South Pattaya 101 to get reprieve

Parlisment approves landfill project, says no need to demolish 101 shop-houses

Previously, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment included the landfill project with the demolition of the 101 shop houses, demanding that the demolition must take place at once. Until then, there would be no further discussion about the landfill.

This turned out to be the reason that the landfill project has been hung up, because of the owners of the 101 shop houses have seriously protested the decision of the authorities, explaining that South Pattaya was the first and still is the most popular tourist area in Pattaya.

Thanong Kulcharoen and his committee visited Pattaya on March 29th to view and analyze the 9 projects of Pattaya’s development plan. Eight of the projects are already under construction. The only exception being the landfill project.

Thanong Kulcharoen said that after receiving and reviewing all the facts and pertinent information, the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Engineering decided it would be best to separate the problem into two parts.

In order to allow the project to go on, they have separated the landfill project with the demolition of the 101 shop houses. The landfill project is considered to be very important for Pattaya City, and would create a new beautiful view, plus comfort for tourists and locals.

"Regarding the demolition of the 101 shop houses, we have now brought in experts in law and politics to discuss the matter and to find a way out," Thanong said. Until then, the 101 shop-houses will be left standing.

Prepare to get WET!

Pattaya Festival 1999 kicks off this week

Pattaya Festival 1999 gets underway with the Grand Opening parade on Monday evening, April 12th. The parade is scheduled to begin around 6:00 p.m. near Soi 4 on Beach Road, and finish with Grand Opening ceremonies at the Pattaya Festival Center on Third Road.

The Grand Opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. when Sontaya Khunpluem, guest of honor, cuts the ribbon.

This year’s festival will run from April 12th - 19th, and will feature a host of fun-filled activities, including for the first time a light and sound show in honor of HM King Taksin the Great.

This year’s festival also features hundreds of displays, sporting events and cultural shows. For a schedule of Pattaya Festival activities, please turn to page 4.

As is now custom, Pattaya Festival coincides with Thai New Year, also known as the Songkran Holiday. This holiday has become world famous as the fun-spirited "water-festival". So prepare to get wet - and enjoy the fun!

Bravo, Ricky and Bam brought in to assist in the Ullrich case

Help police search for drugs

Bravo, the award winning police dog, and his buddies Ricky and Bam, two other police narcotics detecting canines, were enlisted to search a warehouse owned by Wolfgang Ullrich’s wife.

Bravo and Ricky wait outside the warehouse as police test materials they found for drugs.

Police have suspected the U&I Oil Co. Ltd., an oil cleansing service company registered to Ms. Rosarin Chaisayan, wife of Wolfgang Ullrich, to be a front for the narcotics trade.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Nopadol Somboonsub, deputy to the commander of the national police, said that the company has been under suspicion "for quite some time."

After obtaining a search warrant, Pol. Gen. Noppadol formed a squad of experts to search the premises. Three narcotics sniffing dogs, named Bravo, Ricky and Bam, were enlisted to help in the search.

Police test warehouse materials for drugs.

Although the dogs sniffed at rolls of materials and indicated that there was something suspicious about them, preliminary evidence was inconclusive.

Police officers unraveled the rolls and found materials that may have been used to wrap drugs, but because of the heat and the humidity in the warehouse it was impossible to determine what the substances were, even after using the usual test methods. Therefore, the evidence was taken to be tested in police laboratories. Results will be made public soon.

Inside the warehouse, officers did find 2 yachts, a wine cellar, more than 50 sacks of barley and 127 rolls of material used to soak up oil slicks. Another room was used to store scuba diving equipment and a foam sprayer.

Wolfgang Ullrich is still in detention on charges of illegal entry into the country and alleged involvement in the drug and prostitution racket.

Dino busted near Nana Plaza

Jailed for embazzlement

Ten months. That’s how long it took for American Patrick "Dino" Dekoning to entrench himself enough in the local Pattaya expat community to embezzle $22,000 off his new found "friends".

Yet ten months was not long enough for Dino to comprehend the far reaching influence the local Pattaya community has available to them in Southeast Asia.

After an aborted escape attempt, Patrick "Dino" Dekoning, 44, was arrested from his hotel near Nana Plaza on March 31st. He has since been brought back to Pattaya to face charges of embezzlement.

Dekoning’s modus operandi was to present himself as an experienced sailing captain, one who had participated in well-known international races, and one who had made his living piloting sailing vessels throughout the world.

During his ten months stay in Pattaya, Dekoning had become a fixture in the Pattaya Hash House Harriers and spent nearly every night in the local HHH bars.

Dekoning often spoke of a special cruise from Tahiti to the USA that he would be captaining. His convincing ruse managed to spark the interest of a handful of locals. Dekoning told his friends that he could gain them a special price on the cruise, as he was the captain.

When the stated date of the cruise drew near, Dekoning allegedly received money to secure places on the cruise. The amount totaled US$22,000 (app. 814,000 baht). Dekoning took the money and fled to Cambodia.

In the meantime, one of his victims, an influential America businessman working in Bangkok, flew to Tahiti to meet the non-existent sailing vessel. The scheduled date of departure for the cruise was 10:00 a.m. on March 22nd. When the vessel didn’t arrive, the businessman flew back to Thailand to report the crime.

Dekoning was spotted in Phnom Penh by members of Pattaya’s extensive international family of friends. Emails were sent, and within a day, a few of Dekoning’s victims had landed in Phnom Penh to confront him.

Cornered, Dekoning still managed to lie convincingly, telling his victims that a local bar owner had threatened him with his life if he didn’t hand over the money and air tickets immediately. This gave Dekoning just enough time to hire a local woman to take him to the airport where he escaped back to Bangkok. Dekoning paid the woman to settle his hotel bill and put his belongings into storage.

The woman did not know what had happened, and when asked by the bar owner and victims, she happily revealed what she had done, including Dekoning’s hotel and room number.

Dekoning had left in such a hurry that he took nothing with him except what he was wearing, and perhaps the embezzled money. All his belongings were left in the hotel. All have since been "donated" to less fortunate people on the streets of Phnom Penh.

Dekoning managed to slip through immigration moments before his name was entered into the computers as an internationally wanted criminal.

The American businessman in Bangkok then put his lawyer to work. Within hours Dekoning was tracked down to a hotel near Nana Plaza.

Dekoning was arrested by plainclothes policemen with warrant no. 64/2542, criminal case no. 605/2540. Dekoning currently resides in a local prison to await due process of law.

Red or Black?

Youth of Banglamung gather for conscription day

Every year at about the same time young men of 21 years of age gather together at the district offices all over the country to go through the tense moments of picking a ticket to determine whether they will have to spend the next 2 years in the military.

A black card means exemption from military service. A red card ensures a two-year stint in the armed forces.

What can one do but smile? This “lucky” man drew a red card, ensuring himself of at least a two-year stint in the military.

This is a day dreaded by many. Just like the youth of all other countries in the world, this day is not looked forward to.

This year, men between the ages of 22-29 were added to the crowd of 21-year-olds called to go through the selection process. This totaled 862 young men in the Banglamung District.

Students still studying in educational institutions received special permission to postpone their conscription, but still had to present themselves to be accounted for.

An air of excitement prevailed as the men were made to draw lots. In total, 166 men were conscripted. 70 for the Royal Thai Army and 96 for the Royal Thai Navy.

Parents and loved ones cheered or groaned depending on the card that their sons drew. Families were seen crowding the Banglamung district office and making an enjoyable weekend for themselves as they observed the proceedings.

An army officer told our reporter that this year there were not too many draws necessary as they had many applications from the young men to voluntarily join the services. A secure job perhaps?

Motorcycle thieves arrested

Search nets stash of stolen parts

Two locals were arrested after a police crackdown on motorcycle theft netted stolen motorcycle parts.

After receiving complaints that a group of youths were stealing motorbikes from rented apartments in the Banglamung area, Banglamung police began spot-checking motorbikes without number plates in order to prevent bikes from being stolen.

Maew Boonkurt, 24, was apprehended driving a black Honda without a number plate. Boonkurt claimed that the bike belonged to his aunt. However, for some unknown reason, he told police he had exchanged it with a male friend who keeps stolen parts, including a pair of mag wheels stolen from a bike parked in Piphat Apartment in Soi 21.

The location described coincided with the report filed by Miss Wanapa Jampa, 27, that her bike was stolen from the same apartment building.

Following up on Boonkurt’s story, a squad of police went to Piphat Apartments and found Maroot Khanthongdi sitting on a customized bike without a number plate. Both the front and back wheels of the bike were missing.

Suspicious police seized the bike and took it, along with Maroot, to the Banglamung police station. During questioning, Maroot admitted to stealing the bike.

Police escorted Miss Wanapa, the owner of the stolen bike, to the police station to identify her bike. She confirmed that it was her bike indeed, but without wheels.

After further questioning, police learned that Maroot stole many more bikes from the Banglamung area and sold the parts around pawn shops. Some of the other parts were buried, so police took Maroot to dig them up.

Boonkurt and Maroot have been charged with theft and selling stolen items. Both now await trial.

Chonburi releases seahorses

9,999 to be set free

Khun Pichai Sonjaeng, Managing Director of the Institute of Marine Science, Burapha University Chonburi, is organizing the release 9,999 seahorses back into the ocean to commemorate His Majesty the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday on the 5th of December 1999.

The first time that the seahorses were released was in February 1999. The releases will continue every month until reaching the target number of released seahorses.

The releases are being sponsored in part by Khun Kunsadung Buaprasert of Esso Thailand. Esso has donated the amount of 100,000 baht in order to preserve the seahorses and protect them from extinction.

Burnt bones give residents a scare

Undetermined whether human or animal

On April 2nd, local residents found a pile of burnt bones in the public garden behind Wat Thung Krad in Banglamung. Not sure whether they were of human or animal origin, they called police to investigate.

A Sawang Boriboon worker points to the burnt bones found behind Wat Thung Krad.

Officers who went to the scene were unable to determine whether the bones were human or not as they were burnt beyond recognition.

What may help in the investigation is that police also found car tire strings burnt beside the bones.

The bones were sent via the Sawang Boriboon Foundation to forensic hospital to determine their origin.

Local government set to change

Pattaya City organized a special talk on “The Local Government Administration of Pattaya City”

Pattaya City and the Prachadhipok Institute organized a special talk on "The Local Government Administration of Pattaya City" as part of the opening ceremony for the program Meet the Press and People.

The special talk, along with the public hearing, were held in order to provide the people of Pattaya with clear information on the new system of local government administration, and to reflect their needs and problems to the government and the National Assembly. This was to ensure that this system would be in accordance with the will of the people.

Following the cabinet decision to approve the Pattaya City Local Government Administration Bill, proposed by the Office of the Judicial Council, the Ministry of Interior pointed out that some provisions in the existing Act were not in line with the new constitution (1997). There was concern that the administrators of Pattaya City and its assembly members were not directly elected by the local people.

According to the government policy statement delivered to the National Assembly on 20 November 1997, the government made it clear that it would restructure the existing local government administration system. The new structure of local government administration would be in the form of the Provincial Administrative Organization, the Minor District (Tambon) Administrative Organization, the Municipality and the Special Local Government Administration, Pattaya City included.

According to Professor Dr Bawornsak Uwanno, when the New Constitution came into effect on 11 October 1997, there was an unprecedented change in the system of local government administration. In this regard, the conventional system of centralization was replaced by the principle of self-government in which each locality should be granted more autonomy. It was therefore imperative that the Ministry of Interior revise a number of existing laws to be in line with Section 285 (2) of the Constitution - that members of the local assembly shall be directly elected by the people.

It was against this background that the existing Pattaya City Local Government Administration Act was obviously inconsistent with the Constitution, since part of its assembly members were appointed - as with the case of all local and provincial assemblies where the district directors and governors were technically appointed chairmen or members of the assemblies.

As far as the new administration structure of Pattaya City was concerned, the position of Pattaya city manager would come from a government official without administrative authority, while 24 assembly members would be elected directly by the people with their 4-year term in office. The Mayor of Pattaya City, with administrative authority, would be elected from such assembly members. This was similar to the system of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Dr. Bawornsak, however, warned that the Bill might not be able to come into effect as expected. Since there were still lots of reservations in connection with some aspects of administrative problems within the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Senate might delay the approval of this Bill. It was also afraid that this Bill could be withheld in case the existing Parliament was to be dissolved.

Nevertheless, the Constitutional Drafting Committee had prepared for this, as it was stated clearly in the transitory provisions of the New Constitution that the consideration of this Bill could be carried on notwithstanding the Parliament dissolution.

Mr. Sansak Ngarmpiches added that for 21 years, since 1978, the administration of Pattaya City, under city managers, has experienced many aspects of problems - mainly as a result of the lack of administrative budget. Although the city of Pattaya helped generate more than 20 billion baht of revenue annually, most of the money was sent back to the central government. Whenever Pattaya City needed money for redeveloping the City, it had to apply to the central administration for a special budget.

Additionally, mayors did not have real administrative authority. This was confirmed by the fact that the city has had 6 mayors, but 14 city managers since.

Realizing the nature of such problems, a group of MPs from Chonburi proposed this matter to the government in 1995. The government subsequently approved the proposal for restructuring the administration of Pattaya City in 1996 before appointing a special committee to draft the Bill, asking the Office of the Judicial Council to construe the Bill and return it to the National Assembly for consideration.

The Bill had already been approved by the House of Representatives, along with other bills proposed by a group of MPs from Chonburi, Mr. Thawil Praison and his party. The Special Committee for the Amendment of the Local Government Administration of Pattaya City was set up and chaired by Mr. Chamni Sakdhiset. So far the committee has amended about 38 sections. The process seems to be very slow, but this is to ensure that the Bill is carefully amended, especially in terms of tax and revenue matters.

The meeting also allowed people to ask questions and propose any appropriate form of amendment to the Bill. Mr. Chanyuth Hengtrakul, Chairman of Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, remarked that according to Section 77 of the Bill, Pattaya City, like the provincial administrative organization, was fully entitled to collect tax on some categories of oil, including benzene and diesel, with the maximum rate of 5 satangs per liter or kilogram. Mr. Chanyuth proposed to Chonburi Province that any tax being collected in the area of Pattaya City should be returned to the city so that the money would be used for developing the locality. In case it was possible to issue any laws relating to the collection of tax, Pattaya City should be allowed to do this itself.

According to Section 91 and 92, which empowered the governor of Chonburi to oversee the management of Pattaya City, Mr. Chanyuth proposed that it should be the minister concerned performing this task instead, because such provisions were inconsistent with the constitution and implied the unwillingness of the Ministry of Interior to grant more autonomy to the locality.

The chairman of the House of Representatives’ Special Committee for the Amendment of the Local Government Administration of Pattaya City would therefore inform the whole committee’s next meeting of all the proposals and comments for further consideration.

Miss Alcazar to be crowned next week

Cabaret stars gear up for large prizes

100,000 Baht in prizes will be awarded during the Miss Alcazar 1999 Contest on April 18th and 19th.

Alcazar General Manager, Khun Pisai Panomwan Na Ayuthaya, believes that this, the 4th annual event, will be the biggest yet.

The stated objectives of the contest are to stimulate tourism during the Pattaya Festival and to search for a new star to represent the group. This new star will be prepared to compete with international cabaret shows. The contest is also to provide the chance for "females" who were born in men’s bodies to be recognized and accepted in society.

Category winners of the Miss Alcazar Contest 1998.

The contest begins on the 18th of April at 24:00 hrs., with the first phase of selection being to shorten the list to 30 candidates. On the 19th at the same time the 30 will be short listed to 10 and then to 5.

The prizes will be awarded on April 19th. Jao Kokaew Prakaikawi Na Chiangmai will be the host and main judge on the night. There will also be several other important personnel who will be sitting as judges, such Khun Worayut Mirinthajinda, Managing Director of a drama TV program, Dr Thep Wechvisit, owner of a cosmetic surgery institute, and Khun Amorn See Amorn, owner of Adam & Eve Pattaya. Judges will decide winners by judging personality, beauty and astuteness.

The emcee and singer who will be performing are Khun Mathanee "Nino" Booranasiri and Khun Wassan Uttamayothin. There will be a mini concert performed by "Jack" Thanaphol Intarit along with dancers.

Potential candidates can register from the 10th to 18th of April from 17:00 to 21:00 at the show production department at Alcazar theater. Those who apply must be not more than 35 years old, but it doesn’t matter whether they’ve had an operation or not. Employees of the Alcazar Company are exempt from participating in the contest. Those interested should bring along their personal documentation and 1,000 Baht in cash.

First prize for Miss Alcazar 1999 will be 60,000 Baht in cash, a sash, a trophy, a return air ticket to Singapore for two, and a voucher for a one night stay at the Markland Beach Pattaya.

Prizes will also be awarded to first, second, third and fourth runners-up, as well as "Miss Popular", "Miss Best Costume" and "Miss Super Model".

Tickets can be reserved from the 1st of April to the 18th at the ticket sales counter at Alcazar theater Pattaya. Ticket prices will vary. On the 18th, tickets cost 200 Baht for all seats. On the 19th, tickets will cost 350 Baht for balcony seats and 500 Baht for floor seats. For more information, call the public relations department on 038-411599, 410225-7 ext. 31.

Qantas/British Airways service our travel agents

In early April, Qantas/British Airways held a conference at the Montien Hotel. This meeting was of great importance for the forty travel agents who attended. In addition, a representative from the Australian Tourist Commission and his New Zealand counterpart were present to reinforce the message delivered by Khun Boonsong Haruchaiyasak, the Qantas/British Airways Commercial Manager.

In an exclusive interview granted to the Pattaya Mail, K. Boonsong said, "My company is very excited with the prospect of the forthcoming year. Our new packages and products will open up new markets for Thai tourism, especially in the Pattaya-Eastern Seaboard area, a region we consider to be a core market."

One of the new products is called Grand Australia and offers passengers a choice of one of three destinations in the Australian continent, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. In addition, the package incorporates hotel accommodation up to 5 nights stop-over and transfer from any of the destinations to another one. Qantas has 26 flights a week from Bangkok and British Airways 14. The cost of this product is 27,900 Baht for the return flight and accommodation and transfers.

The other item of major importance, according to K. Boonsong, was the announcement of the "Oneworld" alliance that has been formed between Cathay Pacific Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines and Qantas Airways. K. Boonsong echoed the sentiments of Mr. Nick Moore, Manager Thailand of Qantas/British Airways who was reported as saying, "As an alliance, "Oneworld" can offer our customers benefits on a scale that we could not contemplate as individual airlines. I believe passengers travelling from or to Thailand on any carrier under our umbrella will realise and gain the benefits and services of "Oneworld"."

With a combined staff of almost one quarter of a million people, it is expected that this new alliance will improve customer service and make for smoother inter-airline transfers. Frequent flyer rewards will also be transferable amongst the members of the alliance.

Other new products include trips on the supersonic Concorde across the Atlantic for those who have booked First Class flights Bangkok-London-New York - at no extra charge. Flights on the Concorde are still the fastest in the world and an experience that all world travelers should try at least once.

It is good to see that the airline carriers are again moving forwards (as well as upwards) indicating that we are beginning to move away from the depression of the past couple of years.

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sungwanlek.