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Banglamung Electrical Authority mobbed by angry residents
Alleged 10 million baht in overcharges provokes public ire - rogue accountant disappears
Veerachai Somchart
A horde of angry residents waving protest banners and
demanding justice stormed the Banglamung Electrical Authority last Friday
afternoon making allegations that they were overcharged by as much as 10
million baht over a period of 18 months.
A horde
of angry residents waving protest banners and demanding justice stormed the
Banglamung Electrical Authority last Friday, saying they had been
overcharged by as much as 10 million baht over a period of 18 months.
The management of the Electrical Authority in Banglamung
filed an official complaint against Romrawin Pithahotara, a 27-year-old
accountant, for falsifying government documents and using false invoices to
collect money for electricity bills.
Romrawin allegedly used phony invoices to collect money
from residents, and then pocketed the cash. She has been accused of doing
this for almost 18 months, which would amount to an embezzlement of nearly
10 million baht.
Management revealed they had discovered Romrawin’s
unscrupulous collection scam two months ago. It seems the rogue accountant
pocketed money from another 20 residents in the area for which there were no
receipts issued.
One of the irate protestors, Utai Chaonar from Moo 9 in
Banglamung, told reporters that he received a letter from the Electrical
Authority on October 1st which stated that accounting showed since November
last year the overall use of electricity had dropped in the area. Due to
these unusual statistics of power consumption a special team would be
assigned to investigate.
 Wanted
for fraud, Romrawin Pithahotara has disappeared.
On September 16th the investigation concluded that the
electrical authority had lost some 10 million baht in revenue.
Utai Chaonar said his electric bill was 111,764.84 baht.
Others in the group of protestors were presented with bills from 60,000 to
200,000 baht. Utai added, “That’s when the decision was made to protest
against such outrageous invoices. Most of these people run businesses, such
as apartment buildings and have rental houses. We don’t as yet know just
exactly how many people have been cheated.”
Thanit Teerapong, manager for the Banglamung Electrical
Office said, “I have been assigned to this office for only 9 months but
during that time Romrawin Pithahotara’s job description was to ensure and
check meter usage for bill processing. I have already informed the
Banglamung police station charging her with falsifying government
documents.”
Thanit said, “After going through some of the invoices
over the last year and a half, the invoiced amounts have changed greatly.
The monthly bill for meter rental is only 43 baht. But for the month of
September it had sky rocketed in the region 60,000 to 200,000 baht. We (the
electrical authority) investigated Romrawin in August and found that the
accounting figures were off by 200,000 to 300,000 baht per month over a long
period of time.”
Thanit went on to say, “We also found a large number of
fake invoices. That is when we informed the police and decided to send a
team into the field to investigate further. Those people with large bills
have finally received the correct amounts. We will have to reevaluate and
allow them to pay in installments. As for the group who paid their bill
directly to Romrawin, we take responsibility for that and will subtract the
overcharged amount from the real invoice amount in order to put things right
and fair for residents.”
The regional electrical authority has handed the case
over to the Crime Prevention and Suppression Unit to further investigate
Romrawin Pithahotara and press charges.
Since the investigation and the official complaint made against her,
Romrawin has disappeared. She is wanted for questioning by police.
Tourist’s leg trapped in drain cover for over an hour
Careless city work finally comes back to haunt them
Forty-two-year-old Dutch tourist Chris Amstrada was
walking down Soi Chaiyapoon off Soi Buakow last week when he got a nasty
surprise. He innocently assumed that a steel cover placed over a drainpipe
was safe to walk on. It was not. The cover gave way and he fell into a hole
where his leg was trapped and he couldn’t pull himself out. It took rescue
workers an hour to free him.
Chris said he was walking with his girlfriend along the
soi and stepped on the steel cover presuming it was safe to walk on, as it
was part of the walkway, but suddenly he fell into the hole.
Witnesses who reside in the area told police that they
have informed city officials many times about the dangers to pedestrians
caused by loose drain covers and uncovered pipes, but they have received no
response. They are hoping now the authorities will do something about the
carelessness of the work being done by the city.
Road construction causes hardships for residents of Potisan Soi 3
City asked to at least allow people to get home
Residents living in Potisan Soi 3 called the Pattaya
Mail seeking assistance in requesting the contractors to allow for some
convenience, at least to have access to their homes.
Progress
is welcome, but at least have the foresight to plan out the work so that
people living in the area have access to their homes.
Construction on the road began in February of this year
and is scheduled to be completed in February next year. “That is all just
great,” said one resident of the soi. “We all welcome progress and would
love to have good roads, but this is causing us anxiety and we are having a
lot of hardships just trying to get to and from our homes.”
One resident said that he and his family had not left
their home for over a week. Another lady was seen crying in front of the soi.
She said that she had been driving around for over two hours desperately
searching for another way to get home. But it was all in vain. “I have had
so much difficulty going in and out of my house for the last week and my car
has been damaged when it got stuck in one of the large holes made by the
digging. I am not well and need to go home. My dog is all alone and I must
feed him too.”
Pattaya Mail reporters arrived at the scene just in
time for the workers’ lunch break. We saw two huge bulldozers parked idle
in the middle of the soi. We called city hall and were assured that the
contractors would be contacted immediately to ensure that accessibility to
the homes would be made without delay.
Workers then started to level off parts of the road and
the foreman assured us that there would be a path for cars to drive through
within one hour.
This happens at many residential areas in Pattaya during
road construction and we can only ask that the people responsible be more
considerate to the citizens while going about their duties whilst renovating
our streets.
Larn Island’s Tawaen Beach residents want to operate temporary businesses on Samae Beach during ‘high season’
Island residents still confused about new regulations
Suchada Tupchai
Since Tawaen Beach is subject to strong winds during the
months of November and December, a proposal was recently made to City Hall
to allow some residents to set up temporary business on Samae Beach during
what is the busiest time of the year for tourist trade on Larn Island.
At a general meeting of the Larn Island Committee in City
Hall last Friday, a committee presented the request of some 20 residents for
this special dispensation. The proposal was put forth to both Pattaya City
Council and the Forestry Department since these bodies are responsible for
decisions made regarding the beach areas.
Bunjongsin Parnson, president of the Larn Island
Committee said, “The area (Samae Beach) is very popular during the tour
season because of its natural beauty. Residents have been using the area to
ply goods for some time. However, since the beginning of the year, Pattaya
City’s clean up and construction campaign on Larn Island, which is 70%
complete, has caused the local community some financial hardship because the
regulations are being enforced. Therefore we have requested approval from
the city to allow residents to take advantage of the increase in visitors to
the island. But we are still unsure of who does actually control the area -
Pattaya City, Forestry Department or the Land Department?”
Deputy Mayor Niran Wattanasatsathorn answered the query.
“The area on Larn Island is under the control of a number of departments.
A public area with no ownership papers comes under the Forestry Department
according to the legislation of 1941. Pattaya City is in charge of building
and construction on the island which was announced by the ministry of
interior and the land department.”
Niran went on to explain, “Despite the many
departments, the intention is to bring the issue under one umbrella to
further develop the island. As for the request for permission to operate
businesses on Samae Beach for the tourist season, we don’t foresee any
problems with that if it is only for that period of time. Once the period is
over, any structures will need to be removed and the beach must be returned
to its natural state.”
Pattaya Residents and businesses polled on whether Pattaya should be the first city in Thailand to legalize gambling
City Hall puts 200,000 baht towards the opinion poll
Veerachai Somchart
Pattaya residents and businesspeople were given a chance
to voice their opinions this week on whether or not Pattaya should be the
site of the country’s first casino.
At 9.30 Tuesday morning, 300 university students from the
Burapha and Sripatum Universities, along with village headmen and community
leaders hit the Pattaya City streets and surrounding areas, including
Banglamung’s 50 sub-districts and 15 communities to poll the region’s
60,000 registered residents and business operators on the big question of
‘Yes or No’. The polling continued from October 7 to 9.
The
billboard reads: “What is your opinion? CASINO in Pattaya and the
sustained development of tourism? We want to know your opinion URGENTLY.
Please cooperate by filling in the questionnaires. The authorities have
assigned students to visit you. As of the 7th October 2002 onwards.”
Yongyut Singhtawech, secretary to the working committee
pushing for the casino said, “We need to finalize the survey process even
though there is no legal polling procedure. The final say will have to come
from the office of the prime minister’s office, who will conduct a
‘real’ opinion poll. We have, however, decided to conduct our own and
have enlisted help from 300 university students from the Sripatum and
Burapha universities as well as over 100 village headmen and community
leaders to conduct this preliminary poll in the Banglamung area.”
The initial design of the questionnaire was put together
by Prof. Kanchana Maneesaeng, head of the office of research and standards
at Sripatum University, and Prof. Sorut Sakularat, director of the faculty
of political and religious sciences at Burapha University.
During the polling period, volunteers used 3,000 sets of
questionnaires printed by Pattaya City, which put 200,000 baht towards the
project. The city also erected billboards around the city to inform citizens
of the opinion poll. The process questioned not only Thai residents, but
also foreigners and tourists alike.
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat said, “We (the city)
have supported this project to solve problems associated with the polling,
but we also want to see the local economy, society and tourism develop for
the betterment of all.”
Mayor Pairat went on, “Pattaya is the ideal place for a
casino but the matter is now urgent in resolving the opinion poll and
forwarding it to the relevant authorities as other tourist towns in Thailand
have begun to present their case to the government. We cannot afford to miss
this golden opportunity.
“I think we will see positive results from the
preliminary polling. I’m confident that 90% of local businesspeople and
residents would like to see the country’s first casino in Pattaya. It’s
just a matter making sure we do our best to ensure that local and provincial
residents get their say in the matter before we can present it to the
central government. If we were to receive approval, the entire project could
be completed within three months because Pattaya has many (suitable) hotels.
We would also ensure that there are international standards in place to
control who can enter and use the facilities, which would in turn reduce the
level of mafia style gambling in the city,” the mayor added.
A
college student polls a local citizen on whether or not Pattaya should be
the first city in Thailand to have a legal casino.
The final results are to be tallied by October 17, after
which they will then be presented to the provincial authority and then on to
Sanoh Tienthong, president of the committee of advisors to the prime
minister. The issue will then be taken up at a central government level for
the deciding votes at the end of October.
Sonthaya Khunpluem to head up new Ministry of Tourism and Sports
A part of the recent cabinet reshuffle
Songklod Kaewvisit
After the recent government reshuffle on September 23rd
and the review of current legislation and parliamentary positions, in a vote
of 334 to 104, six new ministries have been created to further develop the
county’s economic status under the Taksin government’s policies.
 Sonthaya
Khunpluem, Tourism and Sports Minister
Sonthaya Khunpluem, previously Minister of Science,
Technology and the Environment has received the honor of taking charge of
the recently created Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The new ministry has yet to clearly define and announce
its policy but will in effect cover issues of tourism and sports in
Thailand, aiming to promote and develop both industries.
The new ministry will also entail the creation of new
positions within the ministry such as the Office of the Minister, Office of
the Deputy Minister, Office of Sports Activities Development, Office of
Sporting Development.
The first order of business will be to rearrange many of
the current departments involved in the tourism sector and more specifically
business operators around the country, which will include Pattaya.
Many feel that the new policies laid down by the minister
may affect some of the current regulations used in our own fair city.
The policies are yet to be announced. But a number of
local business operators in the province will welcome any improvements that
will follow. Since Sonthaya Khunpluem was born and raised in Chonburi he has
a deep understanding of the region and its various nuances. Many locals feel
that this will greatly benefit the province and more specifically Pattaya,
where tourism will return to its former glory.
Chonburi welcomes new governor
Songklod Kaewvisit
The
changing of the political guard throughout Thailand resulted in Chonburi
getting a new governor. On October 1, Sawang Srisakun was appointed to the
position. Former governor, Chadej Insawang was transferred and promoted to
the position of director general of the Land Department under the Ministry
of Interior.
Sawang Srisakun was previously the governor of Samut Prakan Province and
officially took the reigns in Chonburi on the first of the month.
Thai woman arrested for trying to mail drugs
Caught with half kilo of marijuana and heroin
Armed with a search warrant, Chonburi’s international
crime suppression officers paid a visit to the home of Patcharee
Yuthsilpasevi, age 25, in Soi Khao Noi, Nongprue Sub District. A search of
the premises revealed half a kilogram of compressed dried marijuana stuffed
in a teddy bear, 90 25-milliliter tubes of liquid gold iso-butyl nitrite,
and 10 milligrams of heroin. These items were allegedly packed and ready to
be sent off by post.
Patcharee, who was home alone at the time of the search,
metaphorically pointed her finger at her husband, 43-year-old Englishman
Robert Nelson (sic). Patcharee told police that she had been living
with her Nelson for many months. She said Nelson often traveled back and
forth between England and Thailand, and she claimed that when he was here he
would buy stocks of marijuana and drugs and keep them at home, while she had
the duty of packing them and sending them off to England through the mail.
A police spokesman said that police previously suspected
Nelson of mailing drugs. But since the postal service lacks organized
procedures for checking parcels, police suspect the Englishman has been
getting away with the crime.
Patcharee is being detained for possessing and attempting to export
illegal substances. Police have contacted the British Embassy for assistance
in issuing an international arrest warrant.
Foreign resident found dead
Police suspect suicide
Vichan Pladplueng
Earlier this week police and Sawang Boriboon personnel
were called to an address in Sabaijai Village after the body of a foreigner
was found. Discovered on September 30, the deceased was identified as Ingwa
Bobland (sic) a 58-year-old Norwegian national. The state of the body
showed 4-5 inch cuts in both wrists and a trail of blood leading from the
bathroom to the bed where the was found.
Police officers questioned the man’s spouse,
27-year-old Pranee Cheawcharn, who told investigators that the two had had
an argument three days prior, after which he had locked himself the bedroom
on the second floor. She told officers that she had tried to open the door
on a number of occasions but there was no answer.
Worried that her companion hadn’t eaten for three days
and something may have happened to him she managed to break down the door
and immediately informed the police of the discovery.
Investigators examined the room to find a cutter and a
large number of cigarette butts in the room. They suspect that the man may
have been overly stressed about the current situation had had decided to end
his suffering. Officers added that nothing was out of place in the room and
apparently no items were missing.
The body was sent to the police forensic institute in
Bangkok for further examination.
Yaba dealers from northern network arrested while delivering goods to Pattaya customers
Undercover officers disguised as buyers arrested Pol
Rakkhetkit, 50, and Samai Piluk, 47, in front of a restaurant in a soi off
Central Pattaya Road. Officers found 1,400 met amphetamine pills in their
possession intended for sale in Pattaya.
During questioning, both agents admitted to the offence
and told officers they’d been dealing in the illegal drugs for a long
time. They said their source was an agent in Nakorn Sawan where they
purchased lots of 8,000 to 10,000 methamphetamine tables referred to as
‘yaba’ or ‘crazy pills’ and resold them to other distributors in
Pattaya. Dealers in Pattaya then sold them to teenager customers in the
city.
Both are now under police custody and will face trial for
possessing and selling a class 1 illegal substance.
Ex-convict breaks into house, rapes and robs the lone woman occupant
Ties her up, leaves her in the bathroom, then goes out for lunch
Ex-convict Udomsak Muangnam, 33, was tracked down and
arrested at the North Pattaya bus terminal after breaking into a house on
Soi Pothisan, then raping and robbing the lone woman occupant of the home.
He then went out and had lunch before trying to board a bus for Bangkok.
When police officers received the frantic call for help,
they rushed to the scene and found the caller, Ms. Nong, 36, sitting in her
house in Soi Pothisan in a state of shock.
Nong told police that at around 7 a.m. she went out to
the front yard to fetch water to wash her clothes. She said she saw a man
walking towards her wielding a knife. The man grabbed her and held the knife
to her throat and forced her to take off her clothes.
She told police that she was raped twice, after which the
assailant tied her up with a rope, gagged her with a dishrag and locked her
in the bathroom. Nong said the man also stole a gold necklace, a gold
bracelet, and a gold ring. After he left, she said she managed to escape her
bonds, climbed out of the bathroom, and called the police.
Police immediately sent out a search team and tracked the
suspect to the North Pattaya bus terminal where they arrested him as he
attempted to leave town.
Udomsak confessed to the crime and said he had taken the
stolen items to a gold shop in South Pattaya and sold them for 3,600 baht.
He said he then had lunch and purchased a bus ticket to Bangkok.
Police records showed Udomsak had recently been released from jail, where
he had been interned for the last 7 years for a similar offense.
Police raid entertainment venues suspected of flaunting closing hours and test partygoers for drug use
Thais and foreigners test positive
Boonlua Chatree
Bars in South Pattaya suspected of ignoring the legal
closing time were the latest targets of police raids. More than 100 officers
swept through the city’s famous entertainment area at 3:30 a.m. on October
5th in search of establishments that are still indifferent to an on-going
crackdown by authorities to force these venues to comply with the law. Cops
came prepared. Urine tests were performed and those using illegal drugs were
also ensnared in the net.
Two popular venues, Mister P Super Pub located on Soi
Saen Samran; inside the Marine Plaza Hotel, and Tony’s Entertainment
Complex in Walking Street were caught in the raid as they were still open
for business long after the 2:00 a.m. closing time.
Mister P Super Pub was packed with customers when the
police arrived. Music was blaring and the pub was in full swing. Police had
to ask the management to turn off the music so they could announce the place
was under a raid. Then officers proceeded to perform drug tests on the
partygoers.
Urine tests determined that 57 people tested positive for
illegal drugs, including 42 Thai women, 1 Thai man and 14 foreigners.
Still open during the planned raid, Tony’s
Entertainment Complex got the same treatment. Officers swooped in and
everyone submitted to urine testing. Eight Thai women and 2 foreign
nationals tested positive for illegal substances.
Police also detained the managers of both venues: Ood
Narmapon from the Mr. P Super Pub and Swiss national Manz Rose. Both were
charged with operating entertainment establishments after the legal closing
hour set down by Bangkok’s Ministry of Interior.
Everyone who tested positive for illegal drugs were
charged with using class 1 illegal substances.
An official report has been sent to the regional police
commander and governor’s office which may affect the future operations of
both venues.
Police briefs
Body of infant found at garbage dump site
The tragedy of poverty, fear and ignorance has reared its
ugly head again. The body of a newborn baby boy was found this week in a
trash bag at a dump site near Greenway Driving Range.
The young woman who found the dead infant worked on a
clean-up detail at the site. Sasithorn Thabkan, 20, told police she and her
co-workers had gone to the site to clean up the area when she noticed a
black plastic bag laying on the side with dogs frantically sniffing around
and trying to tear the bag open. Suspicious, she went over to investigate,
opened the bag and to her horror, discovered the tiny body. Sasithorn
immediately called the police.
Police estimate the infant died about 24 hours before
discovery. They suspect infant’s mother may be a teenage girl who became
pregnant but had no way of caring for the infant when it was born, therefore
stuffed the infant in a trash bag and abandoned it at the dump site.
Police are investigating the matter further and are
currently looking for the mother of the child.
Sudden-death claims young man
Police Lieutenant Chatchai Srisuwan recently received a
report that a man in a rented room had died. A team from the Sawang Boriboon
Rescue Foundation and Pattaya police sent to investigate found the body of a
young man who was later identified as Somchit Sraseesom, aged 40. He worked
as an artist at the City Theater and police estimated he’d been dead for a
few hours before they arrived.
A search of the room revealed no evidence of a struggle.
Somchit’s wife, 36 year old Buntha Aeumchaidee told officers that her
husband was a healthy man and had shown no signs of illness. She went to
wake him and found him dead.
Police believe the deceased may have died of a heart
attack brought on by exhaustion but an autopsy will be performed to
determine the cause of death.
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