Results are in! 2 of Chonburi's 3 suspended candidates win again

Third round likely

Two of the three Chonburi candidates elected, then suspended in March were elected again last Saturday when Chonburi voters went to the polls for the second time in an attempt to choose qualified candidates to represent them in the senate.

Pol. Lt. Col. Preecha Patibatsorakij (53,365 votes) and Viroj Amatakulchai (41,970 votes), who had both been suspended after the March 4 election, once again won senate seats in the election on April 29. Thus far, it appears as though their elections might stand, as the Election Committee has yet to publicly announce any malfeasance directly related to the two victors.

Pattaya’s physically challenged citizens performed their civic duty, turning out to vote in the senate election on April 29.

However, in other areas of the Kingdom, more election fraud has surfaced and a third round of senate elections appears imminent. Sawasdi Chotepanich, the Election Committee commissioner in charge of investigation, said that inquiries into alleged election fraud would take about 10 days. An announcement regarding whether a third election would be necessary is expected sometime this coming week.

In all, 46 of the 78 disqualified candidates elected on 4 March were elected again on April 29. Their official appointments will be announced if they pass the review by the Election Committee.

Parliament cannot be convened until the senators are endorsed and in place. There is, however, plenty of time for a new election, since the next session of parliament isn’t scheduled to take place until June 24.

Chonburi residents may be able to breathe a sigh of relief, for if the Chonburi candidates pass Election Committee scrutinizing, it would not be necessary for a third election in Chonburi. Pol. Maj. Gen. Veera Anantakul (receiving 52,055 votes) became Chonburi’s third candidate elected in Saturday’s election.

Voter turnout on April 29 was weak in Pattaya and Bang Lamung, as only 48.84% of the eligible voters turned out compared to 70% in the first election. 6.09% of the votes were counted as invalid.

26 citations were issued for selling alcoholic beverages during the regulated election period.

Meanwhile, disqualified Bang Lamung candidate Sombat Petchatrakul is currently awaiting court proceedings for his alleged multiple wrongdoings in the March 4 election. He was not allowed to run again on April 29.

City Hall joins the WWW

City goes on line with www.pattayacityhall.com

The entire world can now have a glimpse into the workings of Pattaya’s City Hall, providing, of course, they can read Thai and have working .pdf file readers.

On April 28, Pattaya’s city councilors met to announce the launching of www.pattayacityhall.com - the city government’s link to the global Internet world.

For readers of the Thai language, the site has several helpful features, including a list of city officials and a description of their positions, duties, functions, their CVs and educational background.

The site also has links to pages describing the different departments at city hall, as well as email links to these departments so that Pattaya’s citizens can send their personal comments, complaints and suggestions. The email links on the home page number three: the mayor, admin (under the “information” heading) and officer.

The home page has what is describes as a “direct line” to the mayor. Following the link takes web surfers to a picture of Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat stately sitting behind his desk and a form that allows visitors to type in a message, which presumably will go straight to the mayor’s attention.

There appears to be a wealth of information about city hall, all in the Thai language, but to access it web surfers must be able to read “.pdf” files. The site has a link to enable visitors to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

The home page does have some English language text, although it is a bit outdated. When we visited the site on May 1, the English language text and graphics were promoting the Pattaya Festival “14-19 April” as well as a link to a schedule of festival events.

At the site’s official launching on April 28, the administrators said that they have now, “computerized all information about city hall to assist the public and help expedite procedures in various departments.”

70,000 liters of fuel seized in international waters

Fuel was being sold to fishermen at sea

The Royal Thai Navy Combat Cruiser Sukhothai intercepted a Thai vessel carrying 70,000 liters of fuel in international waters on 27 April. After bringing the boat to port, the matter was turned over to the Sattahip Police.

The Chok Nathee 1 was intercepted at sea and forced to come ashore as it was carrying 7,000 liters of illegal fuel.

The seized boat, about 24 meters long and 8 meters wide, named “Chok Nathee 1” was manned by six men. The captain of the crew was identified as Kiatsak Chaopraeknoi, age 24.

During the police investigation the five crewmembers remained silent allowing Kiatsak to do all the talking. He told police they were hired by a man named Preecha Krajaejant to sell the fuel to fishing vessels 400 miles from the coast of Prachuab at a price of 8.20 baht per liter. The overall capacity of the boat was 13,000 liters.

The registration for the boat, number 0708-14893, had expired and the charges registered included using the boat for unintended purposes and selling the fuel without a license. The petrol was contained in four metal containers.

Equipment for the dispensing of the fuel was confiscated, along with radio and radar equipment.

Princess endangered - strong action taken

Momentary lapse of judgment could result in life sentence

22-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Nit Butradee could face life imprisonment for foolishly throwing a beer bottle at a passing Royal motorcade.

The incident occurred on 26 April during the early evening when a procession of cars and police motorcycles escorting Princess Somsawalee out of Pattaya were passing along Pattaya 2nd Road.

A group of motorcycle drivers that had congregated at the corner of Soi Sophon were sitting together drinking beer when the motorcade came by. One of the beer drinkers threw an empty beer bottle that had smashed and scattered glass in the path of the royal escort, causing motorcycle police to swerve away.

Police accosted the five men sitting on the corner, and Srisaket resident Nit Butradee soon confessed to throwing the beer bottle. He claimed the thought came to him when he saw the flashing red lights approaching, whereby he casually reached for an empty bottle and threw it in the path of the motorcade.

Nit Butradee’s foolish act got him arrested and charged with article 10, endangering the life of a member or representative of the Royal Family. This charge carries a penalty of 16-20 years imprisonment with the possibility a life sentence.

Chonburi Provincial Police Commander, Pol. Maj. Gen. Phanuphong Singhara Na Ayutthaya ordered the officer in charge of the investigation to bring maximum charges against the culprit. He also prohibited further gatherings of motorcycles for hire on the same corner. Police officers involved in the escort were ordered to immediately present their reports of what had happened.

Drug addict sets fire to house

Threatens to end his life

Suwat Keudkulbumiphong, a 20-year-old man living at the Sombat Village had his family and neighborhood in despair on 20 April when he threatened to slit his throat on top of their house. Prompting his agitated state of mind was a family argument followed by drugs, which enhanced his dramatic behavior.

Suwat bowed low to family members, apologizing and admitting he was at fault. He was arrested shortly after.

Suwat was recently released from prison after serving a drug related sentence. The argument with his wife and relatives upset Suwat to the point of retreating into the bedroom where he spent the morning in solitude using the dangerous amphetamine drug “yaba”. Instead of relieving his distress, the drug and the noon hour heat started to boil his emotions. So, he just set fire to the bed. His wife smelt something burning and went to investigate, only to find Suwat in the act of now setting the room on fire.

Suwat became frightened and raced from the room, grabbing a knife on his way out. He climbed onto the roof of the house putting the knife to his throat and threatening to commit suicide if anyone approached him.

The fire was soon extinguished and the police were summoned. Police officers tried to calm the man down for two hours, all the while Suwat held the knife to his throat. They then tried to coax him down asking what could be done to resolve his anger and what it was that he wanted. The afternoon heat soon took its toll over Suwat and he requested water. While handing the water over to him, police talked him into lowering the knife and Suwat finally complied.

Suwat then raised his hands putting them together and apologized to everyone admitting he was at fault. The crowd of people gathered in the area cheered, and the incident ended in averting the man’s death wish. He was then charged with using illegal narcotics and causing a disturbance.

Motorcyclist killed colliding with mini-bus

40 year old man named Phitak Ahthitteung was killed instantly when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a mini-bus full of tourists heading for Bangkok just before mid-night on 21 April on Sukhumvit Highway in Pong sub-district.

The 58-year-old van driver, Somryt Chyynchomsin, told police the motorcycle was traveling at high speed coming up on him from behind whilst weaving in and out of the traffic. Nearing the PTT gas station the motorcyclist recklessly cut in front of him and he was unable to avoid the collision. Somryt said he went to the aid of the cyclist lying on the road, but the skull injury was so severe that the motorcyclist must have been killed on impact.

Phitak Ahthitteung, from Roi-Et, suffered a severe skull fracture and broken neck and was transferred to Bang Lamung Hospital. The van driver was taken to the police station for further investigation.

Police crack down on XXX video CD dealers

Boss walks off leaving employee to take the rap

Local police sprang into action as soon as they heard that sex videos were being sold in front of the Night Square market.

The group of Pattaya police officers assembled just before midnight on 23 April and proceeded to make plans for a big bust. Their plan was to have one police officer pose as a tourist and purchase one of the videos with marked bank notes so that an arrest and conviction would stand up in court.

Acting on a tip, Pattaya police were quickly in and out of the Night Market in South Pattaya and their big bust smothered a small time dealer, netting a cache of pornographic video CDs.

The videos were in fact being sold openly, with a table full of sex videos involving Thai, Chinese, Japanese and European “artistes”. The undercover police officer, after choosing the movie that most appealed to him, revealed himself and arrested the sales clerk. It was then that the other police officers appeared and confiscated the entire collection.

During the arrest, the alleged owner of the operation, Chai Pattaya arrived on the scene. He professed to all present in a polite manner that he is acquainted with the man being charged and proclaimed that he was unafraid as he was well connected with high-ranking police officers.

Chai went on to say that similar videos were on sale all over Pattaya and no police action is ever taken. “Why,” he asked, “was his employee being targeted alone?” He also thought it a jolly good idea, “If the incident could stop at this point.”

Chai Pattaya was then allowed to leave. His parting words accused police of just going after the small fry and that he could identify every pornographic dealer in the city. “But then,” he went on to say, “who would provide me any protection if I kiss and tell all?”

At the police station, 20-year-old Ekarat Na Bangchang admitted to his crime of selling the illicit videos. He said that he was in fact employed by Chai Pattaya, who supplied him with the videos to sell on the street at 250 baht apiece. When the statement from Ekarat was finalized, he was charged with selling pornographic materials and escorted to his cell.

Consular Officer Ethel Oates from the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok, will visit Pattaya on May 9, 2000. Her visit will provide the opportunity for Americans residing in the area to obtain a number of consular services without having to travel to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok.

Ms. Oates will be providing services at the following times and location: Tuesday, May 9, 2000 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Merlin Hotel, 429 Moo 9, Pattaya Beach Road, Pattaya, Chonburi, Tel. (038) 428-755.

The following is a list of services that will be provided during this visit:

* extra passport pages

* passport applications (be advised, however, that new passports must be picked up at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok - they cannot be sent via mail)

* Notarials, including affidavits required by the Thai government for marriage, driver’s licenses and certain types of visas

* registration with the U.S. Embassy

* information on application procedures for Thai citizens seeking U.S. visas (note that applications must be submitted at the U.S. Embassy, Bangkok)

Please note that U.S. law requires a US$ 55 (or Thai Baht equivalent) fee for each notarial service provided. Passport applications cost $US 40-60.

Please share this information with other Americans in your area. Should you have any questions, contact the American Citizen Services office at 02-205-4049. For additional information about the American Embassy in Thailand, please visit our website at http://usa.or.th

Announce “Pattaya Street Children Corrective Action Project”

The problem of children roaming the streets of Pattaya, selling candy, flowers and begging in the entertainment areas late into the night has been a problem for years. A much worse situation is children being lured into prostitution. Although both problems are difficult to solve, the city administration and local organizations, both government and private, are taking action.

Local government and civic leaders met at the Pattaya Asia Hotel on April 26th and hammered out the Pattaya Street Children Corrective Action Project. The aim of the project is to seek a corrective plan of action to help curb the problem of the many children ending up on the streets. The main objective of the meeting was to get various agencies involved and cooperating in order to achieve the desired results with help from the community.

Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suttithamrongsawat, members of the city administration and the PBTA announced the project at a press conference on the following day at City Hall. Mrs. Sophin Tappajug, Chonburi Juvenile and Family Judge, was appointed as chairman of the project.

Over 400 children under the age of 18 are now in Rayong’s Huay Pong Correctional Facility. Approximately 40% are Cambodian children taken off the streets in Pattaya, the other 60% are Thai children engaged in begging and other self-damaging behavior. The problem of Cambodian children found on the streets is a particularly difficult one to resolve, and there is no easy solution in sight. Almost all these children reappear soon after being deported back to Cambodia.

PBTA President Surat Mekawarakul said the project includes a committee to resolve the associated problems, and hopes to achieve a secondary goal of improving the city’s image. The project includes plans to divide Pattaya into four zones: a residential zone, entertainment zone, tourist attraction zone and cultural zones that include Buddhist temples. No mention was made of school zones. However, these plans are to be discussed in further detail during subsequent meetings with members from the private sector and the city administration.

The city administration is supporting the project, and many charitable organizations in Pattaya have already donated 50,000 baht to start up the project from May 1st. Concerned organizations providing support include the Y.W.C.A., Pattaya Sports Club, the Lions Clubs in Pattaya and Pratamnak, the Gold Shop Community, and the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club.

Surat said the project will continue until the problem can be fully resolved. “The people involved in these types of human rights abuse, specifically child prostitution, realize the inexcusable nature of the practice is unacceptable.”

To do their part, the Pattaya Police Station is now in the process of staffing the recently established Women and Children’s Rights Center with three female and four male officers. The center can maintain from 10-20 people at one time with separate areas for girls and boys. Children picked up roaming the streets are transferred to the Rayong Huay Pong Correctional Facility. The main role of the Women and Children’s Rights Center is to conduct the required official investigations.

Father Mike Phicharn Jaiseri, the Director of the Pattaya Redemptorist Home for Children, specified that food, clothing, medicines and a place to live are the basic needs of these children once they are taken from the streets. Additionally, schooling is required and provided to those willing to attend. Currently separate accommodations are available for boys and girls at the Redemptorist Center. Father Michael expressed concern over not allowing legalities to defeat the intent of providing human rights assistance to these children.

An account to support the project was established and organizations or individuals interested in making donations can do so at the Naklua branch of the Thai Farmers Bank in the name of the Pattaya Street Children Corrective Action Project (account # 481-2-03851-1).