Main Sources

Mussel foraging in the waters off Sattahip turns to tragedy as swimmer mistakes grenade for mussel Friday 9th Jan 2004 www.pattayamail.com 

Diver disregards Navy warning

Boonlua Chatree

A day at the beach turned to tragedy, leaving a 25-year-old man in critical condition after he accidentally grabbed an unexploded shell in the waters off Sattahip.

Vichien Jantamas, from Udon, was rushed to the hospital after an explosive device he unwittingly grabbed exploded in his hand in 4-meters of water. The explosion severed his left hand and blew out both of his eyes. His friend, diving nearby, was also admitted to the Queen Sirikit hospital with less severe injuries.

The accident occurred in Bang Saray sub-district.

The injured men were taken by boat from the accident scene to the mainland, where a medical staff was on hand to stabilize their injuries and rush them to ICU for emergency treatment.

According to friends Sanant Narudom and Somchai Jantamas, three of them were diving for expensive mussels in the area of Koh Lin, an island controlled by the Royal Thai Navy. They suspect that Vichien mistook the explosive devise for a mussel.

The kind of mussel they were looking for sells in the marketplace for 200 baht per kilo.

Sanant Narudom and Somchai said they heard a loud explosion, after which they discovered that Vichien was seriously injured. They were able to call for help from a nearby tourist boat.

Attending physicians reported that Vichien’s left hand was almost severed, except for a few strands of tendon, and that both his eyes were destroyed. He also suffered severe blood loss.

The Royal Thai Navy has posted numerous warnings to swimmers and divers to stay away from Koh Lin due to the danger of unexploded shells.

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Bizarre  28.12.2003

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Bid to rehabilitate degraded coral reefs

chathaya Chuenniran - Phuket www.bangkokpost.com 24.12.2003

Mooring buoys and concrete modules have been placed in the sea off Phuket as part of a project to restore degraded coral reefs.

The province's marine biological centre placed mooring buoys and 600 concrete modules at 10 locations in the Andaman Sea during Dec 22-24. It plans to place another 100 concrete modules on Jan 8.

The institute has received 1.5 million baht from the provincial administration organisation for use in rehabilitating degraded coral reefs in the province.

About 50% of coral reefs along the Andaman coast, particularly in Phuket, needed urgent rehabilitation.

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Monday, December 22, 2003 

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Saturday, December 20, 2003 

ANDAMAN SEA: Briton Mark Ellyatt has set a new world record of 313 meters for the deepest scuba dive, beating the previous record by five meters.

Describing his historic dive on Thursday, in waters four hours off Patong, Mr Ellyatt said, “It’s a lonely trip, like a trip to the Moon.”

The descent into the depths took a mere 12 minutes and Mr Ellyat spent just 60 seconds there, collecting a marker to verify his record-breaking depth. But the ascent took six hours and 40 minutes.

He dove with six tanks to begin with and had another 24 brought down to him by support divers who met him at various depths on his way back up.

Mr Ellyatt told the Gazette that success lay not just in reaching the record depth but in coming back up safely. “Other dives like this that have been attempted ended with massive injuries to the diver,” he explained.

In February this year Mr Ellyatt himself needing emergency decompression treatment after a deep dive. He spent more than three months recovering.

He said that he himself had devised the decompression tables needed to ascend safely from great depth, and had made sure that they were reliable before attempting the real thing.

When asked how long he had been preparing for this deep dive Mr Ellyatt said with a laugh, “About 10 years.”

He told the Gazette that his main motive, however, was not to break the world record, but to improve safety standards.

“I wanted to find a method for safely ascending because there didn’t seem to be one. Lots of companies sell computer software that plots a solution for returning to the surface, but none of it seems to work,” he said.

Mr Ellyatt, the Technical Instructor Trainer at dive company Scuba Cat, celebrated yesterday’s achievement safely back on terra firma, watching a taped video of his deep water diving success.

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Saturday, December 20, 2003 

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Private owners oblige for the betterment of the city 19.12.2003

Suchada Tupchai

In an effort to address traffic congestion in Pattaya, city officials are targeting specific areas to ease the flow. One such location is the bottleneck road at the far southern end of Walking Street leading to Bali Hai pier.

Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat recently met with the Siam Bayshore Hotel officers to discuss the idea of removing a one meter section of the Bali Hai kitchen that chokes the traffic flow. The mayor, intent on improving traffic flow has requested the hotel to renovate the kitchen area. The city has offered to pay for the renovations and reclaim the section of road that in recent years has been the scene of many accidents.

Hotel engineering officer, Boonkert Sothornchareonsilp said, “The kitchen belongs to the hotel area and was built 30 years ago when there were no roads in the area. Over the years Pattaya has developed and we now face general traffic problems, including this particular section. Since it is one route to the new pier area, and with the increased number of visitors, the hotel has decided to cooperate with the city providing that the plans that the city offers to correct the situation are satisfactory and agreeable on both sides and is for the greater good of everyone concerned.”

Once both parties agree on the specific plans and renovations, construction is expected to begin within a very short period of time.

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EDITORIAL www.bangkokpost.com 12.12.2003

Our seas, ourselves, need better than this

Thailand is to join 11 other regional states today in signing the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia. Three years in the making, this considerable document was required as a response to the regional implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and other international meetings which call for greater effort at the regional and international levels to curb environmental degradation and to safeguard the world's remaining natural coastal and marine resources.

The seas of East Asia, for the purpose of this strategy, are bordered by China, North and South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Accompanied by a rich variety of maps and information authored by experts over recent years, the 111-page report is expected to deliver clear and concise strategies by which our region can address the issues which affect our oceans.

The depletion of fish stocks has long been of concern to Thai fishermen. They have been forced to travel further afield to maintain their livelihood and, in doing so, they have often been caught encroaching upon the waters of neighboring countries. Imprisonment and the impounding of their vessels has resulted in great hardship for not only the fishermen's families but also the Thai authorities who, more often than not, have had to pay the cost of repatriation.

Thailand's once expansive mangrove forests lining the shores of all but the region's pristine beaches provided a nursery for fingerlings, but now these forests are fast disappearing. They have lost the battle against shoreline development, and this loss has exacerbated the reduction in fish stocks. Only now, at places like Bang Pu, can we see that authorities realize how valuable mangrove forestation is and are undertaking massive replanting.

Pollution of seawater by increased rainwater run-off and sewage has also had a huge detrimental effect. Fortunately, all is not lost. Pattaya had seen its once pristine beaches and thriving aquatic life nearly obliterated by uncontrolled pollution. But through hard decisions and heavy investment in treatment, the Chon Buri resort has been able to rein in the pollution and the seas are now slowly winning back their environment.

Fish stocks, mangroves and pollution are the main issues Thailand, and possibly the 11 other signatories, want addressed, but the strategy for the seas of East Asia provides little of promise. All it has to offer are platitudes along the lines of ``[I]f current trends in environmental degradation are not changed, the social fabric of many nations could dramatically deteriorate over the next 50 years'' and ``[T]he value of the global centre of marine biodiversity supported by the area is beyond valuation. If it is lost, it can never be replaced''.

In its defense, the strategy does offer some informative findings. For instance, Southeast Asia's coastal ecosystem has suffered severe damage over the past 30 years, with 11% of coral reefs having collapsed, 48% in critical condition and 80% at risk. Also, East Asia's population of 1.9 billion people is expected to rise to 3 billion by 2015, with about 77% of this population living within 100km of the coast.

The strategy however offers no suggestions on how to address the many crises the seas are faced with. It calls for the countries of the region to ``adopt a shared vision of the seas of East Asia'', whatever that means, but does not suggest any new legal obligations. Unfortunately, the 12 nations with coastlines formed by the seas of East Asia have lost an important opportunity that a more constructive strategy might have provided. The millions who rely on these seas could have been much better served.

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Monday, December 8, 2003 

PHUKET TOWN: A tuna boat loaded with diesel fuel and bottled gas for a month-long trip burned to the waterline in a five-million-baht fire at Rassada on Saturday.

The blaze was spotted about 11 am on Saturday but seven hours of efforts by seamen and firefighters failed to douse the flames and the boat was burned to a blackened hulk.

Police were alerted to the blaze on the Taiwanese-owned Chin Fa Saeng by its captain, Hseng-Lian Chen, 32.

The blaze began in the engine room and, fed by polystyrene insulating foam and the fuel, eventually destroyed all the equipment on board, including the radio and radar.

Pol Maj Chockchai Suthimek, Inspector of Phuket Town Police Station, said there were no injuries but the vessel’s construction materials, designed to preserve a heavy load of fish, eventually defeated the firefighters.

Police found no indication that the fire was set deliberately. It is believed the crew will quickly find berths on other craft.

(PETER PJ Scuba) Damn!!! - And there I was thinking that we'd soon have a new wreck!

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TOURISM www.bangkokpost.com 08.12.2003

Ferry service links Trang and Langkawi

A new ferry route between Thailand's Trang province and Malaysia's Langkawi island would boost the economy and tourism, said the Trang governor.

The governor, Naret Jitsuddajritwong, yesterday presided over the launch of the ferry route, operated by Thai-Langkawi Ferry Line Co, saying it would draw more tourists to the province and create jobs for local residents.

More than 200 passengers boarded the 250-seat ferry boat, worth 40 million baht, to Langkawi. The 90-minute trip will be available at weekends initially.

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Thursday, December 4, 2003 

Concern over missing divemaster

Phikun “Nori” Srisaksungnoen has not been seen since Saturday.

KAMALA: Police and workmates say they are concerned for the safety of a divemaster who vanished after a party at a bar in Kamala last Saturday (November 29).

Phikun “Nori” Srisaksungnoen, 25, from Kamala, had been celebrating with colleagues after returning from diving off Phi Phi.

She was last seen at 10 pm, leaving behind her car and her two children. The children are now being cared for by their father, from whom K. Phikun is separated, but who lives not far away.

K. Nori began working with Merlin Divers six months ago. Marcus Etter of Merlin Divers told the Gazette, “If she had any problem she would have told us. Instead, she just disappeared. We are worried about her.”

He added, "If anyone does see her, I hope they will tell her that her children, her parents and her colleagues all miss her and worry about her. We hope that she will get in touch soon."

Anyone who has seen K. Nori is asked to notify their local police station or contact Mr Etter on 076-385518 or 06-6829861, email infor@merlin-divers.com

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Monday, December 1, 2003  

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PHUKET www.bangkokpost.com 02.12.2003

Submarine tours start
chataya Chuenniran - Phuket

Thailand's first submarine tour has started, off Dok Mai and Mai Thon islands.

The US$1.5 million submarine took TAT officials on a tour yesterday.

The team boarded a ferry at Rassada port to take a tour by submarine of coral reefs around Dok Mai island.

The submarine can hold 48 passengers, a captain and three crewmen.

Pornthip Charoensri, operating manager of Phuket Submarine Company, which offers the tours, said the unofficial launch of the submarine was held on Nov 28 at a local hotel.

The submarine will make five trips a day for 2,500 baht a head for adults and 1,800 baht for children. During Dec 1-15, Phuket residents showing their ID cards can go for 700 baht a trip for adults and 500 baht a trip for children.

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NATIONAL PARKS www.bangkokpost.com 01-12-2003

All lodgings fully booked for New Year
Tourist figures spark environmental fears

Kultida Samabuddhi

Domestic tourists are expected to over-run the country's national parks in the weeks running up to New Year, with lodges and campsites fully booked from then through to the end of January.

National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department tourism chief Anuchaya Chamnankid said accommodation had been snapped up at all of the country's most popular national parks.

These included Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui, Khoa Yai, Mu Koh Similan, Mu Koh Samet, Phu Kradung and Nam Nao.

``Even if tourists are told lodgings and campsites are no longer available, they refuse to cancel their trips,'' Ms Anuchaya said.``Forestry officials are concerned about the impact of tourists' vehicles on the park's eco-systems. We often get traffic jams in national parks at high tourist season,'' she said.

National Park Research Division director Songtham Suksawang said about 13,000 tourists were expected for the New Year holiday at Phu Kradung national park, which had a capacity of only 8,000. Ms Anuchaya credited the rise in domestic tourist numbers to improved economic conditions, as well as intensive campaigns launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and publishers of guidebooks.

She said new lodgings were under construction at Phu Hin Rong Kla, Huay Nam Dang and Mae Phang national parks in the North, as well as Mu Ko Lanta, Mu Ko Surin and Tarutao marine parks.

Mr Songtham criticised the TAT's ``Unseen in Thailand'' campaign for promoting ecologically fragile areas as tourism destinations.

``National parks are also under great pressure from the newly launched CEO governor system, which has intensified the promotion of many national parks,'' he said.

In particular, Mr Songtham singled out the Phetchabun provincial governor's plan to open a new road to the top of Phu Kradung.

The proposed route not only cut through trails that were used by elephants, but was also potentially dangerous, he said.

Khao Yai national park chief Prawat Wohandee said his park had been one of the worst affected by the tourism industry.

``Tourists severely disturb wildlife in their own habitats,'' he said.

``We often used to hear tigers roar in the park, but we don't any more.

``It is very possible the increasing numbers of tourists have chased them away,'' he added.

Mr Prawat also said a number of monkeys living in the park had been killed or critically wounded by tourists' vehicles, while several deer had been taken ill after eating plastic bags left by visitors.

He said many tourists were using Khao Yai as a venue for parties, which contradicted the park's intention of educating its visitors about the local eco-system.

TAT senior official Rampaiphan Kaewsuriya admitted the environmental degradation of national parks was due to a lack of public awareness.

She said the best example of this was the destruction of coral reefs at Mu Koh Similan national park by inexperienced divers, who were attracted to the site after intensive tourism campaigns.

However, she failed to provide a solution.

``The promotion of tourism cannot be avoided because the industry helps to prop up the economy,'' she said.

A total of more than 9.3 million tourists visited the country's national parks last year.

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SALWEEN LOGGING SCANDAL www.bangkokpost.com

Divers find 100,000 teak logs dumped in lake
Top politician's firm trying to retrieve them

Theerawat Kumtita

Authorities have confiscated more than 100,000 logs belonging to a company owned by a high-profile Samut Prakan politician.

More than 100 marine, Seal and Mekong patrol officers scoured Chiang Saen lake and found more than 100, 000 logs, suspected to have been cut illegally.

The logs, some one metre thick, were in various sizes and thought to be worth at least 30 million baht.

The teak logs are believed to have been dumped into the lake in 1998, the same period that the Salween log scandal erupted. Logs felled in the Salween national park in Tak were labelled fraudulently as having come from Burma.

Manit Suthaporn, deputy justice permanent secretary acting as chief of the Special Investigation Department, said the submerged logs could be among the missing Salween inventory.

The scandal came to light after a log count revealed many logs were missing.

Mr Manit said the search was launched after tip-offs by residents. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had told officials to find the culprit.

Reports say Acha Land Company, run by a well-known Samut Prakan politician, used a crane to retrieve logs from the lake and load them onto large trucks bearing Samut Prakan number plates.

The logs were processed and sold as planks. Men were seen guarding the retrieved logs which were piled up on the lake shore ready for hauling. Police would summon company employees for questioning and officials from the Forest Industry Organisation would establish the origin of the logs.

The company manager identified only as Kritpetch said he would contact police and give a statement.

Mr Manit said the company pulled out small quantities of logs at a time to avoid public scrutiny. The wood had begun to rot, polluting the water and giving off a foul smell.

Mr Manit said the logs had damaged the environment and dumping them encroached on public property.

Vice Adm Wallop Kerdpol, the navy chief-of-staff, said the SID had asked the navy to supply a Seal and frogman team to sift through the eastern expanse of the lake where the logs were hidden.

Metal sheets were used to weigh down and cover the logs which were about two metres underwater. He said there were so many logs that it would take at least two weeks to bring them all to shore.

Somwang Rungtrakulchai, Chiang Saeng district chief, said the district office had surveyed the lake but did not come across the logs because tall grass covered them.

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Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Jet-ski crash kills second tourist

PATONG: A young Swedish tourist was killed in a jet-ski crash off Patong yesterday – almost exactly one month after the death of a 13-year-old German prompted officials to decide they must take steps to prevent more fatalities in the wildcat jet-ski rental industry.

But proposed action to rid the island of unregistered jet-skis and strictly control legitimate beachside operators failed to come in time to save the life of the 19-year-old man, named by police as Ismail Erdis.

Officers said Mr Erdis and a friend, Sadde Ahmed Dutt, 24, were riding their rented jet-skis about four kilometers off Patong at about 4:30 pm when they collided, fatally injuring Mr Erdis and slightly injuring Mr Dutt.

Pol Capt Serm Kwannimit, of Kathu Police Station, said the men suddenly realized they were close to a large cruise ship.

“When Mr Erdis saw the cruise ship in front of him, he suddenly turned his jet-ski and crashed into the one his friend was riding,” Capt Serm said. “Both of them fell into the sea.”

People on a nearby boat pulled the men out and organized transport to Patong Hospital where Mr Erdis was pronounced dead. Doctors said his lungs were bruised and punctured.

Mr Erdis’s body is now at Thalang Hospital and the Swedish Embassy is organizing shipment home.

The latest fatality came as an all-too-vivid reminder of the plea “from the bottom of my heart” by the mother of the 13-year-old who died in a crash on October 24. She begged authorities to protect children and juveniles and enforce jet-ski safety regulations.

Police are continuing inquiries to determine whether the jet-skis were registered or illegal.

Lt Thongchai Mabangyang, of Royal Thai Navy Marine Department Office 5, told the Gazette that if the jet skis were not registered, the owners faced a maximum fine of 10,000 baht.

“Many people rent out their jet-skis for tourists,” K. Thongchai said. “When we enforce the regulations, the operators band together and oppose the officers.”

Officials estimate that about 300 jet-skis are being rented out along the west coast at Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala and Bang Tao, but that only about half of them are registered.

Lt Thongchai said that talks between the Marine Department Office and the Phuket Marine Office aimed at better enforcement of current legislation and proposing new limitations restricting jet-ski zones and the ages of users are scheduled to conclude on December 3.

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FISHING IN BURMA www.bangkokpost.com 27.11.2003

Boats fired on, man dies

Burmese soldiers on Tuesday opened fire at four Thai fishing boats in Burmese waters, wounding a Burmese crewman who died later yesterday.

After firing at the crew the troops seized the boats, which were fishing about 40 miles northwest of the Surin archipelago.

Phin sae Lee, 52, owner and skipper of Wichai Waree 2, said while the boats were fishing Burmese soldiers turned up on a speed boat and two modified fishing boats and opened fire.

He and the crewmen jumped overboard. They stayed in the sea overnight before being rescued by Thai fishing boats yesterday morning.

One of the Burmese crew identified only as Khao was shot in the thigh. He was rushed to Ranong hospital in a navy patrol boat but died.

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DEADLY SEAFOOD www.bangkokpost.com 27.11.2003

Puffer fish turn up again on market
Eating it can kill, consumers warned

People are warned to beware of eating poisonous puffer fish, which are being found in food markets again.

Deputy city clerk Pitinan Natruchiwiroj said three samples of puffer fish were found during inspections in August and September.

''Two samples were from Bang Kapi and one in Din Daeng. There are reports that the fish could be found in Wong Wian Yai,'' he said. The fish, dubbed chicken-breast fish, contain tetrodotoxin, a potentially deadly chemical which is not destroyed by heat during cooking. All freshwater puffer fish are poisonous.

Half the 100 varieties are edible if the skin and innards where the chemical resides are removed. However, all kinds of puffer fish are banned from markets as a precaution.

The fish is popular among food vendors and restaurateurs because it is cheap. Mostly, it is served in rice porridge or boiled rice, as well as fish steak and fillet.

The fish is said to come from Samut Sakhon, home to the country's major seafood product industry.

City officials and the Food and Drug Administration said they would ask authorities in the central province to check markets to ensure the fish is wiped out.

''However, those buying fresh fish in the market should stick to chunks that come from big fish like seabass. Puffer fish will be sold in smaller chuncks,'' a city official said.

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City calls for closure of Underwater World www.pattayamail.com 

Popular tourist venue fails to change parking arrangements to relieve traffic congestion

Damri Muangkaew

City officials are currently processing the necessary paperwork to close Underwater World after the tourist attraction failed to meet the deadline on revising their parking conditions.

The poorly planned parking facilities at Underwater World have drawn strong criticism and numerous complaints regarding constant traffic snarls on Sukhumvit Road. An inspection by city officials earlier this month revealed that the car parking facilities were inadequate and the venue was ordered by Pattaya’s mayor to rearrange and renovate the car park to reduce congestion. The November 10 deadline was given, as was a follow up survey.

On November 11, Mayor Pairat Sutithamrongsawat and municipal officers again inspected the venue and observed that no progress had been made, even after the initial warning. The city is now processing the necessary forms to forcibly close the venue until such time that the company follows the order. However, traffic congestion is still plaguing motorists until such time as the venue is closed or the facilities are rearranged.

Aphiradee Bunsom, marketing manager for Underwater World explained that the company’s management were not ignoring the orders or sitting on their hands but were searching for adequate ways and means to resolve the issue. Numerous meetings and discussions have led to the idea of renting or buying land nearby to increase the parking space available for the increasing number of tourists visiting the theme park. But the previously agreed land price of 3 million baht per rai was recently rejected. Greedy landowners have increased the price to 10 million per rai making it economically unviable to purchase the land.

Despite this, Underwater World is willing to accept the consequences for their actions and will comply with the law until such time as they are able to rectify the problems. They intend to re-open once the issue is resolved.

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Thursday, November 20, 2003

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WAR ON DRUGS

Trawlers moving pills south www.bangkokpost.com 23.11.2003 
Traffickers take to sea to evade crackdown

Anucha Charoenpo

Drugs traffickers have switched to using trawlers bound for this southern province for taking methamphetamines from Burma, authorities say.
Marines and customs officials, drug control officials and immigration police are checking suspicious trawlers from Rangoon, Mergui and Moulmein ports in Burma. Rear Adm Amornchote Sujirat, chief of the General Staff of the Third Region Fleet, said drug traffickers were using the ports to load methamphetamines onto trawlers bound for Ranong, which borders Burma.

The government's anti-drug campaign had made it harder for traffickers to smuggle methamphetamines over land from drug bases along the northern part of the Thai-Burmese border.

``We have tried to intercept trawlers carrying drugs from Burma. We can't search all the trawlers coming to the province as 100 trawlers pass this way a day,'' he said.About 500 Thai-registered trawlers were operating between Ranong and the Burmese ports.Most smuggling was done at night, when searches were hard to mount.

Customs official Boonchai Rerktula said Ranong was just a transit point. ``Once methamphetamine pills arrive here, they are loaded into cargo containers to the southern provinces and distributed there.''

The authorities also suspect Kawthaung in Burma, opposite Ranong, has emerged as a new methamphetamine production base.

Mr Boonchai said the methamphetamines produced in Kawthaung were lower in quality than the drugs from the northern Thai-Burmese border.

The pills made in Kawthaung were smuggled into Ranong on fishing boats and sold to local drug users, he said.

Local authorities in Kawthaung seemed to turn a blind eye to the problem and showed little interest in cooperating with Thai authorities.

Rassamee Wisthawes, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said the office would set up liaison offices between Ranong and Kawthaung. The countries would meet in Ranong to discuss the plan in two weeks.

The liaison offices would monitor the drug-trafficking situation between the two areas.

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Wednesday, November 19, 2003 www.phuketgazette.net 

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Zero boat tax tomorrow? No, say officials

PHUKET TOWN: Phuket Provincial Excise Office Chief Narong Sri Chakorn today dispelled rumors that the excise tax on imported yachts would drop to zero tomorrow.

“The process is still awaiting Cabinet approval,” K. Narong said. “So far, there have been no decisions made and no regulations have been changed.”

An officer at the Ministry of Finance, who asked not to be named, today confirmed that Cabinet has not yet even seen the proposal.

Another Ministry of Finance officer, who also asked not to be named, said that scrapping the taxes – which currently total 47% of the boat’s value for commercial boats and 37% for recreational boats for personal use only – is being delayed because of fears about the effect it will have on the local boat-building industry.

“It benefits only some people who want to use Thai waters for recreation, but our boat-building industry will be ruined because the difference in taxes between locally-built boats and imported ones will be lessened, and then the demand for ... imported boats will increase until the local builders cannot compete with them.”

Echoing a widely-held belief among officials that scrapping the tax is a bad idea, he added, “There are some people who think that yachts are expensive luxuries, and that it’s easy for [yacht owners] to pay tax [on them], just as they do for other vehicles.”

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HEAVY WEATHER

Two more rescue craft look for lost crewmen of capsized boats
Two found near gas rig, 24 still missing (Bangkok Post 25.10.2003)

Post reporters

The navy is continuing its rescue operations with two more warships dispatched to search for the remaining 24 fishermen reported missing after their boats capsized off the coast of Surat Thani and Satun on Wednesday.

Eighteen crew from the Indonesia-bound freighter Jong Sathaporn 18 and eight Thai fishermen from the Chok Bunmacharoen were reported missing but two Indonesian crewmen were rescued yesterday while floating near a gas rig off Satun province.

Navy chief Adm Chumphol Pachusanon said rescue operations were continuing, with an aircraft carrier and five other warships on stand-by in the Gulf of Thailand.

The navy has also sent a Dornier rescue aircraft to patrol the area. Adm Chumphol said he had ordered the deployment of two more warships in the rescue operations.- The navy has taken 275 tourists off the resort island of Koh Tao off the coast of Surat Thani province, after ferry services were suspended due to heavy storms on Thursday.

Two navy vessels picked up the tourists and the remaining 400 tourists would be picked up soon. Koh Phangan district chief Thanaphol Antimanon said the situation on Koh Phangan and Koh Tao had returned to normal, with clear skies and no rain. Ferry boats resumed their services yesterday, he added.

The Meteorological Department yesterday warned residents in the upper Central Plains, the East and the upper South to brace themselves for possible flash floods and run-off as a depression moved northwest. Provinces likely to be affected are Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi. In Prachuap Khiri Khan, heavy rain caused by the depression brought flash floods that inundated several low-laying areas.

Several districts have been flooded and roads damaged.

In Kui Buri district and Sam Roi Yot sub-district, floodwaters rose to more than two metres due to continuous heavy rain since Thursday night.

Several roads in Pran Buri district were cut off and floodwalls damaged. The water level rose to more than three metres in the district, forcing residents to seek refuge on their rooftops. In Hua Hin municipality, flash floods hit the area, with water levels rising more than one metre in less than an hour. Police and rescue workers have been sent to flood-hit areas to help residents.

A hospital in Bang Saphan district evacuated patients to higher ground yesterday.

Earlier, the local meteorological office warned people living in mountainous areas of possible flash floods and mudslides.

The Meteorological Department yesterday warned operators of small fishing boats against leaving shore.

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ENDANGERED SPECIES

Stranded rare dolphin dies
Infected lung, organs riddled with parasites (Bangkok Post 24.10.2003).

Achataya Chuenniran

A rare dolphin, first thought to be a melon-head whale, found stranded off Karon beach has died of pneumonia despite all attempts to save its life.

It was a rare risso dolphin, and not a melon-head whale as earlier thought.

Supoj Chantrapornsilp, a fisheries expert at the Marine and Coastal Resource Development and Research Institute in Phuket, said the dolphin had a severe lung infection and died about 5am yesterday.

An autopsy revealed her lung was badly damaged and her internal organs riddled with parasites.

The 2.6m-long dolphin, weighing 120-150kg, had beached at Nong Harn, on Karon beach, on Tuesday night.

It had already slipped into a coma when found by a rescue team early on Wednesday.

Mr Supoj said the institute would make a fibre-glass model of the dolphin's body and keep the skeleton at the Phuket marine aquarium for use in scientific studies.

The skeletons of about 60 other rare whales and dolphins are already being kept at the aquarium.

The dead animal was the first female risso dolphin, also sometimes known as a risso whale, ever found in Thailand.

There are 22 other dolphin species known to exist in Thai waters, Mr Supoj said.

He urged fishermen to immediately alert the institute if they happen to spot injured dolphins or other rare marine animals in Thai waters.

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STORMS IN THE SOUTH

Navy rescues tourists stranded on Koh Tao
Search launched for 26 missing boat crew (Bangkok Post 24.10.2003)

The navy has dispatched a warship to rescue some 200 stranded tourists from the resort island of Koh Tao after ferry services were suspended due to heavy storms off the coast of Surat Thani.

District chief Thanapol Antimanont said yesterday The Sukhothai warship was assisting in the transfer of the tourists to the safer island of Samui.

Public Health Minister Suradat Keyurapan had reportedly ordered the disbursement of a special 7-million-baht budget to fund the rescue operation while holidaying on Samui.

The navy also deployed two warships to search for 26 fishermen and freighter crew whose vessels went missing off Surat Thani.

Assisted by marine police, the ships scoured the vicinity where the boats were last reported, but the search operation was hampered by gale-force winds and high seas.

Second Fleet operations director Capt Warongkorn Osathanont said aircraft sent to survey the area were forced to abort their missions due to poor visibility.

The missing seamen comprised 18 crew members from the Indonesia-bound freighter Jong Sathaporn 18 who fell overboard, and eight fishermen whose trawler capsized during the storms.

An emergency rescue centre had been set up at the navy's Sattahip base in Chon Buri, and the Chakri Naruebet aircraft carrier had been placed on stand-by with a full medical team and provisions on board, he said.

The Meteorological Department forecast more heavy storms in the region due to an almost stationary depression about 170 kilometres east of Chumphon.

It advised small boats to stay ashore, warning of flash floods in Petchaburi, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani.

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Pattaya City plants hundreds of coconut palms to beautify Bali Hai pier area

Pattaya Mail 17/10/2003 www.pattayamail.com 

Bali Hai decked out to welcome World Youth and Student Travel Conference

Suchada Tupchai

The Pattaya Engineering Office, headed by Sittiparb Muangkham, Pattaya civil engineering director, recently bought 250 coconut palms from Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, and planted them at the Bali Hai pier. A number of city workers and officials were present for the planting ceremonies in South Pattaya with the operation drawing great interest from both residents and tourists.

Sittiparb said, “The planting project has been financially supported by Pattaya City at a cost of 400,000 baht. The aim is to beautify the area and provide additional shade to visitors.”

The project also coincides with the welcome party held for the participants in World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) organized by Federation of International Youth Organization (FIYTO) on October 13. The conference was held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and Hotel.

“It is also necessary to find someone to take care of the trees, which might be destroyed by vandals ... We expect the pier to be a significant site for entertaining international guests and important assemblies,” said the engineering director.

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Tesco Company surveys environment around Larn and Phai islands (Pattaya Mail 17/10/2003) www.pattayamail.com 

Evaluates tourism potential

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Pattaya City contacted Tesco Company earlier this year to evaluate land and underwater resources in the Larn Island area and neighboring islands. These areas are very popular holiday destinations for swimmers and divers.

Since Pattaya City is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Thailand, and the city is surrounded with many beautiful islands, an evaluation of underwater conditions must be made and systems to conserve and improve this precious resource must be put in place.

Tesco has collected data regarding the status of the natural environment of Larn and Phai islands. The initial report said that the beaches of both islands are places where sea turtles lay their eggs. It also said the corals on the seabed in this region are abundant and healthy.

In addition, plans are being made to install a technical system designed to monitor underwater conditions near and Larn and Phai islands. The system automatically reports its readings to the main office on land and quick action can be taken when natural resource exploitation happens.

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Luckily no oil leakage was reported

Patcharapol Parnrak

On Sunday, October 5, a fuel tanker named Ao-Thai 1 capsized in Rayong Bay. The tanker was being used as an offshore refueling station, and was filled with 60,000 liters of diesel.

he Ao-Thai 1’s sister ship, the Ao-Thai 2 was the first on scene to provide assistance, and was able to rescue all 6 sailors from the Ao-Thai 1 without incident. However, there was still a significant risk of the fuel spilling out into the bay.

The Royal Thai Navy was notified at 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, and by 6 a.m. the navy had dispatched a ‘Sea Hawk’ helicopter, a patrol ship and life saving boats to evaluate the damage.

Navy boats warned passing ships to stay away from the area so as not to rock the overturned ship and cause the fuel to leak. Navy planes scouted along Sattahip and Rayong shores for signs of oil, but luckily found none.

Environmental experts from the navy were brought in to help with damage control, and the Fisheries Department was contacted to tow the ship to shore. However, the latter found that, due to the ship’s condition, towing wouldn’t be possible, and elected instead to try and pump the seawater out of the ship, right it, and then tow it to shore.

Both ships belong to the Supply and Service Company from Samut Prakarn province. An initial examination revealed that a water pipe used to cool the engine had broken and flooded the engine room, nearly sinking the ship. Only a tightly sealed, empty fuel compartment filled with air kept it from sinking to the bottom.

At last report, the Supply and Service Company was sending their expert crew to pump out the oil from the ship.

The Royal Thai Navy has sent out a team on the sea and in the air to inspect possible damage to several islands, including Samet, Juang, Jarn, Kham islands, which are habitats for sea turtles to live and lay their eggs.

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Concerned environmentalists turn out for the 5th Annual Underwater Cleaning Project

Divers clean seabed near Larn Island (Pattaya Mail 03/10/2003)

www.pattayamail.com

Suchada Tupchai

Over 100 divers from the government and private sector turned up at the Bali Hai Pier last Saturday morning to take part in the 5th Annual Underwater Cleaning Project.

Formal ceremonies began just before 8 a.m. as representatives from the local administration, provincial government, navy and recreational divers came together to pool their resources in order to improve and conserve Pattaya’s marine eco system.

The International Cleanup Day was co organized by Pattaya City, TAT Region 3 and the Marine Dive Co. Ltd. as part of a conservation campaign to protect the region’s natural resources. The cleaning, which took place over Saturday and Sunday, focused on removing rubbish from the seabed dumped by careless people around Larn Island.

The project also educates the public on the importance of caring for the environment and promotes awareness of how precious natural resources such as the sea are a now a vital factor to the success of the region’s tourism industry.

Each of the divers taking part in the clean up were presented with gifts and a certificate of appreciation from the PADI Diving Association’s Project Aware program.

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Pattaya Beach is disappearing at the rate of 20 centimeters per year

Department of government works and civil planning proposes 20 million baht beach extension project (Pattaya Mail 26-09-2003) www.pattayamail.com 

Pattaya’s beaches are eroding at a rate of 20 centimeters per year, and according to a recently completed three-year research project, the city’s beaches would completely erode away in 30 years if no action were to be taken to rectify the problem.

Team Engineering & Management Company conducted the research from 2000-2003 along a seven-kilometer stretch of Pattaya Beach, and found that the beaches in central Pattaya and the Bali Hai area are eroding the fastest, and would eventually disappear.

Supol Sriphan, director of the Public Works Department’s city planning support and development office, said that restoration of the eastern region’s diminishing sands was one of the nine projects submitted for approval in 1994, of which 8 have been carried out. The remaining project pertains to the restoration of Pattaya beach areas.

An initial plan released in 1998 was to remove the 101 businesses from South Pattaya and extend the beach down to the Bali Hai head. However, this has been receiving much resistance, despite all attempts by the city, province and the Environmental Planning office to carry out the project.

The tides and changing current in Pattaya are slowly eroding the beaches away due the recent coastline changes. The study revealed that 1.45 meters of sand has already been washed away from the shore from Naklua through to South Pattaya, an average of 20 centimeters per year.

The private consulting company proposed three solutions: A 20-million-baht landfill project to counter erosion from Soi Pattaya 13 to Mike Shopping Mall; a 104-million-baht landfill project to expand the entire Pattaya Beach by 20 meters; and a 260-million-baht landfill project to extend the beach by 50 meters.

Another 6 months of impact studies at a cost of 2-3 million baht are required before any of the plans are put to the environmental planning committee and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat commented, “This is a necessary project for development and sustaining the city’s tourism industry. The project has repeatedly been proposed to protect Pattaya’s tourism, but rejected by the environmental policy and planning office as unimportant. I disagree because our beaches are a selling point for tourism; if they (the beaches) were to disappear it would be disastrous from an environmental and economic point of view.

“The city has requested a 20 million budget to extend the beachfront by 5 meters over the next 1-2 years under the recommendations of the consulting company. We still need to perform an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before the project goes ahead, and we’ll have to wait a year before the results are ready. Unfortunately, the city administration cannot wait any longer to take action after receiving the results of the 3-year study,” concluded the mayor.

Whatever the case may be, it was made clear that officials will seek to rectify the inherent problems as quickly as possible whilst awaiting the bureaucratic processes and necessary assessments are being taken. Stay tuned, this saga will no doubt continue.

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City meets with Bali Hai committee to resolve ongoing problems

Contemplates putting facility management out to tender

Damri Muangkaew

Pattaya’s boat operators moved from their locations at the decrepit South Pattaya pier to the new Bali Hai location earlier this month. Bali Hai is now home to the city’s boats for hire, tourist boat services and ferry companies. As use of the new facility has increased, so to have the problems associated with managing the area.

A meeting was called at city hall to discuss solving the numerous problems popping up as boat operators and tourists make use of the new port. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Urit Nantasurasak met with city officers and council members to bring about implementing new legislation to keep the port running efficiently and continue providing service to the community.

During the discussions, the idea of letting out the facility to a private contractor to manage was raised. One of the main reasons behind the consideration is the lack of city employees to manage the building, grounds and the moorings.

However, Sanit Boonmarchai, city council member and Bali Hai committee members disagreed with the idea. Sanit said that it is the city’s responsibility to run the port and if a private company were to manage the new location through a tender process it could cause more damage than good. He cited some drawbacks, including the possibility that fees charged by a private company could possibly be too high for boat operators to afford, which would destroy their business prospects altogether.

The deputy mayor said a diplomatic resolution could be reached by focusing on solving problems and setting up strict controls and regulations for boat operators.

“We are just beginning to walk down this path and there is need for further discussion on the idea. Once we implement rules and regulations for Bali Hai users, the management issue can then be discussed at a later meeting with the Bali Hai committee members,” said Urit.

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City prepares to launch 5th annual underwater cleanup (Pattaya Mail 09/09/2003)

Larn Island waters to be cleared of rubbish and debris

www.pattayamail.com

Preparations for Pattaya’s fifth annual underwater clean up were discussed during a meeting last week at city hall. Attending the meeting were divers, representatives from the TAT, Naklua fishing community, marine life preservation society, Thai Hotels Association (Eastern Chapter) and city officers.

This year’s cleanup will take place tomorrow, Saturday, September 20 with divers moving out to Larn Island to clean up the seabed. The Marine Dive Company is organizing divers to attend the event, which began five years ago after conditions on the sea floor deteriorated from the large amount of rubbish thrown overboard from the region’s boating community and careless tourists. The idea was conceived to encourage residents and diving enthusiasts to care for the environment.

Suksant Jutarsart from the Marine Dive Company said, “The aim of this activity is to encourage people to begin caring for the local environment and urge further cooperation between the government and private sectors to care for our natural resources.”

The company is now calling for all divers to register to participate in the event. There is a cost of 450 baht for the day and divers who participate will receive a certificate from the Project Awareness Foundation.

Commenting on the project, Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat said, “This event was designed to benefit our city by encouraging the public to be aware of how important it is to conserve our environmental recourses and reduce rubbish in public places. Pattaya Bay is one of our most valuable treasures and we must preserve its natural beauty.”

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City asks for increased water patrols in Pattaya Bay (Pattaya Mail 19/09/2003)

Main goal: stricter rules for boat operators and safety for swimmers

Suchada Tupchai

Pattaya City administration is preparing to increase water patrols in Pattaya Bay to improve safety and security on the waters. The city’s jurisdiction ends on the beachfront and it needs cooperation from water police and port authorities to make the bay a safer place for swimmers and boats.

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat called a recent meeting with water police, port officials and rescue personnel to inform them of the upcoming plans to improve safety and create order out of the present chaos on the waterways.

The mayor said, “Traffic in Pattaya Bay is chaotic and it is time to implement strict controls over the city’s boats operator for the benefit of safety, security and the environment. There are currently a multitude of problems that must be solved, especially improved safety for swimmers.”

During the meeting the mayor urged cooperation between the city, water police and the port authorities to strictly patrol the bay area to ensure that boat operators, private or otherwise, followed the safety regulations. The three organizations agreed with the policy but called for further consultation with boat operators before the next scheduled meeting to resolve this issue.

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Confusion surrounds Bali Hai as boat operators begin the move from the old South Pattaya pier (Pattaya Mail 12/09/2003)

Lack of information leaves some tourists bewildered

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

The city’s recent decision to move all boat operators from the old South Pattaya Pier to the new Bail Hai location created some confusion for boat operators and tourists. Lack of public information left many tourists unsure as to where they should go to board boats that tour Pattaya’s nearby islands, even though the city provided municipal officers to help with the move and guide people to their respective vessels.

Niran Wattanasartsathorn, deputy mayor and city council member Sanit Boonmarchai visited the pier on the day after boat operators were ordered to move. Niran noted the need for more lighting in the area and a few other points that needed tweaking.

“Apart from improving the lighting and a few other minor details, I don’t foresee that there should be a problem in using the new facility. There are plenty of boat moorings and sufficient parking space for visitors. The pier is also big enough for vehicles to deliver goods to the boats. There should be no problems, especially if everyone cooperates to keep the area clean,” said Niran.

The city approved access for a number of pick-up trucks to use the area to deliver goods to vessels after being inspected by officials. A local municipal officer, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters that Bali Hai will be open for use 24 hours a day. The ferry services will operate from 7 a.m. till 6.30 p.m. with the fees set at 20 baht per person, regardless of nationality.

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Stolen coral seized but gang flees (Phuket Gazette 08/09/2003)

RAWAI: More than 400 pieces of stolen coral were returned to the sea today after police interrupted a gang transferring it from a boat to land on Saturday night.

Marine Police were given a tip-off that the gang would be landing their contraband at Rawai at 10 pm. When the officers arrived, they saw four people moving the coral to land from a long-tail boat.

The gang slipped away in the dark but police seized three 100-liter plastic tubs containing the coral, along with a motorcycle and sidecar.

The coral was taken to the Phuket Marine Biological Center (PMBC) where coral reef biologist Niphon Phongsuwan identified the coral as being 269 pieces of Mookda, or Catalaphyllia jardinei, and 194 pieces of Tuainam, or Cynarina lacrymalis.

PMBC staff returned the pieces to the waters of Ao Makham this morning.

Pol Lt Chatchai Sakdee told the Gazette that coral stolen in Phuket is usually sold to dealers in Bangkok who, in turn, sell it to aquarium owners.

He said officers would continue to hunt for the thieves.

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Drama on the high seas as navy intercepts Indonesian barge (Pattaya Mail 05/09/2003)

Loaded with wood, barge was illegally passing through a dangerous area

Patcharapol Parnrak

High drama played out on the high seas this past week when the Navy went into action to intercept an Indonesian tugboat and barge that had wandered into an area where the Thai navy was conducting target practice.

The barge was loaded with wood, allegedly 25 million baht worth, and the captain of the towboat did not respond to the Navy’s attempts to make radio contact.

A reconnaissance plane was dispatched to verify the location of the barge, and found it “hiding” behind Krarm Island.

Following confirmation from the aerial survey, the HMS Thep was sent out to intercept the barge and escort it to Laem Chabang port for inspection, a mission they were able to accomplish, but not completely without incident. However, the slower tugboat and barge soon realized they were no match for the HMS Thep, and did eventually allow themselves to be boarded and brought to Laem Chabang for an inspection and to check documentation as to the origins of its cargo.

The transport of wood in or out of Thailand is illegal without the relevant permits.

Company representative’s contacted naval and port officials to relay the necessary information, saying the barge had recently sailed out of Vietnam bound for Klong Toey port in Bangkok.

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All tour boat operators ordered to move to Bali Hai pier (Pattaya Mail 05/09/2003)

Operators still hesitant about safety measures

Damri Muangkaew

The decision to close down the old wooden pier and move operators to Bali Hai was made at a recent city council meeting after the idea was proposed because of relevant safety issues. Last Friday, Deputy Mayor Niran Wattanasatsathorn called a meeting with boat operators to announce the move became effective September 2.

Since its completion, the new pier has been a bone of contention with tour boat operators over the issue of safety in mooring their boats. Niran told the operators that the move would be temporary until the old pier is refurbished. He said after completion of the project the operators will be allowed to move back to their favored location. Boat operators were not pleased but agreed to move. They said the new pier requires additional lighting to make it reasonably safe for them to moor their vessels.

The Bali Hai pier has more or less become a white elephant since its completion. Tour boat operators have been unwilling to relocate their vessels claiming that during strong seas the new pier is dangerous during mooring procedures and that excessive boat traffic will create chaos in the area.

The budget allocation to rectify problems at Bali Hai was approved earlier this year. Now additional funds will be needed to renovate the old pier. Boat operators feel they are being jostled around until a final solution can be found. At present they say they are more or less in a state of limbo, not really knowing which location they will be operating from.

However, given the condition of the old pier, their “safety reasons” argument no longer holds much weight.

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City council supports closure of old South Pattaya pier (Pattaya Mail 28/08/2003)

Songklod Kaewvisit

At a recent city council meeting, council members at Pattaya administration supported the recommendations put forth by Banlue Kullawanich on closing the old South Pattaya pier and moving boat operators and visitors to the new Bali Hai facility located at the far end of Walking Street.

 

Banlue Kullawanich, city council member and chief of the committee of public works and maintenance asked the city to act quickly regarding the relocation in the interest of public safety, as the old pier has fallen into such a state of disrepair that anyone could slip through the large gaping holes caused by missing planks and possibly suffer serious injuries as a result. The final recommendations came after an inspection of the pier revealing large sections of plank and rotting wood.

City management officials also agreed with the suggestion, stating that a PR campaign highlight the change for business operators and visitors currently using the pier. It was agreed that the change over would occur next month after everyone was properly informed.

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Submarine Tour edges closer to approval (Pattaya Mail 28/08/2003)

Re-submits plans to city administration

Suchada Tupchai

The saga of Pattaya Underwater tours continues as the Hi-Tech Submarine Company re-submitted their intended tour routes and ideas to city officials and business operators. The new presentation received positive response from the city administration and boat operators at a recent meeting in city hall.

Representatives from the company presented their idea of the route change away from shipping lanes and fishing grounds as well as offered to aid in the reconstruction of damaged coral along the route. The firm emphasized that the project would enhance the environment and not damage the precious natural balance by laying a suitable pipeline and infrastructure to promote coral growth as well provide a haven for marine life.

Following the presentation, Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat asked the floor, consisting of speed boat operators, representative of the fishing community and the transport department for their opinions, all of whom gave their approval for the project to go ahead.

Mayor Pairat also bought up the issue regarding the lack of documentation provided by the company in applying for its operating license. Company representatives told the mayor that they would provide the required documents as quickly as possible, more specifically the papers required by naval departments on safety and security issues. They added that the company is still awaiting documentation from the Chinese contracting company responsible for building the submarines, concluding that once the project finally gets up and running, it will greatly benefit the city’s tourism trade.

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Submarine tours next year (Bangkok Post 23/08/2003)

Jerdsak Saengthongcharoen

Submarine tours off Pattaya will begin early next year.

Col Surasak Iamraksa, an adviser to Hi-Tech Submarine Company, said the firm would launch submarine tours off Pattaya's Larn island early next year after a delay of several months.

The proposed route had overlapped with the route taken by tour boats, speed boats and other vessels. Submarine quality-checks had also cost 30-40% more than expected. The company is putting 300 million baht into the project.

The Marine Department backs the proposal, but the navy is still looking at security aspects.

Two 48-seater submarines with glass windows will take tourists on 30-minute tours for 2,500 baht a head.

Five patrol vessels, five speed boats and a three-storey ferry would also be deployed.

The original route took in Khrok island and the southern part of Larn island, about 35 (PETER - I believe that someone has made a little boo-boo here = Koh Larn is 3.5 Kilometres from Pattaya beach) kilometres from Pattaya beach.

However, it was moved another 300 metres to avoid speed-boat routes

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Old South Pattaya pier will cost 3.6 million baht to repair (Pattaya Mail 21/08/2003)

Closure recommended until reconstruction is approved

Songklod Kaewvisit

The old South Pattaya pier has fallen into such a state of disrepair through neglect that it is considered dangerous for residents and tourists to use. At a recent meeting at city hall, chaired by Bunlue Kullawanich, it was suggested that the time has come to rectify the problem and close the pier for repairs.

The costs of rebuilding the pier and bringing it up to required safety standards, was estimated at 3.6 million baht. Bunlue told those attending the meeting that the proposal would be put to the city council for approval and a recommendation would be made to move all water traffic to the new Bali Hai pier.

“In the interest of public safety it is best we close the pier until such time as the project has been approved,” Bunlue said.

Other topics discussed included the issue of illegal building on public land following an inspection of Soi Potisan. Officials in charge stated the offending makeshift buildings could be easily removed.

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NEW NAVAL BASE (Bangkok Post 21.08.2003)

A naval base will be set up off Ranong to detect unauthorised vessels and aircraft entering Thailand.

Capt Bavorn Promkaewngam, head of the Thai-Burmese border fisheries coordinating centre in Ranong, said the Third Fleet had allocated 120 million baht to set up the 451st air and shore-guard base on Koh Chang, off Ranong's Muang district.

The centre would also help fishing boats in distress and protect trawlers against pirates and unfriendly warships, he said.

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KARON: The Customs and Excise Departments have recommended that the government scrap import duty on foreign-made yachts, the Director General of the Customs Department, Chavalit Sethameteekul, said today.

K. Chavalit made the announcement before joining the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures this morning at the Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort.

“Phuket will be a haven for yachts after the 0% taxes begin,” he said, explaining that the proposed changes came after Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak ordered the two departments to review import taxes on yachts at a meeting in early July.

“It [scrapping import duty] has been proposed to the Finance Minister by the Excise Department and the Customs Department, and [the recommendation] will be forwarded to Cabinet for approval,” he said.

“I believe that Phuket will be a haven for yachting and yacht-building industries in the near future,” he added.

However, K. Chavalit did not mention whether Excise Tax or Interior Ministry Tax, which also apply to imported yachts, would also be scrapped, though he did say that value-added tax (VAT) would still apply.

K. Chavalit also indicated that the government plans to cut taxes as a way to fight pirate goods. “We will push to reduce taxes on many high-end products, such as cosmetics, leather goods, watches and other products that tourists like. We may lose the tax from these products but we will derive income from tourism instead,” he said.

The main focus of the meeting this morning was to discuss customs procedures to facilitate international trade with respect to two issues: globalization and security.

“We will look into how we can develop better international commerce between private sectors [of different countries] together with heightened national security,” K. Chavalit said.

To this end – and conforming with the Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR) agreement that Thailand signed in August last year – K. Chavalit explained, “The government has approved spending of almost 4 billion baht to improve customs control systems, especially for inspecting cargo containers, including X-ray machines to identify the contents of containers. This will make cargo transportation easier and safer.”

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Thursday, August 7, 2003 (Phuket Gazette)

B5m treasure hunt for underwater clean-up

Fish find a new home as SRT dumps carriages into the sea (Bangkok Post 05/08/2003)
Artificial reef delights locals as catches grow

Saritdet Marukatat

It's not quite a sleeper berth, but the State Railway of Thailand will give fish a new home.

Forty unused cargo carriages will be towed from the Makkasan depot to a navy port in Sattahip district, Chon Buri, today, to join another 60 unwanted carriages _ all left unused at stations in Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima and Uttaradit.

The carriages will be dropped in the Gulf of Thailand to form artificial reefs for fish and marine life.

Twenty freight cars will be dumped about five kilometres off the Mai Kaen district coast in Pattani, and the rest off the coast of Muang and Tak Bai districts in Narathiwat.

The project was initiated by Her Majesty the Queen to rehabilitate marine life off the two southernmost provinces, where small-scale fishermen had found their catches becoming smaller.

Railway staff have cleaned the carriages to ensure no oil or other substances pollute the environment.

``We removed all wheels and other parts, leaving only the bodies,'' said SRT public relations chief Sukumal Sritula.

While the freight cars could fetch up to 20,000 baht each, the SRT decided to donate them for Her Majesty the Queen's project. The SRT donated 208 freight cars to the scheme last year.

Other state agencies, including the Highways Department, also get involved by donating cement pipes and poles as part of the artificial reefs.

An evaluation by the Marine Fisheries Division _ which handles the project _ said fishermen were extremely happy with the results.

Fish had increased about 50% in their areas over the past year, and more artificial reefs were very welcome.

The report said marine life found around the artificial reefs included snapper, cardinal, groper, rabbit fish and plankton.

However, the spaciousness of the carriages _ 32 cubic metres _ has a slight drawback, in that it attracts more big fish than small ones.

The SRT said it was proud to contribute to the environment.

``I don't know why lots of people don't use train,'' a SRT official said, tongue firmly in cheek. ``Even fish like our service.''

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Pattaya’s new walk-through underwater aquarium now open (Pattaya Mail 10/07/2003)

See the wonders of the deep without getting wet 

Songklod Kaewvisit

Underwater World Pattaya says Pattaya’s newest tourist attraction is the largest and most modern ocean aquarium in Asia , boasting a 100-meter-long, 6.4-centimeter-thick acrylic pedestrian tunnel through an underwater environment filled with dozens of marine species. 

Located just 200 meters south of Tesco Lotus in South Pattaya, the new theme park covers a total area of 12-rai and is housed in a structure similar to a large circus tent. “This enables the place to have natural light that nurtures the algae,” said Bruce Mackay, the head curator.

“The aquarium houses more than 4,000 marine animals, comprising more than 200 different species from the region as well as some rare creatures from overseas,” added David Hong, general manager and an investor in the project. Hong stressed visitors must-see the rare shovelnose ray, a hybrid between a shark and a stingray. “There are three of them at the aquarium that we purchased from local fishermen, who normally kill them for consumption,” he said.

The oceanarium is owned by Underwater World Pattaya Ltd and managed by Sovereign Marketing, a subsidiary of Singapore ’s Haw Par Group. Marinescape took 17 months to construct the 4,200-square-meter center.

“Besides opening visitors’ eyes to the brilliance and diversity of undersea life, the Pattaya aquarium will also play an important role in education and marine conservation,” said Darong Yingchon, a curator and marine biologist with years of experience at public aquariums around the region.

Further expansion is already on the drawing board, with a good possibility that dolphins, giant octopuses, manta rays and perhaps killer whales will be added to the attraction.

“Our estimate of 600,000 visitors a year pales when compared to Sentosa, where there are 1.3 million each year. But we expect the Pattaya facility to grow in popularity as time goes by,” said Hong.

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600 divers in record bid to replant coral (Bangkok Post 12/06/2003)

Vassana Nanuam

Navy chief Adm Thaweesak Somapa will join 600 divers in a record-breaking attempt to replant coral reefs off Koh Sor in Sattahip district, Chon Buri.

Organisers hope Saturday's event will be entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest mass dive to restore damaged coral.

Adm Thaweesak said the aim was to return balance to the underwater ecology of coral reefs around Koh Sor, which were largely destroyed by unregulated shallow-water fishing. Participants would include navy personnel and local students, who would snorkel and scuba dive to reach the replanting spots.

Stems needed to regrow the coral would be obtained from nurseries at the Ratchabhat Rambaibannee Institute, Plutaluang Vitthaya school and the diving club for environmental preservation. The stems were retrieved from damaged sites and rehabilitated. The navy also plans to open Koh Pai in Bang Lamung district for ecotourism.

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Coast Guard arrests two coral thieves off Sattahip shores (Pattaya Mail 23/05/2003)

Two others jump overboard to escape arrest, fate unknown

Patcharapol Panrak

A Sattahip Coast Guard patrol boat investigating reports of coral thieves arrested two men in the process of leaving Koh Rak after collecting valuable coral for sale in the marketplace. Two others jumped overboard to elude capture. They may have swam to shore, but their fate is unknown.

The Coast Guardsmen gave chase to the speedboat, fired a warning flare and ordered the thieves to stop. During the chase, officers noted large amounts of coral being thrown overboard by the men.

Finally catching up to the boat, Coast Guard officers arrested two men employed to do the dirty work. Officers found a bag containing documents belonging to one of the men who dove off the boat as well as a loaded .38 Smith and Wesson pistol.

The two men arrested were 41-year-old Sanga Samarng and 25-year-old Adul Srichoke. Both told police that they had been employed to steal the coral but refused to accept the responsibility of gun ownership saying that belonged to a man identified as Lichit Boonsom from Sattahip. Coast Guard officers found documents belonging to Lichit in the bag containing the gun.

The pair were transferred to local police and charged with illegal fishing in a national park waters, damaging public property and possession of a loaded weapon without a license.

Thieves have been raiding the water of Saemsarn Bay for some time. Those in the trade often sell their stolen wares to Bangkok businessmen looking for living coral. Warehouses have been located and as is often the case, criminals have been paying off some local authorities to keep their illegal trade going.

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Tourism and Sports Minister Sontaya Kunplome opened the International Asia-Pacific Diving Fair in Bangkok on May 9, with promises that Thailand was set to spring into action as a diving hub for the Asian region; while forecasting that the fair would see 20,000 visitors a day and a total revenue of over 1 billion baht.

Opening the fair at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Sontaya noted, "Thailand’s tourism sector is increasingly focusing on niche markets and the diving market is taking an important place. Thailand has won global recognition as a world-class diving destination and the country is well known for its diving and snorkeling schools."

The minister also spoke of Thailand’s marine biodiversity in terms of coral reefs, schools of fish and an opportunity for divers to swim with rare whale sharks.

The three-day fair pulled in around 20,000 visitors a day, resulting in revenue of approximately 1 billion baht from the sale of diving packages and equipment, with each visitor spending an average of 10,000 baht.

This is the second time that Thailand has hosted the international diving fair, which this year contained 83 booths and exhibitors from 17 countries.

In addition to purchasing package tours and equipment, visitors had a chance to discuss diving techniques with world-class divers and compete for various prizes.

A portion of the revenue from the fair will be handed over to the Royal Navy Center for Turtle Conservation. (TNA)

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Pattaya Mail Thursday 03-04-2003

Bali Hai Marina (Pattaya) opening date shifts due to waves of discontent

Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat announced that the date of the opening of Bali Hai Marina, originally scheduled for March 26, had to be delayed due to a flood of complaints from local tour boat operators.

Deputy Mayor Niran Wattanasatsathorn was appointed to follow up on the situation and get the new marina operational as soon as possible. One of his first actions was to call a meeting with top city officials, tour business and boat operators to discuss the matter.

Figures showed that more than 1,000 boats, big and small, ply Pattaya Bay , and these boats need a proper pier to drop off and pick up passengers. Boat operators claim Bali Hai Marina is not safe to use.

The deputy mayor said a new committee was recently elected to study the problem after the city received hundreds of complaints about the failures of the new pier.

Government officials and boat operators then took a trip to the marina to see if boat operators could safely utilize the pier, and concluded that the opening date for the marina did indeed need to be pushed back.

The committee found marine operators had difficulty parking their boats at the pier because of strong sea currents. The boat operators snidely commented that the pier was constructed without thorough planning.

The city decided to stick wooden posts in the sea around the pier to protect boats from heavy waves while attempting to moor.

The deputy said that for now boat operators are permitted to use Pattaya Bay to pick up and deliver passengers, but they will have to move to the Bali Hai Marina after improvements are made and it becomes operational.

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Pattaya Mail Thursday 13-02-2003

World War II navy landing ship laid to rest off shores of Bamboo Island

‘HMS Krarm’ sunk for environmental salvation

A World War II medium size landing ship, the HMS Kram was sunk just 300 meters off the coast of Bamboo Island (Koh Phai) last week forming Thailand’s first underwater conservation park. Great ship wreck for diving also.

For the full story and pictures click here

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Pattaya Mail Thursday 06-02-2003

Rayong fisherman lands 13th century catch

Strange incident frightens man into bringing ancient pottery to temple

A Rayong fisherman has landed a far more valuable trawl than the fish he set out to catch - five ancient Sangkhalok pots.

Reported on February 1, the abbot of Wat Phla, Ban Chang, said that the fisherman had brought the pots to the temple in order to authenticate them after discovering them stuck in his nets during a fishing trip around 1.5 kilometers from the shore.

Realizing that there might be more around, another local villager then started digging, and was rewarded with 27 Sangkhalok bowls. Although the villager had originally wanted to keep them for himself, an ‘unusual incident’, on which the abbot did not elaborate, frightened him into taking the bowls to the temple.

The bowls and pots, which the abbot said he believed to be from the time of the 13th century King Ramkhamhaeng, are now on public display in the temple. (TNA)

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Bangkok Post Sunday 02-02-2003

CONSERVATION

Rare dugongs, Irrawaddy dolphins spotted off Trat

Coral reefs, seagrass provide good haven  

Thirty dugongs have been found off the coast of this eastern-most province, an indication of the fertile marine ecology, a fishery official said.

Jumphon Sa-nguangsin, provincial fishery official, said surveys found 30 of the rare mammal species known as sea cows around the seagrass meadows between Ban Laem Klad and Ban Mai Rood in Muang district.

More than a dozen Irrawaddy dolphins had been sighted in the same area. Both species are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1992.

Dugongs, or phayoon in Thai, have also been found in the Andaman sea, mainly in Krabi, Phang-nga and Trang. Irrawaddy dolphins have been sighted also in Songkhla lake.

Mr Jumphon said the sea off Trat contained mangrove forests, coral reefs, seagrass meadows and islands that were still in good shape. Researchers would track the dugong population and launch an information campaign to counter harmful myths that led to their being killed or consumed.

Killing a dugong carries a fine of up to 40,000 baht and a jail term of up to four years.  

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Bangkok Post 01-02-2003

Down she goes

The navy has sunk a decommissioned warship near Koh Phai and Koh Larn islands off Pattaya to turn it into a breeding ground for marine life.

Vice-Admiral Somjai Wattanayothin, chief-of-staff of the Royal Fleet at the Sattahip naval base, said the decommissioning of HMS Khram was a navy project to mark His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's 50th birthday.

The United States gave HMS Khram to the navy in 1960. The ship, now dilapidated beyond repair, had been in use for more than 40 years. It now lies about 300 metres from Koh Phai.  

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Pattaya Mail 28-01-2003 www.pattayamail.com 

Diving business operators voice their opinion on Larn Island natural resource preservation issue

Veerachai Somchart

Pattaya City Hall spent almost 10 million baht in 180 days for Pattaya Bay and its islands’ natural resources preservation project.

The money went to two natural preservation consulting companies: Mahanakorn Consultant Company and Binary Company. These companies will be supervising and controlling the standard and quality of buoy markers to effectively preserve endangered coral reefs in the areas near three main islands. On January 13, twenty seven diving business operators attended a seminar held at Pattaya City Hall to express their opinions on the issue.

Doctor Thammasak Yimin, sea natural resource preservation expert said the project was aimed to designate marine areas to be preserved, and urged underwater diving tourism business operators and fishing boats to cooperate with the authorities in this development campaign.

The three main natural preservation and development spots are areas around Koh Larn, Krok  Island and Sark Island . These three areas are endangered sites that officials could no longer ignore due to vast and rapid coral reef damage caused by increased tourist activity.

The committee will set up 150 buoys in safe areas for boats to anchor so that they won’t damage the reefs. The committee will also draw up an underwater map and distribute it to sailors, provide GIS computer programs for tourists to correctly search for natural resources, and publish general information brochures and buoys manual maintenance techniques.

Business operators said the proposed project was a good and helpful one. However, in their view 150 buoys will not be enough for tourist boats sailing in Pattaya Bay , as the boats sometimes number up to 1,000. They proposed there should be tougher restrictions on anchoring in certain areas.

In the past, Pattaya City received 300 buoys from the government but they did not work well and some are now missing. Doctor Thammasak concluded that the project is due to finish in February and the committee will take every suggestion into consideration. He also urged the officials to tie up buoys properly for effective use in the future.

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