Area’s five parliament candidates address the public

Present platforms, affront other candidates

The candidates participating in the evening address were: Thai Rak Thai’s Thonchai Phimsakul (candidate #7), Chart Thai’s Chansak Chawalit-Nittitham (#9), Thin Thai’s Amnad Krytakhom (#11), Democrat’s Aphised Saksek (#16), and Kaset Mahachon’s Rear-Admiral Patana Chiranant (#35).

A large crowd from Naklua and Pattaya gathered to listen to the political party lines from each of the candidates campaigning in constituency 6, which covers Pattaya, all of Banglamung District and parts of Sriracha District.

As the local election control supervisor, Saman’s preparations for the public address included each candidate taking a solemn oath whilst ingesting sacred water, swearing to abide by election regulations and running an honest campaign in accordance with constitutional guidelines. The oath incorporated utterances saying that any candidate involved in wrongdoing would suffer severe adverse reactions within 3-7 days, and that the candidate’s close family members would also be affected.

Thonchai Phimsakul (ballot #7) from the Thai Rak Thai Party was first to address the crowd. He began by saying his party’s line is to help brothers and sisters in rural areas engaged in agriculture by relaxing debt payments and reducing agricultural cooperative loan interest rates over a period of three years. Allowing the people in local communities to have a voice in the decision making process concerning natural resources was another party theme, along with waging war on the drug related problems destroying the nation’s youth. He said it was also important to attack government corruption at the same time. Expanding government authority with the goal of increasing efficiency was part of Thongchai’s closing address, which ended with, “If I am elected to the House of Representatives I am prepared to implement party policy immediately.”

Next up on stage was former MP Chansak Chawalit-Nittitham (ballot #9) from the Chart Thai Party, who many believe is the area favorite. He began his address by describing what he has achieved during his term in office, identifying the push for Pattaya to become a specially recognized entity in the new constitution and his selection as a national assembly member at the Singapore Asian conference last September as being good achievements. He also mentioned the construction of the South Pattaya tourist pier. Addressing future plans, Chansak said if elected again he would push projects supporting tourism in Pattaya, turn the area into a major attraction, extend periods of authorized stay to allow tourists to remain in Pattaya longer, and thereby steadily increasing the number of tourists and amount of money brought into the area. Lastly, Chansak referred to the importance of developing Laem Chabang’s deepwater port into a major modernized area with international standards to attract more business into the area.

Amnad Krytakhom from the Thin Thai Party (ballot #11) then stepped up on the platform and began addressing party leader Phichit Ratakul’s policy of correcting existing laws which lack substance and which have no clear concise objective reasoning. Referring to laws pertaining to drug suppression as an example, Amnad said the laws needed changing in order to be in the people’s best interest. He addressed education next, identifying the party policy of improving educational standards and revamping the Thai education system, which includes offering free education to the public through the secondary grade level. He then began attacking the unfair tactics used by other parties campaigning in the general election and produced examples showing plastic-ware, jackets and shirts with party emblems. The items were handed over to Saman, the local election control supervisor, informing him to present the evidence to the provincial election committee. He said the items were collected in other constituencies in Chonburi and suggested 40,000-50,000 pieces of such items were waiting to be put in circulation. Amnad continued his attack on other parties, accusing them of purchasing votes, and issued a warning to watch for lottery ticket peddlers, who, on January 1, would be passing out money to buy votes in the guise of presenting winnings to holders who never even bought tickets.

Kaset Mahachon’s Rear Admiral Patana Chiranant (ballot #35) presented his party line resembling Thai Rak Thai’s popular pledge to assist farmers in rural areas by relaxing debt payments over a period of three years. The agricultural assistance plan included a poverty revitalization plan utilizing 200 billion baht. He also spoke of other plans to push the completion of the Isthmus of Kra Canal and develop a modern commercial mercantile transport system into productive international business, guaranteeing future economic independence. Rear Admiral Patana Chiranant also referred to the necessity to revise current constitutional laws directed at local consumer protection, and maintained that agriculture is the nation’s main industry.

The last speaker was Aphised Saksek, ballot #16, from the Democratic Party. He started off by identifying past achievements during the party’s 54 years in existence, then quickly attacked a number of politicians elected to parliamentary office who “lack moral principles and serve personal interests and the interests of those assisting them getting into office”. During Aphisek’s address, he encouraged voters to elect new faces to government; new faces having the people’s interest foremost in mind. He asked the voters to carefully compare former politicians’ achievement records to the needs of the people. Finally, he declared his readiness to serve in his full capacity as the people’s representative.

Ulrich extradition progresses

The Thai court of appeals announced this week that the German government’s request to have Wolfgang Ulrich extradited to Germany will be upheld. The German embassy is now coordinating the transfer with German officials, who expect to escort Wolfgang back to Europe within three months time. No exact date for the transfer from the Thai Penitentiary Department has been set, as the matter is being coordinated with the Royal Thai Police through the Thai Court of Appeals.

The German government has been waiting for the Thai courts to approve Wolfgang Ulrich’s return to Germany to stand trial for allegedly embezzling 500 million baht from an animal protection foundation in Europe. The Thai courts had to ascertain if the charges were criminal verses political before honoring the German government’s request.

Wolfgang’s lawyers appealed in January 2000, claiming there was no evidence or witnesses to support the accusations, adding that the entire affair was a political move.

Prosecuting attorneys have been pursuing extradition since 15 December 1999, showing supporting evidence indicating Wolfgang’s guilt. The prosecution also insists his return would not conflict with Thai law. However, no extradition treaty between the two countries has been established.

The German Embassy in Thailand has been officially coordinating through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Ulrich’s return.

The 55-year-old German was first sent to prison in Thailand in September 1998 for illegally importing a luxury yacht into Thailand and avoiding taxes. Ulrich elected to serve a one-year reduced sentence in lieu of paying the over 79 million baht fine and was released on a royal pardon within six months, just to be arrested again at the request of the German government to stand trial in Germany for embezzlement.

Crime prevention volunteer tries to shake down katoeys

Arrested after high speed chase

In perhaps another one of those “only in Pattaya” happenings, 26-year-old crime prevention volunteer Saiyan Kamphaengtong got a little overzealous in his “crime prevention” on Christmas Eve. The subsequent events were also a bit over the top.

26-year-old crime prevention volunteer Saiyan Kamphaengtong (seated) posed as a police officer and abducted “girl of the second category” Wirapong Sinsukh (back left fixing hair).

At 3:20 a.m. on December 24, Saiyan, driving a red Toyota, pulled up to a pair of “girls of the second category” at the corner of Pattaya Land and Beach Road. Saiyan told the “girls of the second category” that he was a police officer, then demanded 500 baht or he would arrest them for bothering tourists.

Unfortunately for Saiyan, the women born men didn’t have the money, so he ordered one of them, later identified as Mr. Wirapong Sinsukh, age 22 from Udorn Province, who, by the way, was fashionably dressed in a dark blouse and white skirt, into the car. Saiyan then took off and in the process hit a parked Volvo owned by a news reporter, denting the car and breaking the rear lights.

The other “girl of the second category” called the police, told them the car had just sped off onto South Pattaya Road, and the chase was on.

Police quickly put the call out over the airways and the red Toyota was soon spotted on South Pattaya Road heading for Sukhumvit.

Other crime prevention volunteers who had joined the police in the chase set up a motorcycle roadblock, but Saiyan failed to stop, and instead ran over the blockade and nearly ran down one of the volunteers. He then turned into a side street at high speed with the other vehicles in hot pursuit.

Saiyan managed to outrun the motorcycles, preceding in the direction of 3rd Road towards Central Pattaya into Soi A.R. But police radioed ahead and blocked off the narrow road with a police pick-up truck, finally bringing the Toyota to a stop.

Saiyan was taken into custody and escorted into the police station, along with the passenger to clarify the incident. Inside the car, police found three .45 caliber cartridges, 1,520 baht, a list of names of motorbike taxi drivers and payments due in the amount of 3,100 baht for each queue.

Saiyan admitted to driving into the parked Volvo but said as a crime prevention volunteer he was just arresting a katoey that needed taking off the streets for causing incidents and pestering visiting tourists. He said the list of names of motorbike taxi drivers was for payments due to his boss, an unidentified police officer.

Saiyan was charged with illegally possessing live ammunition, posing as a police officer, reckless driving, causing an accident and avoiding arrest.

Young Brit extortionist comes to sad end

Out on bail, found dead in condo

Twenty four year old Justin Oomen from Great Britain was found dead in his condominium in Jomtien at 12.20 p.m. on January 2. Police surmise he died of a drug overdose, possibly from valium, but investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of death.

Justin Oomen on the day of his arrest.

Oomen was arrested outside the Pattaya tourist police station on December 26 for allegedly running an extortion racket while posing as an international police officer.

Pattaya tourist police, investigating reports of Oomen’s activities, learned that Oomen routinely came into the Pattaya Tourist Police station leading his victims to believe he was conducting official business inside.

Tourist police confronted Oomen on December 26 whilst he was in front of the Pattaya tourist police station, and a subsequent search produced a Colt .45 automatic with no serial number. The weapon was loaded with seven rounds. Also in his possession was a TS-28 Kenwood radio and a high powered electric stun gun. Oomen was arrested on the spot.

Oomen’s British passport showed he entered Thailand in 1996. He told investigating officers he purchased the Colt automatic from a Pattaya municipal police officer for 40,000 baht. After buying the pistol he began extorting money from foreigners operating beer bars in Pattaya. He also admitted to police that he ran scams and used the weapon to threaten other visiting tourists.

Charges brought against Oomen included carrying an illegal weapon within city limits and possessing a communication device operating on unauthorized frequencies.

Shortly after his arrest, Oomen was released on bail. A few days later, the cleaning woman noticed a foul odor near Oomen’s room. She notified security, who then used spare keys to enter the room.

Oomen’s body was found face down on the bed. Investigators found no evidence of a struggle, and the room was in order. Oomen’s personal possessions, including some valuables, were still in the room. The condition of the body suggested that the death occurred 3-5 previous to being discovered.

Oomen’s body was sent to the police forensic lab for autopsy.

Norway bikers’ holiday ends in a mess

Receive multiple injuries after crashing their motorcycle

Mr. Inge Elling Strand, age 54, and Mr. Steinar Erling Hansen, age 44, both from Norway, suffered multiple injuries in a motorcycle accident in front of the Asia Hotel on the late afternoon of December 22.

Always drive extremely carefully when in a country other than your own, or you may end up like these two unfortunate Norwegians.

The two were still rolling around on the street pavement crying out in pain when police arrived. The driver of the parked vehicle was nearby and a 900 cc Honda was lying off to the side of the road. The men were assisted to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The driver of the stopped vehicle, Mr. Phayao Sornwichan from Nakhorn Sawan, told police he was driving his Nissan pick-up out of the Asia Hotel in the direction of Pratamnak Road. He said he stopped before entering the main road when the two Norwegians riding double on the big bike came crashing into his truck at a high rate of speed.

Pattaya police collected the demolished Honda motorcycle and transferred it to the Pattaya municipal police station. Police are now waiting for the two men to recover before continuing the investigation and determining who will cover the damages.

Pattaya officials working overtime to collect taxes

Still visiting delinquent tax-payers direct

Pattaya’s deputy mayor Wirawat Khakhai and officials from the city treasury department have been working overtime in an effort to collect business and miscellaneous taxes due the city, and it appears that the city will be collecting 200 million baht in taxes this year. The amount exceeds the projected amount earlier predicted, although there remains a number of businesses still avoiding payment, totaling around 10 million baht.

Deputy Mayor Wirawat Khakhai

City officials were recently out on the street visiting different businesses, encouraging compliance rather than having to go through court action at a later date. The deputy mayor said that delinquent taxpayers feel pretty smug and have little fear of the city treasury department, due to the slow court system and the amount of time involved in identifying unpaid taxes. However, the treasury department is now computerizing tax collection information and data is also being kept on delinquent taxpayers still owing the city.

The city expects this year to collect nearly 20 million baht in various taxes beyond the targeted amount. Deputy Mayor Wirawat said the excess taxes identified for collection, beyond the targeted 180 million, are due to under-estimations and increased land taxes, including the large number of new businesses that have opened in the city.

Taxes collected consist of 77 million baht in business taxes, 10 million in advertisement sign taxes, with the remainder coming from land, liqueur, local development, vehicle taxes and other miscellaneous taxes.

The deputy mayor said it is still necessary to continue announcing tax payment information to make the public aware of the requirements and that procedures are available for suitable methods of payment.

Businesses were reminded to submit their intentions for annual taxes due for the year 2000, as the closing period is approaching. Taxpayers can still announce payment intentions up to 28 February 2001.

Pattaya Provincial Court opens new room for Juvenile cases

Private donations helped build the facility

Wiwat Duangchan, region 2 prosecuting director, made a special visit to Pattaya on December 26 to open a new room in the Provincial Courthouse Minor Protection Admin Center. The room will be used for conducting criminal court cases and investigations involving minors.

Wiwat Duangchan, the provincial prosecuting director in region 2, presided over a ceremony opening a new room in the Pattaya Provincial Courthouse for conducting criminal court cases involving minors.

The new room will facilitate criminal cases involving persons under the age of 18 that require separate consultations within the presence of court prosecutors in accordance with laws implemented in 1999 protecting the rights of minors.

The changes enacted not only protect the rights of minors but also guard against intimidation by providing special attention to safeguard children’s welfare and mental conditions.

The room will provide an area for questioning witnesses and minors involved in criminal cases, thus providing for more efficient criminal proceedings and expediting cases involving minors.

Pattaya Provincial Court Prosecutor Rangsan Chongsanguandee led court prosecutors and officials into the room for the first time during the grand opening ceremony.

The court also welcomed a group of distinguished guests who were each honored with certificates and tokens of appreciation for their contributions and support in completing the new room. Their generous contributions towards the noble and worthy cause allowed the room to be completed without using hard to come by funds from the central government.

from the Child Labour News Service

Child sex exploitation has been allowed to flourish around the world as national governments fail to act on their commitments to stamp out the practice, a report said.

Four years after the Stockholm World Congress on child sex exploitation where 122 nations resolved to draft action plans to protect their young, only 29 had kept their promises, said child rights campaigners ECPAT.

The findings were compiled by the committee to End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking (ECPAT), one of three international agencies that organised the Stockholm conference.

The 178-page report, titled “Looking Back, Thinking Forward,” was funded by the European Union and the Swedish International Development Agency as part of an ongoing plan to monitor the responses of countries that participated in the conference.

“In every continent, child victims of commercial sex exploitation are found,” ECPAT said in a statement.

“Law enforcement officials impeded by ignorance and corruption are failing to provide these children with the protection that they are entitled to.”

At the second world congress, held in Yokohama, Japan from December 16 to 20, governments were urged to step up their efforts to develop plans to end the abuse.

“States must be forcefully reminded of their failure to live up to the promises made in Stockholm only four years ago,” said ECPAT International chief Muireann O Briain.

The child sex industry is continuing to thrive thanks to several new factors, including the advent of the Internet which has helped paedophiles form networks and gain better access to victims, ECPAT said.

HIV-AIDS has made children the main targets, as they are considered less likely than the adult prostitutes to infect their clients with the disease. Some even believe sex with a young child is a cure for the infection.

Trafficking in children, particularly in Eastern Europe, has boomed since the break-up of the Soviet Union, it said.

Report co-ordinator Emma Morley said that on the positive side, rights groups had succeeded in substantially boosting awareness of commercial child sex abuse.

Several airlines had agreed to screen videos warning their passengers against procuring children for sex, before they touched down in notorious red-light holiday destinations.

Also, many countries had taken steps to improve legislation to protect children.

“However, extremely poor law enforcement remains a major problem,” Morley said, adding that exploitation of children often went hand-in-hand with corrupt police forces and courts.

“Too often, victims are treated as criminals rather than as victims,” she said.

Another problem was the severe lack of rehabilitation and recovery services for children after they are rescued from sexual slavery.

The report urged nations attending the Yokohama conference to act swiftly on establishing action plans and to improve the enforcement of current laws.

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