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Pattaya’s entertainment areas have been zoned
City still plans to widen Beach Road
Transvestite badly beaten with toilet seat
Restaurateur commits suicide rather than face sexual assault charges
Speeding van runs down monk on Sukhumvit
High on “E”, man tries to drive through condo Leaves string of wrecks in his wake Boonlua Chatree Kawee Chaosukholpanya, 32, from Chantaburi, just didn’t know when to stop. Literally. High on the drug “E” on June 12, Kawee tried to drive through the Nirand condominium in Soi Arunotai. When police arrived on the scene, Kawee was still behind the wheel of his red Hundai sedan, wedged against the wall of the condo. A wrecked pick-up and two destroyed motorbikes were left in his wake. When pulled from the car, Kawee failed to respond to questioning and had no comprehension as to what had just transpired. A police search of his car police turned up 41 pills identified as the illegal drug known as “E”. After a sufficient amount of time had passed for him to sober up in jail, Kawee admitted to police he acquired the drugs in one of Bangkok’s night entertainment areas for 380 baht, with the intent of selling some to other users in Pattaya and using some for himself. He said he sold mainly to well-to-do young people who could afford paying 800-1,200 baht per pill. After selling out he said he would drive back to Bangkok to make another purchase.
Police find one baht coin in her mouth Boonlua Chatree On June 17, Naklua residents discovered a decaying woman’s body 200 meters from Sukhumvit Road in a secluded area surrounded by eucalyptus trees. Banglamung police and Sawang Boriboon rescue personnel responded to the call, and found that the body, covered with tree branches, lay at the base of a eucalyptus tree. A cloth had been wrapped around the throat and there were marks indicating she was strangled. A pair of men’s light blue under shorts and a pair of red athletic shorts were also found in the area. The preliminary examination suggests the death occurred around 20 days earlier. Police investigators surmise the woman was raped while a second person held her in place. She was then murdered, and covered with branches to conceal the body. Police found a one baht coin inside her mouth, signifying the murderers may have been superstitious, maybe believing an ancient custom that holds the coin would appease evil spirits and allow souls to pass through the heavens unobstructed. The woman appeared to be in her early twenties. She was wearing a light blue pullover shirt and gray shorts with elastic trimming. No identification was found, and police are hoping someone can help identify the body in order to assist the investigation. Police request that anyone in the community having information pertaining to this case or the girl’s identity contact Pol. Lt. Col. Surapol Asawamethee at the Banglamung police station.
Thai-Australia Election Commission Officials meet in Jomtien Veerachai Somchart Members of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) met during the International Electoral Officials conference at the Jomtien Ambassador City Hotel on June 11-12. AEC chairman T.R. Morling opened the conference. The agenda included an exchange of ideas and the first election of officials to the International Electoral.
In addition to ECT and AEC members, there were representatives from 10 countries attending the conference including Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, and Papa New Guinea. Members from the Swedish organization International IDEA also attended along with officials from the Australian Embassy in Thailand. AEC members attended the conference as a lead up to India’s election commission’s 50-year anniversary. Members at the conference discussed developing policies to add efficiency to future elections. They also promoted mutual assistance among member countries. Following these discussions, members elected officials to sit on the International Electoral. After observing Thailand’s House of Representatives election this past January, the AEC said it is in full support of the important job belonging to the election officials sitting on the Election Commission of Thailand. Yurarat Kamolvej, Election and Anti-Corruption Commissioner, addressed the conference and identified various obstacles and problems experienced during recent elections in Thailand. He referred to votes bought at 100-500 baht per vote, parties and gifts for votes, and other violations that prompted up to five re-elections in some provinces. He said that characteristics of elections varied among different countries, depending on the inherent nature of each society; however, fair and clean elections are the main principles required by all participants associated with all election commissions.
Naklua fishing fleet dock in need of repair 80% needs major work Veerachai Somchart An estimated 80% of the Naklua fishing dock is in need of repair; however, who will be responsible for the work has become a matter of debate. The city concession at the dock recently expired, and future concession rates have been under review by the Pattaya administration. The current contract started in 1986, just after fishing businesses were relocated from the South Pattaya dock in order to separate them from tourist businesses.
Before the 15-year concession contract expired the current contract holder, Prasad Deeboonchai, was to contract engineers to assess the overall work required to repair the badly deteriorating dock, which has had 15 years of continuous use. A preliminary inspection was conducted last year identifying over three million baht in needed repairs, but the assessment was never substantiated. The city maintenance office says that approximately 80% the 481 meter long dock is unserviceable, requiring major construction to bring the dock up to acceptable standards. The concession holder has so far failed to contract engineers to substantiate the repair assessment, and recently requested the matter be turned over to city maintenance. Some repairs have been made on a length of nearly 200 meters, although the repairs may not be up to acceptable safety standards and delays are holding up the contract renewal. Repair costs are paid by the concessionaires operating on the docks, and they are requesting two more years to come up with a finalized plan to complete the repairs. But the city is inclined to a one-year period. The concessionaires also request the city forego the monthly 17,000 baht rental fee until repairs are completed.
Royal Garden Plaza undergoing 200 million baht in upgrades Veerachai Somchart Pattaya’s Royal Garden Plaza is undergoing major upgrades and improvements, which will take place over the next few years and cost an estimated 200 million baht. The main work is scheduled to begin next month, starting with changes at the front along Beach Road and the ground floor area. In the fiscal year 2002-2003 improvements will start on the 1st and 2nd floors, followed by improvements in the basement parking area.
According to the vice-chairman of the merchandise sales section, Pratana Manomaipibul, the upgrades are needed to keep the place looking good. The Royal Garden Plaza first opened eight years ago. The majority of the shops rent out on three year leases, with the remainder being on extended leases covering 5-9 year periods. Pratana said that in May alone this year, a survey showed that there were more than 500,000 shoppers in the plaza. The Royal Garden Resort Hotel adjacent to the plaza received 170 million baht in improvements and recorded 85% occupancy from January to April this year. More changes are scheduled this year, with plans budgeted at 130 million baht. This September the hotel will change its name to the Marriott Royal Garden Resort.
Giant sea turtle found dead on Jomtien Beach Chakrapong Akkaranant A dead, 200-kilo sea turtle washed ashore on Jomtien Beach in front of the Sigma Resort on June 12, saddening residents, tourists and beach vendors. The turtle was believed to have been over 50 years old.
The turtle had signs that it had been hit by a boat propeller, as there were gashes on its head and other parts of the body. Officials surmise it had been dead approximately 5-7 days. Sea turtles in this part of the Gulf of Thailand are generally found around Sattahip where they lay their eggs on Krarm Island. This is first time a turtle of this size has been found in Pattaya waters. Na Jomtien municipal mayor Vichit Chyanak called in officials to remove the turtle for proper disposal.
City donates 100,000 baht to the Muslim community for education Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, representing Pattaya City, presented a check for 100,000 baht to leaders of the Muslim Community in Pattaya.
The donation will go toward school funding in the Muslim community. The presentation, made at the Darul Ibbadah Mosque on Sukhumvit Road, was part of the city’s effort to promote local education. Mosques in Thailand are used not only as a place of worship but are places where Thai Muslim children attend school and study their religion. The donated funds will be distributed to five mosques in the Pattaya area. The Thai-Muslim community plays an important role for the thousands of Thai Muslims in Pattaya. They welcomed the opportunity to continue educating their children in the way of the Islamic faith and for the development of Thailand’s future education.
Updated every Friday Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk. |
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The
city administration plans to widen Beach Road by 8 meters to get rid of the
“clutter”, but hasn’t yet announced when the construction will begin.
Lim
Chaun Leong’s 2-day spending spree with fake credit cards came to an end
when store clerks alerted police.
Thirasak
Kanasut, ECT chairman, and T.R. Morling, AEC chairman.
The
Naklua dock is in dire need of repair
The
Royal Garden Plaza is undergoing 200 million baht in renovations.
A
giant sea turtle, weighing over 200 kilos and believed to have been over 50
years old, washed ashore on Jomtien Beach.
Mayor
Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, representing Pattaya City, presented a check for
100,000 baht to leaders of the Muslim Community in Pattaya.