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Ghost of U-tapao International Airport awakened
In 1997, ministers were eager to develop areas along the Eastern Seaboard and plans included improvements at U-tapao, turning the area into a combined
production and transportation center along the lines of America’s Global TransPark in North Carolina.
The idea was to develop U-tapao Airport into a modern day hub, surrounded by technologically advanced production facilities that would be able to use U-tapao
for their immediate worldwide transportation needs.
Studies conducted by Thammasat University and USAID supported research by Kimberly-Horn and Associates Inc. have shown that U-tapao airbase could play a
major role in developing industry and agriculture in the area.
At that time, plans for investing billions of baht were on the table and included community, social, environmental and human resource developments. U-tapao
airbase would receive major improvements, expanding its capabilities to handle more passengers and cargo.
The plans included enlarging the passenger terminal and adding a new communication system, water treatment plant, safety landing and radar equipment.
Improving roads and upgrading electrical and water systems would also benefit the local community.
In July of last year the Chuan Leekpai administration issued a directive to the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International to
consider U-tapao expansion in preparation for large scale investments. However, the plans were tabled and forgotten until the new Thaksin administration recently decided to
dust them off and give them another glance.
A US firm and an Australian company have shown interest in planning U-tapao’s new design.
Deputy Minister of Industry Pichate Satirachaval said the improvements would significantly contribute to improving the country’s overall economic
situation.
Police had their hands full (or rather empty) with two slippery suspects
Two handcuffed prisoners escape, later caught
Vichan Pladplueng
In two separate incidents in as many days, two handcuffed prisoners managed to escape the watchful eyes of local police. The first convinced a locksmith to
remove her bothersome bracelets, while the second was able to slip out of his handcuffs during his escape.
 Subhaporn Kaewchai
While both sent embarrassed police on a mad scramble to find them, the first definitely caused the most trouble.
Pattaya police became acquainted with the first escapee, Subhaporn Kaewchai, an elusive 33-year old woman intent on disrupting the lives of anyone she met,
including police, at 6 a.m. on May 14 when a Pattaya resident reported that Subhaporn had entered her home uninvited and refused to leave.
Police officers found Subhaporn still in the house when they arrived, and she greeted police amiably but with incoherent speech. Unable to explain her
actions she was duly taken into custody. The homeowner, Mrs. Ampawan Lawalwong, returned to the police station a few hours later to register charges against Subhaporn,
including a charge of theft, saying that after police took the woman away she searched her belongings and discovered her 5-baht weight gold chain was missing.
Pattaya police had Subhaporn brought out of the holding cell and, still handcuffed, she was escorted by police officers to answer the new charge. After
emphatically denying the theft she was taken to a room where female police officers conducted a thorough search that soon produced the 5-baht gold chain concealed in her
private area.
During the formality of returning the gold chain to Mrs. Amphawan, the elusive Subhaporn was temporarily neglected. She seized the opportunity and
nonchalantly walked out of the police station, still handcuffed, and disappeared in broad daylight.
When they discovered she was gone, police at the station went into a frenzy and ordered all exit roads in the area blocked off, but to no avail.
 Sunan Ratanaliam
The search for the handcuffed escapee continued all over Pattaya, with no sign of Subhaporn until a flower shop owner in Thepprasit contacted police to
report she had been robbed at approximately 3.30 p.m. that day. A woman fitting Subhaporn’s description came into the shop and ordered a large arrangement of flowers. While
waiting, she feigned illness claiming she was going to vomit and was directed to the bathroom at the back of the shop. Twenty minutes later she came out from the bathroom
announcing she must go to the hospital immediately and jumped on a motorbike for hire and left in a hurry.
The flower shop owner, Miss Khwanchai Kingphetrungruang, told police she became suspicious and searched her belongings on the shop’s 2nd floor and
discovered 8,000 baht in cash, her watch, a 2-baht weight gold chain with Buddha amulet and a gold ring, all missing.
The next morning Pattaya police responded to a call and investigated a robbery in progress at the Bongkoch Place community in Moo 10, Nong Prue. They
arrested a woman who was climbing a fence trying to exit the area. In her possession police found two watches, a mobile telephone and an unidentified amount of money.
She was later identified as the escaped prisoner, Subhaporn, and was charged for the additional robberies. She told police she spent most of the money
shopping and on methamphetamine drugs before being caught at Bongkoch.
Police discovered that Subhaporn was also up on charges for a number of crimes committed in November of last year whilst using identities from a number of
falsified Thai identity cards. Her main modus operandi was to create a false sense of trust with unsuspecting employers and new friends, using the fake identities, and later
stealing them blind.
It later surfaced from a key-maker in Thepprasit, Chirat Kasemsahasil, that he was contacted by a woman fitting Subhaporn’s description who wanted him to
remove the handcuffs. He said she used the excuse that her boyfriend was fooling around and left her locked-up. He said he removed the cuffs within 30 minutes, and during the
entire time the woman was fidgeting around, but he was more interested in receiving the 100 baht fee for his effort and ignored her suspicious behavior.
Two days later, Pattaya police were bamboozled again when another handcuffed prisoner slipped away. This time, the suspect managed to slip out of the
courthouse just before his case was to be heard.
Pattaya’s city police officers had escorted their prisoner to the Pattaya Provincial Courthouse. Sunan Ratanaliam, 29, was on his way to stand trial for
robbing 3,000 baht from a foreign tourist in the vicinity of Central Pattaya on May 6. After arriving at the courthouse, Sunan was taken to a waiting area to sit and wait for
his case to be called. During the wait he managed to free his hands from the cumbersome handcuffs and took off running. He jumped the wall surrounding the courthouse and
disappeared into the dense overgrown area nearby.
The police station was once again put on alert and police officers set off on another hunt for the escaped prisoner. Police searched all streets and alleys
in the immediate area, the escaped prisoner’s description was distributed and the public was alerted.
Sunan, probably exhausted from eluding police, was soon spotted taking a snooze next to a wall near the Thai-Norway Housing community, some 300 meters away.
He was taken back into custody and given the opportunity to rest up from his strenuous ordeal so that he could face the additional charge of attempting to escape.
US serviceman attacked by sex show hawker in Walking Street
Required 15 stitches - assailant being returned to jail
Boonlua Chatree
A sex show hawker on Walking Street attacked American serviceman Joseph Wray on May 23.
Wray, a 21-year old sailor, told tourist police inspector police major Naradech Klomtuksing that he was strolling down South Pattaya’s Walking Street
when he was stopped by a Thai male in front of the City Grill restaurant. He said the man obnoxiously tried to coerce him into entering some bar to view a live sex show but
he declined the invitation and attempted to walk on.
However, the hawker persisted and blocked his way. Wray said he was able to walk around the man, but the man then came up behind him and struck him over
the head with a heavy object. Wray said the blow sent him reeling to his knees.
Wray also said the man was about to attack him again, but other tourists in the area came to his aid and the man fled away.
Wray’s head wound required 15 stitches, and after seeking medical attention, he reported the incident to Naval authorities. Two special agents from the
U.S. Navy and Air Force Security escorted Wray to the Pattaya tourist police station to report the assault, where he described the man’s features and said he could
positively identify him if given the opportunity.
Pattaya tourist police were some able to find the suspect sitting in a Soi Bua Khao restaurant. He was identified as Pochreungnarong Wannasit, 23, from
Chachoengsao, who had just recently been released from jail after serving 2 1/2 months for a similar assault.
Following positive identification, Wannasit confessed to assaulting Wray and was charged accordingly. He will now get the chance to visit his former
friends in crowbar hotel who he last saw in March.
Sticky-fingered lady boy arrested
Charged with theft and possession of marijuana
Vichan Pladplueng
Natapong Kladnum, 32, classified as a “woman of the second category”, was busted by Pattaya’s tourist police for pilfering valuables from short-time
acquaintance 56-year-old British tourist Richard Hugsmit.
 Richard Hugsmit points to the
woeful Natapong who had relieved him of his valuables the night before.
Natapong confessed to picking up Hugsmit on May 13 and going to a hotel where he was paid 2,000 baht for services rendered. He said the satisfied Hugsmit
subsequently fell asleep following the stimulating experience. Natapong, on the other hand, was not impressed and decided to relieve Hugsmit of a number of his valuables that
were lying around the room, including 600 pounds in British currency, his watch, gold ring, a chain, and his sunglasses.
The next morning, Hugsmit, broke and squinting from the sun, made his way to the police station and filed a complaint. Later that evening, police found
Natapong on Soi B.J. off South Pattaya’s Walking Street. In his possession were the goods stolen from Hugsmit.
Natapong, whimpering and begging for mercy, told police he only got 10,000 baht when exchanging the currency, which he used to pay off debts and overdue
bills. He said he invested the remainder in more gold and a small amount of marijuana, which also happened to be in his possession when arrested.
Natapong was charged with theft and possession of marijuana.
17 foreigners arrested for operating illegal overseas phone service
Four nationalities represented
Boonlua Chatree
Seventeen foreigners comprising four nationalities were taken into custody on May 22 for operating an illegal overseas phone service at 417/3 Metro Jomtien
in Moo 12, Nong Prue. The group had representation from Great Britain, Canada, America and Italy.
 17 foreigners representing four
nationalities were arrested for operating an illegal overseas phone service.
Of the seventeen, eight were British nationals: Byron Hare (sic), 49, Ian Mac Millan (sic), 26, Scott Kirby, 23, Anthony Owel Davey (sic), 56, Joseph
Francis Christopher, 34, Malcolm Douglas Comet (sic), 63, Simon Elliot, 32, and Richard Neil Hayes, 30.
Five Canadians were arrested: Roy Kannikamiw (sic), 32, Mark Bawik (sic), 27, Timothy Lawrence Cardwell, 34, Mark Griffith, 39, and a woman named Viona Yin
Matheson (sic), 31.
The three Americans arrested were: John Eckardy (sic) 37, Richard Rossiopi (sic), 39, and Robert Ech (sic), 49.
One Italian was also arrested: Francesco Brussa (sic), 27.
Police collected from the business premises a number of boxes full of files and officers searched files in the computers for further evidence. The 17
suspects were also allegedly receiving overseas communications which they relayed to foreigners in town.
All 17 were taken to Pattaya’s tourist police station, along with confiscated items to be used as evidence for further investigation.
TAT warns of phony yuan banknotes circulating in Pattaya
Chakrapong Akkaranant
The Tourist Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 Office in Pattaya issued a warning to local businesses on May 28 to look out for fake Chinese yuan
banknotes. The counterfeit notes have surfaced in various tourist locations and restaurants around Pattaya in the denomination of 100 yuan.
Many of the fake banknotes have been encountered by businesses on Larn Island where many tours from Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and China frequent daily. The
loss of money has damaged business and has caused business owners much concern. Businesses are therefore warned to avoid accepting counterfeit currency, especially if they
have reason to be skeptical, and insist on Thai currency.
The TAT also issued the warning to market vendors, as many tours from China are drawn to the local region during the fruit harvest and undesirables take
the opportunity to pass off the counterfeit currency.
Improvements planned for Pratamnak Hill
Navy must approve all plans
Chakrapong Akkaranant and Vichan Pladplueng
Plans are afoot to develop Pratamnak Hill for tourism purposes. The plans include building another monument on Pratamnak Hill and sprucing up the exercise
course.
Pattaya’s deputy mayor Nirand Watanasadsatorn said that other plans include improving the steep road leading up the hill and possibly creating one-way
roads to eliminate the large number of traffic accidents.
Sattahip Naval Base Commander Rear Admiral Suthas Khayim, who, with members of his staff met with city administrators to discuss the improvement plans, was
agreeable to the overall idea to develop the area, but said that the location was considered key terrain for the military and that portions of the area would be restricted in
order to maintain the strategic position for defending the country.
The Sattahip base commander also said that one area was already identified for constructing a helicopter landing pad, and that the plans also call for a
small barracks for pilots to recuperate between flights.
Any development plans require prior approval from the Royal Thai Navy to insure the nation’s defense remains uninhibited.
British police seek missing couple
British police are looking for an Englishman, David Sims, and his wife Rose. Neither has been seen since 1993. Rose Sims (full name China Rose Sims) was born
in the Philippines and met her English husband, David John Sims, during a visit to the Philippines on a business trip. He is 56 years old and believed to be a self-employed
furniture dealer. The couple married and moved to the United Kingdom, buying a house in Lonsdale Road, Southend in 1991.
 David Sims
Rose was last seen at a family party on February 14, 1993, although her husband was seen, apparently alone, two months later at their Southend home.
Living at the same address were Geoffrey Paston and his Filipino girlfriend, Josie, who were later traced to Manila. Mr Paston could shed no light on the
whereabouts of Mr and Mrs Sims, although he did confirm that he had been asked by Mr Sims to sell the house and furniture and put the proceeds into a bank account in the name
of Anthony Peter Lewis.
Concern for Rose has grown because it was known at the time of her disappearance that she was unhappy with her marriage and wanted to leave her husband. She
was also aware that her father, to whom she was very close, was in poor health at his Philippines home, but she has not been in touch with her family to check on his progress.
 China Rose Sims
Rose is described as 1 m 60 cm in height, with black shoulder length hair and brown eyes. She often wore jewellery, particularly dangly earrings. She had a
good grasp of English, although she spoke with an accent.
David Sims is described as 1 m 80 cm, with short, graying, receding hair, which may be dyed black. He has brown eyes, a fresh complexion, is of stocky build
and is generally of casual appearance. He has a south Essex accent.
It is known that David Sims travelled on business to Thailand and that he visited Pattaya. He and Rose were seen in the Britannia Bar in Pattaya in,
approximately, 1992.
Anyone with any information about the present location of either Rose or David Sims (also known as Tony Sims or Tony Lewis), is asked to contact Detective
Constable Fred Simpkins of Essex Police on +44 702 423169, or the Senior Investigating Office, Detective Superintendent Steve Reynolds, on +44 1245 491491, or by e-mail to
[email protected]
Alternatively, please contact the Consular Section at the British Embassy in Bangkok on 02 305 8333.
All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Updated every Friday
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]
Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.
E-Mail: [email protected]
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