Mayor sacks deputy mayor Wirawat Khakhai

Says “incompatibility” was the reason

The paperwork for the dismissal was left on the deputy mayor’s desk on Monday morning, July 30, and was waiting for him when he arrived for work.

However, this wasn’t the first the deputy mayor had heard of his impending dismissal. He said early Monday morning, Nirand Watanasadsatorn, another of Pattaya’s deputy mayors, took him to see Saensukh municipal mayor and consultant chairman to the Pattaya mayor, Somchai Khunpluem (Kamnan Poh). Kamnan Poh told Wirawat that Pairat Suttithamrongsawat had consulted him, and that he felt the Pattaya mayor was within his authority to make the decision.

Wirawat said that after meeting with the Kamnan, he returned to Pattaya only to discover that the order was already signed and waiting.

When contacted, Mayor Pairat described his former deputy as an isolated player who always opposed the team. Additionally, the mayor said that Wirawat was rumored to be discussing administrative affairs in a negative light with members from the private sector and other organizations, and that he always found fault with the city’s methods. The mayor said he tried to put up with Wirawat’s attitude, often forgiving his faults, until lastly he proposed acquiring the GIS system.

Mayor Pairat played the matter down somewhat, and said it was not a grave concern because aside from wanting to bring in new technology to improve efficiency by adding unbiased methodology, Wirawat’s work performance in other areas was acceptable.

As far as filling the vacant position, the mayor said at least a month would be needed to consider a new replacement. In the meantime, the excess workload and outstanding tasks would be transferred to other employees.

The former deputy mayor said that his dismissal did not cause him to be overly distraught. Since his appointment as the city treasurer in March 2000, Wirawat said he has consistently made every effort to improve procedures and serve the community more efficiently. He said his attempt to accurately collect city taxes had this purpose in mind. He said his objective of collecting 90 million baht in taxes for the year 2001 was currently approaching the desired goal, and was nearly 80% complete. He also asserted that his idea of acquiring the GIS tracking system would have further increased efficiency, ultimately benefiting the community by creating a fair representation of taxes collected, but he said the mayor failed to comprehend the need.

Wirawat also said he felt the mayor was not satisfied with his inability to demonstrate full conformity with the degree of respect and polite concurrence expected. Apparently his deficiency in this specific area caused waves and upset the status quo during conferences. “Ironically, during many conferences in the past the mayor cited lack of initiative and inefficiency as a problem,” he said.

Wirawat said he was not bitter over his loss after having the opportunity to serve the community, even if for a shorter period than expected, and his non-affiliation with any particular political party or group made it easy for him to vacate the position.

He concluded by saying his interest in politics has ended.

PM Thaksin and former Premiers to meet in Pattaya this weekend

Thailand’s future at stake

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former prime ministers Anand Panya- rachun, Prem Tinsulanonda (who is also president of the Privy Council), Tanin Krai- vixien, Gen. Kriangsak Chom- anan,Gen Suchinda Krapra- yoon, Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn, Banharn Silpa-archa (who is also the current Chart Thai Party leader), Chuan Leekpai (who is also current leader of the Democratic Party), and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (who is the current head of the New Aspiration Party), as well as the entire cabinet are to meet in Pattaya this weekend to map out the Kingdom’s political future.

The office of the prime minister called the meeting to collect the thoughts and opinions from the nation’s political leaders on the ideal direction for the government’s transformation.

PM Thaksin described the, “Monumental task at hand as the most important matter this century... since the court of Rama V faced critical matters of state.”

The meeting will take place August 4 and 5 at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. Other political party leaders and party secretary-generals were also invited to attend the political reform workshop.

“With the nature of the problems today, there is no time for dissension in the ranks or quibbling between opposing parties. The nation’s future is at stake,” the prime minister said.

PM Thaksin, who will chair the workshop, said he wants, “A consolidated effort to correct the nation’s problems... using offensive strategy verses a defensive posture.”

With special reference to the country’s economic situation, the prime minister reiterated intentions of building better relationships abroad and expanding interests.

The workshop is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on August 4. On August 5 at around 4 p.m. the results of the conference will be summarized.

Scottish tourist falls to his death from 13th floor

Police initially surmise it was an accident

Vichan Pladplueng

Peter Alan Black, 28, from Scotland, fell to his death from the 13th floor of the View Taley Condo on Wat Khao Phrabat Road.

Police are initially ruling the death an accident. The tragedy occurred on July 28 at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Black’s fianc้e, Miss Lisa Ann Patel, 28, told police that the two had been on holiday in Thailand for the past six months. She said they had plans to return home and get married.

She told police that the previous evening the two were out visiting the bars, and when she wanted to leave, Peter decided to stay so she left on her own.

Miss Patel said she was in the shower when she thought she heard Peter arrive at the condominium about 30 minutes later, but when she came out of the bathroom he wasn’t in the room. She said soon thereafter she discovered what had happened.

Police found no indications of a struggle, but did confiscate personal letters from the condo.

Police initially surmise that Black had returned in an inebriated state and somehow lost his balance while standing against the iron railing out on the balcony.

However, police are now waiting for the results from medical examiners before releasing any more details.

Barry Kenyon, Pattaya correspondent to the British Embassy, told Pattaya Mail, “We have expressed our sincere condolences to the family concerning this tragic loss.”

Beach vendor charged with sexual assault

Allegedly lured 24 year old victim to his room

Boonlua Chatree

Terrible shrieks and cries for help were heard coming from a room in Soi Wat Bunkanyara at 9:20 p.m. on July 20. The fearful screams moved a concerned Pattaya resident to phone the police.

Beach vendor Chaiya Nu-Iam was charged with assault after allegedly being too forceful with his female ex-friend.

Responding officers arrived in time to find a hysterical woman running from a room inside which her attacker was frantically grabbing for his clothes that lie on the floor next to the bed. The weeping victim, whose name is being withheld, identified her assailant as Chaiya Nu-Iam. She was then escorted to hospital for examination.

Chaiya Nu-Iam admitted assaulting the young woman. During questioning, he told police he was employed as a vendor on Pattaya Beach, renting lounge chairs to tourists. He said he had secretly fallen in love with the victim, who works at a karaoke bar in Soi Town in Town. His burning desire led him to spend his free time there secretly fuelling his fantasies. As he and the woman became better acquainted, he persuaded her to come with him to his room. Unfortunately his emotions overwhelmed him, and eventually landed him in jail.

Youth gang shoot-outs leave 2 dead

Gunman and driver arrested

Just days after a 16-year old youth was shot to death following two belligerent gangs meeting at Pattaya’s Palladium Disco, another juvenile gang killing took place which also had it’s insidious origins at the Palladium.

Youth gang members were rounded up and arrested; their leader was charged with murder.

This incident was reported by the Banglamung Hospital at 1.00 a.m. on July 21 after an unidentified youth brought in a Thai male shot in the chest. The youth was pronounced dead on arrival and police later identified him as Anochao (Ton) Phanpraipan, an 18-year old resident of Naklua.

Anochao was shot once by a 9mm weapon. The shot entered one side of the chest and traveled through the heart.

A pistol holster was among the murder victim’s belongings and was seized as part of the evidence.

The youth who brought Anochao to the hospital said the incident occurred near the Woodland Resort Hotel on 2nd Road. At the crime scene police found 9mm shell casings near a blood stained area on the road. The investigation continued at the Palladium where more than 50 juveniles were milling around in front of the disco.

Police rounded up a group of youths for questioning and Adul Naknya, 17, was identified as the driver of the motorbike that chased after Anochao. Another youth known as Lamyai was the rider on the rear of Adul’s bike. It was he who allegedly fired at Anochao during the chase.

Adul Naknya, the driver, was arrested and he confirmed that the rival gangs of Anochao and Lamyai had a history of differences. The gangs met during the James concert at the Palladium. Anochai’s gang decided to leave when it was apparent they were out numbered.

Lamyai was located the following afternoon at a house in Siracha with four other gang members involved in the rivalry and all five were arrested. Lamyai, identified as Chukiat Khamont, 17, was in possession of a 9mm automatic and later charged with the murder of Anochao.

The other gang members were 16-17 years old and were held on related charges. Lamyai later re-enacted the crime for police records.

Headless body washes ashore

Police surmise missing fisherman from tanker collision

Boonlua Chatree

Pattaya police from the Dongtan Beach station were sent to investigate the gruesome discovery of a headless corpse floating off Jomtien Beach. On July 27 at 2:00 in the afternoon, the officers arrived at the scene with rescue personnel from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation to deal with the situation.

The body was badly decomposed and the head was missing, but fragments of clothing were still clinging to the remains. The identity and age of the deceased is not known, but Pattaya’s municipal police chief surmised that it is possible the victim was one of three Thai fishermen involved in a collision with a tanker on July 23rd. The body was sent to the police forensic lab for further examination.

Intrusion onto public land resurfaces at Pattaya Land & House

Recycling bank program emphasised in city schools

New traffic rules implemented on August 1

A sparkling new addition to the Rotary Roundabout

Too much methamphetamine sends another deluded man to the roof

Homemade pistol fails to stop 65-year-old man

461 police officers drink sacred water and pledge to stay drug-free

Updated every Friday
Copyright 2001  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Updated by Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]