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Nang Nual still standing
In a case that has the entire 101 businesses in South Pattaya watching anxiously, Nang Nual Restaurant is still intact after ignoring its second deadline.
Nang Nual was ordered to dismantle, at its own expense, a 10 x 20 meter addition at the rear of the restaurant built over the water. The litigation
enforcement office in Chonburi’s first deadline to do so was December 14, but the owners managed to convince them to hold off until after the busy season. The second
deadline was January 31.
The restaurant owner’s son-in-law, Chomnat Chuprayun, said the restaurant’s team of lawyers successfully convinced the Chonburi court to reconsider the
original order and set a date for another hearing, which has been scheduled for April 24. He said the restaurant ownership is prepared to follow the court’s decision after
reconsidering the case.
The litigation enforcement officer from Chonburi said the Nang Nual Restaurant has every right to appeal, but will have to concede with the court’s
decision in the end. Should they fail to comply the city and provincial authorities will undertake the work Nang Nual’s expense.
Nang Nual Restaurant’s owner, Bunchuay Suwanakhot, said the business has been operating for 30 years at the present location.
Rambunctious officer gets hand slapped
Free ride ends with transfer
Pattaya municipal police captain Chitpol Yuyanyao, accused of abusing his position to avoid paying for a large amount of entertainment expenses at the Ban
Tech Restaurant (Pattaya Mail last week), has been transferred to Phantong District police station in Chonburi pending a court hearing.
 Police Captain Chitpol Yuyanyao has
been transferred to Phantong after being accused of abusing his position to tally large food and beverage bills without paying for them.
Owners of the Bang Tech Restaurant registered complaints with Chonburi provincial police alleging Pol. Cpt. Chitpol Yuyanyao abused his authority nightly
at the Ban Tech Restaurant. The police captain allegedly signed his name to a long list of bills for food and beverages, which Ban Tech management said he adamantly refused
to pay for.
Each time he was confronted to pay his bills, he allegedly threatened to close the business down under the premise that the Ban Tech remained open after
prescribed business hours, an accusation the management denies.
Ruangsak Wanprasert, Ban Tech’s owner, described the police captain’s behavior as intimidating and not only did the entire staff fear him, but he often
chased away paying customers as well.
After questioning management and conducting a preliminary investigation, Chonburi provincial police commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Sene Khamthieng transferred
the accused out of Pattaya.
Pol. Cpt. Chitpol had been assigned to the Pattaya municipal police station as deputy suppression inspector, and before departing for his new assignment in
Phantong he was heard to say that the entire matter was a misunderstanding.
Pol. Cpt. Chitpol admitted to some of the allegations, but said he was prepared to pay the bills he signed for.
He said he, “never realized the issue would escalate to this proportion,” and that it would be an important lesson he would remember well.
American tourist charged with possession of yaba
Arrested during “temper tantrum”
American Brian Dunn, 31, was arrested from his condo on Pratamnak Road on January 31, charged with possession of methamphetamines.
Dunn, who denied the charges, was arrested after worried condo management called the police when they heard loud noises coming from Dunn’s flat. Management
described the noises as sounding like Dunn was “throwing a temper tantrum” in his room.
 American Brian Dunn was arrested for
possession of methamphetamines.
When police arrived, they heard a loud racket and screams coming from Dunn’s apartment. Once they gained access to the room, police had to restrain Dunn,
as he was allegedly “staging a wild scene in an agitated, out of control state of mind.”
After bringing Dunn under control, police searched his room and found 10 methamphetamine pills in a travel bag.
Dunn later declared no knowledge of the drugs and denied he was under the influence of the illicit substance.
However, his conduct and the confiscated drugs indicated otherwise, and he was charged with possession of class 1 illegal drugs.
Duck Square shop owners stage protest
Claim management has breached their contracts
Remaining shop owners at the Duck Square Shopping Plaza on South Pattaya Road consolidated late last month to protest the project management’s alleged
failure to produce customers as originally promised.
Police officers were called in to quell the mob of 50 demonstrators, who were demanding satisfaction from Duck Square management.
 Duck Square shop owners staged a
protest in an attempt to get the project’s management to drum up business.
The shop owners say the original project plan specified that group tours would be arranged to bring in foreign tourists numbering in the thousands on a
daily basis, with concerts and other entertainment set up to attract business. The tours have yet to materialize, and so far the only entertainment organized charged
admission and drove off more business than it attracted.
When the project first opened over six months ago, 700 units quickly filled up. But the promised flow of customers never materialized, causing nearly 80%
of the shops to close down, each forfeiting six months of rent, lease fees, down payments on merchandise and utilities.
Many of the shops are refusing to pay rent until management meets their promises, but the management allegedly retaliated by chaining up the doors and not
allowing entry until rent was paid. They also posted notices announcing that if no response was received within seven days the contents of the store would be confiscated.
Shop owners are also complaining that Duck Square management is unfairly collecting utility bills by reading meters and adding on inflated service charges.
Duck Square general manager Manad Kosonwatana met with the group and assured the shop owners that the 200 million baht project was not being abandoned.
However, he said all demands would have to be sent to the Duck Square project board of directors before specific decisions could be made.
The general manager said that he needed time to coordinate arrangements to bring in business, and promised to meet with shop owners again to discuss
further plans.
He also said that management has a plan in the making involving tour businesses this month and said the shops that have closed were being called back to
open up again. He said everyone’s participation is important, as the project wants to portray a full variety of business. He also said that businesses forced to close down
and move out would be refunded one-third of the 60,000 baht lease fee.
Mystery car fire at Duck Square
Possibly vandalized, but cause still unknown
Miss Sunatta Madachant, the 27-year old owner of a store called “Pop-Up” in Duck Square, South Pattaya, contacted police at 7.00 a.m. to report her car
was vandalized during the night of February 1.
 Miss Sunatta’s Toyota sustained
considerable fire damage.
Miss Sunatta told police that she had parked the car in front of her shop at around 2 a.m. and went inside to rest for the night. She said the car alarm
woke her up, and opening the front door of her shop she discovered her Toyota was in flames. The fire was put out with a fire extinguisher before the car became completely
engulfed.
Miss Sunatta said she was absolutely puzzled as to how such a fire could have started. She said she had no known enemies, and that the car was locked up
with the alarm turned on. She assessed the damages at 100,000 baht.
The front window was shattered and the initial investigation revealed evidence that a flammable substance may have been poured on the car and ignited.
The investigating officer, Pol. Maj. Thonkij Lapittisan, said that he would have officers from the scientific methodology department examine the car to
determine the cause of the fire and look for clues of vandalism.
Krating Lai Intersection gas leak repaired
Losses assessed at over 8.6 million baht
A team of maintenance workers from the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) office in Rayong was able to repair the natural gas pipeline ruptured January
29 on Highway 336 (front page of last week’s Pattaya Mail) by 3:30 that afternoon.
 PTT was able to repair the damaged
pipeline and restore service to its customers.
A road grader from the Krung Thon Engineer Construction Company ruptured the natural gas line at the Highway 336 intersection north of Pattaya. The driver
dug up an area where the natural gas pipe was buried, releasing gas into the air and causing panic. More than 50 local residents were evacuated and traffic was backed up for
20 kilometers, as police and volunteers evacuated the area until the danger was clear.
The pipeline transfers natural gas from the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) in Rayong to the Laem Chabang Industrial Estates and the Electrical Plant
in Bang Prakong.
After containing the leak, PTT maintenance team supervisor Surachai Chensombun said the escaped gas was no threat to the environment, and with it being an
ultra light, colorless and odorless gas, the fumes would dissipate in the atmosphere.
PTT’s initial assessment put the damages at 8.6 million baht, which includes replacement materials, compensation fees to consumers and the amount of
natural gas lost from the leak. A more exact assessment is forthcoming.
PTT representatives said the gas line was marked with warning signs posted all along its length prohibiting digging or excavating in the immediate area.
They also said the pipeline’s location was pointed out to the Krung Thon Engineer Company prior to beginning construction.
A Banglamung police spokesman said it appears to be a case of negligence on the part of the supervisors and workers from the Krung Thon Engineer Company.
The day the accident occurred the driver of the road grader was allegedly waiting for instructions as to where the gas line was located, but evidently the
person scheduled to show up, didn’t, so he continued to work, ultimately rupturing the pipeline. The driver, of course, disappeared.
The Krung Thon Engineering Company, contracted for the road construction project between Krating Lai and Rayong (a 22 kilometer distance), is insured by
two companies and has coverage up to 20 million baht. They said they are prepared to accept responsibility for the accident.
District chief addresses multitude of complaints about loud, late night music
Licensing procedures under review
Following a multitude of complaints from the sleepless in Pattaya, Banglamung district chief Vichien Chawalit called a meeting on January 30 to address the
issue of loud, late night music emanating from karaoke bars and beer bars. Many of the bars in question were either built illegally or are bending the laws regarding permits
to sell alcoholic beverages. All of the aforementioned bars have been erected in residential areas.
Chief Vichien told the assembled group of law enforcement agencies and government officers that he has been conducting inspection tours and has found that
the complaints are justified.
The district chief’s tone during the meeting implied he was adamant about solving the problem, but the solutions he proposed were not as strong as many
would have liked. He also said that a balance needs to be sought between the needs of business owners to make money and needs of area residents to get some sleep at night.
The “new directives” the district chief issued included strict enforcement of closing times, close scrutiny of existing laws, and making it more
difficult to obtain liquor licenses.
He said the district excise office should issue liquor licenses only to people whose names are listed on house registration forms where alcoholic beverages
are to be sold. Any discrepancies noted in documents presented with requests for authorization to sell alcoholic beverages are to be denied.
Warnings will be issued and kept on record at the district office. Repeat offenders would be subject to losing their permits or having their permit
renewals denied for six months. Owners of businesses selling alcoholic beverages without permits or with revoked permits are subject to arrest.
District chief Vichien encouraged city fathers to perform their own on-site inspections, check for necessary permits and licenses, and close down illegal
businesses.
Public Announcement from the U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman - Laos: There is credible information that individuals may be planning to bomb Lao government and public facilities in or near the
cities of Vientiane, Pakse, Saravan, Savannakhet, and Muang Khammouan. This information follows a number of bombing incidents which have occurred since March 30, 2000, in
public places frequented by tourists in Vientiane, such as restaurants and transportation facilities. In addition to these incidents, there have been credible reports of other
explosive devices found in southern Laos, including Savannakhet and Pakse cities and Saravan Province; Laos reports have not always provided full information about these
reported incidents.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens traveling to or residing anywhere in Laos to be alert to their surroundings and to exercise caution in public
places, as more such incidents could occur in the future. While there is no evidence that this violence has been directed against U.S. citizens or institutions, the
indiscriminate nature of these attacks could constitute a threat to individuals in the vicinity.
The U.S. Embassy also advises U.S. citizens in Laos to avoid travel to Xieng Khouang Province, including the Plain of Jars. The U.S. Government has received
credible reports of violent incidents throughout the province, including increased military activity. At various times, the Lao Government has also restricted travel to parts
of the province. Persons traveling overland on Route 7, or to other areas of Xieng Khouang Province, particularly Muang Khoune and Paxai districts, run the risk of ambush by
insurgents or bandits. U.S. citizens who, nevertheless, decide to travel to Xieng Khouang Province should check conditions with local authorities or the U.S. Embassy in
Vientiane before undertaking such travel.
For further information, U.S. citizens planning to visit or reside in Laos are advised to consult the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for
Laos. The Consular Information Sheet is available at any U.S. embassy or consulate abroad and through the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Internet home page at
http://travel.state.gov/ <http://travel.state.gov/>. U.S. citizens planning to visit or reside in Laos are also encouraged to visit the Consular Section of the U.S.
Embassy in Vientiane upon arrival in order to register and obtain the most current travel and security information. The U.S. Embassy is located at Rue Bartholonie (near Tat
Dam), tel. (856-21) 212-581, 212-582, or 212-585. The Consular Section fax number is (856-21) 212-584.
This Public Announcement replaces the Public Announcement for Laos of December 1, 2000, to update the security situation. This Announcement expires on April
1, 2001.
American Citizen Services Unit, American Embassy - Bangkok.
Telephone: (66)(2) 205-4049, fax: (66)(2) 205-4103, email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
* For comprehensive travel information and other helpful details, visit the website of the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs: http://travel.state.gov
<http://travel.state.gov>.
* For additional information about the American Embassy in Bangkok, visit their website at: http://usa.or.th <http://usa.or.th>.
New Police Major assumes command of Pattaya’s Tourist Police
Pol. Maj. Naradech Klomtuksing assumed command of Pattaya Tourist Police Department 3 on January 29.
 Pol. Maj. Naradech Klomtuksing
Pol. Maj. Powarid Lilasiri relinquished command after ending his tenure of duty in Pattaya. He was reassigned to the highway traffic police office in
Chanthaburi.
Pol. Maj. Naradech’s was last assigned to the Rayong highway police office and the Rayong municipal district police station, where he had been since 1996.
During an official changeover ceremony, Pol. Maj. Naradech addressed the police officers in his new command, identifying his policies and intentions of
providing 24 hour assistance to tourists and looking after their safety. The new commander also announced plans to enhance police officer foreign language capabilities to
assist in everyday duties.
 Pattaya tourist police officers and
tourist assistance volunteers stood in formation during the change of command ceremony.
The police major emphasized maintaining discipline in the ranks and said he expects each officer to uphold the traits of a good police officer whilst
protecting the community.
In addition to protecting the safety of tourists visiting Pattaya, Pol. Maj. Naradech also stipulated that he intends to take decisive action on any
incidents involving foreigners engaged in illegal activities or using Pattaya as a center to conduct foreign sponsored criminal actions.
EU commission proposes action against trafficking in human beings
from the Child Labour News Service
The commission proposed a package of measures to combat trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children, as requested by European leaders
at the Tampere summit.
It sets out elements for a comprehensive strategy to tackle these appalling and growing menaces.
These framework decisions will provide emphatic legal protection for children as well as persons being trafficked into and within the European Union for
exploitative purposes.
Announcing the proposals, Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Antonio Vitorino said, “The decisions are an important step towards eradicating from Europe
the unscrupulous practices of trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children. Because of their very nature these problems recognise no national boundaries.
They infect the whole of Europe, and only a European solution can effectively combat them.”
It is estimated that between 700,000 to 2 million women and girls each year are subjected to trafficking worldwide. In the EU alone, this figure is estimated
at 500,000.
Both decisions aim to develop effective co-operation across the European Union in judicial procedures and law enforcement. The commission believes that
common definitions and sanctions will make an important contribution to achieving this objective.
The proposed measures to tackle trafficking in human beings include common definitions of two criminal offences - trafficking in human beings for the purpose
of labour exploitation; and trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The definitions of both offences reflect the United Nations protocol ‘To
Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children’, recently signed by the commission at the Palermo High-level Conference for the UN
Convention against Transnational Organised crime.
The Proposals to fight the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography include common definitions of three criminal offences - child prostitution,
sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (including child pornography on the Internet).
Both proposals provide common sanctions, which are effective, proportionate and dissuasive, including by terms of imprisonment.
They also provide for an enhanced co-operation between Member States.
Due to the international nature of the offences addressed by these proposals, it is particularly important that Member States establish jurisdiction and
ensure prosecution when a person is suspected of having committed an offence in a country other than his own. This is particularly vital in order to effectively combat child
sex tourism.
Copyright 2001 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]
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