Theerarak Suthatiwong
Police are seeking a dexterous burglar who broke into a townhouse by dismantling firstly a security door and then the lock of the sliding door before helping himself to a quantity of gold and cash and then vanishing.

Patum explains to police how the thief broke in and stole her valuables.
Officers from Pattaya Police Station were called out to Soi 14 on South Pattaya Road at 1:30 a.m. on July 25, where the theft had taken place at a two-and-a-half story townhouse in a row of seven houses. The last one was called Kanlayanimit, which was using the basement as a nursery. There were double entrance doors. The first was a pink curved steel door higher than chest level. It had been dismantled by the thief, removed from its post, and left in front of the house. The second was a sliding glass door, and the lock was completely dismantled.
Mrs Pratum Sornrat, 47, the owner of the house, was waiting for officers, and took them to examine the bedroom on the second floor. The thief had forced the dresser drawer and taken assets consisting of 10,000 baht in cash, more than 35-baht’s weight of gold, and five gold Buddha images. No other property was taken from the house.
Patum stated that she left and locked her residence at 4 p.m. before going to her place of work in South Pattaya. She came back home at 1 a.m. and found that someone had broken in and stolen her valuables.
Police believe the thief knew the layout of the house and knew exactly where the items of value were kept, as he had specifically forced his way into the drawer where they were kept. Inquiries are underway.

Cambodian ya ba dealer arrested

Theerarak Suthatiwongse
Police arrested a Cambodian man for dealing in ya ba, after investigations revealed a delivery was due to be made at the entrance to Soi Sukhumvit Pattaya 16 during the morning of July 22.

A 23-year-old Cambodian national, Ratatha was arrested for trying to sell ya ba.
Police surrounded the area and at the anticipated time a man answering to the description provided by the informant appeared with a black bag and waited at the entrance to the soi. He was promptly arrested.
The man was identified as Ratatha, also known as Chai, a 23-year-old Cambodian national. Inside the black bag were 10 packs of ya ba, a total of 2,000 tablets in blue plastic, which were covered with white adhesive tape.
Ratatha confessed that he was hired for 30,000 baht by a Cambodian known as Lee to bring ya ba from Srakaew Province and deliver to a customer named To. He was standing and waiting for the customer to pick up the ya ba. He had done this many times, but had never before been arrested.
Police are now attempting to track down the other members of the supply gang, who had delivered the ya ba to Ratatha in a Toyota pickup.

Hooded thief stabs 73-year-old grandmother and escapes with cell phone haul

Boonlua Chatree
A hooded thief broke into a mobile phone shop and tied a struggling 73-year-old grandmother’s hands, stabbed her several times, then escaped with a haul of top-of-the-line cell phones.

Ms Orathai Sirarom explains to police investigators what had been stolen.
Police were called out to the Cock 2 Mobile Service Shop in Soi Nernplabwan just after midnight on July 18. The shop, which is located on the ground floor of a four-story building, deals in the sale, repair and pawning of mobile phones. Officers found blood on the floor, and signs of a struggle. There was also a length of black nylon rope.
The injured person was the owner of the house, 73-year-old Mrs Em-On Sirarom. She had been stabbed 10 times to the stomach and right arm. Her children had already taken her to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya for treatment, where medical staff said that she was in critical condition because she had lost a lot of blood.
The thief had taken seven second-hand mobile phones, including a Nokia N70, 7610, and 6681 from the showcase. Their total value is more than 40,000 baht in the market. Following the traces of blood, police believe the intruder entered and left through a third-floor window. Fingerprint evidence has been collected.
The daughter of the injured woman, 31-year-old Ms Orathai Sirarom said there were four people living in the house, namely herself, her husband, her child and her mother. Normally the shop closes at 8 p.m. Orathai said that after closing the shop she had gone with her husband and child to another mobile sub-branch shop near the Excite Pub in Central Pattaya, and left her mother alone. This they had done before, and as always they had locked the door.
Orathai’s brother had later phoned her to say that their mother had called him about a burglar coming into the house from the upper floor while she was lying in front of the television near the stairs that leads to the upper levels. The intruder was a Thai man wearing a black hood. He appeared with a fruit knife and ordered Em-On to remain quiet. Then he tried to tie her hands. When she struggled, the intruder stabbed her and hit her in the face. She pretended to have lost consciousness, and the thief went to the showcase. He chose only the expensive models and fled via the upper floor.
Arriving home, Orathai and her brother found the front door still closed. They entered and found their mother trying to open the door for help, and they rushed her to the hospital.
Police checked the CCTV and found that the criminal had covered it with cloth before committing the crime. Therefore they had no details of the crime or the face of the intruder. It is clear, however, that he knew the shop and the layout of the building, and he appears to have known that the only person present when he broke in would be an elderly woman. Police believe that the man has been living locally, possibly in a rented room. Inquiries continue, and police have advised similar shops to be extra cautious.

Two-year-old child with polio abandoned in woods

Theerarak Suthatiwong
A two-year-old child suffering from polio was found abandoned in a wooded grove behind Aksorn Thepprasit School on Thepprasit Road during the evening of July 21.
Police and Sawang Boriboon Foundation officers were called out the following morning to a construction workers’ camp owned by the Ekmongkol Company, which is close to the grove behind the school. Two construction workers were taking care of a boy, aged about two years, who was crying out of fear. On his body were mosquito and ant bites. His arms and legs were abnormally small, as if the child was suffering from polio, and he was unable to walk.

Rescue workers arrive at the scene to begin taking care of the abandoned child.
Mrs Jaran Thongdul, 52, a construction worker at the camp stated that during the evening of the previous day, at about 6 p.m. she had gone with other workers to gather vegetables in the wooded grove behind the camp. She heard a child crying very loudly, and following the sound she found the boy under a tree. He had only a white towel covering his body. She took him back to the camp and put some clothes on him. At first, out of pity she thought of raising him herself, and let him spend the night with her. But others warned her against that, saying she might be accused of taking the child, and she reported the incident to the police.
Police officers are working on the assumption that the child was abandoned because his parents could not afford the medical costs to treat the polio and its after-effects. Or that possibly the mother had been abandoned by her husband, and felt there was no alternative but to leave the child in the grove.
The child has been taken to Banglamung Hospital for treatment. Police are making inquiries in the district to try and find the parents.

Baywatch: Road to ruin

This part of Sukhumvit Highway has only recently been resurfaced yet already large holes are appearing. When there are holes in the road, there are accidents. No one needs to be told how busy this road is, and consequently how high the risk is of a large number of accidents. Yet does anyone care? We wonder. All we know is that injuries to a number of drivers have already been reported. The damaged road surface is opposite Big C in South Pattaya. If you are traveling in that area, be cautious.

Bar owners squeezed by music company royalty reps

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya beer bar operators say they are being intimidated by the representatives of music companies claiming copyright payments on music played in the bars.

(From left) Tavich Chaiswangwong, chairman of Pattaya City Council, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and Chatree Sitthisak, head of the Pattaya Beer Bar Association.
At a meeting at Pattaya City Hall on July 20, representatives of the bar operators told Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh that 10 companies were believed to be involved and that the bars were being threatened with seizure of assets, and that false claims were being filed.
Chatree Sitthisak, head of the Pattaya Beer Bar Association said there were many new representatives coming to the bars to collect payments and making threats, and that the bars had previously paid up. They had never complained before, but the situation had become serious.
He added that there were also people claiming to be city hall representatives who were coming to the bars and urging the operators to buy fire extinguishers to comply with safety regulations.
Ronakit suggested the association hire a lawyer immediately to take up the matter with the music companies. As to the people using Pattaya City’s name to sell fire extinguishers, they were certainly not Pattaya City officers.
“Pattaya City is a government office not a merchant,” he said. “If someone presents themselves as a Pattaya City officer in this way again, the operator should call city hall immediately.”

Nongprue distributes funds to the needy

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Mayor of Nongprue Municipality Mai Chaiyanit last month presided over a distribution of funds for 13 families with elderly, disabled and needy people, contributing 1,500 baht to each.

Nongprue Mayor Mai Chaiyanit (back row, center) and his volunteer unit present funds to the needy.
Mai said that the municipality is a heavily populated one and has been growing fast in response to the number of tourists, but that many of the families who live here are poor and those that have elderly and handicapped members often find it difficult to survive.
A volunteer unit had carried out a survey of the municipality to collect data on the labor force and those families that faced continual hardship, and as a result a budget had been prepared to help support families who were in dire need.
An amount of 19,500 baht was presented to the fund by the Chonburi Province Social Development and Human Security Office.
Chonburi social development officer Jirayuth Suwanjaras, who has worked on the project, said the office is also working with Nongprue Municipality to develop a child welfare project that will have a budget of 129,000 baht.

New Act could mean 5 years in prison for anyone sending porn by email

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The government has warned that the Computer Crime Act BE 2550 came into effect on July 18, and that all internet users should be aware as it relates to the sending and receiving of emails.

The government sector is serious about the new internet law - sending pornography carries a heavy punishment.

Article 11 of the Act states that those who unlawfully damage information on another person’s computer or on a computer system that relates to national security, public security, national economic security or public service would be subject to a prison sentence of between three and five years and a fine of between 60,000 and 300,000 baht. If the crime injures someone and costs someone their life, then the person is subject to the death penalty, life imprisonment or 10-20 years in jail.
Article 13 states that those who distribute or send obscene data are subject to a maximum five years in jail, or a fine of no more than 100,000 baht, or both. If the obscene data is of a human being not older than 18 years of age, then the person is subject to two to five years imprisonment, or a 40,000 to 100,000 baht fine, or both.
The Act applies to both Thai citizens and non-Thais.

Crash hat stops bullet

Patcharapol Panrak
A seafood vendor riding home on his motorcycle and hearing a loud noise followed by something hitting his crash hat was astonished to find on reaching his house that there was a bullet hole in his helmet.

Por Dulkhong sits on his motorcycle, bullet hole visible in his helmet, showing yet another reason it is important to wear a helmet whilst riding a motorcycle.

Por Dulkhong, a 62-year-old Sattahip resident said the noise had sounded like a gunshot but that he had not seen anyone.
He said he was on the way back from his daily purchase of shellfish at a fresh market in Tambon Samnakton, Ban Chang, traveling by motorcycle on Rayong route number 332. At a point where the road ran through woodlands he heard the sound and felt an object hitting his helmet.
He could think of only two reasons that this had happened to him. The most likely reason was that someone was hunting and that the bullet hit him accidentally. The other possibility was that a thief was intending to take the 2-baht gold necklace he had borrowed from his wife and put around his neck three days ago.
Amazingly, there was not a scratch on his head. Neighbors visited him to find out what lucky charm he carried that had saved him from death, and he showed them a wooden phallus that he said had brought luck many times before.

Prosecutors to go ahead on Chamlong encroachment case

Theerarak Suthatiwongse
Sutham Phechgate, director of Pattaya District Office on Koh Larn has revealed to reporters more on the events that led up to the arrest of former Pattaya deputy district chief Dr Chamlong Thongdee.
Dr Chamlong was arrested by Pattaya police under warrant number 213/2550, dated July 8, on charges of land encroachment. He has claimed innocence and has denied building resort property on public land on the island.
Sutham said that Dr Chamlong was only in possession of 5 rai of land. Several years earlier he had leased more encroached land from a man named Mr Chom, and later claimed it as his own. The case was taken before the courts. Dr Chamlong opened a restaurant and built 10 small cottages on the land for homestay. He then, alleged Sutham, cheated foreigners by claiming he held rights of ownership to the land and selling them the cottages, where they stayed whenever they came to Pattaya.
Sutham said that Pattaya District Office had sent in teams to demolish the restaurant and the cottages in order to use the land to generate solar powered electrical supplies. Dr Chamlong refused to vacate the area even though officials had knocked down all constructed items. Instead he pitched a tent and lived in that without any water or electricity. The city tried to negotiate on numerous occasions, to no avail. Finally the court issued a warrant that resulted in his arrest.
Pol Lt Col Banchob Khawsa-aad, an investigator with Pattaya Municipal Police said the case has been going on for years. Dr Chamlong has been questioned and has denied all charges. He also applied for bail, depositing 110,000 baht. Evidence has been compiled, including aerial photographs, and handed to prosecutors who have decided to go ahead with their case.

10,000 attend concert for patriotic unity

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat led the singing of patriotic songs at a concert held for national unity on July 21, at the Banglamung School Field.

Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat leads the singing of patriotic songs at a concert held for national unity on July 21, at the Banglamung School Field.

Part of the National Security Council’s program to unite the people of Thailand region by region through the use of music, the concert was organized by Chonburi Province in cooperation with the 1st Army Area via the 14th Military Ring.
This was the second such concert in the province, the first having been held at Chonburi Town Hall, and over 10,000 people attended.
Amongst the guests were Lt Col Winthai Suwaree, Yingyong Yodbua-Ngam and Rung Suriya, and Pattaya citizens distributed OTOP products at special prices during the event. Governor Pracha and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn toured the booths, adding a special word of encouragement and appreciation to the booth organized by the Disabled Vocational School.
During the morning of the event, Maj Gen Akanant Ratanasopar, commander of the 14th Military Ring, led a ceremony to bless the statue of King Taksin in front of Pattaya City Hall.

It’s for you

Law to ban mobile phone use while driving will save lives say public

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
If the latest cabinet resolution to amend the Land Traffic Act is approved, it will be forbidden to use a mobile phone or any communication device while driving.
Yet how ready are drivers in Pattaya to observe this new law, which will apply to all drivers?

Will mobile phone users stop using their phones while driving if the new law passes?

Pattaya Mail spoke to a driver named Ekachai, who says he regularly uses his mobile while on the road and admits to sometimes being more involved with his conversation than with his driving. But Ekachai said it would be to the benefit of everyone if the law were passed, because of the accidents that arise from mobile conversations and sending messages.
Oy, an office worker, said that she totally agrees with a law that would stop drivers from using mobile phones. They cannot concentrate on the traffic. For her personally, she uses Bluetooth, so she doesn’t have any problems in handling a mobile set. However, she tries to not use the phone while she is driving. Accidents can arise at any time if there is carelessness, she said, and most likely there will be fewer accidents when the rule is issued.
Narongsak, a mobile phone businessman said that Thailand should have issued the rule to forbid using mobile phones while driving a long time ago. Personally he doesn’t believe that a driver can concentrate on traffic and use a mobile phone at the same time. He uses Bluetooth, and when his battery is low he tries to park the car when the telephone rings. In all civilized countries it has been forbidden for a long time to use a phone while driving.
He added that in his direct experience most mobile users drive slower, obstruct traffic, and don’t pay as much attention to other road users. Talking while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving, because of absentminded drivers, he said.
With only a few exceptions, these three interviews were typical of those people we asked. The general feeling is that accidents will decrease if this becomes law.

Young hopefuls line up for country singing contest

Vimolrat Singnikorn
Young hopefuls between the ages of 15 and 25 will gather on August 26 to participate in the third country music singing contest.
Prizes of more than 30,000 baht will be awarded to the winners of the competition, which will be held on the field of Pattaya School No 8.
The previous contest had drawn a good response and had been better in both performance quality and the size of the audience compared to the first event, and the three organizing groups, namely Pattaya City, the Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3, and VC Spot Production are predicting an even better contest this year, now that the name and reputation of the event has spread.
Young singers interested in participating are invited to send a demo tape or a CD with an acoustic version of one song to VC Spot Production. From this, 30 candidates will be selected. These will then be divided 15 male and 15 female singers. A semi final will narrow this down to four male and four female contestants.
Appearing on stage with the contestants at the final round will be established stars such as Pai Pongsathorn, Takkataen Chonlada, Tai Orathai, and Kratae Fourteen.
The winning male and female performers will each receive 10,000 baht, while three runners-up will each receive 5,000 baht.

Storm blows trees down and rips roofs off houses

Theerarak Suthatiwong
Falling trees damaged houses as strong winds and heavy rain pounded Chonburi Province on July 25.

Strong winds and heavy rain in Chonburi caused considerable damage to homes and businesses.

The storm was caused by a southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. Heavy rain began falling in the morning, and reports began to come in about 3 p.m. that several houses in Ban Nong Kwae, Sriracha, had suffered damage.
A row of 13 commercial properties supplying gasoline and other vehicle products on the Bangkok-Pattaya Bypass had its roof ripped off by the wind and an adjacent food shop was also damaged.
A large advertisement hoarding collapsed but luckily no one was injured.
Wichian Saiwiriya, 40, vice chairman of the Nong Kwae Community said that the heavy rain started in the morning along with strong winds, and remained for many hours. After the rain diminished in force he went out to survey the situation and found more than 20 houses had been damaged.
Trees had fallen onto some of the houses, and the wind had blown roofs off others, but there were no reports of anyone being hurt.

Less than 5% of province’s disabled are employed says Redemptorist Center

Narisa Nitikarn
Only 5 percent of Chonburi Province’s nearly 10,000 disabled people have jobs, according to the Redemptorist Job Placement Center for People with Disabilities.
Manop Iam-saard, manager of the center, which comes under the Redemptorist Vocational School in Pattaya, said that this figure does not fully represent the unemployed disabled, as there are many who are not registered with the Chonburi Social Development and Human Security Department.

Manop Iam-saard talks about the scope of the project.

“There are a lot of unregistered disabled people,” said Manop. “Amongst those who are registered, only 5 percent have occupations. As the monthly financial support for disabled people in Pattaya City is only 500 baht per person, poverty is a problem.”
Manop was speaking at the second leader training session for Chonburi disabled, which opened on July 20 at the center. The training, which received support from the Chonburi Administration Organization and Pattaya City, was designed to create and enlarge work links for disabled people under qualified and experienced leaders.
Twenty-five people attended the seminar, drawn from seven districts within Chonburi Province, namely Muang, Bor Thong, Sattahip, Sriracha, Panatnikom, Pattaya and Nongyai. The seminar was opened by Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkitkarn and took place over the period July 20 to 22.
Manop said that the Redemptorist Job Placement Center continually encourages the disabled to register, but his efforts haven’t been as successful as he would like. He urged everyone with a disability to register with the Chonburi Social Development and Human Security Department.