10 year olds terrorizing school

Set up well organized “mini-mafia”

Fourth Grade students at the Tha Reua School in Rayong, led by an unnamed 10-year-old "leader", have set up a ‘mini-mafia’ of sorts and are extorting money from fellow students.

The gang of tiny Mafioso has been the subject of much controversy for over 2 years. The terrible 10-year-olds have been operating with no intervention from school officials.

Mr. Akom Eng-Chuan, Assistant Director of the Ministry of Education, will dismiss the director of Tha Reua School in Rayong for allowing a “mini-mafia” to operate within the student body.

The children, learning about how the ‘Mafia’ works by reading newspapers and watching their elders in the city, have a tightly organised system of operation. Each 10-year-old has a ‘rank’ and any that break solidarity are subject to beatings and torture from other 10 years olds in the ‘organisation’. The ‘kiddie-Mafia’ extracts 5-10 baht per day in ‘protection’ money from the school’s students. The kiddie-Mafia may be identified by the letter ‘Z’, which is tattooed on their inner thighs.

Mr. Akom Eng-Chuan, Assistant Director of the Ministry of Education, expressed his shock of the situation and stated that he would transfer Mr. Manoon Sirirat, Director of the School. Akom said apparently the head administrator did not address this problem.

Akorm stated that he also wondered what future problems the 10-year-old leader of the gang might have, but he believes that it should be up to psychiatrists to determine this. He said that he thought the child might be deeply disturbed, but not a criminal.

South Pattaya’s 101 receive “stay of execution”

Demolition budget already spent

On February 11, the Protest Committee of 101 Business Operators of South Pattaya received a welcome response when they delivered their promised letter of protest to the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism.

Arriving in Bangkok, the protest committee was informed that the 1,145 million baht budget, allocated in 1996 to demolish the 101 buildings in South Pattaya, had already been returned to central funds and had been spent on other projects.

The Cabinet, however, still insists the project continue. The Cabinet’s order to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment still stands. Yet the landfill project is now merely just a ‘project’ and nothing more as there is no budget for it.

In order for the project to go ahead, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment must petition the Cabinet for a new budget. Although the Ministry intends to do this, given the current economic situation, their receiving a new budget is unlikely to happen for quite some time to come.

Meanwhile, the Protest Committee of 101 Business Operators of South Pattaya plans to petition the Cabinet to reverse their decision and allow the 101 businesses to remain.

Sukhum Phuthanon, Head of the Protest Committee of 101 Business Operators of South Pattaya, Mr. Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Head of the Provincial Administrative Council, Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, Mayor of Pattaya, Mr. Tawit Chaisawangwong, Member of the Pattaya City Council and a host of others went to Parliament and the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism to deliver the letter of protest. Mr. Sansak Ngarmphiches, Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, received the letter. He then gave the letter to a representative of Prime Minister Chuan Leekphai.

Mr. Phinij Jarusambat, Assistant Minister of the Interior, as supervisor of public works, told reporters that the Ministry would give all necessary help to ensure the continuation of the project. But the public works department had no power in making decisions regarding the landfill project. The bottom line was that any project that would have effects on the environment and was under the jurisdiction of the National Committee for the Environment, must be handled by that agency.

Navy Sergeant shoots 3 in a fit of jealousy

Wounds girlfriend, waiter and onlooker

Sergeant-Major Thiraporn Suntaratoon, stationed at Sattahip Naval Base, in a fit of jealousy last week shot his former girlfriend, a singer at the Nongnuch Café. The Sergeant Major also wounded a waiter.

A large crowd gathers as police wrest a gun away from an angry sailor.

When officers tried to convince him to give up his weapon, he threatened to commit suicide. Police, foreseeing the situation, disguised an officer as the ambulance driver who was to take the young singer to the hospital. The Sergeant Major allowed the officer to approach, enabling officers to subdue him.

However, a struggle ensued when they tried to confiscate his weapon. The gun fired accidentally and another victim, a young motorcycle driver was wounded.

It is believed that Thiraporn was under the influence of alcohol and may also have been on drugs.

“Loved” to death

Indian man comes to sudsy end

Raoy Bhai Patel, a 50 year old Indian national, met his maker under what many of his male friends might not consider to be the worst of circumstances.

On February 13, the relatively young native of India collapsed, and later died, in the Sabailand Massage Parlor in North Pattaya after contracting the "modern" massage (as opposed to "ancient" massage) services of a lovely masseuse.

When Police arrived on the scene, officers were confronted with approximately 50 scantily clad lovelies of 19-20 years old, most of whom assumed they were to be arrested. Many attempted to scuttle away as quickly as their tight little outfits would allow. Officers calmed the women down, then calmed themselves down to investigate the deceased.

The manager of the establishment took officers to the 4th floor, where the deceased’s body rest. The bathtub was full and the body was still sudsy.

The masseuse said that after the man had ‘done his business’ he went into shock and fell to the floor. She told police that she quickly put on her clothing and ran downstairs to tell the manager.

The manager checked and found the man was indeed dead. He cleaned up the room, clothed the body and called the police.

The Sawang Boriboon Foundation took the body for autopsy.

Passing vehicles under attack

Vandals throwing rocks from side of Sukhumvit Hwy

A gang of vandals is still throwing stones at passing vehicles from the sides of the Bangkok-Pattaya-Motorway. Police have not yet caught the gang.

Even venerable public officials are not immune to these attacks. Mr. Sutham Panthusak’s car was hit with a fusillade of stones while travelling on the road at high speed in January this year.

The vandals have not yet been apprehended, perhaps due to a disagreement among various divisions of the police department. The various divisions cannot determine under whose jurisdiction the area comes.

Mr. Sutham has requested Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat to solve this problem as quickly as possible.

Mr. Seri Wanphaijit, the Head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said he would like to see this matter presented to the committee of the Tourist Authority of Chonburi. The vandals are destroying the area’s image and tourists might stop coming.

Police perform copyright sweep

The Nike Company filed a formal complaint with Pattaya police on January 23, alleging that poor copies of their product were causing the company to lose revenue and destroying its reputation.

Following a complaint from a local Nike representative, police confiscated 2,000 counterfeit Nike products from stores in Pattaya.

Police went to the Mackin Market in South Pattaya and the Pattaya Second Road Markets where they found many copies of Nike products. Officers and the Nike representative confiscated clothing, shoes and bags, and brought 9 storeowners to the Pattaya Police Station for questioning.

The storeowners were charged with violation of copyright and defrauding the public. The Nike representative agreed to accept damages of 12,000-40,000 baht in damages for the Nike Company.

She then confiscated over 2,000 counterfeit items, which she will give to the Nike Corporation to destroy.

Police bust gambling dens

Arrest 16 suspects

Pattaya Police apprehended two gambling rings, netting 16 suspects last week in South Pattaya.

In a not-so-major gambling bust, police arrested 16 suspects and confiscated this bizarre looking Chinese gambling equipment called “Pi-Po”.

Police first burst into a house in Soi Bonkot and found 9 elderly women in frenzy of card playing. Officers arrested all nine women and confiscated 20 baht in cash and one pack of cards.

The second arrest occurred at the Lucky Inn apartment on Soi Phra Tam Nak in South Pattaya. Officers arrested a group of 7 young people and confiscated a pack of cards and 20 baht in cash.

Police sent all 16 suspects to the Pattaya Police Station for charging.

Two sides of the bi-pyramidal case of Wolfgang Ullrich

From Lothar Kroehn

From Lothar Kroehn Wednesday, February 10, 1999 Subject: Wolfgang Ullrich Sir, Amazing your country’s so called ‘police investigations’ are indeed. Amazing your ‘politicians’ actions are as well. Well, we’ll call it ‘Amazing Thailand’. I am the person who is standing next to Mr. Ullrich in the recent famous ‘Chalerm picture’ (I attach it for my identification)... I know Mr. Ullrich since 1984. He has committed no crimes, neither have I. We just invested clean money in Thailand, because we believed in opportunity. That’s what BOI is advertising for, isn’t it? Both of us have been blacklisted for no apparent reasons. Both of us have lost amazing amounts of money to ‘helpers’ in high circles. A then Chonburi Governor asked me to ‘donate’ 5 million Baht monthly (!!!), amongst others, who could be named... You don’t need your committees to shed light on the plight of my poor friend Ullrich. He may have a big mouth, but that’s the only ‘crime’ he has ever committed. I think it’s time to enlighten the world about the real ‘Amazing Thailand’. Just permit me to give a statement to your investigating committee, in Bangkok of course, and we’ll resolve the matter to the satisfaction of Khun Sanan, Khun Chuan, Khun Chalerm, and whoever else is ‘involved’. Poor Khun Chalerm anyway, he had no idea who visited him... Don’t use Ullrich as a toy in your ‘political games’. He is a human being like you and me, and deserves respect and dignity like you and me. Better look at your national police force’s efforts to earn extra money, at "whatever means they can". A very interesting subject indeed, and promising for your journalists. So many stories to tell... Does it ever come to your nation’s mind that mere accusations are not sufficient to prove someone’s guilt? What about ‘International Law’’? Kind regretfully regards, ‘Lothar’ Kroehn (Huensruusman)

Lothar Kroehn (2nd left), Police Captain Chalerm Yoobamroong (center), Wolfgang Ullrich (2nd right), and Ullrich’s wife Rosalin Chaisayan. Photo sent in by Lothar Kroehn.

Official Notics Immigration Bureau

Office of the Immigration Police Official Notice Concerning Mr. Wolfgang Ulrich By Police General Chidchai Wannasatith Commander of the Immigration Police February 12, 1999 Wolfgang Ulrich is officially persona non grata in the Kingdom of Thailand according to the Royal Immigration Laws of 1979. He is persona non grata due to involvement with the international sale and dealing in illegal drugs and prostitution. This behavior is a danger to society and the peace of the Kingdom and against the moral laws of Thai society and the world community. He is now incarcerated at Immigration Jail awaiting deportation from the Kingdom. This will be done after his trial in the matter of his yacht is concluded. The Office of Immigration confirms that Wolfgang Ulrich is persona non grata and has been denied any type of bail bond or insurance according to law. That he is the defendant in the case of his yacht or the plaintiff in lawsuits has no bearing on this matter. The fact that he is the plaintiff in a lawsuit does not entitle him to any release on bail, which he may claim is so. Addendum: Police Captain Ajin Buaphan confirms that Wolfgang Ulrich is officially ‘blacklisted’. If he should reenter the Kingdom he will be arrested. Captain Ajin, Head of Investigations of the Immigration Division of Pattaya, confirmed that all information concerning Wolfgang Ulrich was true. The information has been in Captain Ajin’s hands since July 15, 1998. Wolfgang Ulrich has been under Immigration Police surveillance since he returned to Pattaya. Captain Ajin and Police Lieutenant Colonel Suphathee Boonkhrong, Deputy Commander of Immigration for Saen Sukh arrested him upon his return. Police arrested Wolfgang Ulrich, a German national and persona non grata for behavior that is a danger to society. While being arrested, Ulrich claimed to have friends in ‘high places’ and to know influential politicians. He threatened police, telling them if they did not release him, he would take action against them. After this, Ulrich was incarcerated at the center for illegal aliens at the Immigration Bureau to await deportation.

Police receive pat on the back

Scholarships given to officers’children

Police Lieutenant Colonel Attaphon Narmnart, Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division of the Pattaya Police, chaired a meeting of his department at the Alcazar club to deliver policy to officers under his command.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Attaphon Narmnark, Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division of the Pattaya Police, donates scholarships to police officer’s children.

The Deputy Commander praised his sub-ordinates for their excellent work in Pattaya. He urged officers to continue with their good work, which has received praise from tourists and locals.

Colonel Attaphon then presented full scholarships to 10 police officer’s children.

Leam Chabang opens two new community centers

Replacing temples as organizational meeting places

Two new community centers have been opened in Laem Chabang. Mr. Boonlert Normsilp, Mayor of Laem Chabang, said that the municipality now has 13 community centers to serve as meeting places for the people. The two new centers are in Ban Banglamung and Ban Khao Nam Sai. Each community center will elect its own board of governors to co-ordinate activities.

The Laem Chabang administration hopes the centers will raise public consciousness, help communities to function in a harmonious manner and be meeting centers for the government and community.

In the past, temples were used for these purposes.

Rayong improving tourist relations

Holding workshops and language courses

Rayong is developing its tourist potential by holding workshops on serving tourists and giving language courses.

The province hopes to improve its tourist income by no less than 500 million baht.

The province hopes to attract both Thai and foreign tourists. Rayong, the home of ‘Thailand’s Shakespeare’, Soonthorn Phu, is a province with multifarious and diverse tourist attractions. One of the country’s largest producers of exotic tropical fruits, such as mangoes and durian, and home to some of Thailand’s only remaining jungle areas, has a huge potential for tourism.

Those interested in details on the various seminars and training programs may call (038) 683-198-9.

Romanian Tourism Chief visits institute in Bangsaen

High level discussions for closer ties in the tourism industry

H.E. Sorin Frunzaverde, President of the National Tourism Authority of Romania, made an official visit to the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute in Bangsaen last week. H.E. Ioan Voicu, Romanian Ambassador to Thailand, accompanied him, along with Mr. Ovidiu Marian, General Director of the National Center for Touristic Education in Bucharest, and other high ranking diplomatic personnel.

H.E. Sorin Frunzaverde recelives a souvenir from Khun Suwat Jutakorn as H.E. Ioan Voicu, Ovidiu Marian and other diplomatic personnel look on.

The delegation was invited to Thailand by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to study the development of tourism, and education in the hospitality industry in Thailand.

Khun Suwat Jutakorn, Director of the Institute, gave a brief outline of the institute saying that it was formed 19 years ago with the help of ESCAP and the International Labor Organization (ILO). The institute’s main objectives are to develop the curriculum and system of education in the hospitality industry. The institute is operated by the TAT and does not come under the Ministry of Education. Students may study courses from 1-year basic training up to a four-year management course. The institute believes more in giving the students practical exercises rather than theory. Therefore, at least 7 months out of a year are devoted to on the job training.

H.E. Sorin Frunzaverde responded by thanking TAT for the invitation and the chance to see the system here in Thailand. Similarly, the school in Romania was set up with the assistance of the UNDP and the ILO. His Excellency also felt that tourism was very important for his country. Romania is studying ways of cooperating with Thailand to improve the standards of education in tourism in Romania.

The delegation listens intently to Khun Suwat as he escorts them through the facilities.

"I am very impressed with what I’ve seen here," Mr. Sorin said. "I know that it is impossible to develop tourism if you don’t know how to smile."

He continued, saying that Romania would develop more tourism training schools and that he wished to establish a relationship between the two countries in the educational system.

Khun Suwat Jutakorn presented His Excellency with a memento of his visit to the institute and a sample draft of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

His Excellency extended an official invitation to the Thai delegation to come to Bucharest in October for the signing ceremony.

After a tour of the facilities the group was treated to lunch prepared by the students in the catering department. The verdict was "Aroy Mak" (delicious).

The Romanian delegation is scheduled to visit Phuket for further educational studies before their return home.

Unfair promotions cited in Pattaya’s schools

Assistant Minister of Education brought in to tackle problem

Mr. Akom Enchuan, Assistant Minister of Education, made a trip to Pattaya on February 8 to reinforce policy in the Primary Schools. There have been accusations of lack of transparency in the promotion of teachers made by various sectors of the public. The record keeping process which appraises various teachers’ work and eligibility for promotion has also come under fire.

Assistant Minister of Education Akorm Enchuan was in Pattaya to instruct policy to teachers in local schools.

Mr. Akom told the local officials of the Office of Primary Education that absolute transparency was necessary. He also instructed local teachers in policy and the appraisal of teachers and the reporting process.

As this problem is not indigenous to Pattaya, a national study is being conducted, covering 13,499 schools in Thailand. The results are scheduled to be released in June 1999.

Longest of long hairs visits Ripley’s Pattaya

Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not!’ Museum in Pattaya recently had a ‘long hair’ visitor. This person wasn’t on to listen to classical music, but was literally the man with the longest hair in the world.

The man with the longest hair in the world: Mr. Hoo from Chiang Mai.

Mr. Hoo Leng La, 72, is now officially registered in the Ripley’s museum. Mr. Hoo has not cut his hair since he was 15 years old. Told by an old Chinese soothsayer that he would become ill and die if he did, he is now living a happy life at 72.

Mr. Hoo’s hair is 17.2 feet long. Because of its length, Mr. Hoo must coil his hair atop his head in a bun, keeping it in place with a knitted balaclava.

Mr. Hoo, born in 1927, is a Thai hill tribe native of Chiang Mai. He also has an older brother, 81, whose hair is 15 feet long.

Mr. Hoo is one of the elders in his village and officiates at many of the hill tribe ceremonies.

He has lived in his village since before World War Two. Until it was known that he had the longest hair of any man in the world, he had never left his village.

Even with his fame, he still lives a simple, rural life.

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Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.