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Interior Minister says Chonburi doing well, but Rayong, Trat and Chantaburi need
to improve drug crackdown measures
Chonburi leads the region in drug eradication
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Interior Minister called an
extraordinary meeting with the governors, provincial and local police chiefs
and district officials from the 4 eastern provinces of Chonburi, Rayong,
Chantaburi and Trat last Saturday afternoon at Pattaya City Hall. The
meeting was held to review progress being made in the current war on drugs.
Reports say Chonburi Province has garnered the highest success rate during
the first 15 days of the crackdown.
Interior
Minister Wan Muhamad Nor Matha was in Pattaya last week to review progress
being made in the current war on drugs. In Chonburi, out of 585 names on the
blacklist, 2 major producers have been arrested, 71 dealers caught and tried
and a further 27 shot dead (not including another 2 killed on Thursday Feb.
13) in the first two weeks of the crackdown.
Also attending the meeting were Sujarit Pachimnan,
director general of the Department of Local Administration, Vira Musikpong,
advisor to the Ministry of Interior, Sermsak Ponpanich, permanent secretary
to the Ministry Interior and Pol. Gen. Amnuay Petchsiri, deputy director
general of the National Police Bureau.
Each provincial governor made a progress report.
Chonburi’s governor announced that out of 585 names on the blacklist, 2
major producers have been arrested, 71 dealers caught and tried and a
further 27 shot dead (not including another 2 killed on Thursday Feb.13)
reaching a total of 103 in the first two weeks of the crackdown, leading the
tally on the Eastern Seaboard.
Rayong reported that out of the 413 names on the official
list just 38 dealers have been arrested. On Chantaburi’s list of 440, 14
have been arrested with a further 7 winding up dead. Falling behind on the
total scoreboard was the province of Trat with just 14 out 300 people being
detained for drug offences.
In accordance with government policies, the minister was
somewhat pleased with the progress shown in Chonburi; however, officials
from the remaining 3 provinces were given a dressing-down by the minister
for their lack of efficiency and he called for another review in the next 15
days.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha warned that if officials failed to
reach the target of reducing drugs under their jurisdiction, the governor,
the provincial police chief, district chiefs and local police chiefs would
be removed from office and given more menial tasks elsewhere in the country.
Currently 20 of the country’s 76 provinces are not performing to
government satisfaction.
The minister stressed the importance of all offices and
departments to cooperate with each other to reach the goals set down by the
Taksin government within the three-month period.
The policy states, “The government, as one of its most
urgent policies, will accelerate efforts aimed at drug prevention and
suppression. Such efforts will be based on the principles ‘Prevention
before Suppression’, ‘Drug Addicts must be treated’, and ‘Drug
Traffickers must be punished’”.
The minister told officials from Rayong, Chantaburi and
Trat that they must clean their own house and government officials are not
above being tested for drugs under the policy, whether they are police
officers, district chiefs, village headmen or local council members.
Everyone is to submit a sample for testing to ensure that each department is
free of potential liabilities.
Each province that passes the 15-day reporting period can
be rewarded. The central government has given an incentive for reaching
goals and rewards such a medal from HM the King, 30 percent of the total
amount of money and property seized, and/or 3 baht per pill confiscated. A
sliding scale has been implemented and up to 50% of the value could be a
rewarded to the provinces that eradicate 100% of the illegal narcotics from
their jurisdiction by convicting dealers.
Chonburi Governor Sawang Srisakun stated that within Chonburi there are 3
districts that pose difficulties, Muang (city) of Chonburi, Sriracha and
Banglamung - especially Pattaya - due to the larger numbers of foreign
residents and tourists.
Devout Buddhists observe Makha Bucha Day in the region
Pattaya, Banglamung and residents in the region last week
observed the Buddhist Holy Day of “Makha Bucha” at temples such as Wat
Yarnsangwararm, Wat Sawangfa in North Pattaya, Wat Chaimongkol in South
Pattaya and many others throughout the province and the country.
Devout
Buddhists pay homage to a statue of the Lord Buddha on Makha Bucha Day.
The holy day commemorates the miraculous event when 1,250
disciples of the Buddha, Gautama Sakayamuni, traveled to meet with the
Buddha with no prearranged agreement at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the
area of Rachakhryha, India.
Worshipping or ‘Bucha’ occurs in the third month or
‘Makha’, identified in the middle of the 3rd lunar month. This year the
holy day fell on February 16.
The day gained official recognition in Thailand during
the reign of Rama IV and became a nationally observed day with all
government institutions closing down and observing the rituals associated
with Buddhist commandments.
Devout followers participate in morning ceremonies,
making merit and listening to sermons at local temples, and later in the
evening return to the temple to perform the “wien thien ceremony” -
walking three circuits around sacred grounds, paying homage to the “Triple
Gem” or the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. The day quickly developed into an
annual event observed all over Thailand.
Other countries where the Buddhist faith is predominant
and Makha Bucha Day is officially observed as a national day include Nepal,
Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and India. Other countries with
populations observing the day but in limited numbers only include China,
Korea, and Vietnam.
Disseminating the Buddha’s teachings and the journey to
meet with the Buddha on the 15th night of the 3rd lunar month are part of
the historical events that include the sermons and truths spoken by the
Buddha.
Having good intentions, not harming others, avoiding evil
actions and making the heart and mind pure in thought were among the truths
spoken by the Buddha. Additionally, other truths spoken by the Buddha
cautioned individual restraint in all that attracts one’s attention, to
include desiring possessions belonging to others, and exploiting others for
personal gain.
Before departing the Buddha also referred to the
people’s interest in making merit, gaining self-esteem and a comfortable
reassurance that moral integrity exists. More importantly, having faith in
the “Triple Gem” (Phraratanatrai) was illustrated by emphasizing the
importance of avoiding drunken, irresponsible and immoral behavior, and
maintaining focus on supporting loved ones while being content in one’s
existence with friends and without selfish greed.
Upon hearing the words spoken by Buddha many can easily
recognize the inherent truth contained therein but adhering to the truths
are not so easily followed and many show little interest in the faith at
all.
Today, there are many Buddhist temples open to the community offering the
Buddha’s teachings on designated evenings during the week without charge.
Needless to say, attendance is minimal at most monasteries and the older
generation is the main group attending instruction on Buddhist principles.
The Thai Hotels Association-Eastern chapter goes back to school
Suchada Tupchai
The Thai Hotels Association Eastern Chapter held a
‘Back to School’ party in the Park View Room of the Siam Bayshore Resort
in South Pattaya. Members of the THA and guests joined Chatchawal
Supachayanont, president of the THA for the association’s annual party to
enhance relations within the club.
THA
Eastern Chapter members donned their school kits and had a party. Oh, to be
young again...
Partygoers dressed in school uniforms to get into the
mood of the evening, during which everyone was to remember the ‘glorious
days’ of youth. The theme obviously worked wonders and even special guest
TAT Region 3 Director Manit Boonchim and others, including Ingo Rauber from
the Dusit Resort Pattaya, Pichit Thantiprasut from the Town in Town Hotel,
and Buntrik Kusolwit from the City Hotel in Sriracha got in on the act.
One of the highlights was when both Chatchawal and Pichit
carried the Thai flag to the music of Loy Krathong. Plenty of other fun
activities were on hand before the dinner bell rang. The evening continued
until late with many receiving gifts and prizes.
The THA Eastern Chapter’s members are hoteliers from around the Eastern
Seaboard and taking a break from hectic schedules from their daily work is
quite often difficult. The party gave everyone a chance to relax and have
some fun.
IBM opens full-fledged service center
Suchada Tupchai
IMB has just opened its new service center in Pattaya. At
10 a.m. Friday morning, February 7, Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat presided
over the grand opening in front Wattana Systemations on Central Pattaya
Road. Management from IBM Thailand and Wattana Systemations and
distinguished guests joined in the ceremonies.
Manat
Arjaraksa, deputy managing director of business services for IBM, and Mayor
Pairat Suttithamrongsawat cu the ribbon to officially open IBM’s new
service center in Pattaya.
Manat Arjaraksa, deputy managing director of business
services for IBM, related the history of IBM Thailand, saying that IBM is
currently the largest technology company in the world and has been in
operation for over 80 years.
In Thailand, IBM has a clear goal of being at the
forefront of IT market this year and aims to provide extra special customer
satisfaction, hence the move into opening regional service centers by
providing mainstream services to the SME’s and individual consumers in the
region.
This year IBM intends to open 4 regional offices in
Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Had Yai and Nakorn Rachasima. Each branch will provide
a full range of products and services and develop the quality of IT business
in Thailand.
Following the speeches, the ribbon cutting was performed
by the mayor and management from the new center, and afterwards the new IBM
ThinkPad notebook computer was revealed.
The IBM service center in Pattaya will provide a new
level of service to the local business sector and in conjunction with
Wattana Systemations cater to a broad range of IT equipment and services
aiming to be one of the major players in IT market on the Eastern Seaboard.
Wattana Systemations and the IBM service center opens from 8.30 a.m. to 6
p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Didn’t heed the “Do Not Enter” sign
Not
only does our roving accident reporter get good pictures of motor accidents,
but try as he might to avoid one, he got involved in one himself (see last
week’s Pattaya Mail). This time, one fine morning last week, Jan Olav
Aamlid spotted this Bangkok taxi, whose driver had apparently lost his
bearings (direction that is) and his marbles (mind that is) with its nose
bent out of shape, as it tried clambering up this huge flyover supporting
pillar at the intersection of the Rayong bypass. The driver’s fate is
unknown, but the police have taken the offending vehicle into custody.
Immigration officers swear their allegiance to fighting the war on drugs
Swear to also weed out users and dealers
Boonlua Chatree
Last week immigration officers swore an oath in front of
a Buddha image and a picture of HM the King as a pledge of commitment to
fight the nation’s war on drugs. Held at the immigration office on Soi 8
and led by Pol. Col. Somsak Senaweenin, Pattaya Immigration chief, the
ceremony was held to accentuate the importance of the officers’ role in
this endeavor and give them guidelines to follow.
Immigration
officers swore an oath in front of a Buddha image and a picture of HM the
King as a pledge of commitment to fight the nation’s war on drugs.
The ceremony included five main focal points: 1. Have
nothing to do with persons involved in the drug trade whether users or
dealers, 2. Assist in the suppression of illegal narcotics within and
outside of their normal duties, 3. Look after their families and urge them
to stay away from illegal substances, 4. Wholeheartedly support other
government officers in the suppression and prevention of narcotics and share
information they may have, and 5. Use their skills and knowledge in helping
the country solve the drug problems.
Following the ceremony, Pol. Col. Somsak Senaweenin said that immigration
officers would abide by the central government policy in ridding every
square inch of the country of illegal narcotics and had ordered his
subordinates to cooperate with all enforcement agencies in an earnest and
professional manner.
City Hall orders beach vendors to crack down on beachside ‘bimbos’
Songklod Kaewvisit
Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat recently chaired a
meeting to discuss the problem of streetwalkers plying their wares along the
city’s beaches. The mayor said there have been numerous complaints from
Pattaya residents and tourists that these bimbos regularly prowl the beaches
at night and disturb strollers. The mayor said he is determined that these
obnoxious hustlers do not impede the improvement of the city’s image that
Pattaya has been striving so hard to repair.
The mayor said vendors had until March 1st to pack up and
take away their belongings when they go home or dismantle them and store
them in a proper place. This will prevent the hookers from using their
chairs to sit on and sell their sex services as people pass by. Clearing
away all equipment each evening will also maintain the natural beauty of the
beach.
Mayor Pairat said that in the past, police patrolled the
beaches and tried to catch these streetwalkers. However, it is not always
easy to determine whether they were cunning prostitutes or part of the
general public. He added that city hall will provide more street lighting
along the beach to discourage this practice.
Five police officers test positive for drugs
Pattaya and Banglamung police undergo drug tests
It seems the region’s war on drugs applies to the foot
soldiers as well. Police officers in Pattaya and Banglamung were recently
submitted to drug testing and some of them flunked the test. This new policy
is sending a message that cops are not above the law.
Commanders of Pattaya and Banglamung police stations
simultaneously held briefing sessions to inform their subordinates of the
new policies in the fight against drugs. The Pattaya police met at the
Caesars Place on Second Road and the meeting was chaired by Pol. Col.
Kamolchai Thianrungroj commander of the precinct. The campaign began on the
1st of February and will continue until the 30th of April.
Pol. Col Kamolchai ordered his men to perform their
duties diligently and to root out the source of illegal drug production as
well as the dealers. If evidence is found of any wrong doing the criminals
risk having their assets confiscated. He said that in such crime sweeping
operations lives can be lost, but the job has to be done so that the country
can rid itself of this scourge.
At the end of the seminar, 51 officers submitted urine
samples to be tested for drugs. One officer tested positive. The sample was
sent to a medical center for further examination.
Meanwhile at the Banglamung police station, Pol. Col.
Watanachai Siriratanawut, commander of the precinct, ordered 200 police
officers to undergo the same urine tests. Four officers tested positive.
All four denied using any drugs. They claimed the reason
their urine turned a purple color (indicating a positive result) was because
they had been taking various medicines for coughs and colds. Theses samples
were also sent to a medical center for re-testing.
Pol. Col. Watanachai said that it is his intention to
test all his men to show that before law enforcement officers start to clean
up the streets, they must first clean up their own homes. He said this was
the first time that he had conducted such an exercise at the police station.
As for the four police officers whose urine turned
purple, the commander said that he doubted that they were caused by illicit
drugs because the officers were active in sports and were men of good
conduct. But if their urine samples are proven to have illicit drug contents
then they will face severe punishment by law.
TV supporting stars arrested for participating in an ecstasy pill party
Police raided Niran Condo in Soi Arunothai off Pattaya
Central Road where a group of people were reported to have been partying on
drugs.
At the scene, 9 women of the “second category’ were
found gambling and in possession of 7 amphetamine pills and drug
paraphernalia scattered around them. All were taken to the police station
for questioning.
Of the nine, three were identified as Supachai Jampa,
Anucha Daengsakul, and Banpot Boonnak, all supporting actors in a TV drama,
Nang Show, which airs on Channel 3.
Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tienrungroj added that the serious
crackdown on drugs will continue until it disappears completely from the
city.
Local sex show bust nets a lot of booty
Boonlua Chatree
A very happy show was in progress when special crime
suppression police arrested 9 foreign nationals and 6 Thai nationals during
a raid on a North Pattaya entertainment venue providing lewd exhibitions.
The
not-too-happy performers rest from their overly zealous stage wrestling
activities, which had earlier been broken up by police.
At 9.30 p.m. on February 2 the cops crashed the party
while the entertainment was in progress at the Happy Show in North Pattaya.
On stage a lively act involving 7 women from Belarus,
Uzbekistan and Russia included lewd activities with a Thai man, and 2 men
from Belarus were engaging in sex acts with 5 Thai women. More than 100
Chinese tourists were blissfully watching the stage performance until the
police raid wiped the smiles off their faces.
Officers ordered the music turned off and the lights
turned on after witnessing the performance and arrested all the performers
and the club’s manager.
The offenders were taken to the Pattaya police station and charged with
illegally operating lewd entertainment of a sexual and obscene nature
destroying Thailand’s tourism image. None of them looked too happy while
being charged.
Thai tour guide beats thieves after they snatch a tourist’s bag
Two young hoodlums get thrashing right in front of on-duty cops
Boonlua Chatree
As Pol. Lt. Col. Krit Siriprasertchoke, Pattaya police
station investigation officer led a police squad on a daily street
inspection along North Pattaya Road, the sound of a screaming woman caught
their attention.
Shocked
tourist Magdalena Leszniewka points to the two, now bruised, bag snatchers.
Police found Polish tourist Magdalena Leszniewka standing
on the roadside, shocked. She told police that two young men had snatched
her bag, jumped onto a motorcycle and rode away.
Pol. Lt. Col. Krit radioed to his subordinates and the
search began. Ten minutes later two suspects, identified as Somkid Laochan
and Kosol Sucharit were rounded up and brought to the police station for
questioning. Police found one orange side bag and 5,000 baht cash in their
possession. Magdalena identified her bag, and the bag snatchers.
The Thai tour guide in charge of Magdalena’s holiday couldn’t control
his anger and began to furiously beat both the thieves right in front of
police. The tour guide said the two foolishly destroyed the name and image
of Thailand and should be punished severely. The thieves were charged and
jailed.
Swiss husband and Thai wife killed when tour bus slams into their motorcycle
Swiss national Peter Hans Filman, age 63, and his Thai
wife, Mrs. Moon Muangtaram, age 34, were killed last week in a tragic
accident in front of Pattaya School Number 7 on Sukhumvit Highway.
Primary investigations revealed that both husband and
wife were heading in the direction of Sattahip on their Honda Wave
motorcycle when a tour bus approached them from behind at a very high speed.
The bus hit the motorcycle, knocking the couple off the vehicle and landing
them 50 meters from the impact site.
The tour bus driver fled the scene of the accident.
The bodies of the victims were sent to Banglamung
Hospital.
Police are searching for the tour bus driver, who will
face criminal charges once caught.
Police briefs
Husband and wife bail bond guarantors shot dead on Pattaya Third Road
Boonlua Chatree
At 9:30 p.m. on February 1st, gunshots rang out on
Pattaya Third Road sending residents and tourists fleeing for their lives,
and a local man and his wife lying dead in the street.
Witnesses said two men on motorcycles followed the couple
and boldly fired two shots, one hitting 60 year-old Seri Ausri in the head
and the other shot injured his wife Suphanee Ausri, also 60 years old. The
two victims were known to post bail for people facing court action.
Seri was dead at the scene; Suphanee died on the way to
the hospital.
Investigating officers found shell casings from a .357
caliber weapon near Seri’s body, as well as 20 methamphetamine pills
thrown on the man’s face.
Police Chief Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tienrungroj said that
the identity of the gunmen is unknown and officers are still investigating
the shootings and the motive behind the killings, particularly in the manner
in which the killing was carried out; terrifying tourists and residents in
such a busy area.
Summary of recent drug busts
Feb 2: Police raid local slum area behind the South
Pattaya Tesco, net 30 drug users. Officers stumbled into the middle of a
drug session and subsequently detained 30 people, testing each for drug for
use. All admitted to the offence and were charged accordingly.
Feb 2: Drug-detecting canine, “Big Jack” was taken to
a village in the Soi Kor Pai area and was able to track down Kom Deemee from
Chaiyaphum, who happened to have 14 methamphetamine pills his pockets.
During the raid another 7 people in same area all tested positive for
illegal drugs. All were taken to the police station for further
interrogation and were charged with use and possession of illegal narcotics.
Feb 5: 80 Pattaya police officers conducted a pre-dawn
raid on an entire village in search of drugs, ordering 70 families out of
their makeshift houses and into the open at 5.30 a.m. A police investigation
indicated the possibility that a high-level of drug activity was present in
the area, so officers blocked entrances and exits to the village before
searching through houses in a search for drugs and weapons. During the
operation 109 men and women suspects were detained and taken to Pattaya
Police station where they were tested for use. Of the 109 people, 29 tested
positive for methamphetamine use; all confessed and were subsequently
detained and charged accordingly. Pol. Col. Kamolchai announced that police
will target apartment buildings and hotels suspected of harboring drug
dealers and users. Users will be treated as ill patients and be sent for
rehabilitation following proceedings.
Feb 5: Undercover police use 3,500 baht in marked
banknotes to buy “E”, “K” and “ya ba” from two women at the
Marine Discotheque on Walking Street in South Pattaya. Thipawan Saenrudee,
age 35, and Korakot Thanyawanitchapong, age 19, were arrested after they
offered to sell the officers ecstasy pills at 800 baht each and ketamine at
500 baht per bag. Police confiscated 17 ecstasy pills and 9 packages of
ketamine found on the two women. At the scene another offender, 25 year-old
Sawan Inchan was also arrested with one ecstasy pill and 1 packet of
Ketamine in his possession. All three were taken in for interrogation and
will face charges. In a separate operation on the same night, tourist police
patrolling Soi Bua Khao arrested a Thai man identified as 21 year-old
Surachai Boontham from Nongkhai with 5 methamphetamine pills in possession.
Surachai was also arrested.
Feb 6: A team of police officers and a crime suppression
unit blocked all entrances and exits to the Jasmine Hotel in Soi BJ, and
armed with a search warrant and a court order, the over 50 officers knocked
on all 53 hotel room doors, searching for illegal substances and requesting
occupants go to the lobby. No evidence of drugs was found but drug
paraphernalia was found in almost every room. Of the 49 residents tested for
drug use, 30 produced positive results for substance abuse and were taken in
for questioning.
Feb 6: Police arrested 28-year-old Sakol Lamduan from
Buriram for selling marijuana on Walking Street. As police approached him, a
foreign tourist engaged in conversation noticed the cops and abruptly left
the scene. Sakol had one packet of dried marijuana in his pocket and another
16 small packets stashed on his motorbike. Sakol confessed to selling weed
to tourists in the area for a marginal profit and was charged with
distribution of a class 5 illegal substance.
Feb 11: Police arrest Ekchai Polsri, age 22 from Bangkok,
and Onkanya Suwandee, age 21 from Ubon Rachathanee, for selling ya ba in the
parking lot in front of Radee Mansion. The two had 1,600 methamphetamine
pills in their possession and were riding an unlicensed motorcycle. Both
confessed and told police that this was their fourth transaction in which
they sold illegal drugs, selling 2,000 pills each time. Both were charged
with possession and trafficking a class one illegal substance.
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