Biffo at Bira again!

Bump and grind the order of the day

The second round of the Thailand Touring Car Championship race at the Bira Circuit was marred by barging tactics that effectively despatched the first round winner, “Pete” in the Toyota, into the shrubbery on the first lap and ending his hopes of two from two.

His protagonist was well known local competitor Hatai, one of the more “forceful” competitors at the circuit. “Pete”, the even better known film star, felt that Hatai read the script wrong and was still grumpy hours later.

Toyota brought home the trophy, however, with their number one driver, Natavud, putting on another polished display of smooth and quick driving. Natavud was unlucky not to get the points last meeting after his clutch failed while he was in a commanding lead, allowing Pete through for the win.

In the bikes, Britain’s Matt Patterson, on the Kwacka ZXR 400, came through the field after a dismal start to post another win over Virod on the Honda VFR and Saksip on another Kawasaki. Patterson’s fellow countryman, Stuart Green overcame his last grid position after qualifying woes to pull up to 4th at the flag.

Chonburi named hit man haven

Top Cop says “Not true”

Local and national Thai language newspapers have recently labeled Chonburi as having taken over the dubious title of being the home of the largest number of hired gunmen in the country, a title which formerly belong to southern provinces.

“Not true,” says the Assistant Director-General from the office of the Royal Thai Police Special Crime Suppression 2, Pol. Lt. Gen Narongvich Thaithong.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Narongvich said, “The definition of gunmen falls into many categories, not necessarily just hired killers.”

The statistics recorded at the office of Special Crime Suppression 2 are not disclosed for public knowledge. However, Pol. Lt. Gen. Narongvich said, “Anytime an incident occurs an arrest is immediately made nearly every time, and new information is officially investigated on a routine basis.”

Referring to the forthcoming senate elections on 29 April, Pol. Lt. Gen. Narongvich said that preparations are in place to prevent any interference by any hired gunmen, and Chonburi, being an area with many influential people, is thoroughly covered in the prevention plans.

Beautiful landscaping at Yan Temple

Yan Temple (Wad Yan) is the local name for a beautiful Buddhist temple named Wad Yansangwararamwaramahawiharn. The temple was built in 1976, receiving royal funding and dedicated to the current principle and foremost Buddhist Monk in Thailand, Somdej Phra Yansangworn Somdej Phrasangkharach Sakolmahasangporinayok.

The surrounding area is landscaped to form a “Superior Temple with a Royal Pleasure Garden”. The Temple stands on an area of 366 rai, most of which is in the Huay Yai Sub-District in Bang Lamung, 15 kilometers south of Pattaya.

A replica imprint of Buddha’s footprint is located in a chapel on top of the mountain behind the temple. A large Chedi containing remnants of Buddha’s body, along with those of other important monks and arahats, is situated nearby. There are miniature replicas of shrines from Singapore, India and Switzerland. An interesting feature at Yan Temple is the number of Chinese Merit Shrines housing many ancient and priceless objects.

The monument dedicated to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s Mother and Father was completed in 1999.

Another area of interest is the largest image in the world of the Buddha carved out of the cliff face on Chijan Mountain. Given the name of “Phraphutamahawachra-Utamobhassasda” by the King, it has become a popular attraction in Sattahip, visited by throngs of tourists each day paying homage and worshipping the Buddha image.

Wad Yan is a pleasant area to visit, with its grass lawns, sculptured trees and small gardens providing a quiet and gentle atmosphere. The caretakers at the temple continually improve the area, constructing monuments dedicated to the Royal Family and planting flowers and trees beautifying the already natural environment.

Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens added the final touches in February this year by planting palm trees throughout the area. The palm trees are over 10 meters tall and 10 years old, adding to the parks serene beauty. New in-laid brick walkways that wind throughout the gardens and ponds filled with tropical fish make it a most enjoyable and comfortable visit.

Police officers try to extort money from restaurant owner

Wanted 40,000 baht

By Boonlua Chatree

The owner of the Chayathip Restaurant in Moo 7 Nong Pla Lai contacted Bang Lamung Police to report that two middle aged men claiming to be police officers were threatening him, demanding 40,000 baht.

The restaurant owner, Santhad Changchai said the two men claimed to be under orders from the Provincial Police Commander and were looking for foreigners illegally working in Pattaya.

Warrant Officer Sompong Noijaroen assigned to the Sri Racha Coastal Police and Warrant Officer Phyyn Jitjinda of the Laem Chabang Municipal Police both protested their innocence, yet still tried to hide from the cameras.

Bang Lamung Police responded to the call and found the two men sitting at the restaurant drinking whisky with the restaurant owner’s father-in-law. The investigators produced police identification but denied the accusations made against them.

Santhad and his father-in-law pressed the issue, saying they wanted justice to prevail, and the investigation continued at the police station.

The men, who were in fact officers of the law, were identified as Warrant Officer Sompong Noijaroen assigned to the Sri Racha Coastal Police and Warrant Officer Phyyn Jitjinda of the Laem Chabang Municipal Police.

The accusations described the officers as threatening to arrest the restaurant owner for harboring foreigners working there. They wanted Santhad to pay a 40,000 baht penalty.

The commanding officers of both men stated that if the officers were guilty, charges would be brought against them.

Pyyn was recently transferred from the Border Police to Laem Chabang, and his commander said his past performance will be reviewed. Sompong’s commander complimented Sompang as an outstanding officer and said it was unlikely that he was involved in the incident.

Man arrested posing as police officer

Finds out that there is no such thing as a free lunch

Miss Patana Phimwong, the owner of a small shop in Soi Khao Talo, contacted Bang Lamung police on 9 April to report that a man claiming to be a police officer was making threats of arrest for no apparent reason, unless he was allowed to wine and dine without paying.

Uthai Phornhomnoi will now get many free meals courtesy of the local penile system after he was arrested for impersonating the police.

When the hungry wannabe cop, later identified as Uthai Phornhomnoi, age 28 from Phetchabun, came to the shop making threats for a third time Patana had enough. It is still unknown whether Miss Patana was just an easy target or a good cook.

When police arrived they found Uthai still there filling his face with food and drink. When asked for his police identification, he was unable to produce any identification at all.

Police ordered him to pay what he owed the shop owner, but he nonchalantly replied that he was broke. Uthai is now dining compliments of the state in a local jail whilst he awaits trial.

Pregnant illegal immigrant arrested

Which will come first, the baby or deportation?

A very heavily pregnant 22 year old Cambodian named Tya was arrested for illegally entering the kingdom. Whilst in jail, she twice went into false labor and was rushed to Bang Lamung Hospital.

Ready to give birth, illegal immigrant “Tya” is being shuttled between the hospital and jail.

On the afternoon of 7 April, Pattaya police transferred Tya to the hospital for the third time, this time looking as if she would give birth for sure. Police said they are hoping to send her back to Cambodia soon and allowed her to stay at the hospital with a police guard fearing she would leave the establishment and disappear.

Tya said she had no other alternative but to come to Pattaya and sell flowers in the entertainment areas because she is so desperately poor. She admitted to having been arrested many times in the past for the same offence, albeit never before when she was this far along in her pregnancy.

She speaks fluent Thai and feels slighted that she was not born in Thailand where there are more opportunities available. She went on to declare that she will be returning again after being sent back to Cambodia.

Tourist gets a little too into the swing of Songkran

Introduced to “Bottled Songkran”

40-year-old British tourist Mark Andrew Crooks will return home after Songkran this year with scars as souvenirs, both physical and mental.

Crooks was amongst a number of foreigners gathered at Soi 8 to take part in their version of the Songkran Water Festival. Perhaps reminiscing of their younger days, they sprayed water over anyone and everyone passing by on the afternoon of 12 April. A few young Thais joined in the action, making it impossible for anyone to slip by without being drenched.

Whilst Crooks was actively spraying people at random, one of his targets took offence at the over zealous water play, took a beer bottle and struck Crooks over the head. The unidentified Thai man was about to strike again but Crooks managed to raise himself and took off in flight as the man wielding the beer bottle disappeared into the Soi.

Crooks found his way to the Pattaya Police Station just down the street and staggered in with blood pouring from his head wound to report the attack. On reporting the assault, he collapsed in front of the officer on duty and was immediately rushed to hospital for treatment. He received 15 stitches and was kept in hospital for further observation.

A record number of tourists, both local and international, swarmed to Pattaya for our annual Songkran Festival, bringing with them near record traffic congestion.

Traffic was bumper-to-bumper throughout the Songkran Festival.

Traffic during festival time is always a major problem for local police, and this year they were out in force to re-direct traffic in an attempt to keep the flow of visitors moving steadily.

Jomtien Beach Road seemed to have the bulk of traffic with visitors heading for hotels, and a number of vehicles engaged in water play along the streets. Whether coming for water sports, sunshine, fishing, boating or whatever, there was certainly a lot of excitement in the air creating a fun-filled time for those who made the trip.

All in all a big thank you to our boys in uniform who did a tremendous job of keeping the normally immovable traffic mobile.

Larn Vegas?

Pending Ministry of Interior approval, plans are in the works to develop Sam Beach on Larn Island into a tourist resort, complete with a casino.

However, aside from the legal aspects of building a casino inside Thailand’s borders, whose trusteeship Sam Beach falls under is now a topic for hot debate.

Sam Beach was once under the jurisdiction of the Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization, but in 1978 was turned over to Naklua, which, at that time, was under the jurisdiction of Pattaya City. It is the Chonburi PAO that is planning the Sam Beach development.

Pattaya City Officials recently met with the Chonburi PAO to try and hammer out the details of ownership.

Chonburi PAO Chairman Bhinyo Tanwised said after the meeting that the discussions resulted in the Sam Beach area being reverted to Chonburi control, and that the plans for developing the area into a new tourist location are going forward. The project includes the construction of a building to conduct seminars, rest accommodations for tourists and possibly a gambling casino to energize the economy.

The casino plans are still tentative, awaiting public opinion from residents in and around Chonburi, as well as approval from the Ministry of Interior. Preliminary polling suggests that communities around the area seem to be in favor of the casino idea and its potential to bring in much needed revenue.

However, Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat said the idea has been under dispute for quite some time, claiming that Sam Beach was placed under the control of Pattaya City according to former legislation.

The city administration views the plan as acceptable, but only on condition that the Chonburi PAO raises the funds to develop the area, and that the Ministry of Interior gives its approval.

The mayor also said if the Chonburi PAO is determined to go through with the plans, then Pattaya City would probably be inclined to agree due to the economic potential of the venture. Although Mayor Pairat stipulated that the management would have to be in accordance with the laws and regulations, including rental agreements.

Deputy Mayor Niran Watanasadsathorn added further fuel to the debate, saying the 320 rai of land in question is definitely a convoluted legal matter. The city administration’s initial perception is that the most suitable solution to the matter would be for Pattaya to receive payment for renting the land if the planning is to proceed.

The Deputy Mayor said he agrees with the casino plan as a sure way to strengthen the local economy, but is still uncertain whether the Chonburi PAO or private sectors should be the investors.

More discussions are to follow before any concrete decisions are taken, and committees are sure to be established to probe even more deeply into the matter.

Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens officially opens Butterfly Garden

The Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens has created a magnificent Tropical Butterfly Garden in a 900 square meter setting. The garden has raised over 50 species of beautifully colored butterflies for the enjoyment of visiting tourists and students.

Releasing butterflies during the opening at Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens.

The construction of the Butterfly Garden has been going on for the past year under the supervision of Swedish expert, Mr. Joakim Hillman-Szabo.

The life span of some species are short, forming into chrysalis within nine months, and then turning into butterflies swarming the area in their thousands for a period of 2-5 weeks. The butterflies that appear after dark are colorful species with strange patterns of great interest to butterfly enthusiasts. The patterns vary with small differences unnoticed by novices but experts can recognize these variations and make the scientific study of the insect a beautiful and intriguing past time.

A female butterfly instinctively knows on what plants to lay her eggs; she selects plants having leaves favored by the soon appearing larvae. Laying her eggs on the selected leaf, she then secretes a sticky solution attaching the eggs to the leaf. The number of eggs laid varies amongst different species. Within 2-3 weeks the larvae appear and begin eating the leaves, their skins will shed 4 or 5 times during this eating process. The larvae live in this chrysalis form for a period of 7-10 days, until the inside slowly forms into a butterfly, finally using its legs to emerge.

Lime butterfly (Latin - “Papilio Demoleus”)

Once emerging as a butterfly the wings are still too soft and flight is not possible until the sunshine strengthens the wings. This is critically vulnerable period for the butterflies that lasts for about an hour. Flight is then possible and the butterfly starts searching for food and a mate to restart the cycle all over again.

Different species emerge at different times and appear during almost every season, making it possible to observe the beauty of the butterfly all year round. In Thailand, the most suitable season for a number of species to appear is from the end of April until July.

Copyright 2000  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.