Pattaya’s handicap facilities need improvement

Physically challenged group meets with city manager

Pattaya has a long way to go to become "user-friendly" for her physically challenged citizens.

There is an insufficient number of ramps, many obstructions on the foot paths which wheelchairs cannot move past, and many hotels and public offices have no signs in Braille or toilets for the physically challenged.

On February 22, Mr. Prajik Intilit, President of the Society of the Physically Challenged of Chonburi (from the Redemptorist Center in Pattaya) lead a group of members to meet with Pattaya City Manager Nirand Watanasartsatorn concerning the installing of necessary equipment for the use of the physically challenged.

The Society members wanted to find out what plans the city manager had for remedying these problems, and presented their ideas to help.

The Society members also pushed for more educational opportunities for the physically challenged, especially in the computer field. They suggested that all 10 of Pattaya’s city schools have programs for the physically challenged.

City Manager Nirand gave the Society his assurance that the necessary amenities would be constructed. He also said that a project is in the works to construct a park in the Larn Pho Market area with a budget of 1,900,000 baht. This new park would be completely equipped for the use of the physically challenged.

Police to step up war on foreign criminals

Amongst others, “silent” business partners to be targeted

Police General Phongsan Watcharathorn, Commander of the Police Department for Chonburi, issued an order for ‘undesirable elements’ (foreign criminals) to be removed from the province.

General Phongsan said that aside from ‘ordinary’ crime, there are groups that prey on tourists and foreigners that use Chonburi, and especially Pattaya, as base for criminal activities.

Police General Phongsan Watcharathorn, Commander of the Police Department for Chonburi, issued an order for ‘undesirable elements’ to be removed from the province.

The General continued, saying that more officers were needed to deal with crimes against tourists.

The police are targeting foreigners who marry Thai women as fronts for their criminal activities. General Phongsan said he is not generalising and there are many foreigners who choose to live peacefully, obeying Thai law.

Most of the foreigners under surveillance by police are those operating ‘questionable’ business establishments in Chonburi and especially Pattaya.

General Phongsan said new policy is to keep suspicious foreigners under surveillance and apprehend them as soon as any information about possible illegal activity is reported.

The Commander said that if necessary, a "blacklist" would be made up of foreigners who should not be allowed in the Kingdom. He said that this policy met with unexpected approval from law-abiding foreigners, who are given a bad name by the criminal elements.

The General said that the police units would also be set up in areas with high concentrations of foreigners, such as Chiang Mai, Phuket and Songkhla. The Chonburi center would be the ‘model’.

All arms of the government that deal with foreigners would be involved in the operation. Immigration, the Department of Commerce, the Police Department, the Revenue Department and the Internal Security Division would play various roles in finding undesirables through the various means at their disposal.

Information on foreign business people would be collected from the owners of the establishments, at the establishment. Businesses that have foreigners as ‘silent partners’ or ‘investors’, would also be examined. The co-operation of the Department of Commerce will facilitate this.

The Revenue Department would carefully examine the cash flow of these establishments and the Department of Commerce and police would be notified of any suspicious irregularities.

The Commander spoke of police behaviour in Chonburi and reminded officers that some of the actions had blackened Thailand’s image with foreigners. As tourism is very necessary to the province, officers must behave in a responsible and ethical manner at all times.

If any officers were found ‘out of line’, they could be drummed out of the civil service. If the transgressions were very serious, the offending officers could face criminal prosecution.

The Commander requested the public to not take advantage of or annoy tourists. Don’t join with criminal elements, Thai or foreign.

If anyone should see foreigners engaged in suspicious behaviour, report it to police immediately.

Police will also offer all help to foreigners who were in need of aid or assistance.

The Commander closed his remarks by asking for everyone’s cooperation for the good of all.

Gold snatch thieves arrested

“Brought down” by can-throwing tourist

A tourist reported that on Pattaya Second Road, two men on a motorcycle snatched his 2 1/2 ounce gold chain from his neck. Mr. Albert Weitzer, a Swiss National, told Pattaya Police that he threw some cans of food he bought at the thieves, causing their motorcycle to fall over. Weitzer managed to capture one but the other fled down Beach Road.

Pattaya Police apprehended the other thief in front of the Tiffany Cabaret and brought both in for questioning.

During interrogation, a Thai woman entered the police station and reported that she, too, had been accosted by thieves on a motorcycle and relieved of her one ounce gold chain. Seeing the thieves sitting in the police station, she became very angry and hit one of them on the head with her shoe.

The two men, Phitak Lapetch and Sopha Phobsukh, confessed to the gold snatching. Phitak seemed to be intoxicated on drugs during questioning and gave meandering answers to officer’s questions.

Both now await trial.

Unrequited lover murders waitress

Customers watch in horror

On February 18, a drunk and disappointed psychopath murdered a young waitress who rejected his advances.

Ubon Kheuang Ngern, 25, a sweets vendor, entered the noodle shop where Ms. Thananya Prakorbkhamnork, 25, worked. He had attempted to begin a relationship with her for some time. That night, she rejected his advances and told him she never wanted to see his face again.

Pulling out a knife, he stabbed her to death in front of customers in the shop. Seeing the murder, the customers gabbed and pummeled him.

Ubon was charged with first-degree murder.

Tourist drowns in hotel swimming pool

Alcohol may have been factor

Danish Tourist Werner Opie Kuhnau, 51, drowned in the swimming pool of a Sunee Plaza hotel in South Pattaya on February 17.

Pattaya Police and the Sawang Boriboon foundation rushed to the scene and found Mr. Kuhnau’s body lying by the side of the swimming pool.

During initial investigations, police learned that Mr. Kuhnau was staying at a hotel not far from where he drowned.

Mr. Kuhnau often came to swim and sunbathe at the pool and bought drinks at the poolside bar. Employees told officers that Mr. Kuhnau often became a bit drunk.

On the 17th, Mr. Kuhnau had consumed many drinks. He tripped and fell in, hitting his head on the concrete side of the pool.

Unable to reach the surface of the water, the Danish tourist suffered a heart attack. Other tourists jumped in to help, but when they brought him to the surface, he was already dead.

Police sent the body for autopsy.

Tourist Assistance Volunteers nab purse snatcher

Part of “unemployed” transvestite gang

Tourist Assistance Volunteers were able to apprehend Mr. Anumat Visetpheng, a transvestite, after the aforementioned person snatched the bag of a Swiss Tourist.

Police Colonel Suphathee Chokechai, who responded to the call, took Mr. Anumat to the Tourist Police station where he/she confessed to all.

Doing a body search, police found 5,000 baht in cash, several credit cards, an ATM card and various documents belonging to the Swiss tourist in Anumat’s possession.

Mr. Anumat told police that she and three other transvestites used to be professional prostitutes. Their ‘office’ was Pattaya Beach, where they would solicit sex from tourists at night.

Due to the downturn in the world economic situation, and as work opportunities were limited to ordinary looking transvestites, they had resorted to a life of crime.

Anumat and three friends would usually snatch bags from oblivious tourists and run. Her three friends succeeded in eluding police during this robbery. Police are hunting for them now.

Anumat now awaits trial.

Resting couple asphyxiated

Found by gas station attendant

A young couple who had apparently stopped to rest in front of a service station in Rayong were asphyxiated by exhaust fumes when they failed to roll down their windows while they slept.

A 17 year old gas station attendant told police that he noticed a Blue Nissan pick-up park in front of the station at approximately 5:00 a.m. on February 17. The engine was left running.

When the pick-up was still there at 2:00 p.m., the young attendant went over and banged on the windows of the truck. The people inside seemed unconscious, so he called police.

Police Major Somchai Yossombat responded to the call and pried open the door. The air-conditioning was running at full and the radio was blasting.

Inside, officers found the bodies of a man and woman of approximately the same age. There were no signs of foul play or a struggle. Valuables, such as gold and over 5,000 baht in cash were still on the bodies, which portended no robbery attempt.

The male was identified as Chalermphan Somgnam, aged 31, from Don Muang District. The identity of the woman was not given.

Officers believe the couple stopped to rest. Leaving the air-conditioning on and not opening the truck windows asphyxiated the sleeping couple.

Police sent the bodies to the forensic division for autopsy.

Iranian nationals caught stealing from tourists

Lengthy surveillance pays off

After two months of surveillance, police managed to accumulate enough evidence to arrest an Iranian national wanted for committing over 20 robberies against tourists.

Police learned that Mr. Bahman Sharif and an accomplice were operating around the Soi Wong Amart area.

Bahman Sharif was arrested for attempted robbery. Police believe he is responsible for over 20 robberies.

On February 20th, police were watching the soi when a Swedish couple, walking back to their hotel, were accosted by the two Iranians. Bahman Sharif and his accomplice drove up on a motorcycle and attempted to grab the tourist’s bags.

Police Captain Thanomsak Intrabutr and a squad of Tourist Police and plainclothes officers who were waiting in the forest, jumped out and kicked over the motorcycle.

Officers caught Mr. Bahman Sharif but the other thief escaped.

Mr. Sharif was taken to the police station for charging.

Price cut works well in seaside condo sales

VIP Condo chain has found that the great discount sales promotion launched in December has been fruitful as 80 units of its condominiums in Pattaya, Rayong and Cha-am have been sold. The "fire sale" campaign will last until the end of March for the rest of last 100 units. The company, VIP Real Estate Co., said it would spend all the earnings in debt repayment.

"There has been almost no benefit made in this hard-sell drive," said Apaspong Poonphon, executive manager of VIP’s condo chain project. "It’s a golden opportunity for customers," he continued. "From now on, an old customer who introduces a new customer to the company’s condo would be given a TV set as a gift," Mr. Apaspong said.

VIP, selling condominiums for over one million baht a unit during boom times, have offered a 50-65 percent price discount, which brought condo prices down to Baht 500,000-800,000 a unit. VIP Real Estate is a major property developer in the beach side condo market.

Banks rush to extend loan supports after sales passed the 30-unit target; mortgage would be arranged for customers; all the VIP condos are 100 percent ready-to-move in; over Baht 100 million repaid to creditor banks.

“Pop” motorcycle law now in effect

Grace period over - “mini-motorcycles” now illegal

Mr. Prasert Thanasethakorn, Banglamung District Chief, said that as Pattaya was a major tourist venue, a certain amount of traffic problems were unavoidable.

One problem the District will not tolerate are mini-motorcycles, known in Pattaya as ‘pop’ motorcycles, which are illegal. These vehicles have 50cc engines with wheels less than 10 inches in diameter.

These tiny motorcycles have been causing many traffic problems due to their number and small size. The National Transport Department enacted a law forbidding these vehicles in the Kingdom and forbade them access to public roads. Owners of the vehicles were given three months ‘grace’ period to discontinue their use. The grace period ended as of February 5th, 1999.

Banglamung District therefore gives official notice at this time that these small motorcycles are not to be driven on public roads.

Those apprehended driving them on public roads will be prosecuted.

Guiding Bangsaen back to beauty

Somchai Khunpleum is realizing his dream

Somchai Khunpleum, or ‘Kamnan Poh’, is the mayor of Saen Sukh Municipality in Bangsaen. He began his political career when he was elected as the Village Head of Saen Sukh Municipality when 39 years old. Eleven years later, he was elected ‘Kamnan’ or Village Chief. Not long after, Saen Sukh was raised to the level of a city and he was nominated to run for the office of Mayor. He is still known as Kamnan Poh.

His motivation for entering the local political arena was a desire to see Bangsaen become a well-known and prosperous tourist venue. Bangsaen, once considered the beach destination in eastern Thailand, had lost some of its allure due to Pattaya’s ascendancy. Bangsaen used to generate huge sums of money for the local and national economies.

Somchai Khunpleum, or ‘Kamnan Poh’, gave a talk at the recent meeting of the administrative committees of the 26 central region provinces at the Grand Sole Hotel.

Kamnan Poh’s dream was to see Bangsaen once again rise to become the beautiful beach resort it was known for.

The Kamnan began his campaign to bring Bangsaen back to life by moving the fishing villages away from the beach to airy and clean housing projects on lush land. The Kamnan paid for these himself and the people were happy.

He then began the development of the beach area and it began to lure tourists with its newly planted palms through which the gentle winds whispered. Most of the tourists in Bangsaen were Thai people who made day trips to the beach. The beach was constantly improved, the golden sands were swept daily and it is now known as a world standard beach.

The symbol of the beach is a beautiful statue of angelfish that are on Laem Thaen. Those who come to Bangsaen always have their pictures taken in front of this graceful statue as a souvenir.

This area is filled with tourists night and day, reminding one of an esplanade on the Riviera.

Even though the hotel service in Bangsaen has expanded, it is still not sufficient to accommodate the number of tourists who flock to the resort.

Two more large hotels are being built at this time. They have been designed with utmost care to compliment and ‘fit in’ with the environment.

Bangsaen’s clean, safe and beautiful beach’s popularity with foreign tourists increases almost daily. Foreign visitors are charmed with the friendly service and the total lack of overcharging which happens in other resorts. Everything is orderly.

Best of all, there is no pollution. Parking space is also never a problem.

Most of all, tourists in Bangsaen may feel secure as their personal safety is paramount, with cooperation between private, business and government sectors.

Kamnan Poh is a cementing element in the administration of the province of Chonburi. His advice is always taken, as the people trust him to do what he promises.

Two of his sons are now MPs in Parliament, and another son is preparing to enter the political arena in the next election. All three are members of the Chart Thai Party.

Bangsaen is one of Thailand’s ‘success’ stories.

Kamnan Poh said, "The methods used to develop Bangsaen are not copyrighted and I hope that other cities in Thailand will use our example. Dedication, hard work, discipline and the trust of the people are the basics in the beginning of the development of any of Thailand’s cities. Once you have that, everything else falls in place."

Pattaya merchants experience quiet Chinese New Year

Sales way down from last year

Chinese New Year has come and gone and was yet another nail in Pattaya’s economy’s coffin. Chaimongkol Temple, the Old Market and New Markets, usually busy centers for shopping at Chinese New Year, were quiet as churches.

Local merchants complained of a poor showing for Chinese New Year this year.

Merchants complained of losses due to amounts of goods bought but not sold because of a very light turnout of shoppers. One merchant said he only sold 30% of what he did last year.

Reporters who went to areas usually full of Thai-Chinese found they were almost empty.

Important indicators were the 24 karat gold shops in South Pattaya. Merchants told reporters that business was so slow this year that they had lost money.

Even though Chinese New Year was on a weekend this year, very few tourists were in evidence in Pattaya.

Vendors of fruit and colourful Chinese paper in front of Chaimongkol temple said that the prices of items had risen sharply but there were few customers buying.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.