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Wayward snake causes power outage in Pattaya
Police mobilize search for missing boy
Danish armed robber arrested in Pattaya
Man’s attempt go hang himself fails, but he dies anywy
Jomtien man survives after being shot six times
Overworked TV erupts into flames at Town in Town Hotel
Mobile phone store employee brutally beaten Successfully held off robbers Boonlua Chatree Miss Piangrythai Chaoburee, a 28-year-old employee of the Wish Telecom Store on Central Road, heroically attempted to keep thugs from robbing her store. She prevented any loss of merchandise, but she was severely beaten in the process.
While undergoing treatment at the hospital she told police that the storeowner left her alone to run the store while he went out for dinner. While he was gone, two men entered the store asking to look at a Nokia mobile phone. A replica of the expensive Nokia mobile phone was offered, which she said was normal practice, but when the two men realized it was only an imitation phone for display, one of the men withdrew a gun from beneath his shirt and demanded she hand over genuine Nokia phones. The toy gun failed to intimidate Miss Piangrythai and she refused the robber’s demand. One of the men then used a kitchen pestle to strike her about the head. When she continued to defend herself, the other man began choking her. She was just about to pass out when the storeowner returned and the two men fled the store. Mr. Meesak Prasertkulwong, the owner of the store called Pattaya police on July 6 at 7.30 pm to report the attempted robbery that was foiled by his young female employee. Miss Piangrythai’s face was badly bruised and swollen from the ordeal and she was treated for multiple contusions covering her upper body and head.
MOI instructs land department to put house in order Emphasizes issuing land titles Veerachai Somchart On July 12, Deputy Minister of Interior Sombat Uthaisarn opened a conference held at the Pattaya Park Beach Resort aimed at discussing new work polices and standards to be implemented in government agencies. The meeting was well attended and included officials from the land office, Chonburi’s governor Sujarit Pachimnan, and Vichien Chawalit, Banglamung district chief officer.
The subjects of discussion included changing methods which dictate the procedures and policies affecting how parcels of land are categorised, and how information is handled internally. The key speaker at the conference, Prawit Sisophon, the director of Department of Lands, and acting in the capacity of secretary of the National Land Commission, said that policy changes need to be implimented in regard to illegal encroachment into public property, and policies that concern setting up homes or businesses in specific locations, such as protected forest land which is designated as national reserves, also need to be reviewed. Prawit said that more comprehensive policies are needed which would address both government and private agencies on the subject of land registration procedures, and assessment of land cost. He acknowledged that there are existing obstacles within government departments, such as the department of lands and the forestry department. Officials from the department of lands are well aware of the law, but unscrupulous individuals continue to engage in corrupt deals which allow the private sector’s illegal use of government land for personal profit. Incidents in Chiang Mai, Mae Chaem District, and Doi Suthep, which involved questionable officials from the land department falsifying documents, were pointed out as examples. Forest reserves and coastal property are also covered by specific laws to protect each area designated as national heritage sites for future generations. Prawit announced in the future the National Corruption Commission would take decisive action against any officials involved in this practice.
Local communities trying to qualify for One Million Baht Village Fund Scheme Communities in Pattaya uncertain The government’s plan referred to as the One Million Baht Village Fund Scheme endeavors to provide funds to support small business enterprises for communities around the nation that can meet certain criteria. The finds managers hope this scheme will provide an economic stimulus for the country, and create increased income for villagers. Approved projects may start funding this month. Banglamung district chief Vichien Chawalit recently indicated that at least 30 out of 60 communities are expected to meet the requirements established to qualify for the fund. On July 9th, Vichien summarized the progress of preparations in area communities; identifying 34 out of 60 village communities that will qualify and will elect from 9-15 members to village fund committees. He added that 30 out of the 34 eligible villages will qualify by July 20, or sooner. These village fund committees must manage the investment project and take responsibility for administrating the funds. Three quarters of the villages’ residents must participate in the decision making process. The funds supporting each community project will be maintained by the Government Savings Bank, and will be available for community projects for withdrawal at local bank branches. Unused portions of any funds from various communities will be returned to the government in Bangkok. Individual families can request no more than 20,000 baht loans. Loans of 20,000-50,000 baht will require the participation of 2-3 families in a proposed enterprise. Approval for projects, whether or not interest will be applied to certain loans, and schedules of repayment will be decided by the village fund committees. Communities in Pattaya can also apply to this scheme. However, the 16 communities which make up Pattaya have only assembled one time, and lacked the required criteria for qualifying. The main factor here is the unclear boundaries which make up those villages, and residents are waiting for a definitive answer before further progress can be made.
Drug addicts running extortion racket on Jomtien Beach Burning out vendors who refuse to pay Boonlua Chatree A gang of at least 4 alleged drug abusers are running an extortion racket on Jomtien Beach. The thugs are extorting money from vendors and burning beach equipment of those who refuse to pay. Sathien Srikunla was the latest vendor to have his gear destroyed. At a little past 10.00 p.m. on July 7, Sathien arrived to find his beach equipment worth nearly B100,000 engulfed in flames. He contacted the Jomtien Dongtan police box, just 100 meters away, for assistance to extinguish the blaze. Sathien told police that other vendors on the beach have been targeted by the gang of known drug abusers who have been loitering on the beach and threatening anyone who refuses to hand over money on demand. He claimed four other vendors along Jomtien Beach have also been vandalized. He believed he was targeted because he chased the group away for loitering on his beach chairs without paying. Police officers detained one suspect located in the immediate vicinity who Sathien pointed out as being a member of the gang. Amnat Sriphan, a 32-year-old resident of Nakhon Ratchasima, emphatically denied involvement in the fire, claiming he depended on the beach vendors for his livelihood of giving foot massages to tourists on the beach. The fire damaged 75 umbrellas valued at 450 baht each, 80 lounge chairs values at 250 baht, 40 small tables worth 200 baht each and other miscellaneous equipment. Police are still trying to identify all members of the gang and are investigating the reports of extortion.
Thai stars join in Navy’s anti-drug campaign The Royal Thai Navy’s drug prevention campaign “Collective Effort in the Fight Against Drugs” held its second activity drumming up local support among young people to stand up against drug use. This time a group of well-known performers joined in on July 13th providing entertainment in support of the campaign at the multi-purpose area at Pattaya’s Central Festival Center.
Admiral Taweesak Somapa, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Navy and director of the Royal Thai Navy Drug Prevention Center, opened the campaign with a speech describing the important role drug prevention plays in the community and the role of the Navy Drug Prevention Center. He stressed the importance of young people being aware of the physical dangers of drug use and the adverse affects on society. He also inspired young people to take a unified stance against all involvement with drugs. Referring to the Royal Thai Navy Drug Prevention Center’s mission, the admiral said prevention was an equally important step in the campaign against drugs and explained how efforts were directed at diminishing the demand that would eventually reduce both trafficking and production. Popular singers and screen personalities entertaining the crowd of young people included three recently inducted privates Sornram Theppitak, Somchai Khemklat and Ekarat Sarnsuk. Also joining the fun and performing were (Nun) Waranuch Wongsawan and Tik Zero.
Child prostitution a major risk to ASEAN tourism from the Child Labour News Service Nations working to stamp out child sex tourism must form national task forces to co-ordinate efforts to fight the abuse, a World Tourism Authority (WTO) official said. The task force proposal was one of the recommendations made at a two-day conference of child protection activists, tourism authorities and legal experts, which concluded in Bangkok recently. Organisation’s chief of quality tourism development Henryk Handszuh urged authorities in the WTO’s 138 member states to co-operate in fighting against the scourge of child sex abuse at tourist resorts. Thailand has shown an especially strong determination to fight the problem by responding “energetically” to the issue and trying to change the nation’s image as a destination for sex tourists, he said. Handszuh said the nature of child sex tourism worldwide had also changed in recent years, from an industry organised through tour companies to one that has taken root locally in tourist destinations such as Thailand. “Sex tourism, especially among children, has stopped being organised within the tourism industry,” he said. “Now it’s everywhere. Thanks to the Internet, paedophile groups work together to help one another.” Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) director of market services Suraphon Svetasreni said he hoped to establish a new “Action Awareness Network” to monitor and report child sex offences. Suraphon said Thai authorities wanted to stop child sex tourists before they set foot in Thailand, adding that the crime was a widespread social problem and not the sole responsibility of the tourism industry. “We want to stop it if we know one particular group is going to travel (here) for the sexual exploitation of children,” Suraphon said. “We want to stop them before they go, not try to tackle it when they’re here.” Attorney General’s Office executive director Wanchai Roujanavong urged Thailand’s national carrier and other airlines to show in-flight videos warning travellers not to engage in child sex tourism. “They don’t want to disturb the customers with this heinous or unpleasant story, but we have a different view,” he said at the conference. “We think the airline that shows this kind of campaign shows that it is a responsible airline, that it can speak openly and say it doesn’t want to support this.” TAT governor Pradech Phayakvichien opened the two-day forum, saying that the problem was a core issue for the industry. Pradech said about one in five of Thailand’s estimated 70,000 to 200,000 prostitutes were under the age of 18, meaning there are some 14,000 to 40,000 child sex workers in the country.
Updated every Friday Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk. |
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A
utility worker holds aloft what’s left of the vandalistic serpent.
Peter
Christian (center) was tracked to Pattaya after he and his gang robbed an
armored truck in Denmark.
Miss
Piangrythai talks to police in the hospital after her ordeal.
Deputy
Minister of Interior Sombat Uthaisarn
Thai
stars took part in the Navy’s anti-drug campaign, the latest event being
held at Pattaya’s Central Festival Center