Anything & Everything About Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 8 May 2006 :-

SRT reaches agreement with vendors over rents

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has reached a benefit-sharing agreement with vendors at Chatuchak market, while the arbitration panel has ruled that a Central-SRT land lease contract could be renewed under a partnership deal.

Yuthana Thapcharoen, SRT deputy governor, said the agency had settled its differences over rental fees with the market vendors.

In April, the SRT signed a benefit-sharing contract with Thanasarn Sombat Co, a legal entity set up by the Chatuchak market vendors. The SRT would receive 180 million baht annually, double the previous rate, over a 10-year period.

The SRT will have the right to re-estimate the value of the property in Chatuchak market after the contract expires. The rental rates for vendors will also be maintained over the 10-year period.

Meanwhile, the arbitration panel has ruled that the lease contract for the 47.22-rai plot of land currently occupied by the Central Lat Phrao shopping complex and the Sofitel Central Hotel is now worth more than one billion baht, and it should therefore be converted into a joint venture between the state and the private sector. Under the law, the company is required to equitably share the benefits with the SRT.

In addition, an appraisal company is needed to assess the value of the property to find an appropriate rate to charge private concession holders.

Mr Yuthana said the SRT is ready to comply with the arbitration committee's ruling.

The agency will hold a meeting of its board members to discuss the renewal of the land lease contract and will announce the results soon.

Central Group has leased the site from the SRT since 1978 to develop a hotel and shopping complex. Under the 30-year contract, it has the right to renew the lease after the contract expires on Dec 18, 2008.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 8 May 2006 :-

MASTER OF FLEA MARKETS : From a used Levi's vendor to top executive, 'Meng Chatuchak' has come a long way and he's not done yet

While Chatree Sophonbunnarak may not be very well known, his alias "Meng Chatuchak" is guaranteed to ring a bell among those in the flea-market business as the man behind the legendary success of Chatuchak, Bangkok's most famous weekend market.

Mr Chatree, 47, has managed dozens of flea markets around the country. The experience has transformed him from a small vendor with an initial investment of 4,000 baht into a top executive of a multi-billion-baht project.

But the path to success was not always smooth. Even with a master's degree in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University, he chose to become a merchant, a master of his own destiny, instead of finding office jobs like most graduates.

His first undertaking was buying used Levi's jeans from Pattani province for sale at Chatuchak market, a moderately successful business.

Like most open markets at the time, Chatuchak was very different from now, with no rules or order. Walkways were bumpy and dirty and those that weren't were buried in grass. Goods and foods were sold wherever the vendors pleased with no planning or zoning. Floods were a way of life after the rain.

After a while, a Bangkok governor decided to breathe new life into the dying market. Mr Chatree was selected to represent the vendors and joined the team to draft the development plan.

Today, Chatuchak is divided into 26 zones where different products such as amulets, plants, handicrafts, fashion and jewellery are sold.

Since the overhaul, Chatuchak has become well known among shoppers, with up to 300,000 visitors per day.

Having contributed to this success, Mr Chatree has stepped up his role from a small vendor to become a manager of other flea markets nationwide.

The Pattaya Market in South Pattaya, owned by the Telan family, is the first project he managed.

"Everybody thought I was out of my mind since nobody was investing in the resort city in 2002. Even worse, people believed the land was cursed because nobody had ever succeeded in developing it before - the plot had been left vacant for seven years," says Mr Chatree.

To restore morale, Mr Chatree asked Visit Techakasem, a master in feng shui, the old Chinese science of nature and harmony, to apply a remedy. Mr Chatree then adopted the business strategy and merchandise mix used at the Chatuchak market. More marketing blitzes followed.

But one of his campaigns to promote the market brought him controversial publicity. It involved having models dressed scantily as mermaids on a pickup truck driven around the small town. Mr Chatree was arrested for promoting lewd public behaviour as a result.

Yet he had no regrets. From a commercial point of view, the campaign was a big success. His name and the project became the talk of the town and its grand opening caused quite a stir.

"I paid a 500-baht fine but look what I got. My marketing initiative was published on the front page of many high-circulation newspapers, media where it would normally cost over one million baht to advertise. Since then, our project has become a household name," says Mr Chatree.

After the success of the Pattaya Market, Mr Chatree started to think of retiring from the flea-market business. "Twenty years in flea markets is enough," he says.

Last November, he moved on to help JJ Land Development transform Laksi Plaza into IT Square.

"My mission is to build IT Square as the first brand recognised among IT lovers when they think of buying such products," says Mr Chatree, who now serves as the chief executive for marketing at JJ Land Development.

As the store sells electronic and IT products, feng shui was no longer relevant. But Mr Chatree still paid attention to everything, making improvements on road access, store entrance and merchandise mix before adding new magnets to increase the store's traffic.

Among them are a Foodland supermarket and local and international restaurant chains. As well, marketing events will be introduced twice a month.

The building has four floors. The first two are already open and the remaining will be completed in July this year, mainly offering IT and accessories. A space of 5,000 square metres is also reserved for events and promotional campaigns.

Mr Chatree also negotiated with tour agents to put its store on Bangkok's shopping map to attract tourists.

Thanks to his efforts, the number of visitors has risen to between 10,000 and 12,000 during the weekend and 5,000 to 7,000 on weekdays. The figures are expected to double and sales should reach 430 million baht by the end of this year.

Mr Chatree said IT Square at Laksi would be a model for future expansion. Beyond Bangkok, the company plans to open outlets upcountry and overseas.

Despite his success in the retail business, Mr Chatree has other plans. He hopes to retire and join politics.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[fleaz]

hi! anyone which is the disco that caught fire in Pattaya? thanks?

[KatoeyLover69]

Originally Posted by fleaz

hi! anyone which is the disco that caught fire in Pattaya? thanks?

The name of the disco is Route 999 Pub

For more info, please refer to :-

http://forum.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=53049

[buddy_70]

Hello everyone ,sorry if I come to the wrong thread.
Any bro know's in Bangkok there's a temple which we can go and offer donation to help the poor (something like donate thb500 to buy coffin for the poor villager people )thanks.

[KatoeyLover69]

Originally Posted by buddy_70

Hello everyone ,sorry if I come to the wrong thread.
Any bro know's in Bangkok there's a temple which we can go and offer donation to help the poor (something like donate thb500 to buy coffin for the poor villager people )thanks.

I should think that all temples are willing and am prepared to accept donations

Samsters who are based in Thailand ( Uncle TV, Singrakthai, Sohni, etc...) upon reading this please reply ............

[Theme1]

Originally Posted by buddy_70

Hello everyone ,sorry if I come to the wrong thread.
Any bro know's in Bangkok there's a temple which we can go and offer donation to help the poor (something like donate thb500 to buy coffin for the poor villager people )thanks.

You could offer to buy coffin at the following places:
Por Tek Tung Foundation - Wat Hua Lumphong (Sam Yan MRT) &
Wat Phra Piren, located in Chinatown

[buddy_70]

Thanks Bro Themel1 for the info,I think Wat Hua Lumphong(Sam Yan MTR) is the temple I'm looking for .I got to Know about this offering from radio, I think 972 v long ago,is a chinese temple helping the poor to prepare the funeral service by taking in donation of every THB500 for 1 coffin. The temple is something like opp mtr station and open 24hrs and corner of cross juction,Sorry can't recall any others info.
Will visit the temple as Bro themel mention next week .Thanks

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 10 May 2006 :-

MRTA prepares for new subway routes

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which oversees Bangkok's underground train system, is arranging all necessary preparations for the new government concerning the development of new subway routes.

Chairperson of MRTA board Anchalee Chavanit said here on Tuesday that the arrangements, including bidding processes for would-be investors and public hearings on the new routes, were aimed to facilitate the new government and quicken the construction of the projects.

"Although the set-up of the new government will be postponed until after a fresh general election, MRTA has continued arranging necessary preparations for the construction of the new routes," she told journalists.

"Progress has particularly been seen for the new blue and purple routes," she added.

Once the construction of the new routes is complete, it will help serve a large number more commutors who opt to turn to public transport systems amid global oil price hikes, according to Ms. Anchalee.

In the meantime, she said, MRTA and Bangkok Metro Co., Ltd. (BMCL)--the operator of the capital's subway systerm--are joining with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) in linking the subway system with city bus routes to encourage more passengers to use the underground train service.

The initiative, which will be launched on May 17, begins with a linkage between the BMTA's Ratchawong Pier route and the Subway's Sam Yan Station and between the BMTA's Bangkhen route and the Subway's Phaholyothin Station.

The cooperation would then be expanded to cover other areas in the future, said Ms. Anchalee.

Currently, the number of passengers using the city's subway system has increased to around 170,000 a day, from about 140,000 a day last year, according to BMCL
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated hursday 11 May 2006 :-

Singhas to refresh ailing TRT party

Thai Rak Thai has again resorted to the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui to ward off bad luck, in the face of a run of unfavourable events. A pair of statues of singha, a mythical animal, were installed at the entrance of the party's headquarters on Phetchaburi road yesterday.

They are supposed to improve the party's waning fortunes according to feng shui, the traditional Chinese study of harmony with nature based on the principles of I Ching.

An astrologer, Pinyo Pongcharoen, said the chart of the destiny of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra indicated that his credibility had taken a battering.

His popularity seemed to have reached its nadir. Bringing in the pair of singha statues was the right antidote, according to the astrologer.

The party also changed the backdrop used at its press conferences, which now shows a picture of Mr Thaksin and the message: ''Thank you all for every one of your votes, which saved democracy so that our country can move forward.''

The new backdrop depicts Mr Thaksin in a white jacket giving a wai with a message reading: ''We are willing to embrace all political obstacles with a smile. We are determined to soldier on and solve all the problems for the good of the country.''

On March 22, the party rearranged the interior of its headquarters according to the principles of feng shui. It also installed a new spirit house in the driveway, put up under the close supervision of the prime minister's wife Khunying Potjaman.

Two days later , a tile unexpectedly fell off the outside wall of the headquarters and smashed into pieces near the spirit house.

Sources said the incident drew much speculation that the party and its leader were about to be drawn into a political mess.

Earlier, the prime minister rode on an elephant during an election campaign in Surin province on March 14.

It was believed that riding an elephant - an auspicious animal in Thailand - would ward off bad luck and shield him from danger
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated hursday 11 May 2006 :-

New statue of Brahma to be enshrined

The replacement of the statue of Brahma that was smashed by a mentally ill man in April has been completed and it will be enshrined later this month. Arak Sanghitkul, director-general of the Fine Arts Department, said the enshrining ceremony will be held on May 21 with a procession carrying the new statue from Nakhon Pathom's Salaya to the Erawan Shrine on Ratchaprasong road.

The procession will pass the City Pillar Shrine where a worshipping ceremony will be held, he said. The replica of the statue is being cast and will be housed at the National Museum when it is ready.

Thanakorn Pakdipol, 27, who suffered from mental illness, shocked devotees by smashing the much-revered statue known as Thao Maha Phrom to pieces in the early hours of April 3. He was beaten to death shortly after the incident.

Srisalang Suksonsathan, manager of the Than Thao Maha Phrom Foundation, said hundreds of devotees from overseas will attend the enshrining ceremony. She said those from Hong Kong plan to charter a flight to Bangkok to attend the event
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated hursday 11 May 2006 :-

Grisly murder sparks fears over web-dating

Internet users are being warned of the dangers of web-dating following the grisly murder of a school teacher apparently by someone she met on the internet.
Thaweesilp Visanuyothin, the Department of Mental Health spokesman, said most of the information exchanged in cyber chatrooms is made to appeal to chatters, especially women.

''Chatting allows people to be what they want to be. People use sweet words and some people will fall for that, especially those new to cyber chatrooms,'' he said.

But Mr Thaweesilp said chatting should not be banned but chatters should be more aware of the possible dangers.

The spokesman also warned chatters not to meet their chatmates alone if they decide to meet face-to-face and that they should meet in open areas.

The warning came after the dismembered body of Disanee Thongnaktae, 28, a teacher at Poh Khlang school in Ubon Ratchathani's Phibun Mangsahan district, was found.

Muhammad Arif, a 33-year-old Pakistani national, was arrested on Tuesday, one day after a tip-off from a taxi driver who picked him up from Raja Palace Hotel in Huay Kwang.

Taxi driver Boonyuen Sriprasong, 38, said he had listened to a radio station which reported human body parts had been found near where he had dropped off Mr Arif. The suspect's description also matched that of the foreign passenger.

The taxi driver then called his brother, a policeman at Hua Mak station to ask for information, and filed a report with police.

He was later asked to go to the hotel which he later saw the suspect walk out from and he then told the police.

Pol Lt Gen Viroj Chantarangsi, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said Mr Arif admitted to killing the woman refused to reveal his motive.

Circumstantial evidence suggested that the murder had been planned, he added.

Police found some of the victim's body parts on Monday. They were dumped on a road in the Hua Mak area.

The rest of the body parts, stuffed in a suitcase, were found in a canal yesterday.

Pavinee Nakthongtae, the victim's sister, said Disanee was an avid chatter but she told her family whom she was contacting.

''We warned her that it could be her if there was news about people being murdered by chatmates,'' she said.

Ms Pavinee said her sister talked about the Pakistani man she met on the internet and showed her his picture.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 11 May 2006 :-

Chinese to drive growth

The revenue generated by Chinese tourists this year could increase by 30% to reach 26 billion baht, according to Kasikorn Research Center.

The center said the number of Chinese arrivals would rise to one million from 800,000 last year.

Mainland China is one of Thailand's ten largest tourism markets, growing by an average of 9% a year since 1993 _ and 20% over the last five years.

The rapid growth of the Chinese market has been driven by the country's expanding economy, which has grown in excess of 8% per year over the past five years.

The Chinese government currently allows its citizens to travel to 81 countries around the world. Europe was the most popular long-haul destination for well-heeled Chinese people.

Thailand has been the second most popular travel destination for the Chinese since 2000, second only to Macao and Hong Kong. However, when the 2004 tsunami hit, 2005 figures showed Vietnam and Singapore were more popular.

Kasikorn Research Center found common characteristics among Chinese tourists travelling to Thailand: most were low-income earners, first-time travellers or part of large tour groups.

Most had visited Thailand for leisure, but the number of Mice (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition), FIT (fully independent travellers), and repeated visitors was growing steadily.

Thai and Chinese governments signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2005 to help curb the problem of ''zero-dollar tours'', where tourists were pressured to purchase substandard goods. Chinese and Thai tourist authorities have set targets of one million Chinese travellers visiting Thailand this year, with 300,000 Thais travelling to China.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 11 May 2006 :-

Some Japanese investors rank Vietnam over Thailand

A new study by the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) purports to show that Vietnam has overtaken Thailand as the No 1 choice for Japanese investors looking for opportunities among Asean countries and India.

The report, released by Jetro in Vietnam and reported this afternoon by the official Vietnam News Agency, was said to show the results of a survey of 966 Japanese-affiliated manufacturers operating in Asean-member nations Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as India, in January and February of this year.

The majority of respondents were operating in five key production industries: transportation equipment parts (15.4%), electronic components (14.8%), metal products (7.8%), chemicals (7.7%), and electronic equipment (7.5%).

The survey revealed Japanese manufacturers are thinking more than ever about moving production bases from one Asean country to another. The number of Japanese manufacturers considering an expansion of production in Asean nations was highest in Vietnam (20.5%), nearly three times higher than in Thailand (7.4%).

Thailand and Vietnam are seen by the Japanese surveyed as optimal industrial production bases in the region with a positive mid- and long-term outlook, it said. The two nations are especially attractive for companies involved in the manufacture of electric and electronic products and components.

More than half of those surveyed cited lower production costs as the main attraction for investment in Vietnam, although some liked Vietnam's strong economic growth in recent years.

While the Jetro report pointed to Vietnam's stable political and social conditions and effective labour management, it also suggested the nation suffered from weak supporting industries and inadequate infrastructure, which it said were impeding Vietnam's investment environment.

The report described Vietnam's infrastructure as just slightly better than that of India, which it ranked last in the category.

Other obstacles hindering investment in Vietnam were difficulties with customs procedures and intellectual property rights protection, it added. The survey said Vietnam and Indonesia has not fared as well as other Asean countries and India in this respect.

Japanese investment is likely to expand in all the countries surveyed in the report, particularly in Vietnam and India, it said. Fully 78.6% of responding investors said they planned to expand business operations in Vietnam within the next two years.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 11 May 2006 :-

Chatline murderer pens confession on killing girl

The Pakistani man who admitted to killing a Thai woman and dismembering her body yesterday wrote a confession to the crime.

Mohammad Arif said he had volunteered his confession and other information mainly because he did not want to create any further work for the police working on the murder case.

In his confession he said he killed the victim, Dissanee Thongnarkthae, by smothering her with a pillow and then strangling her, before dismembering her.

Arif also said that prior to the murder he and Dissanee had had sexual intercourse three times and that Dissanee invited him to go to Pattaya but he refused because of the cost.

Investigators from Hua Mark Police Station also instructed Arif to carry out a re-enactment of his alleged crime. Lt-Colonel Somphob Thunpholngarm said the police investigation into the case would be completed soon.

Arif appeared distressed in the detention facility at the station and occasionally talked with other inmates in Thai. A sergeant on duty said he had asked the Thai inmates to keep a close eye on Arif in case he attempted to hurt himself or commit suicide.

Earlier in the morning a travel bag containing the deceased's left leg and left foot were found floating in a canal near the location where the first bag containing body parts, including both arms and a right leg, were found.

Commenting on the case, Mental Health Department spokesman Thaweesil Wissanuyothin warned women against meeting men via the Internet.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork