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Local environment survives close call with disaster
Fuel tanker ran aground, rescued before losing any cargo
by Vichan
Pladplueng
The local environment survived a close brush with
disaster last week when a fuel ship loaded with 600,000 liters of LPG ran
aground on Lang Kwian Island in Sattahip Bay, about 1 nautical mile from
Chonburi.
The Thai owned Dolphin Three container ship lost its
way late at night during a storm and hit the north end of the island.
 The
Dolphin Three, loaded with 600,000 liters of LPG, ran aground on Lang
Kwian Island in Sattahip Bay. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt and none
of the fuel leaked into the sea.
The operational center of the Royal Thai Navy received
the call at 2 a.m. on May 21. Admiral Taweesak Somapa, director of the RTN
operational center, immediately dispatched a Bale-212 helicopter to
inspect the situation. Seeing that the ship was close to sinking, the
admiral dispatched a crew to the site to try and rescue it. It took the
crew about 5 hours to stabilize the situation.
The Dolphin Three belongs to the Thai owned Maritime
Dolphin Co., Ltd. It is manned by a permanent crew of 10.
Suksan Somnak, a crewman aboard the ship, excitedly
explained, “The ship set off from Bangpakong, Chachaengsao to take LPG
to Maptaput Industrial Estate, Rayong. Everything was going well and the
ship was under the control of its radar system, but on the way to Rayong
there was a severe storm at night. The crew could not control the ship’s
direction and it was too dark to see anything. So, the vessel eventually
hit Lang Kwian Island. Luckily, no one died or was seriously injured.”
After the Dolphin Three was rescued from the rocks, the
Maritime Dolphin Co, Ltd. dispatched a ship to tow it to port for further
repairs.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the
accident was caused by the captain’s carelessness or the severe storm,
or perhaps both. But they agreed that if the ship had sunk and the gas had
leaked into the sea, it could have spread as far as 20 kilometers, which
would have been disastrous for the environment.
Beach Road’s new footpath to proceed regardless of protests
City contracts B. S. & B. S. Pattaya Co. Ltd. to the work
by Veerachai Somchart
Pattaya City Administration will push on with its
project to upgrade the walkway on Beach Road regardless of objections. The
city has allocated 35,510,000 baht to beautify the footpath running along
the city’s beach and has contracted B. S. & B. S. Pattaya Co. Ltd.
to do the construction. The project is expected to be concluded by
November 10th of this year.
 Construction
workers chip away at the old sidewalk in front of the Hard Rock Hotel on
Beach Road, making way for a new, wider path.
City officials have held a series of meetings with
vendors and business people who are set up along this stretch of road in
order to reach a clear understanding about how the upgrade will affect
business. Since construction will disrupt businesses in the affected area,
and some vendors will have to relocate, a city spokesman said that it is
understandable that there has been hostility toward to the project.
However, many businesses do see the future benefits of
the upgraded environment and are willing to work around the nuisance
knowing that tourists will appreciated the enlarged walkway and improved
appearance.
Initially, the city wanted to enlarge the footpath to 4
meters wider. But a survey showed since there are obstructions in some
areas, it would be more practical to widen the walkway only 2.50 meters.
Pattaya’s mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat said,
“The administration can actually enforce the land restoration law to
make people sell their land to the government and enlarge the road up to 8
meters. But I believe that it would be better if we ask for cooperation
from the landowners. Recently, many resorts and hotels such as the Dusit
Resort, the Hard Rock Hotel, the Beach View Hotel, the Charming Inn, etc.
have cooperated with Pattaya City in conforming to the plan, which is a
good sign for Pattaya City development.”
The construction of the widening footpath on Second
Road and Beach Road in Pattaya will start from the intersection at Pattaya
Municipal School to the intersection at Central Pattaya (west side) and
the Central Pattaya intersection to North Pattaya (east side).
This project is partly sponsored by Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT) and has also received loans from J-BIC Foundation,
Japan.
Nittiya Phatimasongkhroh elected president of YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya
Donations pour in from sponsors to support “Warm Family” scholarship project
YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya elected Nittiya Phatimasongkhroh
president of the local branch of the association. The election took place
at the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya’s monthly meeting at the Diana Inn earlier
this month. Nittiya will serve for two years.
Immediate
past president, Premrudee Jittiwutkarn accepts a check for 45,000 baht
from the PILC which will go towards the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya “Warm
Family” scholarship project.
Members of the club agreed that immediate past
president, Premrudee Jittiwutkarn served her term with distinction.
At the monthly meeting, the club also announced its
monthly working report and conveyed the organization’s deep appreciation
to donors who contributed to the scholarship project over the past year.
The YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya scholarship project, “Warm
Family” provides annual scholarships to children from 36 schools in
Pattaya area. This year scholarship money was given by many traditionally
generous donors, such as the Pattaya Sport Club who gave 195,000 baht for
130 children, which amounts to 1,500 baht for each student.
The Pattaya International Lady’s Club donated 45,000
baht for 30 children, 1,500 baht for each, and the Rotary Club of Jomtien
- Pattaya presented 37,000 baht for 25 children which also amounts to
1,500 baht for each recipient. Scholarships will be distributed to these
children in July.
Pattaya administration opens new health club for the elderly
Dancing, exercise and pageants to keep people feeling young
The city has opened a new exclusive club for the
elderly at the Public Health Center, Pattaya City Hall. Deputy Mayor
Wutisak Remkijikarn said that the new club will benefit the community by
promoting physical and mental health and quality of life among the
region’s ageing residents.
 Pattaya
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, joined by many of the city’s senior
citizens, officially declared open the Exclusive Health Club for the
Elderly at the Public Health Center at Pattaya City Hall.
The project was organized and promoted by the
Department of Public Health, Hygiene and the Environment emphasizing that
“gray power” counts for much in Thai society.
The deputy mayor went on to say that the younger
generation can learn a lot from our senior citizens’ wealth of
experience.
Pranee Maneesarn, president of the new club, organized
a physical exercise set for members of the association including dancing
and pageants in which local and foreign residents joined together,
totaling approximately 90 people. 99-year-old Peuk Yuyartmark, who is
still amazingly healthy and alert for her age, won the congeniality title.
The association will focus on various activities and
meet on a monthly basis. The club will also feature a free medical checkup
for those who require it.
Pattaya to join in World Environment Day celebrations
Garbage parade and painting competitions to be featured highlights
Parading recycled garbage around town might not sound
all that appealing, but when it is done in good fun and for a good cause,
the results are bound to be promising.
June 5 this year has been designated as World
Environment Day, and Pattaya City plans to take part in a big way.
The festivities will kick off on June 4 with the “Tod
Pha Pa” - a recycled garbage donation parade from the Dolphin Circle in
North Pattaya to Wat Pho. A donation area will be set up at the Dolphin
Circle from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. for anyone who might want to contribute
to the “theme”. Suggestions for donations for the garbage parade are
paper or plastic glasses, metals such as aluminum, brass, copper and cans.
On June 5th, the city has organized a painting
competition titled “Improving the World”. 72 prizes worth a total of
45,000 baht will be awarded to the winners. Competitors will be divided
into three levels, junior high school, senior high school and high school
equivalent or diploma level. The painting competition will take place on
Pattaya Beach Soi 4 from 9 a.m. - noon. Registration is at 8.00 a.m.
Marines of the Royal Thai Navy from Sattahip and
volunteers from Pattaya communities will also participate in beach
cleanups to mark the occasion.
Wanaporn Jamjumrat, director of the Hygiene and
Environmental Department for Pattaya City, organized the campaign to
improve Pattaya’s appearance and educate the populace on refuse
management and trash recycling. Pattaya City and Pattaya’s Special
Environmental Team are lending support.
Tourism business down in Pattaya and Chonburi
Board of Tourism Promotion and Development says integrated plans needed
At a recent meeting of the Board of Chonburi Tourism
Promotion and Development, Manit Boonchim, director of TAT’s Central
District 3 - Pattaya stressed that Thailand’s market for tourism is
currently facing a downturn due to the heavy competition between tourist
business operators.
Hotels and resorts are dropping their room prices in
order to attract customers, resulting in more low class tourists coming to
Pattaya, which he says is aggravating social and environmental problems. A
lot of tourists elect to travel to neighboring regions and by-pass
Chonburi and even Pattaya. Therefore TAT proposes that both places need to
create a strategy to develop tourist attractions.
At the meeting, led by Chadej Insawang, chairman,
members of the board called for more coordination between different
districts in Chonburi. The board also wants to plan a tourism calendar in
order to more closely forecast a budget with help from the Tourism
Authority of Thailand.
A more holistic management approach is needed from
Chonburi Administration, which will require coordination between
tourism-related organizations and government departments in order to plan
the 2002-2003 calendar of events for the region.
Past projects on tourism made by municipal
organizations in Chonburi were ill coordinated between authorities of each
organization and lacked integrated direction. Budget requests submitted to
central departments and ministries were not systematically put together in
the Chonburi operational tourism plan. For example, the 58,000 million-baht
project of “Economic Stimulation and the National Eco-tourism
Operational Plan” did not end up helping the Chonburi Administration run
its organizational departments more effectively.
Furthermore, continuation of financial support for
tourism development projects such as beach development at Bangsaen,
Sriracha, Laem Chabang, Pattaya and other nearby areas must be forthcoming
so that attractive beaches can improve the region’s image among
tourists, both local and international.
National Youth Bureau meets to study juvenile investigation law issue
New approach needed for investigation and prosecution of minors
by Laor Thongpradap
A new law came into effect in September last year that
specifically addresses crimes committed by juveniles. The law, in part,
states that social workers, psychologists, and solicitors must get
involved in the investigation and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.
However, the ramifications of the legislation have not
fully been realized as of yet. So, on May 15, Preecha Kamolbut, deputy
governor of Chonburi presided over the opening of a seminar titled
“Multi-professional Cooperation System”, which addressed the Criminal
Judgment Legislation Act Amendment (Issue No.20) of 1999.
Somchai Jaroenamnuaysuk, secretary of the Youth
National Bureau, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
(UNICEF), officers and other pertinent organizations attended the meeting.
Somchai explained that the goal of the meeting was to promote knowledge
and understanding among the various professionals who will in some way
deal with the subject of this legislation.
Psychologists, social workers, National Police Bureau
officers, judges, solicitors and lawyers will all need to thoroughly
understand the ramifications of the Act.
Professionals who work in this area need to find new
approaches and methods that address juvenile defendants who fall under the
new legislation.
This legislation also affects tightening of law
enforcement against the crimes of sexual trafficking in women and
children. Children and women involved in sexual traffic are often involved
in cruel mistreatment. The amended Act now more clearly address issues of
this matter.
Wongamat Beach drainage system construction still drawing complaints
City council chairman says it will all be over in September
by Suchada Tupchai
The installation of water pipes at Wongamat Beach,
pipes which will eventually connect to the city’s wastewater system, is
not yet done, and residents are complaining about the eyesore it is
causing.
 Huge
cement blocks littered along Wongamat Beach are causing an eyesore and
raising the ire of local residents and tourists.
Tawit Chaisawangwong, head of the Pattaya Council
chaired a recent assembly meeting which was called especially to address
the environmental problems on Wongamat Beach. Focusing on two main issues,
food vendors obstructing sidewalks and careless construction clutter, the
meeting called for executive administrators to put more effort into the
supervision of this area.
This premier section of Pattaya’s beachfront and
beautiful view is fast losing its appeal and a barrage of complaints is
finally receiving attention.
Recent complaints point to the construction of the
wastewater system run by Bangsaen Mahanakorn Co., Ltd. that has caused
damage to the scenic beauty at the beach. There is also concern that the
way the company is building the wastewater pipelines could harm the
environment and as a result cause a decrease in the number of tourists to
the beach.
The culling of unauthorized food vendors in this area
also needs to be addressed, people in the area have said.
However, Tawit Chaisawangwong replied that, “I am
acutely aware of the complaints about these issues. Regarding pipeline
construction, as far as I am concerned the construction is going well and
its effect on the environment is being closely monitored,” he said.
Tawit went on to say, “The project will most likely
be completed on September 19, 2002. The company will be responsible for
rehabilitating the environment after construction is finished. I see the
project as an improvement for the environment, since the whole idea is to
manage waste and keep the water in the area clean.”
City to hold by-election to replace Ukrit Nantasurasak
Polling on June 23 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Pattaya’s city council will hold a by-election on
June 23 to fill the council seat left vacant by Ukrit Nantasurasak’s
selection as deputy mayor.
Applications were accepted from May 17-23, and during
that time 8 people applied to run for the office. One of the applications
was rejected, however, as the person did not meet the necessary
requirements.
The seven remaining candidates are: Sanit Boonmachai,
Weerachai Sumatesawat, Prai Mungkung, Ouayporn Boonying, Tulakarn
Pluetisan, Chakrapong Akkaranant, and Jaroon Kasemsantitham.
Second Lieutenant Yutthana Thanachote, Pattaya City
officer said, “From all of the applicants, only Somchai Shauna has
cancelled his application. He is not eligible for the application, as he
does not have a minimum 1-year residency in Pattaya, which is one of the
basic criteria of the application. Candidates must have the following
qualifications: 1) being born of Thai nationality, 2) at least 25 years of
age, and 3) having a minimum 1-year residency in Pattaya.”
The by-election will take place on June 23 from 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m. at 66 constituencies in Pattaya.
Police raid illegal karaoke bars on Thepprasit Road
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya police officers recently raided the Rojana
Karaoke Bar on Thepprasit Road, suspected of running a brothel on the
premises. The owner managed to flee the scene just before the cops
arrived, but a bevy of 20 young girls were arrested and taken to the
station and fined 500 baht each.
 Police
raided a handful of karaoke bars on Thepprasit Road and arrested service
girls and bar owners. The service girls were fined 500 baht each and
released; the owners were detained for arraignment and no doubt paid just
a little bit more to earn their freedom.
During questioning bar manager, Anong Thamawong, 37,
admitted that the ladies had been selling sexual favors to fun lovers for
some time. Each girl received half of the fee she charged a client for
short time service performed in the building, which is owned by Rojana
Julphan, aged 48. Police are now seeking Rojana in connection with running
an illegal business.
Later in the week, police raided two more karaoke bars
in the same area that were also suspected of permitting prostitution on
the premises. The cops arrested a herd of young service girls, and the
bars’ owners. The sex workers were fined 500 baht each and released but
the bars owners were detained and held for arraignment.
Pattaya’s police force is facing an uphill climb in
trying to shut these places down, as they are cropping up like mushrooms
after a heavy rain.
Oil and gas tanker victim of pirates behind Si Chang Island
Crew tossed into the sea, rescued by fishermen
The M.T. Han Wei, transporting cargo from Singapore to
Burma, was raided by sea pirates earlier this month and was left abandoned
behind Si Chang Island off Sriracha.
Although the crime took place on May 5th, authorities
were not alerted until May 14 when Admiral Thavisak Somapha, chief of
staff and director of National Seaway Protection activities received a
request for assistance from Hong Kong through the International Maritime
Bureau (I.M.B.), England.
Two days later, on May 16, Rear Admiral Kampanat
Phuhareonyot led policemen and officers from the I.M.B. to the ship. The
crew flew to the scene in a Royal Navy Helicopter. The ship was still
anchored offshore, but the pirates had repainted and renamed the vessel
“Phaeton” and had already drained two million liters of oil from the
ship’s hold.
Noel Choong, one of the I.T.M. officers, said he had no
doubt that the ship had been attacked by pirates. He surmised the pirates
had come up from Indonesia, for in his words, “Indonesia has an infamous
reputation for piracy on the high seas in this region.”
Investigators learned that thirteen members of the
ship’s crew had been thrown into the sea, but were rescued by Indonesian
fishermen.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Sanae Kamthiang, chief of Chonburi
police said there have been no formal criminal charges made, and the
authorities are waiting for someone to come and claim the ship and loss of
cargo. “We cannot yet identify the pirates. There is no solid evidence
except the missing 2 million liters of oil and the fact that the ship was
re-colored and renamed by the pirates.”
Pol. Col Chakthip Chaijinda, deputy commander of the
Sea Police Bureau said, “Thankfully no crew members were injured and
they have already returned home. This crime will be thoroughly
investigated to make certain there is no fraud involved or any
‘monkey-business’ going on with employees.”
Suspected British soccer hooligan arrested, fined 1000 baht for attack on Japanese TV journalists
TV reporters allege they were attacked with beer and pepper spray
Suspected British soccer hooligan Stephen George
Hickmott, 47, was arrested last week and fined 1000 baht for allegedly
attacking a Japanese film crew with beer and pepper spray.
Masaomi Karasaki, a Japanese correspondent from Channel
12 TV Tokyo, told police his crew was filming a documentary on English
soccer hooligans in Pattaya before the May 31 start of the World Cup.
 Suspected
British soccer hooligan Stephen George Hickmott was arrested last week and
fined 1000 baht for allegedly attacking a Japanese film crew.
Karasaki said on May 23, they asked a group of
Westerners drinking in a pub in Soi Yamoto for an interview but the group
refused them. As they were interviewing another group of Westerners, the
TV Tokyo crewmembers alleged Hickmott and a man named Jason came up and
threw beer at them. He added that they ran out of the bar but were
followed by the group on a motorbike whose pillion passenger shot pepper
spray at their faces and bodies.
Hickmott admitted that they had splashed beer onto
Karasaki, but denied using the pepper spray.
Police suspect the attack was prompted by the Japanese
news crew filming the bar without asking for permission.
After the attack, Karasaki went to the Japanese Embassy
to report the incident. The embassy then submitted a report to Pattaya
police, who, led by Pol. Lt. Col. Wanpiti Pluetikun and his team tracked
down the offenders.
Hickmott is allegedly on a police blacklist and is not
being allowed to enter Japan or Korea before or during the World Cup.
Police suspect, however, that Hickmott and his gang made the trip to
Thailand to try and make their passage to these countries. Police reported
that they intend to keep a close watch on them.
Hickmott was charged with assault and fined 1,000 baht.
Nattapol See seriously injured in gangland-type shooting in South Pattaya
Crime took place just 10 meters from police box
Boonlua Chatree
Thirty-year-old Nattapol See was rushed to Bangkok
Pattaya Hospital after being shot twice just as he was getting into his
car near the pier in South Pattaya.
The crime occurred in the very early hours of the
morning when Nattapol returned from spending the evening on Pattaya’s
new addition to the nightlife scene, a floating disco anchored in Pattaya
Bay.
Witnesses said that two men simply walked up to
Nattapol and fired a number of shots into the windscreen and other parts
of the car and then fled the scene before anyone could react. Nattapol was
wounded in his upper chest and left wrist. The attack took place just a
few meters from a police box.
Police arriving on the scene found empty 9mm handgun
shell casings and Nattapol’s car peppered with bullet holes. The shell
casings were kept as evidence for further investigation.
Police suspect the assault was motivated by someone
seeking revenge. Based on the precision and speed with which the attack
took place, officers feel the assailants were professionals. No
identification or significant markings were observed by the witnesses as
both attackers were wearing full-face motorcycle helmets.
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