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A most happy birthday to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

Happy Birthday HRH Princess Ubolratana

Police chiefs meet to review security and protocol during royal assignment in Pattaya

HM Queen Silvia of Sweden to preside over the inauguration of new Blind School building

Tuesday, April 6 is Chakri Day

Highway 7 finally completely open

City officials step in to settle beach chair issues

City begins work on master plans for 3-10 years

Elderly Finnish woman dies in apparent fall

Long-sought alleged Sattahip drug dealer behind bars

Web-surfing college student electrocuted by laptop PC

Swiss-German motorcycle gang allegedly beats, tortures fellow member for 9 hours

Trash scavenger finds bomb, sparking memories of past tragedies

Twice-arrested British drug dealer busted again


A most happy birthday to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

The entire Pattaya Mail staff joins the Kingdom of Thailand in humbly wishing HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn a long, healthy and happy life on this occasion of the Royal Anniversary of Her Birth. (Photo courtesy Bureau of the Royal Household)

The Kingdom of Thailand on April 2 celebrates the most auspicious occasion of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 55th birthday. We at the Pattaya Mail join in with our most humble wishes for HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for a long, healthy and happy life.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was born on April 2, 1955, the third child of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand.

HRH the Princess studied from kindergarten to high school at Chitralada School in Bangkok. She ranked first in the National School Examinations in the primary level (grade 7) in 1967 and in upper secondary level (grade 12) in 1972.

Ranked fourth in the National University Entrance Examination, HRH the Princess enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, first class honor, and a gold medal in History in 1976.

She continued her studies in two graduate programs concurrently, obtaining an M.A. in Oriental Epigraphy (Sanskrit and Cambodian) from Silpakorn University in 1978, and an M.A. in Pali and Sanskrit from Chulalongkorn University in 1980. She enrolled in a doctoral program at Srinakharinwirot University (former College of Education) in 1981, and was awarded a doctoral degree in Developmental Education in 1987.

The principle of using education as a means for community and social development, which HRH the Princess acquired during her doctoral studies along with her former experiences in the field, has provided her with a solid base for her subsequent involvement in community development activities.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn shows keen interest in the students’ projects at the exhibition zone during the opening of a new multi-purpose building at Pattaya Redemptorist Vocational School on February 15, 2007. After, she laid the foundation stone for the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Building at the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind, which is under the patronage of Her Royal Highness. (Photo courtesy Bureau of the Royal Household)

In addition to her formal degree programs, HRH the Princess has attended several training courses and workshops to enhance her knowledge and skills in effective integrated development. These subjects include computer, cartography, meteorology, survey and photogrammetry, remote sensing and geographic information system and nutrition.

HRH the Princess holds honorary degrees in Geography, Chinese Studies of Humane Letters, Agriculture, Botany, Chinese, Pharmacy, Information Technology, Rural Technology, Public Health, Humane Letters, Regional Development Strategies, Environmental Science, Veterinary Medicine, Physics, and Laws.

HRH the Princess has acquired first-hand experiences in working on development projects initiated by Their Majesties the King and Queen. These projects involve a number of diversified fields including health and hygiene, education, water resource development, agriculture and cottage industry by regularly accompanying Their Majesties on visits to remote areas since the age of sixteen.

From these experiences, HRH the Princess has developed special interests in agricultural extension to improve school children’s nutritional conditions; supports education from pre-school to tertiary levels; and mother and child care. She has also concentrated on helping the handicapped, especially in using information technology (IT) to develop independent living and learning skills.

HRH the Princess runs several philanthropic organizations and foundations. She has been Executive Vice President of the Thai Red Cross Society since 1977; Executive Chairman of the Chaipattana Foundation (in charge of His Majesty’s development and environmental preservation projects), Ananda Mahidol Foundation (to promote higher education), the King Rama II Foundation (to conserve and promote Thai Culture); President of the Sai Jai Thai Foundation (to support disabled veterans), Prince Mahidol Award Foundation (to award prizes annually to members of the international community for outstanding performances in the fields of medicine and public health); and Adviser of the Committee of Thai Junior Encyclopedia Project by Royal Command of H.M. the King.

HRH the Princess began her teaching career in 1979 when she started teaching the General Education Program at Chulalongkorn University. A year later, she joined the Department of Law and Social Sciences, in the Academic Division of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. Presently she is Director of the Department of History, and has played an active part in revising its curriculum. She also supervises the Thai Music Club at the Academy. Occasionally HRH the Princess gives special lectures at several other institutions and regularly attends academic conferences and seminars both in and outside the country.

In addition, HRH the Princess represents Their Majesties in various royal functions. She also presides over ceremonies as well as other social and charity functions all through the year. In 1991, HRH the Princess was awarded the Magsaysay Award for Public Service.

HRH the Princess likes to travel around the Kingdom and abroad to obtain knowledge of physical geography and peoples’ varied lifestyles. One of her favorite pastimes is writing articles, poetry and short stories. Proceeds from her written accounts of her overseas travels are the main source of income for the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation which was set up in 1979 to support needy students in schools, vocational colleges and universities.

In March 2005, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn received the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador title for the “Empowerment of Minority Children through Education and through the Preservation of Their Intangible Cultural Heritage” from UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura.

HRH the Princess loves Thai literature and studies literature of other countries. She enjoys playing classical Thai instruments and practicing Thai classical dancing. She also paints and is keen on sports, including jogging, swimming, biking and trekking - which gives her an opportunity to learn about plants, trees and geographical features of the areas.

In addition to her knowledge of Pali, Sanskrit and Cambodian, HRH the Princess is communicative in both English and French and has been learning Chinese, German and Latin.

Most recently, on March 7, 2010, HRH the Princess was selected by Chinese people to receive the ‘Chinese Connection - Top Ten International Friends of China’ Award. Chinese people on line voted HRH the Princess as one of the ten best international friends of China. The survey was arranged by the state-run CRI. HRH the Princess is the only figure in the Southeast Asian region to receive such an award and is among the few living awardees. She has visited China 28 times since 1981 and she has been playing a vital role in fostering relationships between Thailand and China.


Happy Birthday HRH Princess Ubolratana

Pattaya Mail humbly joins the Kingdom of Thailand in wishing Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana a most happy birthday on April 5.

Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Phannavadi was born on April 5, 1951, in Lausanne Switzerland. She is the eldest child of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

HRH Princess Ubolratana is a very devoted leader of young people in the campaign against drugs, and as such has instituted and keenly watches over the To Be Number One project, encouraging family values, music and sport as alternatives to drug use. She has also set up the Khun Poom project to assist autistic children in Thailand.

In 2008, HRH Princess Ubolratana played the main role in the Thai film Where The Miracle Happens.

HRH Princess Ubolratana has also shown a keen interest in the way Thailand is being promoted by the TAT, and regularly attends the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin.


Police chiefs meet to review security and protocol during royal assignment in Pattaya

HRH Princess Bajarakitiyabha
(photo courtesy Mahasarakham University)

Boonlua Chatree
On March 22, Col. Supathee Bunkrong, deputy commander of the Chonburi Provincial Police, called a meeting of police superintendents, station chiefs and lead investigators to review security measures during the next two years that HRH Princess Bajarakitiyabha will work in Pattaya.

At the meeting all top officials at all 22 Chonburi police stations were brought together to review security, procedures and protocol.

HRH Princess Bajarakitiyabha will begin her duties as Public Prosecutor at the Pattaya Prosecutor’s Office on April 1where her main assignment will be cases involving Family and Youth.

HRH Princess Bajarakitiyabha, daughter of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has a bachelor’s degree in Law from Thammasat University, and has earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sukhothai Thammatirat University with first class honors. HRH the Princess continued her studies, gaining her master’s degree and doctoral degree at Cornell Law School in New York State and received her J.S.D. degree (Doctor of Juridical Science or Doctor of the Science of Law) from Cornell in 2005.

Col. Supathee Bunkrong, deputy commander of the Chonburi Provincial Police.

On completion of her doctorate Princess Bajarakitiyabha was employed at the Thai permanent mission to the United Nations, in New York City.

She was appointed Attorney of the Office of the Attorney General in Bangkok in September 2006, and currently works at the office of the Attorney General in Udon Thani province.

The princess initiated the “Kamlangjai” or “Spiritual strength” project to reach out to Thai women in prison and more especially the pregnant inmates and inmates’ newborn babies. The project also assists young mothers to prepare themselves to join society upon their release.

HRH the Princess has also initiated a project called ELFI (Enhancing Lives of Female Inmates) to ensure that the women prisoners are treated with dignity. This is supplementary to the 1955 Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

HRH Princess Bajarakitiyabha is also the president of the Princess Pa Foundation which she jointly founded with her mother Princess Soamsawalee in 1995 to help the victims of the big flood which hit Bangkok in 1995. The objects of the foundation are to give aid to underprivileged people in the rural areas and to those who are affected by natural disasters.


HM Queen Silvia of Sweden to preside over the inauguration of new Blind School building

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden will arrive in Pattaya on April 8, 2010 to preside over the inauguration of the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind, Building B (Vocational Section) on behalf of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the Honorary President of The World Scout Foundation. On this most auspicious occasion HRH Princess Chulabhorn will also be present to graciously welcome the Queen and join in the ceremonies.

Aurora Sribuaphan, director of the Pattaya Blind School said, “The Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, was licensed by the congregation of the Most Blessed Redeemer in Thailand to construct two buildings for teaching blind people.

“Part of the budget for the two buildings being constructed came from money donated through the HRH Princess Sirindhorn Foundation which was established after the Princess came to inaugurate the school building in 1993 and donated 5,000 baht towards the development of education for the blind. The school used that amount to set up the foundation with the aim of receiving donations from kind-hearted people.

“The two buildings to be connected in an L shape consist of the HRH Princess Sirindhorn Building, completed with a budget of 17 million baht and the Father Ray Building which was for the past few years still under construction at a cost of 14 million baht.”

On one of his visits to Pattaya recently, Sven Philip Sorensen, advisor to the Swedish Executive Scout Board, observed that the construction of the second building had begun and the building itself was completed at a cost of 7 million baht. The second phase of architectural work required a total of another 7 million baht or one million baht for each floor of the seven-story building. “But due to lack of funds, construction and completion of the interior had to be postponed until more money could be raised to complete the project,” he said.

When Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden visited the Pattaya Blind School on February 17, 2009, to inspect the school’s scouting educational course and to induct blind children into the Scout movement, he was invited to inspect the construction site of the new building. The benevolent King understood the urgency of the need to finish the project, so together with HM Queen Silvia pledged US$30,000 from Her Majesty’s very own “Queen Silvia Fund” towards the building project. The fund is operated by the World Scout Foundation which raises funds for Scouts with disabilities.

Sven Philip Sorensen consulted with Sutham Phanthusak, International Commissioner of the National Scouts Organization of Thailand, to explore ways of raising funds to complete the new building at the Pattaya Blind School, the construction of which had begun but had to be slowed down due to budget constraints.

A committee to complete the ‘17th February Pattaya School for the Blind’ building was immediately established with Sven Philip Sorensen serving as chairman and Sutham Phanthusak as vice chairman. Other committee members appointed to help facilitate the completion of the building project were, Stephane Bringer - secretary, Alisa Phanthusak - treasurer, Jan Olav Aamlid - fund raising, Suchai Rujivanitchkul - director in charge of construction, Father Lawrence Patin – director, Aurora Sribuaphan - director and Pratheep Malhotra - public relations.

Sven asked the committee to help find generous donors saying, “Initially we sought 7 donors of US $30,000 (one million baht) for each floor. But the response and generous donations was overwhelming and funds poured in making it possible to finish the building.”

Her Majesty Queen Silvia is scheduled to preside over the inauguration of the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind, Building B (Vocational Section) on Thursday April 8 at 11 a.m. HRH Princess Chulabhorn will be on hand to accompany the Queen where they will be welcomed and entertained by the blind children.

To commemorate their visit, the HM Queen Silvia and HRH Princess Chulabhorn will both plant trees in the school grounds.

The elegant buildings of the Pattaya School for the Blind.


Tuesday, April 6 is Chakri Day

Banks, government offices will be closed

April 6 commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782 by King Rama I. Government offices, banks and some businesses will be closed.


Highway 7 finally completely open

Pattaya moves 8 km closer to Bangkok

The final phase of Highway 7 is finally open, as can be seen here by cars and trucks taking the entrance to the overpass on Sukhumvit Road from Central Pattaya to Bangkok.

Phasakorn Channgam

Pattaya is now 8 km closer to Bangkok with the opening of the final phase of Highway 7, which offers motorists a shorter, less-congested route to the expressway.

The four-year, 6.6 billion baht project came to a close March 25 with the opening of the new bypass behind the International School of Pattaya. Lane painting and the installation of signs and lights were completed this month.

It’s hoped that Highway 7 not only makes it faster and more convenient to reach Pattaya from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, but also reduces traffic congestion during peak holiday seasons, such as Songkran.

The highway serves two provinces, three districts and eight sub-districts from Nong Plalai to Rayong. It is one of five motorways being built quickly around the country to solve urgent traffic problems.

The project began with a 14 million baht study of the economics, engineering and environmental aspects of the highway. Following four years of study, construction began in four phases.

The first two phases were finished in June 2008 by Sahawit Construction Co., Ltd. This started at the Chonburi Bypass and ended at the Route 36 junction near the International School of the Regents, a distance of 39 km. It features four lanes 3.5 m. wide and 8 U-turn overpass bridges.

The final two phases were started in January 2006 by Naowarat Patanakarn (Public) Co., Ltd. and Kit Rungruang Construction Part. Ltd. This constitutes four lanes with reinforced concrete 7.2 m. wide starting where the last two phases stopped, at the Route 36 junction near the International School of the Regents, and now continues for 7.7 km where it meets Sukhumvit Road between north and central Pattaya.

This final stretch of highway has 2 connecting points, one at the new Local Road near the Pattaya City wastewater treatment plant and another at Chaiyapornwithi Road.


City officials step in to settle beach chair issues

Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh (left) meets with the beach bed and umbrella operators on Pattaya Beach.

Boonlua Chatree

Following a complaint by the chairman of the Pattaya Beach-Bed and Umbrella Union, Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh along with his advisors, municipality police officers and city officials met with beach bed and umbrella operators on March 11, to listen to their grievances and to ensure fairness for all vendors regarding their allocated spaces.

Bunsong Thipsuk, a beach-bed and umbrella entrepreneur filed a complaint with Deputy Mayor Ronakit about impartiality concerning management of the area. She said that for the past 18 months she occupied 2 lots measuring 7x7 meters each for beach-beds and umbrellas. She claimed that she paid 5000 baht rent per month for both lots. But now with the new city beach order regulations, she is left with only one lot but still had to pay the same amount of 5,000 baht per month. Bunsong protested that this was not fair and had caused her much distress.

After investigations the deputy mayor admitted that the complaint was accurate. Therefore, he has ordered re-managing of the entire area from the Dusit Hotel curve all the way to South Pattaya Beach, a distance of more than 3 kilometers.

Ronakit said, “In order to ensure order is maintained on the beach, regulations and a service area were setup for the benefit of tourists and vendors alike. This also included recreation areas along the beach.

“We are following through with the strict management policy set by the laws of Chonburi Province, which is to provide space for the public on the beach, so that the public and tourists can have more convenience in conducting recreational activities and relaxing. Currently, there is carelessness, which has resulted in a lack of some of this space.”

Deputy Mayor Ronakit went on to say, “Everything is being done for impartiality concerning the beach-bed and umbrella entrepreneurs in the division of operating space. But we also don’t want to overcrowd the beach, because we want our tourists to be able to enjoy the sea, sand and sun without too many obstructions.”

At the end of the city hall team’s visit to the beach, one could see happy faces all around as the beach vendors were satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations and went about their business in providing tourists with the service and the smiles that Thailand is so famous for.


City begins work on master plans for 3-10 years

Vimolrat Singnikorn

Pattaya officials have begun work on strategic plans to map out development over the next three to 10 years.

About 500 public- and private-sector leaders and residents attended a Pattaya City Hall hearing March 19 to learn about the scope of the 10-year Master Plan, five-year Strategic Plan and three-year City Plan, as well as provide input into the goals specified in each.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome presides over a meeting to determine the future of Pattaya.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said the roadmaps should aim to make Pattaya a “livable tourism city” that also becomes an economic engine for the entire country. Experts will gather opinions on the direction of the city and compile them into reports to be presented at the end of May.

Supachai Yawapat, project director for the 2011-2020 Master Plan, said the project should focus on betterment of the economy, society and environment but include supporting goals about basic city structure, management and politics.

Master Plan advisor Cholatis Theerathiti said the five-year Strategic Plan will focus on five areas: the economy, society, politics, management and the environment.

Wanit Nuanbunruang, a senior Advisor at the Institute for Consultation Concerning Development of State Efficiency, said the three-year Pattaya City Plan, which she is coordinating, is the most-specific, as its goals must be completed by 2013. The plan will focus on public safety, drug use, transportation, tourism information, education, utilities and information technology, sports and recreation, use of HM the King’s “sufficiency economy” principles, public heath and the environment, morality and religion, water and power development, population density and bureaucratic efficiency.

Business leaders welcomed the forward planning, but noted basic infrastructure needs to be considered in economic-development plans. For example, Jamroon Vitsavachaipan, president of the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association, said that while the city monitors tourism development, it must also address problems related to the water supply, traffic and security.


Elderly Finnish woman dies in apparent fall

Boonlua Chatree

An elderly Finnish woman died from an apparent head wound when, evidence suggests, she slipped, fell and hit her head after leaving the shower.

The nude body of 75-year-old Lilja Sisko was found March 18 lying outside the bathroom of her View Talay 2 condominium. She suffered a 2 cm cut to her head and dried bloodstains were found on a small table near her, as well as her eyeglasses and a nearby swimsuit.

Police were called after security guards were informed of a smell coming from the woman’s 12th-floor apartment. She had last been seen about two days previously.

Sisko and friend Timo Vartiainen, 75, had rented the condo for about three years from fellow Finn Randoll Juhani. Vartiainen was away when the tragedy occurred. Sisko was described as being a good tenant and generally healthy.

Pattaya Police Superintendent Col. Nanthawut Suwanla-Ong said there were no signs of a struggle at the condo, but police are continuing to investigate.


Long-sought alleged Sattahip drug dealer behind bars

Patcharapol Panrak

Royal Thai Navy narcotics officers and Sattahip police used accused local drug users and dealers as dominos to finally take down a major alleged methamphetamine trafficker long sought on drugs and weapons charges.

Wrapped up by police, Pariyapat points to the drugs police allegedly confiscated from him.

Pariyapat “Pai Taothan” Somwasri, 21, was captured by Sattahip Police at a gas station about a kilometer from a highway overpass near the Ambassador City Hotel in Jomtien Beach March 22. Officers also recovered 40 ya ba tablets that Pariyapat allegedly tried to dispose of while fleeing police on foot.

The arrest came at the end of a string of drug busts that began earlier with the arrest of an unnamed 17-year-old girl who was caught by police with a small quantity of ya ba. Police persuaded her to give up her dealer and set up a meeting staked out by officers.

Alleged dealer Kritsada “Ting” Ratanachotsuk, 25, got tipped off to the string operation, however, and tried to ditch district authorities by heading into the navy base. However, Navy Narcotics Control officers nabbed the fleeing man in the parking lot of the Royal Thai Fleet and confiscated 50 ya ba tablets and his black Isuzu pickup truck.

Police again flipped their latest arrest and Kritsada agreed to set up his own alleged supplier, Pariyapat. A police-monitored meeting was setup at the Jomtien overpass but officers, afraid of again being detected, had Kritsada change the rendezvous to a Shell station, which officers could more clandestinely stake out. When the 21-year-old arrived on a Honda Wave motorbike with passenger Witawat Thamdee, 18, on the back, officers moved in.

Sattahip District Chief Chaichan Iamcharoen said Pariyapat has been long wanted by police for drug dealing and allegedly firing a gun into groups of teenagers. He also assaulted this Pattaya Mail reporter at a local entertainment venue and put a gun to his head.


Web-surfing college student electrocuted by laptop PC

Theerarak Suthatiwong

A Sattahip Technical College student died after being electrocuted by a damaged computer electric cord.

Satipat Chounkam, 19, was found by his sister lying on his bed in his mother’s Nong Plailai home March 20. His mother was away in Phuket and Satipat appeared to have been dead for about three days. His right thumb showed a severe electric-shock burn and the cable to the battery charger was in his hand.

Monthira Chounkam, 25, said she’d gone to check up on her brother after her mother called to say she couldn’t reach him by phone. Monthira knocked at the door, but despite a light being on inside, no one answered. She left for a meal and returned later, finally scaling a fence to get inside the yard, where she noticed the smell of decay.

Police said there were no signs of violence inside the house and family members said Satipat was a good student who generally returned home from school to spend time chatting on popular social-networking website Hi-5, which was still on the screen on the laptop that apparently killed him.


Swiss-German motorcycle gang allegedly beats, tortures fellow member for 9 hours

Boonlua Chatree

Four German and Swiss members of a local motorcycle club have been arrested for the alleged nine-hour beating and torture of a fellow gang member.

Lone Brothers Motorcycle Club leader Gabriel Frey of Switzerland, and Germans Manfred Decker, 52, Heinz Adam, 42, and Peter Marzog, 46, were taken into custody March 19 by Banglamung Police and Chonburi Immigration officers for assault on 37-year-old Michel Spindler four days before. An alleged fifth attacker, 42-year-old Sven Vehma of Germany, is still at large.

Who me? Gabriel Frey denies charges before being brought in for questioning.

The brutal attack by the alleged perpetrators came amid a dispute over Spindler’s purchase of a motorcycle from the 40-year-old Frey and, according to other published reports, an alleged sexual encounter between the victim and the motorcycle club leader’s wife last year. Frey allegedly demanded 120,000 baht as compensation for both the bike purchase and the dalliance with his Thai wife, then reportedly imprisoned the man in his home own as the five gang members blindfolded, beat him, broke bones and inflicted skin burns.

Spindler was hospitalized with serious injures after reportedly being threatened with death if he complained to police. Upon being released from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya he then decided to press charges and an arrest warrant was eventually obtained with the involvement of Immigration Police.

The four motorcycle club members have denied the charges.


Trash scavenger finds bomb, sparking memories of past tragedies

Patcharapol Panrak

A Sattahip man digging for valuables in a Khao Petch (Diamond Hill) garbage dump instead uncovered a live military mortar round that set off memories of past tragic finds which ended in tragedy for other area scavengers.

This youngster callously holds the mortar round at the garbage dump before authorities were called in to dispose of it.

Chaiwat Panwet, 40, alerted reporters to his find March 18. He said he was rummaging through the dump where military waste has been dumped for years when he found the 65 cm mortar round. It still contained gunpowder and a warhead.

Chaiwat said he was afraid the bomb would explode if the garbage in the dump was burned. That, he said, could lead to more deaths similar to what happened in the past.

He recalled an earlier case when a scavenging father and son found a brass-plated bomb near Nongtakian Reservoir and broke it apart to recover the valuable brass. When they did, the bomb went off killing them both. In another case, another man also tried to remove the brass from the end of another bomb and fragments shot into his eye, blinding him.

Chaiwat said that it is common to find leftover weapons of war in the Sattahip area. He warned people who find any suspicious objects to call the Naval Ordnance Department immediately to dispose of them.


Twice-arrested British drug dealer busted again

Boonlua Chatree

An Englishman twice arrested for drug dealing who fled Thailand and was subsequently blacklisted from the country has again been captured after somehow sneaking back into the Kingdom.

Nigel William Dicken, 48, was arrested March 19 for illegally entering the country when Chonburi Immigration Police finally caught up with him.

Blacklisted Nigel Dicken (right) was arrested for entering the country illegally.

Dicken was busted twice in 2009 for allegedly slinging methamphetamines with the help of Thai accomplices. The most recent arrest came Sept. 2 when he was caught with 100 ecstasy tablets in his room at LK Apartment on Soi Batman. Two Thais working with Dicken - Samart Chaibamrung, 32, and Thanathorn Chaoraina, 32 - were later arrested on Soi Siam Country Club holding 6.3 grams of ecstasy. Both men confessed they’d been selling drugs for Dicken for years.

Released again on bail, Dicken fled Thailand for the United Arab Emirates but arranged through a female lawyer acquaintance on Thepprasit Road in Jomtien Beach to somehow re-enter the country despite him being blacklisted by immigration. He made it through Passport Control at Bangkok International Airport and back to Pattaya unmolested.

Immigration police raided the law office and recovered 32 pages of documents relating to his illegal re-entry into the kingdom and now both the thrice-arrested alleged drug peddler and his legal eagle have been caged.