Fraudulent lawyer taken into custody

Pravit Samranvanich, 36 year old rogue Thai lawyer, was arrested last week on charges of fraud.
Pravit, whose offices are called the Ban Suan Group Ltd, mainly dealt in real estate, but had other businesses as well. His main source of income, however, was tricking foreigners into investing in Thai speculative ventures.
His accomplice, Ms. Wasna Khomkhai, a.k.a. Jirakulawat, a Bangkok native, is registered as an exporter of fresh meat. Her main market is Germany. She also exports to Bremen, Brussels and Hanover.
She also tricked foreigners who have never been to Thailand into investing in her company. She also purports to be able to obtain work permits, which has caused many foreigners to fall into her trap and invest in her company.
After a prolonged period of unabated fraud, Pravit and Wasna were finally done in by Mr. Marco Fledner, a German national, who had bought a house from them in Jomtien for 5 million Baht.
After “buying” the house, Pravit and Wasna demanded more money from Fledner, threatening that if he did not pay, his house would be confiscated. Each time they took money they would draw up an investment contract. Over time, Pravit had taken 2 million baht from Marco according to a totally legal investment contract. Marco, disgusted, finally told them to sell the house. Pravit agreed, promising that after the sale of the house, Marco would receive money from the sale. When Marco demanded this money according to the contract’s time frame, Pravit gave him a check for 2 million baht, but the check bounced.
Fledner then sought damages and the case was to be heard in the Civil Court.
When Pravit skipped his court date, there were now two charges against him, and the police arrested him near his home. However, the crafty Pravit, knowing Thai legal procedure, jumped out of the police car on the way to jail, and ran to the court clerk, saying he was giving himself up. But the police were one jump ahead of Pravit and had sent an arrest warrant to the court clerk before going out to apprehend him. The court clerk, not believing his story of voluntary attendance, sent Pravit to the cooler post haste where he later bailed himself out.
Investigations into the matter have revealed Pravit and Wasna’s method of operation. They first lure foreigners here to invest in a business and take them to see the project. They then encourage their prey to buy houses, motorcars, and mobile phones, or to invest in office redecoration.
The victim then must pay 50,000 baht per month for house up-keep and 10,000 baht a month car care, with many other fake expenses added on. This does not include house and car instalment payments, which are extra. A real contract is made and cash is collected in instalments of 50,000-500,000 Baht per payment. But if the victim really wanted to invest they had to invest no less than 10,000,000 baht. By the time the victim realised the scam, they were out of pocket no less than 3-5 million baht. Some lost as much as 20 million baht. When victims asked for their money back they were often threatened. They were also told that there were legal contracts and witnesses. The victims usually returned to their country because officials could do nothing about this due to loopholes in the law.
The Lawyers Association of Thailand warns that there are many other lawyers in Chonburi and Pattaya who indulge in this skulduggery. They warn all foreigners to beware when they are approached to invest in anything in Thailand and please know what you are doing.

Ex-Postal worker arrested for mail fraud

Part-time postal worker Tawatchai Buaroy was arrested by police for credit card theft.

Pol. Major Jongsak Yaemlamool, the Commander of the Pattaya Tourist Police, arrested Mr. Tawatchai Buaroy, 23, a temporary mail carrier for the Banglamung Post Office.
Tourist Police had received a report from Peter Michael Butcher, a UK national, that his MasterCard, issued by the Saudi American Bank, had been lost. After checking with the bank, Butcher found that the card had been sent to him through the mail and was valid. There was also already a large amount charged on the plastic money.
Police made investigations into the matter and watched the Banglamung Post office carefully as that is where the card had been sent. After a time, the investigators decided to keep their eye on Tawatchai. Putting a ‘tail’ on him they found that he was spending money much in excess of his monthly salary. He was buying expensive items at department stores and going to costly places of entertainment.
Officers caught the young man, searched him and found Mr. Butcher’s card on him. They also found a receipt for expensive stereo equipment which he had purchased at the Lotus Super Center on November 19th of last year.
Upon questioning, Tawatchai confessed that he had stolen Butcher’s card from it’s postal envelope and had used it to charge a massive amount on goods. Altogether he had bought 16 pieces of electrical goods, including a stereo, VCR and other items amounting to a total of 102,165 Baht. After doing this, he pawned the items in Pattaya and used the money for his own enjoyment. He admitted to being in collusion with another postal worker, Mr. Thanet Nutanont, 33. They divided up the money.
Mr. Butcher told police that he and his wife, a Thai national, had applied to the Saudi-American Bank for a MasterCard. The bank told them they would send it to them by post each year to Butcher’s wife’s address. Butcher told police when he found the card had gone missing, he immediately cancelled it and informed authorities.
The Banglamung postmaster said that their normal policy would have been to send the card out for delivery after they had received it. When received by the addressee, the post office was no longer responsible. If the parcel or letter had been mutilated in any way the post office would investigate. But the addressee should report any suspected tampering to the post office immediately.
The postmaster told officers that Tawatchai had not been working for the postal service since November of last year, the month that the card was stolen.

Unique response

Komsan Ekachai, the District Head of Sriracha

The Unique Mining Service and Sales Co. Ltd., which had been storing lignite coal dust brought in by boat from Indonesia, was reprimanded by Mr. Komsan Ekachai, the District Head of Sriracha, after about 100 villagers in the area rose up in protest over the health hazards caused by the storage of the coal (Pattaya Mail, Vol. V, no. 1, 3 Jan. 97).
In their complaint to village leaders, the residents of the area expressed that the lignite dust was causing them skin rashes, digestive problems, and throat irritations, especially among their children.
After hearing of the hardships caused and the danger to the people, the District Head gathered samples and sent them to the environmental authorities of Chonburi. Investigations revealed the people’s claims to be valid, prompting Ekachai to order the company to temporarily halt operations.
Somboon Siripaiboonpong, the Managing Director of Unique Mining Co. Ltd., said it was very difficult and costly to transport the coal and store it in a safe manner. He said there was no way to keep the dust out, but reminded officials that he had already built a fence. He said the company was willing to move its storage place to another site for the safety of the people, but needed a bit of time to find one.
After hearing this good news, the people of Sriracha thanked the District Head and presented him with a huge basket of flowers.
Komsan Ekachai, District Head of Sriracha, said this would not happen again during his tenure.

Politicians push to change Pattaya into a municipality

Sansak Ngarmphiches, the head of the Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives, released a statement stating his wishes to change Pattaya into a different type of administrative entity. He wishes to change it to a fully functioning municipal unit according to Thailand’s central government’s laws in order to bring the most advantage to the region.
As for Pattaya, he said, it is well known that the special administrative situation, which uses a city manager, has not had any success for the past 18 years. A mayor does not have the same power as a Municipal Governor, and only conducts meetings of the municipal council. If the mayor and the city manager get along everything goes smoothly. But if they don’t there are problems. There have been 9 mayors in the past 18 years and 14 city managers.
Another problem, he says, is that 80% of Pattaya’s budget is for civil servants’ salaries with only 20% going toward development. The 20% of the budget left for development is only enough to repair a couple of roads. Whenever it is necessary to expedite a project of greater magnitude, it must be presented to the Ministry of the Interior. This slows things down. But if Pattaya is changed to a fully functioning municipal entity, she can make her own decisions about the budget, and thereby expedite much needed projects.
Members of the city council agree and feel that Pattaya, as an important city, should have a more autonomous government. It has the potential of a large municipality, and can respond to the regional populace’s needs. There have been many who question the central government’s interest in developing Pattaya.
Somchai Khunpluem has also expressed great concern over Pattaya, especially in the environmental sector and the area of public utilities. He has urged Pattaya’s MPs to push the central government toward increasing the city’s budget as it is never enough. He feels that the landfill project should once again be pushed forward as it will increase tourism. He is also concerned with the failure of the present administrative system and feels that the change in administrative government would help the city.

Police arrest small time local gamblers

A law is a law, and breakers of the law must face the wrath of law enforcement officers, no matter how small the crime.
Responding to a report that gambling was taking place at the Paradise Park Hotel in South Pattaya, police stormed the scene and arrested five local individuals who were playing cards. Police were able to catch them in the act as they were so involved in their game that they didn’t even notice the arrival of the task force.
Officers confiscated a pack of cards and 5 (five) baht in cash. All precautions were taken as officers took these dangerous characters to the police station for booking.
The arrested five will be processed through the Thai judicial system, where they are subject to 200 baht fines. (see related story below).

Finnish “gamblers” receive harsh treatment

The group of five arrested Finns, obviously realising the ridiculousness of the situation, are all smiles, even though they received unequal treatment under the law.

In a follow up to the above story, police are really coming down hard on gamblers, and tourists are not exempt from the inexorable power of the law. In fact, they are subject to much harsher penalties.
Five Finnish nationals were arrested by police on charges of illegal gambling by the pool of the Sri Paitoon Condominium. The group was playing dominoes aside the pool when police arrived.
The crafty crew had the temerity to tell officers that they did not see what harm there was in playing a game to kill time. They alleged that they had come for a friend’s birthday party and were waiting for the other guests to arrive.
The police were having none of this and the money crazed Finns confessed. Police confiscated the dominoes and 20 (twenty) baht in cash.
The five were taken to the police station and were fined 5,000 (five thousand)baht each, for a total of 20,000 baht.
Yes, the two tiered pricing system even applies to officers of the law.

Arsonists get burned

For those of you who don’t believe in Karma, perhaps this story may change your mind.
Police received a report of a fire at a food and souvenir shop in a numberless house in Pattaya. When fire fighters reached the inferno, they found it difficult to put out the blaze, as the building was made of thatch. While rushing around to put out the fire, officials saw that it had spread to a grassy area nearby. When they went to douse the conflagration they found Mr. Petch Malasawat, 31, smelling of gasoline and badly burned. They took him in for treatment and questioning.
The husband and wife who owned the burned shop said they had been threatened and told to move their business elsewhere. They said it seemed like and ordinary threat so they ignored it. Then one day they smelt smoke as they were dozing in the house. They lost 30,000 baht worth of goods in the pyre.
As they were helping officials put out the fire they saw Petch and a friend running into the forest with a gasoline can in their possession. The couple then saw flames arise from the forest.
Petch and his friend confessed that they were hired arsonists, saying that the other shops in the area were jealous of the friendly husband and wife in the simple thatch shop because their business did so well. Apparently, the wife, Ms. Sujitra, was an excellent cook, and her husband Nukul was known by customers as a fair business dealer. The other shopowners decided to show them that good people finished last and paid to have their shop fired.
The unfortunate arsonists, caught in the wheel of Karma, got really burned.

New road to Jomtien Beach

Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat and City Councillors inspect the proposed sight for the new access road leading to Jomtien Beach.

On the 15th of January, Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat took the media to see the 6 kilometre extension road connecting Soi Thephasit to Soi Wat Boon and Soi Chaiyapruek, continuing down to Jomtien Beach. Motorists will no longer need to use the long route of travelling the complete length of Soi Thephasit. This will also reduce traffic congestion considerably.
The new road, which is now rough earth, will be concrete and 10 metres wide, complete with drainage pipes. The budget for this project is 50 million baht.
At this time there is a problem with landowners in the area who do not want drainage pipes on their property. The city is now trying to explain the advantages of the road to the landowners.
The building of this road will alleviate flooding in the area which in the past has caused considerable hardships for residents as there will be a new high-tech drainage system.

Discretion is the better part of valour

Simon and Segal being checked in to Pattaya’s finest crowbar hotel.

Pattaya Police, acting on a report of a fight at the Dono Beer Bar in South Pattaya, went to the scene in time to see Paul Segal, (sic) a UK national, being struck with a blunt object by Thai teenager. Police entered the fray to stop the imbroglio and while doing so, the Thai youth managed to escape.
When police were unable to capture him, Simon Brown, 33, a friend of Paul’s, became irate with police and insulted one of their mothers.
Patient officers tried to explain that the culprit had run away quickly, but they would do everything in their power to apprehend him, predicting it would be soon. Apparently this did not satisfy Simon and he continued berating the officer’s mothers. Police had no choice but to arrest him on charges of insulting an officer of the law.
Although Simon denied the accusations, officers said their English was good enough and they had heard the words he used often enough to know what he was saying. To add to the insult, the officers were insulted in front of a group of prostitutes, which is a great loss of face in Thailand.
Unfortunately for Simon, officers also had 10 witnesses who said he was a pretty foul mouthed fellow even when in a good mood.
Police advised the battered Segal to see a physician and bring the report to the police station so they would have a case. Segal declined, saying he would rather stay with his friend in the Pattaya jail. He also requested consultation with an official from the British Embassy.

U.S. Embassy Consular Officer to visit Eastern Seaboard

Charles Bennett, a Consul from the American Embassy in Bangkok, will visit Rayong on February 3, Pattaya on February 4, and Chonburi on February 5. His visit will provide the opportunity for Americans residing in these areas to have passport, notary and other consular services taken care of.
Charles will be providing services in the lobby of the Star Hotel, 109 Rayong Trade Center, Rayong from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, February 3; in the lobby of the Merlin Hotel, 429 Beach Road, Pattaya City, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4; and in the Board Room of the International School of the Eastern Seaboard in Sriracha from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5.
The Consul has asked for all who read this notice to share the information with other Americans. The goal is to provide services to as many U.S. citizens as possible so that they can possibly avoid a trip to Bangkok. Below is a list of services which can be provided during this visit:
• accept passport appli-cations (be advised, however, that the new passport must be picked up at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok - it cannot be sent via mail).
• insert extra pages in your passport.
• execute notarials, including affidavits required by the Thai government for driver’s licenses and certain types of visas.
• register you with the U.S. Embassy.
• provide information on application procedures for Thai citizens seeking U.S. visas.
Should you have any questions regarding theses visits or services provided please contact the American Citizen Services office at 02-205-4049.

Ambassador running hotel training school

Dr. Tongyoo Kaewsaiha (center) receives a welcome as he inspects the hotel’s training facilities.

Dr. Tongyoo Kaewsaiha, Director General of the vocational education depart-ment, recently inspected the progress of the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel & Training Institute (dual vocational training).
The institute was set up by the Ambassador City Jomtien hotel and vocational education department in order to benefit the society and to develop student’s skills to fulfill market needs. The Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel will be responsible for all expenses during the 3 year course for the students, such as lesson fees, food, dormitory and training allowance. After graduating, students will receive certificates from the Ministry of Education and a certificate of ability from the hotel.

“A Tale of Two Cities”

Richard Poulton , Head Master of the International School of the Regents, addresses the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya.

At a recent meeting of the Jomtien/Pattaya Rotary Club, the new Head Master of the International School of the Regents, Richard Poulton, spoke to the members and other guests on the theme of “A Tale of Two Cities”.
Richard Poulton, who came to I.S.R. in Pattaya after serving for ten years as Head Master of England’s oldest and biggest co-educational school, asked his audience to compare and contrast London in 1552 and Pattaya 1997, before speaking about the pressures on modern youngsters, and their needs in any age in any place.
Richard related to his audience that there were many differences between the families of the students who went to his last school in England, Christ’s Hospital, and those who send sons and daughters to his present school in Pattaya. The most obvious difference was that Christ’s Hospital was a school founded for those who could not pay the fees, whereas ISR has to be for fee-paying families only. But children are children all the world over. Their fundamental needs know no international boundaries, and those needs are met first and foremost in their homes. Schools can provide a wealth of experience, support and guidance, and must do so more and more rather than less and less, because of the increasing pace of change in society in general.