Short on green, Brit golfer penalized for putter in pants

Boonlua Chatree

A British golfer looking to improve his short game now faces a long-term problem after getting caught with a stolen putter in his pants leg.

Christian Clarke was busted for trying to shoplift a Scotty Cameron putter.

Christian Clarke, 34, was arrested July 11 inside Central Festival Pattaya Beach after being detained by a security guard for trying to leg it out of the Super Sports store with a 15,300 baht Scotty Cameron putter shoved down his pants.

Officers based at the Pattaya Police Station only 10 meters from the mall said Clarke had entered the store enquiring about a new putter. After finding out how much it cost, he pretended to look around the story until trying to conceal the club, they said. Searching him, police found only 2,000 baht on him.

Frenchman celebrating Spain victory on motorbike hits pedestrian, injuring 3

Kinan Suchaovanich

Pattaya (AP) - A renowned Russian pianist and conductor arrested on child sex charges returned to Thailand for a court hearing Monday, honoring the terms of his controversial release on bail that allowed him to leave the country.

Russian pianist and conductor Mikhail Pletnev leaves Pattaya provincial court on Monday, July 19. (Pattaya Mail photo)

Mikhail Pletnev, the conductor and founder of the Russian National Orchestra, told reporters before his court appearance that allegations he had raped a 14-year-old boy were “not true.”

“During the police search of my home, nothing connected with the allegations - no photographs or other visual material - was found on (my) computer,” he said, reading from a prepared statement.

Pletnev could face up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to 40,000 baht if found guilty.

After his arrest in Pattaya, the provincial court granted him permission to leave the country to perform at a festival in Macedonia, after posting bail of about $9,000.

Anti-pedophile activists, doubting he would return, had criticized the action as too lenient for someone accused of a serious crime.

“(Since my return) I hope everyone now accepts that I am a man of honor and that I am a man of my word,” said Pletnev.

Internationally known as a pianist, conductor and composer, Pletnev won a 2005 Grammy for an arrangement of Prokofiev’s “Cinderella” which was recorded with him and Martha Argerich on piano.

He owns a restaurant and the Euro Club - which includes a swimming pool and badminton courts - in Pattaya, where he reportedly lives in a palatial compound.

Activists still believe there is a strong case against him.

“It’s up to the police now to collate all the evidence and call the witnesses,” said Supagon Noja of the Child Protection and Development Center, a non-governmental organization.

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Mikhall Pletnev reads from prepared statement

Mikhall Pletnev read from the following prepared statement following his appearance in the Pattaya District Court on Monday, July 19:

“I have today appeared as instructed at the Pattaya District Court. In order to be here, I returned to Thailand from Europe.

I once again express my thanks to the Court for permitting me to leave Thailand 12 days ago to conduct at the opening concert of the 50th Ohrid Festival in Macedonia.

I have been asked to appear again before the court in another 12 days. I wish to make it clear that I shall be here for that appointment. As publicized in the news media throughout the world, some people in authority and others expressed their views that I would never return to Thailand. I hope everyone now accepts that I am a man of honor and that I am a man of my word.

I have always stated that I will assist the police in every way I can with their enquiries into the allegations that have been made against me. I say again these allegations are not true. I also state, contrary to media reports, that during the police search of my home nothing connected with the allegations - no photographs or other visual material - was found in the computer.

I also wish to address some mistakes and rumors that have been written about me over the last two weeks.

Firstly, at a press conference prior the concert at the Ohrid Festival, some media wrote that I claimed the allegations against me were “not important”. This phrase was taken completely out of context. That conference was to announce the opening of the 50th Ohrid Festival, a major occasion in Macedonia. One reporter asked one question about Thailand. I stated we were in Ohrid to celebrate the opening of the festival. What was happening in Thailand was not so important that day in Ohrid, where it was more important that the media focus on the concert and the beautiful music we were to be performing. I have never regarded this case as being anything but very serious.

Secondly, my residence in Thailand is not full-time. I return to Thailand and my house here only when I have sufficient time available in my busy concert schedule. In the last 10 years, I have managed to make just a few visits to Thailand each year, with each visit being usually between 1 and 3 weeks.

Thirdly, I do not - and have never - run any form of music school in Thailand. Given the very short periods I am in Thailand, I frankly do not understand how this could be possible.

Lastly, it has been suggested that I arranged for some Thai instrumentalists to visit Russia for study with me. This is false. When I performed a concerto and a recital in Bangkok in August 2004 in honor of her Majesty the Queen’s 72nd Birthday, I had the great pleasure of meeting her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana. The Princess honored me by inviting me for a discussion about how she could further assist the development of talented young Thai musicians through a fund she had established for this purpose. She hoped it might be possible for one or more to study at the Moscow Conservatoire. She asked if I would audition some musicians, which I subsequently did. I then informed Her Royal Highness that none of the students were at that time close to the very high standard demanded for entry. That remains the only occasion when I have had any discussions with anyone regarding Thai musicians studying in the Moscow Conservatoire.

In conclusion, I ask that there is no further speculation on this case until the police investigations have been completed and the case considered by the Court.

Thank you
Mikhail Pletnev
19 July 2010”

Bar hostess shot in leg by unidentified youths

Boonlua Chatree

A pair of young motorcyclists are believed responsible for a 42-year-old hostess being shot in the leg at a Soi 8 beer bar.

Police were called to Classic Bar near the corner of Second Road around 1:30 a.m. July 6. Sangwan Sirimat, the bar’s owner, said the victim had already been taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital.

Investigators found Kaesorn Rattanamaneekul being prepared for surgery to remove the bullet from her leg.

Sangwan told police she’d been sitting in front of the bar with her staff when a pair of young men rode by on motorbikes. She then heard two loud bangs and Kaesorn, who had been playing pool, cried out in pain. Tourists in the bar scattered at the gun shots.

The bar owner said she didn’t know for sure where the shots came from, but police assume the youths fired the gun, either to cause trouble or accidentally. They were last seen riding toward Soi Buakaow.

Buddhist Lent begins next week

July 26 & 27

Devout Buddhists make merit during last year’s ceremonies.

This year, the Buddhist holy days of Asalaha Bucha and Khao Pansaa fall on July 26 and 27. Both are recognized public holidays, and therefore banks and most businesses will be closed. It is also against the rules to sell alcoholic beverages during the beginning of Buddhist Lent. Many activities are planned throughout the city, especially at our temples, and everyone is invited to take part.

Asalaha Bucha Day (July 26)

The Buddhist Holy Day of Asalaha Bucha falls on the 15th night (15 kham) of the full moon during the eighth month of the Buddhist Lunar calendar, this year equating to Monday, July 26. “Asalaha Bucha” means paying homage and worshiping on the day identified according to the lunar calendar during the eighth month, Ahsala being the name of the eighth month in the Pali language.

Asalaha Bucha Day is worshipped because of three important events occurring on the day. Called the “Triple Gem” (the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), these commemorate the first sermon given by the Buddha, called the “Dharmachakapavattama Sutta” concerning the “Four Noble Truths” presented to the Buddha’s first five disciples. The sermon set in motion the “Wheel of Dharma”, which is the meaning of “Dharmachaka”.

The sermon concluded that: 1. All things are a source of suffering from the constant cycle of birth, disease, old age and death. 2. Desire or the inability to obtain what one desires is the cause of suffering resulting from cause and effect. 3. Freedom from suffering can be obtained after the complete cessation of desire. 4. The last of the Four Noble Truths is the “Middle Way”, or the path between extremes of asceticism and indulgence leading to the eliminating of desire. The Eight-Fold Path consists of possessing the correct: Views, Resolve, Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, and Meditation (or Concentration).

Secondly, the day is considered to be the birth of Buddhism, as the Buddha departed the location where he obtained his enlightenment two months earlier and then, coming to a forest area in the city of Pharansi, he showed favour to five ascetics who became his followers.

The third of the Triple Gems is the Sangha. On this same day, the first person listened to the Buddha’s sermon, realising the truths contained therein and becoming the first Buddhist monk. This created the Buddhist order “Sangha” and the day is known as “Sangha Day” as well as Ahsala Bucha Day.

The Thai government established the observance of Asalaha Bucha Day in 1958. Buddhist temples throughout the Kingdom arrange ceremonies venerating these important historic events. Devout Buddhists participate in the ceremonies by presenting offerings to monks, listening to sermons and performing ritual prayers.

The entire day is revered and certain precepts are adhered to by the more devout Buddhist, and by those who have the inclination and opportunity to do so. The Wien Thien ritual ceremony is performed in the evening as many go to nearby temples bringing candles, flowers and joss sticks, completing three trips walking around the temple area sacred grounds.

Khao Pansaa
(July 27)

The day following the start of Buddhist Lent (Asalaha Bucha Day) another important Buddhist holy day begins in Thailand with the custom called Khao Pansaa. This day falls on the first full moon (1 kham) of the Buddhist lunar calendar during the eighth month of every year, which this year equates to Tuesday, July 27, and ends on the 15th full moon (15 kham) of the 11th month of the Buddhist calendar, usually in mid-October. During a leap ear it is identified during the second eighth month.

The term “Khao Pansaa” can also translate to entering the months of the rainy season when monks return to the temple for the duration of the rains, usually to the temple where they were ordained. They stay there for approximately three months. The monks are not supposed to depart the temple, or stay overnight at any other location during the months of rain. Although the rainy season is considered to be longer than three months, lasting up to four or even more, monks are only required to remain at the temples for three months. During the last period of the rainy season they can then go elsewhere when the Katin ceremony is performed, whereby new robes are presented to the monks at the temples.

Initially, monks were discouraged from travelling during the rainy season because of the idea that it was inappropriate to walk about during the rainy season when many small living creatures were about, which could be accidentally stepped on. This included the rice crops. Inclement weather also made it difficult to get out and about. Therefore, it was established long ago that the monks would remain in temples during the rains for three months, discussing and studying Buddhist scriptures, following Buddhist disciplines, meditating and performing ritual ceremonies.

The custom of Khao Pansaa has continued to this day with three classes of ceremonies, a Royal ceremony conducted by the King of Thailand, ritual ceremonies for devout followers of Buddhism throughout the Kingdom and ceremonies performed by monks in the temples.

The Royal ceremony is similar to the ceremony performed by the general public, but more elaborate. HM the King and members of the Royal Family perform ritual ceremonies to pay homage to Buddhism, and present Khao Pansaa candles and traditional garments to Buddhist monks. The Royal Family also donates many other items used in these ceremonies.

Other followers of Buddhism all over Thailand will attend temples in the morning, bringing food, necessity items, money, the traditional candles, garments and ceremonial items for the monks, with flowers and candles in hand.

For those people having devout faith they may refrain from the recognised eight offences for the duration of the three month rainy season just as monks do, while others may give up a single vice, with yet others recognising the 5-8 offences for the day.

The ceremonies performed by monks in temples revolve around rituals accepting new monks, who take vows for periods up to the three months, with some staying even longer. Senior monks at each monastery perform other ceremonies leading followers in worship and prayer.

The two main items presented to monks during Khao Pansaa are the candles and garments worn by monks, specifically the bathing robe. The candles were essential in former times and needed for ceremonies, studying scriptures and performing various other functions. The candle offering has developed into a custom still followed.

The presentation of garments worn by monks is said to have originated from methods of bathing in former times, commonly done in community areas using streams, rivers, ponds and other sources of water, with monks requiring a bathing robe. The garments worn by monks continued to develop until the custom included presenting the entire arrangement worn by monks.

Many people take time away from their work on Khao Pansaa to recognise the importance of the Buddhist Holy Day. Everyone is invited to participate in the temple ceremonies and to refrain from offensive behaviour for the day, and to make the same effort thereafter.