Pattaya
Phuket lands B20bn slice of Mall Group B80bn shopping center mega projects

PHUKET: The Mall Group is set to invest 20 billion baht in the development of a 150 rai mega-project in Phuket’s Kathu district as part of an 80bn baht venture to open six world-class shopping centers in expectation of Thailand’s market flooding when the gates of the Asian Economic Community (AEC) open next year.
“The BluPearl project [in Phuket] will feature shopping malls, hotels, condominiums, office buildings and world-class theme parks,” Supaluck Umpujh, the Mall Group’s vice-chairwoman said.
“It will be the pearl of Phuket, the pride of the Andaman. It will be a world-class luxury retail and entertainment resort destination in Asia, the same as The Palm is in Dubai.”
The recently announced expansion will form a major part of The Mall Group’s bid to cash in on the full implementation of the AEC next year, reported The Nation.
However, the BluPearl project, to be situated on Phra Phuket Kaew Road, isn’t slated to be finished until 2016.
“Thailand’s participation in the AEC in 2015 will herald a major change in the country’s position as a leading regional shopping hub and top tourist destination,” said Ms Supaluck.
“The improved infrastructure, transportation and airports in key cities is expected to increase inbound [Thai] tourism from 25mn to 40mn people within the next five years, with the key destination cities including Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Chiang Mai.”
Kathu Mayor Chaianan Sutthikul voiced his full support of the project.
“This will bolster economic growth in the area. Though I’ve yet to see the details, there is no doubt that it will be good for Phuket’s economy,” he told the Phuket Gazette.
Kathu District Chief Sayan Chanachaiwong was more reserved about the news of the mega-project landing in Phuket, withholding comment until he had an opportunity to learn more about it.
Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer Watcharin Pathomwathanapong said the project would be good for Phuket as it would offer more shopping options for tourists and residents, but voiced his concern about possible traffic problems that might ensue.
The five mega-projects that will be soaking up the 60bn baht of the budget not being invested in Phuket are The Emporium, The EmQuartier, The Emsphere, BluPort and Bangkok Mall.
The District-Em will be a 650,000-square-meter retail center consisting of three world-class shopping complexes – The Emporium, The EmQuartier and The Emsphere – located on 50 rai adjacent to Benjasiri Park in Bangkok.
Another pivotal goal for The Mall Group is its flagship project, Bangkok Mall, to be located at the intersection of Bang Na-Trat and Sukhumvit roads on a plot of 100 rai across from the Bitec convention center in Bang Na.
The Mall Group will also be collaborating with Proud Real Estate by investing more than 5bn baht in BluPort, the first resort mall in Hua Hin. The project is set to be built on a 25-rai plot in the heart of Hua Hin, across from the InterContinental Hua Hin Resort.
— Woranut Pechdee
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UPDATE: Owner attacked by pit bull dies of injuries

The owner, attacked by his pet pit bull in the Pattaya suburb of Bang Lamung yesterday, has died of the injuries sustained in the attack. The horrific incident which occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning had shocked the family, who had raised the now 2 year old dog Giant since he was only 3 months old.
Wisit Sanguan, the 56 year old victim had been sleeping with Giant when the pit bull suddenly woke and viciously attacked the sleeping man. Wisit was brought to the hospital with severe bleeding from bites on his neck and body, and today doctors at the local hospital in Pattaya pronounced him dead. The cause of death was listed as loss of blood due to severe wounds from the attack, his wife confirmed in a statement this morning.
The dog took over 30 minutes to subdue initially and remained aggressive after the event prompting the Chon Buri Pit Bull Club to put the dog to sleep with medication in order to chain him up and remove him from the premises. Giant remains in the custody of the club, who will cooperate with police officers to help determine the cause and any additional information regarding the deadly and shocking attack. No information has been released about the future of the attacking pit bull at this time.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Pattaya, Phuket and Hua Hin brace for increased restrictions

Three of Thailand’s biggest expat areas are seeing sharp rises in new infections, partly from pre-Songkran traffic. The Songkran holidays, now officially over (but will see many people taking today off and making a weekend Songkran extension), and the government says they are expecting to see a rise in the cases numbers reported in the popular holiday locations.
Chon Buri Public Health office says they now have a total of 910 infections since April 1. They have 103 new cases in the past 24 hours. Most new cases are in Bang Lamung district which includes Pattaya City with 47, Siracha with 12) & Chon buri City with 8.
Meanwhile Phuket has a total of 142 infections recorded on the island with the Governor still insisting there will be no need for a lockdown. Here’s a breakdown of the areas and the numbers of recorded infections so far (below).
Governor Narong announced that the Phuket Infectious Disease Control Committee won’t be implementing an official lockdown, but will “strictly raise the intensity of public health measures to counter the spread of Covid-19″.
“Everyone should wear a face mask, maintain social distancing, wash their hands frequently and install the Mor Chana app (available for free from App Store and Google Play Store).”
A meeting of the CCSA, chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to upgrade restrictions in red zone areas around the country, which includes Phuket and Pattaya. Read more about the latest red and orange zones HERE.
For Hua Hin expats, there’s been 100 new Covid-19 infections announced in Prachuap Khiri Khan in the past 24 hours, 75 cases from Hua Hin. This takes the total in the province since April 1 to 625. Hua Hin accounts for nearly 90% of the district’s total cases.
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Pattaya area man severely injured after pet pit bull attacked

A Pattaya area man sustained severe injuries when his pet pit bull attacked him in the early hours of the morning. The incident took place in Bang Lamung with authorities being called to the scene near Soi Bang Lamung Temple.
The victim, 56 year old Wisit Sanguan, had been bitten by his own pet dog and was bleeding profusely from multiple bite wounds. The pit bull had bitten Wisit on the neck and the injuries were described as severe. The man was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Wisit’s wife told reporters that they had the pit bull for nearly 2 years, raising him since he was a 3 month old puppy. They had named him Giant. His wife reported that the man and the dog had both been sleeping for about an hour. The pit bull woke up and attacked the sleeping man, according to his son who witnessed the whole thing. The spooked dog took about 30 minutes to subdue enough to pull Wisit away, with the pit bull attacking with aggression anyone who tried to help the poor man.
The pit bull was still agitated when emergency assistance and family members arrived and eventually the Chon Buri Pit Bull Club had to be called to aid in controlling the dog. They arrived at around 10:30 am and ended up subdue the dog using anaesthetics provided by the local livestock office. They chained the dog up and were able to remove him from the premises.
Wisit is being treated for severe bite wounds, and Giant the pit bull will remain in the custody of the Chon Buri Pit Bull Club as the family does not want the dog after this incident. Pit bulls have often been the focus of controversy as they have been known to viciously attack, sometimes with deadly results.
NOTE: In an earlier version of this story we referred to a “rabid dog”. This was incorrect and we apologise for the error.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
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