Pattaya Immigration has introduced changes which affect some farangs wanting to extend their visas. Extensions to sixty day tourist visas now depend on the applicants age. People aged under 55 are restricted to one thirty days extension plus ten days. Tourists 55 and over can have two blocks of thirty days, plus ten. A Thai bank book should be shown at the second thirty days stage as evidence of cash in hand for the holiday.
Ninety days non immigrant type "0" and "B" visas can be extended on a need to stay basis, but should be accompanied by appropriate documentation. For example, farang men whose visa was originally obtained on the basis of having a Thai wife should take a copy of the marriage license and the wifes ID. Retirees holding a non immigrant visa should take their Thai bank book. People working in Thailand need to show their work permit or certified business papers.
Farangs visiting the Immigration Bureau say that the best advice is to ask the officer about eligibility to stay when applying for the first extension. The rule changes do not affect thirty day visa on arrival visitors nor twelve months/residence permit holders. Thai law requires change of address to be notified within 24 hours.
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Former Premiers ashes released off Koh Si Chang
After the cremation of former Prime Minister General Chartchai Choonhavan, his wife, Thanpuying Boonreuan Choonhavan, his son Kraisak Choonhavan and other dignitaries took his ashes by boat to a palace built on Si Chang Island during the reign of King Chulalongkorn the Great.
When reaching the appointed area, Thanpuying Boonreuan spread flowers on the waters, lit incense and Mr. Kraisak released his fathers ashes into the sea.
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AIDS Researcher shows cautious optimism
Professor Robert Gallo, one of the foremost researchers into the world AIDS epidemic, paid a brief visit to Pattaya last weekend as a stop-over on his way to address a scientific meeting in Singapore.
Robert Gallo M.D. is very passionate about beating the AIDS virus.
In discussing the AIDS problem he showed a cautious optimism. Whilst the death rates are falling with the advent of reasonably good therapy, it is of concern that the rate of infection is still rising, particularly in Africa and Asia.
He stated that, "The epidemic is unabated in the world. It is still a major concern for the survival of some nations."
Having now been involved with the research for many years he said that the information we have on AIDS and HIV is more than we have for any other disease process. He felt that the newer therapies have brought great hope into the AIDS centres but it is important to realize that at present there is no "cure". Even with use of multiple drugs in the early stages all that occurs is the formation of a chronic viral state. Cessation of therapy produces a recurrence of active viral disease.
The costs of such therapies are such that they are not a viable treatment, modality for the 3rd world, so much of his research is being geared to help these countries. He believes that the "biological" approach is the best way for the 3rd world.
In accordance with this, he will be signing a collaborative document with the giant medical vaccine company Pasteur-Merieux-Connaught on November 18th this year in America. Professor Daniel Zagury in Paris has already been working with them, and this will line both these researchers in together.
Clinical trials of vaccines are already in place in Europe, and their safety in immugenicity has already been shown. From here, clinical trials will be necessary before the next steps can be taken. Professor Gallo said, "I am optimistic that a partially effective vaccine will be available within five years or less."
He is of the opinion that the epidemic can be reduced by vaccines and education, a combined natural and biological attack on the virus that is very suitable for developing economies. It is frightening to realize that there are between 30 - 40 million people with HIV who have no way of accessing or affording current therapies, such as AZT for example. For these people, Professor Gallo hopes that his research will bear fruit.
Being a medical doctor as well as being a researcher has its own problems. "It would be easy to lose ones objectivity, but for me, it just makes me want to hurry up." Robert Gallo M.D. is very passionate about his subject and uses terms such as "addictive curiosity", "a compulsion you cant explain" and "Im going to try and figure out Mother Nature" as reasons behind his competitive spirit. Whether that competition is beating the virus, or racing other researchers to the correct answer is immaterial. Humanity will be the eventual winner. Keep going, Professor Gallo.
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Tourist Police showing extra effort
Crime clean-up and Bicycle patrol programs started
On November 5th at 8:00 p.m. Police Lt. Colonel Suphaset Chokechai, Inspector with the Pattaya Tourist Police, began a crime clean up and tourist assistance campaign in the Pattaya and Jomtien areas. The aim of this stepped-up effort is to stop crimes against tourists and to make tourist venues extra safe for visitors.
A stepped-up effort to wipe out crime officially began at Pattayas Tourist Police HQ last week.
As part of this campaign, a division of officers on bicycles from the Tourist Police will be guarding the streets. The officers are all trained in first aid and will all carry first aid kits on their bicycles.
The Tourist Assistance Volunteers have also initiated a bicycle patrol. Both groups will carry police radios and will be on duty 24 hours a day.
The bicycle program will allow police and the public to get to know each other better. The use of bicycles will also lower the costs incurred and environmental impact of automobiles and motorcycles.
The bicycles will also allow police to patrol areas usually inaccessible to automobiles and motorcycles.
The crime clean up and the bicycle division are two new projects designed to make Pattaya a more attractive tourist destination.
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UK tourist plunges from 8th floor
Telephone wires may have prevented immediate death
On November 8th, UK national Stephen Boston, 35, apparently jumped from the 8th floor of his hotel building in an attempt to commit suicide. He hit two telephone wires on the way down which slowed his fall, and he eventually landed on the top of a truck.
He is now in critical condition in hospital.
This apparent suicide attempt was totally unsuspected, as Boston had taken his friend, Ms. Sirinapha Sarnpetch, a bar worker, to the hotel beauty shop. Both had hair cuts. While Ms. Sirinapha was having a manicure, Boston told her he was going back up to his room for a moment. A few minutes later, he plummeted from the 8th floor and landed on the truck.
Rushed to the hospital, he is still unconscious and in critical condition.
Officers conjecture that Boston may have been suffering from stress.
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ASEAN Journalists visit the Eastern Seaboard
by Peter Cummins
After almost one month gasping around Bangkok and its equally polluted environs, 16 journalists and media specialists from five ASEAN countries came to Pattaya last week. Ensconced at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club on Pattaya Points Kasetsin Beach, the group spent two days examining the business and economic developments along the Eastern Seaboard... and, oh yes, I almost forgot to mention - breathing!
The group was the second to be trained by the Indochina Media Memorial Foundation (IMMF) as part of the IMMFs Journalism Training Course "Reporting on Business and Economic Issues".The intensive course was organized by Ms. Sarah McLean, Project Director of the IMMF and the journo-students reaped immense benefit from the vigilant tutelage of their trainer, Graham Watts of the "Financial Times", who also ensured that the group underwent much "hands-on" experience.
Here the group from Cambodia (4), Lao PDR (3), Burma (2), Vietnam (5) and host country Thailand (2) pose at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club with their trainer (back, second from right) and course director (second row right).
They went back to Bangkok with their minds full of fresh ideas and their lungs full of fresh air.
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Foreign tourist saves drowning woman
Woman was attempting suicide
On November 6, a 19 year old woman tried to drown herself after losing 70,000 baht. Ms. Da (surname unknown) threw herself into the water on South Pattaya beach.
A foreign tourist (name not given) saw her struggling in the water and pulled her out. The man had to restrain the hysterical woman. He then called the police.
Arriving at the scene, the still crazed young woman struggled against any efforts to help her and would not be consoled.
Officers kept her at the Pattaya Police Station to allow her to cool down. She refused to answer any questions and muttered about the duplicity of people and how no one was really sincere.
Police put her in a holding cell to calm her down.
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Tourist beaten for alleged non-payment
Learned the hard way - must pay for play
Thirty-two year old Norwegian tourist Mehdi Moghissi was beaten and robbed in his hotel/apartment at 1:30 a.m. on October 19th by two thugs hired by an angry "service" girl who alleged she was not paid for her services.
Suphachai Kiartises and Chaovalit Kongcharoen were arrested last week for beating a Norwegian tourist after a "service" girl had told them the tourist had refused to pay for her "services".
On November 5th, police arrested Suphachai Kiartises, 23, and Chaovalit Kongcharoen, 24, from the Sugar Home Hotel where the two had apparently gone to hide. Both confessed to the beating but denied having stolen anything from the tourist.
Suphachai and Chaovalit admitted to police that they had been hired by Ms. Viphawadee Boonmark, a bar girl, to beat up Moghissi. Ms. Viphawadee told them that Moghissi had taken her for sexual activity and then refused to pay her.
The two men stated that they had waited for Moghissi at his hotel, and when he entered, they removed his crash helmet and beat him until he collapsed. Afterwards, they ran away but did not steal anything.
Moshissi, who suffered two broken ribs from the beating, told police that after the beating, the two men took his 2 ounce solid gold neck chain, his 4 ounce bracelet, 30,000 baht in cash and his cellular telephone. The two men then disappeared with Ms. Viphawadee.
Police Lt. Colonel Sirisak Tantinawachai, Deputy Superintendent of the Pattaya Police, conjectured that Ms. Viphawadee was hiding somewhere in Chantaburi Province. Officers were confident they would find her.
The two men engaged in the beating were charged with robbery, committing grievous bodily injury, and stealing valuables from others. They now await trial.
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German expat busted with contraband
Over 10 million baht in goods confiscated
At 9:00 a.m. on November 9th, Police Lt. Colonels Phinij Satcharoen of the Pattaya Police and Suphathee Boonkhrong of the International Crimes Division of the Pattaya Police arrested Michael Perdinand Killium, a German national living in Banglamung, who was discovered to be selling contraband electrical equipment.
Contraband confiscated from Michael Perdinand Killiums condo filled five police pick-up trucks and was valued at over 10 million baht. Killium stated that it was all for his own personal use.
The arrest came as a result of combined investigations of foreigners engaged in illegal business.
Armed with a search warrant from the Chonburi court, the two officers and a squad of police raided the Killiums condominium, finding many computers, circuit boards, and other electrical equipment. Over 1,000 bottles of contraband liquor were also found.
The amount of smuggled goods filled five police trucks. All was taken to the Pattaya Police Station for safe keeping.
Killium was taken in for questioning, and when asked for the bill of lading and permit for the goods, Killium told police that he had brought them in for his own use. Police were skeptical.
The total value of the contraband was over 10 million baht.
Killium was charged with possession of and the sale of contraband.
He now awaits due process of law.
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Amercan consul looking into tourist death
Deceased father looking for son
On November 10th, an American Consular officer met with officers from the Pattaya Polices International Crimes Unit to inquire about details in the death of US citizen Terry Watkins, 43.
The consul, Mr. Paul Meyer, told officers that he had received a call from Mr. Watkins worried father. Mr. Watkins told the consul that his son had not arrived back in the United States on schedule and all attempts to find him had failed.
Contacting the Pattaya Police and learning that Terry Watkins was dead, the consul came to investigate the causes and collect his valuables to send back to the family.
Police Major Thitipong Sukhthien, the Inspector on Duty at the time, told the consul that on November 7th, the Banglamung police were called to the Beverly Plaza Hotel.
Police told the consul they found Mr. Watkins dead in his room. He was bleeding from his nose and mouth. There were no signs of struggle, nothing was taken from the room and the body showed no signs of physical abuse. The man had been dead for no less than 7 hours.
Officers found prescription medications for a number of medical conditions and a box of prescription syringes in packages.
Police sent the body for autopsy but as they could not ascertain the cause of death, did not notify the US Embassy immediately.
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Looking for a Director of the Port of Laem Chabang
Committee seeks outsider
On October 26, in the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of Thailand, preparations were made to set up a regulation to find a way to name an outsider to take up the duties of the Director of the Port of Laem Chabang. The committee still cant agree on the appointment of a new director in place of Vice-Admiral Kan Tantivechakul, who has retired.
As there are clauses in the law for naming and outsider to the position, the board has assigned people to comb the law books to see if there is any method by which an outsider might be named to this position. The board has requested that a name be suggested to be the director.
Vichien Vitoonchien, Phiraphon Traiwantana and Varaphot Suphanakul are the three most likely to be in the running for the position. They came to point out the information and what they would do if appointed director of the port.
The committee has not favored one of the three yet, as the three have different ways of thinking. But the committee still wants an outsider as it would provide great advantages and go along with the plans for the use of the port in the future.
Thawaron Junnanon, Director of the Port Authority of Thailand said, "At this time we are still stuck with the problem of the law not being clear. If we hire an outsider, we will have to send the information to the Ministry of the Treasury first, as it is required. This is a problem. So nothing may be done right now."
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