Pattaya Street Shower Installed For Song Kran day

Pattaya has erected a street shower on beach road which is 500meters long. It has been installed for people whilst celebrating Song Kran on the 13 and19th of April.

PATTAYA – April 9, 2014 [PDN]; at 15.00 Pattaya Daily News reporters were notified by the parks and environment department of Pattaya that they were testing a shower on the Northern Pattaya Rd at a length of 500. It has been installed to keep expats cool during song kran day.



The shower system testing drew a lot of attention from both Thais and foreigners. They stopped and took photos. The shower was the idea of Mr Itthipon Khumpleum- the mayor of Pattaya- and Mr.Chaowalit Praditpruek- the head of parks and environment department of Pattaya.



The shower system will be 3 meters high with a dolphin on the top of each post. It can spray water about 15 meters and they have been installed both sides of the street. The water that will be used is supported by Pattaya Waterworks Authority. In addition, the water system will also be set up on Koh-Lan.
Ms Yuwathida Jeerapat- the spokesman of Pattaya- revealed that Song Kran day in Pattaya is very popular among Thais and foreigners and this year they need to add more highlights to attract more people. She also added that they will be using the shower system next year and up and coming years.



The shower will be available on April 13th and the 19th from 8.00am to 16.00pm.

Article from Pattaya Daily News

On this first day or April pattaya seems to have a sense of humor

Shocked Residents as Toll Booths Appear Overnight

 

PATTAYA: -- During the night City Hall have introduced a new tollbooth at the start of Beach Road, as you enter from Dolphin Round about. 

 

Thai double pricing standards apply with Thai Nationals entering free with foreigners paying a minimum 30 baht. Pattaya City Hall have assured Inspire eMagazine that all Expats that produce a valid Thai licence will be entitled to the Thai pricing. 

 

There will be no costs for pedestrians, and it is unclear whether motorcyclists using the walkways rather than the road will be tackled. Local expat, Steven Sparkle, was there at 2am to witness it. "There were hundreds of workers that literally turned up and it was all done within a matter of hours. 

 

I can't believe it, no one was told about this. It's awful". pattaya-tolls Discount for Beer Bar Patrons If you buy two or more beers at any of the venues on Pattaya Beach Road do get your card stamped, as you will get a full refund on your toll charge when you get to the end of Beach Road from one of the Tollbooths on exit. Dave Trevors who was one of the first to use the toll at 9am this morning was livid. 

 

"I had a meeting at 10am but had to stop and drink two beers along Beach Road so I could get my toll money back, I am not sure this is a good thing for Pattaya that drivers start drinking so early.

 

Needless to say I was late for my meeting". It is believed that the money back initiative for drinking a couple of beers, which was introduced as a strategy to help local bar business in Beach Road, may need to be rethought as City Hall has questions over the effect it may have on drink driving. 

 

Will not Impact Tourism Numbers Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) are confident this will have no impact on tourist visitors to Pattaya and in fact believe the new revenue will ensure an even more pleasant Pattaya Beach Road as monies can be used to beautify the area. 

 

They also plan to build 10 minute parking areas for drivers wanting to take advantage of the two beer offer that will ensure they get their toll money charges back; but it is thought this money could be raised by sponsorship for these parking zones by one of the beer companies.

 

-- Inspire Pattaya 2014-04-01

Pattaya International Fireworks show 29, 30, November

This Friday and Saturday Pattaya will be hosting it's annual 

International Fireworks Show!

Pattaya is gearing up for this years event and the newly widened Beach Rd is getting ready to play host to many vendor stalls ranging from trinkets, souveniers, and the many kinds of different food Thailand has to offer. Each country is expected to be given 45 minutes to display its best, making for over 2 hours of entertainment both Friday 29, and Saturday 30 of November

Traffic will be heavy and parking will be limited, so plan ahead, put on some comfortable walking shoes, and experience this very festive event!

Thailand to charge tourists extra to enter The Kingdom?

Thailand's government gearing up to charge tourists a 500 baht entrance fee for emergency medical costs??

Thailand's government is proposing this fee to build a fund to help pay medical expenses for tourists that find themselves needing medical attention but possibly can't pay the costs incurred for treatment. These conditions can range from food poisoning, dengue fever, heart attack, or physical injuries from such things like, car or motorbike accident, minibus or buses going off the road, jet ski accident, slip and fall, etc.

The Thai government is wondering if this would scare off tourists. Not too long ago tourists had to pay an exit fee to leave The Kingdom. It didn't really seem to affect tourism at all but when the proposed fee was to go up another 200 Baht the Thai's hid the fee and the increase incorporated into the price of a return ticket.

This may make for heated discussions on local chat forums and bar stools but i can't really see paying another 500 Baht to enter Thailand turning tourists away, especially when it it going to something that can be of benefit to them should something arise. My only question is "what about the all tourists must have travelers insurance to enter The Kingdom" proposal? Would these two work in conjunction or is this another government scam? Please read the article from "The Nation" below:

Would a Bt500 emergency-coverage fee scare off tourists?
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government's attempt to launch a new regulation to collect an entry fee from foreign tourists to cover their emergency medical services could prompt tourists to choose destinations in other countries.

The concern, raised by the Tourism Council of Thailand, comes after the Public Health Ministry proposed a plan to collect Bt500 as a fee for entering the country from foreign tourists staying in Thailand from three to 30 days; and Bt30 for less than three days. The fee would be used to support a ministry programme providing emergency medical services for foreign tourists.

According to Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong, currently the ministry has to shoulder about Bt200 million to Bt300 million as the financial burden for providing emergency medical services for foreign tourists.

Each year, the ministry estimates that about 23 million foreign tourists from around the world visit Thailand. It expected that if the plan to collect a fee for entering the country were approved by the Cabinet, the ministry would be able to collect about Bt10 billion.

This money would be used to support the ministry's budget to provide emergency medical services for foreign tourists suffering serious illness or injury. Under this plan, each foreign patient would be covered by Bt200,000 to Bt300,000 in emergency care. This budget would also be used to develop healthcare units and procure medical devices.

"They [foreign patients] must pay to enter the country because they have to use our medical resources," Pradit said.

The ministry is now discussing with related agencies - the National Security Council, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Tourism and Sport Ministry, Labour Ministry and Immigration Bureau - to find appropriate ways to collect the fees.

If the agencies come up with a good plan, it will be deliberated by the Cabinet before the Office of the Prime Minister makes an announcement.

But Tourism Council of Thailand president Piyaman Tejapaibul does not believe this plan would benefit the tourism industry. Instead of attracting more and more tourists to visit our country, the plan would hurt tourist figures, Piyaman said.

"Each year Thailand gets a lot of revenue from the tourism industry - but the government has never used money from this industry to develop and support tourism," she said.

Currently, many tourists bring their own travel insurance from private insurance agencies in case of unexpected accident or illness, covering them for medical services in the destination country. Some countries require travellers to attach their health insurance when applying for a visa, so that they do not have to shoulder the burden of paying fees for medical services at their destination.

"We want good tourists to visit Thailand - not the [type of tourist] who does not want to enter because he or she has to pay Bt500 as an entrance fee," Pradit said. He added that European countries and the US have supported the government in collecting entrance fees from their tourists, as they see that the plan would reduce risks for their citizens travelling abroad.


-- The Nation 2013-11-19

Pattaya ferry sinks of coast of Koh Larn---latest update

Pattaya Ferry capsizes off of Koh Larn yesterday!

It seems like almost every other month you hear about a ferry sinking and it always has the one common denominator...overcrowding! Most commonly happening in Southern Phillipines and Indonesia Thailand ferry operators have gotten away with it for years...until now. Here is the latest from Pattaya One News

UPDATED: 6 dead, over 100 injured in Pattaya Larn Island Ferry Disaster
Posted on November 3, 2013 at 10:52 pm

Current reports suggest 6 people have been killed and up to 200 people have been injured in, what is being described as, Pattaya’s worst marine accident in living history.

Just after 4pm on Sunday reports began to come in of a Passenger Ferry which had sunk off the coast of Larn Island. It was quickly confirmed that the boat was carrying far more people than it is licensed to.

As of time of publication the names or nationalities of those who have died have not been officially confirmed and the figure is set to rise, as up to 20 of the injured are currently in critical condition in Hospital. One Police source suggested 3 Thai Nationals, 2 Russians and 1 Chinese Tourists were those that died and others are feared missing presumed drowned.

The boat which sunk was named as the “Koh Larn Travel 1” Ferry which is a 2-storey ferry with a licensed capacity of 150 passengers. It has now been confirmed that 209 passengers were on-board when it sunk approximately 500 meters off the coast of Nuan Beach on Larn island, approximately 7kms off the coast of Pattaya. Unconfirmed reports suggest a water pump was not working on the vessel which caused it to sink in under 1 minute after passengers quickly moved to the upper-deck making the boat highly unstable.

Emergency vessels and private vessels were quickly on-scene to help those in the water. Some were administered CPR at the scene which continued at the Bali Hai Port. The list of those who lost their lives is expected to be released within the next 24 hours.

Later on Sunday Royal Thai navy Divers were brought in from their base in Sattahip District to begin the task of searching for those missing presumed drowned which is thought to number more than 15.

The Captain of the vessel was named as Khun Saman aged 42 who is believed to have somehow escaped before rescue boats arrived and is now wanted by Police. An arrest warrant for him is expected to be issued on Monday. He is thought to have first collected passengers from Tawean Beach on the Island and then moved round to Nuan Beach. This is thought to have been the last ferry leaving the Island on Sunday which is why so many people were on-board. It was also reported that the ferry had returned from the boatyard 2 weeks ago after undergoing extensive repairs and renovations.

How the Pattaya authorities who are responsible for Marine safety respond to this tragedy is still unclear but recent promises to enforce regulations at sea to prevent major disasters such as this one appear to have been broken.

No emergency numbers or points of contact for those needing information about friends or family members have been published. Pattaya One will update this story as new information is received.

- See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/107860/6-dead-100-injured-pattaya-larn-island-ferry-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.eTIPxQjf.dpuf

Current reports suggest 6 people have been killed and up to 200 people have been injured in, what is being described as, Pattaya’s worst marine accident in living history.
Just after 4pm on Sunday reports began to come in of a Passenger Ferry which had sunk off the coast of Larn Island. It was quickly confirmed that the boat was carrying far more people than it is licensed to.
As of time of publication the names or nationalities of those who have died have not been officially confirmed and the figure is set to rise, as up to 20 of the injured are currently in critical condition in Hospital. One Police source suggested 3 Thai Nationals, 2 Russians and 1 Chinese Tourists were those that died and others are feared missing presumed drowned.
The boat which sunk was named as the “Koh Larn Travel 1” Ferry which is a 2-storey ferry with a licensed capacity of 150 passengers. It has now been confirmed that 209 passengers were on-board when it sunk approximately 500 meters off the coast of Nuan Beach on Larn island, approximately 7kms off the coast of Pattaya. Unconfirmed reports suggest a water pump was not working on the vessel which caused it to sink in under 1 minute after passengers quickly moved to the upper-deck making the boat highly unstable.
Emergency vessels and private vessels were quickly on-scene to help those in the water. Some were administered CPR at the scene which continued at the Bali Hai Port. The list of those who lost their lives is expected to be released within the next 24 hours.
Later on Sunday Royal Thai navy Divers were brought in from their base in Sattahip District to begin the task of searching for those missing presumed drowned which is thought to number more than 15.
The Captain of the vessel was named as Khun Saman aged 42 who is believed to have somehow escaped before rescue boats arrived and is now wanted by Police. An arrest warrant for him is expected to be issued on Monday. He is thought to have first collected passengers from Tawean Beach on the Island and then moved round to Nuan Beach. This is thought to have been the last ferry leaving the Island on Sunday which is why so many people were on-board. It was also reported that the ferry had returned from the boatyard 2 weeks ago after undergoing extensive repairs and renovations.
How the Pattaya authorities who are responsible for Marine safety respond to this tragedy is still unclear but recent promises to enforce regulations at sea to prevent major disasters such as this one appear to have been broken.
No emergency numbers or points of contact for those needing information about friends or family members have been published. Pattaya One will update this story as new information is received.

- See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/107860/6-dead-100-injured-pattaya-larn-island-ferry-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.eTIPxQjf.dpuf

UPDATED: 6 dead, over 100 injured in Pattaya Larn Island Ferry Disaster - See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/107860/6-dead-100-injured-pattaya-larn-island-ferry-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.eTIPxQjf.dpuf

UPDATED: 6 dead, over 100 injured in Pattaya Larn Island Ferry Disaster - See more at: http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/107860/6-dead-100-injured-pattaya-larn-island-ferry-disaster/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PattayaOneNews+%28Pattaya+One+News%29#sthash.eTIPxQjf.dpuf

24 Provinces underwater in Thailand with more rain on the way!

Thailands rainy season is getting into full swing. Although the Pattaya - Chonburi area has not yet been hit hard, Thailands Northeast "Issan" and Central Plains are feeling the effects!

This article for this mornings "The Nation" tells which provinces are flooded along with how Bangkok and the Chao Praya River are coping.

 

 Northeast, East brace for tropical depression approaching from Vietnam

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Irrigation Department is keeping a close eye on the impact of the upcoming tropical depression from Vietnam, which might affect several provinces in Thailand's Northeast and Eastern regions.

Ubon Ratchatani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Prachin Buri would likely be affected by the upcoming depression. These areas are already severely hit by floods, the department's deputy director-general Suthep Noipairoj said yesterday.

He expressed concerns about the flood situation in Prachin Buri as the Pasak Chonlasit Dam is now nearly full and needed to discharge some volume of water before the new tropical depression arrived.

To date, the volume of water in Pasak Chonlasit Dam was 785 million cubic metres while the full capacity of the dam was 960 million cubic metres.

"We have to discharge about 8.9 million cubic metres per day from the dam to prepare for the upcoming depression," he said.

Meanwhile, Chao Phraya River should drain water at 2,300 cubic metres per second, which exceeds its capacity of 2,195 cubic metres per second.

Suthep explained that the department would drain the excess amount of water into the fields on the western and eastern banks of Chao Phraya River.

However, he explained that most of the flood-affected areas were located along the river and waterway and that is why they were at risk from the adverse impact of the flooding.

Floods have already affected more than 2.1 million people this month and ravaged more than 1.14 million rai of farmland.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Chatchai Phromlert said yesterday that floodwater had also damaged 2,310 roads, 6,900 houses and 145 bridges. "Of the 29 flood-hit provinces, the situation in just five has returned to normal as of today," he said.

Still under water are Surin, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram, Amnat Charoen, Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, Mukdahan, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Chainat, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Ayutthaya, Angthong and Suphan Buri.

Many of these provinces are heavily flooded. The worst-hit spots in Chaiyaphum are about 2.8 metres under water.

In Buri Ram, floodwater levels have soared above three metres in Krasang district, marooning more than 200 families. Officials are making desperate efforts to get relief items to these victims.

Working alongside local administrative bodies, the department has mobilised thousands of volunteers to deliver assistance. More than 1,500 boats have been dispatched to reach the victims. Not all, however, are happy with the authorities' response.

Anong Thongsri, a 46-year-old resident in Prachin Buri's flooded Kabin Buri district, lamented that assistance efforts had failed to reach all those affected. "The floodwater level is also rising," she said.

Department of Religious Affairs chief Preecha Gunteeya said, meanwhile, that 295 temples in 12 provinces were flooded, affecting 2,014 monks.

The Government Housing Bank has offered a debt moratorium for flood-hit customers, whose loan repayments will be suspended for up to nine months depending on the severity of their situation. During that period, no interest will be charged on the loans.

Should flooding damage the whole house of a loan recipient, the bank will write off all outstanding debt on the house, leaving just the debt from the land purchase to pay.

Flood-hit loan recipients can contact the bank for help at (02) 645 9000.


-- The Nation 2013-09-27

Thailand Public Health Ministry orders nationwide surveillance measures against Coronavirus

Readers please take note. This virus can be potentially very dangerous. There have been recent deaths in Saudi Arabia due to this virus. Last year we almost lost our dog to this virus as well, it can effect both people and animals.  Article below explains:

BANGKOK, June 24 - Thailand's Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong ordered health officials nationwide to be on alert of Coronavirus particularly in tourist destination provinces.

 

 Mr Pradit said Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Phuket, and Khon Kaen were especially ordered to be on high alert. He added that local hospitals are already prepared to receive suspected cases.

According to the minister, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has not been detected in Thailand but the Public Health Ministry is ready to deal with the disease. All provinces are to monitor patients with serious respiratory symptoms, particularly those having pneumonia. Disease control is to be done for both MERS-CoV and Influenza A virus subtype H7N9.

Related laboratory systems are to be set up in the Medical Sciences Department's 14 centres nationwide for fast and accurate diagnosis of the disease.

Meanwhile, permanent-secretary for Public Health Narong Sahametapat said at risk groups vulnerable to Coronavirus are Thai-Muslim pilgrims who are going to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in Sep-Oct, Thai workers returning home from the Middle East, and Thais and foreigners travelling through Middle Eastern countries.

The Public Health Minister issued health advisories in Thai, English, and Arabic languages for those entering the country, providing preliminary information about the symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on June 17 reported that 64 patients had been confirmed infected with MERS-CoV with the death toll so far at 38 in nine countries, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy.

The number of patients is anticipated to rise worldwide, while all countries are to closely monitor the situation. The source of the disease still remains unclear. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-06-24

Phuket Video Report: More than 100 tourists rescued from sinking ferry

The boat carrying about 100 tourists was damaged by heavy waves and started taking on water. All on board were safely rescued. Photo: Bob from Bob's Sailing Booze Cruise

 PHUKET: More than 100 people were rescued from a tourist boat that started sinking while returning from Phi Phi Island to Phuket this afternoon after being damaged by big waves.

No injuries were reported.

The ferry, Puean Foong II, was near Chicken Island (Koh Kai), about 15 nautical

miles from Phuket, when it took on water, said Phuket Marine Police Inspector Chatchai Sakdee.

“When we received the report at 4:10 this afternoon, we sent a Marine Police vessel to rescue everyone,” Col Chatchai said.

However, by the time the Marine Police boat arrived, the passengers and crew had been picked up by another tour boat, the Pichamon, which was traveling from Phuket to Phi Phi. The crew saw the ferry in trouble and stopped to help.

“Pieces of the floor came flying off,” one of the rescued passengers, wet and still wearing his lifejacket on board the Pichamon, reported.

“Water was gushing in, and we realized, ‘get some life jackets’,” he said.

The Pichamon continued on to Phi Phi with the rescued passengers and was expected to arrive at 7:30pm this evening.

Phuket Gazette, Kritsada Mueanhawong

Beach chair vendors admit to nearly doubling prices for rentals

Sun worshippers are complaining that increasing numbers of beach chair vendors are charging 20 baht more than the city-mandated rental rate of 30 baht.

 Both Thai and foreign tourists have complained about vendors, many near Central Festival Pattaya Beach, using the busy Songkran period to jack up rates for beach chairs and umbrellas.

 

One vendor openly admitted to charging more than legally allowed, saying many did the same during busy times to make more money off tourists. The vendor reasoned the price hike was justified because tourists were bringing their own food, not buying it from the vendors.

Complaints have yet to reach the ears of Pattaya’s mayor or regulators. The brazen vendors said they’ll continue to charge what they want until forced not to.

 

Article courtesy of this weeks Pattaya Mail

Thailands concerns over the rise of the Thai Baht

BANGKOK: -- The Bank of Thailand is widely expected to take action soon to rein appreciation of the baht as its "excessive" gain is having a widespread negative impact on the export sector as well as the government's tax revenue.

 

Bank of Thailand's former chairman says BOT should buy more dollars.

According to this article i found today on Thai Visa Thai's are getting concerned about the continual growing strength of the Thai baht against major currencies. Check out the article below...

Markets are braced for the action. Touching a new 16-year high yesterday with a 0.18 per cent rise from Friday's closing to 25.58 per US dollar, the baht later lost 0.2 per cent to 28.74 at 3.12pm. So far this month, the baht has gained more than 2 per cent against the dollar and 8 per cent over the Japanese yen, making Thai goods more expensive in the countries where trade is denominated in the two currencies.

Pakorn Peetathawatchai, Stock Exchange of Thailand’s executive vice-president, yesterday recommended investors to closely monitor exchange rates, saying that there could be capital controls due to the baht's excessive gain.

"It remains to be seen how the authorities will act to control the hot money. We can't afford to take no action. We have never witnessed the baht appreciate this quickly, or the sharp rise in the stock market like this," Pakorn said.

In the first quarter, the SET index gained 12.15 per cent, making it the world's best-performing market after Vietnam (18.7 per cent), the Philippines (17.1 per cent), Laos (15.9 per cent) and Indonesia (14.5 per cent). Overseas investors bought US$2 billion more Thai sovereign debt than they sold this month through to April 19, adding to net purchases of $9.8 billion in the first quarter.

To stem the baht's appreciation, former Bank of Thailand chairman MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul urged the central bank to buy more dollars, rather than cut the policy rate.

Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar yesterday, Chatu Mongol said that it is necessary to take care of the export sector, which is suffering acutely. He said he understood that financial stability is the BOT's priority, but it should also pay attention to economic progress.

He noted that heavier sterilisation - the buying of US dollars to depress the baht's price - would boost the BOT's accounting loss, but said that's just a figure. China's central bank has also accumulated more than $3 trillion in foreign currencies to stabilise the yuan. With reserves of more than $200 million - 60 per cent of gross national product (GNP), the BOT has the capacity to strengthen its sterilisation efforts, Chatu Mongol said.

He strongly opposed a cut in the policy rate, as suggested by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong and exporters, saying that could spur consumption and hence inflation.

"It's better for the central bank to shoulder the sterilisation cost than to cut the rate, as higher inflation would affect the entire country," he said.

Foreseeing continued inflows of foreign capital, he noted that it was time to allocate some foreign reserves to finance a sovereign wealth fund, as the fund's overseas investment would counter capital inflows.

Hurting revenues:

While saying that the baht's rise is too fast, Paiboon Kittisrikangwan, an assistant governor of the Bank of Thailand, was adamant that BOT had policy options in hand. Yet, for now, it wants to observe market reactions and assess the necessity of measures.

On Friday, the Commerce Ministry, which still maintains this year's export target at 8 to 9 per cent, will hold a discussion with exporters. The Thai Frozen Foods Association earlier estimated that its producers will lose Bt20 billion for every Bt1 increase in the baht against the dollar. The association is fretting that it may fail to achieve its revenue target of Bt1 trillion this year.

The strong baht is also now expected to hurt the government's revenue projections.

Wanee Thasanamontien, principal adviser on tax strategies, said that export-oriented companies in particular will see a sharp decline in revenue when dollar-denominated income is converted to baht. With lower profits, the companies will also pay lower income taxes.

Meanwhile, the stronger baht would make dollar-denominated imports cheaper. The Revenue Department, which collects taxes according to CIF (cost, insurance and freight) rates, will then collect a smaller amount of tax.

This will further lessen the department's revenue, as the corporate income tax cut to 20 per cent this year would slash annual revenue by another Bt80 billion. Wanee estimated that if corporate earnings show annualised growth by 25 per cent or more, this would compensate for the missing revenue. The department aims to collect Bt1.77 trillion this fiscal year.

 

 The Nation 2013-04-23

Songkran Death Toll 29 Percent More Than Last Year; Tougher Law Enforcement Ordered Started by webfact, Today, 07:22

Tougher law enforcement ordered
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan yesterday ordered all 76 provincial governors and other officials to get tougher in enforcing the law after the Songkran death toll was 29 per cent more than last year even though road accidents were lesser.

 

 

Over the first three of the seven dangerous days, 173 people died and 1,526 were injured in road accidents caused mainly by drunk driving.

Charupong told a meeting of the Road Safety Centre that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation had recorded 655 accidents on Saturday, which was down 10 per cent from last year, but deaths had soared 28 per cent to 72.

Drunk driving was the major cause of accidents at 46 per cent followed by speeding at 24 per cent. Motorcycles were involved in 82 per cent of accidents and pickup trucks in 10 per cent.

 Not wearing a helmet was the top risk behaviour. About 22 per cent of accidents were on straight roads, 66 per cent on village roads and 38 per cent on highways. The most dangerous time of the day was 4-8pm. Some 54 per cent of the casualties were workers. About 68,970 police manned 2,339 checkpoints, stopped 719,010 vehicles and charged 123,770 people with traffic offences, of whom 37,420 did not wear safety helmets and 34,936 could not produce a driver's licence.

Nakhon Si Thammarat had the most accidents at 25 and the most injured at 27 people, followed by Suphan Buri with five accidents.

Before chairing a videoconference of 76 governors, Charupong said he would have local officials stage public awareness campaigns to make people drive more carefully during the last two days of Songkran.

Officials would not be taken to task for the rise in casualties as they were already doing their best but they must strictly enforce the ban against alcohol sales, especially by street vendors, he said.

Chatchai Promlert, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said that statistics showed accidents were more severe this year. The weather bureau also warned of tropical storms in the North and Northeast that would make roads more slippery.

Dr Chonlanan Srikaew, a deputy public health minister, said this year's accidents were more severe than last year. Of the 1,321 seriously injured, 67 per cent died at the scene and 43 per cent in hospital emergency rooms.

The ministry has instructed its officials across the country to coordinate with local police to enforce the prohibition against alcohol sales more thoroughly and initiate campaigns urging the public to call 1669 hotline when they come across accidents, as the ministry has 15,000 emergency medical teams standing by to offer assistance.

Pol Colonel Thongchai Bunsombat, superintendent of Samre Police Station, admitted that a team of his officers returned fire at a gang of 10 motorcycle racers during a chase. Massayabun Maneewong, 39, who was shot in the stomach by a stray bullet at her stall on King Taksin Road on the Thon Buri side, died later.

-- The Nation 2013-04-15

Pattaya prepares for Thunderstorms and possible flooding

The weather outlook has been bleak in Pattaya for most of the week. Pattaya103.com had a nice article about yesterdays flooding and forecast.

Storms bring Pattaya to Grinding Halt

All through the week the 103 weather has been predicting the storms that hit today, bringing the city to a grinding halt and adding to the usual afternoon gridlock in many areas.
Power outages were fixed quickly but the internet in the area has, from many suppliers, been up and down today as all roads from the Sukhumvit to the Beach saw major flooding making some unpassable.
The railway road on the East side took it badly as Siam Country club road, Nerm Plab wan and Khao Noi as well as KhaoTalo became gushing rivers. Our own Drive time DJ, Goldfinger, was told to stay at home as his journey would have seen him attempting to cross 1 metre deep waters on his motorcycle.
On Beach Road business was seriously affected as much of the area was under water, and second road too saw more than its fair share.
Two separate storms hit the region as they came across Asia from China...and more is expected. We are told to be prepared for similar weather for at least the next 3 days.

 

Outbound Bangkok trains, bus terminals crowded by Songkran exodus

If you are thinking of heading up country for this years Songkran you should check out this article from Thai Visa








BANGKOK, April 11 -- Train stations and bus terminals in Bangkok are crowded with passengers beginning to flow out of the capital to celebrate the Thai traditional new year, or Songkran long holidays, and homecoming trips.

Revellers started arriving at Hua Lamphong Railway Station early morning to catch trains to their hometowns. The northeastern route was on highest demand followed by the northern route.

Additional holiday April 12

The Cabinet approved an additional holiday April 12 as a special case during Songkran to enable people to return home during the festival, making it a 5-day holiday (April 12-16).

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has implemented measures to facilitate and ensure the safety of passengers during April 11-18.

Eight extra trains will be provided on top of 250 daily train services April 11-12 and 18 extra trains from April 15-18 which could carry an additional 13,000 passengers daily on average.

Meanwhile, Mo Chit Bus Terminal was gradually crowded since early morning, particularly the northeastern route.

More than 210,000 passengers are expected to use the interprovincial bus services today.

The Transport Company increased the numbers of services by 2,000 trips and expected to cope with the high demand of passengers.

No stranded passengers were expected by midnight.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport, it is expected that more than 164,000 passengers will use the airport on Thursday, a highest number during the festival.

Various airlines have provided more than 400 chartered flights to respond the demand of passengers. (MCOT online news)

 
 -- TNA 2013-04-11

Dengue Fever expected to be on the rise this year in Thailand

Health authorities on alert for mosquito attack

News source: The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A nationwide public health campaign against mosquito-borne dengue fever will be launched to forestall a major epidemic forecast at up to 150,000 cases this year - four times last year's total.

The Cabinet meeting tomorrow would be asked to mobilise support from all authorities and the public, Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong said yesterday.

The campaign will advise families nationwide to stay indoors in rooms with screened windows and sealed door frames all the time, not just when sleeping in mosquito nets.

The application of herbal liquid repellent would be encouraged in place of burning mosquito coils, whose smoke is harmful, especially to children and sick people.

The campaign, if started now, will eliminate mosquitoes before May when the seasonal spread of the viral disease is at its peak.

It is expected to cut dengue treatments by half, he added.

"There could be 120-200 deaths arising from all cases this year,"

In the first two months of this year, 12 patients died out of 9,824 dengue cases. New cases are running at an average of more than 1,200 a week. The ministry estimates that dengue cases could reach 120,000-150,000 this year, of which 15,000 would likely need hospital treatment.

The cooperation and assistance of all ministries involved were needed as the Public Health Ministry's activities alone could eliminate only 10 per cent of the mosquito population, whose larvae hatch in pockets of rainwater or still water at the household level or in nature.