Murderous gang leader slain

Gunned down by police

Nader Shahbazi Ghasem, the reputed leader of the gang suspected of killing Orchid Inn Pattaya owner Peter Curtain, was himself killed by police on Tuesday, January 4 in Bangkok.

The Iranian suspect had escaped from Thung Mahamek jail last week. His three accomplices also attempted to escape, but were immediately caught after they had hack sawed their way through the bars on their windows and lowered themselves down to a vendor’s roof by using a rope made of sheets.

Iranian gang leader Nader Shahbazi Ghasem was recaptured on 4 January at a hotel in Nakhon Pathom, then shot dead while attempting to escape again.

Ghasem was re-arrested at the Erawan Hotel in Muang District of Nakhon Pathom where he was hiding with his "wife", a 34 year old woman named Min Kaew. Both Ghasem and Min Kaew were transported back to Bangkok, but in separate vehicles.

Whilst being transferred back to Bangkok for questioning, Ghasem allegedly reached for the weapon of one of the escorting officers. Fearing he had control of the weapon, other officers opened fire, killing him. The handcuffed Ghasem was shot three times, once in the temple and twice in the chest.

Ghasem and his three accomplices, Iranian ex-soldiers for hire Mortaza Latifi Ebadollah, Hamed Shirvani Tehrani and Mojtaba Bodaghi Taleb, are accused of a long list of armed robberies and the murder of Australian Peter John Curtain. The gang has made three other attempts to escape.

Senate elections causing confusion

20 candidates from Chonburi register, but are not allowed to campaign

After the 19-25 December registration period for Chonburi senate elections, to be held on 4 March 2000, the Chonburi Election Committee announced 20 candidates have registered to vie for Chonburi’s 3 seats in the first ever Upper House (Senate) elections in Thailand.

Out of 200 Upper House members in Thailand, members from Chonburi will hold three seats. Each senator will serve a term of six years. Their duties will include appointing and dismissing individuals in important positions, such as Prime Minister, Members of the National Assembly and other Ministers and high level officials.

The prerequisites require members of the Upper House to be 40 years of age or older, possess at least a bachelors degree, and most importantly, must have no affiliation with any political party and must not be sitting in any political party position.

The latter requirement is apparently causing problems, as some candidates rely on political parties during their campaign, which creates unfair advantages.

Prospective senators are also prohibited from actively campaigning for votes in person; however, they are allowed to introduce themselves and their proposals on posters. The problem here has caused much debate and is still not clear to this day, because of other existing stipulations requiring the printed material and location in the community to be posted must have prior approval from the Provincial Election Committee. The committee reviews the content for suitability, taking into consideration the posters’ size and location, which must also be agreeable to the owner of the facility or location where it will be posted. Otherwise, any deviations in these procedures can result in an illegal campaign.

Voters must be at least 18 years of age, the same as for National Assembly Elections. However, the voters are limited to a single selection of the senate candidates on the ballot, even if that province is authorized to have more than one member in the Upper House.

A further stipulation requires the candidates to vote, and if they don’t exercise their right to vote when their name is on the ballot they have broken an election law.

The following is a list of the 20 senate candidate names and ballot numbers released by the Chonburi Election Committee on 29 December: 1. Mr. Jinda Titiyarat, 2. Vice-Admiral Samont Tawanpheuch, 3. Pol. Maj. Gen. Wira Anantakul, 4. Mr. Anant Tharawech, 5. Mr. Wiroj Amotakulchai, 6. Admiral Wirach Wijarn, 7. Vice-Admiral Preecha Padibadsornkij, 8. Mr. Senee Somsri, 9. Mr. Thanu Saeng-In, 10. Mr. Prasit Jitaree, 11. Mr. Pramuan Empia, 12. Mr. Sombat Phecharatrakul, 13. Mr. Jakkreech Jedsadangkul Na Ayuthaya, 14. Mr. Bhuchong Phimchaichon, 15. Mr. Ekaryt Traichalasin, 16. Mr. Chao Saksamuephornhom, 17. Mr. Chalong Chinchon, 18. Miss Kanjana Kusalasai, 19. Mr. Wiroj Tantrakorn, 20. Mr. Jareun Chayutmandamrong.

Bulgarian counterfeiters busted

Nearly US$25,000 confiscated

Mitko Todorov Atanassov and Vessela Kirilova Atanassov, a married couple from Bulgaria, were arrested last week for spreading around fake U.S. dollars in Pattaya and Larn Island.

The Atanassovs were arrested on Larn Island on January 4th when they passed off three US$100 bills to purchase items from a shopkeeper. Pattaya police had been watching the couple, and pounced when the purchases were made.

Mitko Todorov Atanassov and Vessela Kirilova Atanassov were arrested last week for spreading around fake U.S. dollars in Pattaya and Larn Island.

Over $9,300 fake bills were found in their possession at the time of their arrest.

In their Pattaya hotel room, police found another $15,000 dollars worth of bills, which officials later confirmed were all fakes.

The married couple is also suspected of spreading the counterfeit money in Bangkok.

The two are now awaiting trial, charged with possession and passing off counterfeit money in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Indonesian gang arrested

Caught thieving from bank patrons

Pattaya Tourist Police announced the arrest of four Indonesians on 31 December 1999, wanted for a number of robberies in the Chonburi and Pattaya area. The arrest was the result of an investigation starting on 14 December after Mr. Warawut Phongsakornprytikul, a businessman from Rayong, reported 478,000 baht was stolen from his car.

Indonesians Bakarrudin Ahmad, Abdul Rozak, Majid, and Musto Fa were arrested for grand theft.

Warawut told police that on the day of the theft, he had just withdrew the money from a bank. He said that after he drove away, he stopped at a roadside stand to buy flowers, and left his car unlocked with the keys in the ignition. He said a red Toyota pulled up, a man got out and quickly grabbed his money from the car and fled.

The investigation led to the arrest of four Indonesians staying at the Dee Den Apartment in Soi Ko Phai. Arrested were Bakarrudin Ahmad, age 33, Abdul Rozak, age 44, Majid, age 44, and Musto Fa, age 21. During the arrest a number of gold necklaces and bracelets, 25,000 baht in cash and the red Toyota were confiscated.

The four confessed to the crime and to an incident occurring on 16 Apr 99, when they used a hammer to smash the windows of a BMW parked in front of the Thai Thanu Bank in Naklua and made off with 1.5 million baht sitting inside the car.

The four Indonesians confessed they surveyed banks and gold shops looking for expensive cars and waiting for patrons to make withdrawals or purchases. They then followed them, watching for an opportunity to make an easy steal.

Jet ski squabble leaves tour guide in stitches

Hit in the head with a piece of wood

Tour guide Banthun Bawaranornsed was left with a sizable lump on his head after he tried to help 2 tourists in his group settle a dispute with a jet ski vendor on Larn Island.

Banthun Bawaranornsed, stitches in his head, describes to police how he was struck while helping his tourists settle a dispute on Larn Island.

Banthun, 30, told police he took a group of 10 Russian tourists to Larn Island earlier that morning. Two of the tourists caused an accident while renting jet ski boats at 1,000 baht an hour. The two Russians became engaged in an argument with the men renting the jet ski boats, as the owners wanted them to pay US$1,500 for damages.

Banthun said he intervened, as the argument was getting heated. He said the tourists offered 5,000 baht for the damages they caused, which did not satisfy the boat renters.

Banthun said he suggested calling in the police to let them settle the matter, but the men weren’t interested in police interference. The tour guide, unable to get them to come to agreeable terms, started insisting on bringing police in to decide the matter, when one of the men struck him on the head with a piece of wood. The assailant then fled.

Banthun required medical attention for his injury from Pattaya Inter Hospital. Police interviewed him while attendants were stitching up his head. Police assured him they would look into the matter.

Politics heat up in provincial council campaign

January 7th was the last day for candidates to register to run for seats on their respective provincial councils (Provincial Administration Organization Council Members). Elections are set for February 5th.

Bang Lamung is one of 10 voting areas in Chonburi, and this time has more activity going on than previously seen.

The Chonburi Development Party, led by Rewat Phonluk-In, the #3 candidate, is campaigning with party members Poramedsawa Ngamphiched, Chaleum Ketjae, Thonlo Ampheung, Mongkhon Sawaenghasap and Chanyut Hengtrakul, with candidate numbers of 4-8 respectively.

The independent candidates campaigning are Chavalit Pheungmuang and Aphised Saksek.

However, Aphisek Saksek’s name is also on the ballot for mayor of Pattaya City, a move that has drawn the ire of other candidates.

Chanyut Hengtrakul of the Chonburi Development Party calls the move, "a waste of government funds". Chanyut accuses Aphisek of intending to confuse the voters by registering for both Pattaya City Mayor and for the Provincial Council Elections. Aphisek has obtained two different ballot numbers. "The two different ballot numbers would certainly confuse the voters, if not sway the votes to the established party," Chanyut said.

Aphisek defended his actions by claiming the democratic process allows the community to chose the candidate of their choice.

New land assessments released for 2000-2003

Some areas rise, others fall

The Bang Lamung District Land Office announced the new land assessments for the year 2000-2003, with some areas in Pattaya increasing in value by as much as 60%, while other areas decreased by as much as 42%.

In Chonburi Province 79% of properties remained at their previous values, while 11.07% increased in value and 3.37% decreased, resulting in an overall 6.07% change.

Not surprisingly, the areas increasing in value in Pattaya are the tourist and entertainment locations. The market area along South Pattaya Road is now valued at 100,000 baht per square "wa" (1 wa = 2 meters). Property along Pattaya Beach Road is now valued at 60,000-90,000 baht per square wa, and shore area property is valued at 15,000-100,000 baht per square wa.

The roadside property along South Pattaya Road now ranges from 30,000-100,000 baht per square wa compared to the previous value of 20,000-100,000 baht. In the area of Pattaya Soi 17 the values range from 8,000-20,000 per square wa.

Additionally, the tourist areas such as Jomtien are still holding at 22,500-25,000 baht per square wa. Two areas increasing in value by 60% are roadside property along Photisarn Road and Soi Bongkoch, now assessed at 8,000 baht per square wa.

The area of Naklua didn’t show much change at all except for the market area where property values increased up to 33%, from the previous value of 6,000 baht to the new value of 8,000 baht per square wa. Property along Sukhumvit Road is now assessed at 12,250-20,000 baht per square wa, showing a decrease in value of 33%.

Land owners and others interested in obtaining further detailed information are asked to wait a little longer until the district land office completes printing the 2000-2003 Land Assessment documents, which should be soon. The new assessments are not the same as the true market values, which they are unable assess, and the new assessments by the Land Department did not take into consideration the period of economic decline.

Famous former Thai boxer being sought for shooting tourist

Beer bar bouncer allegedly used weapon to solve argument

Pattaya police are searching for Phichit Phuangmala, age 42, also known as "Ai Koh", a well-known former Thai boxer who went by the name of "Yodphayak Kiatsingnoi". Ai Koh is wanted for the shooting of Icelandic tourist Maurice Guiney in the leg on New Year’s Day 2000.

The shooting allegedly occurred at the South Pattaya Central Department Store parking lot at 11.00 a.m.

Ai Koh was employed to look after the Miss Dino beer bar in Soi Pattaya Land 2. Heated words were allegedly exchanged between Ai Koh and a Thai woman in the company of Maurice Guiney.

Ai Koh allegedly fired four shots, with one bullet striking Guiney in his leg. Ai Koh quickly disappeared.

Police have issued a warrant for Ai Koh’s arrest. Police told reporters that they have been in contact with the wanted man and said that he intends to turn himself in.

However, pictures identifying Phichit or "Ai Koh" have been circulated in the city requesting assistance locating him so he can stand trial for the shooting.

A special day just for our children

Children’s Day 2000

Each year, the first Saturday in January is dedicated as National Children’s Day. It was originally held to build the spirits of children and prepare them for adulthood so they could turn out to be the strength of the country, keeping with the age-old adage of "today’s children are the adults of tomorrow".

Stars are born at Central Festival Center.

This year, National Children’s Day fell on Saturday, January 8, 2000. A multitude of activities, just for kids, were planned throughout Pattaya, as they were in the rest of the Kingdom.

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai dedicated to this year’s Children’s Day the slogan "Discipline Loves Knowledge and Coupled with Moral Integrity Leads Democracy", a slogan every child surely understands.

This year was also special, as the "day" was actually spread out over 2 two days, each with special events for kids.

The students performed on stage for the parents and guardians, while the Pattaya Alligator Farm and Million Years Stone Park presented educational funds to deserving and needy children at the Nong Ket Yai Temple School.

The festivities began on Friday, January 7th, with both the Lion’s Club and local administrators organizing activities.

In Nong Prue Sub-District, Bang Lamung District Chief Vichien Chawalit got the activities underway by presenting athletic equipment and other school materials to various community officials from the Nong Prue area.

Following this, Nong Prue Sub-District Administrator Mai Chayanit, members from the local business community, and the parents and teachers from the Nong Prue schools organized activities at the Nong Prue Administrative Building.

Fun and games for children provided by the Lions Club of Pratamnak Pattaya.

The day’s activities centered around promoting children’s development, building the children’s respect and concern for their communities and the environment. Other campaigns being emphasized were local tourism, drug prevention, AIDS prevention and developing agricultural knowledge.

Parades started at 08.30 a.m. from the Nern Plab Wan School, campaigning their messages all the way to the Nong Prue Administration Building where the official activities began.

Members of the community organized entertainment, and provided food and beverages. The World Dog Center, Pattaya Snake Show, the Elephant Village, the Alligator Farm and Million Year Stone Park all put on free shows for the children.

Drawing contests were a highlight of the day’s activities.

Also on Friday, the Pattaya-Pratamnak Lions Club arranged the day’s lunch for 50 children at the Children’s Day Center in Soi Nern Plab Wan. The children then entertained their hosts with special stage performances.

Later, parents and guardians took the children to visit various tourist attractions in the area, such as the Pattaya Water Gardens and Sri Racha Tiger Park.

Also on Friday, 7 January, the Nong Ket Yai Temple School in Nong Pla Lai held their day’s activities with a Buddhist merit making ceremony and alms presentation in the morning. The Pattaya Alligator Farm and Million Year Stone Park donated educational funds to the school. The children also took part in stage presentations, drawings for prizes and games.

Alcazar, Tiffany’s, Mike’s Shopping Mall, and the Pattaya Central Festival Business Center all had activities planned for January 9th starting at 9.00 a.m.

Alcazar and Tiffany’s had special shows for the kids, drawing contests for different age groups and games to play. Medical attendants from the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital were on hand to give free checkups at Alcazar and members from the Occupational Training Center gave free hair care to girls and boys.

Mike’s Shopping Mall provided entertainment, games, free shirts and ice cream on the 6th floor.

The Central Festival Business Center held special morning showings of two movies, Tarzan and Toy Story 2. Donations of 6,000 baht were given to the Pattaya Children’s Assistance Foundation and the Redemptorist School for the Handicapped. In the afternoon games and other entertainment took place on the 2nd floor.

Copyright 1999 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
[email protected]