19 April 2014
NEW PETCHABURI ADMINISTRATIVE COURT TAKING SHAPE It’s About Citizens’ Rights Construction of the 293 million THB Petchaburi Administrative Court commenced in May last year and is due for completion in December this year.
The new Court building is an impressive four story structure. There will be 14,200 square metres of floor area with courtrooms, judicial tribunal meeting rooms, litigation consulting rooms, conference and meeting rooms, a
litigation support department and library. This is located on the western side of Petchakisim Road about 15 kilometres North of Hua Hin. So What Is An Administrative Court? Following the promulgation of the 1997 Thailand Constitution (including a reference to Administrative Courts), an enabling Act was passed in 1999 and the Administrative Court started operations in March 2001. Since then it has progressively strengthened its operations, making it easier for citizens to lodge their complaints. The Administrative Court’s main jurisdiction is to settle litigation between private citizens and the State; including government ministries, departments and independent agencies. Although in no way limited to matters related to the environment, this is an area that the Administrative Court has chalked up its greatest successes on behalf of citizens hurt by sins of
This year’s Hua Hin Regatta takes place along the beach
omission or commission by state agencies.
Unofficially it’s increasingly referred to as the ‘People’s Court’, defender of last resort of the people’s rights and protector of the environment. There are currently 14 Regional Administrative Courts operating with the Chumphon Administrative Court having jurisdiction over the Provinces of Chumphon, Prachuap Khirikhan, Phetchaburi and Ranong. The Administrative Statement
Court’s
Mission
To try and adjudicate cases impartially and swiftly in order to assure the protection of rights, liberties and administer justice to the parties in dispute. To set precedents in the area of administrative law as the guidelines for good practice in public administration for State agencies and officials.
The vision is “to adjudicate administrative disputes, to render justice with a view to maintain equilibrium between the people’s rights and liberties and the public interest”. This is delivered by the Administrative Court’s use of an inquisitorial system, under which it is empowered to ascertain facts and evidence on its own, as opposed to the accusatorial system used in the Courts of Justice. (References: www.admincourt.go.th , Office of the Official Information Commission)
Cha Am Summer Fun Festival 2014 The Phetchaburi Municipality and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are staging “ChaAm Summer Fun Fest 2014”, a special music festival held to celebrate the arrival of summer. There will be a combination of musical artists, hip-hop’s acts as Joey the Boy, Zero Hero, Cyber Japan, followed by a fashion show with dancers, bands and other performances.
by the Regent Chalet Cha-am Resort with 7 days of racing from April 21–27, 2014
See you on Saturday, April 5, 2557, at Cha-Am Beach. Shows start from 5.00 pm to midnight, free of charge.
The Regent Cha-Am Funds New School The Regent Group Corporation, a wellknown hotel business for over 30 years, has realised the importance of human resources development this business. In response it has recently established the Regent Cha-Am Hospitality School (RHS) to support the Thai tourism industry and resolve the shortage of operational staff for Thai hotels.
The TCT is collaborating with the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare to formulate a plan and set up criteria for a competencybased academic qualification exam. The new criteria will be standardised and used in all ASEAN member countries so that students who graduate from the RHS can use their degree to work overseas.
According to the chair of Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and a Management Board Member of The Regent Group Corp. Ms. Piyaman Techapaiboon, Thai tourism business increased by 19% last year with 8 million people employed. The need for more staff is increasing each year.
Another Management Board Member of the RHS Mr. Akkaphol Prueksawan also said that Thailand was lacking a skilled operational workforce as many Thai students did not want to pursue vocational education. To make things worse, some university degrees do not respond to the need for service and hospitality businesses.
“The increasing need for more workforce results in the lack of well qualified operational staff at hotels and tourism offices in the country,” said Mr. Piyamarn. “Therefore, the RHS was founded.” “Believing that effective human resources are very crucial for service and hospitality works, the RHS aims to create graduates fully equipped with theoretical and practical knowledge. The students here will study with experienced and highly qualified instructors who have worked for hotel and tourism businesses for quite a long time. They will become a potential workforce to enhance competitiveness and leadership for the tourism business in the future,” added Ms. Piyamarn.
“The RHS will serve such increasing need because it can create knowledgeable, practical and qualified personnel who will be able to work full-time for the hotel and tourism business and strengthen their professional future,” added Mr. Akkaphol. “Here, we emphasize students’ professional skill and efficiency. Our graduates will see more chances for career promotion thanks to the high standard curriculum that responds to ASEAN requirements. Apart from specialised courses, students have to study English and Chinese for future careers because knowing these languages will enable them to work outside the country.” For the academic year of 2014, the RHS offers
4 9-month courses: Front Office, Food and Beverage Service, Housekeeping and Food Production. “Each course will be taught by highly qualified instructors and students will undergo professional training in order to successfully graduate. The class-based learning takes 6 months and the on-the-job training another 3 months. Tuition fee for Front Office and Housekeeping is 83,000 Baht whereas the rests cost 98,000 Baht,” said Mr. Akkaphol. The RHS’ director Ms. Phimpha Methathamrongsiri added that the tuition fee were reasonably priced because it included learning materials, textbooks, uniforms, a training venue, 3 meals daily and safe and
convenient accommodation for all students. “Studying together at the RHS not only enables students to share experience with their peers but also encourages them to study and work closely with their instructors,” said Ms. Phimpha. “The first batch at the RHS includes 120 students, 30 of whom will take one of the four courses provided. Interested students can send us application and take a general English exam and an interview from now on until April. The courses will start in June,” said the RHS Director who finally concluded that not only did the school aim to help students become professional service providers but it also provided knowledgeable human resources.
HUA HIN TODAY, April 2014
20 Cha-am NEWS SEASUNFUNFLY
2014 International Kite Festival Cha-Am The Cha-Am beachfront is always a colourful scene. On the weekend of 8th – 9th March it reached new heights in more ways than one. Apart from the clear blue skies and beachgoers, the weekend of the 2014 Thailand International Kite Festival provided the most colourful skies the beach has ever seen. Kites gracing the skies came in all shapes and sizes. Some huge and designed as a mythical and real animal (dragons, horses, cats,fish), cartoon characters and even Father Christmas. Some whirling in the brisk south easterly breeze or ‘fleets’ of highly maneuverable stunt kites in choreographed displays to a musical accompaniment. The International aspect of the Festival was in evidence with Kite Teams from Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Malaysia, China, Indonesia as well as three Thai Teams. One of the features of the Cha-Am beach is the ‘kites’ on sale every day. The local version is a polystyrene aeroplane, which is not very durable (hard to get it home in one piece) but very popular with the kids. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the local vendors during the Festival; very hard to compete with either
Riding Motorbikes in Heavy Rain
The Thai Raining Season is Coming The raining season is coming and we should practice for bad conditions. Riding in the wet is inevitable in the Thai raining season, but crashing isn’t. Give yourself the best chance possible to not only stay upright, but to enjoy riding in the wet as well.
the spectacle provided by the ‘visiting kites’ or the new varieties of kites on sale to beach goers! Previous Kite Festivals directed the Tourism Authority of Thailand have been held on at the Army Camp midway between Cha-Am and Hua Hin. Moving the 2014 Festival to the wide expanses of the beach at the northern end of the main Cha-Am beach proved to be a great success with easy access, high visibility (easy to find by accident) and the background of the Cha-Am beach scene. Same again next year please!
Knowing the road is an important part of wet weather riding because you’ll know where puddles form, mud gathers or corners are slippery. If you know the corner ahead has a manhole in the middle, or the road under the flyover gathers water in heavy rain you can be prepared. Having said that, a road surface can and will change on different days so reading the ever-changing surface is extremely important. You’ll need to be more observant at this time of year, constantly scanning the surface, watching other traffic, adjusting lines and adjusting speed. Don’t forget that many a car driver will hit the brakes when more than 7 rain drops land on his front window. Don’t tense up when you see something you don’t like hard braking is a sure-fire way of tipping you off. Learn to ride around problems smoothly and use more rear brake at this time of year to gently drop off speed without testing the front tires as much. Look after your visor. Clean your visor before every trip, inside and out. Then apply water repellent coating to the outside and de-mister to the inside. Heavy rain wet roads take longer to dry, but rush hour traffic has a habit of drying where
JUST A WALK IN THE CHA-AM FOREST PARK
If you enjoy exercise by way of a gentle stroll, ‘power walking’, bicycle riding or even breaking into a jog, there’s probably only two places to do this within a few kilometres or so of the Cha-Am town centre.
This is a small but very beautiful Forest Park just a couple of kilometres south of town off the main road. The 665,600sqm area was established on the 4th March 1992 and part of Don Masang National Reserved Forest. It sits on a lowland area covered in shady trees and a wide range of tropical plants. Crisscrossing the park, a large, freeform lake is home to species of water birds and an
When it comes to the physical aspects of wet weather road riding, think about being relaxed, you know you shouldn’t fight what the motorcycle is telling you and you’re constantly looking at your lines and how to make the most of the available space. Swap speed for smoothness, plan and keep an eye out for oil and you might find you end up enjoying yourself. Getting to your destination in one piece should be your primary goal. A final word…..Songkran is the most dangerous time of the year to ride a motorbike………..DON’T!
The Amarin Outdoor Unlimited International Triathlon 2014
island with a colony of white-handed gibbons. It offers long walks protected by shady trees and unique flora and fauna. Families and couples come here to chill out and picnic. You will see a mix of Thai people and expats who have found an alternative to ‘elbow exercise’ at the bar. There’s also an area to set up overnight camps around the lakes, as well as park-operated bungalows and restaurant. It’s not a campout in the jungle but rather a relaxing overnight excursion in beautiful natural surrounds. This is not a sophisticated park and some maintenance issues could be considered. One example is the growth of imported grasses into the waterways. However as a convenient ‘chill-out’ venue for family outings and school groups looking for relaxed parkland away from the traffic it’s ideal. Where: About 3 kilometres south of the traffic lights in Cha-Am town. It’s an easy bike ride AND free. Contact: Tel. 0 3243 3661, E-mail reserve@ dnp.go.th
HUA HIN TODAY, April 2014
It’s not being cocky looking at weather forecasts, it’s being sensible. Choose yourself a reputable forecasting website and make it your homepage, that way you’ll always know what to expect.
This inaugural and exciting new International Triathlon took place at the Nasuaran Camp on March 16th 2014 in Cha-Am. Supported by Amarin, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Singha, The Amarin International Triathlon is set to become one of the largest Triathlons in South East Asia with an attendance of 500 racers from around the world.
After all it’s no fun trying to negotiate the ‘footpaths’ which are far from user friendly if you don’t appreciate dodging street vendors, stray dogs and bicycle hire shops. The likelihood is you’ll spend more time on the road with ‘footpaths’ crowded by of everything except pedestrians. One alternative is the beach. But if that’s not your thing, or for that matter a bicycle ride is preferred, then the Cha-Am Forest Park is the place. An asphalted path invites you to meander through the forest setting, perhaps in the early morning or late afternoon. There’s also some low key equipment for your stretching exercises.
tires and engines have driven over it. So pick your route.
Winners
Standard Triathlon: Swim: 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10.8km First Men’s Ben Hammond First Women’s Carole Fuchs Second Men’s Jaray Jearanai Second Women’s Lyndesy Fraser Third Men’s Erik Bohm Third Women’s Sarah Wheeler Sprint Triathlon: Swim: 750m, Bike 21km, Run 6.8km First Men’s Vinnie Santana First Women’s Second Men’s Saranon Chantaraj Second Women’s Third Men’s Songsak Sripiboonbunjeart Third Women’s
Ceri Ruzzi Suzanne van de venne Magali Josselin
Duathlon Run: Run 5km, Bike 40km, Run 10.8km First Men’s Second Men’s Third Men’s
Sutat Kamlayankiti Ekkarat Phanthip Pravit Wongpinich
First Women’s Nathalie Leger Second Women’s Chorthip kanouam Third Women’s Leonie Plaistowe
TEAMS FIRST: SECOND: THIRD:
Wiriya Chanaman / Atiptorn Lue-gnam-iam/ Songphon Sripiboonbunjeart Tungsomboon Monton / Panyathip Saksri / Atinan Jetiya Jeff Laguito/Chaiyasit Kanjanapas/Siriporn Sothikul
The triathlon event is being organized by Active management Asia, a reputable sport event management company specializing in athletic events such as marathons, triathlons, trail running, road & MTB races and adventure races. AMA is operating in Thailand and Southeast Asia.