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Disgruntled Korean man shoots two countrymen, then threatens to kill himself
Keeps police at bay for four hours
Boonlua Chatree
Fifty-year-old Korean man Choi Jong Won shot two fellow
compatriots after they had allegedly consistently prevented him from
conducting business in Pattaya. He then kept police at bay for 4 hours by
threatening to shoot himself if they came too close.
 Police
try to calm down Choi to keep him from shooting himself. Their tactics
worked, and Choi was later arrested for multiple crimes.
Dongtan police received the report just after midnight on
Tuesday morning in front of the Plaza Condotel on Jomtien Beach Road.
Officers called for backup from Pattaya police station as they made their
way to the scene of the shooting.
They discovered two men, later identified as 50-year-old
Lee Seng Ha, who had a gunshot wound to the right arm, and 53-year-old Park
Sung Kok, who had a bullet wound to the face. Both were rushed to Pattaya
Memorial Hospital for emergency surgery. The second man was admitted to ICU
and was reported to be in serious but stable condition.
Officers then set out on bike and foot in search of the
shooter. They located the man in a side soi off Jomtien Beach Road. He was
later identified as Choi Jong Won, 50, from Seoul. As police approached, the
Korean placed the .32mm Browning automatic pistol against his throat, and
yelled at police not to come closer, saying that he did not want to shoot
Thai people, police or otherwise. Choi added that he only intended to shoot
the two Koreans and then commit suicide.
Pol. Col. Kamolchai Tiengrungroj arrived at the
confrontation to negotiate with the agitated Korean, telling him that he
need not be too concerned about police, as they had no intention of harming
tourists and only wanted him to put down the gun.
Choi then asked police for a drink - they happily handed
him one, laced with a sedative.
A friend of Choi’s arrived and tried to coax Choi into
surrendering the gun and going quietly, but the standoff lasted for 4 hours,
during which time officers also handed over two bottles of beer to calm Choi
down.
The tactics finally worked, as Choi put down his gun and
was whisked off to Pattaya police station for questioning.
He told police that he attempted to start a business on
several occasions but was cheated and constantly harassed by old Lee Seng Ha
and Park Sung Kok. The situation escalated when they reported Choi to the
immigration department and he was forced to pay a hefty fine.
According to Choi, he became more frustrated and angry at
the two men and paid a visit to a gun dealer in Cambodia, smuggling the
weapon back into Thailand. He then went looking for his two aggravators. He
said that his plan was to kill them and then turn the gun on himself.
Police listened and recorded the statement, then charged
Choi Jon Won with two counts of attempted murder, carrying an unlicensed and
loaded weapon inside city limits and in a public place without reason or
approval.
Last dinner - hungry snake bites rescue worker
Aggressive 3-meter python killed after raiding local duck pen
Boonlua Chatree
Residents in Soi Jularat off Thepprasit Road called the
Sawang Boriboon Foundation for assistance after they discovered a
three-meter python trying to gain access to the duck pen located in the
Dancing Shrimp Restaurant.
 A
Sawang Boriboon worker ends the dilemma in one fell swoop, beheading the
belligerent snake.
The aggressive snake was too difficult to catch and
when Sawang Boriboon volunteers arrived they attempted to detain the
belligerent serpent, but in the process one volunteer, Choosak Aranchai
received a nasty bite on his left wrist. The bite punctured a number of
blood vessels. He was quickly rushed to Banglamung Hospital for treatment.
Not willing to risk another bite, rescue personnel and
residents decided to kill the snake in order to prevent any further
incidents that could endanger the lives of animals and safety of humans.
In one swift strike the angry serpent was beheaded and
stuffed into a bag. It was then taken to the hospital for doctors to
examine to aid in the treatment of the bitten volunteer Choosak.
No ducks lost their lives and Choosak Aranchai was reported to be out
of danger after receiving several stitches to his wound. It is unknown
whether the slippery serpent will end up on someone’s dinner table.
Local markets hurt by bird flu scare prior to Chinese New Year celebrations
Officials say there is no bird flu in Pattaya
Suchada Tupchai
Despite claims by local and national health organizations
that Thailand is free from avian influenza, the media coverage in the Thai press
has stirred mixed reactions among consumers.
 The
marketplace is eerily quiet, as many people are staying away in fear of catching
the dreaded bird flu.
A visit to the Naklua markets by reporters showed that the
number of consumers buying chicken and other types of foul was reduced in what
is traditionally a bumper season over the popular Chinese New Year festivities.
“People are tending to buy more pork this year,” said one
fresh food vendor in the Naklua market.
Other vendors echoed the sentiment, even though no bird flu
cases have been reported in Chonburi Province or other parts of the country.
There have, however, been some reports in South Pattaya of rather wacky roosters
that can’t tell time, that have been crowing at all hours of the day and night
keeping residents awake. No officials have gone on record to comment on this
situation as yet.
Livestock officials are inspecting major chicken farms in the
five provinces for any signs of the disease.
Market prices traditionally increase as part of the Chinese New Year
Festival. As one of the Naklua vendors put it, “Prices have increased only
marginally this year in comparison to previous years. Items such as chili and
other spices have risen in price. We still have our regular customers each year
who purchase food during the festival.”
Pattaya traffic lights go digital
Timers to be placed at all intersections
Eakkachai Kamolsri
Motorists may have noticed the recent inclusion of
digital timers at a number of the city’s major intersections. The move
follows the success of such implementation in Bangkok and other busy
intersections around the nation.
 Only
55 seconds to wait before the light turns green. Traffic administrators have
installed the timers hoping to reduce frustration, and subsequently
accidents, at busy intersections.
Pattaya traffic department and city administrators have
opted for the technical addition hoping to reduce accidents on the city’s
ever-increasing busy road network. The timers ultimately reduce motorist’s
frustration, as it is plain to see when the lights will change and hopefully
avoid drivers and motorcyclists running red lights.
The project started on January 16 with the Central
Pattaya and Second Road intersection being one of the first. Gradually,
timers will be placed at all intersections throughout the city.
Plans for the project were raised in 2003 for the 2004 budget as a means
to ease traffic snarls that clog up many of Pattaya’s arterial roads.
Planners hope to complete the program by the end of the month or the first
week in February.
City needs 6 more months to
decide Pattaya Second Road’s future
Experts’ research prompts intriguing suggestions
Suchada Tupchai
A recent city council and working team meeting, held at
city hall and chaired by Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat, revealed that the
city needs more time to decide whether Pattaya Second Road’s traffic flow
will be one-way or two.
Dr. Thawatchai Laosirihongthong, director of the Traffic
and Transportation Research Center of Technology, Phrajomklao Thonburi
University, presented the latest research results to the mayor and city
council members. Three main points the team worked on were Network Analysis,
Traffic Analysis, and Level of Service Analysis.
 Councilors
decided at a recent city council and working team meeting that 2nd Road
should probably stay one-way and that a free bus service should be set up
from the Dolphin Roundabout to Center Road.
The three analyses measured the efficient flow of the
traffic, volume of vehicles during certain time frames, satisfaction of
people, and critical traffic spots and situations that led to road
accidents.
Results showed that out of a possible 100 “good”
points, one-way traffic obtained 52, and two-way travel gained 48 points. It
was statistically made evident that one-way traffic was preferable to the
other. More results illustrated that the one-way route showed only 48 weak
points, while two-way traffic showed 112.
Dr. Thawatchai said, “After a thorough study of Pattaya
Second Road traffic during both circumstances, one-way traffic created chaos
at the Dolphin Circle roundabout, which resulted in minor vehicle accidents
on a daily basis, while two-way traffic created long queues for automobiles
at the red-light intersection on Pattaya Central Road.”
Nevertheless, the research team proposed that the city
keep Pattaya Second Road a one-way system and improve concrete footpaths
from the junction to the roundabout.
Dr. Thawatchai also said that he concluded what motorists
and pedestrians really want is to upgrade road safety, and didn’t much
care whether the traffic flows one-way or both ways.
The director said that the best thing for the people
would be to provide free bus service. The city should reserve most left
lanes for the free service, which would allow buses to pick up passengers
starting from the roundabout through to the Central Road intersection.
“This way, travelers would not have to take baht buses
on Beach Road to get to Pattaya Central Road,” said the director. Dr.
Thawatchai also noted that the complaints about added daily transportation
expenses revealed that people were suffering.
After a number of hours of serious discussion over the dilemma,
Pattaya’s mayor concluded that the city needs 6 more months to come to a
decision on the problem. The mayor added that the free bus service was not a
bad idea and he would consult this proposal with his panel before possibly
launching the service for the public in the near future.
Local authorities inspect hotels for signs of Legionnaire’s disease
Better safe than sorry
Damri Muangkaew
Thirty-five of the larger hotels in Pattaya were
subject to an inspection when Pattaya City administration, officials
from the Health, Hygiene and Environmental Department and specialists in
the field of bacteria detection (specifically legionaella bacteria) made
the rounds of the city.
The project, under the instruction of the Health
Ministry, is aimed at preventing any spread of potentially fatal
Legionnaires disease.
 Health
experts take water samples to test for bacteria to make sure no
legionella pnuemophila is present.
Legionella pnuemophila attacks the respiratory system
and is frequently found in water-cooling towers of air conditioning
units in large buildings and infects up to 1,600 people per year around
the globe.
Figures presented show that in the UK 120-160 people
per year are affected, in Australia 1 in 200,000 people show symptoms,
with endemic cases showing up in Canada, Sweden, Italy, France and the
Netherlands. Most infected people are over 50 years old.
Testing for the bacteria began at the Dusit Resort
Pattaya with officials taking water samples from cooling towers and
water storage tanks for testing, in which a follow-up test is to be
undertaken every six months.
Results of the tests will be released to the hotels
once completed. On the inspection days, a number of recommendations were
put forward to help hotels prevent an outbreak of the disease and to
ensure the safety of visitors and workers in each of the locations.
South Pattaya celebrating beginning of the Year of the Monkey
Festivities to continue until January 25
Suchada Tupchai
Joined by city officials at the Pattaya City meeting
room, Walking Street committee members met to discuss the upcoming Chinese
New Year festivities, which are widely celebrated throughout the country by
those of Chinese descent.
Suntorn Kangsirikul, Walking Street committee president
said that this year was just as important as previous years, even with the
close proximity to the December 31 celebrations, and will only enhance the
region by attracting visitors.
Plans for this year include the magnificent 7-headed
dragon dance, lion dances and acrobatics as part of the regions traditional
celebrations. The Walking Street festivities will also coincide with similar
functions in both Jomtien and Naklua districts.
With the Chinese New Year falling on January 22,
celebrations are expected to carry on through to January 25 to bolster the
festive atmosphere and attract more visitors over that period.
City to clamp down on roaming elephants
Spray-paint ID rejected by business operators
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Last week, Sunai Leetranond, director of Pattaya City’s
Service and Public Health Department, chaired a forum with 10 elephant park
business operators in Pattaya and the surrounding area. The director said
elephants should not ramble around the city, and suggested that the
jumbos’ owners visibly mark their animals to identify which park they came
from when they are found roaming from home.
 City
officials, trying to keep elephants out of the city, admonish tourists and
residents not to feed them. Officials also want to spray paint the elephants
so that they can tell which park they come from.
Sunai said, “The law on roaming elephants has not yet
been completely drafted. When it is, this problem can be solved. Until then
we are trying to convince mahouts to be responsible and not take their
animals through the city streets with the aim of making extra cash from
tourists. The city is trying to encourage freelance mahouts to take their
elephants back to their home provinces, but surprisingly, many ignore the
request.”
Pattaya authorities have contacted the Chonburi Livestock
Department to help the city to draw up a solution. During the round-table
discussion with business operators, Sunai suggested the elephants be marked
to indicate their present home in Pattaya. But the business operators
disagreed with the proposal saying flashy colors sprayed on the elephants
would spoil their appearance.
The Livestock Department will visit elephant parks on a
monthly basis to check if the number of the elephants inhabiting in the park
match registration figures. “If an elephant is found to be missing, the
park owner should be able to tell where it is,” Sunai said, and added that
the Khao Kheow Open Zoo will welcome elephants that are abandoned by their
mahouts.
The public is being asked to cooperate by not buying food for elephants
that roam the city streets. People who see elephants in public areas are
requested to report the animal’s whereabouts by calling 038-410200 ext.
345, and 038-420823 ext. 16.
Soused Aussie gives door a beating instead of his girlfriend
Injured foot and 7,500 baht in damages may offer a distraction from broken heart
Boonlua Chatree
Apparently drunk and outraged, 50-year-old Australian
Peter Clarence lost his temper and kicked in the door of his rented room in
a fit of rage, allegedly because his girlfriend left him. This prompted his
landlord to call the police and demand the audacious kung fu wannabe pay for
damages.
 The
door evidently ended up in worse shape than Mr Peter here, who kicked it
into submission allegedly because of a brouhaha with his Mrs.
The landlord, Niphon Chitboon, age 45, last Saturday
night called police and told them that his tenant had completely demolished
the front door of a room that he and his girlfriend were living in.
When police arrived at the residence, located behind the
Excite Entertainment nightclub on Pattaya Third Road, they found the
hot-tempered Aussie to be what they described as, “still in a wild and
emotional state”. Police managed to calm down Clarence, and he was sent to
a hospital to receive treatment for his shredded and swollen foot.
Niphon told police that Clarence had been living with his
Thai girlfriend in the room for a while, and last Saturday night they had an
argument over something, probably either money or infidelity, although the
landlord wasn’t quite sure which. Niphon said, “The Thai lady left and
the Australian man was so disappointed he decided to drown his sorrows by
getting drunk. Apparently the drunker Clarence got, the more livid he became
and he repeatedly kicked front door of the (rented) room until the door and
his foot were both damaged.”
Landlord Niphon demanded the installation of a new door
at the cost of 7,500 baht. Apparently the new door would be gold plated, as
most front doors do not cost quite that much, installation included.
Nonetheless, police also charged Peter with disorderly conduct and property
damage. The girlfriend was unavailable for comment. The door will be
cremated sometime next week. The landlord asks for people to send cash in
lieu of flowers.
Oh, what crazy things women can drive men to do... No worries mate, that
particular door will never bother you again.
Accident claims life of Good Samaritan
Patcharapol Parnrak
A young Russian man was killed when the motorcycle he was
riding collided with a bus on Sukhumvit Road near the entrance of Wat
Yangasararam. The deceased was later identified as 23-year-old Zarat Opsen.
Police and rescue personnel from Sattahip attending the scene
of the accident searched through the man’s pockets in an attempt to discover
his identity. During their search they found a flier in Russian and Thai asking
for donations to an international scholarship scheme. They also found a wad of
cash which they assumed was to be given to the charity organization.
Bus passengers who saw the accident told police that the
foreigner cut in front of the bus and attempted to turn left, but the bus,
traveling at high speed on the highway, was unable to brake in time and hit the
motorcycle.
The driver of the Bangkok Rayong Bus was detained at the
scene of the accident and charged with negligent driving causing death and
awaits the court process.
Concert violence and aftermath leaves one youth dead and 8 others seriously injured
Gang on motorcycles spray bullets into crowd
Boonlua
Chatree
A concert in Naklua turned bloody when over 150 youths
began brawling near the stage. Police managed to break up that melee and
cart the injured off to the hospital, but violence erupted again later when
the same gang hunted down their rivals in Jomtien and sprayed numerous
gunshots into a crowd, leaving one youth dead and 8 others seriously
injured.
When a team of police went to Pattaya Memorial Hospital
to investigate, they encountered 40 youths standing outside the emergency
room, as doctors inside tended to the wounded. A 21-year-old man, identified
as Suriyant Poromunarot, was pronounced dead on arrival from a bullet wound
to the chest.
Eight others, between the ages of 14 to 20 were also
treated for gunshot wounds including a 16-year-old girl who is 5 months
pregnant.
The boys in the waiting room told police that they were
enjoying the concert when a group of 30 from a rival gang started a fight.
The young men at the hospital said they left the concert in an attempt avoid
trouble but the gang reappeared as they sat on the beachfront in Jomtien.
The same group on 20 bikes rode past and sprayed them with bullets and hit a
number of people in the crowd.
Pol. Col Kamolchai Tiengrungroj said that people of this
type cause great problems for police and the community and ordered officers
to search for the gang of wayward thugs and bring them to justice. The
shooters are still at large.
Snooker gambler stabs two men over a bet
Says it was self defense
Boonlua Chatree
Last Saturday around midnight, Pattaya police received a
report involving a clash amongst young snooker gamblers at a Malee apartment
complex in the moo 9 area. Police arrived and found a pool of blood on the
floor near the snooker arena.
 What
to do, laugh or cry, after losing it all on a snooker game? Prawit, who
claimed it was self-defense, apparently decided that a well-placed knife
might help solve the situation. He was wrong and will have plenty of time to
think about it behind bars.
Witnesses told police that they saw a man with a knife
run away after injuring two men, and that he was hiding at a Mameaw house
not far from the scene. Doughty police gave chase and captured a suspect,
later identified as Prawit Khanvisit, age 21, an Udon Thani resident. Their
first clue came when they noticed bloodstains on Prawit’s shirt, which
they deemed decisive enough to transfer him to Pattaya police station for
further questioning.
During the interview, Prawit said that he’d made a bet
with two men, later identified as Chaowalit Sukhi, age 22, and Manoon
Inthikai, age 30, and felt they had cheated him on the game. Prawit told
officers he tried to negotiate a fair deal with them (double or nothing?)
but they evidently didn’t like the idea and proceeded to hit him and even
threatened to kill him. He admitted to the stabbing but insisted it was
self-defense.
Chaowalit and Manoon were sent to Pattaya Memorial
Hospital where they received treatment for a chest wound and back wound
respectively. Prawit was charged with physical assault and was detained at
Pattaya police station.
Children’s wall painting event promotes ‘Anti-Alcohol’ campaign
Suchada Tupchai
The warning “Alcohol can kill” used in many
anti-drinking campaigns proves true for Thai people during every long
national holiday, mainly the New Year celebration and Songkran festival.
Statistics show that over half of the road accidents involve drunk drivers.
Pattaya City is a place of variety in terms of
nationality, lifestyle, educational background and social status. The city
is full of inappropriate activities for kids, and with a little help,
hopefully they should be able to separate the bad from the good in their
routine life.
These two concepts were combined recently when the
director of Pattaya Youth Activity Center, Nathapong Sukhsiri began a
campaign to underline the importance of creating understanding and promoting
awareness of the traps youngsters can fall into, especially drinking.
 The director, who initiated the campaign in cooperation
with the Public Health Improvement Bureau, which mainly finances
scholarships nationwide, set out to achieve a goal: to cut down alcohol
consumption in the nation.
One of the projects in this campaign was carried out last
week at Banglamung School when a wall-painting event was organized called
the “Anti-Alcohol Drinking Wall Painting Contest” to promote road safety
and social improvement, and warn youths that alcohol can be a health hazard.
Surapol Tiensuwan, Banglamung district chief, presided
over the event, which aimed to give children an opportunity to express their
feelings about the dangers of alcohol through the medium of painting the
outside school wall. To add a little excitement and incentive to the event,
a scholarship worth 2,500 baht and a certificate were up for grabs for the
best design.
Pupils in the primary and secondary levels from 13
schools in the Pattaya and Banglamung area took part in the contest. Teams
of 3 members each were given 2.7 by 1.5 meter wall spaces on which to apply
their imagination.
Children were asked to use their paintings to convey the
threat of alcohol imbibing, and urge people to quit or reduce their
consumption.
The paintings had to show creativity, and were judged by
layout, technical usage, combination of colors, and how well they portrayed
the message.
The end result is shown here in pictorial form.
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