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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Pattaya Beach is disappearing at the rate of 20 centimeters per year

Regional government officers debate justice ministry issues

Pattaya administrators, TAT and Traditional Thai Massage Association host training seminar for the city’s masseuses and masseurs

Pattaya hosts achievement evaluation seminar for Chiang Rai community leaders

Wastewater Management 101 for Sriracha Municipality officers

Amorn Malhotra appointed Foreign Crime Suppression Coordinator for the Tourist Police

Pattaya’s budget committee proposes a tax on vendors and markets

American resident found dead in his South Pattaya apartment

One of Pattaya’s largest ‘underground’ lottery dealers arrested

Execution-style murder leaves man dead in tapioca field

Police briefs

Accused Bangladeshi muggers busted by local officers

South Pattaya Gold Shop robbed of over 10 million baht of gold and jewelry

Pattaya Beach is disappearing at the rate of 20 centimeters per year

Department of government works and civil planning proposes 20 million baht beach extension project

Pattaya’s beaches are eroding at a rate of 20 centimeters per year, and according to a recently completed three-year research project, the city’s beaches would completely erode away in 30 years if no action were to be taken to rectify the problem.

Team Engineering & Management Company conducted the research from 2000-2003 along a seven-kilometer stretch of Pattaya Beach, and found that the beaches in central Pattaya and the Bali Hai area are eroding the fastest, and would eventually disappear.

Supol Sriphan, director of the Public Works Department’s city planning support and development office, said that restoration of the eastern region’s diminishing sands was one of the nine projects submitted for approval in 1994, of which 8 have been carried out. The remaining project pertains to the restoration of Pattaya beach areas.

An initial plan released in 1998 was to remove the 101 businesses from South Pattaya and extend the beach down to the Bali Hai head. However, this has been receiving much resistance, despite all attempts by the city, province and the Environmental Planning office to carry out the project.

The tides and changing current in Pattaya are slowly eroding the beaches away due the recent coastline changes. The study revealed that 1.45 meters of sand has already been washed away from the shore from Naklua through to South Pattaya, an average of 20 centimeters per year.

The private consulting company proposed three solutions: A 20-million-baht landfill project to counter erosion from Soi Pattaya 13 to Mike Shopping Mall; a 104-million-baht landfill project to expand the entire Pattaya Beach by 20 meters; and a 260-million-baht landfill project to extend the beach by 50 meters.

Another 6 months of impact studies at a cost of 2-3 million baht are required before any of the plans are put to the environmental planning committee and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat commented, “This is a necessary project for development and sustaining the city’s tourism industry. The project has repeatedly been proposed to protect Pattaya’s tourism, but rejected by the environmental policy and planning office as unimportant. I disagree because our beaches are a selling point for tourism; if they (the beaches) were to disappear it would be disastrous from an environmental and economic point of view.

“The city has requested a 20 million budget to extend the beachfront by 5 meters over the next 1-2 years under the recommendations of the consulting company. We still need to perform an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before the project goes ahead, and we’ll have to wait a year before the results are ready. Unfortunately, the city administration cannot wait any longer to take action after receiving the results of the 3-year study,” concluded the mayor.

Whatever the case may be, it was made clear that officials will seek to rectify the inherent problems as quickly as possible whilst awaiting the bureaucratic processes and necessary assessments are being taken. Stay tuned, this saga will no doubt continue.


Regional government officers debate justice ministry issues

Ministry of Justice runs human resource seminar & debate for local government departments

Damri Muangkaew

Over 160 government officers, members of the media and government spokespersons were given a chance to discuss and debate issues pertinent to justice ministry affairs last week when the Ministry of Justice organized a forum at the Montien Hotel.

Minister of Justice Pongthep Thepkanjana presided over the Ministry of Justice seminar at the Montien Hotel.

Minister of Justice Pongthep Thepkanjana presided over the seminar and debating forum so that regional government officers could enhance their knowledge of government systems and debate issues surrounding a number of issues.

Although no major answers were reported to have come out of the meeting, it was nonetheless seen as an important part of the ministry’s PR campaign to present policies to government officers and members of the media, which will in turn allow them to develop a stronger working relationship with the central government and ministries and enable government departments to pass on the information to the masses in the course of their work.

Organizers of the event gathered the local officials in an attempt to improve their knowledge of the national justice system, as well as give them a chance to debate issues concerning government procedures, problems and obstacles faced in the course of duty and methods on how to rectify them.


Pattaya administrators, TAT and Traditional Thai Massage Association host training seminar for the city’s masseuses and masseurs

Seminar’s benefits have far reaching implications

Damri Muangkaew

Three organizations supported a training seminar on the art of traditional Thai massage at the Grand Sole Hotel last Wednesday. Officially opened by Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and conducted by professionals in the industry, including Wannanong Chinstapornchoke, BEC Language & Culture School director, the seminar was aimed at improving the image of the industry by providing further education for the city’s massage therapists.

Wannanong Chinstapornchoke (left), BEC Language & Culture School director, accepts a generous gift from Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat during the training seminar on the art of traditional Thai massage held at the Grand Sole Hotel.

Thai massage has gained popularity throughout the world and since Pattaya is an international tourist destination, with many first-time tourists visiting massage establishments, higher standards are required to maintain quality of treatment and promote traditional massage on a wider scale.

“This seminar is an important part of improving the image and standards of massage as a profession. The benefits of seminars like this have far reaching implications for us as a city and the nation,” said Mayor Pairat during the opening of the seminar.


Pattaya hosts achievement evaluation seminar for Chiang Rai community leaders

Communication seen as key to success

Damri Muangkaew

“Currently, changes in economic, social and political aspects are happening so fast that we need to catch up to the growing demands of our communities.” Those are the words of Udomsak Assawarangkul, deputy general-director of the local administration department when he spoke on the new dimension of tasks facing kamnans and village leaders.

The occasion was a gathering last week in Pattaya of high-level officials and community leaders from Chiang Rai Province, here for a seminar to evaluate the achievements of civil servants and village heads in the province.

Udomsak also said that a more effective way of communication must be established between each organization. “This means more responsibility will be placed on government officials, kamnans and village heads. This group must be knowledgeable in their field and seriously intent on serving the people. They must also have a vision to provide their village members with peace and prosperity,” he said.

Visal Techatheerawat, chairman of the committee on parliamentary achievement evaluation, organized the meeting, which was geared to asses the effectiveness of duties carried out by sub-district leaders (kamnans), village heads, tambon medical units, and the village head assistants from Paan District in Chiang Rai Province. More than 800 government officials attended the seminar held at Pattaya Park Resort.

Adisorn Piangket, advisor to the prime minister, was present as the guest of honor and gave the opening speech.

The topics discussed on the day included general knowledge on Thai governing laws, history, main tasks and privileges of kamnans and village heads, and a clarification of the Ministry of Interior’s policy on these subjects.

The first group of kamnans and village heads were appointed 109 years ago in Amphur Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya Province. From then on, great importance was placed on electing kamnans and village heads in every district.

The task of kamnans and village heads is to help people in the villages and districts with the matters of everyday life. They listen to the people and their problems and try to find practical solutions. Improving living standards, assuring security and safety of villagers, and development of village facilities all fall within their realm of duties.


Wastewater Management 101 for Sriracha Municipality officers

Learning the basics behind preserving natural resources

Suchada Tupchai

Standards required to maintain a healthy environment in the wastewater management industry were the main focus of a recent training seminar for Sriracha municipal officers. Academics from Mahidol University and professionals in the industry from Denmark were on hand to present their knowledge base to workers at the district’s facility.

Professor Pattana Mulpruet, Health and Environmental lecturer from Mahidol University explains the importance of wastewater management systems.

The Eastern Seaboard’s water resources are a vital source of income, not only in the tourism industry but also in fishing sector. The increasing levels of waste in the waterways and in the gulf have prompted government departments to take a proactive stance and educate personnel to try to improve the overall standards of management.

The long-term project, Capacity Development for the Wastewater Management Authority (CD-WMA) is under the close watch of the Mahidol University’s Public Health Committee, which organized the seminar for municipal officers concerned with the care and management of the district’s main facilities.

Throughout the two-day seminar issues such as quality controls in processing, various systems available and quantitative measuring and associated environmental effects caused by substandard quality were presented.


Amorn Malhotra appointed Foreign Crime Suppression Coordinator for the Tourist Police

In a move to help tourist police in their duties and investigations of foreign criminals, Tourist Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Panya Mamen appointed Amorn Malhotra as the Foreign Crime Suppression Coordinator for the Royal Thai Police, Tourist Police Division.

Pattaya Tourist Police Chief Pol. Lt. Col. Naradej Klomthuksing (right) presents Amorn Malhotra with his credentials as the newly appointed Foreign Crime Suppression Coordinator for the Royal Thai Police, Tourist Police Division.

In a presentation ceremony held at the Pattaya Tourist Police office last week, Pol. Lt. Col. Naradej Klomthuksing, Pattaya Tourist Police Chief said, “Amorn has spent the last ten years assisting the police in dealing with international cases. He is a well known personality in Pattaya, whose integrity and honesty has earned not only our trust but that of the other agencies too.” He went on to say, “In 1994 Amorn was instrumental in assisting Pol. Lt. Col. Somsak Wannawak, the former Pattaya Tourist Police Chief in establishing the Tourist Police Volunteers in Pattaya. He was also their first president. There were only 400 volunteers then, but now I am proud to say that the number has grown to more than 2,000 members.

“We are grateful for Amorn’s contributions not only to the city but also to the work of the police force. His skills and knowledge of the foreign culture and way has helped us solve many cases involving foreigners. But not only in a negative way, because with his understanding of foreign languages, we have been able to assist many foreigners who needed our help when they were treated unfairly.”

He concluded by saying, “It gives me pleasure to present this very special credential to Amorn. This is the one and only appointment of it’s kind by our commander and I know no other person who deserves it more than Amorn.

“I wish him all the success and may all that’s sacred keep him well and give him the strength to carry on with this demanding task, to help keep Pattaya thriving with law abiding citizens.”


Pattaya’s budget committee proposes a tax on vendors and markets

Soi Buakow market has become a bone of contention

Damri Muangkaew

Pattaya’s budget committee called a meeting with related departments and government officers to review this year’s tax collections and compare them with expenditures. It was during this meeting when Suwit Nongyai, City council member and chairman of the committee, laid the issue of taxing vendors and markets on the forum table.

During the discussion Suwit said that it is important that all concerned departments collect the required tariffs from business operators and implement further order among wandering vendors in Pattaya and Jomtien as well as clean up local markets.

“The wandering vendors should not be allowed to sell their goods along the beaches and footpaths, as they create disorder and often leave behind unsightly trash and waste. I’ve seen the negative effects created by plastic bags and foam containers on Beach Road and on the beaches. More importantly, we should begin to collect taxes and registration fees from these people,” said Suwit.

The committee also addressed the issue of taxing markets and implementing tighter controls to ensure all was kept in good order.

The Soi Buakow market, which runs every Tuesday and Friday, was a bone of contention with Suwit. “There are still no clear controls on the Soi Buakow market. The place is a mess and creates numerous traffic problems in the area all the way down to the fresh markets in front of the Chaimongkol Temple,” emphasized the council member.

“The city administration has yet to come up with an effective method of controlling and taxing these unruly areas. Many of the vendors sell their wares on the footpaths and obstruct pedestrian traffic which then spills over onto the roadside causing traffic hazards,” said Suwit.

“Local police presently patrol the South Pattaya Road market and mete out fines. This method contributes to the constabulary’s coffers. However, taxes imposed on this sector would mean income for the city. I think it is time to bring in strict controls to clean up these markets and impose some order on the vendors,” added Suwit.

Further reviews of local expenditure and income are set for a further meeting in which the relevant departments must present the accounts to the city for approval before awaiting next year’s budget allocations.


American resident found dead in his South Pattaya apartment

No signs of foul play

Boonlua Chatree

Police were called to the Yensabai Condominium in South Pattaya Sunday afternoon, September 14 after a member of the cleaning staff discovered the body of 71-year-old John James. Officers and Sawang Boriboon personnel arrived at the seventh floor condo to find the body of the American national in the bathroom.

Initial examinations showed no signs of foul play and the apartment was neat and orderly. There was, however, blood from the man’s body in the toilet bowl.

When police questioned the cleaner who found the deceased, she told officers she was cleaning the 7th floor when she noticed Mr. James’ apartment door was open. She checked to see if anyone was home and discovered the man’s body. She immediately called security and the police.

Police surmise that James had been ill and had been vomiting to the point where he suffered a heart attack. A preliminary examination showed that James had been dead approximately six hours before being discovered. His body was taken to the Banglamung Hospital for further examination before proceeding with funeral rites.


One of Pattaya’s largest ‘underground’ lottery dealers arrested

Gambled with his future and lost

Boonlua Chatree

Gambling is still illegal in Thailand, despite the ever-popular government lottery. But the sale of ‘underground’ lottery tickets is a big, albeit illegal business, and an attempt at reducing its scope is underway.

46-year-old Thanawat “Wathcarin” Choowongyart (seated left) gambled that he wouldn’t get caught gambling illegally, but lost and now sits in jail waiting for his number to come up to see the judge.

Criminal investigation officers obtained a warrant to arrest Thanawat (aka Wathcarin) Choowongyart at his home in Banglamung. Police entered the property and served a court order to one of the city’s largest underground lottery dealers on Monday afternoon, September 15.

A search of the premises revealed an accounting book of income and expenses, tickets and contact names of customers and a bankbook with over 500,000 baht in cash turnover. Apparently Thanawat was preparing for the next round of lottery ticket sales due to be drawn the following day. He was duly escorted to Pattaya police station for questioning.

Thanawat confessed to his illegal business, saying he would take his cut of the earnings before sending much of the money to a larger dealer in Bangkok. He refused to give the name of his Bangkok connection during interrogation.

The 46-year-old lottery ticket seller was charged with illegal gambling and awaits the legal process while police continue to investigate further, betting that they will catch higher rollers soon.


Execution-style murder leaves man dead in tapioca field

Police suspect illegal businesses went sour

Boonlua Chatree

After witnessing a horrifying assassination, residents in Moo 8 Nongprue sub-district, as all truly horrified residents are wont to do, called the police. When officers arrived they found the body of 36-year-old Vimol Yodsawat lying in a pool of blood in a tapioca field. An examination of the deceased revealed he had been shot three times, twice in the leg and once in the forehead. Police surmised that the latter was probably what did him in.

Witnesses told officers that Vimol lived the neighborhood and worked as a motorcycle taxi driver. Prior to the murder, they saw Vimol riding his bike along the road when 4 men on two motorbikes suddenly appeared on both sides of him and threatened him with guns. Frightened, Vimol fell off his motorbike and ran into a tapioca field, his assassins in hot pursuit.

The gunmen shot Vimol twice in the leg to stop him and then cold-bloodedly shot him in the head.

Police found two spent shell casings beside the corpse and Vimol’s motorcycle a kilometer away. Police confiscated the evidence for further investigation. The four gunmen are still at large. Since there were no signs of robbery, police suspect that Vimol might have involved in some kind of illegal businesses that went sour.


Police briefs

Boonlua Chatree

Two Sattahip college students wounded by gang on 20 motorcycles during shooting spree

Gun-toting teenage hooligans are back in the limelight after going on a shooting spree on Sukhumvit Road shortly after midnight last week Thursday. Two students from the Sattahip Technical College were seriously wounded in what was reported as an unprovoked attack.

Police were called to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital where 20 year-old Kittiphum Piyasant was being treated for a gunshot wound to the upper chest, which fractured his collarbone. Warint Wongkong was being treated for a chest wound received from an .11mm round.

The injured men’s friends told police they were riding along Sukhumvit Road from Central Pattaya Road when a group of youths on 20 motorcycles began shooting at them for no apparent reason. When their friends were hit they rushed them to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Police went to the scene of the shooting and found shell casings from a 9mm pistol and a .11mm pistol. After checking with highway patrol officers, it was learned that the group was racing along Sukhumvit Road weaving in and out of traffic. Police had apparently gave chase but failed to apprehend any of them.

Local officers raid Soi Buakow laundry fronting as a factory for pirated goods

The latest crackdown on pirated goods led criminal investigation officers to a laundry on Soi Buakow. The laundry was a front to cover up a major production facility in which pirated brand name clothing; sunglasses and accessories were being made and distributed around the city and the country.

In a sting operation, undercover officers entered the shop asking to purchase brand name goods. Malee Chomponooch identified herself as the owner and led undercover police to the back of the laundry. Once inside, police revealed their identity, while backup units stormed the premises and arrested Malee. During the raid police confiscated over 1.8 million baht worth of goods with an estimated retail potential of 4-5 million baht.

Malee was charged with production and distributing goods in breach of copyright and intellectual property laws.


Accused Bangladeshi muggers busted by local officers

Attackers deny charges, but victim and witnesses finger them

Apichon Daengnoo had just arrived home at his Soi 17 apartment when two men ambushed him and stole his gold necklace. Apichon called out for help and nearby residents came to his aid, but the thieves ran off.

Apichon Daengnoo points out his attackers Jarihul Alam (left) and Mohammad Haqve (right).

Local police were called and witnesses told officers that the pair of foreigners had fled on a motorcycle. Police traced the license plate, found that the bike was a rental and contacted the owner.

Meanwhile, patrol units scoured the city looking for the pair and eventually discovered the abandoned bike. The owner of the rental told police that two Bangladeshi men had rented the vehicle, identifying them as Jarihul Alam and Mohammad Mahfuzul Haqve.

Officers caught up with Jarihul Alam on South Pattaya Road, and Mohammad Haqve was tackled by police as he attempted to run from the law.

The two were taken to the station for questioning and denied all allegations against them. However, Apichon and a number of witnesses positively identified the pair. Despite their protests the two men were charged with assault and theft.


South Pattaya Gold Shop robbed of over 10 million baht of gold and jewelry

Hungry thieves raid fridge for snack before making off with booty

Boonlua Chatree

Gold and jewelry shop owners Sanga and Kittima Chairatana received the shock of their lives upon returning to their South Pattaya shop on Monday evening to find their home and business had been robbed. Crafty thieves had broken into their Walking Street premises while the couple was in Bangkok tending to customers over the weekend. The estimated value of the heist is set at over 10 million baht in gold and precious stones.

Cat burglars cleaned out this South Pattaya jewelry shop, taking everything they could carry, and even helped themselves to food from the fridge.

Local and regional criminal investigation officers arrived at the premises to investigate the theft while forensic teams were also called into to gather evidence. The criminals apparently broke in through the rear of the 2-story building, opening glass cases containing gold and diamond jewelry including 24 trays each with 26 gold rings and over 200 gold necklaces.

Forensic officers dusted for fingerprints left randomly at the crime, and a screwdriver used to gain access was taken as evidence. While officers were covering the crime scene they discovered that the thieves had also raided the refrigerator for food.

Investigators believe the thieves had been watching the premises waiting for the opportunity for the owners to go away. More information is being collected as the investigation continues.