Elephant owners meet with city officials

Iron out a standardization policy

Pattaya City’s administration called a meeting of all elephant enterprises in the city to standardize prices and establish procedures in order to prevent mishaps.

Deputy City Manager Wirawat Khakhai presided at the meeting on August 18th, with owners of elephant shows in Pattaya attending and representatives from the Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand. Also attending the meeting at city hall were local officials from the Environmental Department and District Wildlife Department to identify procedures to prevent any future problems and to establish set prices for various entertainment associated with the elephants.

The meeting was concerned about the welfare of the elephants and the welfare of tourists visiting the various locations offering elephant rides.

Pattaya now has many entertainment facilities offering elephant rides and shows for tourists. At last count, there were approximately 230 elephants in the area. However, up to now, no procedures or standards had been set for the individual owners of the elephants, many of whom have brought the animals from the outer provinces. Many have been left on their own to provide for the elephants.

Participants at the meeting agreed to the monthly income 8,500 baht for elephant owners and came up with the following prices for elephant rides to be established throughout the area: 200 baht for 1/2 hour rides with 70 baht going to the elephant owner, 350 baht for a full one hour ride with 80 baht going to the owner.

Regulating prices is viewed as a way to prevent tour guides from profiteering from the elephants. Registration of all elephants will be recorded at the District Wild Life Department to follow up on the health of each animal.

The members at the meeting also agreed that it was necessary to purchase tranquillizer rifles to administer medication and to put the elephants out if necessary. During the meeting the members of the new committee elected Suan Phanomwattanakul from the Million Year Stone Park to be the first chairman of a committee representing the elephant owners.

MP Paweena rescues fallen angel

Karaoke owner arrested for forcing young girls into the sex trade

The parents of 18-year-old “Phannee” contacted the Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s office Paweena Hongsakul, who is also the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, requesting her help after learning their daughter was being forced into prostitution in Pattaya.

The parents explained they were convinced to allow Phannee, age 17 at the time, to work as a waitress in a Pattaya restaurant, not knowing their daughter was to be used in the sex trade at the Sabaaj Sabaaj Karaoke.

MP Paweena Hongsakul leads Phannee and her family into police headquarters after rescuing the young lass from forced prostitution.

Mrs. Paweena holds a number of positions in government and also chairs a group for Women and Children’s Rights.

MP Paweena contacted Pattaya’s tourist police and the Banglamung police to investigate. Sources confirmed that Phannee, along with 11 other young girls, were being forced to engage in sex for sale at the Karaoke in South Naklua. The Karaoke was just a front for the actual activities going on inside. All 12 were girls restricted from going outside.

On 21 August Ms. Paweena, a group of police officers and two provincial welfare officials converged upon the suspected establishment.

When the group entered the Karaoke, the owner, Mrs. Napha Muangdaeng, age 44, was sitting at the cash box. She became speechless, not believing what was happening. Officers went upstairs and found 10 rooms; one room was padlocked. Police forced entry into the room and found Miss Phannee. She was escorted outside where her parents were waiting.

The owner was arrested and taken to the Banglamung District Police Station.

MP Paweena and the welfare officials monitored the charges brought against the Karaoke owner. During questioning, police learned that a man named Ek, around age 24, was the person in charge of controlling and restricting the girls. He also was the person who convinced Miss Phannee’s parents, eight months ago, to work as what he allegedly described to the Roi Et couple as waitress work in Pattaya for 5,000 baht per month. The young pimp was able to avoid capture during the raid and police have issued a warrant for his arrest.

After spending eight months in the Karaoke hell-hole Miss Phannee somehow managed to get a message off to her parents alerting them to her fate. The parents told reporters they didn’t know where to go for help once they received the information, and with help from others contacted MP Paweena.

The Karaoke owner, Mrs. Napha Muangdaeng confessed to employing the girls as prostitutes, but said that the parents were well aware of their children’s fate. She said the girls also agreed to the arrangement. Mrs. Napha said that Phannee’s parents were withdrawing money in advance in exchange for their daughter’s services, until Mrs. Napha refused to advance anymore, not thinking it would come to this.

Banglamung District Police Chief Pol. Col. Phadungsak Ubekkhanon commented that he never realized such activity was going on in the community and after being informed of the nature of the incident he directed officers to provide full assistance. The charges against Mrs. Napha were registered as illegally engaging girls into prostitution against their will endangering their physical and mental health.

Ms. Paweena told news reporters she, too, was unaware of such activity going on in the tourist town of Pattaya. In her aegis as the Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister in Charge of Tourism, she said that she made it perfectly clear not to employ children under the age of 18 during her recent visit to Pattaya. She commented on the possible transfer of police officers concerned saying the matter will be left up to the police to correct internally on their own. However, if there are any victimized persons asking for assistance, she is readily available. She added that the outcome of this particular case will be followed.

Millennium concert planning progresses

Preparations for the “Amazing Thailand Concert” are nearing completion; say the tournament’s organizers.

Tourism of Thailand Director Seri Wangpaijit met with Thai Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Prachyathawi Tawethikul and his wife Professor Lakkana Tawethikul, the General Manager of the Millennium Entertainment Company Ltd. and Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat.

The four met to assess the concert’s progress, and concluded preparations appear to be 80% complete.

The “Amazing Thailand Concert” will be a major entertainment event presented on four days in honor of His Majesty the King’s 72nd (6th cycle) birthday in December. The event will also close the 1999 year in tourism.

Over 700,000 visitors are expected to attend the concert bringing in an estimated 50,000 million baht. Tourism Authority of Thailand offices and Thai Embassies in 77 countries are actively involved in a public relations campaign announcing the concert.

Televised broadcasts of the concert will be shown in 25 countries on four Saturdays in December: the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th.

The concert stage will be a gigantic platform, 120 meters in length and 30 meters high. Thai cultural entertainment, merchandise and food from all four regions of Thailand will also be in abundance at the concert. 625 rai of land at U-Tapao Air Base in the beach area of Ban Phla has been designated for the concert.

Expected entertainers include Alan Parsons, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Sting, Phil Collins, and Pink Floyd, as well as many top Thai performers. Further details will be forthcoming as the concert dates draw nearer.

The concert idea was first conceived over three years ago. Mrs. Lakkana said the main cost involved is assembling the performers, which is still in the agreement stage. The only other worry is the progress of the public relations campaign.

Government agencies have been contacted and are assisting the many foreign workers in the way of customs requirements for materials and equipment coming in the country to support the concert.

Marijuana plantation found near police headquarters

Complete production and processing plant is discovered in Banglamung

A brave (or ignorant) marijuana farmer had the gall to grow a full rai’s worth of marijuana just one kilometer from Banglamung Police Headquarters. When police learned of the plantation and went to the scene, they found a 20 rai area of land deserted except for one rai that had a crop of fresh green marijuana.

The police commander, out standing in the marijuana field, points to the house that was converted into a drugs processing plant less than a kilometer from police headquarters.

The Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau and the founder of Ban Phoonsri Uppathum Drug Treatment Center in Soi Phothisarn, Pol. Lt. Col. Jirat Phichitphai went with other police officers to the area to investigate.

Sure enough, the area was full of pot. The police officers proceeded to pull the marijuana plants out of the ground, collecting them for evidence while other officers searched the rest of the grounds.

The house located on the land was not occupied when police arrived. A search inside the home turned up a 200 liter oil drum converted into a boiling tank with piping connected to an adjacent room where a large amount of marijuana was being dried. Mushrooms were also found drying in the room. All items were confiscated as evidence along with some liquid chemicals and fertilizers.

Three people have since been arrested: Nathi Thitingamwong, Bunjan Srisom and Mrs. Sawad Thaikuchim.

Later, police learned that the house was registered to Mrs. Phensri Buangbon, age 62, who is being sought for questioning. Police believe the marijuana was planted by an ex-lawyer named Mr. Temi Sirilak, a.k.a. Odchaya. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.

The latest information coming from the Pattaya Narcotics Suppression Unit indicates Temi is involved with Mr. Surachai Ngeunthongfu, better known as the drug lord Bang Ron, who is also being sought by police in Rayong.

Rayong police recently arrested the minor wife of Dr. Banjeud Thirawech with over 100,000 amphetamine pills. Dr. Banjeud is a close associate of Bang Ron. Further information indicates the drug network involves Temi, who is allegedly a personal friend of Dr. Banjeud’s son named Mr. Nu.

However, Temi’s older sister told police this was very unlikely behavior for her brother who has never been in trouble and was a good student studying law at Ramakhamheng University. She said he also has worked at a consulting firm providing legal advice. She never thought her brother would be involved with such activity.

She defended her brother further saying Temi told her the chemicals in his truck were window cleaning solvents he ordered from a company in Bangkok, which he planned to mix up and then later sell the bottled solutions.

Temi’s sister told police she did not know where her brother could be found at this time but she would have him turn himself in if he shows up in order to prove his innocence.

Banglamung Police Commander Pol. Col. Phadungsak Ubekhanon inspected the location where the marijuana was growing, and after personally seeing the area the police commander became very upset and wanted to know why no officer ever investigated this area previously. It appears the production plant has been in operation for some time.

The Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, Pol. Lt. Gen. Somchai Prabhasabhakdi has also taken special interest in the case and has ordered a complete report be sent to his office immediately. The incident appears to be too suspect, according to the Police Commissioner, with the location right under the nose of the District Police Headquarters.

Money changer robbed in broad daylight

Gunman makers off with 100,000 baht

Miss Sirikhae Sai Ngam, manager of the Saha Sophon Company Ltd, Branch 1, called police to report her office had just been robbed 10 minutes earlier. The Saha Sophon Company is a money exchange office located in front of Tiffany’s on Pattaya 2nd Road.

Police received a good description of the thief and blocked off escape routes in the area, but not in time.

Miss Sirikhae later told police the man walked in while a number of tourists were waiting to change their money. She said he approached Mrs. Phanni Phinyo, age 29, drew a pistol and put it up against her head. She said he told everyone to stay still or he would blow her head off. The tourist took off running out of the office leaving the two girls alone.

Mrs. Phanni said she was terrified as the two girls filled his black backpack with banknotes totaling more than 100,000 baht.

The thief then walked off, got on a black step-through motorcycle and headed towards North Pattaya Road. The girls could not identify the make of the motorcycle, but gave a good description of the thief.

He was described as being 20-25 years old, 160 cm. tall, wearing a black pullover shirt and jeans, and carrying a black backpack. The girls could only describe the weapon as an automatic as they did not know the caliber.

The police suspect the thief is a local youth probably involved in drugs and very familiar with the area. He would have chosen this location to rob after previously checking the layout of the area. Police also feel the thief is still in the area.

The two girls will be providing police with more details of the thief’s description so a composite picture can be made and circulated throughout the region.

Deputy Governor opens seminar on AIDS and drugs

150 provincial employment office workers attend

Deputy-Governor of Chonburi Songkhram Kosuthithirakul opened a seminar given to 150 people from the provincial employment office. The seminar aimed to increase the awareness of drug addiction, AIDS problems and prevention methods. The seminar took place at the Town in Town Hotel in Pattaya.

Chonburi Deputy-Governor Songkharm Kosuthithirakul opened a seminar aiming to increase awareness of the drug addiction and AIDS problems to an audience of 150 persons from the provincial employment office.

The employment office has the responsibility of providing services to the community. It is important for its employees to be informed of the current problems stemming from AIDS and drug abuse existing in the community, to be able to perform their work efficiently. The two problems have many affects on others, as well as those personally afflicted with them.

The AIDS problem is rapidly affecting every aspect of society. There is still no cure for the disease.

The drug addiction problem has been steadily increasing despite the application of severe penalties. Worse, the problem is growing in the school system throughout the country.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect to address in the drug problem is the suppression of persons involved in the sale of the drugs, mainly the amphetamine “yaba”, which is now considered to be the most abused drug in Thailand.

If the labor force remains ignorant of the dangers of the two problems and refuses to adjust behavior, the outcome will continue to have ill affects on the economy and society as a whole.

The audience attending the seminar consisted of volunteer employment office workers and supervisors from various agencies involved in providing employment assistance in the province. These people will be relaying the information to others at their place of employment, to their families and local communities.

City donates to drug center

Bring students along to learn about the dangers of drugs

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, Deputy City Manager Thaworn Bunsawat and other officials recently presented donated items of rice, dried foods and blankets to Pol. Lt. Col. Jirat Phichitphai, the Pattaya Police Officer who oversees the operation of the Ban Phoonsri Uppatham Drug Treatment Center in Soi Phothisarn.

Duputy City Manager Thaworn Bunsawat and students from Pattaya schools visited the Drug Treatment Center in Ban Phoonsri Uppatham. The group donated 100 kilograms of rice and received guidance as to the dangers of drugs.

Students from Pattaya Schools also visited the center and listened to experts explain the dangers involved with drug use.

The mayor said the current drug problem is endemic in the country. The administration is doing what it can to keep young people from turning to drugs and eventual addiction, which then requires treatment centers to rehabilitate them.

Pairat also reminded everyone that the only treatment facility in Pattaya operates on a very limited budget, which is supported by donations.

Sports instead of drugs

Banglamung District Chief Prasert Thanasethakorn presided over the opening of athletic games in support of the Banglamung External Education Center’s Anti-Drug Program.

Anan Thitapura from the External Education Administration Center announced the athletic games in support of the Banglamung Anti-Drug Program. Banglamung District Chief Prasert Thanasethakorn opened the games and presented athletic equipment to the student departments afterwards.

Anan Thitapura, from the External Education Administration Center announced the activities and explained the purpose behind the athletic games. Also participating in the opening of the games were Chanyut Hengtrakul, Chairman of the Chonburi Provincial Council, Mongkhol Sawaenghasap, Banglamung District Rep to the Provincial Council, and many other guests.

The athletic event was entitled “The External Education Path Against Drugs 1999”. Area students enrolled in the Alternative Education Program competed in football, volleyball, takraw, chairball, tug of war, and running events.

The District administration is promoting the games with the intent of giving the students new avenues of interest and ways to use free time wisely in hopes of keeping them away from the drug problem currently rampaging throughout the country, mainly involving the dangerous amphetamine drug known as “yaba”.

The Banglamung District Chief also presented athletic equipment for the student’s use to the leaders of each of the five groups included in the Banglamung External Education program.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.