Bangkok “Commandos” crash in Pattaya

Drunken Crime Suppression Officers from Bangkok caused a major traffic jam, as well injuries to civilians, when they crashed through a red light on Sukhumvit Highway.

They were sent here at the order of the Prime Minister to “clean-up” vice in Pattaya and to restore the public’s image in the police as an institution. What little they did to reach those goals was unceremoniously undone in a hurry by two separate incidents while the Bangkok “commandos” were in town, cruising around in their Mercedes and BMWs last week.
The first incident might actually be considered comical, given that no-one was hurt. Pol. Pvt. Itthiphol Warayu, assigned to the Pattaya vice purge, was relieved of his car and gun by a woman he had spent the night with in a short time hotel. The woman was later arrested and charged with stealing his car, gun, mobile phone and other valuables. She reportedly stated she had just wanted to show off to her friends, but police weren’t laughing.
The second incident was a lot more dangerous. Three other Crime Suppression officers became intoxicated, then drove their brand new BMW at a high speed through a red light, crashing into several cars and causing a major pile-up on Sukhumvit Highway near the police station in Naklua.
Private Chachaval Jaiharn, Sergeant Suphachai and Private Vitawat Jansri of the Crime Suppression Division were identified by witnesses to the accident as being the three officers involved.
One eye witness told reporters that as he was sitting at a red light, he heard a police siren. He turned and saw the car coming from behind, swerving left and right, with other cars trying to get out of the way. Before he could react, his car was hit from behind and he hit the steering wheel. He got out of his car and ran to see what happened, only to find three uniformed police officers sitting in the car. When he opened the door, the policemen got out smelling of liquor.
The sergeant managed to control the situation long enough to take injured civilians to the Banglamung Hospital, then he disappeared. The two privates were left standing in the dark by the side of the road.
Another squad of commandos arrived on the scene and took the weapons away from the privates, followed by a third vehicle from the Crime Suppression Division from which the officers reprimanded the two privates. Then they slapped one. The other ducked the slap of his commanding officer.
When reporters arrived on the scene to inquire about the condition of the injured, they were sent to Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital where the commander of the police became upset. He snapped at reporters, “Who are you? Why are you taking my picture? I’m making a personal phone call at the moment. Why didn’t you ask permission?”
He noted reporters’ IDs and wanted name cards. The reporters asked for the police officer’s name card, to which he replied he didn’t have one. The reporters did not let the policeman have their name cards and walked away.
The commander of the Pattaya section of the Crime Suppression Division was speechless after hearing about this. He did not give details to reporters.
Reporters contacted the Sawang Boriboon Foundation, who had helped people at the accident. They said they dare not give out information, saying they had received a threatening phone call. The person on the line told them not to tell reporters anything.
Later, reporters learned from a police officer that the company which rents the police Department their cars would pay all damages.
Police said the Commander of Crime Suppression would decide punishments, but would not reveal what they would be.

Orient Thai back in business

After two months of accusations of malfeasance, defamation law suits, accusations of interference by MPs, intervention by the Prime Minister and delays in issuing air-worthiness certificates, Orient Thai Airlines finally received the go ahead to legally resume operations last week when the Aviation Department issued air worthiness certificates for aircraft belonging to the airline company.
The two month saga, which resembles something out of a business and political soap-opera, and which may not be over yet, began when the Aviation Department refused to grant air-worthiness certificates for two 299 seated L1011 aircraft, stating that they doubted the safety certificates presented by the airline were valid. The Aviation Department said that the safety certificates in question were issued by the US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) on March 4 when neither aircraft were in the USA.
Udom Tantiprasongchai, the airlines managing director, denied falsifying the documents saying that he was prepared to let any party certify their authenticity and that he would be willing to face criminal charges if the allegations were proved true. He also said that all of his fleet was up to standard, and implied that a senior aviation official (or officials) was out to give his company a bad name. He went on to file a defamation and malfeasance lawsuit with the criminal court over the non-issuance of permanent operating licenses for the two aircraft in question.
Mr. Udom and Orient Thai Airlines’ plight received assistance from Deputy secretary-general to the Prime Minister Surasak Thiamprasert, MP from Ubon Ratchathani, who said that the airline was not receiving fair treatment, citing further that it was also unfair for Aviation Department to set a condition to revoke the airline’s operational license when a second national airline was established.
The politician was said to have urged the department to issue temporary air-worthiness certificates for the airline on February 6 to allow it to bring about 4,000 people into the kingdom. The department did issue the temporary certificates, which prompted Orient Thai Airlines to introduce routes to Macao for the Chinese New Year festival from February 7-15.
This, in turn, brought about accusations that MP Surasak had abused his power in getting the Aviation Department to issue the certificates, and that the MP had used the airline to bring canvassers from his home district to Macao to gamble in casinos on the island famous for its gambling. The MP denied wrong-doing in both charges, stating that he had simply responded to a request by the airline seeking justice in the first case, and that his trip to Macao were for tourist purposes, and that Orient Thai Airlines had chosen Macao because the newly opened airport there offered low service charges.
Eventually, Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh joined the fray, quizzing the Transport and Communications Ministry about the problems facing the airline, who forwarded the query to the Aviation Department. Directly or indirectly, this in turn led to the Aviation Department issuing the operational licenses, which is where the whole issue stands at present.

Explosive situation averted

American soldiers were quick on the scene to avert any possible complications from an accident involving an 18 wheeler laden with explosives

At noon on the 25th of April, an 18 wheel container truck carrying high explosives belonging to the U.S. Army overturned at the intersection of South Pattaya Road and Sukhumvit Highway, causing a few anxious moments for spectators. However, due to proper packing and a quick response from transportation personnel and the American army, the explosives did not ignite.
The driver of the 18 wheeler, Mr. Vichien Nakkasem, 34, recounted the incident, telling police that a flat bed pick-up truck had run a red light very closely in front of him. He said he had to swerve and slam on the brakes, causing his vehicle to lose control and slam into a 6 wheel truck. The vehicle carrying the high explosives then careened into a light pole and was torn into 2 pieces before it overturned and came to rest by the side of the way. As for the pick up truck, it escaped the scene and drove away as soon as it saw the incident happening.
The 6 wheel truck involved in the accident was full of dry cement. When police arrived, they found it overturned and crushed. There were two people inside who were injured. They had already been taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital.
The company hired to do the transfer willingly paid damages to the damaged and the injured.
At first, the company responsible for the moving had co-ordinated work with the Royal Roads Police Authorities in the area to request the use of highway 331. It is a road that is used for “secret” moving of cargo such as this, but Royal Roads Police Authorities requested they use the Sukhumvit Road way, excusing themselves by saying that these were the orders of the Commander.
The truck was part of a convoy of vehicles transferring explosives and other military gear to Pitsanulok to be used in the Cobra Gold exercises in May. The American Army brought another truck to remove the damaged vehicle and transport the explosives out of harms way.

13 year old girl molested

Two depraved child molesters were arrested for raping a 13 year old girl.

The hideous crime of child molesting is not confined to creepy tourists from overseas.
Last week, police received a report from a 13 year old girl that she had been sexually molested by two Thai men. Acting on her description of the molesters, police first arrested a 15 year old boy, who then led them to the second molester, a 20 year old man.
Both were taken to the police station for questioning. The 15 year old confessed to the crime.
The 20 year old, however, seemingly impervious to the gravity of the situation, brazenly told officers that 4 men, not 2 were involved. He said that the girl liked to associate with the 4, who were good friends. They finally could not control themselves and two of them molested the girl.

Police investigating murder of Korean businessman

Yong Moo Sung, 47, a Korean engineer who worked with the Hyundai Corporation, disappeared on the 10th of April. Police surmise he was murdered by an ex-employee to whom Sung and the Hyundai Corporation had not yet paid a severance fees.
His body was later found in the Chantaburi River, Ubonratchathani province, in a rice sack on April 21st. The police were led to the engineer’s pick-up truck by a Buddhist monk who reported seeing three suspicious people and the vehicle, which was abandoned near temple grounds.
The Crime Suppression Division has issued arrest warrants for three suspects in the case; Mr. Thongkham Srisukh, Ms. Vanitaya Srisukh and police private Chaiyasiri Srisukh. A fourth suspect, Mr. Somsak (surname unknown), who allegedly provided transportation, denies any connection with the murders.
The police private, who is now in custody at the Crime Suppression Division, has not been charged yet. The other two suspects are still at large.

Responding to the “Clean-up”

by Kittisak Khamthong

After the highly controversial police ‘clean-up’ in Pattaya on April 20th, the Police Department held a conference, “To Promote Understanding and to Solve the Problems of Tourism in Pattaya’.
Police General Pornsak Durongkawebul revealed that the police action in Pattaya was not an impulsive action by the Police Department. General Pornsak said a meeting of several government ministries had been held on how to respond to the government’s policy on Pattaya’s problems. A planning meeting was held at government house in February with all concerned with the clean-up attending.
Representatives of the Pattaya’s hotel and business community were present at this meeting.
The problems this group complained of were child prostitution, prostitution, illegal drugs, cheating of tourists, threatening of tourists, environmental problems, and others. These problems were causing Pattaya to be a cornucopia of news items for the world’s newspapers and other media.
This was the reason for the police action on April 20th. The desired results of the action were to “make Pattaya a safer place and to show the world that it is a safe tourist destination.” This was done with “as little disturbance to business and tourism as possible.”
The area in which the police are adamant is that of vice. Entertainment places which are operating illegally, making sure that those which are legal observe proper closing hours, arresting Thai and foreign nationals who are causing social disturbances and all types of confidence scams are on the law’s priority list.
Charnsak Chavalianititham MP Chonburi said that the problems must be solved and that it may have a minor effect on tourism. He continued, saying that this was a necessary disadvantage.
Thailand’s economy is in a rather bad state at this time and She is quite fortunate that a German tour company has requested that charter flights from that country be allowed to land at U-Tapao airport. There is also a Chinese Charter flight company which is now requesting landing permission for 50 flights a month at the same airport. This company is congratulating Thailand on its good luck as the hand-over of Hong Kong to China is the reason that the company must now sell Thailand.
As for the police’s policy on continuing the crime wipe-up in Pattaya; we would suggest that the police do this, but not in the platoon-like fashion of the April clean-up. Officers should be spread out in a wider area and mass force only be used in large arrest operations.
Songsak Yomjinda, Pattaya’s City Manager cites the following as those most in need of attention. They are in descending order.
1. Environmental problems.
2. Crime. This is one of the foreign media’s largest source of stories.
3. Prostitution and Child Prostitution. Special attention is given to child prostitution and the adults involved as the children themselves cannot be considered responsible enough to know the dangers to themselves or society. Two or three paedophiles were arrested last year.
4. Street Children. The Social Welfare Department’s budget is still not sufficient for the outreach programs needed. Pay level for social workers is so low that most cannot live doing social work full-time. Funding is the main factor here.
5. Cheating of Tourists. This needs a concerted effort by the PBTA. Honest business operators need to supervise those in commerce, as return business is the more desirable than quick, one time profits.
General Kongdech Choosri, the Regional Commander of the Police Department, said he and Mr. Songsak had discussed these problems.
Mr. Songsaj continued, saying that the real Mafia is, of course, those groups with the most power, such as corrupt police officials and public works officers, who will be slowly weeded out of the system.
After the meeting was closed, Chanyuth Hengtrakul, the Head of the Provincial Council, said that the government was not sincere in solving Pattaya’s problems. Even though Pattaya was one of the country’s largest sources of revenue the government should do three things; make the city an orderly place, impose order on entertainment venues and increase the number of police.
The meeting closed in an atmosphere of general agreement. Police officials, who thought they would meet with criticism from the business community, found they agreed with officers goals and there were no protests at all.

Fellowship camp draws over 2000 youths

Privy Counsellor Thanin Kraivixien

Pitiwan Mekha-suwandamron, Head of Public Relations for the Hope Foundation, spoke of the annual Fellowship Camp. The camp is sponsored by the public and private sectors. The Royal Thai Navy, the camp’s main supporter, allows the foundation to use its basic training camp for the gathering.
This year was a great success, with over 2,000 young people from all parts of the country in attendance. Water sports competitions and team sports were held. There were many other activities to promote understanding among young people from the different regions of Thailand.
The Hope Foundation knows the importance of this in a country such as Thailand with its diverse regional cultures. In a country where a native of the deep south and the far north cannot even communicate verbally, sports and games are the Thai that binds.
His Excellency, Privy Counsellor Thanin Kraivixien, graciously presided over the closing ceremonies, presenting awards and trophies to the winners in the various sports categories.

Verbal imbiber insults the wrong person

Songta Ratanawan, 18 dragged his bloody body into the Pattaya police station to file a complaint. He told officers he and his lover, a ‘service girl’ were sitting and drinking alcoholic beverages on Soi 7, when he was attacked and beaten.
He told officers that he did not see his attacker as he was busy chatting with his girlfriend. When officers asked if his girlfriend had seen the attackers, he was silent for a moment and then admitted that he had been hit on the head by a police officer. When questioned further, he told police that the officer walked by while he was intoxicated and he had shouted obscenities at the policeman, who told him to be silent. He did not obey and continued the verbal attack, resulting in his being whacked on the head.
Police said they would try and find the policeman who did this if he gave a description, but Songta could also be charged with insulting an officer of the law if his story were true. The man decided not to file any charges. Police suggested he go to hospital to get his wounds treated. The man complained of not having money for treatment, so officers passed the hat and he was taken to hospital.
The officer on duty advised him of the wisdom of not insulting others, especially those with weapons.

The history behind “Buddha Hill”

by Kittisak Khamthong
There is a legend which has come down through the generations.
Long ago, the east coast of Siam was flat and barren and could support no life. At that time, two noble ladies, Chi Jan and Chi Ohn, sisters and both devout Buddhists were sailing in a Samphao with their followers. Going from East to West, their boat was caught in a monstrous storm. Lashed by waves and tormented by wind, the boat was no longer able to endure the wrath of nature.
The two nun-sisters knew their end had come and were sad that they had not left anything of value for humankind. They prayed that their deaths not be for naught. One giant wave engulfed the boat and broke it into two pieces and they slowly sank into the sea.
Many aeons passed and the level of the sea slowly lowered and revealed two mountains. These mountains were full of rubies as red as the blood of a pigeon and sapphires, some as blue as the great sea and others which sparkled as the golden morning sun. Within six months, great trees, some offering cooling shade and others heavy with fruit, grew on the hills.
The two halves of the Samphao were found, each by one of the mountains. The people, who lived inland, were confounded by this and went to beg knowledge of a holy man, who had meditated his whole life under a great teak tree in the inland forest. He, being the keeper of all communi-cated knowledge, knew of the two sisters and their journey.
When he saw the two halves of the Samphao, each near one of the mountains, he declared that the holy sisters had prayed for these mountains to come into existence. In thanks, the people named these hills after the two sisters.
Chi Jan Hill is composed of granite, surrounded by dense forest. Not far to the north-east is Chi Ohn hill.
Both of these hills have long histories. The topography of these hills changed during the Viêt-Nam conflict. The Thai government allowed its ally, the US government, to build many bases in the country.
During the conflict, the US wished to build air-bases which allowed large bombers and other aircraft to land. The Eastern Seaboard of Thailand was highly suitable, as it gave the planes quick and easy access to targets in Laos and Viêt-Nam. This airport was built in Ban U-Tapao.
At that time, the Royal Thai Navy searched for stone which was a suitable material for building. The Navy found the stone of Chi Jan Hill was of the proper quality for this purpose. The Navy blasted and quarried the stone, wounding the hill. The stone was also used for building the England Road between Sattahip and Cha Cheang Sao.
Even when the war ended and the Americans had returned home, the hill was still illegally exploited by those with ‘influence’ for their personal gain. Explosives were used with impunity, though officially the hill was not supposed to be used for any commercial purposes.
Chi Jan Hill is located less than a kilometre from Sangwararam Temple in Chonburi. His Holiness, the Supreme Patriarch, came to Chonburi to make offerings to the principal Buddha image in the main chapel.
His Holiness knew that these explosions destroyed the peace of the area and the temple. He also felt that this was a dangerous activity, as it was being done without government permission and could lead to disasters such as land slides and mudslides in the rainy season. His Holiness also was troubled at the destruction of the environment.
His Holiness had the idea of making the mountain a religious site. At this time the hill was administered by the Navy.
The hill had been so wounded that one side was a barren cliff which gave the hill a lonely and desolate look. It was decided that a Buddha Image should be carved on the cliff to sanctify it.
It was from the Supreme Patriarch’s concern over the people and their environment that the carving project began to honour His Majesty the King’s Golden Jubilee.
His Majesty the King was informed of this project and sent the best surveyors in the Kingdom to ascertain the feasibility of the project. The Asian Institute of Technology also offered their expertise.
After a survey of the cliff by the Department of Geological Resources, it was found to be unsuitable for three dimensional carving, due to fractures caused by the explosions.
It was then decided that the image would be a line-carving, using a laser carving technique. The image was to be in the Sukhothai period style. The laser method of drawing the image was to save time. With this technique, the image could be drawn on the cliff in 2 days. If done by hand it would take 3 months. The laser technique also allowed the artists to view their work in progress on a computer screen, thus limiting the chance of error.
The laser machine used is the most powerful known. The machine was brought in at great cost from the United States of America. The cost of realisation of this image was 150,000,000 baht. The dimensions of the carving are 160 metres by 150 metres.
This image was graciously named Phra-Phutta-Vachira-Utta-Mopas-Sasada by His Majesty the King.

Pattaya’s Government

by Kittisak Khamthong
Part two of the series on Pattaya’s governing bodies.
There are 4 political groups that the people of Pattaya should expect to be in the running. First is the group with Annulling Udomratanakulachai or ‘Sia Daeng’, the owner of the Grand Jomtien Hotel. The second group is that of Pairat Suthithamronsawat, Pattaya’s present mayor, who also owns a construction company and an Insurance Company. There is also the Rewat Phonlukin, who owns a construction company. Sutham Phantusak owns the Woodland’s Resort and the all too well-known Tiffany Show.
All these are well known in general and local society. The first three are known to be proteges of Somchai Khunpleum or ‘Kamnan Poh’.
Sutham Phantusak’s support comes from the Pattaya business community and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. He also is very friendly with the Democrat Political Party.
All of these people are equally experienced and qualified to hold office.
The issue of the change of government, which is not being effected before the end of the tenure of the City Council, is a moot point. The real reason for the quiet turmoil is a rumour that there has been disagreement within the council. Some members wish for an open meeting to be held to discuss Pattaya’s political future, and other members are trying to hold back the entire issue.
The members who do not wish to have a special meeting are using the excuse that the Parliament will not have a special meeting to decide the issue. This group is afraid that the opposition within the council would use the special meeting of the council to criticise the central government.
Politics is conducted in dark rooms, though, and it is much easier to block something than to implement it.
So, it will probably be at least 90 days after the old council’s tenure is finished before this issue may be presented to the central government.
As for the election, city manager Songsak Yomjinda told reporters that the City was now researching why the voter response was so abysmal at the last election, with only 1.8% turnout of those with the right to vote.
There are 40,000 citizens with the right to vote for the Pattaya City Council. At the last elections less than 2,000 ballots were cast.
Is this a problem with voting techniques? Or does it reflect an attitude of a population which feels that know matter how they vote, it will not change anything? Could this possibly be due to a feeling of hopelessness with an inexorable system?
To be continued.

SHOPPING-SPREE

Fruits and vegetables at Phu-Luang

Beauty, Fashion, and many other shopping tips by Ariyada

Tiew and Sumit proudly present results from the Royal Vegetable Project at their shop in Phu-Luang.

His Majesty the King set up the Royal Vegetable Project in 1969, using His personal funds. This program was aimed at developing the quality of life for His subjects who live in the higher elevations of Northern Thailand.
The project is an ongoing process of research, experimentation and then implementation in agriculture. One of the main purposes of the program is to find viable replacement crops for opium-poppies, which contributed to the dissipation of the region. His Majesty’s researchers constantly seek crops which are suited to the area and generate income and which pose no danger to health and society. The program has been a success and agricultural products such as strawberries, cabbage, lychee, coffee and many other ‘exotic’ products have been introduced into the area. The various products from the project are shipped to other parts of the country and some are exported. Aside from growing, the project also has three processing factories.
Nowadays, one can see the results of the Royal Projects in stores and plant nurseries everywhere.

Don’t forget to send flowers for Mothers Day, 11 May.

One of them is Phu-Luang, owned by Khun Somtavil “Tiew” Suphamongkul and her high school darling Khun Sumit, now her husband of many years. They were quick to realize the potential and necessity of this project and began selling the Royal products nine years ago.
For the first few years, they would go by truck once a week to Chiang Mai to buy the pesticide-free products as well as organically grown rice at the local market. After a while, they found out they were eligible to be one of the King’s representatives in this project, and for the past six years have had the products delivered.
Business is brisk for Tiew and her husband, who now make daily deliveries to most of the bigger hotels in Pattaya, Rayong and Ban Chang. But the products are not only for hotels or wholesalers. Anyone interested in buying healthy, fresh vegetables and fruits at wholesale prices can pay them a visit.
Their selection of fresh salad includes beets, zucchini, broccoli, leeks, baby carrots, cherry-tomatoes (delicious as a TV snack), Brussels sprouts, asparagus, fennel, avocados, chitakeh mushrooms, potatoes, Japanese cucumbers - you just name it. They also have a large selection of fresh fruits of the season, and not only the usual Thai fruits, but also pears, apples, strawberries, and in May, plums and peaches, for the low prices of 60 to 70 baht per kg.
Twice a year a fair is held at their place. The first fair in 1997 will be over the weekend of May 10 & 11. It will be a great opportunity for all those who didn’t know about this place to go there and take a look themselves.
At the same time, Tiew will be organizing a garage-sale. She has already collected a lot of items, but ladies, there is still time to bring her something you’d like to get rid of. All items will be sold in the range of 5 to 100 baht, and all the profit will go to charity. Tiew, a very energetic lady, has done this several times already. Every year for the past few years, she has raised enough money to send three young girls to higher schools to further their education. Tiew is doing all this as a private person, for, she says, “a foundation would take too much paper work and too much time until it’s accomplished. I have always believed that education is very important, for it is the key to a better life. I am from this country, this is my home, I ought to do something for my people.” Tiew is also very much involved in the child protection program and in many other charity programs.
Besides vegetables, Tiew has a another shop (just around the corner from her vegetable stand) with gift-items from all ‘four corners’ of Thailand. It’s amazing what one can find there. Have you ever seen a beautiful clay box being especially designed and used for mosquito coils? Or ducks being used as door-stoppers?
If I would write about all the items, I could fill our entire paper. Better you go there and take a look! Be aware, the little shop is crowded and it will surely take a while to sort out everything you’d like to buy. Just in case, take a pick-up truck with you.
Either before or after shop-ping, you could join one of her water aerobic classes with Susi for only 100 baht per hour. Yes, they have that also, at their own pool and of course, no chlorine is used to keep it clean but an ozone-water-purifier. You don’t have to bring anything except your bathing-suit, for towels, shampoos and shower-gels are included in the price.
At their coffee-shop in the middle of a beautiful garden, next to the pool, healthy and delicious food is offered. Most of it is prepared from the Royal Vegetables Project. The price? The most expensive dish (it’s plenty) will cost 25 baht. Coffee sells for 10 baht, fruit juice 20 baht, a fruit shake is 15 baht.
It’s worth the trip. Go and see for yourself. Tiew and Sumit, two great people, are always happy to welcome you.
Phu-Luang is located at:
M. 4, T. Makhamkoo A. Bankai Rayong 21180
Tel. (038) 893 463-4, fax (038) 893 465
To go to Phu-Luang, take Highway 376 towards Rayong, off Sukhumvit Road, about two km before you reach Highway 36, turn right and you cannot miss it.

A varied display of the world’s best fruits and vegetables can be purchased at Tiew and Sumit’s shop.

Surprise spectacle at the Dusit

Fitness buffs gather around their friend and teacher, Lubi Wittock at the Dusit Fitness Center.

by Ariyada
Aerobics can be a lot of fun. All who join the Aerobic classes at the Dusit Fitness Center are used to the enjoyment, but last Tuesday it was even more fun when Lubi Wittock stepped in to be their teacher for a day.
Lubi Wittock, born in Rome to an Italian mother and a Belgian father, grew up in Marseilles. He is not only international by his birth but also by his looks - a mixture of Sylvester Stallone and a young Jean-Paul Belmondo. He’s got the stunning looks and charm to make him a star. In 1981, at the age of 20, he had earned all diplomas necessary for his sportive career.
He worked and performed not only in countries like France, England, Italy, Netherlands and Germany, but also in the USA. Entering Aerobic competitions every year, Lubi has a palette of medals to show. Being the French Champion three years in a row, he was also the first Frenchman to win a medal at the European Championships. Twice he made it as far as fifth place at the World Champion-ships, earning the honour of being the best European in these competitions. No wonder so many articles in various sports and newspapers have been printed about him. He has also appeared a lot on TV.
Lubi taught in Pattaya only for one day, yet his performance was so brilliant and exciting, the organizers of the Dusit Fitness Center are planning to have him back within a few months. If this is going to happen, we will inform our interested readers soon enough, for they won’t want to miss an event as such.

Go directly to jail

by Barrie Kenyon
The last thing which farangs want to experience personally is the Thai legal system. But there are, at any one time, several hundred foreigners from Europe and America in prison throughout the country. The overwhelming majority are there on drugs related charges, trafficking being much more serious than possession, but there are a smaller number of murderers, fraudsters and paedophiles. A growing number of expats are being arrested in collaborative ventures involving Thai authorities and foreign police forces or Interpol.
If a farang is arrested for a significant offense, he (or she) will likely be remanded to the nearest police station for seven days pending the first hearing. If bail is to be arranged, it is best that it be organised during this period, most commonly by friends raising the cash deposit. If bail is then granted by the court, and the money is available, the prisoner’s passport will usually be returned and the detainee is released. Unlike most of Europe, there are not any bail conditions such as registering an address or reporting to police. Of course, if the accused fails to turn up to the next hearing, the bail bond is lost and a warrant of arrest is issued. By then, the accused may have fled the country.
In moderate offenses, such as a farang running a small business without the proper permit, the crime may well be tried at the first hearing provided that the accused has pleaded guilty. Many less serious offenses are settled by a fine often accompanied by deportation since a conviction of any kind voids the visa. A statement, to the effect that the foreigner may not re-enter Thailand, may be stamped in the passport. However, bail is not available for very serious offenses, especially drug related, and the case may take several months to come to court. For offenses with a potential sentence of over ten years, the Thai court will appoint a defense lawyer in the event that the accused cannot afford one. This will not happen in lesser cases and the Thai system is a “pay as you go” one in which you must pay for your own representation or do without. In other words, you need friends on the outside. Thai courts tend to be crowded with “ambulance chasers”, that is freelance attorneys who will give a very optimistic assessment of future developments in return for high fees.
Thai prisons are grim places and come under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections. And prison is an expensive place. Apart from subsistence meals, say fish-head soup twice a day, the costs of bedclothes, toiletries, reading material and extra food are expected to be borne by the inmate. All jails allow prisoners to have their own internal bank account, funded by themselves or by their friends and relatives to pay for so-called luxuries. Visitors are freely allowed on most weekdays although the bureaucracy of queuing up, registering and finding the right officer to speak to can be a hassle.
Most foreign nationals are held in Bangkok prisons. Life is especially isolated for those in Chiang Mai, Chonburi or Rayong. Requests for transfers to the capital will not be considered if the sentence is less than a year or so. It follows that prison life is extremely boring and it is unusual for farang prisoners to be allowed to work, say in the kitchen or in the woodwork shops. It is common for prisons to offer for sale artifacts made by Thai inmates and the tables and cabinets are often of a high standard. For most farangs, however, exercise is restricted to the prison yard and rehabilitation limited to improving your Thai. A lucky few men have Thai girlfriends or wives who can visit daily and donate books, toothpaste and even hamburgers.
Understandably, most people in deep trouble turn to their foreign embassy. Most try to keep a conscientious watching brief on their nationals, but it is not their function to interfere in the Thai justice system. This is a cause of much misunderstanding. Sometimes, long-stay prisoners are able to serve a residual term in their country and there are a handful of well-publicised amnesty cases. But most prisoners must serve their term. Embassies typically arrange occasional visits to their nationals and inmates are allowed to write to them about problems such as ill health and to request to be put in touch with external agencies such as prisoners’ aid societies overseas. Many embassies can suggest the names of lawyers, if you have the funds, and can facilitate visits and contributions from relatives back at home. Many prisoners are very afraid of publicity, but cases of interest to the international press will almost always be picked up by fax or the Internet.
Although conventional wisdom often assumes that farang prisoners are part of insidious mafias, and some are, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that ignorance and naivety are the root causes of trouble. Bangkok international airport has some of the most sophisticated surveillance equipment in the world to check on drugs going out of the country. International police are now operating in most Thai cities. Farangs who keep to the laws of the Kingdom and avoid antagonizing Thai nationals are most unlikely to see the inside of a Thai prison. Chance your arm, and be prepared for the worst.