rode up on a black and
white motorbike and tried to take Pobtolenko’s white gold and diamond
pendant necklace.
They missed the necklace and tore the women’s blouse, at
which point Tyrev stepped in to defend her. In retaliation, the men slashed
the Russian and beat his head into the pavement after he fell.
Pobtolenko took her boyfriend to Banglamung Hospital for
treatment before filing a complaint with Pattaya Police.
Jordanians drugged,
robbed by 2 Thai women
Boonlua Chatree
Two Jordanian men were drugged and robbed by a pair of
Thai women they picked up while enjoying Pattaya’s nightlife.
Salahuddin M.Kh Atallah, 30, and Amer Moh”D Zakd Rashid
Abdelihadi, 32, told police they had taken the women back to their hotel
room on Second Road in South Pattaya July 25.
Both men drank a beer and then fell into a deep sleep for
about 20 hours. When they awoke about 5 p.m. July 26, they found about 3,600
baht in Thai and Jordanian currency and two cell phones missing.
Hotel employee Pornthip Klabkomut gave investigators a
description of the women but said that the hotel had not taken a copy of
their identification cards before they retired upstairs.
System failure, overcrowding may
have lead to hotel elevator fall
Investigators look for clues as to the cause of the
malfunction
that caused the elevator to plummet to the ground.
Theerarak Suthathiwong
Authorities are still investigating how an elevator at
the Welcome Jomtien Hotel fell four stories, injuring five people.
Inspectors from the Otis Elevator Co., Police Scientific
Division, Region 13, Pattaya police and hotel employees inspected the
elevator and its control panel July 26. Officials suspect the elevator
system failed to alert passengers that too many people were in the lift,
causing it to plummet from the fourth floor to ground level July 24.
Approximately 20 people had crowded into the elevator before the accident.
Investigators from the Police Scientific Division said
they should have a determination within a week.
Pattaya Police Deputy Superintendent Lt. Col. Tharathep
Tupanit said passengers boarding the lift on the 16th
floor reported that problems started at the seventh floor, with lights
flickering and the elevator lurching only as far as the fourth floor before
it fell.
The elevator had a maximum capacity of 1,000 kg., which
would have been far exceeded by having 20 people crowded in. The elevator
was last inspected three months ago, at which time no problems were
reported. Investigators are assuming the alarm code was not sent to the
elevator cab alerting people they had overcrowded the car and that some
people had to get off.
|
