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Pattaya’s burning!
By the time the other trucks arrived, the flames had already spread to the lower floor where stocks of cloth and tailored clothes lined the walls, fuelling
the blaze.
Fire fighters spent over an hour trying to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading to adjacent shops.
 Later, police and rescue personnel
inspect the damage.
The Food Fair and the Saengkaew Bungalow next door to the Versace received minor smoke and water damage, but the Versace was a complete loss. Losses are
estimated at nearly three million baht.
The manager of Versace Fashions, Abbu Dawas, was stunned, and explained to police that no one was in the shop and he had left a light on before returning
home for the night.
The owner of Versace Fashions, Shayik Khan, from Pakistan, was out of the country at the time of the fire.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, meanwhile, had stern words for the Pattaya Song Taew Federation vehicles, which had delayed the arrival of additional fire
trucks. “Walking Street is narrow as it is,” he said, “and parked vehicles makes it extremely difficult for large trucks to pass through the area.”
The cause of the fire is still unknown, pending the results of the scientific investigation team, but initial assumptions indicate possibly a faulty
circuit, but foul play (arson) has not been ruled out.
Swedish tourist dies in Little Duck Hotel inferno
 Fire fighters fight to control the
blaze on the 5th floor of the Little Duck Resort Hotel.
On Monday, February 26, Swedish tourist Folien Anderson, 40, perished in a fire at Little Duck Resort.
The fire broke out in a room on the 5th floor, but strong winds fanned the flames and eventually spread the fire to four adjacent rooms.
Fire trucks had to fight their way through afternoon city traffic to get to the scene, where tourists were pouring out of the hotel to escape the danger.
It took fire fighters about 20 minutes to contain the blaze and allow rescue units to enter the charred 5th floor area.
Once it was clear to enter the area, rescue personnel found Folien Anderson unconscious on the floor in front of room 507. His body had severe burns on the
chest and back. Anderson was immediately transferred to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital next door to the hotel, but he was declared DOA. Doctors reported that Anderson died of
smoke inhalation before arriving at the hospital.
Police investigators are initially assuming the fire was caused from a faulty electrical circuit but carelessness has not been ruled out. Experts from the
police scientific department are continuing the investigation.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, who arrived shortly after the fire broke out, later predicted that carelessness and smoking in bed might have been the
cause of the fire. He also said the hotel would be temporarily closed until the investigation was completed and the damages were assessed. The initial estimate puts damages
in excess of 300,000 baht.
Jilted “Tom” burns ex-lover’s bike
In a drunken act of revenge, Miss Araya Srikanchana, age 39, set fire to her ex-lover’s Honda Tena motorcycle in the middle of the street connecting Sois
7 and 8.
Apparently, the woman Miss Araya had been in love with for the past few months had been seeing a man.
 Blazing saddles the sequel - in
the middle of the street.
Miss Araya later told investigating police that the matter had upset her so much she decided to burn the recently purchased motorcycle as revenge for her
lover’s change of heart.
The fire was quickly extinguished, but the motorcycle was reduced to a smoking, unsalvageable cinder.
The subsequent police investigation led officers to Miss Araya, who they found still in the area and extremely intoxicated.
The police officer on duty assessed the disturbance caused by Miss Araya’s actions and fined her accordingly before releasing her with a stern warning to
behave.
Mayor says Nang Nual must dismantle in May
As deadlines come and go, mayor draws the line
Pattaya’s mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat apparently says enough is enough and has ordered Nang Nual to dismantle its sea deck before the end of May.
The Nang Nual Restaurant, one of the 101 businesses fighting for survival on South Pattaya’s Walking Street, is still serving customers at the rear
dining area, which extends over the bay, even though a court order last November gave Nang Nual 30 days to remove the 10 x 20 meter addition, at the restaurant’s expense.
Pattaya City stepped in and allowed a temporary reprieve to extend the deadline to 31 January 2001. And according to Chomnat Chuprayun, manager of the Nang
Nual, the restaurant’s team of lawyers successfully convinced Chonburi court to reconsider the original order and scheduled a hearing date for April 24. However, the city
has yet to see anything to verify this.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, fearing the city would be held responsible for neglecting responsibility to act on the matter, clearly indicated that this
matter will be resolved come this May, and that no more extentions would be allowed.
The mayor said that Nang Nual may be relying on the fact that the restaurant has been in operation for tens years, and that a ten year statute of
limitations may apply in this case. This is not confirmed, however.
Pattaya gay website shut down
Thai owner and British partner arrested
Reporter: Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya Tourist Police arrested Sayam Phichetwarakul, 27, and his British partner, 59-year old retired piano teacher Collin Evans. The two had been operating
a gay pornographic website from a Pattaya apartment.
 Sayam Phichetwarakul (left) and his
British partner, retired piano teacher Collin Evans (center) were arrested for operating a gay pornographic website.
Tourist Police Superintendent Col. Charuwat Waisaya and Pattaya Tourist Police Inspector Maj. Naradech Kromtuksing obtained a search warrant and led the raid
on February 17.
Police confiscated from the apartment 13 computer disks showing young Thai men in pornographic poses, along with a digital camera, a computer, various
website authorization documents, a file containing photo permission papers, one bankbook, one credit card and a collection of pornographic material.
Since last January, the two men have been running a pornographic website showing pictures of males between the ages of 16-20. The two described contacting
subjects at different gay bars around Pattaya, and paying them up to 1,000 baht for whatever pornography they would consent to. The pictures were put on the website with
interested members paying around 500 baht a month to become subscribers.
Police officers stated that after operating the pornographic website for nearly two months, the two men were getting between 500-1,000 subscribers each
month, providing a tidy profit for this lewd business enterprise. The majority of subscribers were from Europe and America, and some members visited Pattaya with the website
owners coordinating introductions for an additional fee.
The two men have been charged with operating a pornographic business and exporting the material outside of the Kingdom for personal profit. The offences
carry punishment of both fines and imprisonment.
Alleged child molester from Germany arrested in Pattaya
Will serve time here before extradition
Reporter: Boonlua Chatree
Torsten Mews, 39, from Furstenwalde, Germany was arrested in Pattaya last week at the behest of German authorities. Mews is wanted in Germany for molesting
a minor.
 Torsten Mews was arrested in Soi Ko
Phai and will most likely be extradited to Germany to stand trial for molesting a minor.
The German Ambassador in Thailand had requested assistance from the Ministry of Interior to find and detain Mews. The Ministry of Interior, after receiving
police information that Mews was hiding in Pattaya, contacted Chonburi Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sene Khamthieng, requesting his help in finding and
detaining Mews.
Pol. Lt. Col. Phirom Preyakorn of the Pattaya Foreign Criminal Suppression Center learned that Mews was indeed hiding in Pattaya, and confirmed that Mews,
or a person fitting his description, was residing in Soi Ko Phai, South Pattaya. The police then moved in and arrested Mews.
German authorities have requested Mews be temporarily detained until they can transfer him back to Furstenwalde, Germany to stand trial.
There is still no extradition treaty between Thailand and Germany, but it appears Thai authorities may grant the extradition request due to the nature of
the crime.
However, Mews’ visa had expired nearly a year before his arrest, and he will stand trial in Thailand for that offence before being extradited to Germany
to stand trial for his other alleged crimes.
City to expand current landfill area
Waiting for conflict at new landfill site to be resolved
On February 20, Pattaya’s city council agreed to allocate 2.86 million baht for the purchase of 26 rai of land adjacent to the current trash site in Soi
Chayapruk.
The added area is needed to accommodate the overflowing trash on the existing 35 rai of land, which is now causing sanitation problems in the surrounding
area.
 Pattaya’s current dumpsite at
Soi Chayapruk is full and needs expanding.
The city council decided to purchase the extra land at the existing site due to the delay being caused by the land dispute at the proposed new Khao Mai
Kaew site. The city has been waiting for 2 years for Khao Mai Kaew to become available. During the wait, the current disposal site has reached capacity, and residents in the
surrounding community have been calling the city and demanding corrective action.
The additional land area is to be used for properly closing out the disposal site and restoring the land to its former state. The scheduled closing date is
this April.
Another option considered was transferring the waste overflow to the new site in Khao Mai Kaew once the site opened, but the 2.86 million baht purchase of
land adjacent to the existing site was viewed as more cost effective when also considering the need to properly contain the waste when closing down the site.
In related news, city hall scolded the Chat Thai Company, again, and reminded the trash collection company to adequately upgrade their performance whilst
collecting city waste. Shortcomings experienced over the years and the inability of Chat Thai to keep up with the city’s growth contributed to the city council’s
unanimous decision to approve the budget allocation to purchase the land.
Chat Thai’s trash collection contract expires in 2006.
The company was cautioned to improve service accordingly or the contract would be voided and awarded to a new company or taken over by the city.
Currently, the amount of trash produced in Pattaya ranges from 250 - 270 tons per day. City sanitation vehicles are being used to remove the surplus amount
of waste not serviced by Chat Thai.
Funding approved for 20 million baht incinerator on Larn Island
Awaiting community approval and environmental impact study
Land has been donated and OCEF funding approved to operate the new 20 million baht incinerator on Larn Island. However, an environmental impact research
study has yet to be completed, and must be done before a public forum can be held to collect input from Larn Island and Pattaya residents. It is also still undecided how the
operation will be supported, including properly servicing the equipment.
Representatives from the Central Government Development Center in the National Social and Economic Development Office conducted on-site inspections in
January and confirmed the need for the new incinerator. They then allocated the funding from the Organization for Economic Cooperation Fund (OCEF).
The amount of trash produced on Larn Island has steadily increased over the years and has surpassed the two-ton per day capability of the current
incinerator, which has been in use since 1992, and which is not capable of servicing the four-tons of trash produced daily on the island. The island’s obsolete incinerator
has forced the community to transport garbage by boat to the mainland and the procedure is too expensive to continue.
There is still some concern over the overall necessity when considering the expensive cost of the equipment, shipping and installation costs, and the
maintenance cost involved in equipment upkeep and operation. The cost of servicing one ton of garbage using the new incinerator has been estimated at 500 baht.
Future development plans on Larn Island, already viewed as one of the main tourist attractions in Pattaya, are an important aspect to be considered in the
final decision and city planners are well aware of the negative impact on tourism if sanitation requirements are neglected.
Pattaya City announces wastewater treatment rates
Advises people to join the system or face fines
Deputy mayor Wirawat Khakai announced that Pattaya City has issued a booklet to inform residents and businesses in Pattaya on the rates for the new 1.8
billion baht water treatment facility.
City officials have requested residents and businesspeople to contact the necessary offices to ensure that all buildings become part of the new waste
treatment system, which in the long term will benefit the community and the environment.
Charges for using the this new treatment system are as follows: hotels at 722 baht per room per year, apartment buildings and condos at 410 baht per room
per year, commercial buildings at 8 baht/sq. m and residences at 6 baht/sq. m.
Those failing to contact the city and comply with the new regulations will face heavy fines.
PEACH to host associate judge conference in May
Chief Justice in Pattaya to supervise planning
Reporter: Chakrapong Akkaranant
Mrs. Duangmal Silapacha, Chief Justice of the Central Juvenile & Family Court, supervised a planning conference at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort on
February 21 to prepare for the upcoming associate judge conference. The annual conference is scheduled for May 9-11 and will be held at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s PEACH
(Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall).
Over 2,000 people from all over Thailand are expected to attend the conference.
Chief Justice Duangmal described the annual conference as a platform for associate judges from all parts of the Kingdom to discuss important concerns and
unresolved issues, and to form direction and policy affecting the juvenile and family court system.
Specific matters that will be addressed include correctional methods, treatment and providing rehabilitation assistance. Special attention will be given to
the current crisis involving drug trafficking and addiction, as well as focusing on other social problems.
Representatives from the Juvenile and Family Courts in Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Chiang Mai attended the February 21 planning conference at the Royal
Cliff.
The conference is expected to attract 800 associate judges and up to 1,500 other members of the court system and related offices.
Local businesses from the region are arranging a special display of merchandise produced in the area and a charity golf tournament is planned during the
conference.
Chief Justice Mrs. Duangmal Silapacha will preside over the opening ceremony of this year’s conference.
German Embassy to hold Eastern Seaboard “Open House”
Mercedes-Benz & Daimler Chrysler to exhibit products
In a letter to the German community in Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard, the Thailand Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany announced the following:
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great pleasure to announce to you that the German Embassy will hold an “Open House Day” on Friday, 2.3.2001, for all Germans living in Pattaya
and the Eastern Seaboard.
The Head of the Council Department, Klaus Schick, together with his Vice Council, Guido Viehauser, will be at your service from 8.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. on
Friday, 2.3.2001, at the “Rim Suan” Convention Rooms I and II at the Amari Orchid Resort, Beach Road.
In case you have delicate questions it would be advisable to call Bangkok before that date and inform the counseling department about it. Please note that
we, the Embassy, will not give out visas or make new passports on that day.
Together with Karl-Heinz Heckhausen, the president of Daimler Chrysler Ltd, Thailand, we would like to invite you and your spouse on that evening from 18.30
until 20.30 to come and join us for a cocktail reception. German snacks, beer and drinks will await you in the gardens of the Amari Orchid Resort, as an informal way to get to
know the German community of the Eastern Seaboard, to meet new friends and exchange ideas.
On this occasion, I would like to already express my sincerest thanks to Daimler Chrysler; without their assistance, this evening would not have been made
possible. During this night at the Amari Orchid Resort, it is also possible to admire the newest creations of Mercedes-Benz & Daimler Chrysler.
I am looking forward to meet all of you.
Sincerest regards,
Hermann Erath, Ambassador”
National police visit local drug treatment center
Promise to try to find a way to help
Reporter: Boonlua Chatree
Following the opening of the National Police Bureau’s training seminar on suppressing illicit fuels, the deputy commissioner of the National Police Bureau,
General Soonthorn Saikwan paid a visit to the Ban Phoonsri Uppathum Drug Treatment Center in Soi Phothisarn on February 22.
Pol. Lt. Col. Jirat Phichitpai, deputy superintendent of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau as well as founder and administrator of the center welcomed the
deputy commissioner and accompanying police officers.
The visitors were taken on a tour of the facilities and briefed on the method of treatment and daily activities at the center.
Pol. Gen. Soonthorn addressed the 40 people currently receiving treatment and encouraged the group to persevere in their quest to free themselves from drug
addiction. He told the group in order to succeed it was up to each individual to decide in their own heart whether to break the habit or not.
The deputy commissioner applauded Pol. Lt. Col. Phichitpai’s program and said it was a noble gesture indeed when police arrest people for drug related
crimes, and later provide rehabilitation treatment.
He added that it was difficult to budget support for the treatment center but said he would try to appropriate a portion of the budget to support the
treatment program in the future.
A 5,000 baht donation was presented to Pol. Lt. Col. Phichitpai along with 40 beds, food supplies and other necessity items to assist the patients seeking
treatment at Ban Phoonsri Uppathum.
Correction
In last week’s Pattaya Mail having to do with Rotary donations to the YWCA, we inadvertently printed names incorrectly. The information should have
read:
Over the past several months Rotarian Bruno Keller collected the sum of 30,000 baht for YWCA. The main donor was Frau Magda Krucker from Switzerland, who was
present at the donation to YWCA president Premrudee Jittivutikarn. Long time visitor to Pattaya and honorable member of the Jomtien Pattaya Rotary Club Erwin Rohner gave 10,000
baht towards the YWCA rural lunch program. Mr. Erwin Rohner was shown in the picture handing over the money.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Copyright 2001 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]
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