Pattaya to be monitored by closed circuit TV

50 million Baht solution to crime and traffic

Closed circuit TV cameras are being installed at nine key intersections and the main entertainment areas in Pattaya.

Pattaya police chief Pol. Col. Phadungsak Ubekhanon said the surveillance system is expected to greatly assist police in reducing crime and controlling traffic. The system has long-range visibility, with a 300 degree scanning capability. The police chief said installation was already underway and expected to be operational by this July.

The National Police Bureau has allocated 50-million baht to implement the pilot surveillance program in Pattaya.

Bar closing time saga rages on

Governor tells owners to stick to the law

Boonlua Chatree

Entertainment business operators in Pattaya are anxious to get the issue of extended closing times resolved, and hopefully in their favor. However, so far the Ministry of Interior is standing fast.

A group of over 200 people with vested interest in the business have been meeting regularly to plan strategy to convince the Ministry of Interior that with Pattaya being an international tourist destination, which attracts visitors from all over the world, and thus from many different time zones, the MOI should extend entertainment business operating hours.

Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan and Banglamung district chief Vichien Chawalit met with members of the Pattaya entertainment business community for an update on the bar closing time issue.

The group of owners drafted a document outlining their concerns, which they submitted to Chonburi governor Sujarit Pachimnan. The governor’s office reviewed the document and forwarded it to the Ministry of Interior.

A portion of the document states that the businesses will enforce strict drug prevention measures and prohibit persons under the age of 21 from entering all entertainment businesses in Pattaya.

The Ministry of Interior has not yet responded publicly to the document.

Governor Sujarit has told the business operators that the provincial government intends to follow the directives from the MOI to the letter, which includes closing down any establishments found to have drug related activity on the premises, regardless of who the owner may be.

The governor also cautioned the business owners to stick to the law regarding closing times, and to wait the MOI’s response on the matter.

Precha Sanguansak, chairman of the group of entertainment business owners in Pattaya, and owner of the newly opened 60 million baht X-Zyte Disco, pleaded for some understanding. He described the hundreds of millions of baht already lost since the 2.00 a.m. closing was enforced and emphasised the amount of revenue Pattaya’s entertainment industry contributes to the economy.

Pattaya police chief Pol. Col. Phadungsak Ubekhanon also addressed the issue saying the (closing time) problem is most troublesome. He said Pattaya police have been accused of avoiding responsibility after relaxing closing times to 3.00 a.m. as a compromise until specific guidelines are set out for Pattaya. He said many businesses complicated the matter by remaining open and operating past 3.00 a.m.

He said he discussed the problem with the Chonburi governor and the Minister of Interior, and said that the prevention of drugs on the premises and keeping underage persons from frequenting the different entertainment venues in Pattaya was the main concern. He said that closing times were secondary concerns. He also said that what he considered more important was prohibiting the sale of alcohol on important Buddhist holy days such as “Wisakhabucha” on the 7th of May.

President of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association Surat Mekawarakul agreed that relaxed closing times were not the main issue, and insisted that drug prevention and prohibiting minors were the main concerns. However, Surat said he was not in favor of prohibiting businesses from operating on Buddhist holy days due to the city’s dependence on foreign tourists, each having different religious beliefs. Arriving in Pattaya on a short holiday and finding Pattaya’s entertainment businesses closed on a given day would be misunderstood by foreign visitors and portray an unpopular image.

Sopin Thappajug, Associate Judge at the Chonburi Juvenile and Family Court, agreed that relaxed closing times may not be the main concern; however, she naively queried, “What country allows entertainment businesses to remain open 24-hours?” Apparently she is unaware that many places that depend on, or are helped by the tourist dollar allow operating hours up to be determined by market forces, such as New York City (24 hrs.), Las Vegas (24 hrs.), Honolulu Hawaii (4 a.m.)...

Sopin also predicted that relaxing the operating hours beyond 2.00 a.m. would only contribute to the continuing spread of drugs in society.

Thai Hotel Association (THA) Eastern Chapter president Chatchawan Supachayanont said Pattaya should be viewed as an international city competing for foreign business trade, and that Pattaya is truly a separate entity unlike other municipalities in the provincial government.

Chatchawan said emphasis should be placed on organizing and improving all aspects of Pattaya, turning the city into a model international tourist attraction known for having suitable standards accepted around the world. He said there was no need to rely on business from the underage community. As for closing on Buddhist holy days, Chachawan said the idea was inappropriate for Pattaya. Giving an example he referred to a contingent of businessmen from Spain visiting the Dusit Resort celebrating a successful endeavor, and the non-availability of alcoholic beverages would surely be a disappointment.

Cause of Finnish tourist’s death unsolved

Medical examiner hasn’t ruled out foul play

Boonlua Chatree

Suon Peraaki, a 50-year old tourist from Finland, was found dead on the bathroom floor of his Soi 8 Pattaya hotel room on April 23. Next to his body, a broken sink was stained with blood and water was still draining from the broken pipe connection.

When police arrived, his “girlfriend for the night” was passed out on the floor next to the bed, lying in a pool of water draining from the busted sink in the bathroom. The unconscious woman was totally oblivious to the pool of water collecting around her body. Police, unable to revive her, placed her on the bed.

Police investigators and Banglamung medical examiner Dr. Chiraphan Ittisuknan examined the body and found a long laceration under the right arm, with two smaller cuts and bruises on the rib cage below.

The medical examiner said the longer of the wounds was deep and probably severed a main artery. The body was transferred to the police forensic lab for further examination.

Dr. Chiraphan surmised that Peraaki might possibly have been murdered, contrary to what appeared to be a slip in the bathroom, because the broken sink didn’t appear to have any edges sharp enough or pointed enough to pierce so deep into the body.

Later, when the woman in the room finally came to, police questioned her and found out the two had been bar hopping the previous night and ended up extremely intoxicated. The 40-year old woman, identified as Khaek Intharwichai from Udorn, told police she passed out on the floor as soon as she entered the room and remembers nothing that happened after.

Villagers attack undercover police

Officers trying to arrest drug dealers

Six undercover police were waiting to arrest drug dealers in soi Wua Chon Wua in Naklua, when 30 villagers attacked them resulting in a broken hand for policeman Niwat Sawasdee.

On questioning witnesses it appeared that the officers were dispatched to the scene to arrest Noi and La Iad Sangkdee, a husband and wife selling marijuana. The two were apprehended with 3 kg of the goods in their possession.

While taking the suspects to the police station, the car ran over nails that had been thrown in the road, bursting the tires. One of the officers got out of the car to investigate but was approached by a group of villagers. Hui Siang Wipak Mongkol, age 45, was fully armed and ready to attack.

Policeman Niwat fired a shot into the air to stop the villagers but they became even more angry and charged, hitting his hand with a hammer. A fight then broke out until more police were called to restore peace.

Hui Siang gave a statement that he and the villagers attacked the police because they mistook them for a criminal gang, as they were not in uniform. He accused policeman Niwat of overreacting by discharging his pistol into the air and claimed he would sue him for that.

They are all now under police custody and will be charged with obstructing and assaulting police on duty.

Taiwanese tourist drowns off Jomtien Beach

Boonlua Chatree

Seventy-seven year old Taiwanese tourist Chang Chig Kuel drowned while swimming off the beach in front of Pattaya Park.

Chang was part of a tour group staying at the Royal Twin Hotel on Pattaya 2nd Road.

Tourists lounging in front of Pattaya Park in Jomtien witnessed the tourist being hauled in onto the beach on Monday, April 23. A crowd of onlookers had already gathered when police from Dongtan Curve Station arrived to investigate.

Witnesses said the body was spotted floating in the waves and was dragged ashore by swimmers in the area.

The tour guide, Saengchai Bhakrangsrisakul, told police that he brought the group tourists to relax at the beach. He said he last saw Chang swimming about 30 meters from shore.

The body was transferred to the Bang Lamung Hospital for further examination.

Bloody Danish tourist causes scene at hospital

Refuses medical help after getting cut by a beer bottle

Boonlua Chatree

Rune Antorson, a 40-year old tourist from Denmark was escorted to Memorial Hospital following an incident at a Soi Bua Khao beer bar at 4:30 a.m. on April 23.

Danish tourist Rune Antorson, drunk, angry and bleeding all over the hospital floor, was causing quite a scene at Pattaya Memorial hospital.

How Subpap Sakhrawaree succeeded in getting the intoxicated tourist to hospital is unclear because the Danish tourist was not only drunk but also losing copious amounts of blood from his wounded hand, and he refused medical treatment.

Hospital attendants were concerned that the man would soon collapse due to the enormous amount of blood draining all over the hospital lobby, so they called Pattaya police to assist.

The Dane’s irate behavior continued and his blood also continued to drain from his cut hand. Specialized help was requested from the Pattaya tourist police and more than an hour went by trying to calm Antorson down before finally convincing him to allow treatment.

Witnesses later told police Antorson was sitting at a beer bar in Soi Bua Khao when heated words ignited by too much drink were exchanged between the Danish tourist and an unidentified Thai girl. Witnesses said that Antorson smashed a beer bottle trying to emphasize his intentions and a piece of the broken glass split open his finger.

Chachoengsao man arrested with exposed weapon in local karaoke

Buddhist Holy Day of Wisakhabucha - May 7

Celebrating the birth - enlightenment and death of the Buddha

Wisakhabucha Day marks the beginning of the Buddhist Era 2,544 years ago. It is observed each year during May (June during leap years), determined by the lunar calendar, and is on the 15th day of the waxing moon during the 6th month of the Thai calendar.

The day is the most significant holy day for Buddhists around the world. It dates back to ancient celebrations in India and Sri Lanka, and this year the day is observed on May 7.

The day is also designated as National Tree Day in Thailand.

The Buddhist Holy Day of Wisakhabucha observes three important occurrences combining the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Lord Buddha. Born in the eastern foothills of the Himalayas in 560 B.C., Gautama was brought up in the family of a clan leader of regal status, and he was certainly sheltered from life’s miseries. Later in life, after observing a decrepit old man, a diseased man, a dead man, and a sage he realized the impermanence of earthly things and began his quest for enlightenment.

For six years he sought enlightenment through ascetic practices. He eventually decided it was not to be found in that manner and resumed the life of a wanderer living on alms. While sitting under a fig tree in a posture of meditation for what is described as a period of seven weeks, Gautama resolved not to stir until succeeding. He achieved his quest, becoming the Buddha, entering a state of Nirvana while still alive.

Whatever took place on that day was the start of Buddhism as Gautama set forth to reveal his discovery, eventually spreading into many parts of Asia. Gautama was later recognized as one in a great line of Buddhas with a concept going back to Vishnu or Siva.

While Buddhism was flourishing in the east it was reabsorbed by the Hindu Religion in India with the final blow being delivered by invading Moslems.

The large following created over 25 centuries ago and continuing to this day is witness to the fact that something of distinct value was found, which was explained in the Buddha’s first sermon at Benares when he said the key to enlightenment is the presence of suffering.

The sermon expounded on the “Four Noble Truths” identifying suffering (birth, decay, illness, death and rebirth) and the failure to always be able to obtain one’s desires as the continuing antagonist in life.

Secondly, since everything has a cause, so has suffering and when its causes and conditions are removed suffering is eliminated according to the third truth. The problem is to allow the karmic effects already in existence to play out - not producing any further karmic chains. Once the cessation of desire ends, all causes have taken affect and the suffering ends leading to discontinuing the cycle of rebirth.

The fourth truth is the path to the cessation of suffering, the “Eightfold Path” or a “middle way” between extremes of abstinence and indulgence. The steps in the “Eightfold Path” consists of: correct views, correct aspiration, correct speech, correct conduct, correct livelihood, correct effort, correct thought, and correct concentration or meditation.

Devout followers of Buddhism consider Wisakhabucha Day as an important event and crowds of devotees will participate in ceremonies at nearby temples, making merit in the morning by bringing alms to monks and listening to sermons. Later in the evening devotees will continue assembling at temples to conduct the “Wien Tien” ceremony, walking around sacred temple grounds three times holding candles, joss sticks and flowers honoring the Buddha, the Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and the Sangha, the Buddhist Monastic Order.

The Thai government implemented “National Tree Day” in the year 1985 as part of a program to restore the forests and increase public awareness of the importance of preserving the natural environment. National Tree Day was designated on the same day as Wisakhabucha Day and activities include many levels of government, schools and local organizations planting trees in addition to observing Wisakhabucha Day.

Naklua observes ancient “Kong Khao Custom”

Boonlua Chatree

The annual Kong Khao Custom follows an ancient belief where believers in the community pay respects to spirits having no living relatives. The custom is thought to bring good luck and prosperity to the community by appeasing the spirits.

Children also take part in the ancient Kong Khao Custom

Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat and city council members organized the preparations for the “Kong Khao” tradition held at the Phot Courtyard next to the old market in Naklua starting at 5.00 p.m. on April 20.

Young and old, and rich and poor alike flocked to the area dressed as frightening spirits and lost wandering souls circling the ceremonial location where scrumptious foods had been arranged. The spirits slowly moved in on the prepared foods and either devoured their selections on the spot or wrapped up the delectable delights, cheerfully returning to their abodes.

Once the spirits have been appeased the community members joyfully sit down and devour the remaining foods with the feeling that the rest of the year will be free from unseen antagonists.

Updated every Friday
Copyright 2001  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]

Updated by Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]