In a step which has long been campaigned for by juristic and adminstration elements in the area, the Ministry of Justice have decided to-set up a Provincial Court in Pattaya. The jurisdiction of this court will cover the District of Sattahip, the District of Banglamung and part of the District of Sriracha. (Laem Chabang or Tambon Toong Sukka).
The site selected is the area near the entrance to the Boys Home, where the vocational centre to honour her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is located.
Permission to use the land
Because the land in that area belongs to the Public Welfare Department of the Ministry of Interior, permission to use the land to build a Court House must he granted by the Ministry of Interior before the Ministry of Justice can go ahead with the project. A Parliamentary Act must then be enacted to establish the new Provincial Court.
Juvenile and Family Court
In addition to the Provincial Court, the Ministry also plans to establish a Juvenile and Family Court in the same area. When a Juvenile and Family Court is established it must come with a Childrens Observation and Protection Centre, which requires a sizable budget and man-power allocation to run it.
The establishment of these courts recognises the distinct identity of the area, and the growing need for localised juridical and administrative control. They will greatly facilitate and expedite the administration of justice in the district, as well as attracting many accomplished legal minds to forsake the pollution and stress of the capital for the clean air and open roads of the Eastern Seaboard and Pattaya.
How long will Pattayans have to wait?
The plans have been initiated by an approach to the Ministry of Interior for permission to use the location, but how long will Pattayans have to wait for the Provincial Court? Perhaps as long as the Bangkokians have waited for their skytrain and Rapid Transport Systems.
