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Pattaya leaders respond to Prime Minister Chavalit’s accusations
(L to R) Phanga Wattanakul, Advisor to the PBTA and
Sutham Phantusak, President of the Thai Hotel Association Eastern Chapter meet
with Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh in Sattahip.
by Kittisak Khamthong
The meeting which the business people of Pattaya had with the Prime
Minister is now bearing fruit. The group requested that General Chavalit take
more action on Pattaya’s various problems. But they didn’t want the police
invasion that is happening at this time.
In interviews with the press, the Prime Minister said that Pattaya was a crime
centre, a place where illegal drugs are manufactured, a haven for money
launderer’s, a Mafia base, and the country’s main area for prostitution. It was
a centre for both Thai and foreign criminals.
Sanoh Thienthong then took the cue from the prime minister, saying that Pattaya
was an environmental and administrative disaster. The worst influence on the
city was foreigners who opened beer bars, using Thai wives as ‘fronts’. These
places gave the city its tawdry, seedy atmosphere and made it unappetising,
except for low class tourists who wanted to spend their time with prostitutes.
Sanoh said Cocaine and Ecstasy were very high profile and the Mafia could not
stop the government from doing a ‘clean-up’. Now that he had the Prime
Minister’s approval, he would make sure that a thorough house cleaning would be
done.
He then sent squadrons of police in as if it were a military invasion. After
that the more than 1000 police officers combed the city, and not one arrest was
made.
The official police spokesman said that as Pattaya was a major tourist centre
and brought the country 10’s of millions of baht in revenue each year, tourist
safety was an important issue. The Pattaya police seemed unable to accomplish
this task themselves, hence the extra forces being sent in. The purpose was to
augment police efficiency and stop crime.
The Police Department had no intentions of disturbing Pattaya’s tourist
industry. The main purpose was to arrest hired gunman, confiscate all types of
illegal drugs, arrest Mafia elements and foreign criminals using Pattaya as a
safe haven, close down brothels operating in the area, and halt illegal money
changers.
The clean-up caused a great deal of alarm among tourists as the squadrons of
police went barrelling through the city with lights flashing and sirens blowing.
Many thought there had been some type of major political disturbance in the
city. At exactly 3:00 a.m., police ordered all entertainment establishments to
close. But some of these places merely dimmed their lights and surreptitiously
continued to serve customers. This was known to the police.
This clean up had a very negative effect on Pattaya’s tourism. Tourists now
think that Pattaya is not safe at all. There are fewer tourists coming out at
night, forcing revenues down. This will also have an effect in the long term.
Sujarit Pajchimnan, Governor of Chonburi, gave a press conference and said that
the information that the Prime Minister had received about Pattaya being a money
laundering centre had not yet been proved.
As for drugs and foreign gangs, he said that there were some, but as soon as he
found out he ordered the establishments which were drug fronts closed
immediately. The governor said he had already closed two establishments known to
be dealing in illegal drugs and apprehended three gangs engaged in the extortion
of tourists. He continued, saying that he had close contact with the various
branches of law enforcement. He told of doing his best to clean up Pattaya
according to the central government’s policy.
As for the gigantic cleanup campaign, it was the governor’s opinion that it was
the best thing for Pattaya and should be continued with both covert and overt
police operations.
He said that every citizen who knew of illegal activities should report them to
authorities. This is the only way to reclaim Pattaya’s image as a quality world
tourist destination. The governor refused to speak on the deleterious effects on
the economy that the clean-up had.
Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, Mayor of Pattaya, said the Prime Minister’s news
conference made Pattaya sound like the black hole of Calcutta. The mayor
continued saying that Pattaya did not have the problems to the degree which the
Prime Minister’s interview stated. He said the word ‘source’ was not suitable as
Pattaya was not the main source of any particular problem. He went on, saying he
did not know where the Prime Minister had received the information. Pattaya has
a police force which is constantly on duty.
The things which the Prime Minister said occurred in Pattaya could not possibly
be allowed by the local authorities. He said the people of Pattaya would not
allow their city to become the source of such activities, although some gullible
elements may have been listening to too much gossip.
The mayor said that Pattaya’s problems must be solved in a gentle manner so as
to not disturb tourism.
If Pattaya had all these problems which the Prime Minister stated, the local
authorities who were directly responsible should be allowed to do the cleaning
up, the mayor said.
Charnyuth Hengtrakul, Head of the Provincial Council told reporters that he did
not agree with the Prime Minister’s accusations against Pattaya.
He said the Prime Minister was given false information and once the news was out
it damaged Pattaya’s image. He said all tourist destinations in the world have
this type of news printed about them all the time.
Suphadit Maneeratjaratsri, head of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association
(PBTA) said Pattaya’s problems should be solved but not by bringing regiments of
police in to do it. This invasion frightened tourists and damaged businesses. He
said actions like this caused Pattaya’s economy to droop and who knows when it
will revive.
Kittisak Khamthong, reporter for Pattaya Mail, added his thoughts. Pattaya’s
problems are those of any progressive city which is a tourist destination. The
population composition of these cities is in a constant state of flux. The way
to solve problems such as these is the same world-wide. The police force must
function in an efficient manner. There are over 600 police officers in a 20
square kilometre radius in and around Pattaya. This should be sufficient to take
care of any problems.
There has been a drug problem in Pattaya for a long time, but it is not as
serious as in some other tourist destinations in Thailand. Statistics show no
arrests of major drug dealers in Pattaya.
Money laundering is a complex process and the average citizen of Pattaya is
still not quite sure what is involved. So far, there have been no major arrests
and the government needs to do some detailed investigation into these
activities.
Mafia is another rather grey area. This person and that person is spoken of as
Mafia. Mafioso usually present themselves as agents or investors, especially
foreigners who come to Pattaya and stay for long periods, engaging in large
business enterprises. They usually have many influential friends and influence
in the business community.
When there are disagreements in the business community, it is this group who
usually steps in and ‘clears up’ the problem.
These foreigners are then called Mafia by their fellow nationals. But foreign
Mafioso who make their living by extorting money from their fellow nationals are
almost extinct.
This problem has been with us a long time.
How will His Excellency the Prime Minister solve this problem?
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Matichon report brings libel suit
Pratheep Singh Malhotra (left)
files a libel suit at Pattaya Police station.
Pratheep Singh Malhotra, the owner and editor of the
local English Newspaper, the Pattaya Mail, filed a libel complaint with
Pattaya police on Tuesday, April 22.
This was an indirect result of the Prime Minister’s recent clean-up of crime
in Pattaya. After the news conference given by the Prime Minister, certain
local reporters used this as an excuse to make false accusations against
this newspaper. This caused the paper’s offices to be visited by officials
for no reason except that an unethical reporter said that the paper was
controlled by ‘influential elements’ or ‘Indian Mafioso.’
These accusations were published on 21 April 1997 in the Thai language
Matichon newspaper which has national circulation. The headline was ‘Drawing
the Curtain on Pattaya: Paradise of Drugs, Prostitution, and Money
Laundering.’
In the final paragraph of this article, the writer wrote; “Especially a
group of Khaek (of Indian origin) mafia who have entered (Thailand) and are
publishing an English language newspaper and using it to make money by
extorting money from businesses. The businesses are forced to buy
advertising. The newspaper also demands protection money from beer bar
owners. The bar owners are threatened with damning articles if they don’t
pay.”
The text continues “The newspaper also protects drug dens in which ecstasy
and other similar drugs are used.”
The above was written with wilful intent to defame the Pattaya Mail, and to
damage its operations and its owner Pratheep Singh Malhotra’s reputation.
Malhotra, who is a Thai national says that in nearly 4 years of operation,
the paper has not engaged in and has had nothing to do with such activities.
He said the purpose of the Pattaya Mail is a constructive one, designed to
report on the city’s news and encourage tourism.
He said one of the news-paper’s purposes was to respond to the opportunistic
reports of foreign journalists who write lurid, sensational reports on
Pattaya.
The paper is also well-known for its fearless reporting on police
corruption.
The giant newspaper Matichon’s reporting shows the typical case of big
brother bullying little brother.
Matichon is known as a newspaper of high quality and has many fine
perceptive writers. Unfortunately, it also has many who care nothing for
quality journalism.
For this reason, Mr. Malhotra is filing suit to prevent such things
hap-pening to others in the future. The case is now being prepared by Mr.
Malhotra’s lawyers and will be presented to the courts.
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“Light” fingered
A concerned citizen telephoned police and reported that a
light fingered bandit was plying his nefarious trade on a traffic island.
Faster than the speed of light, police rushed to the scene and found Cherd
Khodsopha in a drunken condition.
Mr. Cherd was in the process of pilfering fairy lights, which the city had
hung on the trees, and stuffing them into his shirt. Seeing police, he lit
out as fast as he could, with officers in pursuit.
When brought to the Pattaya police station for questioning, he immediately
became sober. He said had committed the robbery for his wife who was the
light of his life. His eyes flashed as he spoke of her incandescent
personality.
He told police he stole the lights because they were ‘blinkin’ pretty.’
Officers sternly asked if he had stolen them for aesthetic pleasure of for
resale. Cherd’s face lit up and he admitted that if could sell them, he
would, adding that he could use the money to enjoy the Songkran Festival.
Blinking, his eyes twinkled and shone at the thought.
He was then charged with ‘theft in the night’.
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Promoting U-tapao
Sutham Phantusak, the head of the Hotel Association of
the Eastern Seaboard, Suphadit Maneeratjaratsri, the head of PBTA, and Ms.
Phanga Wattanakul, Advisor to the PBTA met with Prime Minister Chavalit
Yongchaiyudh to discuss the future of U-tapao Airport. The meeting was held
at the Phu Ta Luang Golf Course, where the Prime Minister was playing in the
‘Promote Good Relations among the Different Branches of the Military’ golf
game.
The Eastern Seaboard has more than one million tourists a year, the business
people told the Prime Minister during their request that the he make the
airport a regional commercial airport.
They told the Prime Minister that the airport has great commercial potential
and viability to respond to Thailand’s tourism needs. Tourists wishing to
visit Pattaya would not have to spend time in Bangkok traffic. Tourists
could be in Pattaya within 20 minutes after de-planing. The airport would
actually alleviate some of Bangkok’s traffic problems.
After a lively and productive 10 minute chat, the Prime Minister walked
smilingly out of the club house, and told reporters he would consider the
question.
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Elephant run out of town
Phinij and his elephant were
run out of town.
Police escorted an elephant and its mahout to the outer
city limits after they received a complaint that mahouts had been bringing
elephants into Pattaya city. This usually occurs when there is no work for
the large beasts in the country.
People reported that the huge animals are lurking around beer bars and
various tourist areas.
An old Thai belief is that if you pass under an elephant’s belly, you will
have good luck. The mahouts exploit this and charge 20 baht a pass. The
mahouts also buy food and sell it at inflated prices to those who respect
the mighty pachyderms and wish to make merit by feeding them.
Many tourists fail to realise that these animals are the strongest and one
of the most intelligent land mammals. They are also very sensitive and
easily startled. When this happens, the elephant’s usual reaction is to lash
out at nearby people. One blast from a car horn is enough to cause this.
Last year in Bangkok there was a newspaper story of an impatient motorist in
an expensive German car. An elephant would not get out of his way. He
repeatedly honked his horn to make the beast move. The over-confident
driver’s reward was that the elephant turned around, and with a few stamps
of its foot, turned the car into scrap metal. Luckily, the mahout got the
animal under control before it stomped the driver flat.
One mahout told Thai police that it was necessary for he and his elephant to
make a living in the cities instead of the countryside. He related that his
companion used to work in the teak forest, but as there were no more
forests, work was hard to find.
An Asian elephant eats about 300 kilograms of vegetation and drinks about
150 litres of water per day.
Police told the mahout, Phinij Intornyung, 40, that his elephant was not
allowed inside Pattaya city limits in the future, and fined him 200 baht for
obstructing traffic.
After this, officers treated the elephant to a fruit banquet and allowed it
to munch on the vegetation around the police station before conducting it
out of the city.
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Police respond to Prime
Minister, show major force
At 3:30 a.m. on April 20th, Police General Pracha
Phromnork, the Head of the Police Department, called commissioned police
officers from the Pattaya Police Station to a briefing to get set up for a
giant raid.
There were three regiments of police, totalling 600 officers. 300 came from
the different stations in the Chonburi region, 100 from the Pattaya Tourist
Police, 160 from the Crime Suppression Division, 50 special officers from
Chonburi and 20 officers from the Immigration Division.
More than 74 police vehicles were used for this clean-up of illegal drugs
and weapons, and entertainment venues engaging in illegal activity.
The officers were divided into 10 squads to raid 10 areas. These squads were
then broken into sub-divisions.
High ranking police officials at the raid were General Kittichote Saengnil,
Com-mander of Region 2, General Kondech Choosri, Super-intendent of Region 2
Chonburi, General Kwang Charnsilp, Commander of the Tourist Police, General
Wahchira Thongvises, Com-mander of the Crime Suppression Division, and
Colonel Prinya Chantrasuriya, Superintendent of Investi-gations for Region
2.
General Kongdech then told assembled reporters that this clean-up was to rid
the area of child prostitution, lewd entertainment venues, all types of
illegal drugs, Thai and foreign Mafia.
The general continued, saying as far as he could see there were no Mafioso
elements in Chonburi and he didn’t know where His Excellency the Prime
Minister was getting his information. But if there were any Mafia he would
clean it out.
He continued, saying this clean-up would last 10 days, upon orders from the
Commander of the Police Department.
The Commander said this clean-up was an effort to guard tourist’s safety. As
for the tourists, most were startled seeing the city crawling with police.
The majority scurried home, asking each other what was happening.
Due to this raid, many of the entertainment places have now begun closing at
three a.m.
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Pattaya Mail Photo Contest
Pattaya Mail is proud to announce our first ever Amateur
Photo Contest.
From now until May 16 we will be accepting photographs taken by local photo
enthusiasts with the theme “Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard”. In this open
theme format, judges will be looking for still photos that represent the
life and times of people, places and things in the greater Pattaya/Eastern
Seaboard region.
Grand prize will be two nights accom-modation in a double room at the Amari
in Chiang Mai. The runner-up will receive two nights weekend complimentary
lodging in a double room at Thai Garden Resort, including American
break-fast. Third prize will be 1 night in the honeymoon suite at the Cliff
Terrace, Royal Cliff Beach Resort. 10 consolation prizes will also be
awarded.
Submitted entries should be color prints no larger than 8x10 (no slides).
There is no limit to the number of entries per individual, but each entry
must be made separately and include the entrant’s name, address, telephone
number, and title of photo. Deadline for entries is Friday, May 16. Winners
will be announced in the Friday, May 30th edition of Pattaya Mail.
Pattaya Mail will publish all winners, and all entries will remain the
copyright of Pattaya Mail to be used for further promotions. Staff and
family members of Pattaya Mail are not eligible for entry.
Good Luck!
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Pattaya’s Government
by Kittisak Khamthong
Part one of a series on Pattaya’s governing body, its
history, what it means to the people, and where it might be headed.
Since its founding in 1977, Pattaya has been designated a ‘special’ city. It
has what is officially known as a ‘special form of regional government’.
This is one in which a city manager controls the administration of the city.
The city manager is hired by the city council.
The Mayor has no administrative power in the governing of the city. His
duties are limited to being a figurehead ‘Head of the City Council’ and
‘presiding’ at official functions. The city council is comprised of 9
elected and 8 appointed members. The members of the City Council decide on
the cities various policies which are then sent to the city manager for
implementation.
This mode of government is totally different from other cities in Thailand.
The Central Government and the Ministry of the Interior have admitted that
this form of government has been totally ineffective due to many factors.
The Ministry of the Interior now wishes to change Pattaya’s form of
government to increase efficiency and to answer the desire of the people for
a more sensible form of government.
But there have been many bureaucratic snarls. First, the change of
government must be effected by abolishing the old form. Then the new form
must be presented to and approved by the cabinet. This bill has been sent to
the cabinet 2 times in the recent past.
It was first sent during the Banharn administration, but before approval
could be given, parliament was dissolved.
The bill was presented again during the present administration, but as the
present Pattaya City Council has less than 2 months left before leaving
office, the matter will probably have to wait until after June. There then
must be another election and the new City Council must again present the
bill to the Cabinet for consideration.
When the change of government was first announced, many local politicians
were very interested in participating in the government in its new form.
They had high ideals of running for election as teams and spoke of finding
‘quality’ people who could help them respond to the people’ desires.
There were both ‘old’ and ‘new’ faces in this group and the business
community showed great interest. But there was a great deal of jockeying for
position with people waiting to see who the leaders and the members of these
groups and teams were going to be.
There is also a great deal of interest concerning who would be the City
Manager as only one group would reveal their choice for this position, if
elected. But the main interest was in who would be leading the various
‘teams’ and what their policies would be. Very few individuals were willing
to make a commitment to a certain team without knowing this first.
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Chonburi’s Outstanding Citizen
Charnyuth Hengtrakul, Head of
the Provincial Council, recently received the award ‘Chonburi’s Outstanding
Citizen’. Pictured above, Mr. Charnyuth is seen receiving the award from
Provincial Governor Sujarit Pajchimnan.
A month of crime statistics
For those interested in statistics, the following is a
compilation of crime statistics for Chonburi for a one month period,
beginning on February 16th and ending on March 15th:
19 cases of mental assault with 13 arrests.
65 crimes against life and sexual crimes with 69 arrests.
117 cases of property damage with 19 arrests.
62 cases of automobile and general theft with 34 arrests.
1,051 crimes against the state with 779 arrests.
440 drug clean up operations with 447 arrests; 62 for dealing, 205 for use,
210 for possession. Police confiscated 11.56 kilograms of heroin, 53
kilograms of marijuana, 24 tablets of mood altering drugs, 0.11 kilograms of
opium, 1983 tablets of methamphetamine, 82 cans and 84 bags of solvents.
The Tourist Police of Pattaya report the following for the same period:
1 case of mental assault with 2 arrests.
2 cases of sexual crimes and crimes against life with 2 persons arrested.
4 cases of property damage with 4 persons arrested.
55 cases of annoying and causing tourists mental anguish with 55 arrests.
16 cases of illegal entry into the country with 16 arrested.
15 cases of sexual crimes against females under the age of 15, with 1
arrest.
17 cases of illegal tour operation and illegal tour guides with 17 arrests.
Tourist assistance volunteers were called in over 2,191 times to aid
tourists in distress or danger.
Immigration crimes from February 1st-28th, 1997:
15 Burmese, 10 Laos and 4 Cambodians arrested for illegal entry.
1 Austrian arrested for an expired visa.
1 Korean national arrested for working without a work permit.
1 German arrested for drug possession.
25 people arrested for visa overstays.
Taxes collected in Chonburi in February amounted to 3,887,906,390 baht
(Three billion, eight hundred eighty seven million, nine hundred six
thousand three hundred ninety baht).
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Rotary Fellowship at
California Coolers
All members and guests of the Rotary Club of
Jomtien-Pattaya are invited to join a Fellowship at California Coolers in
Map Ta Phut on Friday, May 2, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Each Rotarian is requested to bring in one present to be auctioned off
during the Fellowship. All proceeds will go to establishing a fund for the
support of the Ban Poonsri Uppatham Drug Treatment Centre in Naklua.
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