(L to R) Sinchai
Wattanasartsathorn, president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism
Association; Pol. Maj. Gen. Sanit Mahataworn, acting commander of Region
2; and Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh - Pol. Maj. Gen. Sanit Mahataworn
is insisting on officers enforcing the new “Return Happiness to
citizens” policies.
Jetsada Homklin
Backed by the military, the newly installed regional police chief said
he is bringing discipline to the Pattaya Police Station to eradicate
crime, especially crime against foreigners.
Maj. Gen. Sanit Mahataworn, installed by the National Council for Peace
and Order shortly after the May 22 coup, and army Col. Prathuang
Kaewthui of the 14th Military Circle in Chonburi, met with the Pattaya
Business & Tourism Association July 16 at the Grand Sole Hotel to
outline plans for stimulating the economy and regulating Pattaya.
Sanit said officers are aggressively working to increase convenience for
citizens and tourists, although to get them working efficiently, he has
disciplined a number of them.
“Pattaya is an important tourism destination that raises magnificent
amounts of income for the country. Therefore, work done by police
officers is vital to the solution,” Sanit said. “I insist that for
everything, there are rules, regulations, and etiquette and wish for
business operators and the public to believe in the efforts of the
police as we do this. We want to do well and we want to create benefits
and truly help citizens.”
With support from the Royal Thai Navy and Army, Pattaya police are
working to eradicate crime in Pattaya, especially bag-snatch robberies
and drugs. Sanit indicated little tolerance for anything but complete
success.
“If there are policemen, there shouldn’t be any robberies,” Sanit told
the PBTA. “The reason that robberies still exist is because police are
lazy in their jobs.”
Sanit said he has tapped Pattaya deputy superintendent Lt. Col. Pairot
Phetloi to lead the offensive against tourist-related crime and drug
problems. He said he has requested the city be allocated an additional
3,000 drug-test kits to use at police checkpoints.
Drugs are the underlying problem behind crimes like bag-snatches, Sanit
explained.
“The reason there is crime is that drugs are available to buy, but
addicts have no money,” he said. “It’s a viral issue that needs to be
resolved urgently because if they aren’t, other problems become more
complicated.”
He said police have help on this issue from military personnel, which
has made things a bit easier. “The police wholeheartedly express their
gratitude to the military officers for their help,” Sanit said.
Prathuang said the 14th Military Circle is more than happy to assist all
sectors whether it is patrolling in dangerous places, solving
prostitution or drug issues, or regulating the city’s motorbike taxis.
He said, so far, 901 of 10,835 taxi drivers have been registered.
PBTA board members applauded the police and military plans, but several
times stressed concerns about parking problems which, despite the
installation of bus stops and clearly marked “no parking” zones, remain
just as problematic as ever.
Association President Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn told the board police
can only do so much. The private sector also has a responsibility to
help solve tourism issues.
That starts, Sinchai said, with tourism-related businesses not taking
advantage of tourists. He urged business operators to put the greater
needs of the city and industry before their own “selfish” concerns.
