British tourists gunned down

Jealousy motive suspected

British tourists Terrence Paul Shaun Morley, 31, and Sheerin Dean Berndan, 30, were gunned down at a beer bar in North Pattaya just after midnight on 19 October. Morley was shot four times and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Berndan sustained one gunshot wound to the stomach and required transferring to Sriracha Hospital. The two tourists had just arrived a few days ealier.

Sheerin Dean Berndan receives medical assistance after being shot in the stomach by a jealous Thai man. Berndan’s friend, Terrence Paul Shaun Morley died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Witnesses told police that the two men had been sitting at the White House Bar on Pattaya 2nd Road/Soi 2 in North Pattaya drinking beer and enjoying the company of a young woman. At approximately 10:00 p.m. a young Thai man, around 25 years old, who was also fond of the young girl, sat nearby and started to make wisecracks directed at the two Englishmen. The young man’s insults brought little attention until he threw a chair into the bar counter area. The two tourists then tried to calm the man down and dissuade him from causing further trouble, which just intensified the young man’s anger.

The owner of the beer bar called police to come and settle things down. The young man eventually departed the area, but shortly after midnight he returned wearing a red and black wool hat. Witnesses told police he walked around the bar area, but once again no one paid much attention to him until he tossed another chair into the bar counter.

Morley got up from the bar and went to confront the man one more time, but as he approached, the enraged man drew a pistol. The tourist backed off and tried to leave the bar, but the gunman followed behind and fired off one shot, wounding Morley in the back.

Morley went for cover behind a stone table in front of the bar next door. The assailant walked up and shot Morley three more times.

When Berndan came to assist his friend, the gunman turned and fired two shots at him. Only one connected, striking Berndan in the stomach.

Witnesses in the area watched stunned as the gunman got on his motorcycle and fled the scene. One witness gave pursuit but lost him in the night.

Police collected six 11mm shell casings as evidence, along with the wool hat that was found on the ground.

Police released a photo of the prime suspect in the murder and are now actively searching for him.

German resident shot by masked gunman

Gunman unknown, but police confident they will make an arrest within a week

On the night of the 12th October peace and calm in the Royal Prestige housing estate on Siam Country Club Road was shattered at 21.30 hrs by the deadly sound of gunfire. Mrs. Somsamai Kueram looked out her window at the front gate to see her husband slumped on the ground bleeding profusely. In her shock she ran out the back of the house and hid in fear of being followed by the gunman and meeting the same fate as her husband.

After a while, believing that the gunman had fled, Mrs. Somsamai rushed out to her husband. Klaus Adolf Leugers, 61, from Nurnberg, Germany lay in a pool of blood fighting for his life. Mrs. Somsamai rushed her husband to the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital where he was diagnosed as having been shot at close range by a .45mm. The bullet had pierced his chin, went through his neck into his left shoulder and exited out his back.

Kindly allowing Mrs. Somsamai to get over her initial shock police officers coaxed her into telling them of the events leading up to her husband being shot. Mrs. Somsamai, controlling back her tears, related the story, saying that a masked man came to their house gate and called for Mr. Leugers. After speaking with each other for a while the conversation became heated and loud. Then all of a sudden the masked man pulled out a gun and shot Mr. Leugers. She did not see him clearly because in her panic she fled to the back of the house.

Police tried to question Mr. Leugers in the hospital, but he refused to give any statement, as his condition was still critical. Police have afforded Mr. Leugers around the clock protection for fear of any further attempt on his life.

A police spokesman told reporters that they suspect foul play and that there must be a mysterious reason for the attack. Police believe that the gunman must have been acquainted with Mr. Leugers, but as the victim refuses to divulge any information, it made it more difficult to identify the gunmen. But the law enforcers are confident that he would be arrested to stand trial within 7 days.

12 inJured in tour bus crash

Driver flees the scene

A bus carrying Japanese tourists ploughed into a motorbike causing the bus to lose control and flip over, injuring 12 passengers. The accident occurred on the night of October 15 on Sukhumvit Road near Rong Po just inside city limits.

Pol. Col. Paungsak Ubakanon, chief of the Banglamung police, and the rescue unit of the Sawang Boriboon Foundation arrived at the scene to investigate and assist the injured. The bus, which belonged to Travelscope Co., was filled with 20 Japanese tourists. The injured were immediately transferred to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

A tour bus carrying 20 Janpanese passengers crashed on Sukhumvit Road, injuring 12.

A smashed motorbike lay about 20 meters from the overturned bus. Three injured people were also lying nearby crying in pain. The driver of the motorbike was identified as Udom Sangkao, 45. His passengers were identified as Ms Kusuma Prataeng, 16, and Ms Prasit Pipuannok, 15. The three suffered minor scratches and bruises.

Police searched for the driver of the bus but true to form the driver had already fled the scene before the police arrived.

The 11 of the 12 injured Japanese nationals were identified as Mr. Mikami, Mr. Kamiyama, Mr. Enumam, Mr. Yoshikawa, Mr. Shinohara, Mr. Umehara, Mr. Araki, Mr. Isaka, Mr. Shinohara, Mr. Okawa and Mr. Takahashi.

Most of the injured suffered concussions, cuts and bruises. At press time, all the injured were out of danger.

Drug pushing cop arrested

Suspected of involvement with yaba gang

by Boolue Chatri

On the night of October 15, Pol. Col. Padungsak Ubaekanon received a report that a gang of yaba dealers who were being kept under surveillance were hiding in a house on Theprasit Road.

As the police officers stormed into the house 4 men and women who were in the midst of their ecstatic high on the drugs were caught by surprise. Under the influence of the hallucinating drugs they thought they would be faster to the draw and pulled out their pistols with the intent of engaging the police in a gunfight. Fortunately they were out drawn by the police who overpowered them and took away their weapons without firing a shot.

On investigating the identities of the criminals, police officers discovered that one of them was a Pol. Sgt. Wimol Ubolphasa of the administrative section of the Pattaya Police station. Others were identified as Surasak Phungmuang, Sompob Bai-gnuen and Chamnan Silpasit. Four handguns were also confiscated, a Colt 11 mm, a Beretta 6.35 mm and a .38 calibre pistol including armaments for each individual weapon.

5 women were also taken to the police station for questioning.

Within the house police found 220 Yaba tablets and paraphernalia used in the intake of these drugs. A pick up truck and 3 motorcycles were also confiscated.

Po. Maj. Krisd Sriprasertchoke told reporters that they had been investigating this gang for quite sometime. They also knew that a police officer was one of the leaders of the drug gang, but did not know his identity.

Pol. Sgt. Wimol Ubolphasa, the rogue cop, was under investigation for having sold his gun so he could buy the Yaba, but lied to his superiors claiming that he had dropped the weapon and lost it.

The gang’s ringleader, Surasak Phungmuang has been arrested many times in the past on drug trafficking charges and at the time of this arrest was out on bail awaiting the outcome of his earlier trials.

Police revealed that they had a hunch that the criminals were heavily armed and would resist arrest. Police therefore planned their raid carefully so that there would be no bloodshed.

Convict caught burglarizing home

Said he was trying to raise bail for his girlfriend

Pattaya police were called to Soi V.C. when neighbors witnessed a convicted thief leaving the area with a stack of stolen goods.

Within an hour after receiving the call, police arrested Somchai Jommonni, 32. Somchai still had in his possession a video set, camera, a Buddha image, CD player and discs.

Somchai told police he was desperately trying to figure out a way to raise bail money to get his girlfriend out of jail. The girlfriend had just been arrested that morning.

Police also discovered that Somchai himself had just been released from jail a few days ago.

Burapha Trael Fair 1999

Featuring beautiful Bangsaen Beach, Burapha University will be the gathering place for the tourism community next week.

Dr. Phasook Kullavanij, president of Burapha University, is switching into high gear for the university’s first annual festival - Burapha Travel Fair 1999 (BTF ’99), which is taking place from 28-31 October. He recently made this announcement at a press conference at Le Concord room at the Tourism Authority of Thailand office on Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok.

With the rapid decline of domestic buying power and intensified local and international competition, BTF ’99 is an unrivalled cooperative trade fair for the Eastern Seaboard region. Many upscale accommodation establishments, tourist attractions and travel associations, such as the Ambassador Hotel, Asia Hotel, Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Ripley’s Museum and the Association of Thai Travel Agencies, have teamed up to organize the event to boost the area’s travel business. The cooperation of local organizations not only promises the possibility of creating new aspects of business and government relations, but also represents a first in the industry to having a learning institution as the hub of activities and playing the major role as key organizer.

The success of BTF ’99 in serving the needs of the industry will be demonstrated by an expected 80,000 to 100,000 visitors/buyers from all over Thailand and internationally. There, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with over 150 exhibitors from all the 9 eastern provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, Chachengsao, Prajinburi, Nakornnayok, Samutprakan, Sakao, Chantaburi and Trat.

“I hope this special event will set a visible example of business and government cooperation that should receive strong support from everybody involved,” urged Dr. Phasook.

During the same occasion, professional seminars conducted by the Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises, or SMEs, will be held concurrently to provide training for small and medium entrepreneurs of the eastern region. On all four days of BTF ’99, there will be a wide range of festive activities including live shows presented by leaders in the field, like Alcazar, Tiffany, Sriracha Tiger Zoo and Nong Nooch Garden. The cheerfulness of newly choreographed folk dancing will be introduced to the Travel Fair participants to highlight the unique character of this eastern region culture. Admission is free plus numerous prizes will be given away at the door.

“Together, we can make this festival a trendsetter and a meeting opportunity for everyone as we move towards millennium 2000,” Dr. Phasook said.

Burapha University

Although many of Thailand’s socially prominent families still send their children off to Bangkok colleges, this eastern region’s own university is the goal of thousands of others. Established in 1957 as a small teachers’ college, the university has grown into an important center for the study of education, marine science, biology, geophysics, linguistics, fine arts and other fields. Aside from outstanding academic courses, Burapha University has been known for its excellence in community service. It has a proud tradition of supporting the local community in higher education and hands-on training activities for the rural population, particularly, around this eastern region. Its student body of more than 12,000 reflects the multicultural composition of the population of Bangsaen. They come from all the 73 provinces of Thailand and more than 5 foreign countries.

Lions Club of Aranyaprathet triumph at Charity Event

The Lions Club of Pratamnak organised a Charity Bowling Tournament last week to raise funds for their various charity projects in the Pattaya Community. Hundreds of bowlers from the various organisations supported the Lions Club by joining in this event. Deputy Communications Minister H.E. Sonthaya Khunpluem was guest of honour and presided over the opening ceremony.

H.E. Sonthaya Khunpluem, Deputy Communications Minister, cuts the ribbon to declare the tournament “Open”. He was watched by the proud members of the Lions Clubs.

Lion Nitaya Patimasongkroh, president of the Lions Club of Pratamnak, thanked all participants and said that all proceeds would be for the welfare and education of the poor children in the community. President Nitaya went on to say the major projects of her club were also to care for the elderly, mobile medical units and the treatment of patients with eyesight problems.

“Charity work is never done,” the effervescent and energetic president said. “I alone cannot complete all these projects alone. With the support of my members and of the whole community, no matter which organisation they belong to, will help us to help the needy. After my term there will be the next president who will carry on the good work.”

The winners of the prestigious Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai’s Cup were the bowlers from the Lions Club of Aranyaprathet, scoring a total of 2213 pins.

1st runners-up were the M.P. Car Clean team winning the H.E. Pawena Hongsakula Cup. 2nd runners-up were the Cock Fighting Club of Banglamung claiming the H.E. Sonthaya Khunpluem trophy. The Pattaya Sports Club team was 3rd runner-up and received the H.E. Santsak Ngarmpiches trophy.

BOI announces significant policy changes

BOI Lifts Local Content Requirements

In order to comply with TRIMS, as set forth under World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, the Board of Investment (BOI), chaired by Chuan Leekpai, met in early October and announced the elimination of local content requirements, effective January 1, 2000. The removal of local content requirements is effective not only for new projects, but for existing projects as well.

Local content requirements had previously been in force to protect local industries in three key industries: milk and dairy processing, car engines and motorcycle manufacturing.

It should be noted, in the case of the dairy industry, the Ministry of Agriculture has introduced a tax scheme in lieu of setting import quotas and for the auto and auto parts industry. The Ministry of Industry, with the approval of the cabinet, has previously restructured the tax system.

The BOI will issue an announcement to cancel local content requirements as condition for obtaining investment promotion privileges for activities in these three industries. This announcement will also cancel the local content requirement set forth as a condition on promotional certificates of companies previously granted investment promotion privileges.

BOI Expands Maritime Transportation Criteria

Ina a measure designed to help support the Thai maritime industry operating in the Gulf of Thailand, The Board of Investment also announced the expansion of personnel and materials used to support petroleum exploration and drilling operations.

At present, transportation of personnel and materials used to support petroleum exploration and drilling in the Gulf of Thailand has been accomplished by renting vessels that were wholly foreign-owned, which resulted in rental costs estimated at 1.5 billion baht per year.

In order to qualify for investment promotion privileges, vessels must have proof of class obtained from the Classification Society.

BOI Extends Raw Material Exemption for Non-Promoted Firms

In order to ease liquidity problems and accelerate export, the Board of Investment announced that in order to help accelerate exports, non-BOI-promoted companies in 11 industries would receive a one-year extension of their exemption from import duties on raw material.

The 11 industries affected by this announcement are: 1. Garments, 2. Leather, 3. Shoes, 4. Furniture and decorated items, 5. Textile products, 6. Toys, 7. Sporting Goods, 8. Automobile components, 9. Plastic or plastic coated products, 10. Electronic products and components, 11. Electrical products and components.

Since last October, when the Board granted non-BOI-promoted companies import duty exemption on raw material, 63 companies in the three pilot industries (garments, leather and shoes) have imported 1.2045 billion baht of raw materials and have generated 2.3644 billion baht of exports.

Applications for this extension must be submitted prior to the end of 2000.

Direct elections of the mayor - a new face in politics for Pattaya

Editorial by Kittisak Khamthong

The new law under the new constitution of self-government should come into effect very soon. Much interest is focussed on the fact that the new mayor will come from a direct election. He will have absolute power to govern like the governor of Bangkok. He can appoint 4 deputy mayors. The 24 members of the City counsel would also come from elections. Their duty would be to control the mayor’s governing policies, personnel management, finances and the treasury to abide by the needs of the community following the guidelines of the constitution.

Things are fairly quiet on the rush to join the race. Earlier there were 4 candidates vying for the job of mayor, but things have quietened down and there seems to be only Pairat Suthithamrongsawat with aspirations to be mayor (again).

Pairat seems to be very smug and confident of his victory and is just waiting for the time of his appointment, but the Ministry of Interior would like Pattaya to be a good example for the whole country and hold elections similar to elections for the chief or mayor of the municipalities. This would pave the way for elections for municipalities that are ready to self govern in other parts of the country.

This is causing a little headache for Somchai Khunpluen or Kamnan Poh, who is advisor to the Pattaya City Council. Kamnan Poh is also the compass that guides the direction of Pattaya politics. Now he has to find a sparring partner for Pairat just to please the Interior Ministry. But hopefully the sparring partner won’t take too much of a toll on Pairat or there could be an upset in the last stretch. That might not make Pairat very happy, since he stands to become the first mayor in the history of Pattaya with absolute governing powers. But if he needs some warming up, why not match him up with ex-mayor Anupong Udomratanakulchai? This could be the match of the century and a source of much amusement for the people of Pattaya.

Chonburi addresses tax system

Oil, cigarette and hotel room taxes discussed

Pinyo Tanviset, Chairman of the Chonburi Provincial Administration, last week attempted to clarify the tax collecting procedures for oil products, cigarettes and the hotel room taxes in Chonburi and Pattaya.

Pinyo spoke at a meeting of the public and private sector at Laem Chabang City Hall on October 12, chaired by Chonburi Governor Sujarit Pachimnan. Members of the public and representatives from many different organizations attended.

Oil traders in Chonburi and Pattaya had protested against having to pay the taxes here at the retail level and requested the authorities collect the oil tax from the wholesalers and the refineries themselves. They went on to say that this practice was not acceptable and they claimed that out of the 350 oil retailers only 342 have complied and paid their taxes. This amounted to 8 million baht as of May 1999. The revenue statistics of oil consumption in Chonburi and Pattaya is more than one billion baht per month.

The traders also went on to say that the Treasury Ministry had already made an edict that the taxes for tobacco products would be paid by the manufacturers, which had amounted to more than 12 million baht since June this year. But then a new order was issued instructing the wholesalers to be responsible for collecting the taxes from the retailers on the manufacturers’ behalf. This was not acceptable to the retailers.

On the subject of collecting hotel room taxes, Pinyo Tanviset said that the administration was not able to collect any tax from the hotels because the hotel operators have still not agreed to the new order. There are more than 40,000 rooms in Chonburi and Pattaya and the original demand was for 5 baht per room night from each establishment. After negotiations this was reduced to 3 baht per room night. This would be calculated based on the average of 40% occupancy in each hotel.

Hotel operators are appealing for the collecting of taxes to begin on January 1, 2001. It was also made known that out of the combined 40,000 hotel rooms in Chonburi and Pattaya, only 22,000 rooms are legally registered and have a licence to operate. The rest do not officially exist.

Surat Mekhavarakul, President of the Pattaya Business and Tourism association told Pattaya Mail that Pattaya had a unique self-governing system like Bangkok. But hotels in Bangkok do not pay room taxes and this extra tax was unfair to the hotel operators in Pattaya. The majority of hotels are within the Pattaya City administrative limits. But in any case, the government realises all business operators need time to get back on their feet after the economic turmoil. With the urgency of injecting new life into the tourism industry, it was only fair that a two year leeway be allowed before the room taxes are collected. Moreover, hotels in Pattaya are already paying a large amount of VAT plus other taxes to Pattaya City Hall.

The meeting resolved that because Pattaya was undergoing a political and administrative changeover, any decision would have to wait until the new constitution went into effect, governing the form of administration in Pattaya.

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Updated by Boonsiri Suansuk