Larn Island community seeks positive change

Meet with city officials to ask for help

Larn Island Community members met with city officials again last week to discuss changes they feel are needed on the island.

Larn Island Community Chairman, Suchat Khobjai met with representatives from the city administration, tourist police, city maintenance, sanitation office and tourist development agencies to look for methods of correcting ongoing problems on the island. The meeting took place at Pattaya City Hall. Information collected during the administration’s visit to the island in August this year was also discussed.

The Tourist Assistance Center on Larn Island will maintain two representatives from the Pattaya Municipal Police, Tourist Police and City Vendor Officers to maintain order on Larn Island.

The members submitted the following problems to the responsible agencies for corrective action:

1. Restaurant sewage pipes require corrective action by the city sanitation department to locate blockage and blow out the obstructing sand using the fire department’s high pressure water system. A grease trap is to be constructed at the same location.

2. Electrical power lines in the shopping area present a disorderly appearance. A Pattaya City maintenance crew is to remove the power lines, coordinating any disputes encountered with land owners with the Banglamung District Office.

3. Members at the meeting all agreed that beach chairs and umbrellas should be arranged in a line, five meters in front of vendors, with a walking space available three meters wide. Selling items in front of the shops and restaurants beyond the electrical poles will be prohibited. Vendors walking around selling merchandise will also be stopped.

4. Keeping order on the beach will require two representatives from the Pattaya Municipal Police, Pattaya Tourist Police and Pattaya City Vendor Officers. These representatives will be assigned to the Tourist Assistance Center on the island.

5. Council Members will establish set rates for jet ski rentals, water skiing and water scooters and provide the information to the TAT office in Pattaya. Signs announcing the rates will be required on the beach.

Police raid fuel storage depot

Seize large amount of illegal fuel

A group of police officers armed with search warrants and accompanied by officials from the Flammable Fuels Office of the Ministry of Commerce raided a warehouse in Ban Rong Po last week. Police suspected the warehouse was being used to illegally produce fuel.

Police suspicions turned out to be true, as the raiding party found a large quantity of illegal fuels inside the warehouse, but the owner of the warehouse was not in the area.

Police discovered two 15,000 liter fuel containers, one 12,000 liter fuel container, and two 200 liter fuel containers buried beneath the ground. The containers were filled with benzene and diesel fuel. An examination of the containers for octane content showed that solvents were present.

A police spokesman said that illegal fuels are a major problem in the Eastern Region’s industrial area. The problem has been increasing since the recent rise in the price of fuel.

Police suspect the Banglamung warehouse was a major supplier of illegal low grade fuels in the area.

Police also believe the Banglamung warehouse is just one of many in the Eastern Region, and that many of the Ban Rong Po residents are involved in the illegal activity.

Further investigation identified Phaithun Yindee as the warehouse owner. Police surmise he may have received advanced information alerting him about the raid. Police are continuing the investigation and a warrant for Phaithun’s arrest has been issued.

Restaurant gutted by fire

Stored fireworks blamed

The vacant Bridge Over the River Kwai Restaurant in Pattaya was gutted by fire on 21 September, possibly the result of fireworks stored on the premises.

The fire blazed for an hour before fire police were able to bring it under control.

The Bridge Over the River Kwai Restaurant was reduced to charred rubble after fire broke out in the restaurant’s office.

A security guard hired to look after the vacant restaurant told police he heard a loud explosion, then flames almost instantly erupted and soon spread to the grass area along side the building.

According to one of the restaurant’s investors, Sutham Phaknamrod, the restaurant opened two months ago, but due to the economic situation was forced to close down. The restaurant and equipment were recently assessed at over 300,000 baht. Phaknamrod said the investors had put over two million baht into the business.

Fire investigators determined the fire started in the office of the restaurant.

Investigators are presuming the fire was caused by stored in the restaurant after the opening celebration. They may have become overheated and exploded, causing 150,000 baht in damages.

U-tapao Airport receives 200 million baht for improvements

Ministry of Defense budgets the money to prepare for tourism

The Ministry of Defense agreed to supply funds from its budget amounting to 200 million baht to prepare for an anticipated increase in tourists arriving at U-tapao Airport. The additional funding was requested in order continue to convert the U-tapao air base into a national commercial airport.

The funds are also need to correct other obstacles in preparation for the increase in the numbers of tourists expected to visit the area in the near future.

The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Tourism of the House of Representatives, Santsak Ngamphiches said that the developing progress at U-tapao Airport requires the immediate budget increase.

The Royal Thai Navy will control the disbursement of the funding.

Swiss suspect arrested with illegal firarm

11mm found hidden in his vehicle

The Narcotics Suppression Unit collected information indicating Swiss national Fritz Heinz Ernst, 49, was involved illegal activities, possibly selling drugs. On 23 September a search warrant was obtained and police searched his residence in Moo 10, Nong Prue.

Swiss national Fritz Heinz Ernst was arrested for possession of an illegal firearm.

Ernst was found at home, but the police search of his premises didn’t turn up anything out of the ordinary. However, a search of his pick-up truck parked in front of the house turned up an illegal, unregistered, modified 11 mm pistol. The firearm was confiscated and Ernst arrested.

Ernst told police the weapon belonged to a friend. He said he was unaware of where the friend obtained the weapon.

Police recorded his statement and charged him with illegal possession of an unregistered weapon.

Hotel employee killed in auto accident

Victim of hit and run

A 22-year-old employee of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort was killed last week in a tragically bizarre traffic accident on Sukhumvit Road.

A city employee working on the road beautification project who witnessed the accident told police that a white sedan was stopped on the side of the road in front of the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind. The driver of the sedan opened the door and was about to get out when the motorcycle, unable to avoid the unexpected door opening, crashed into the car door. The impact caused the motorcycle driver to bounce off the door and tumble into traffic. A van driving at high speed ran over the motorcyclist, dragging him for a long distance before stopping. The driver of the van then ran out of the vehicle and disappeared. During the confusion, the driver of the white sedan also drove off and disappeared.

Pattaya Police called in to investigate the accident found the body of the young man stuck beneath the van. His twisted motorcycle was nearby.

The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Unit had the grueling task of removing the body from the vehicle, while a large crowd of on-lookers were present. The mid-morning traffic was backed up for 100 meters waiting for the removal of the wreckage.

Police searched the inside of the van and found a driver’s license belonging to Mr. Som Mai Thongpha, age 23, from Nong Prue. Police surmise that he was the driver of the van.

Identification found on the body of the accident victim ascertained that he was a 22 year old employee from the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and a former resident of Chiang Mai Province.

Police are continuing the investigation and collecting more information about the driver of the white sedan while they try to locate the Nong Prue resident identified from the driver’s license left in the van.

Two teenage schoolgirls killed in traffic accident

An overloaded motorcycle carrying young teenage schoolgirls was run into by a pick-up truck on Sukhumvit Highway, killing two and seriously injuring two others.

The accident took place at the intersection of Sukhumvit Highway and Soi Chayapreuk in Nong Prue as school was being let out in the afternoon.

The driver of the pick-up truck, Mr. Chao Wongchucheud, told police he was bringing his family from Sattahip to visit his sister in South Pattaya. He said that as he approached the green traffic light at the intersection, the motorcycle carrying the girls crossed in front of him. He said he was unable to avoid the motorcycle and in the process ran down two other students standing alongside the road.

Chao stopped his vehicle to assist the injured and took them to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital.

Police went to the hospital where two of the motorcycle passengers were already pronounced dead. Two others were seriously injured. The students were all girls aged 13-15 years old.

One girl explained the motorcycle was driven by her friend who died in the accident. She said her friend was coming back to school to retrieve her and others after being at the beach.

The young survivor’s description of the accident was similar to that of Mr. Chao, except she claimed the pick-up was driving at high speed and was unable to stop in time. She also made no mention of the light being red or green.

Six illegal immigrants arrested in Naklua

All six to be deported

A group of Burmese men, originally from the Chinese/Burmese border, were arrested for illegally entering Thailand and illegally engaging in trade. The suspects were selling Buddha images in the market near the Sawang Faa Temple in Naklua.

Six Burmese men were arrested in Naklua for illegally entering the Kingdom.

Police officers arrested the suspects after noting their inability to speak fluent Thai. The men were asked to produce identification, which none of them were able do. All smiled, freely admitting to illegally entering the kingdom.

The illegal immigrants told police they were from Burma in an area near the Chinese border. They illegally entered Thailand to look for employment. The temple hired them to sell Buddha images to Chinese tourists due to their command of the Chinese language.

The six men, aged of 18-23, were all booked for illegally entering the kingdom. All will be returned to their homeland.

Swiss resident robbed at home

Returns from dinner to find robber in house

Sixty-eight year old Paul Gidel from Switzerland was robbed at gunpoint inside his home in Suksabai Villa last week.

Gidel told police that when he returned home after a dinner engagement, the front door to his house was wide open. He said he distinctly remembered locking it before he left.

Thinking he had been robbed, Gidel rushed inside, only to find that the perpetrator was still there. The robber withdrew a pistol, held it to Gidel’s head and stole 1500 baht from his pockets. The robber then casually strolled out of the house.

When police arrived on the scene, they found the frightened Swiss man still standing outside. They later escorted Gidel to the station to look over pictures of known criminals to see if he could identify the robber or provide further information.

Copyright violators arrested

Miss Walailak Junlasap registered a complaint with the Economic Investigation Control Division on 16 September claiming that vendors in Pattaya markets are ruining authorized clothing dealers by selling copies of trademarked products. Miss Walailak said she was acting as power of attorney for the Rufsel France Lerrner Company in Paris, France. The French company claims controlling authority for the interests of Levi, Reebok and LaCoste products.

Copyright police arrested five local vendors and confiscated a large amount of counterfeit clothing.

The registered complaint prompted a team of members from the EIC Division to follow Walailak to Pattaya markets where she pointed out the many vendors lining the streets, selling unauthorized copies of copyrighted clothing labels.

Vendors from five locations were taken into the Pattaya Police Station for questioning. The five vendors, all from the outer provinces, told police they obtained the copied merchandise from the Khlong Thom Market in Bangkok. They confessed to purchasing the items in the market at prices ranging from 60-100 baht apiece, which they sold for a small profit. They also said they were aware of the penalties involved. All made the claim that no other respectable employment is available, so they took the risk.

City Council meets to discuss crime statistics

Meeting suffers poor attendance

The Chairman of the Pattaya City Crime Committee, Sanit Bunmachai organized a meeting to discuss crime statistics in the city covering the past month. However, the meeting received little attention as only a few council members attended.

Chairman Sanit called the meeting to review the crime statistics and direct efforts to decrease the crime rate in Pattaya.

The crime committee was initially established due to the previous administration’s lack of interest in reducing crime, but the committee is still experiencing the same lack of interest. This appears to stem from previous meetings when the crime committee identified shortcomings and improper behavior within the system and encouraged action be taken. The fact that this did not happen was the main topic discussed during the meeting.

Members of the committee said they are aware of the problem and are now searching for solutions. However, they also said it is a difficult problem to correct when at every level of administration there are individuals more interested in improving their own status rather than improving society as a whole.

One example which came up during the meeting concerned the rescue unit volunteers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation who were reportedly abusing their authority by harassing motorcyclists at a police checkpoint. Members from the rescue unit assumed the unauthorized duties of conducting inspections and other improper actions, which is exactly the opposite of the intended purpose of assisting the community.

The crime committee members who attended the meeting intend to submit their findings, along with suggested corrective actions, to the chief of Pattaya’s police.

School faculty given anti-drug training

Teachers tackle the growing problem

Vice President of Academic Subjects, Sarod Watanasarod presided over anti-drug training given to 78 faculty members from Pattaya Schools.

Vice President Sarod told the assembled teachers that the current spread of drug addiction is causing alarm in schools all over the country. This is prompting individuals and various agencies to assemble and search for ways to solve the problem. However, he said, the problem still persists with no decline in sight.

Vice President of Academic Subjects, Sarod Watanasarod presided over an assembly of 78 faculty members to discuss methods of eliminating drug addiction problems in area schools.

Vice President Sarod said that the drug addiction problem remains because it is a very complicated and confusing problem that is difficult to solve. “There are many factors involved,” VP Sarod said, “Therefore, educators are searching for corrective measures.”

The Academic Department in charge of analyzing the factors involved in adolescent drug addiction is introducing a formula in hopes of correcting and preventing the problem from escalating further. Corrective action has been initiated in Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Nakhonayok and Songkhla with hopes of reducing the problem by educating the educators in the broad and deep aspects causing the drug addiction problem.

Other agencies have been included in the campaign, as well as students being educated so they can help themselves and their friends in the future.

U.S. Embassy Consular Office to visit Pattaya

Consular Officer Demetria C. Scott from the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok will visit Pattaya on October 8, 1999. Her visit will provide the opportunity for Americans residing in the area to obtain a number of consular services without having to travel to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.

The Officer will be providing services at the following times and locations:

* Friday October 8, 1999 from 08.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 16.00 at the Merlin Hotel, 429 Moo 9, Pattaya Beach Road Pattaya, Chonburi, Tel (038) 428 755.

Below is a list of services that will be provided during this visit.

* Extra passport pages

* Passport applications (be advised, however, the new passports must be picked up at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok - they cannot be sent by mail)

* notarials, including affidavits required by the Thai government for marriage, driver’s licenses and certain types of visas.

* Registration with the U.S. Embassy

* Information on application procedures for Thai citizens seeking U.S. visas (note that applications must be submitted at the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok)

Please note that U.S. law requires $US55 (or Thai Baht equivalent) fee for each notarial service provided. Passport applications cost $US 40-60.

Please share this information with other Americans in your area. Should you have any questions, contact the American Citizen Services at (02) 205 4049.

Solving school problems through Buddhism

Teaching how to lead a peaceful and gentle existence

Pattaya City organized for the 18th time a project to use Buddhist teachings in the schools to be useful in combating everyday problems in the education system.

Kicking off the project, Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat held a seminar at city hall entitled “The Progressive Way”. The seminar brought together members from the educational department to discuss possible solutions to ongoing problems in Pattaya schools. The purpose of the seminar was to support teachers, students and administrators by promoting interest in Buddhist teachings, along with creating a love for Buddhist knowledge in order to instill behavior leading to a peaceful and gentle existence.

This is the 18th consecutive year that Pattaya has sponsored such a project. The 10 Pattaya Schools competed against each other for a trophy and educational funds for the student coming up with the best answers to resolving problems by using principles found in the Buddhist Scriptures.

The abbot from Jit Phawan Temple University was the special orator during the seminar. He gave a lecture on the application of Buddhist Principles to life today.

CIB inspects Pattaya’s tourist police

Declares them fit and ready

Assistant Police Commissioner, Police Maj. Gen. Chutchai Subharngkasen from the Central Investigation Bureau came down to Pattaya to conduct an inspection of activities at Pattaya’s tourist police station.

CIB Assistant Commissioner, Police Maj. Gen. Chutchai Subharngkasen paid a visit to Pattaya’s tourist police - and liked what he saw.

During his visit the Major General reviewed the various assignments of the tourist police, which include the suppression of lewd and unsuitable entertainment, robberies, foreigners involved in the drug trade, counterfeit money, sexual abuse of children, and offering assistance to tourists visiting Pattaya.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Chutchai also observed the daily training routine of the police officers, which consists of in-rank drills, physical fitness training, defense training, and the coordination with neighborhood crime prevention units.

At the end of the visit the Assistant Police Commissioner commented on the outstanding position of readiness of the tourist police station. He added that the purpose of his visit was not to conduct a formal inspection, but was rather a visit to boost the morale of the tourist police officers engaged in such a multitude of demanding tasks that receive little if any recognition.

Merlin Hotel hosts annual health conference

Health officials gather to debate health issues in Y2000

Three hundred academic leaders, health officials and health professionals from Chonburi gathered for their profession’s annual health conference, this year held at the Pattaya Merlin Hotel on 17 September. The main theme of the conference was to prepare for the inevitable changes forthcoming in the year 2000.

Panya Kitihattayakorn from the Chonburi Health office chaired the Health in 2000 conference. 300 academic leaders, health officials and health professionals from the province attended to prepare for change in the year 2000.

Panya Kitihattayakorn from the Chonburi Health Office chaired the conference. The conference covered predicted obstacles and the methods required to correct health related problems in the year 2000.

The current changes taking place in both technology and world society were reiterated to the 300 listeners in the audience, emphasizing the major changes affecting health procedures and associated professions. An overall picture of the coming changes was presented to clarify the necessary adjustments that everyone within the health arena will have to make in accordance with standards and guidelines from the World Health Organization.

Panya warned the audience that the current system of administrative policy and procedure, specific laws pertaining to the progression of life, and former work habits are some of the anticipated drawbacks that may hinder the transition process.

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Updated by Boonsiri Suansuk