Pattaya Mail — News

 
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:
 

Rogue officer's abuse nearly leads to riot

In memory of Mitr Chaibancha

Seatbelt law now in effect

Miracle baby comes back to life

The fight goes on in Laem Chabang

Industrial accident causes scary health problems in Rayong school

Only one indictment, so far...

Katoey kamoeys foiled

  


Rogue officer’s abuse nearly leads to riot

More than 200 citizens surrounded the Banglamung police station to protest the beating of 14 year old Prasit Chimvises by Police Lieutenant Manoch Thipvech.

Witnesses recounted that the boy had been playing football with his friends and while running had accidentally collided with the Police Lieutenant. The boy waid the officer and apologised verbally, but the lieutenant kicked the boy in the leg, which caused him to fall to the ground. The officer then grabbed Prasit’s shirt collar, pulled him up and slapped him in the face three times.

Photo: The injured boy (center, holding lip) with his family and protesters in front of the police station, demanding Police Lieutenant Manoch Thipvech be erelieved of duty.

The policeman then pointed his gun at the boy’s head. Witnesses say they don’t know whether the officer actually pulled the trigger, but they heard three clicking sounds as if the gun had misfired. No one dared interfere, as they were afraid the officer might turn on them.

The officer told the boy to go home. Later, he appeared at the police station with his father, Mr. Praset Chimvises. The father wished to talk to the Chief Inspector or anyone in authority but conveniently, no one was in.

At the same time, citizens who had seen the incident began to arrive at the police station and the edifice was soon surrounded by angry Banglamungians. People shouted that Police Lieutenant should be relieved of duty.

After four hours, the situation was so bad that Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat went to Banglamung to quell possible riots. During this time, police refused to come out of the police station.

Lieutenant Colonel Pichana Linatham, Crime Suppression Division Deputy Commander, talked with the mayor, telling him that the crime suppression division was an independent arm of the police department and they could not take any responsibility. The Crime Suppression officer gave the mayor two or three people to contact about this matter.

The mayor then enquired as to the whereabouts of officers in charge of the Banglamung police station. None were present at the time.

The Crime Suppression Colonel also told the mayor that unless the officer on duty agreed to accept the complaint, Banglamung police could not try to apprehend the offending officer who was not at the station anyway.

Reporters then asked police why the Lieutenant could not be found but received no answer.

The Crime Suppression Colonel yelled that if the protesters wanted problems, he would take them on himself, then disappeared.

The mayor asked the police to come out and speak with the people, but knowing that old cliché, ‘discretion is the better part of valour’, they stayed safely in the police station.

It is alleged that Police Lieutenant Manoch has abused citizens in the past.

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In memory of Mitr Chaibancha

On October 8th, a memorial service and film festival was held to honour the memory of Thai actor Mitr Chaibancha on the 27th anniversary of his death.

Mitr Chaibancha may not be a name familiar to foreigners, but 30 years ago he was the ‘Clark Gable’ of Thailand. Mitr, unlike the epicene Thai movie heroes of today, was tall, masculine and athletic. He always did his own stunts. His presence on the screen ensured high box office returns and his manly good looks and natural acting talent drew admiration from critics.

Born in 1933 in Petchburi province, Mitr came to Bangkok when he was eight years old to attend school and live with his godparents. He showed talent for performing from the age of 12, performing in many school plays and traditional Thai drama.

Mitr joined the Royal Thai Air Force in 1956, and was stationed at Don Muang. In 1957 Mitr was noticed by well-known movie producer Ransan Tantiwong. Mitr’s first movie was Chart-Sua (‘Lineage of the Tiger’).

Mitr was then cast as suave yet deadly secret agent in a series of spy movies, one of Mitr’s favourites roles. This was before the first James Bond movie appeared.

In 1961, Mitr made his first movie with Petchara Chaovarat (from Rayong), who became his co-star. Their relationship in movies was a Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy type, although Petchara was more of a dewy ingenue. The usual joke was Mitr out killing the villain with Petchara left alone holding a gun she swore she didn’t know to use. The villain usually crept up on Petchara, startled her, and the gun would fire. Mitr, having rushed to Petchara’s rescue, would find her holding the gun with a dead villain at her feet.

Mitr received several awards from His Majesty the King, and the Thai media.

Mitr was instrumental in building a theatre which would show only Thai films, because in his era, the Thai public preferred western movies and it was difficult for Thai filmmakers to get their products shown in Bangkok.

Mitr died in a helicopter accident 27 years ago while filming a movie that was also to be his directorial debut.

In his brief 13 year career, he made more than 300 films of which 263 were shown.

The memorial and film showing will be held at the Chalerm Krung Theatre in Bangkok from October 1st-19th.

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Seatbelt law now in effect

The national seatbelt law went into effect on October 7th, requiring drivers and passengers of seven different types of vehicle to wear seatbelts. All front seat passengers of seven types of vehicles will be required to wear seatbelts. Violations of this law could lead to fines of up to 500 baht.

The traffic control department announced the seven types of vehicles in which seat belts must be worn are: 1. All vehicles registered after 1989; 2. All vans seating more than 7 registered after January 1st, 1989; 3. Pick-up trucks and container trucks registered after January 1st, 1994; 4. Inter-provincial vehicles-for-hire registered after January 1st, 1989; 5. Taxis register after January 1st, 1989; 6. Vehicles with green license tags (taxis) registered after January 1st, 1989; and 7. Freight vehicles registered after January 1st, 1989.

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Miracle baby comes back to life

On the 7th of October, a newborn baby thought dead "came back to life". The baby’s mother, who said she had ‘accidentally’ become pregnant and was financially challenged, swears that the baby was stillborn.

Preuang Samrongthong, 68, an undertaker at Sawang Fa Temple, was paid 300 baht to bury the child by its supposed grandmother, Lamom Chayaphum. She said the baby had died due to premature birth.

While digging a hole for the child, Preuang noticed that the garbage bag which held the baby’s body was moving. Seeing the baby was alive, Preuang rushed the child to Banglamung Hospital.

Although the mother refused to speak to the media, investigations revealed that the woman had told friends that she had seen her own baby, which was dead, and this child was someone else’s. However, people close to the mother said she had been complaining that she did not want the child and hoped it wouldn’t be born.

The doctor, the same who delivered the ‘miracle boy’ Alieang, one of two survivors of the Vietnam Airlines disaster, told the media that this child was four months premature and had very little chance of survival.

Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, after learning of the incident, compassionately agreed to be responsible for the child’s care.

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The fight goes on in Laem Chabang

Thongbai Thongpao, Magsaysay award winning lawyer, had been accused by the Laem Chabang port authority of only listening to ‘one-side’ of the argument. Mr. Thongbai said he was willing to listen to anything the Port Authority had to say, but it was not his duty to contact authorities before the court date, as he was representing the citizens and not the authorities.

Mr. Thongbai and his associate, Ms. Mayuri Phakdurong, another famous human rights lawyer, recently visited the citizens to gather details, especially those concerning the many threats the people have received from various anonymous sources.

After informing the public of the legal ramifications of the case, the lawyers addressed the accusation from the Port Authority that the attorneys were only listening to one side. Thongbai said that a supposed officer of the Port Authority told him he would come and inform him of legal angles, but didn’t show.

Mr. Thongbai also assured the Port Authority that he was not only listening to one side of the case. He said he would not be a very good attorney if he did that. A good attorney must have all information possible to defend a client’s rights. Mr. Thongbai said the Port Authority had shown him many documents, but all the documents were government documents drawn up by the Port Authority. He reminded the government that the people also had documents in their possession, which gave them certain rights. Mr. Thongbai pointed out that a government office has the power to draw up documents at will.

Thongbai continued, saying that a government should do things which help the country progress. But, he said, this should not be done by destroying peoples lives and the environment. This is not progress.

Thongbai then said that another piece of land was available for government use. Its area is 300 rai, the same size as that occupied by the villagers. The attorney had seen the land and said it was in the prescribed area for building, would not have any adverse effects on any people and wondered why the government was not building there.

Mr. Thongbai also reminded authorities that the government had been complaining of not having any money for any new projects. The government had stated that they would get the money from overseas. He said at this time, no money had been given by any foreign sources and wondered how the Port Authority would begin building in 4 months with no money.

Mr. Thongbai also addressed the government’s statement that if the villagers did not vacate the land in 4 months they would be evicted by the army and the police. Mr. Thongbai reminded government officials that the army’s duty was to protect the country and the police department was formed to protect the people from crime. He requested that the government use common sense before making such statements.

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Industrial accident causes scary health problems in Rayong school

On October 3rd, over 1,300 students at the Bovorn Ratanasart School in Ban Phe Distict in Rayong were overcome by noxious fumes from Ammonia gas escaping the Kitti ice factory.

Children were unable to breathe, became nauseous and began vomiting. Many were rushed to the hospital for treatment. School officials immediately ordered the school closed and the Public health officials told the students to stay home for one day to recover. Later, children were ordered to attend other schools.

The owner of the Kitti ice factory claims it was an accident.

Students had begun to smell the ammonia gas while on their way to school in the morning. After reaching the school, breathing became impossible and students, covering their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs, literally ran from the school. The owner of the poisoned Bovorn Ratanasart School told reporters that no one knew from where the poison gas was emanating.

The fumes were heaviest between 7:00-8:00 a.m. and then began to waft down-wind, away from the school.

The owners of the Kitti ice-factory said that the incident was an accident. They gave feeble assurance that as the fumes were gone, no real harm was done.

Experts, however, say the gas will continue its journey, killing birds and other forms of small wild-life.

The Rayong police, after investigations, said that the gas had leaked out of pipes and travelled on the wind. Now that the pipes are fixed, there should be no more incidents.

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Only one indictment, so far...

In Pattaya Mail’s continuing coverage of the Royal Jomtien Hotel fire, police have determined that the fire was indeed caused by the explosion of tanks of cooking gas.

The police have also determined that the person at fault was the coffee shop manager, Jamnien Sutho. Jamnien is so far the only person the police are charging who was at the site of the fire. Jamnien may be charged with criminal recklessness.

The board of directors may also be charged at a later date.

But as new police officers occupy the posts of those who were stationed in Jomtien when the fire occurred, it will be some time before the government prosecutor receives police files and knows exactly whom the police are charging with what.

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Katoey kamoey foiled

Hong-Kong tourist Lee Foo Ching reported that while walking on Pattaya Second Road, a car had stopped, 2 women alighted and walked directly to him, then very forcefully snatched his wallet containing 40,000 baht.

Hot on the case, police were later able to track down the offending vehicle and apprehend the purse snatchers. Somjai Chanphen and Vibul Sukhjai, dressed in fashionable evening gowns, admitted they were transvestites who had been operating in this manner for a long time.

Many male tourists in the area in which the car was apprehended walked up to see what was happening. Several avowed they had been robbed in the same manner by these very two.

The transvestites said the whole situation was very disdressing.

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