16-year-old in search of nightlife fun snatches Russian woman’s handbag

Boonlua Chatree
A 16-year-old youth snatched a Russian woman’s handbag on Soi Post Office because he needed money to go out and have a good time in Pattaya’s entertainment establishments.
Police received a call at 4:30 a.m. on January 10 that a thief had snatched a foreigner’s bag and then run off in the direction of Pattaya Second Road. Officers went in pursuit as he fled into the DK commercial building. Police surrounded the building before entering, and arrested the thief as he hid in a room on the third floor. He still had the bag in his possession.
Miss Evgenia Sergeeva, a 24-year-old Russian national, confirmed the handbag was hers. She also confirmed the identity of the snatcher. In the handbag she had one mobile phone, US$1,380 and 1,200 baht.
The youth was named as Nat, an alias as he was 16 years old. He admitted that he had planned to commit a crime. Then a victim came along with a group of four. He immediately snatched the handbag with the intention of going to Pattaya Second Road, but the police stopped him. So he changed his plan and hid in a building, but the police caught and arrested him. He said he needed money to spend in the Pattaya entertainment establishments. Police charged him with theft.

Thai teenager rapes British woman

He said he thought she looked like a movie star

Boonlua Chatree
An 18-year-old motorcyclist raped a British woman because he thought she looked like a movie star, and then calmly delivered her to Walking Street, the destination he had initially been hired to take her.

The victim points out rapist Pipatpong Raksilapa from a lineup.

At 01:00 a.m. on January 15, Miss Ora (an alias), a 29-year-old British tourist, approached the Tourist Service Point at the entrance to Walking Street and in tears told the officer there, Pol Lt Col Wuttichart Luaensucant, that she had been raped. Ora, who was accompanied by a friend of her own nationality and a Thai national, said her assailant had been a youth she had hired to drive her on his motorcycle to Walking Street.
The officer reported the crime to Pol Maj Gen Panya Mamaen, commander of the Tourist Police before taking Ora to Banglamung Hospital for an examination. A doctor stated that she had suffered forced penetration.
She told officers that at midnight she and a British friend had gone to visit a Thai female friend in Thepprasit Soi 17, and that they had decided to go to Walking Street.
As they were walking out of the soi to the main road to take a song taew to Walking Street, they spotted a young man driving what they thought was a motorcycle taxi. They agreed that Ora would go ahead on the motorcycle and that the others would follow. They stopped the driver and he agreed to be hired to drive Ora to Walking Street.
Instead of taking her to Walking Street, however, the driver dragged her into a grove behind 73 Room Apartment, where he raped her. He threatened her not to tell anyone or he would kill her. He then took her to Walking Street.
After the victim filed her report, Pol Lt Col Wuttichart Luaensucant assigned Pol Capt Sayam Insuwanno and a team of plainclothes investigators to find the assailant.
Officers tracked the assailant to room number 221/4 in 73 Room Apartment. After raping Ora, he allegedly had gone to collect his girlfriend from work and took her back to their apartment.
Police brought the assailant to the police station in the early hours of the morning, then contacted the victim and had her pick him out from a lineup. He was identified as Pipatpong Raksilapa, age 18, of Nakhon Ratchasima.
Pipatpong admitted raping her, saying that she looked like a movie star, which aroused him, and that he carried out the assault behind his own apartment building.
Police say that because the crime was against a foreign tourist and will affect Thailand and Pattaya’s reputation, senior officers will come to Pattaya to carry out their own investigations and will later hold a press conference.

Unidentified Finn in hospital after being hit by motorcycle

Boonlua Chatree
Police are seeking to identify a Finnish man who was struck by a motorcycle in Beach Road shortly after midnight on January 13, and who is in hospital with head injuries.
The man, who was reported as being intoxicated, was crossing the road at the entrance to Soi 9 when the motorcycle, driven by a French national, collided with him.

At press time, this Finnish victim was not yet positively identified.

Officers and rescue services from Sawang Boriboon Foundation went to the scene where they found the man unconscious in the road. Searching him for identification they found a piece of paper with the words MR Kari Fanninen Waek Nit, 54, Finland. No one is yet sure if this is the injured man’s identity or if the note refers to someone else. He was sent to Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment to head injuries.
The motorcycle was an unlicensed 100 cc Kawasaki driven by a Frenchman, who officers were unable communicate with due to the language barrier. Officers questioned 10 witnesses who all told the same story, that the motorcycle was being driven down Beach Road when the pedestrian suddenly stepped out into the road.

Driver crashes into beer advertisement

Boonlua Chatree
A speeding driver crashed his car into a hoarding advertising beer on the afternoon of January 10.

A speeding driver crashed his car into a hoarding advertising beer on the afternoon of January 10.

The accident happened on the Sukhumvit Road at Pattaya Center Road. Police and Sawang Boriboon Foundation rescue officers arriving at the scene found the driver, 22-year-old Anucha Khonchom crawling on all fours from the wreckage. He had suffered only minor cuts to his left arm, but the car, a white Honda Jazz, was badly damaged at the front and side. The hoarding had been damaged and its electrical wires severed.
Anucha Khonchom said that he was driving at a high speed as he approached the U-turn, when a motorcycle had cut him up. He immediately applied the brakes but lost control of his car, which spun and then hit the beer advertisement sign. Police charged him with careless driving and damage to official and other property.

Tears and smiles as rehabilitated drug addicts return to society

Chatchanan Chaisree
Captain Chongkol Meesawat, commander of the training center at Air Strike Command and Coastal Defense in Sattahip conducted a ceremony on January 12 for drug addicts who have newly completed the drug rehabilitation program at the center’s school and are ready to return to society.

Students in the conference hall prepare for the graduation ceremony.

The Royal Navy undertakes this project under the 2002 Drug Rehabilitation Act. The rehabilitation process takes about 120 days and is based on a “fast model” mixed with military discipline. The first phase involves preparing the mind and body, phase two is rehabilitation, and phase three is preparation for return to society.

A student hugs his mother, relieved that it is finally over.

Fifty-three people have been selected for rehabilitation and the Royal Navy’s main objectives in carrying out the project are to rehabilitate the drug addicts back to their normal selves, to help them reduce and stop drug use, to stay away from drugs once cured, and live normal lives. Families of addicts have supported the project, and addicts have also received job training to prepare them for their return to a full life in society.
One of the addicts receiving rehabilitation at the school said that before becoming an addict he was a computer technician in Bangna, Bangkok, but made the mistake of trying one amphetamine pill at the encouragement of a friend. He has been at the school about 90 days and has completed the rehabilitation process under the encouragement of trainers. In tears he promised his trainers that on his return home he will never get involved with drugs again.

Chinese New Year celebrations will be biggest ever to welcome in Year of the Dog

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Chinese New Year celebrations in Pattaya will be the biggest ever, promises city hall, with a host of events lined up to welcome in the Year of the Dog.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, vice chairman of the Walking Street Committee Sunthorn Kangsirikul, and Suvit Wattana, manager of Royal Garden Plaza, staged a news conference on January 12 to announce details of the festivities that will center on Bali Hai Pier.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, vice chairman of the Walking Street Committee Sunthorn Kangsirikul, and Suvit Wattana, manager of Royal Garden Plaza announce details of the festivities.

Celebrations will begin on Thursday January 26 when HRH Princes Soamsawalee will preside over the opening of the Thailand Lion Dance Competition at the Royal Garden Plaza of which the winner will receive the champion’s trophy bearing her name.
The following day on January 27, at the entrance to Walking Street more than 100 Chinese actors and performers will stage performances to symbolize the strength of Thai-Chinese Friendship.
The morning celebrations on January 28 will start with a ceremony at the King Taksin Monument at city hall, and a dragon and lion procession will then lead off from the intersection at Beach Road and Pattaya Center Road and pass along Walking Street to finish at Bali Hai Pier. The mayor will preside over the opening ceremony, which will be followed by the opening of the Largest Noodle Mountain “Phu Khao Mii Tiaw” in Thailand. This dish will be prepared as a tribute and in honor of His Majesty the King’s 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne.
Many activities and performances are planned such as the Miss Pattaya Chinese 2006 pageant, Chinese bun ‘Mun Tho’ eating competition, fireworks display and a golden dragon dances display. Stars including James Ruangsak Loychusak and Pek-Palitchoke will also perform at the festivities.
January 29, 2006 is the first day of the Chinese New Year.

The contestants line up in preparation for the Miss Pattaya Chinese 2006 pageant.

Jan Olav Aamlid
During the New York International Coin Show the San Diego based firm Ponterio & Associates conducted an auction of rare coins from around the world. Lot 1049 was a rare Thai gold coin from the reign of King Mongkut, Rama IV. During the early reign of King Mongkut bullet coins were the most common form of money, but in 1857 flat coins were introduced.

Lot 1049, a rare Thai gold coin from the reign of King Mongkut, Rama IV.

Gold coins from the reign of King Mongkut are very rare in the market, something the price in the auction reflected. The gold coin, named a Tot or 8 baht, was struck in 1863. The weight was about 7.5 grams, about the same as the British sovereign.
The auctioneer had estimated the Tot would sell for 118,000 to 158,000 baht, but after intense bidding the buyer paid 318,500 baht for the rare coin.
The Tot was described as uncirculated, but was weak struck in the centers, something that is a characteristic on most coins seen of this type.
Veerachai Smitasin has in his book Standard Catalogue of Thai Coins estimated the Tot’s value to be 200,000 baht in Extremely Fine and 300,000 baht in Uncirculated conditions. Prior to the auction many collectors believed the coin would be sold around the estimation of the auctioneer due to the weak striking.
The auction result shows that someone was willing to pay more than double the higher estimate. Does this confirm that the Thai coin market is drying up for good material, or is the reason that in these days we have seen the highest gold price in 25 years? The gold value of the Tot is about 5,300 baht.

Mayor presents calendars to merchants at Wat Chaimongkol Market

Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn and counselors distribute year 2006 calendars to merchants and buyers in the market.  

Narisa Nitikarn
Pattaya Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn led a team of city hall administrators and councilors to Wat Chaimongkol Market in South Pattaya on January 9, distributing calendars for the year 2006 to merchants and buyers in the market.
The presentation was in recognition of both the New Year and the coming Chinese New Year, with the calendars having been made in Pattaya.

Police briefs

Boonlua Chatree
Police bust gambling den and seize 40 people
A highly organized gambling den on Soi Nongkrabork has been raided and closed down by police who appeared to be unaware of its existence until the neighbors complained about the continual noise from cars arriving and leaving.
The premises were found to be a rowhouse of nine rooms located behind a fence on 3 rai of land. A security system ensured that intruders were kept out. The gambling was conducted in rooms 1 and 2 of the house, which had been modified so that they connected.
Police forced their way in and arrested 40 gamblers, of whom 26 were women and 14 men. About 10 male gamblers escaped. Officers confiscated gambling accessories including dice, chips and tables, along with 3,000 baht.
Those arrested admitted to illegal gambling. Ms Suttirat Mabpa, 40, said she was the house owner and banker for the game in progress. All 40 were transferred to Banglamung police station.
Unlucky lady’s second car goes up in flames
Firefighters and police rushed to Thepprasit Road in the late evening of January 11 when a car spontaneously combusted while being driven by its owner, 39-year-old Miss Saengrawee Hataitham.
The car, a white Renault, was burnt out. The windows had exploded, all the tires were destroyed, and the console, steering wheel and engine damaged beyond repair. Investigators discovered that the fire had started at the back of the air-cooler.
Saengrawee told officers in tears that as she drove the car out from her residence she smelled wires burning and hurried to park the car at the car park nearby in an open area away from other cars and buildings. She then switched off the engine and noticed that the fire had started at the back of the air conditioner. She ran to buy water to douse the flames and a neighbor used a fire extinguisher but to no avail.
The unlucky lady told officers she had bought the car for personal use from a secondhand dealer for 85,000 baht at the end of 2005. This is the second time that she has had a car go up in flames.

Communities stage a colorful sports day

Narisa Nitikarn
Color was brought to all the activities organized for the community sports day on January 7 at Pattaya School #2, with each of the teams divided into colors and a suitably colorful cheering section for each.

Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn was the opening presenter for the 2006 Community Volunteer Village Public Health Color Sport’s Day opening ceremony.
Mayor Niran Watthanasartsathorn opened the event, which was officially named 2006 Community Volunteer Village Public Health Color Sports Day, with Pattaya City counselors and administrators acting as judges.
The mayor said in his opening speech that the community sports were a public health project for all ages and levels of ability. Exercise is part of government policy for keeping in good health and staying away from drugs, and city hall was pleased to play a part and to organize a day of fun for the community.
The teams were divided into six colors: pink, blue, yellow, violet, orange and red. The judges visited each of the cheer squads to encourage them in cheering their teams on, and to award points. There was great merriment at some of the games and challenges posed for participants, and a colorful parade that had everyone smiling and applauding.
Nong Nooch Garden staged a special show and there was a wheelchair dance organized by Redemptorist Vocational School.

Mayor Niran strikes the drum to open the proceedings.

A colorful parade began the festivities.

Wheelchair performers put on a dazzling show.

The red team is in the lead.