Vol. XIII No. 9
Friday March 4 - March 10, 2005

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Fun City By The Sea

Updated every Friday
by Saichon Paewsoongnern

 

NEWS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Walking Street receives a scrub down

Mayor supports improving bus service to accommodate disabled and elderly passengers

Soi 6 residents call for help over excessive construction noise

Pattaya Beer Bar group searches for ways to increase membership

City council meeting discussions focus on budget allocations

City allocates 6 million baht to host this year’s Pattaya Marathon

Twelve kids hurt in school bus accident

Epileptic grandma and grandchildren receive help

Tighter traffic enforcement comes into effect as of March 1

City sets up hotel hotline for Pattaya Music Festival

Two injured when speeding car loses battle with power pole

Local dive instructor seriously injured after fall from balcony

Swede, wanted for murder, turns himself in to embassy officials

Dutch woman experiences bad reaction to seafood, nearly dies

Police briefs

Royal Thai Navy receives 2 Super Link 300 Helicopters

Three-legged turtle found in Sattahip Bay

Walking Street receives a scrub down

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

South Pattaya’s Walking Street received a spring clean last Thursday morning. Business owners, city cleaners, administrators, and representatives from the international group Youth With A Mission (Y-WAM) began the arduous task of scrubbing the street clean at 7.30 a.m.

The activity has become a regular occurrence, with members of the community pitching to clean the popular tourist area. The group began at the start of Walking Street and slowly made their way down to Bali Hai.

Thousands of people use Walking Street daily, and the road surface had quickly become dirty and an eyesore.

Filled with enthusiasm, city cleaners and over 40 Y-WAM members scrubbed and swept away the grease and grime along the street. Soda ash was used as the main cleaning material, leaving the paved road bright and clean and ready to see in more visitors over the coming year.


Mayor supports improving bus service to accommodate disabled and elderly passengers

Bus company exec agrees to fit all buses with lifts

Suchada Tupchai

At the beginning of February, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn offered his support to the idea of fitting lifts in the city’s new bus service. The lifts, which will be fitted to all the buses, will enable wheelchair bound and elderly passengers to use the service.

Amnart Luengamornlert, the company’s managing director, also supports the idea. “We are happy to comply with the mayor’s wishes of providing this service for the disabled and the elderly,” he said. “We will install the lifts in all 48 buses we will be using for the service, starting in March. This should be completed by September this year.”

Suporntham Mongkolsawat, Redemptorist Foundation for Disabled Development secretary, who was called in to city hall to lend his advice to project coordinators, welcomed the move by both the city and the bus company. “I feel very happy about this news. This is the first time in Thailand that any local administration has seen to the specific needs of the disabled community.”

The mayor said he is also looking into more ways to support the disabled community and increase the number of activities for them. He added that the city would provide them with better facilities and urged the business sector to provide equal opportunity employment for disabled workers, as it is their right to live fruitful lives in today’s society.

Suporntham Mongkolsawat also said that he was pleased to see the level of support in all areas from the city.


Soi 6 residents call for help over excessive construction noise

The constant pounding of foundation pylons has upset residents, visitors and business owners in Soi 6. Following a string of complaints, the mayor and government officers visited the site to negotiate a compromise between the two parties.

Soi 6 residents, the mayor and construction company representatives work out a deal to satisfy parties on both sides of the issue.

The 170 million baht Foreshore Thai Hotel began construction in December. Foundation pylon pile driving is still being carried out on the Soi 6/1, seven rai site.

Residents and business owners are complaining that the vibrations and noise from the construction have negative effects on their businesses and that the constant vibration could potentially damage their buildings.

Napat Thitirojwat, project manager, said that the construction company needs to lay over 370 pylons to cope with the weight of the 170 room hotel, and that it is too late to stop now. He added that all the relevant approvals for the project are in order right down to the environmental impact assessment.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn offered a suggestion that he said might help the situation. He suggested drilling to a certain depth before pile driving the pylons, which might reduce the amount pile driving needed. He predicted that by using this method, the remaining 100 plus large pylons would be finished in 20 days.

It was agreed that if any damage to private property occurred the project owners would pay for the damages.

The negotiations, as well as an option to discuss the matter further to finalize the deal between the two parties, seemed to satisfy parties on both sides of the issue.


Pattaya Beer Bar group searches for ways to increase membership

Narisa Nitikarn

The recently formed Pattaya Beer Bar association met at city hall last Friday to brainstorm ways to increase membership, thereby placing more bargaining weight behind the association.

(Photo Right) Chatree Sitsak, association charter president during the meeting.

Chatree Sitsak, association charter president, informed committee members that there was a need to increase numbers. “We need to commit to a relations campaign to gain numbers. I am sure that many operators do no know about the association. Each meeting takes only an hour and would not disturb their business,” said Chatree.

The newly formed group meets twice per month on the 10th and 25th at 2 p.m. to discuss topics relevant to their business.

Last Friday’s discussions touched on the mayor’s suggestion of each operator taking at least 10 photos at closing time to see whether business had dropped off or increased at 1 a.m. The photos could then be used as evidence in their fight against 1 a.m. closing.

The meeting ended with the decision that more information would be released and handed over to potential members.

The next meeting will be held at 2 p.m. on March 10 at city hall’s meeting room 401.


City council meeting discussions focus on budget allocations

Students invited to observe session

Suchada Tupchai

Things became a bit heated during the February 22 city council meeting when the topic of budget allocations was brought up.

The first topic on the agenda was the allocation of funds for the Pattaya Immigration Department. An allowance of 625,000 baht had previously been approved in the 2005 budget to purchase motorcycles and computer equipment. However, immigration officials changed their request to purchase a double cab pickup truck and a basic computer system. The previous approval was deemed appropriate, but changes in the request drew debate from the floor.

Tawit Chaisawangwong, city council chairman welcomed 200 students and teachers from Pattaya Schools to the monthly council meeting.

Suwit Nongyai, city councilor led the debate, stating that the change was a vast difference from what was initially allocated. He asked what was the reason behind the request, as well as why wasn’t it presented at the council meeting.

“Why weren’t the details provided to the council to reconsider the request?” argued Suwit.

The discussions became heated before it was finally agreed to approve the changes.

The second topic raised was the purchase of 9 rai, 105 sq. wah of land next to the new Pattaya Indoor Sports Stadium. A motion was made to purchase the land from the owner for 7,030,125 baht. A brief discussion ensued, since it was a more expensive block than the city had purchased previously.

However, the motion was approved based on its benefits and comparison to the overall cost of the project.

Other topics included ways to resolve the disappearing drain covers around the city, many of which have been stolen for scrap metal by garbage collectors. It was resolved that city officials would inspect the streets in view of replacing the covers with something less attractive to thieves to avoid potential road accidents. The final details would be raised at the next council meeting.

Meanwhile, over 200 students and teachers from Pattaya Schools 1 and 2 attended the meeting to observe Thailand’s democratic process in action. Before the meeting was called into session, Tawit Chaisawangwong, city council chairman welcomed group. “This is a very good opportunity for you to learn about democracy and how government works. It is also an opportunity to gain insight, as you, the children, are the future of the nation.”


City allocates 6 million baht to host this year’s Pattaya Marathon

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Preparations for this year’s Queen’s Cup Pattaya Marathon are underway with efforts aimed at improving on last year’s event. In a meeting at city hall on Thursday, February 24, the city allocated a budget of 6 million baht to organize the event.

Changes to the start and finish line for the July 16-17 event are to be implemented in 2005, moving from the traditional Soi 5 location to the Bali Hai pier.

The initial start time of 4 a.m. drew a great deal of interest, as did the aim of drawing more world class runners this year. The prize money has also been increased to bring it into line with the Phuket Marathon and other events in Thailand.

The activities on the evening before the marathon are to be changed to center on runners inspecting the route.

The subject of employing a company to organize the event was also raised to increase public relations and bump up the numbers of competitors.

“A private company to run the event is a good idea; we will, however, consider this option at a future meeting. This year we must focus on bringing well-known runners to Pattaya as part of the city’s tourism promotion plan, and we should push for the Pattaya Queen’s Cup Marathon to be part of the international circuit under the International Athletics Association so they can inform athletes and provide information throughout the world. I believe that the event will be well received,” said Niran Wattanasartsathorn.

The mayor added that the Amateur Sports Association of Thailand under royal patronage and the provincial government would need to be included in the organizational details at the next meeting.


Twelve kids hurt in school bus accident

Pickup rams bus, causing it to flip over

Patcharapol Panrak

A gold colored Toyota pickup rammed a Sattahip school bus last week, causing the bus to flip and injuring 12 young students. The injured students ranged in age from 5-12 years old.

The medical team at Queen Sirikit Hospital treats the students.

The driver of the school bus, Lieutenant Nakhon Kongpermpool, was also injured. Luckily, no one was killed.

Lieutenant Nakhon said he had picked up the students from Sattahip School and then pulled out onto Sukhumvit Road. When his bus had arrived at the Km 5 U-turn opposite the Sattahip Royal Navy Sports Stadium, a pickup traveling behind them hit the bus from behind and caused it to flip over several times. It finally came to rest in front of the new commercial building at Village No. 7.

Two other vehicles were also involved in the accident.

All the injured were taken to Queen Sirikit Hospital.

After the accident, the driver of the Toyota pickup who had caused the collision fled from the scene. However, some people followed him and notified the police. After stopping the vehicle, police identified the man as Sergeant Kritsada Khan-Ngern.


Epileptic grandma and grandchildren receive help

Royal Family program, Red Cross provide healthcare

Patcharapol Panrak

After the story broke about how two tiny children rescued their epileptic grandmother (Pattaya Mail, Vol. XIII No. 7, front page), two governors, two doctors and the Red Cross were quick to come to their aid.

The Chonburi and Sattahip Red Cross have committed to assist Rattanachai Ratpratum, the 3-year-old boy, and his 1 year and 7 months old sister Chonticha Chimwiset.

Dr. Witoon Jantarothai and Dr. Chaiyachon Lowcharoenkun examine Mrs. Krasae, as the governors from Sattahip and Chonburi look on.

The baby girl has a birth defect; two fingers on her hand were stuck together and had never been separated, so the Red Cross Association stepped in to help her with this problem. The first operation has already been successfully completed.

Samoekhae Ketphasook, president of the Chonburi Red Cross Association, accompanied by her husband, Chonburi Governor Pisit Ketphasook, visited the child and promised her that the Red Cross will help and support her until she receives her Bachelors Degree.

Also visiting the family were Sattahip Governor Pongpat Wongtrakul, Dr. Chaiyachon Lowcharoenkun, chairman of the Treatment of Epilepsy program under the support of HRH Princess Chulabhorn, and Dr. Witoon Jantarothai, an epilepsy specialist from Chonburi Hospital.

The two doctors were there to examine the grandmother, Mrs. Krasae. After the examination Dr. Chaiyachon prescribed medication for grandma and made an appointment for an X-ray and an operation, which will receive support from the project to treat epileptic patients under the support of Princess Chulabhorn through the Tiensongjai Foundation.

Before leaving, Dr. Chaiyachon appointed Dr. Witoon to advise grandma Krasae on how to take care of herself.


Tighter traffic enforcement comes into effect as of March 1

In the interest of creating safety on the city’s roads, Pattaya police will begin the next step in enforcing traffic rules. Motorcyclists and pillion passengers must wear helmets at all times and motorists must wear safety belts.

The laws are not new and have been in place throughout the country for some time, and according to Pol. Lt. Col. Nattasit Boonuam, Pattaya police station deputy superintendent, the time has come to enforce the rules here in Pattaya.

“We have focused on this campaign for some time and as a result the number of accidents and road deaths has decreased. As of the March 1 we will begin enforcing the laws more than ever. Despite the recent campaigns, many motorcyclists still do not wear helmets. But starting March 1, enforcement of the helmet law will also flow over onto pillion passengers. A series of checkpoints will be set up at various locations with officers initially handing out warnings. Once the word is out, according to the law fines of 500 baht will be issued thereafter.”

The deputy superintendent urged all road users to comply with the laws in the interests of road safety.


City sets up hotel hotline for Pattaya Music Festival

The international flavor of this year’s Pattaya Music Festival will see a host of bands and artists from abroad visit Pattaya from March 18-20. To counter potential problems with overly large increases in room rates, the city administration has requested all business operators to comply with their standard pricing structure.

In addition, to aid and facilitate convenience, the city has set up a hotline for visitors to enquire about rates.

Wirawat Khakhai, Pattaya deputy mayor recently announced the new service, “With the increase in international bands we believe that hotels near the 3 stages will be full. In order to maintain standards and preserve the city’s image we have set up 1555 as a hotline, which will be in operation throughout the Pattaya Music Festival. Visitors will be able to call the number for information on room rates 24 hours a day over the 3 day period.”

This year’s Music Festival will see international and well known local artists such as Tata Young, Afro, Wing Lee Hong from Taiwan, and Hanson from Europe attend the event.

The city also urges visitors to exercise extra caution throughout the festival, to be especially careful of society’s less desirable elements who might take advantage of the increase in visitors to the city.


Two injured when speeding car loses battle with power pole

Patcharapol Panrak

Two people were injured, one severely, when their bronze Toyota Vios last week slammed into a power pole on the Bangna - Trat Highway between KM post 165 and 166 in Sattahip.

Two men were injured when their car hit a utility pole and flipped over into the ditch.

The car snapped the power pole and flipped over into a drainage canal. The power pole landed on top of it. The vehicle was totaled, trapping the two occupants inside.

A security officer from the nearby Rotjanathamasathorn Foundation witnessed the accident and attempted to extricate the driver and passenger from the wreck.

The security officer said that when he arrived on the scene, the passenger was trying to open one of the doors to help the driver get out, but was unable to do so.

The passenger, Roj Wasinpong Wanit, 29, from Ladprao district in Bangkok, had injured his neck. The driver, A-Wut Mamanthana, 31, from Talingchan district in Bangkok, sustained an injury to his spine. Both were sent to the Queen Sirikit Hospital, Navy Medical Center Plutaluang sub-district branch in Sattahip for x-rays.


Local dive instructor seriously injured after fall from balcony

Boonlua Chatree

Local dive instructor, Mark Slingo, sustained serious injuries after falling from the third floor balcony at a hotel in Jomtien.

The 23-year-old Britain suffered a broken arm and had possible spinal injuries. An ambulance from the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital was called to the location to transport the man to the hospital for treatment.

Police went to the room where Slingo was staying and were met by Worida Phupana who told officers she was the man’s friend and worked as an assistant instructor in the company. She said she had been sleeping at the time and did not know how the accident happened.

However, it was revealed that they had had a party for a friend and that Slingo had been drinking. He apparently went out onto the balcony for a cigarette, and police surmise that due to his intoxication, he had fallen.


Swede, wanted for murder, turns himself in to embassy officials

Tearfully confesses to the crime

Boonlua Chatree

Carl Kenneth Eriksson turned himself in to officials at the Swedish embassy in Bangkok on March 1. Eriksson had a warrant out for his arrest in connection with the murder of a Thai woman in Pattaya.

At 9 p.m. on Tuesday night Pol. Col. Somnuk Changate, Pattaya police superintendent received word from Benni Carlsen, Swedish police from the embassy in Bangkok that Carl Kenneth Eriksson, 41, had turned himself in to the embassy to face legal proceedings and that he was on his way to Pattaya to face them. Wanchart Maneerat, a lawyer, was present when Eriksson turned himself in.

A tearful Eriksson re-enacts the events.

Senior Pattaya police officers Pol. Lt. Col. Nattasit Boonnuam, Pattaya deputy superintendent and crime investigation inspectors were present when Eriksson arrived in Pattaya.

Pol. Lt. Col. Titthipong Suktien, investigation inspector in charge of the case questioned Carl Eriksson at Pattaya Police station.

A tearful Eriksson admitted to killing the woman, he knew only as Gae, after picking her up from Beach Road.

Eriksson recalled that the two had gotten into an argument after playing a little too hard. During the argument Eriksson told the woman to leave his room before he became even more angry. According to the Swede, the woman did not listen and she subsequently stabbed him in the leg with a broken bottle.

Eriksson said “he lost his temper” and retaliated by hitting the woman over the head with a bottle with great force, and hit her. He claimed that it was only when he regained some senses that he noticed the woman was dead. Afraid of what he had done, he purchased a large travel bag and garbage bags, placed her naked body in them and dumped the bags in the vacant lot.

Eriksson said he then returned to his hotel room and cleaned up. He added that he stayed there for 3 days and checked out when he heard police had found the woman’s body. He fled to Bangkok where he called his parents to tell them what had happened.

Apparently they had urged him to turn himself over to police.

Eriksson said the event had replayed in his mind over the next 11 days and that he had gotten little sleep, claiming that when he closed his eyes the woman would come to him and argue as to why he had killed her.

Carl said he decided to follow his father’s advice and turn himself in to the embassy rather than police out of fear of being killed before he could see his family again.

A hotel employee found the body. Whilst fixing a fence on the property, he noticed a piece of corrugated iron fencing on the ground and upon lifting it saw the foot of the dead woman and immediately informed police.

This hotel surveillance video shows Eriksson dragging a heavy plastic bag through the lobby.

On Wednesday March 2, Pol. Maj. Gen. Jongrak Jutanont, Region 2 police commander, along with senior Pattaya officers and a further 50 police re-enacted the chain of events in front of over 200 people.

The re-enactment began in the bathroom where Eriksson and the woman were bathing. A tearful Eriksson re-enacted the events right down to taking the body through the lobby, calling a baht bus and dumping the woman’s body over the fence and then back to the hotel to clean the room before fleeing to Bangkok.

After the re-enactment, Pol. Maj. Gen. Jongrak Jutanont said, “At this stage we still don’t know the real identity of the dead woman, only what we know from the perpetrator that she worked the beach road area. I would call anyone who has knowledge to come forth and give us further information.”

The woman was described as 25-30 years old with distinguishing tattoos - large roses on her abdomen and a black dragon on her back - and other, smaller tattoos elsewhere.

“As for the case in general, I do not foresee any problems, since the man had admitted to the crime. Although he claimed to have been injured first, we will see that the legal process is carried in fair and just manner. The man has a lawyer who has been present at every stage and we will proceed as normal,” added the Region 2 commander.


Dutch woman experiences bad reaction to seafood, nearly dies

Patcharapol Panrak

A Dutch businesswoman visiting friends for a Valentines party in Sattahip experienced a bad reaction to seafood and needed CPR to recover.

Miss Malai Kae, 45, director of an advertising company in Holland, was rushed to the Navy Hospital emergency room in Sattahip. She was unconscious and pale upon arrival, and the medical team needed to perform CPR for half an hour before she had recovered enough to be transferred to the I.C.U.

Mrs. Sojirat Swaak, 35, owner of the house where the party took place, told attending physicians that Malai and her Dutch boyfriend Bert had entered Thailand on February 13 for a combined Valentines Day celebration and house warming party. Sojirat had that day closed on the purchase of her new house in Pobchok Village. She said that many kinds of Thai food and seafood were provided at the celebration, including shrimp. She also said that Malai had eaten many kinds of food and drank beer, but then complained that she had a stuffy chest.

Sojirat said that Malai disappeared into the house while the others sang songs out front. When her friends noticed that Malai was taking longer than normal, her boyfriend went into the house and found her vomiting and choking. She was pale and had lost her energy, so they rushed her to the hospital.

Sojirat said that she didn’t think it was food poisoning because the other guests had eaten the same food and were not affected.


Police briefs

American tourist dies in hotel room

The body of Samuel Brovki, dual nationality with US and Korean passports, was discovered last week in his hotel room on Second Road. The man was still sitting on the bed and beside him was an unfinished pizza.

Initial examinations showed no signs of foul play. Investigating officers questioned a friend of the deceased and learned that Brovki had a history of abdominal surgery. He evidently had made many visits to the hospital for checkups, as his digestive tract was not working properly.

The body was sent to the police forensic institute for further examination to determine the cause of death.

Three injured with magic bullet in Mabprachan

One “lucky” shooter managed to hit three men with one shot Thursday evening, February 24, sending all three to hospital.

The three men sustained gunshot wounds during a motorcycle ride to a nearby convenience store. Athit Laihrin, 20, was seriously injured whilst his two friends, Chainart Petcharat, 17, and Pichetsak Wongwai, 20, received only minor injuries.

Apparently the group had been drinking at a nearby resort and piled onto a single motorcycle to buy items at a Nernplubwan store. En route they ran into 15 other youths, known to be rivals of Athit, near the Khao Phothong Temple along the main road.

The group followed them and one of them fired one shot, hitting all three men.

The injured were taken to Banglamung Hospital for treatment, whilst police are searching for the group and the shooter to bring them to justice.

Over a dozen
arrested
in gambling den

Acting on a tip-off, police from the Dongtan sub-branch raided premises on Thepprasit Road. The raid led to the arrest of 14 men and women playing Hi-Lo.

Officers arrived as the group were in the throws of gambling and the ring was immediately broken up and all detained. Police confiscated gambling equipment and the princely sum of 60 baht before all were taken in for questioning.

The 11 men and 3 women were charged with illegal gambling after confessing to their activities.

Illegal laborers detained in police dragnet

Senior immigration police and volunteers raided a cassava field in the Huay Yai sub-district on Monday afternoon after investigations revealed a group of Cambodian an Burmese laborers were illegally working in the kingdom.

The operation was successful with officials detaining 16 men, 4 women and a young child during the raid. They were taken to Soi 8 for further questioning.

Four Cambodian men explained that they had applied and received authorization to reside and work in the cassava fields. Police inspected their documentation and called in the farm owner to verify whether the documents were real or false.

The remaining 16 were taken into custody and processed for deportation while police began processing an arrest warrant against the farm owner for employing illegal laborers. If convicted the owner could face heavy fines and or a stint in jail.


Royal Thai Navy receives 2 Super Link 300 Helicopters

Patcharapol Panrak

The Royal Thai Navy recently took possession of 2 Super Link 300 Helicopters that had been purchased from the U.K. Amongst other important functions, the helicopters will be put into use to help deliver supplies to the tsunami relief effort.

Commander in Chief of Naval Forces Sampop Ammarapan (3rd from right) posed for a photo with Thai and American pilots.

Naval Forces Commander in Chief Sampop Ammarapan officially presented the helicopters to Admiral Wichai Yuwanangkul (naval operations commander) during an official ceremony on board the RTN Taksin alongside Laemtian Pier at Sattahip Naval Base.

One of the new Super Link 300 Helicopters looked impressive during a flight display.

Commander Surin Roeng-A-rom (chief of naval operations) said that the two helicopters were bought from the U.K. to be used in the Royal Thai Navy Capacity Performance Plan for Thai sea defense.

Commander Surin said this helps bring the Royal Thai Navy up to date with the changing times and technology. “The Royal Thai Navy needs to expand our patrol area further away from shore,” he said, “and increase the limits of our fighting ability.”

Reconnoitering with long range aircraft like this will help the Royal Navy do this, and they will also deliver military hardware to help the tsunami disaster victims.

This aircraft has the capability to land on ships that have helicopter landing platforms, or ships that are large enough to provide a landing area for the helicopter. “This aircraft fits quite well with the free gate style ship; the biggest ship for transportation of troops to land, which the Royal Thai Navy currently uses,” Commander Surin concluded.


Three-legged turtle found in Sattahip Bay

Patcharapol Panrak

Some local fishermen, throwing their nets in shallow water near the shore in Sattahip Bay, caught a surprise last week when a three-legged sea turtle tried to eat their catch.

Captain Khajornyot Punsiru from the Sea Turtle Conservation Center at the Royal Naval Base shows the turtle.

The fishermen were standing on submerged rocks in the shallows, trying to catch fish between Koh Pra and Koh Yor, when a black turtle floated up on the surface and tried to eat the fish in their nets. The turtle became tangled in the nets, and when the fishermen brought it in and discovered it only had three legs, they took it to Group Captain Wipak Noijinda, director of the Sea Turtle Conservation Center at the Royal Thai Naval Base in Sattahip.

Captain Wipak assigned Captain Khajornyot Punsiru to measure and weigh the turtle. They found that the turtle is around 3 years old, weighs 8.5 kilograms, is 44 centimeters long and 47 centimeters wide, and that its front left leg is missing. They fed it fish and discovered that it had a healthy appetite. When they put it in the conservations center’s pond, they discovered that it preferred to float on the water’s surface.

Captain Wipak surmised that the turtle may have come from as far away as the Andaman Sea, perhaps trying to escape the tsunami. He said that some turtles can be found in the Cambodian and Malaysian Seas, but it’s strange to find this kind of turtle in Sattahip Bay.

“We don’t yet know why we found this kind of turtle in Sattahip Bay ... it may have fled from the tsunami disaster and tried to seek refuge from the Andaman, Cambodian, or Malaysian Seas,” he said.

Captain Wipak went on to say that, “If any shallow or deep sea fishermen find any kind of turtle, please notify us or bring them to the Sea Turtle Conservation Center at the Royal Naval Base to help us study the turtles’ behavior.”



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