|
Human Trafficking must be stamped out
Top level discussions to enforce the law
Suchada Tupchai
Police officers around the country were recently educated
on the current situation concerning Human trafficking in Thailand. In a
seminar at the Dusit Resort Pattaya over 500 police officers from Region 1
and Region 2 were given the low down and presented with policies instigated
to solve the problem and were instructed to enforce the law at all costs.
Pol.
Gen. Amnuay Petchsiri
Government officers, representatives of private
enterprise and a representative from the U.S Embassy attended the seminar to
provide information on the current status and the widespread effects of the
problem that affects mainly women and children who sold or forced into the
sex trade by unscrupulous operators.
Pol. Gen. Amnuay Petchsiri, deputy chief police in charge
of crime suppression is also chairman of Women and Child Justice commission
presided over the opening of the seminar.
Both children and women have been the target of slave
traders in the region and in Thailand for sometime many of the victims
suffering beatings and other forms of torture in the process. The issue was
raised with the Central government and definitive polices were put forward
as a result.
Pol. Gen. Amnuay opened the discussion by saying, “Both
planning and enforcement of standards in resolving the problem along all
lines is paramount. Our goal and our methods must be followed by all
government sectors throughout the country. They must be responsible and act
accordingly, weeding out all forms of human trafficking. Offenders must be
arrested and dealt with by the law, no exceptions.”
Deputy Police chief went on to add that the problem
concerns the current government crackdown of influential figures or mafia
style rings.
“Not only must we stop this but we must prevent it from
happening and in order to do so we must understand how such trade is
committed in Thailand. In dealing with them, we must also understand the law
and record details pertaining to each case,” said the Pol. General.
Laddawan Wongsriwong, advisor to the prime minister
added, “The prime minister has set a nationwide policy on the removal of
human trafficking. It is now an urgent matter to resolve and we have sought
cooperation from the Cambodian government. However, the weak point in
Thailand is the use of the law and prevention by police officers, especially
those involved in the trade. If it is found that police are taking bribes,
they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as a criminal. We
(Thailand) have done well in the prevention of human trafficking and as such
have received positive comments from the United Nations.”
Laddawan went to say that the effort needed to stamp out
human trafficking in Thailand requires the cooperation from many government
departments including the National Police bureau, the Ministry of Social
Development and Human Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also
cited current figures on cases and their demographic locations including
Bangkok, tourist centers such as Pattaya, Chonburi and the Southern region,
as well as those provinces bordering neighbouring countries.
Veerasak Kowsurat, Deputy Minister of Social Development
and Human Security added that the problem was a global one but other
countries already implement the necessary laws to deal with these cases. The
three main objectives in the current campaign are: 1. Resolve the current
and past problems: 2. Prevent the issue from become a current problem and 3.
Develop standards in promoting awareness among society to deal with the
issue.
Thailand’s history in dealing with human trafficking
cases has been quite poor. Out of the some 500 cases per year only 8 percent
have led to prosecutions and only 5 percent were imprisoned. The previous
infrastructure and laws are unequipped or were not supported by the judicial
system. The central government is focusing on reducing corruption and
bribery of police officers. The overall forecast is still very hazy as will
take a very long time to weed the attitude out of the system.
Beauty Clinic surgeon refutes defamatory accusations against him and his work
Last week Pattaya Mail reported that Ralf Schubert, a
German citizen was arrested at the Royal Beauty Clinic in Soi Town in Town
for working illegally without a proper work permit or license. The report
also said that Dr. Vajarakorn was being sought for questioning and will also
face charges when apprehended.
Lt.
Cdr. Dr. Vajarakorn Tongsuk shows the Rotary Award presented to him in
recognition of his outstanding service to the community
The owner of the clinic, Lt. Cdr. Dr. Vajarakorn Tongsuk,
contacted the Pattaya Mail and said that he was quite perturbed about these
reports and said that they were misconstrued and falsely reported. ‘First
of all, contrary to what the report said, I did not have to be sought as I
was there at the police station for more than three hours to try to clarify
the misunderstanding that led to the arrest of my friend Ralf Schubert. My
reputation and good standing in the community was enough to ensure his
release without further complications.’ Dr. Vajarakorn added that ‘it
has been a grossly misunderstood situation and the police have admitted to
that. There will be no charges filed against Ralf.
Dr. Vajarakorn was very upset, because it was reported,
that police officers confiscated records and receipts books and found that
his qualifications were false. “Everybody can look at my qualification
papers and my certificates”, he said, “there is nothing wrong with it. I
am, besides being a qualified general surgeon and the first qualified
cosmetic surgeon in Pattaya, also a lieutenant commander in the Royal Thai
Navy. For the past 8 years I have been working arduously at the Royal Thai
Navy hospital.
I only have consultations with my private patients during
the evening hours at my Pakorn Clinic in Pattaya. I perform the operations
at the Laem Chabang International Hospital. I have a spotless record,
working at the Pattaya International Hospital and after that at the
Phayathai Hospital in Sriracha.”.
Dr. Vajarakorn continued by telling us his background in
medicine saying ‘I began my medical career as a general surgeon at the
Sriiracha hospital and worked there for 15 years. During this time I
finished my studies and earned my diploma as a cosmetic surgeon. That was 10
years ago. Around that time I opened the clinic in Soi Town in Town to
perform cosmetic surgery on private patients in the evening, while devoting
the rest of my time serving the community”.
Dr. Vajarkorn is very much involved in charity work,
especially in the “Operation Smile”, a project of Rotary, to help poor
people with deformities such as cleft lips. ‘I helped perform operations
on them, so they can lead normal lives again. I don’t charge for this
work. The Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya has even awarded me for my tireless
efforts to help the underprivileged and suffering.’
Ralf Schubert was just as upset with the report. He said,
‘I have never ever performed an operation in Thailand.’ Mister Schubert,
who has appeared many times on German television as an advisor on cosmetic
surgery, studied and worked together with Dr. Henning Jensch, one of the
most renowned cosmetic surgeons in the world. Ralf said “Even though I
have all the qualifications and more than 25 years of experience in cosmetic
and laser surgery as well as in dermabrasion and liposuction in Germany, I
have never done work here. I was arrested, because I happened to be there at
the clinic, waiting for Dr. Vajarakorn to discuss a private matter with him,
when one of the girls, having difficulty in expressing herself, asked me to
assist her in explaining to a would-be patient that the doctor would be
coming in a little later. That’s all I did.’ He went on to say ‘I
sometimes help my friend Dr. Vajarakorn to contact German customers. I
received a certificate signed by the administrative director of the
Phayathai Siracha hospital, saying that I can act as a guest relations
person on their behalf and help support them in rendering services to
European clients in Thailand and overseas.’
Dr. Vajarakorn assured the public that the German Embassy highly
recommends German patients to his clinic, assuring them that they can get
one of the best cosmetic surgery services in Thailand. ‘Knowing how strict
and accurate the Germans are, this is a great honor for us’ said Dr.
Vajarakorn.
Sriracha municipality educates local people on new voting regulations
Songklod Kaewvisit
Chatchai Timkrachang, Sriracha municipality mayor,
recently chaired a meeting at the Baan Sri Maharacha School to clarify the
new election laws, which will take effect on October 18th this year. At the
beginning of next year Sriracha will hold elections for the position of
mayor and municipality members.
Chatchai
Timkrachang, Sriracha Municipality mayor informs residents of the new
election laws.
According to the new election decree, the National
Election Committee will monitor the election in the municipality level.
Vichit Thananchayakul, the director of the Election Committee of Chonburi,
will supervise the election to keep the course of action in order, in the
province.
The Ministry of Interior recently announced the new
election law recently which states that sub-districts will have two ballots
to vote for 6 members each, ‘muangs’ (districts) will have three ballots
to vote for 18 members, and cities will have four ballots to vote for 24
members.
For Sriracha municipality, three ballots will take place to find 18
members. Pattaya City will have four ballots to look for 24 members.
PBTA will focus on the Isarn market to generate new tourist business
Songklod Kaewvisit
Thanet Supornsaharungsri, president of the Pattaya
Business & Tourism Association (PBTA), headed the monthly committee
meeting at the Green Park Hotel, to plan and pursue the new market targeting
Thailand’s northeastern region. A road show is set to take off in August
aiming mainly for the major cities of Nakhorn Rachasima, Khon Kaen, and
Udonthani.
Thanet
Supornsaharungsri, president of the Pattaya Business & Tourism
Association (PBTA)
At the meeting events held the past month were evaluated
including the Petchburapha Charity Boxing Tournament, the Pattaya & the
East Thailand Travel Trade 2003 (PETT 2003) and the month-long Pattaya 4 Fun
beachside festivities.
All three proved quite successful. However, the committee
decided the Pattaya 4 Fun fair next year would probably be held in the dry
months of April or May. This year’s fun fair was a bit of a wash-out at
times because of heavy rains.
Gigantic signboard strikes fear of
toppling over onto Walking Street
Shark energy seen as danger to strollers
Suchada Tupchai
Following a recent general meeting of the Walking Street
committee, Suntorn Kangsirikul, committee president, introduced the question
of the safety and validity of the huge signboard that advertises the Shark
Energy drink.
The
shark rests precariously on top of this building, ready to attack at any
time
The mammoth advertising board - which has stood in
position for 2 years - has business operators concerned over the possible
danger of the board falling down in strong winds and endangering pedestrians
using the street.
The issue sparked discussion within a council meeting
with allegations flying back and forth about city officials not taking
responsibility in controlling the construction of signs such as this.
It was revealed that the signboard is on private property
and does not encroach on public land. However, it was decided the owner of
the signboard will be forced to remove the structure as there is no official
authorization document that legalizes its status.
This appears to be a case of business operators taking
advantage of the lax enforcement of regulations in Pattaya. Now that city is
finally waking from its ‘Rip Van Winkle’ sleep, rules and regulations
might finally be enforced on those who have been breaking them for so many
years.
TAT asks private enterprises to work together on improving infrastructure and quality of tourist attractions
Tourists complain venues don’t look like pictures in brochures
Suchada Tupchai
Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 Office led
by Attaphol Wannakit, deputy director, met with members of the private
tourism business sector to discuss ways to cooperate and improve and
complete any tourism related projects in the region.
He said that in keeping with the government’s policy to
the revive the tourism sector by improving tourist attractions including
natural scenery and religious destinations around Thailand, the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT) has its work cut out for it and will need a lot
of money to carry out the task.
In addition, Attaphol brought up the subject of the many
complaints made by tourists. “Between 1995 and 2002, authorities hired the
Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University to study what were obstacles
to prosperity in the tourism sector. The Institute found that poor
conditions of transportation such as on rivers and on the roads and the lack
of convenient connections on these routes were deterrents in travelling to
many tourist attractions,” Attaphol explained.
Attaphol said tourists grumbled over the discontinuing of
many boat routes that should have provided them easy access to visit
connecting provinces. They complained that they could travel only short
distances at a time, especially in Samut Prakarn and Chonburi provinces.
Other major complaints included the physical conditions
of some tourist attractions. Visitors rated many of them as poorly
maintained, not up to standards and lacked beauty.
Attaphol said “Tourists also complained that some of
the attractions that the authorities have been promoting were not as
attractive as pictured in the brochures. They said they were disappointed
when they actually got to the venues and decided that they would not return
to these places again. This proves that to attract a large number of
tourists back to those places which are now rated very poorly, we need a
much bigger budget to improve the infrastructure and most important also
need a lot of cooperation from the private tourism sector to improve their
attractions so as to bring back those disillusioned tourists again.” said
Attaphol.
Proposed youth curfew won’t violate children’s rights
A government move to impose a curfew on youths under the
age of 16, will not violate children’s rights, but, instead, protect their
lives and safety, according to Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana.
Pongthep stated that the move was similar to the
government’s ban on sale of cigarettes and liquor to youths, aged lower
than 18. “The new move is aimed to protect lives and safety of the youths,
and should not be considered as violating children’s rights. It’s
similar to the ban on sale of cigarettes and liquor to the youths”, he
said.
The justice minister’s remarks followed a proposal
raised by Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang that a new legislation
would be worked out to ban youths, aged lower than 16, from going out at
night, from 10:00 p.m. onwards.
Pongthep said, however, that exceptions would be stated in the new
legislation, like those in other laws, namely the one allowing the youths to
go out in emergency or when they are accompanied by their parents. (TNA)
U-turn closed at entrance of Soi Wat Boonsampan to prevent further accidents
Ekachai Kamolsri
After a barrage of accident reports it was decided that
the U-turn at the entrance of Soi Wat Boonsampan is a problem spot and it
will be permanently closed. A road island with plants will be built to
prevent access to all vehicles.
Construction
work has begun to close off the gap in the road island.
Attempts to close the gap for U-turns with large cement
pipes have proved futile. Smaller vehicles and motorcycles still managed to
slip through and crash into opposing traffic.
After the construction, 3 new openings for U-turns will
be set up between Pattaya Central Road and South Pattaya.
Chonburi Cultural Council plan grand celebrations for Her Majesty
the Queen’s birthday
Suchada Tupchai
Suan Phanomwattanakul, Chairman of Chonburi Cultural
Council chaired a meeting at Pattaya City Hall last week, which was attended
by Pattaya city councillors, and Banglamung cultural council committee. The
subjects discussed included the upcoming annual celebrations of Her Majesty
the Queen’s birthday on the 12th of August. The committee is making plans
to make it the biggest event of the year.
Pairat
Suthithamrongsawat, Pattaya City mayor, Charoen Laddapong, vice president
and Suan Phanomwattanakul,chairman of Chonburi Cultural Council.
The agenda of the meeting also included the sponsorship
of the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) scheme. Council president, Suan said,
“We must globalize our products and make them known throughout the world
by starting in Asian countries. We also need to raise awareness amongst the
Thais so that they come to appreciate our country’s products. These
products need more exposure not only to outside markets, but throughout the
nation.”
The issue of establishing a Cultural Council in every
district in Chonburi Province was also discussed. Suan said the Council was
working closely with many districts by providing useful information and
advising them how to establish their own cultural council. Panas Nikom,
Banglamung, and Muang districts have already started their own councils and
that they should set examples for other districts to follow.
Surat Mekhavarakul who was recently elected as the Banglamung Cultural
Council chairman, pledged that he would build a strong cultural council in
Banglamung and promote Banglamung’s One Tambon One District products
throughout the country and the world.
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives organize Mini MBA program
for Cooperatives managers nationwide
Songklod Kaewvisit
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives announced at
a seminar held last week at the Ambassador Hotel, Jomtien that it would
arrange for Mini MBA programs to be available for Cooperatives managers. The
Mini MBA program was organized to promote the knowledge of globalisation and
free trade among the cooperatives executives and increase effective
management in cooperatives and farmers’ unions in different areas.
Sora-at
Klinprathum, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
More than 1,300 delegates from several Cooperatives
around the nation, representatives from 8 universities including
Chulalongkorn, Chiangmai, Mae Joe, Burapha, Kasetsart, Khon Kaen, Technology
Suranaree, and Walailuk, and governmental officials participated in the
meeting.
Topics discussed included objectives of the program,
practical policy drafting, cooperatives and farmer union development policy,
management strategies geared to the business, and methods of promoting the
business through new channels.
Sora-at Klinprathum, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives who opened
the program said, “The government has set a policy to structure
agricultural production at the grassroots level and promote the products
through world market distribution. We must stress a blend of new technology
and traditional methods to be competitive.”
The new Nongphangkae community service center officially opens
Suchada Tupchai
A new community service center in the Nongphangkae
community was officially opened last Friday afternoon. Anong Rodpetchprai,
president of the Nongphangkae community and residents welcomed city
management and local officers to the opening ceremonies. Mayor Pairat
Suthithamrongsawat and Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijikarn were on hand to
preside over the formalities.
Mayor
Pairat with happy officials and residents of Nongphangkae.
The new 464,000 baht center will provide service and
training to some 500 homes in the Moo 11 and Moo 12 area of Banglamung and
be the center of other activities in the community. Initially the new center
will used for traditional Thai massage treatment and training including the
use of traditional herbs.
The completion of the building falls in line with the
city’s policy of providing residents with a place in which they can learn,
teach and carry out activities for community development. The city has
further plans to develop more community centers in the region.
Two police officers arrested in connection with the shooting of a newspaper editor
Police tight-lipped about ongoing investigation
Boonlua Chatree
The case of the shooting of Manop Maneejant, editor and
publisher of the Thai language newspaper, Pattaya Weekly, came to a partial
close last week as regional police arrested two police officers in
connection with the shooting.
Manop was shot 11 times in the head and body in the early
hours on June 27 after attending a party in Banglamung. Four men on two
motorcycles rode up and shot Manop with 9mm and 11mm pistols before riding
off.
The
alleged gunmen cover their faces as they are taken away for questioning.
The criminal investigation led by police tracked two of
the four men based on descriptions given by witnesses.
At 5.30 p.m. on July 9 regional police received the court
order to arrest Pol. Sen. Sgt. Maj. Karant Lertchana and Pol. Sgt Bunjob
Wongharthep in connection with the killing. Both men were detained and taken
to the Banglamung station for questioning. The pair, however, denied any
involvement in the shooting of Manop.
Pol. Gen. Amnuay Petchsiri, deputy region 2 chief said,
“We have made the arrests based on our investigation. With the culmination
of statements from witnesses, evidence at the crime scene and from sources,
the first two arrests have been made. They have a right to deny the charges
and the case will be tried accordingly.”
The deputy chief announced that police know the identity of the remaining
two suspects but are tight lipped until further investigations lead to their
arrest.
Fake ‘killer-wine’ investigation continues
International Crime suppression unit raids
illegal cream production house
Boonlua Chatree
Still on the track of those responsible for the death of
at least 2 people who innocently drank a bottle of deadly wine, a team of
police raided a place in Soi Nongket Noi in Nongplalai Banglamung and found
further evidence pointing to Swedish national, 28 year-old Erik Jon Hamsten.
Police
searching for more evidence relating to the fake ‘killer-wine’
investigations.
Police allege that the Swede had bought the chemical
substance that was mixed with the controversial and deadly wine.
Officers met with the house owner Watcharin Konsue age
30, and the 60 year old housekeeper Sanom Konsue, who led them to the room
where they said a foreigner had been renting for a period of one year.
Inside the room officers found 150 post parcels
containing 1 liter bottles of red, purple, white, yellow and pink liquid as
well as 300 bottles of chemicals, the same type as the one mixed in the
deadly wine. On the bottle of these chemicals there were labels reading
‘Thai Massage and Health Products Cream Company’.
It was revealed later that Erik John Hamsten had produced these chemicals
and was going to send them to the USA as skin creams. The suspect is
believed to be in Phuket and is expected to be arrested soon.
Rampaging elephant damages property and injures one man
Residents call on authorities to investigate nearby tourist park and irresponsible mahouts
Boonlua Chatree
Police were called to a location in South Pattaya and
told that an elephant from a nearby camp was terrorizing residents and
damaging buildings.
Boonlue
grimaces as he shows his injuries after his close encounter with the jumbo
kind.
Officers arrived on the scene to find a young bull
elephant ramming buildings houses in the Moo 12 village. They also
discovered 36-year-old resident, Boonlue Jantrangsee had sustained serious
injuries after the beast turned on him. Boonlue was taken to a nearby
hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
Officers questioned Boonlue who told them that he was in
the process of taking out the trash when the elephant charged him. In pain,
Boonlue kept his head and fled the area as quick as possible.
Other residents reported that the large animals often
ambled freely at night and frequently damaged buildings and crops in the
area. They are calling on provincial authorities to heed their plight and do
something about the irresponsible owners of the tourist park and the mahouts
who are supposed to be caring for the animals.
Police said they would investigate as to who was in charge of the wayward
elephant and possibly file charges of neglect.
|
