19 October 2014
Cha-Am Mayor Opens New Bridge & Learning Centres The Mayor of Cha-Am Mr. Nukul Pornsomboonsiri conducted an opening ceremony for a new bridge and three learning centres at the mangrove forest located at the back of the municipal school 3 at Wat Neranchararam Buddhist Temple. This was in line with the Cha-Am Urban Development Plan of 2013. Financial support for the construction was from a budget of 1,850,000 THB allocated by the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand and the National Office of Village and Urban Community Fund. The bridge, 200 metres long and 2 metres wide, was built at the same time of the three learning centres. According to the Mayor of Cha-Am, apart from natural resource management for coastal fishing, the project is also important for people from the Saphan Hin Community to gain work and income. The project follows His Majesty the King’s philosophy of a self-sufficient economy. It
also encourages local communities, Buddhist temples and schools to preserve the mangrove forest in Cha-Am
as a tourist attraction and a natural learning centre. The Mayor hopes that everyone will continue to take care of the mangrove forest in a sustainable way. The Cha-Am Municipality will provide financial and personnel support for the development of local fishing and mangrove forests. The opening ceremony was attended by the local fishing group of Saphan Hin, other local people and students. The office of natural resource management for the mangrove forest in Phetchaburi provided some mangrove trees to plant. The Princess Sirindhorn International Environmental Park also provided support to the fishing group. The opening ceremony also served as a forum for opinions about how mangrove forest and marine habitats can be protected as a future site for eco-tourism.
‘No Film’ – No Problems There is a photographer in Cha-Am who is a multiple prize winner, more than 30, and most recently winning an award winner at the Sirindhorn International Environment Centre photographic competition. Mind you his forte is taking photos of landscapes and wildlife, so this award may not have been unexpected.
Jet Skis and Other Boats Now Under Control: Cha-Am Municipality
Khun ……………………….. is better known by his nickname; ‘No Film’. We all know that is recent years digital photography has by far eclipsed the old days of loading a film spool into the camera and needing to make visits to the local developer before having any idea what shots you have taken. Perhaps the nickname came rom his first venture into the digital age …………………. “look Mum, no film!” ‘No Film’ has a background including time in the Royal Thai Army and for a period worked in a bank. He decided to follow his passion for photography and now operates a small business which is a combination of coffee shop and photo gallery. He has other plans to teach more photography. On the day we visited he had two students in attendance, eager to learn how to produce the absolutely stunning shots on display. ‘No Film’ is also a traveller to many historic and iconic Thai landmarks. He is not really interested in the usual commercial style of photography such as weddings and other society gatherings. However as a contributor to internet photography sites (such as Shutterstock), he is able to make a modest income. On the side he is also the current President of the Cha-Am Business Man’s Club. We asked ‘No Film’ about the mistakes made by amateur photographers. The first point he made was the need to carefully consider composition. Framing shots with overhanging branches or other ways of naturally composing a complete scene is, according to him, just a matter of some forethought rather than just pointing in the general direction. Sounds easy, but perhaps the artist’s eye also comes into play. The second tip was to be patient and plan for natural lighting effects. Understanding and seeing the angles of the sun, shade and how light can highlight or subdue elements of the shot may require waiting for the right time of the day. Spur of the moment photography is unlikely to be successful. If you are an interested photographer wanting to see some of the finest photographic scenes of Thailand you are likely to see; this is the place. The coffee’s also very good as a part of enjoying the visit. Where? About 500 metres away from the traffic lights in Cha- Am heading north there is a small street to the right that joins the ‘hospital road’. The shop doesn’t really have a name but you will see the coffee signs outside on the south side of this road. Our thanks to ‘No Film’ for allowing our reproduction of this great prize winning photograph.
The Cha-Am Municipality is imposing strict measures to control marine jet skis and other boat rental businesses on the beach, requiring exact price lists from the owner. Violation is subject to serious penalties from authorities. The Lord Mayor of Cha-Am Mr. Nukul Pornsomboonsiri said that he has considered the problems of some businesses taking advantage of beachgoers. Stricter measures will now be put in place. “The Cha-Am Municipality has formulated measures to control boat services for tourists in terms of correct and exact pricing. These measures for those who violate the law include bonds of good behaviour license revokation. No formal complaints have been filed with the authorities,” said Mr. Nukul. The Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Cha-Am, Mr. Akkharawit Thephasit added that the TAT of Cha-Am and the Municipality frequently monitor boat owners on Cha-Am beaches. They
asked them not to overcharge customers and everyone who rides banana boat or any other types of the boat should wear a life vest for safety. “I’d like to thank the Cha-Am Municipality for taking care of the businesses and solving problems that tourists may face. Cooperation is also offered by the ChaAm tourist police and all police officers here,” he said. The Chairman of the local boat owners association, Montree Meerit said that are 125 members of the Association. Customers can file complaint concerning overcharging with supervisors at six locations along the Cha-Am beaches. “So far, no one has complained about overcharging although some have commented on boats that enter into swimming areas. All boat owners are asked to provide correct pricing information and insist that customers wear life vests for safety. Children are advised not to ride the boats even when accompanied by parents and drivers,” concluded Mr. Akkharawit. HUA HIN TODAY, October 2014
20 News A Cha-Am Festival – ‘Kin Hoy, Do Nok, Tok Muek’ It’s Cha-Am’s biggest off-season Festival and a huge celebration of local seafood; that’s the Shell Eating (or is that shell food eating?) and Squid Catching components. In the past Cha-Am Today has joined in squid catching and shell fish eating, but let’s not forget the third part of the Festival trilogy – Bird Watching; but more about that later. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Cha-Am Municipality and the Boonrawd Brewery Public Company Limited, this was the 16th year of the event held this year between 13th and 21th September. The Festival was centred at the closed-totraffic beach end of Narathip Road and the adjacent viewpoint. A giant stage hosted top Thailand rock bands, comedians and dancing girls. Every night throngs of visitors enjoyed the market, feast of seafood and entertainment. You could be forgiven for thinking this was a ‘Thai – only’ event with visitors or locals of foreign extraction hard to find.
Two hours of driving through the green countryside after recent rains and stopping off at viewpoints with an enthusiastic guide on board. He could spot well camouflaged birds in the distance with no translations required as he showed us the species from his handbook. The highlight? Perhaps an unlikely venue was a local water treatment plant where there are large concrete ‘ponds’ protected from casual visitors (no fishing), so plenty available for ‘bird fishermen’. Here there was an uninterrupted view of flocks of mixed species, some colourful, some graceful waders and some on the wing. Our guide insisted that I take a photo of one particular bird and became quite excited when he reviewed the image. From 200 metres and with only a 200 mm lens, not really a good photo and when zoomed, too ‘grainy’ to publish.
Bird Watching (Do Nok)
On offer was a free guided tour with a chance to find out about Cha-Am’s bird population. Not only local birds; when it is getting cool in the far north of Asia, it’s a time when birds visit on their migratory routes heading south. We set off in a songthaew for several unknown destinations. Binoculars were supplied and our tour guide also had a telescope.
On return to base, I was required to report to the boss of the company operating the tour. He literally jumped in the air with excitement when he saw the shot. Now in English and with the help of a book; ‘Birds of Thailand’, I could see that it was a photo of an ‘Oriental Darter’. Listed as endangered and possibly no longer breeding, this bird had not been seen in the region for seven years, a real ornithological coupe! I later emailed him my very poor photo; who knows where that will finish up! Our picture of this bird is from the archives.
It’s unfortunate for foreign visitors that this very colourful extravaganza needs to happen at a time of the year when the squid are close to shore and the birds are migrating. That’s because it’s also a time when there are few foreign visitors in town. However largely Bangkok-based Thais always arrive in droves to guarantee a busy and successful Festival year after year.
IOGT International 68th World Congress in Cha-Am
Over 300 attendees will participate in the IOGT International 68th World Congress at The Regent Cha-Am Beach Resort, which will focus on promoting health free of alcohol.
Esbjörn Hörnberg Executive DirectorMaik Dünnbier, said it will be for the first time ever in our more than 160-year history that we’ll be in Asia – more precisely in Cha-Am, Thailand. The topic will be: “Alcohol in All Policies – IOGT International 68th World Congress 2014. The Policy and Communication Officer, IOGT International said “We are arranging the 68th World Congress of IOGT International with delegates from all over the world. It’s an event with a proud tradition. And the event is about democracy, intercultural learning and global solidarity.” Members of IOGT International will together discuss and decide on the new 4-year Plan of Action, a new Alcohol Policy and a new Narcotic Drugs Policy to be well prepared HUA HIN TODAY, October 2014
for preventing and reducing harm caused by alcohol and other drugs through high-impact and evidence-based policy measures. IOGT is at the forefront of the battle against alcohol abuse and the growing commercial dominance of the alcohol industry in Asia. IOGT International is the largest worldwide community of non-governmental organisations with a mission to independently enlighten people on adopting a lifestyle free from alcohol and other drugs, thus leading to a richer, freer and more rewarding life. Mr Hörnberg, praised Thailand for its global leadership in health advocacy, especially in the alcohol and tobacco policy. “Thailand has put in place one of the best alcohol policies in the world. But all these
developments are being challenged by the growing aggressive global alcohol industry in Asia that has identified countries like Thailand as emerging markets,” he claimed. IOGT International’s head office is in Sweden. In Thailand, IOGT Thailand, or the Association for Social Development, is under the auspices of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. IOGT International World Congress is held every four years. This year’s event is divided into a main congress to be held 26 to 31 October and a Youth Camp to be arranged in cooperation with the regional office of the IOGT-NTO movement, which is based in Chiang Mai. The Youwth Camp will be organised at the Rama VI Border Patrol Police Camp, Cha-Am,
Phetchaburi province. The IOGT Head office is located in Sweden. The networking organisation in Thailand is “the International Organisation of Good Templars – Thailand (IOGTT)” or the Association for Social Development, under the auspices of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. On 28 October, 2014, the opening ceremony and welcome reception will be hosted by the Royal Thai Government. Both Thais and foreigners will be amongst the speakers at the numerous seminars and workshops. Participants will also have a chance to participate in various activities; such as, Thai cooking class, workshops, exhibition, and sightseeing tours.