|
Locals unite to keep Pattaya beach beautiful
Everyone likes a clean beach Suchada
Tupchai
A group recently spotted at Pattaya Beach in front of
Dusit Resort Pattaya and the old South Pattaya Pier weren’t hunting for a
treasure chest hidden by pirates long ago.
The adults and students from several schools were helping
remove sharp pebbles and garbage from the beach.
The Pattaya Hygiene and Environment Office had enlisted
their help.
A great number of tourists from all around the world
flock into Pattaya every year. Unfortunately, they generate a lot of garbage
which seriously pollutes the city and the beaches. This is not only an
irritation and eyesore, but can also be harmful.
The Pattaya Hygiene and Environment Office and other
organizations in the city therefore organized the nature conservation
activity aimed at urging people to appreciate and preserve the natural
resources and coastal tourist sites.
Over 1,000 adults and students helped remove garbage and
dangerous pebbles from the beach. This was also a way to implant the notion
of nature conservation in residents, young and old.
The collected garbage was later sold and raised a little
money.
Maritime collision in Sattahip waters leaves 22 dead
Two missing
Pacharapol
Panrak
Twenty-two Cambodian crewmembers of a Thai fishing boat
died and two went missing after the vessel collided with an unidentified
freighter in the Samaesarn Gulf off Sattahip on May 18.
 The
Royal Thai Navy searches for the missing crewmembers.
The vessel sank quickly, but another fishing boat managed
to rescue nine other crewmembers and the captain.
The Royal Thai Navy and Marine Police dispatched patrol
boats and aircraft in a search-and-rescue mission. Twelve of the dead were
trapped in a net covering the sinking trawler. The missing two crew members
are presumed to have drowned.
Great efforts are being made to find all the dead bodies
so that the corpses can be cremated according to religious rites.
The owner of the vessel said the survivors are being properly looked
after.
Region 2 Police Commander calls for renewed efforts against mafia figures
Orders removal of mafia figures from Pattaya
Decha Chalimyart
Pol. Lt. Gen. Jongrak Juthanont, regional police
commander, met with Pol. Maj. Gen. Anant Jareoncharsri, Chonburi police
commander and senior Pattaya officers following the recent attack on a local
foreign businessman and his wife by two men (see page 4). The attack was
described as a mafia-style incident with two hired henchmen committing the
crime.
 Pol.
Lt. Gen. Jongrak Juthanont (right), region police commander handed down
orders to remove mafia influences from Pattaya.
“The police department must not turn a blind eye in
cases such as this. The effects of such attacks are wide and could damage
tourism and frighten off potential investors into Pattaya and the nation’s
economy,” said Pol. Lt. Gen. Jongrak.
“I am annoyed that such an incident could happen,
caused by those who think of themselves as the ‘Beer Bar Mafia’ and the
fact that the two perpetrators committed the crime in broad daylight without
fear of the law. I don’t want this to happen again and want those
responsible arrested and prosecuted,” added the Region 2 commander.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Jongrak went on to say that he expected
local law enforcement agencies to record and list all persons who could be
connected to a mafia style organization and report back to their superiors.
“This case in particular, we already have the name and
address of one of the offenders, and we have an arrest warrant out for Santi
Joycharat ... we have sufficient information on those who act as
‘influential figures’ and seek to extort from bar owners, specifically
foreigners. We are still investigating the case and expect to make an arrest
soon. When this happens we will report our findings and progress,” said
Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tiengrungroj, Pattaya police superintendent.
“In addition we will also follow the suggestion and
record all details of those who act as dark influences within the city and
subsequently clear them out of Pattaya,” he concluded.
Unclear governmental policy worsens local public health department’s tasks
43 missions and few clear instructions
Suchada Tupchai
The Public Health Department of Pattaya City claims it is
having difficulties in carrying out government public health tasks.
The Chonburi Provincial Public Health Department in turn
has informed the Ministry of Health of the city’s concerns.
 (L
to R) Ratree Kiratihattayakorn, head of Chonburi’s Public Health
Department, and Wannaporn Jamjamrat, director Pattaya’s Hygiene and
Environment Department.
The provincial health department, headed by Ratree
Kiratihattayakorn, conducted a public health visitation in Pattaya from May
11-21. Wannaporn Jamjamrat, director of the Pattaya Hygiene and Environment
Office, and her team welcomed the group at the Pattaya Public Health
Center’s conference room on May 20.
The visitation was part of an “integration” drive to
make every government unit work in the same direction. It focused on
continuing 43 public health missions to improve the quality of life for Thai
people and to acknowledge any problems and opinions to properly develop the
domestic public health system.
Head of the Pattaya Public Health Department Sunai
Leetanon said, “The public health tasks in Pattaya have been carried out
continuously, especially those related to citizens’ quality of life.
However, admittedly, we cannot appropriately proceed with the 43 missions
which the government expects because the policy and operation budget are
quite confusing. We have tried discussing this but nothing has come of
it.”
Ratree revealed, “This problem is caused by the unclear
policy of the government and the lack of efficient communication between the
ministry and associated local units.
“The Provincial Public Health Department has informed
the ministry about this. I believe it will be reconsidered and discussed for
improved and practical operations.”
The 43 public health missions run by the Ministry of Public Health aim at
spreading authority in effectively handing over national public health tasks
to local organizations. The missions are divided into nine main aspects -
promotion, administration, public dental health, infections and HIV control,
consumer protection, hygiene and environment, personnel development,
fundamental hygiene and health insurance, including the 30 baht medication
scheme.
Songtaew Cooperative elects new committee president at AGM
Talk of rising fares
Suchada Tupchai
Three hundred songtaew drivers, out of a total of 400,
elected a new co-op president after a brief round of voting during the
annual general meeting, held at the Grand Sole Hotel on May 28. Bunjerd
Kaewthong, the outgoing president, stood down in accordance with the
cooperative regulations to allow Jumlong Sukprom to take the chair as head
of the province’s largest transport cooperative.
Jumlong won a total of 147 votes over the other
candidate, Pol. Lt. Col. Opas Yotpiyasatien with 74 votes. It was also the
first time the members used an automated electronic voting system, which
displayed the votes in real-time.
 Jumlong
Sukprom will take the chair as head of the province’s largest transport
cooperative, after winning the election with a total of 147 votes.
Prior to the election, in his annual report Bunjerd
Kaewthong revealed, “The songtaew co-operative currently has 700 vehicles
under its control with 400 operators as its membership. Financially, the
co-op last year made a profit of 245,986 baht which is used to aid the
membership and provide welfare services. In these terms, 2003 was a good
year.”
Special guests from the Chonburi Land Transport
department were invited to oversee the election and talk with the co-op as a
whole, as was local traffic inspector, Pol. Lt. Col. Somchai Phongsai.
Phipop Pongsuchart, head of the Chonburi transport
department said at the meeting, “The Pattaya co-operative is the largest
in Chonburi Province and plays a significant part, specifically in Pattaya.
Good management is necessary for the co-op and by doing so improves the
image of Pattaya and for the highest benefit of local residents. Many
drivers have approached my department and called for an increase in fare,
which they say is not stable. Sometimes it does not coincide with the length
of the trip and does not conform to the standards of a tourist destination
like Pattaya. Whatever the case maybe, the Transport Department will
investigate the claims, reevaluate the pricing structure and set new prices
according to the standard.”
Having his say, Pol. Lt Col. Somchai Phongsai, Pattaya
traffic inspector told the meeting, “Songtaews have been a fixed part of
Pattaya for many years and in the past we (Pattaya traffic police) have
worked with members to improve the service. Co-op management has studied and
made developments to coincide with the city’s growth. Probably the most
significant change is the direction of Pattaya Second Road to one-way as
part of the traffic research project; this with the addition of the Pattaya
free bus service as part of the study. Drivers have been affected by the
change but everyone must realize that this is a study for the development of
the city in cooperation with the songtaew co-op. It is also an opportunity
for the co-op to implement its own rules and improve the standard of service
while following the bus route.
“If successful, the chance of increasing routes for songtaew drivers is
possible. This will benefit everyone and improve traffic. In any case, the
announcement will be made through the management. By the same token, all
drivers must improve their attitude towards serving the community and weed
out those that do not follow the rules of the co-op,” concluded Pol. Lt.
Col. Somchai.
Pattaya community patrol comes to Soi Thepprasit
Free health and community project serves the public
Suchada Tupchai
The Pattaya City Hygiene and Environment Office dispatched
a mobile unit to the Soi Thepprasit community late in the afternoon last May
25 to dispense free health care and community services to local residents in
the area.
 Free
haircuts were provided for people of every age.
The mobile medical unit provided public health services,
pet vaccinations, free beauty care and haircuts, set up an OTOP booth, and
handed out food contributions. To make the day more fun, a lot of amusing
activities from Pattaya police were organized to entertain the whole family.
The project was organized to aid local communities by
providing convenient access to basic needs. The patrol takes place every
month, rotating destinations around Pattaya. The city’s rapid growth and
population explosion has put pressure on many lower income families,
including stress, increased social problems and poverty. The mobile unit
brings good will and fundamental needs to the people through expediency and
allows the city to examine and evaluate any hidden problems in each
community.
Police monitoring committee meets to discuss local operations
Focus continues on reducing youth crime
Ariyawat
Nuamsawat
Reducing traffic violations and preventing juvenile
crime in Pattaya is a priority agenda with local law enforcement agencies
and community leaders.
To address these and other challenges, senior Pattaya
police officers and prominent local figures from the private sector met
last Thursday afternoon to discuss police operations. The Pattaya police
monitoring committee gathered in the meeting in Soi 9, with Pol. Col.
Kamolchai Tiengrungroj, Pattaya police superintendent chairing the
proceedings.
 (Left
to Right) Pol. Lt. Col Sakrapee Preawpanich, deputy superintendent charge
crime suppression; Pol. Col Kamolchai Tiengrungroj, Pattaya police
superintendent and Pol. Lt. Col. Sukitti Saiykiat, deputy superintendent in
charge of the criminal investigation division.
The police chief revealed that the number of traffic
violations being registered has increased from last year, with officers
continuing their crackdown on offenders. Sophin Thappajug, senior committee
member and Chonburi Juvenile and Family associate judge, queried the
superintendent on the matter of increasing traffic congestion on Sukhumvit
Road, while Surat Mekavarakul added that Pattaya has more than its fair
share of small sois and raised the concerns over regular patrols to reduce
the incidence of crime.
The superintendent responded by saying local law
enforcement officials were well aware of the traffic situation and are in
the process of increasing the number of officers on duty to ease the
problems.
The issue of youth crime was also raised, particularly
with increasing number of incidents on Third and Second roads as well as
that of motorcycle racers disturbing residents. It was revealed that local
enforcement officers are using a number of methods to ease the problems.
Pol. Lt Col. Sakrapee Preawpanich, deputy superintendent
in charge of crime suppression addressed the issues. He said, “In the
instance of youth crime we are using a multilateral approach; the first is
to educate local children on the laws by holding seminars within the school
system in 9 districts to explain the legal system and how the police work.
This effectively is a pr exercise to stem future problems. Secondly,
officers are visiting communities to speak with residents regarding the
problems they are facing and to explain to parents their legal
responsibilities pertaining to their children and that under the law, they
will be held accountable for the actions of their offspring should they
break the law.”
Under the current legislation, parents of children under 18 caught
racing motorcycles or involved in other illegal activities are liable to
face criminal charges, be jailed up to 3 months and/or fined up to 30,000
baht. Senior police also emphasized that they have increased the number of
on duty personnel to combat the current problems.
WHO says poverty linked to smoking
Money being spent on tobacco instead of food
Staff Reporters
This year, the World Health Organization’s World No
Tobacco Day 2004 focused on the theme “Tobacco & Poverty”.
The campaign attempted to show how tobacco and poverty are
unavoidably linked, noting that a large amount of money is spent on tobacco
instead of food and other necessities.
 Schoolchildren
dislike smokers!
Each year the number of smokers increases, especially in
the poorer countries, including Thailand. The WHO reports say that 76 percent
of Thai smokers are blue-collar workers, like fishermen, farmers and
construction workers, or those who are uneducated. It is unknown whether the
report stated what percentage of the overall Thai population falls into the
blue-collar workers category, or whether it compared the 76 percent number to
the percentage of rich and or educated Thai people who smoke.
In Thailand, the private and government sectors have been
working together to urge people to realize the unhealthy effects of smoking.
This year the campaign focuses on showing the connection between the problems
of tobacco and domestic economic crises.
Pattaya City promotes anti-tobacco activities in schools,
hotels and hospitals and posts no-smoking stickers in no-smoking areas.
World No Tobacco Day was celebrated internationally on May 31. Currently,
tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. Tobacco
use has caused damage both to people’s health and the world economy.
Foreign resident severs hand in power-saw accident
Boonlua
Chatree
Foreign resident Joern Knaack, 55, from Germany
accidentally severed his left hand with a power saw while carrying
out some minor repairs to his house in Soi Siam Country Club.
Police visited Bangkok Pattaya Hospital following
a report of the accident and questioned Miss Jantr Chowulum, 19, who
brought the injured man there. She told officers she was inside the
house when she heard Knaack scream and rushed out to see what
happened, finding him in great pain and bleeding profusely. Shocked
at the sight, she took the man and his severed hand to the hospital
for emergency treatment.
Police recorded the woman’s statement as
evidence, as they were unable to question Knaack who was being
treated for his wounds.
Hospital sources said doctors had told Knaack they
could re-attach his hand but he had refused, stating that he just
wanted the wound treated. Knaack also later refused to answer any
questions about the accident from reporters.
Local businessman and
wife attacked in broad daylight
Foreign mafia element suspected
A business dispute and competition was cited by local
police as one of the reasons Andrew Dixon and his wife Wanpen were attacked
with a steel pipe by two men driving a white BMW. Officers received a report
of the attack at 8 a.m. on May 23. Dixon and his wife were taken to the
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital for treatment of numerous cuts and bruises.
 Andrew
Dixon was beaten with a steel pipe, allegedly over a business dispute.
Police questioned Dixon, the owner of Misty’s Bar in
Soi Pattayaland 2. He told them that they were preparing to open the bar at
1.30 p.m. on May 20 when two men pulled up and attacked him with a steel
pipe. Dixon’s wife sustained injuries when she went to his aid before the
two men sped off in the car shortly thereafter.
According to reports, the attack was believed to be over
a recent dispute with a nearby bar over car parking. The other bar owner’s
car was said to have been torched and police theorize that this may have
been a motive, or that it simply could have been about a high level of
competition between bars and the two men were employed to shake-down Dixon.
Pol. Maj. Tawatchai Sudsadorn, duty inspector, revealed
that after speaking to the two victims, police had identified one of the
attackers as Santi Joycharat, a former crime prevention volunteer with a
recent record of illegal gun possession. Apparently Santi is part of a gang
that thinks of themselves as people ‘of influence’ and had allegedly
formed a protection racket in Sois Pattayaland 1, 2 and 3.
Police strongly suspect that Santi and his accomplice
were hired help, and that their employer was a foreign bar owner.
Police briefs
Boonlua
Chatree
Shop owner
arrested for selling sex toys in local shopping center
Local police officers hot on the trail of nasty items and
sex shows - in keeping with ultra-conservative lawmakers - raided the Condom
World shop on the second floor of the Royal Garden Plaza. Inside the shop
law enforcers discovered numerous sex toys for both men and women, and
arrested the 26-year-old shop owner, Prapong Terkjandar.
Prapong admitted to his heinous activity of selling such
items to both men and women searching for self-gratification. He added that
he had bought his stock at the Chatuchak Market in Bangkok and resold them
in Pattaya for 500 to 1,200 baht per piece. Police did their duty and
Prapong was charged with selling lewd materials and could face a stiff fine
and/or jail time for his illegal actions.
Home delivery
‘service’ ring cracked by
undercover cops
Undercover tourist police investigating illegal services
last week cracked a prostitution ring. A sting operation, using marked
banknotes, was set with officers calling a local number requesting the
company of two women to the JP Villas in North Pattaya.
Laying in wait, police observed a vehicle approach
carrying five people, 4 women and one man. Three of the girls alighted from
the car while two people remained inside. Undercover officers paid 7,000
baht up front to the girls for their services and as one of them returned to
the vehicle police sprang into action detaining the three service girls and
their ‘managers’.
The mamasan, identified as Ning Sunanta, 29, and the
chauffeur, an ex-navy man, Lt. Junior Grade Songwon Meeyousarmsaen, 72, were
detained and charged with providing and coercing others into prostitution.
The three young women, aged from 20 to 25, were charged
with prostitution and all three of the women received additional charges for
illegally residing in the kingdom, as they are ethnic hill tribe natives.
Police storm Walking Street go-go bar for lewd entertainment
It was a busy week for Pattaya law enforcement officers
in search of bawdy entertainment. Just after midnight on May 28 crime
suppression officers stormed the Hooties Showgirl bar in Walking Street,
South Pattaya after they gathered evidence that the venue was offering an
eyeful of forbidden fruit for foreign tourists.
As standard operating procedure, officers ordered music
off and lights on when they discovered one woman dancing naked on stage. She
was ordered to get dressed and accompany them to the station. Police also
checked staff ID cards and found five women who were not carrying them. They
also detained the establishment’s manager, Jinjutar Kongpennil.
The solitary showgirl was fined to discourage her illegal
stage career while the manager Jinjutar was charged with allowing illegal
activities to take place on the premises. The additional 5 young women were
also fined for failing to carry their national ID cards as required by law.
Tourist police raid lewd stage show
Undercover police and tourist police officers raided the
Holding North Pattaya Show premises after gathering sufficient evidence that
the venue was conducting lewd entertainment for Chinese tour groups.
The raid took place on May 26, at around 9 p.m. after
undercover officers received an eyeful of the entertainment and ordered
lights on and music off. Approximately 200 Chinese tourists, who had paid
1,200 baht a head to view the show, were ordered out of the premises as
officers rounded up the performers and management. They also collected
numerous stage props in the process.
In all, 7 people were arrested. The manager of the venue
was identified as Charn Kluaywet, 30. The tour guides escaped along with the
tour group.
The performers confessed to their activities, saying they
were paid 8,000 baht per month for nightly shows, lasting 5 to 10 minutes
per skit, using a multitude of enterprising props to liven up the acts.
Charn Kluaywet, on the other hand, denied all charges
that he was the manager and that he had any dealing with the shows. Not
impressed by his act, police charged Charn and six others for their
involvement in lewd and illegal activities.
Man attempts suicide to avoid court appearance
Boonlua Chatree
A German national out on bail for drugs charges failed in
a suicide attempt when staff at the apartment complex in Central Pattaya
where he stayed alerted police at 1.30 a.m. on May 27.
Police officers arrived at the apartment building to find
that the foreigner’s room had been locked from the outside. Through the
windows they could see the unconscious man on the bed. Officers cut off the
outside padlock only to find that the inside was also locked and eventually
had to remove the steel grates from the window to gain access.
Once inside rescue personnel took him to Pattaya Memorial
Hospital for treatment of poisoning. Inside the room police found an empty
bottle of prescription medicine used to assist in drug rehabilitation. The
foreigner had drunk the entire bottle and was in a state of shock. Officers
searched the room and found a pack of cigarettes containing marijuana, which
were confiscated as evidence.
The man was apparently out on bail awaiting a court
appearance on possession of marijuana and methamphetamine charges. His court
appearance was scheduled the previous day, which he failed to attend. Police
surmise that the stressed-out German had tried commit suicide rather than
face jail time.
Englishman arrested for theft of ring at local shopping plaza
Foreigner says he forgot the ring was on his finger
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya police were called to the Royal Garden Shopping
Plaza following the report of a foreign tourist stealing merchandise from a
silver shop. Plaza security detained the man while waiting for police to
arrive.
Pattaya police arrived at the Royal Garden Plaza
approximately 7 p.m. on May 30 to discover a foreign national being detained
by security guards for allegedly stealing a silver ring. A large number of
shoppers had gathered around to watch the spectacle unfold.
 Englishman
Mark Bax was arrested for allegedly walking out of a shop with a silver ring
he hadn’t paid for.
Shop owner Noppamas Boonpaisarlbundarn accused Mark Bax,
38, from England of stealing a 1,500 baht ring from the Rungsaeng Gems shop,
then throwing it off the second floor atrium of the shopping center before
trying to run off.
Noppamas told police that she was tending her shop when
Bax walked in and asked to look at an Onyx encrusted silver ring. Bax
allegedly put the ring on his finger and walked out. Noppamas went after him
and asked for the ring back, but instead he took off the ring and threw it
off the second floor. The ring hit the floor, the stone shattered and Bax
kept walking. It was then that Noppamas called for security backup and
informed the police.
Police questioned the Englishman for his version of the
story and he refuted the allegations brought against him. Bax told police
that he was interested in purchasing the ring and tried it on but had
decided not to buy. The tourist claimed that he forgot that he still had the
ring in his finger when he walked out of the shop and it wasn’t until the
woman accosted him that he realized it was still on his finger. He said it
was then he took it off and threw it at her. Apparently his aim was not that
good.
Noppamas stood firm with her accusation and Mark Bax was charged with
theft and remanded into custody waiting judicial proceedings.
European Safety Concept gives glow waistcoats to Pattaya police
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
European Safety Concepts (Thailand) Co. Ltd. (ESC) headed
by managing director Steve Graham presented a total of 200 luminescent vests
to Pattaya police to be used in police operations.
Managing
director of ESC Steve Graham gives 200 glow waistcoats to Police Lieutenant
Kamolchai Tiengrungroj.
Police Lieutenant Kamolchai Tiengrungroj received the
vests on behalf of traffic police, patrol police and tourist police of
Pattaya. ESC is a worldwide company providing intrusion alarms.
The company realizes the essentials of proper equipment in police
operations and presented the waistcoats to help the police in their work. At
the event, ESC arranged a demonstration of dogs searching bombs and offered
use of the well-trained dogs for police operations.
Onlookers thrill to birth of baby elephant at Pattaya Stuntman Show
Kocha Hatee Park receives new addition to the family
Eakachai Kamolsri
The popular tourist venue Kocha Hatee Park, also known as
the Pattaya Stuntman Show, located in North Pattaya, welcomed a new addition
to their family on May 23, when a 23-year-old elephant named Soythong gave
birth to a healthy baby girl. This is the second calf born to the elephant.
 Mum
takes good care of her baby. Both are reportedly doing well.
Soythong’s mahout, Muang Salangarm, removed the
pregnant female from the others when the animal’s water broke. A day
later, Soythong gave birth to healthy female calf. Staff and residents near
the tourist attractions witnessed the birth.
Shortly after the birth, Muang removed the newborn to
protect it from its agitated mother. The calf, which has still yet to be
named, was returned to its tired mother to feed shortly afterwards. Both
mother and daughter are reportedly doing well.
Muang Salangarm told reporters that Soythong had mated a
little over two years ago when they were in Surin. Elephant and mahout made
their way to Pattaya in search of work, which they found at the Pattaya
Elephant Camp before moving to the Kocha Hatee Park in North Pattaya. The
Thai name of the park, Kocha Hatee refers to battles on elephant-back
popularized in movies and famous battles in the Ayuthaya period when Thai
forces held off invaders.
The birth of an elephant is rarely seen, as the large animals prefer
seclusion during the process. However, locals were lucky to witness the
amazing event early in the evening. The newborn is expected to receive her
name within the next 6 months.
Crab fisherman pulls in deadly haul
Live ammunition definitely not on the menu
Pacharapol Panrak
Sattahip fisherman Somkiat Wongsorn thought he had hit a
mother load when fishing in the Sattahip Bay area after pulling in a very
heavy net. However, the catch was not fresh seafood but 99 live heavy
automatic weapon shells. He immediately notified local police and navy
personnel.
Somkiat
Wongsorn shows off his find - these shells were definitely not crab shells.
Police first on the scene inspected the haul as Somkiat
explained that he was carrying out his regular fishing duties in the bay
area close to the naval operations base by laying 2 meters of netting off
his boat. He began to pull in the nets and noticed they were quite heavy and
was shocked at what he found.
“I informed the police immediately as it could be
potentially dangerous to those who don’t know or if children had found the
live ammunition,” Somkiat told reporters.
Naval police from the nearby base arrived to inspect the
find noting that the shells were RA-53 bullets and they were indeed live.
The officer was puzzled as to how the ammunition could have been dumped and
said that the military would conduct an in-depth investigation as to the
origin of the find.
The ammunition is used in heavy rapid fire situations and
in the past was often kept to be used as ornaments in local houses or for
jewelry purposes after being defused. One explanation offered is that the
ammunition was dumped out of fear of being discovered and prosecuted, since
it is illegal to possess weapons or ammunition without the appropriate
permits.
|
