NEWS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Construction begins on Pattaya’s indoor athletics stadium

Pattaya City holds constitutional training for the general public

Chonburi governor holds thank you party

PBTA searches for strategies to attract visitors

Private sector invests Bt2 billion to harness thermal energy in Rayong

Government slaps health warning on durians

Bangkok Air Force College lands in Pattaya

Koh Larn faces drought

Baywatch

Singaporean man arrested on human trafficking charges

Banglamung police officer accused of raping niece

Naklua bar owner charged with intent to sell marijuana

Alert residents foil rape attempt of eight-year-old girl

Police briefs

Construction begins on Pattaya’s indoor athletics stadium

Scheduled for completion some time next year

Suchada Tupchai

Construction has begun on Pattaya’s indoor athletics stadium which, when completed, will host the 1st Asian Indoor Games scheduled for 2005.

Sontaya Khunplome, tourism and sports minister, signed the 400 million baht construction contract at the Radisson Hotel, Bangkok on May 10. Contractors have estimated they will complete construction by August 2005.

The indoor athletics stadium will be located in Soi Chaiypruek 2, behind a public park that is to be officially opened to the public soon.

An officer from the Pattaya Engineering Office said that some associated organizations had begun to explore the area and construction is underway. He said he estimates it will take about a year for the entire project - including the indoor athletics stadium, public park, residence and other facilities - to be completed.

Minister Sontaya said at the signing ceremony, “As Thailand will host the upcoming inaugural Asian Indoor Games in 2005, the Cabinet has agreed to build a new indoor athletics stadium in Pattaya to support this international competition. The Sport Authority of Thailand has been given responsibility for this construction.”

Dr Santipab Techavanich, governor of the Sport Authority of Thailand, confirmed, “This indoor stadium will definitely be completed in time. It will be the first indoor athletics stadium in Thailand and Southeast Asia to meet international standards.

“We have planned to use this stadium for other athletic competitions, held by the public and private sectors from all around the country. It will be used as a practicing stadium for athletes. I am certain that it will bring a lot of advantages to the society and people in the area,” Dr Santipab concluded.


Pattaya City holds constitutional training for the general public

Residents learn more about their rights, freedom and dignity

Suchada Tupchai

Over 200 members of the public attended a training seminar in Pattaya on May 10 about “Democracy under the 1997 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand and Parliament Volunteer Network”.

Parliamentary president Uthai Pimchaichon, who presided over the opening ceremony of the event, delivered a lecture on “The 1997 Constitution and the Parliament’s Operation”.

Uthai Pimchaichon, parliamentary president, gives a lecture on “The 1997 Constitution and the Parliament’s Operation”.

Chanchai Chairungreung, president of Parliament’s Volunteer Network Development Commission, said that the training was also being held at a further 400 venues throughout the country for those who are interested in politics. Over 100,000 people are participating countrywide.

The training course aimed at helping people understand the role, duties, rights and development of the Thai Parliament under democracy and urged everyone to take a part of politics.

In Pattaya, the attendees learnt more about their rights, freedom and dignity, as well as many aspects of the parliament’s administration.

The training included a lecture by the parliamentary president, a discussion by lecturers from Parliament’s Volunteer Network Development Commission on the mission and duties of the Thai parliament, politics under democracy and other issues.

Utai said that the mission and duties of Parliament directly related to people, as “people are the main part of politics”. As a result, it is important for everyone - including other local administrative organizations and non-governmental organizations - to fully comprehend these duties and missions, and their fundamental rights and freedoms cited in the constitution.

The event took place at the city hall from 8.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. The attendees were presented certificates at the close of the training.


Chonburi governor holds thank you party

Suchada Tupchai

Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook recently threw a thank you party for the media in Chonburi and Pattaya at the Saensook Room, Mercure Hotel, Chonburi.

Governor Pisit Ketphasook and Deputy Governor Pisit Boonchuang say thank you to the media, including some of the Pattaya Mail team.

“This is quite a good occasion for Pattaya executives and the media to gather tonight. The two sections have always worked together, aiming to make our province a better place. They have tried to develop many aspects - including tourism, business and sport. In Chonburi, we have quite an advantage in that we have a lot of media groups, which help us to promote things beneficial for society,” said the governor.

After his opening speech, guests and the media had dinner together and enjoyed the many prizes given away during a lucky draw.


PBTA searches for strategies to attract visitors

Road show to Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary planned

Suchada Tupchai

The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association has been brainstorming to find ways to enhance business in the domestic and international tourism markets.

Thanet Supornsaharungsi, president of the association (PBTA), on May 12 presided over the monthly meeting at the Green Park Resort, where the subject was discussed.

(L to R) Niti Kongrut, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, central region 3; Pattaya Business and Tourism Association president Thanet Supornsaharungsi, and the association’s vice-president Jamrun Wisawachaipan.

Niti Kongrut, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s central region 3 governor, joined in the discussion.

The meeting dealt with marketing and public relations plans domestically and internationally and releasing schedules for activities in Pattaya to promote tourism of 2004.

One of the PBTA plans is dubbed the “Eastern Tourism Exhibition”. It will be a collaboration between the public and private sectors, planning to get the four eastern provinces - Chonburi, Rayong, Chantaburi and Trad - to take part in the Pattaya Marathon 2004 to be held from July 16-18, starting at Pattaya Beach. It is a plan to promote tourism and sport at the same time.

There will also be OTOP (One Tambon One Product) exhibitions and other interesting activities at the event.

The plan will be marketed overseas with collaboration from the PBTA, Thailand Hotel Association (THA), Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization and Pattaya City. A marketing road show to attract tourists to Pattaya will be taken to Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary from July 12-19.


Private sector invests Bt2 billion to harness thermal energy in Rayong

A private sector company on May 14 officially opened its flagship thermal power generation station in Rayong Province, which will distribute electricity to local production plants and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

Presiding over the opening of the plant in the Rayong Industry Park, elder statesman Kamthon Sinthawanon described the generating station as a world class facility which helps meet the energy needs of the province’s industrial sector.

The 2.565 billion baht plant, which has been operating since January 2003, supplies 45.85 megawatts of energy to 11 production plans within the industrial park, and 60 megawatts to EGAT under a 12-year contract.

Operated by TLP Cogeneration Co. Ltd., the plant was able to generate a total of 594.14 million kilowatt/hours of electricity last year. It also generates reserve energy to respond to the growth of industry within the industry park. (TNA)


Government slaps health warning on durians

To many a foreigner, durians are considered something of a liability simply because of their pungent smell, but on May 11, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health issued a warning against excessive durian consumption, not because of the fruit’s olfactory offensiveness, but because of its high calorific content. The move comes after the already almost legendary death of a Singburi civil servant yesterday who died, literally, of a surfeit of durians, having eaten four in close succession.

While urging the public not to become too fearful of the effects of durian consumption, Ministry of Public Health spokeswoman Nittaya Chanrueng warned that certain groups of people had to exercise caution when eating the fruit. Nittaya conceded that durians were nutritious, tasty and sweet, but warned that this came at a price: a high calorific value.

“Nutritional analysis of durians by the Nutrition Division of the Department of Health shows that different species of durian have different energy values,” she said, adding that this ranged from 181 calories per 100 grams for long-stemmed durians to 129 calories for kradum durians. In the case of candied durian, the calorific value rose as high as 340 calories.

This meant that a 2-kilogram mon thong durian - one of the most popular varieties - with a peeled weight of around 600 grams would give a total of around 978 calories. Eating four of these, in other words, would give an instant energy burst of 4,000 calories, twice the daily requirement for the average person.

The ministry spokeswoman advised the consumption of no more than two segments of durian a day.

“People who are already overweight or obese, together with people with high blood pressure, heart conditions and diabetes should eat durians in limitation and with caution,” she said, adding that even people without such conditions should exercise after eating durian in order to burn off the excess energy.

She also urged the public to hark back to traditional practices of eating durians, the ‘king’ of fruit, with mangosteens, the ‘queen’ of fruit, as the latter fruit helped prevent stomachaches after the consumption of durians. (TNA)


Bangkok Air Force College lands in Pattaya

Told city operating normally, despite absence of an elected mayor

Suchada Tupchai

Bangkok Air Force College teachers, students and officers have been doing some low-altitude reconnoitering of Pattaya.

The group of 105 people, headed by Air Vice-Marshal Wattana Labpairee, commander-in-chief of the college, took a tour of the administration and operation departments in Pattaya under the Eastern Seaboard Observation Program from May 10-14.

Pattaya’s acting mayor, Apichart Peuchpan and Taweet Chaisawangwong, former Pattaya Council chairman, welcomed the group on May 13.

This academic sightseeing trip was part of the Air force College ‘38’s course for the 2004 academic year. It aimed at enriching its students’ knowledge and experiences about national security and strategy. The program included geographical sightseeing, a lecture on the city’s history and the new strategy of the city administration.

Apichart said, “The Pattaya Administrative Commission and the council members are in the process of being officially appointed by the Constituency Election Commission. However, despite the current vacancy, I can affirm that all work and plans (of the city) are being conducted as usual.”

He also spoke of “the serious problem” of Pattaya’s rising population. “A great number of people are migrating to the city, which is bringing many major problems in its wake - including unhealthy actions by teenagers, creating a bad image of Pattaya.

“We do not neglect these problems but are trying to find the best solution,” he concluded.


Koh Larn faces drought

Navy lending a hand

Patcharapol Parnrak

Drought looms in Koh Larn, and residents and visitors are now facing expensive water problems.

Navy personnel from Sattahip and Rayong are lending a hand by contributing water to Koh Larn.

Sutham Petchkate, Koh Larn community head, said that over 350 families, 5,500 residents and 10,000 tourists each day have been suffering from the drought hitting the area this summer. They must pay extremely high prices for water, and this is directly affecting tourism to the island. As a result, it is necessary to ask for help from the navy to transport water to Koh Larn.

Each year Koh Larn faces water shortages and always receives help from the navy. But this year it is worse. The residents are planning to build tanks to store water for use during droughts.


Baywatch: City Hall in silence

Suchada Tupchai

The ever-popular Pattaya City mayor’s office is deathly quiet now. There are no executives, citizens or media waiting to enter the room as usual.

The city mayor’s office and city conference rooms are deathly quiet.

Pattaya residents are asking that the new mayor and his team be officially appointed so that they can take care of the town, and want relevant organizations to look into the unacceptable problem that the appointment is still outstanding.

Pattaya has been without an elected top official or council since early March, as everyone eagerly awaits the official announcement from the election monitoring committee.

Meanwhile, work for the incoming city management team is piling up.


Singaporean man arrested on human trafficking charges

Result of ongoing investigations in Thailand and abroad

Boonlua Chatree

Armed with arrest warrants from the courts, local tourist and regional police raided the Derby Men’s Club to arrest a Singaporean national for his alleged involvement in trafficking women for prostitution.

Police stormed the premises in Jomtien at 8 p.m. on May 12, and detained Lui Bok Poh, 50, and Thai national Rungsant Deephant, 25, on charges on human trafficking. A search of the premises revealed 10 short-time rooms with two foreign men engaged in sexual activities with two Thai men in their 20s.

They were ordered downstairs for further questioning.

During the inspection police uncovered a large amount of evidence in the case against the business owners, including financial, staff and expense records as well as condoms and tubes of lubricating jelly and massage oil. All the items were confiscated.

Sixteen men, staff at the men’s club, were detained for engaging in prostitution.

The charges brought against Lui Bok Poh were the result of ongoing investigations in Thailand and abroad. Poh allegedly transported women to Singapore and Malaysia for prostitution and would often pay for their visas and air tickets. Minders in those countries would deduct the expenses as the women earned their way out of debt before returning to Thailand.

Police revealed that, in cooperation with international agencies, they have a long list of those involved in human trafficking and will eventually arrest them all, confiscating all their assets in the process.

Lui Bok Poh was arrested and charged with human trafficking offences, operating an illegal business offering sexual services, operating a business without appropriate licenses and working illegally in the kingdom.

Rungsant Deephant was also charged for his involvement in aiding and abetting Poh in his illegal activities and will face similar charges.


Banglamung police officer accused of raping niece

Girl’s father calls for compensation to pay for abortion

Chaiyachet Iamwikarn marched into Banglamung police station with his 19-year-old daughter and demanded to speak to the officer in charge.

He said he demanded financial compensation from his brother-in-law, Pol Cpl Pramote Intawong, for his daughter’s abortion following four alleged rapes that had occurred six months previously.

Pol Lt Col Wallop Arksomiti, a crime suppression inspector, received the father and daughter and attempted to contact Pol Cpl Pramote - who, however, refused to see his brother-in-law and niece.

The inspector questioned the young woman, identified as “Thom” (not her real name), who told him that she had come to stay with her relatives in Pattaya to look after her cousins. She alleged that on four occasions, her uncle, Pol Cpl Pramote, had forced himself upon her when they were alone.

The result was an unwanted pregnancy.

Out of fear she did not tell anyone and borrowed 28,000 baht from a friend for an abortion in Bangkok.

Chaiyachet, the girl’s father, added that he knew nothing of the chain of events until his daughter’s friend pestered him for the money, forcing the girl to tell her father the details.

Chaiyachet said he had tried to go to the Pattaya police station but officers there told them that they were too late and that the case was “out-of-date”. That’s when they decided to approach the Banglamung precinct to recoup the money.

Pol Lt Col Wallop advised Chaiyachet the case could not be tried criminally but Pol Cpl Pramote would be subject to an internal investigation and face disciplinary action.

During the questioning Pol Cpl Pramote Intawong called his brother-in-law on the mobile phone and threatened them, saying they could do nothing as he was to be moved to the south of Thailand shortly and that their actions made him lose face in front of his colleagues.

Pol Lt Col Wallop informed the Banglamung police station superintendent of the case and returned to tell the pair that the police would carry out their own disciplinary action, adding that he would do his best to see justice served and that he would follow his superior’s orders to bring his fellow officer to justice.

Chaiyachet said he just wanted the money to repay the loan and would leave it at that.

The affair has subsequently ended with Pol Cpl Pramote shelling out 28,000 baht to his relatives for his misguided lust. He also received a severe reprimand and faces possible transfer to another post.


Naklua bar owner charged with intent to sell marijuana

Two foreigners arrested for possession

Boonlua Chatree

Naklua bar owner Paitoon Senadaeng, 65, from Bangkok was arrested last week for possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

Region 2 police investigations led officers to the bar in Soi Wongamat where they observed two foreign men partaking in some “happy smoke”.

Officers called in for an arrest warrant and at around 1.40 a.m. detained the two foreign men and the Thai bar owner on May 15. Police inspected the bar to find a further 50 bags ready for sale.

Paitoon confessed to selling the drug, telling police that he bought it from a man in Khon Kaen and resold it to tourists for a hefty profit.

The two foreigners, Fabio Tomas Sell, 41, from Italy and Christoffer Nielsen, 20, of Denmark, were also arrested and charged with possession of two grams of marijuana.

All three men were charged with possession of a class 5 illegal substance. Paitoon received extra charges of intent to sell.


Alert residents foil rape attempt of eight-year-old girl

Motorcycle taxi allegedly abducted her from garbage collecting grandparents

Alert residents in the Pratamnak area called police when they observed a man taking a young girl into bush land near Soi 4 and 5 of Pratamnak Hill shortly after midnight on May 11.

Police arrived on the scene to find residents beating the man, later identified as Ooy Wannatim, 25, a motorcycle taxi rider in the Soi Bua Kao area. Officers intervened and took the man in for questioning.

The eight-year-old girl, identified as “Or” (not her real name), sustained bruises from her attacker and was crying when police escorted her to the station.

Or told police she stayed with her grandparents, both garbage collectors. Officers later found the girl’s grandparents in north Pattaya going about their business. They were taken to the police station for additional questioning.

In the meantime young Or told police she was in the process of collecting bottles when the motorcycle rider approached and forced her onto the bike, taking her to the dimly lit area.

Witnesses told police that they saw the young girl on the back of the bike as they rode along Beach Road.

The suspect, Ooy, claimed that he was not about to harm the girl, despite already forcing her onto the bike and preparing to rape her.

He had apparently also claimed to know the grandparents, a fact that was quickly dispelled when they arrived at the police station and told officers they had never seen him before.

Ooy was charged with abduction and remanded to custody.

The young girl received minor treatment for her abrasions before leaving with her grandparents.


Police briefs

Boonlua Chatree

Woman arrested after selling porn videos to police

Banglamung police have arrested a vendor for displaying and selling pornographic material. Officers, using marked banknotes, purchased a sex VCD from a stall at the flea market near the Mini Siam tourist attraction on Sukhumvit Road at about 8 p.m. on May 11. They then arrested 43-year-old Porpar Changthong, a resident of Chachoengsao province, for distributing inappropriate material in a public market place.

Porpar confessed to her activities, telling police she bought the movies from the Klongtom Market in Bangkok and resold them in Pattaya. Some of the films contained child pornography and the woman was charged with breach of copyright, conducting business without the appropriate permits as well as selling illegal (pornographic) materials.

Marijuana dealers smoked out in police sting

Police investigations weeded out two local dope dealers after undercover officers set up a purchase from Manat Sopha, 19. The sting operation took place when police, using marked bank notes, arranged to meet the drug dealer in South Pattaya at 8 p.m. on May 12. Once the transaction was complete, police sprang into action and arrested the man.

Manat confessed to his high-flying activities and revealed that he had an additional stash at his apartment in Pattaya Naklua. Police raided the room and discovered another man, Chokchai Tiennok, 27, inside with a further 17 bags of marijuana. He was promptly detained and taken to Soi 9 police station for questioning.

Both men told police that they had dealing for quite some time, mainly selling to tourists. They added that they had bought the marijuana from another dealer and resold it in smaller packages at a profit.

Both were charged with possession and distribution of a class five illegal substance and now face legal proceedings.

Tourist police round up Cambodian beggars

Pattaya tourist police and Pattaya police officers have rounded up 16 Cambodian children and their minders during regular patrols on May 12. The 16 children, aged from one month to nine years and their minders were taken to the tourist police station for questioning. They revealed that they had entered Thailand illegally through Sakaew province, making their way to Pattaya where they collected between 500 to 1,000 baht a day by begging.

They would send the money back to their homes in Cambodia by bank transfer. They stayed in small rental rooms outside the city, they added.

Police charged them with illegal entry into the kingdom and turned them over to immigration officials for deportation.

Tourist police raid Big Queen for lewd entertainment

Local tourist police hot on the trail of nightspot owners breaking the law raided the Big Queen Bar in Soi VC, South Pattaya after learning that the venue provided lewd entertainment.

An undercover female police officer entered the establishment and secretly videotaped performances involving young men and one woman involved in sexual activities on stage.

She then gave the signal to fellow officers, who raided the bar, ordering the lights on and music off while they attempted to detain the less-than-modest performers.

The young female “star” eluded capture by fleeing the scene of the bust as police kept a closer eye on the four men who were previously active on stage.

The men, aged between 23 to 47, were charged with performing lewd acts, while the bar manager was charged with negligence and allowing such illegal activities to take place in the establishment under his care.