French paedophile arrested in Pattaya

Paedophiles are not welcome in the Resort and will be dealt with harshly here and in their home countries.

Thirty-one year old Frenchman Jean-Jacques Jean-Marie was caught in the act of child molesting on July 23 after Pattaya police received information that he had been molesting young Thai boys in his hotel room in South Pattaya.
Obtaining his room key from the hotel desk clerk, police burst in and found the naked foreigner lying on his bed with a naked 11 year old Thai boy.
Officers made an immediate arrest and charged Jean-Jacques Jean-Marie with molesting a person younger than 18 years of age. Officers searched the man’s hotel room, finding a number of ‘kiddie porn’ magazines with pictures of children from Thailand and other Asian countries. Pictures in a magazine entitled the ‘Asia Kiss’ were of Asian children having sex with foreigners. Police and reporters also found another magazine with nude pictures of both male and female Asian children who were also photographed having sex with foreigners in unusual sexual positions.
Police Colonel Khajornsak Kriengsakphichit, Commander of the Tourist Police of Region 3, originally received the complaint at 1:00 a.m. on July 23rd, that a foreigner was luring Thai children into sex with him by offering them money. The foreigner was also taking photographs of the children which he intended to sell to ‘kiddie porn’ magazines.
Acting on this complaint, an investigative unit found that Jean-Marie paid premium prices (up to baht 1,700) for the children’s sexual services. Jean-Marie’s prey were Thai boys between 10-12 years of age.
His usual venue for these acts was a hotel in South Pattaya. Police put a ‘tail’ on him and collected enough evidence proving that he was indeed engaging in these activities.
Jean-Marie has been remanded to custody, charged with child molesting, and now awaits trial.

Drug bust on Soi SS

A squadron of police made a bust of a drug dealing motorcycle gang that was operating in the area of the Apple Housing Projects on Soi SS in Pattaya.
Entering the suspects’ house, officers found 8 suspects, the three men and five women, who immediately tried to escape. Police managed to catch all 8. Officers later learned there were 5 more they hadn’t noticed. This group had escaped through the back door of the house.
In the house officers found 6 motorcycles, heroin in three large plastic vials, 270 tablets of methamphetamine, a small bag of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana), and an improvised bong, used for smoking the Marijuana.
After the eight suspects were taken to the Pattaya police station for further questioning, Mr. Santitchai Srinualtham, 31, confessed to being the leader of the gang, which operated in Pattaya and surrounding areas. The gang sold heroin, marijuana and other drugs. He also admitted that the gang acted as agent for another group of suspects recently arrested.
The motorcycles in the house provided the gang’s main income. They would sell these to fences for between 5 and 10 thousand baht per bike. They had been doing this for more than a year.
Santichai said the gang operated out of ‘safe-houses’ and moved every 3 to four months to throw police off their track. He said it had worked very well until the present time.
As for the 5 who escaped through the back door of the house, Santitham unfortunately could not remember their names.
The group was charged with conspiracy and grand larceny, conspiracy and selling controlled substances, and possession of drugs.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Atthaphon Namnart told media that the narcotics division had spent a long time on this investigation, as this gang had been quite active in selling dangerous drugs to young people.

High blood pressure arrest?

Police arrested a German national, Werner Mattheim (sic), 59, after receiving a report that he had stolen a sphygmomanometer (a gauge for measuring blood pressure) worth 5,000 baht from Central Watson shopping centre.
Police arrested the man while he was departing the store and took him to the police station for charging.
While police were writing up charges, Mattheim asked if he could call his wife, a Thai national. He told officers the matter was urgent and refused to sign a confession, even though he had been caught with the stolen property on his person and there were several witnesses. His reason for not signing was that he could not read Thai and therefore did not know what he was signing. He wished for his wife to translate the police document for him.
Police attempted to contact the man’s wife, but no-one answered the phone at the number he had given them. Following procedure, police put him on hold in the incarceration room.
He now awaits due process of law.
He refused to tell police the reason he had stolen a machine to measure blood pressure and officers are a bit confused, as this service is free at many places in the city.

Citizens protest in Mab Ta Phut

Protests marches are beginning over the non-action by the government involving the noxious fumes in Mab Ta Phut.

By Boonleua Chatri

The noxious fumes from various factories in the Mab Ta Phut Rayong area have caused residents to stage demonstrations.
On the 16th of July, Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyuth and the Ministry of Industry gave a news conference that the problem would be cleared up in 7 days. But until now, nothing has been done. The public has had enough and protests are beginning.
On the 29th of July, a group of 100 representatives of the people of Mab Ta Phut left wreaths of mourning with epitaphs for industry officials on them. These wreaths were laid in front of the District Industrial Office.
Protesters also gave a letter to the Head of the National Industrial Office with three requests:
1. That the Prime Minister, who said the problem would be solved in 7 days, to kick the present Industrial Officials out of office and find new ones who would actually do more than give lip service and then disappear into their air-conditioned offices.
2. To have the newly appointed officials solve this problems, with the help of real experts, such as engineers. The public has no faith in appointed officials who have no expertise to solve complex technical problems.
3. The problem should be solved by August or the public would have to take more drastic measures.
The representatives of the more than 500 families whose lives have been ruined or disrupted by the poisonous fumes said that if nothing were done, they would barricade the roads and stage an internationally visible protest march on government house in Bangkok.
In an interview, the leaders of the protest group said children and old people were debilitated due to the disgusting behaviour of the refineries who only thought of easy money and considered the ‘lower classes’ not worth consideration. The refineries did not plan for proper disposal of waste products from the beginning as it was very expensive and would cut into profits.
The first investigation showed that 3 factories were the prime offenders. 1. Star Petroleum. 2 The multi national giant, Monsanto, which was using the name Beyer Fremier. 3. Another multi-national’s Thai operation, Tuntex Petroleum. Protesters said that the other 50 refineries in the 8,000 rai radius may be culpable too.
The protesters wonder if it is too much for the government to set safety standards for these factories, or if it already has to please take the time to enforce them.
Teachers at the Mab Ta Phut Pittaykharn school are begging the government to please see their plight, as they feel it is unfair to have to move the school for the convenience of the refineries.
Moving the school will cause economical hardship to many of the families of teachers and students who attend, due to various costs. The trip to a new campus, which is to be quite far away, will also waste valuable time in travel.

Pattaya Rally for Education

Competitors set off from Mike’s Department store for the Pattaya Rally for Education.

The teeth-gritting Pattaya Rally for Education was held on August 3rd. This event’s route was the chills and thrills filled Rayong-Pattaya Rayong circuit covering 130 kilometres.
The race began with during a drizzling rain at Mike’s Shopping Mall, with the finish line at Central Wong Amat Hotel.
There were 46 nail chewing drivers in this race, whose purpose was to advance family tourism in the region.
Entrants also had to engage in an ‘RC hunt’ at various points along the route. This was exciting for first time entrants and navigators. Adding to the fun, 3 entrants did not understand the signs posted along the route and got lost. Due to sheer determination, they made it across the finish line, though.
Required stops along the way were the Fossil Park, the Crocodile Farm, Suphatraland Park, and Yansangvararam Temple.
Other required stops were the Pattaya Blind School, at which the competitors were required to buy a product or make a donation.
The winner was car no 54 driven by Mr. Ajharn Leualon with Mr. Phraisak Vichkarakul as navigator. They won the 10,000 baht first prize and a magnificent loving cup.
The second prize was taken by car 52, Mr. Klairung Mungjitdee driving and Mr. Chanchai Kriengmongkon navigating. They took home 5,000 baht and a loving cup.
There were prizes for motorists coming in 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and 45th. The ‘Booby Prize’ was given to Mr. Anan Kingsorn, driving car no 40, Pattaya reporter for Thai Rat newspaper.
Nothing in Thailand would be complete without a beauty contest. Slavering judges presented this honour to Ms. Nathaporn Nanthakowat, navigator of car no. 19. Ms. Nanthaporn told reporters she was a nurse at Laem Chabang Memorial Hospital.
The most original prize presented was the ‘Person Who Lost Their Way’ award. The winner of this dubious honour was the driver of car 24, Pattaya Mail’s own Kittisak Khamthong. Our dear Kittisak managed to find his way back to the right route and finish the race, though.
All the proceeds from the rally will be used for scholarships for needy students.

Caution urged when purchasing gems

Thailand was once one of the world’s largest gem producing countries. Rubies of good quality and blue, yellow and green sapphires were abundant. Due to rapacious mining techniques, the gem supply has been exhausted and most ruby and yellow sapphires referred to as ‘Thai’ now comes from Cambodia. The Kanchanaburi mines are still producing, but discoveries in Africa, Vietnam and Laos have eclipsed the indigenous stones.
Thailand was also famous for its cutters and a centre for gem ‘heating’ to improve colour. With new high-tech developments in the US, the Americans are now considered the best at gem heating and the mines in Montana, USA produce high quality sapphires in very large amounts.
This has caused a slump in one of Thailand’s major industries. The Vietnamese and the Africans are now working on their own stone mining, processing and cutting technology and Thailand, due to unfortunate incidents with naughty scams, is being cut out of the international gem market.
The Tourist Police now warn all those visiting Thailand to be very careful when purchasing gemstones and jewellery and suggest that one only do business with shops which have the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s seal of approval. These shops are listed in the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s booklet, ‘Where to Shop.’
The Tourist Police also warn very strongly of believing ‘touts’ when gem shopping.
As 1998-9 are ‘Amazing Thailand’ years, police have issued warnings to tourists and advice on how to not be tricked into buying low-quality stones at inflated prices
Police say visitors should be wary of fresh faced young people at tourists areas who pose as college students and want to ‘practice their English.’ The conversation then usually gets around to the subject of gemstones and how Thailand is a source of unbelievable bargains. The Tourism Authority of Thailand wishes tourists to know that quality gemstones in Thailand can be purchased at very reasonable prices, but there are no ‘steals’ on high quality stones. A very high quality stone will never be cheap. Touts will often talk about ‘promotions’ which last only two days at very low prices.
The tourist is then taken to a shop where they pay very inflated prices for low quality stones. The jewellery shop makes a huge profit, the tout receives as much as 40% percent in ‘commission’.
The police are doing the best job they can to protect tourists against these touts, but they ask that visitors exercise a bit of common sense when shopping for costly purchases, such as gems.
The tourist police also recommend visitors to make purchases of ethnic Thai products, such as pottery and traditional Thai clothing at well-known department stores, which usually carry a wide range of these goods at fixed prices.
Tourism Authority of Thailand officials advise tourists to use the same caution in shopping that they would in their home countries.

Sanctum blessed to house the Phra Trai Pidok

His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch receives General Mongkol Amphornphisit, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

General Mongkol Amphornphisit, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was at Yansangvararam Temple in Banglamung to make the official offering to His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch of a sanctum to house the Phra Trai Pidok, a book of the Buddhist Canon. This project was jointly sponsored by the four branches of the Royal Armed Forces of Thailand.
The building of the sanctum began in 1994, when His Holiness became 80 years old. Funds were raised through religious donations. A total of 4,509,240 baht was raised at a temple fair and an additional 387,500 baht was given for the decoration of the sanctum through private donations.
Phra Trai Pidok is the equivalent of the Hindu Upanishads, the Christian Bible or the Koran of Islam.
Phra Trai Pidok means ‘three holy scriptures’ and is a detailed compendium of The Lord Buddha’s teachings, divided into three books.
1. Vinai Pidok This is the book of ordinances for Buddhist monks and nuns.
2. Sutatatapidok This book contains sermons given by The Lord Buddha during His time on Earth.
3. Aphithamapidok This book contains The Lord Buddha’s teachings on how to be free of worldly desires. This book teaches the way to Nirvana and was compiled in only three months after the Buddha’s death.
These three books are the foundations of Buddhism and are respected by all.

Sattahip campaigns against drug abuse

The Public Health Department of Sattahip announced that it is joining together with the Rotary Club of Sattahip in a program to help young people lead better and safer lives.
These organizations are rallying around the theme that students should be healthy in mind and body in order to be the future of the country. However, drug abuse is a real danger to society at the present time, therefore they have initiated a campaign against drug abuse.
This campaign will have many parts, beginning with erecting highly visible signs in places where students hang out. The signs will read such things as ‘Amphetamines are Dangerous’, ‘Users Will Die’, and ‘Sellers Will Be Put in Prison’.
Sattahip Municipality and the Rotary Club are also sponsoring workshops at primary and secondary schools in Sattahip to educate young people on the dangers of drug abuse. Over 1,500 children will learn about drug abuse from Narcotics officers from the Sattahip Police Department.
The Public Relations Office of the Police Department, headed by Police Captain Sanam Sakulsayomphu, announced that they are glad to give educational workshops at any interested establishment or institution.
They also ask that anyone knowing of persons dealing or using drugs be reported to narcotics officers at 191 or 437-113, 24 hours a day.

His Holiness reaches 7th cycle

Chonburi Governor Sujarit Pajchimanan told reporters that on October 3 His Holiness The Supreme Patriarch would celebrate His 7th cycle or 84th anniversary of His Prasoot (birth).
The Ministry of the Interior and Prime Minister Chavalit Yongjaiyuth consider this to be a very auspicious occasion which should be celebrated by all Buddhists and citizens in the Kingdom. The country wishes to honour His Holiness for all the good He has brought.
All provinces in Thailand have been instructed to plan various activities to celebrate His Holiness’s birthday beginning with Asalaha Bucha Day.
Mr. Sujarit said there would be religious observances from the 1st - 3rd of October. Some of these would be redeeming cattle and buffalo, prayers, educational activities, Dhamma studies and meditations, being charitable to other people, and other suitable activities.

Thais urged to buy Thai

As the economy is in a rather delicate condition at the moment and money is a bit tight, the Prime Minister had to let the baht ‘float’. This has caused inflation in the country and a rise in the cost of living.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand, 3rd region, concerned about the people, has begun a consciousness raising campaign to help people realise the need to economise.
The name of this campaign is ‘Thais Helping Thais’, with sub-catchwords such as ‘Eat Thai Things’, ‘Use Thai Things’, ‘See Thailand First’, ‘Co-operate in Economising.’ Nuclear families are encouraged to economise on family expenses.
To keep currency in the country, Thais are encouraged to take vacations in Thailand’s many vacation areas. They are encouraged to be part of Thailand’s cultural revival and study Her history and culture.
A campaign is also underway to revive the environment.
‘Thais Helping Thais’, ‘Eating Thai Things’, ‘See Thailand First’ and using Thai products will all help to improve the economy in the future.