Sawang Boriboon rescues python

“Monty” caught and released into the jungle

An employee of the Kings Shark Fin Restaurant received quite a shock last week when entering the storeroom to get supplies. There on the floor, happily napping amongst the boxes, was a 7 foot (2+ meter) long python.

The restaurant is located opposite Tiffany’s on Pattaya 2 Road and is among many buildings in a congested area near the main road. There is a small jungle behind the buildings where the serpent most likely fed on mice and rats.

Restaurant employee Preecha Mawong carefully removes a large python from the storeroom of the King’s Shark Fin Restaurant in North Pattaya.

The busy workers at the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Unit were called in for the task of removing the snake. Eight of the rescue workers assembled at the restaurant, yet only one volunteered to attempt to remove the snake from the room. The brave rescue worker did manage to enlist the help of one restaurant employee.

A steel rod with a loop of rope attached to the end was positioned around the python’s head. Once in place, the 28 year old employee, Mr. Preecha Mawong, grabbed the python’s head, fighting back the snake’s jaws by holding the large mouth. During the scuffle, as Preecha was directing the head into a sack, he sustained a minor bite on his thumb.

The snake was taken outside of town and released in a more natural habitat well away from the entertainment areas of Pattaya.

Police arrest man with dual identity

Foreigner possessed two passports and fake documents

Officers from Pattaya Immigration last week arrested Roger Rothlisberger from Switzerland, a.k.a. Malcolm Dixon from Great Britain, after learning that the man’s Swiss passport had expired five years ago.

Roger Rothlisberger from Switzerland, a.k.a. Malcolm Dixon from Great Britain, was arrested by immigration police for possessing false and expired passports.

Immigration officers obtained a search warrant and searched his address in Soi 12, Naklua. No illegal substances were found, but a search of the man’s personal documents produced two passports, one identifying him as Roger Rothlisberger from Switzerland and the other identifying him as Malcolm Dixon from Great Britain.

The Swiss passport showed him with a moustache, the British passport had a picture of the same man but without a moustache. One passport identified him as being 48 years old and the other indicated he was 55 years of age. Both passports were long past their expiration dates. A further search produced four fake driver’s licenses.

Immigration officers arrested the man with two names and charged him with forging Thai documents, illegally staying in the country beyond the authorized date, and possession of falsified and expired passports.

Police are quick to solve purse-snatcher case

Find culprit outside their front door

Ken Patchett points to the man who snatched his wife's purse. The audacious perpetrator was caught outside the tourist police station.

Ken Patchett, 62, notified the police that an unidentified man had snatched his wife’s purse in the area of Soi 4 on Beach Road.

After receiving a good description, it didn’t take police long to find and apprehended the thief, as he was walking in front of the tourist police station.

The petty thief, Jean Bunsung from Chiang Rai Province, was taken to the Pattaya police station for interrogation.

The British tourists were able to provide a positive identification of the man as the assailant.

Police find woman’s corpse in the woods

Mrs. Jandai Phasuk notified Pattaya Police that her sister Miss Usa Phasuk, age 27, and their Nissan pick-up had been missing since early September. She told police her sister had been employed as a merchant in the Palladium Market selling leather goods.

Police conducted a search in the region of their home in Nong Prue, which is located near a heavily overgrown area. They soon found a dead body that appeared to be the missing sister. The body was lying face down with the clothing torn away. The condition of the corpse indicated that the girl had died about five days earlier. The body was transferred to the Nitiwed Institute for autopsy.

Relatives took police officers to Miss Usa’s room where they found no clues indicating any struggle. However, the veranda door was found wide-open and the latch appeared to have been forced open.

Mrs. Jandai told police she last talked to her sister on the phone on the evening of 2 September and had not heard from her since. Mrs. Jandai said she then started making enquiries with friends and neighbors. She eventually contacted Miss Usa’s former husband and then made the report to police.

Mrs. Jandai also told police that her sister told her three months ago that her apartment had been broken into. Usa had come home from work in the evening and found the veranda door forced open. Items were missing and a rope was still hanging outside that had been used by the burglar to climb up to the fourth floor of the building. Since that time Miss Usa started taking extra precautions fearing the burglar might return.

Miss Usa’s former husband, Waranan, explained to police that he had known Usa for the past four years but the two of them separated two years ago. He said he had warned Usa, who was an attractive woman and fond of going out at night, that it was not safe in the secluded area of her home.

Police are surmising that Miss Usa met up with someone with whom she was familiar and who attempted forcing their will on her. They predict she resisted, and the attacker strangled her to maintain her silence.

Police in Phetburi later located Usa’s Nissan pick-up truck, which had been abandoned along the road.

Police tried to obtain fingerprints from the abandoned vehicle but it was difficult because children had been playing in the vehicle since it was abandoned, and had left many fingerprints of their own. The vehicle was brought back to Pattaya to look for further evidence.

Currently, police have very little to go on and have asked for assistance from the police in Phetburi to continue looking for the driver of the Nissan truck. Pattaya Police have questioned all Miss Usa’s relatives and friends, except for one boyfriend from Hong Kong who they have yet to find. Miss Usa was planning a trip to Hong Kong on her own, and police are hoping for more information to appear once the man from Hong Kong is brought in for questioning.

The murderer left no clues and police must rely on information from witnesses, although Miss Usa’s missing mobile phone is still in operation and has not yet been located. The police are still waiting for the autopsy report which they hope will provide further clues.

Neighbours trap thief in house

Police were called to a Jomtien residence in Moo 10, Nong Prue where a thief was trapped inside a one story house belonging to an Australian. The caretaker of the house reported the incident and when police arrived they found the neighbors surrounding the house keeping the thief inside.

Police officers relieved the neighbors, surrounding the dwelling themselves before entering and searching each room. Eventually, they found the ceiling door in the bathroom open. Climbing into the attic, police found the thief cowering in the corner.

The thief was so intoxicated he was not aware of his surroundings. Police suspect he was both drunk and using amphetamine drugs. He was promptly arrested and taken into the Pattaya police station.

The caretaker of the house, Mr. Sang Wien, told police that the house is usually unoccupied, as the Australian owner has only come for short stays a few times during the last four years. He said that this is the third break-in since he and his mother have been looking after the home.

Further investigation by police and the caretakers of the home indicated the thief helped himself to food in the refrigerator and drank a couple of bottles of alcohol before police arrived.

City considering entertainment zoning laws

Want to restrict entertainment venues to designated areas

A special city council sub-committee convened on 14 September to consider zoning laws that would restrict entertainment venues to designated areas in the city. Members of the committee also want to eliminate all establishments offering lewd entertainment.

The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA) is also submitting a zoning plan to the Pattaya Government and Private Sector Committee (G&PS) members. The G&PS members agreed to submit the plan to the Ministry of Interior requesting assistance in finalizing the zoning plan. The plan includes measures and new laws to be enacted by the city restricting such entertainment to designated zones.

As it is now, bars, karaokes and massage parlors are found throughout Pattaya, within a few minutes walk from any hotel in town.

Pattaya’s beer bars can be found throughout the city.

The sub-committee convened to discuss ways to resolve the Thai image perceived by foreign lands, partly in response to an article that appeared in the July 1999 issue of Esquire Magazine. The article raised the ire of government officials when it claimed that the cost for sex in Pattaya was equal to a couple of hamburgers. The insults against Thai women and men continued with a caption saying, in effect, that Thailand only offers good golf and sex.

The city council also said that current situation has Pattaya facing two important problem areas affecting the economy and tourism. The first issue at hand is the completion of the 1.8 billion baht water treatment facility. The second is the sex trade, including live sex shows. City administrators feel they must assume the responsibility of instituting positive change.

Coordination with the district administration will be required to insure permits issued are in accordance with the zoning regulations prescribed, and further coordination with the Thai National Police and all local police agencies will be necessary to enforce the regulations.

Royal Cliff wins top environmental award

Most environmentally aware hotel in Thailand

The Royal Cliff Beach Resort was awarded the 1999 Environmental Impact Award (EIA ’99) for its ongoing commitment towards environmental issues.

Established by the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the EIA ’99 awards were presented to various businesses from different sectors in recognition for their outstanding achievement and commitment towards the preservation of the environment through various policies and activities. The Royal Cliff Beach Resort was presented with the top award in the hotel category.

(L to R) Mrs. Panga Vathanakul, Managing Director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Dr. Arthit Ulairat, Deputy Prime Minister of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, and Ms. Srisakul Footrakul, Sales Manager of the MICE at the awards presentation ceremony.

The criteria for selection of candidates for the EIA awards were outlined by the Department of Environmental Policy and Planning, and were based on ISO 14001 principles.

The Royal Cliff Beach Resort has its own waste-water treatment system, which has been in operation since the hotel was first constructed in 1973. The resort also has an energy-saving committee dedicated specifically to monitor water, electricity and fuel consumption in order to minimize depletion of natural resources. The resort regularly implements training programs to increase awareness and educate its staff about safety and environmental issues. The resort has also set up a committee to oversee the implementation of the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in readiness for ISO 14001 certification by February 2000.

Chonburi committee seeking answers to NPL problem

IMF also looking for answers

by Veerachai Somchart

The Chonburi NPL Rights Assurance Committee is anxiously awaiting instruction on what to do about the multitude of non-performing loans (NPL).

The Chairman of the Chonburi NPL Rights Assurance Committee, Samao Jongchayo recently held a conference at the Grand Sole Hotel to discuss the matter. Representatives from the Provincial Industrial Assembly and the Industrial Business Development Association also took part in the conference.

The group took yet another look at debts, now belonging to banks, and considered what to do about the many people and businesses who became delinquent on their loans.

No concrete action has taken place on the estimated 250,000 outstanding non-performing loans in existence, even though the NPL Rights Assurance committee has sent off repeated petitions to both the Krung Thai Bank and the Prime Minister. The NPL Rights Assurance committee has yet to receive any clear response from those petitions.

The International Monetary Fund is also awaiting a clear response and has expressed interest in what the plan is, or if and when the NPL responsibilities will revert to the private sector.

The Senate approved new bankruptcy legislation last March but no clear answers are forthcoming from the lower house. The closest response thus far has been the government’s emphasis on foreign investment, which is similar to saying let investors, especially foreign investors, absorb the debts rather than methodically collecting the debts from the borrowers.

Findings from this month’s meeting will be submitted to the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Tourism of the House of Representatives, Santsak Ngamphiches, who is also the Minister of Finance. Findings will also be submitted to the Krung Thai Bank to once again ask for the status of correcting the NPL problem.

Thailand must prepare for free trade in the year 2000

Deputy Prime Minister advises government and private sector to adjust now

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, HE Korn Thaparangsi presided over a seminar entitled “Survival of the Thai Rice Industry in the Year 2000”. The seminar was held at the Pattaya Dusit Resort Hotel on 11 September.

The Deputy Prime Minister presented a special lecture to representatives from 50 rice mills and over 100 other concerned parties. The objective of the lecture was to prepare the group to implement changes in the rice industry in accordance with ISO 9002 standards, which will allow the industry to compete internationally.

Deputy Prime Minister Korn Thaparangsi, the Minister of Public Health, gave a seminar entitled “The Survival of the Thai Rice Industry in the Year 2000”.

HE Korn said that the implementation of free trade starting on January 1, 2000, involving countries participating in the World Trade Organization (WTO), will eliminate borders in the trade world. The free trade will affect everything produced in Thailand for export. He said this could cause obstacles if not prepared for in advance.

The free trade will allow over a thousand items produced in various countries to be either tax free or subject to a token tax of 5%. This may cause merchandise from countries not up to the required standards to be unable to compete in the world market.

The rice industry in Thailand is of main concern due to Thailand being the world’s leading rice exporter. Thailand’s rice exports may experience a decline, as many other countries, such as Malaysia, United States, and Vietnam, have already instituted the ISO 9002 standards.

The free trade issue has been discussed and referred to often in the past but it is about to take form - just three months from now. The government and private sector must prepare for the changes because the world society is calling for the standards contained in ISO 9002, which involve safety and quality. Consumers in the future will not have to worry about the safety and quality of products approved with ISO 9002 standards, leaving the cost of the product as their only remaining concern. If the producers are unable to adjust by 2000, it will be difficult to assist afterwards.

An awards ceremony was also held for the Chia Meng Co., Ltd., a rice company exporting long grain rice under the Hong Thong brand name called “Golden Phoenix”. The company is already operating under ISO 9002 standards as is capable of developing into the highest approved quality and safety rating, SQF 2000.

City organizes litter campaign

Takes message to schools

Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat presided over the opening ceremony of a seminar entitled “School Participation in Promoting Proper Trash Disposal”. Also participating in the seminar were members from the Environmental Improvement Agency, city officials and teachers from Pattaya Public Schools. The seminar took place at the Green Park Resort Hotel.

The area’s growth in both tourism and industry has culminated in waste disposal problems and local waters becoming polluted. Presently, the city is only capable of handling up to 90% of the waste produced in Pattaya, but this is only one aspect of the environmental problem. The overall environmental degradation has prompted campaigns to educate the community to reduce the impact of the problems before they worsen.

The campaign is meant to be a long range plan to supplement other short term projects already in progress. The campaign in the area schools is a beginning point where the information learned can be taken back and implemented in the home and eventually become normal practice.

The trash disposal campaign supports 15 other environmental projects instituted in Pattaya schools that introduce environmental awareness to the entire community. The aim is to get people to become more conscientious of the importance of proper waste disposal and recycling procedures.

Thailand & Malaysia sign rubber MOU

Agreement to last for 4 years, from 1999 to 2003

Minister of Agricultural Cooperatives Akhom Eng-Chuan and Minister of Primary Industries Malaysia, H.E. Dato’s Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik met at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort last week and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries.

The two countries are the world’s leading producers of natural rubber and both withdrew from the International Natural Rubber Organization after first discussing the matter in Phuket in 1998. Members from the two countries also met in May to discuss the need for small rubber plantation owners to be able to sell their rubber products at a more reasonable price.

H.E. Dato’s Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik (left) and Minister of Agricultural Cooperatives Akhom Eng-Chuan (right) signed a Thai/Malaysia Rubber MOU.

The main issue contained in the MOU refers to the purchasing of rubber from the plantation owners. Two sub-committees will be established to direct the trade and monitor the operation as agreed upon. The period covered in the MOU runs from 1999 to 2003.

The two countries also intend to visit Indonesia within the next 6-9 months to discuss the world trade of rubber and to look for methods of enhancing the price of rubber.

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Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.