Volume of visitors creates chaotic traffic congestion

After numerous complaints about traffic snarls on Sukhumvit Road over the APEC holidays, a survey revealed the culprit to be the poorly planned parking facilities at Underwater World. As many Bangkokians traveled to Pattaya during the regional meeting, many of them visited the tourist attraction. But the horrendous traffic congestion provoked bitter criticism.

An inspection by city officials revealed that the car parking facilities were inadequate and the venue was ordered by Pattaya’s mayor to rearrange and renovate the car park to reduce congestion. A deadline of November 10 was given and a team of municipal officers surveyed the progress before reporting back to the mayor.

The lack of progress in the project did not please officialdom and Mayor Pairat Sutithamrongsawat told members of the press that if the venue had not carried out the necessary alterations by the deadline it would be forcibly closed until such time that the company followed the order.

Vendors told to shape up or be closed down

Damri Muangkaew

The city administration has laid down tougher regulations for beach chair and umbrella operators from Pattaya, Jomtien and Larn Island, and any vendor violating the regulations could face stiff penalties.

Beach vendors in the area have been told to keep their areas clean, not use double pricing and not try to chase off cars trying to legally park near their areas.

Apart from emphasizing the 7 x 7 meter space allotment, Deputy Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn announced that all vendors must keep their area clean and tidy at all times, including the walkthrough sections. Electrical cables must follow the tree line and be kept in order and safely maintained.

Pointing a finger at Jomtien vendors, Niran said, “All pricing for services must be equal regardless of whether the visitor is Thai or foreign. Anyone parking in front of your (the vendor’s) area is allowed to do so and you must not make any attempt to tell these people to park elsewhere or attempt to damage the vehicle. Those found breaking the rules will be fined 500 baht for the first offence. After a second offence the vendor will be shut down for 7 days. The third offence will carry the penalty of one month out of business. If you fail to follow the rules your business will be closed down permanently.”

The revised regulations came into force at the end of October and will be followed up by municipal inspectors.

Boonlua Chatree

Local police received a report of the death of a foreigner from the man’s uncle in the Kao Karat condominium at 3 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Police and Sawang Boriboon personnel arrived at the condo unit to meet Robert Jeangeot (sic) the dead man’s uncle. He told officers that he had just returned from an afternoon out, to find his nephew, Olivier Broque dead in their shared apartment.

Olivier Broque in happier times with his daughter.

Initial investigations revealed no signs of a struggle or any suspicious markings on the man’s body. Olivier Broque had apparently died from asphyxiation after placing a plastic bag over his head and sealing it airtight with tape around his neck.

The man’s uncle was at a loss for an explanation but told police that his nephew was a quiet man and kept to himself.

The body was taken to the forensic institute for a post mortem examination.

A similar suicide took place last month in a Soi 8 hotel with the Dutch tourist also taping a bag over his head.

Forgetful culprit leaves his shoes at crime scene

Boonlua Chatree

Naklua homeowner, Kanoknista Chae-eung came home to a rude shock last Wednesday evening to find her house had been ransacked and a thief had made off with 40,000 baht worth of goods.

Police arrived shortly after the woman had called and investigators set about sifting through evidence, taking fingerprints and footprints the culprit had left around the house.

Kanoknista explained that she had been at work all day and arrived back to find her house a disaster area. She noted that the criminal had taken two small diamond rings, 8 Buddha images set in gold and a video player.

The criminal had apparently gained entry through the back of the house and had also left a pair of shoes at the scene of the crime. Officers are in the process of investigating the break-in.

Thugs later confess to over 10 other crimes in the city

Boonlua Chatree

Quick thinking most likely saved Prakarn Saengsawang from probable harm and definitely from losing what little assets he had when he slyly alerted law enforcement officers that he was in the process of being held hostage at his South Pattaya apartment after 4 youths held a gun to his head and forced him to take them to his rented room.

Over 30 officers rushed to the Sara Mansion in the Nivate Village in South Pattaya, securing the perimeter while the group of armed thugs carried out their machiavellian activities with two of the young thieves already escaping the scene.

Police moved to the fourth floor and kicked down the door rescuing Prakarn and his two roommates held at gunpoint by the young gangsters.

Prakarn told police that he was recently a victim of their activities after being threatened when similar teens stole his motorcycle, mobile and cash at gunpoint.

Police detained two of the four youths and confiscated a custom made pistol capable of firing 12 gauge shells.

The two men, identified as Prakij Potemanee, from Naklua, and Note Wat-on, aged 20 from Soi Thidawan in Nongprue confessed to their crimes and admitted to a further 10 cases at intersections, quiet sois and housing villages.

Further interrogation revealed the identity of the other two, who fled the scenes of the crime, as a 17-year-old youth known as Chart and Eak, aged 21.

The victims identified the pair, and they were subsequently charged with illegal possession of an unlicensed weapon, carrying a concealed weapon in a residential area without sufficient reason, and armed robbery.

The Pattaya Criminal unit investigation is continuing to search for the remaining two members of the gang and expect to make an arrest in the near future.

Kill one man and seriously injure two others

Boonlua Chatree

A group of teenagers riding motorcycles near a Sattahip village took their revenge on residents after villagers had called police to detain the rowdy group for riding in circles and disturbing the peace.

When a police patrol first attended the scene, the teens fled, but quickly returned to wreak havoc. The group, on two motorcycles, came out from nowhere and shot dead a 75-year-old shop owner and seriously injured two others.

The crime occurred at around 1 a.m. last Saturday. Sattahip police returned to the scene to find 75-year-old Kinaji Punsri dead. The man’s 47-year-old son Yongyuth and his 52-year-old wife Chim were being loaded into a car to be taken to the hospital. All three were shot with a 38-caliber pistol.

A team of officers visited the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital where doctors were performing emergency operations on the couple.

Residents told investigating officers that the group of teens had returned just 5 minutes after the first police patrol investigated the noisy motorcycle racing disturbance. Residents said the hoodlums were each aged between 17 and 20 years old and riding Honda motorcycles.

Residents described the youths and were able to get a glimpse of the registration plate of at least one of the bikes.

Local police expect to make an arrest shortly.

Provincial, City and local administrations prepare for the big event

Suchada Tupchai

The 3rd annual long boat races are set to take place next weekend, November 15-16 at Mabprachan Reservoir. The event draws to Pattaya rowers from around the country in the 30 and 50 rower classes in what has become a nationally broadcasted event.

Rowers from around the country will be competing in Pattaya next weekend, November 15 & 16, in the 3rd annual long boat races at Mabprachan Reservoir.

The event, now a major item on the annual calendar, is now in its third year, with teams of rowers competing for the coveted HRH Princess Sirindhorn Trophy in the 55 rower class and the Princess Soamsawali Trophy in the 30 rower category.

This year Sontaya Khunpluem, minister of tourism and sports, will preside over the opening ceremonies at the Mabprachan area and will fire the starter’s pistol to set the expected 20 teams racing across the water. The races will be broadcast live around the nation on channel 11.

Mai Chaiyanit, Nongprue DAO chief said, “This event not only promotes Thai culture and sporting activities but attract thousands of visitors, both Thai and foreign, to watch the event from the shores of Lake Mabprachan. I expect we will see a greater number of spectators this year than previously.”