Tourist police nab teenager for possession of stolen motorcycle

Katoey arrested for theft

Released after legal snafu

Boonlua Chatree

Police arrested 18-year-old Peerapong Malasri for theft, but released him/her after they were unable to hold him/her for the crime, much to the disgust of the victim.

Peerapong Malasri (seated) was arrested for theft, but was set free when police couldn’t find the officer in charge of the original complaint.

Peerapong allegedly stole software from a Soi 17 game shop last November. Sukannya Kidmar, 50, owner of the game shop spotted Peerapong walking near her shop last week and called police.

Peerapon fled at the sight of police, and jumped into a stinking canal nearby. However, this method failed to produce an escape, and officers hauled the muddy and smelly Peerapong into the station where Sukannya made her accusations. Peerapong confessed to the crime, saying that he/she would happily pay for damages out of court.

The situation turned sour when police were unable to contact the officer in charge of the original complaint, who was apparently taking a day off, and on duty officers were unable to detain Peerapong without an arrest warrant.

This loophole allowed Peerapong to walk freely from the station, leaving both the victim and news reporters in amazement. Police later said that they would apply for a warrant and continue legal proceedings.

Boonlua Chatree

Security supervisor turned late night thief caught on shop’s security tape

Hard up for cash, a deputy security supervisor resorted to theft from the place he was supposed to be guarding. Police arrested Worawit Jantsuk, 26, after the owner of a mobile shop presented video evidence of the security guard stealing two mobile phones.

The Central Festival Center mobile shop owner, Promaporn Wongdee, explained to police that her shop had mobile phones mysteriously go missing overnight on a number of prior occasions. She went on to say she decided to install a closed circuit camera to catch the thief.

Police viewed the videotape and then arrested Worawit in his Soi Bua Khao apartment. Worawit confessed, stating that his salary of 6,500 baht per month was not enough to pay his bills, and that he decided to take the mobile phones, worth over 10,000 baht, to pay his bills. The now ex-security supervisor was charged with theft.

Police patrol nabs gun-toting teen

A passing police patrol in Soi Bua Khao spotted a group of men near a construction site in Soi Bua Khao and saw that one was carrying a gun. Police moved in, sending the group fleeing, but managed to detain the armed man.

Winai Julaphan, 17, was arrested for possession of a loaded home made 12-gauge pistol. At the station he told police he purchased the gun from a friend in his home province of Khampaengphet for 500 baht, adding that he was carrying the weapon to protect the property he was working at as a laborer.

Winai was charged with illegal possession of a loaded weapon inside city limits without a license and due cause.

Armed teens shoot motorcycle taxi rider

A gang of teens beat and shot a Soi Bongkot motorcycle taxi rider on September 7. Police took the injured man to Banglamung Hospital, where doctors reported him to be in serious condition.

Pattaya police attending the scene of the shooting discovered that Thanin Chumchai, 32, was waiting for his next fare when 8 teens on 4 motorcycles stopped in front of the rank. Witnesses told police that they saw the teens beat Thanin before hearing one shout, “Shoot the mother.” Thanin was shot in the chest with a .22 mm pistol. The bullet passed straight through him.

Investigating officers are unable to determine a clear motive for the attack and are waiting for the victim to regain consciousness to further their investigation.

Banglamung
gamblers arrested
in police dragnet

In search of illegal activities, Banglamung police learned of card game happening at a Soi Kha Noi house. Police from the crime suppression units stormed the home of Tawee Pulwan, arresting 14 women and 7 men in the process. All twenty-one people were caught playing cards for money. Officers confiscated a deck of cards, gambling materials and the princely some of 200 baht. Each was charged accordingly and led straight to the holding cells pending a court appearance. They were unable to take their cards with them to pass the time.

Santsak Ngamphichet named “Model Father of the Nation” for Chonburi

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Santsak Ngamphiches on September 5 received the prestigious honor of being named “Model Father of the Nation” for Chonburi province. Air Marshal Pokai Wongkasikorn, president of the Model Father of the Nation Society, presented him with this award during a ceremony held in Pattaya at the Grand Sole Hotel.

Santsak Ngamphiches, advisor to the minister of tourism and sports, proudly accepts the Model Father of the Nation for Chonburi award.

The society, set up in 2002, provides financial and administrative support for provincial members’ public development programs. Since the society is relatively new, the first step is to select provincial coordinators, each called Model Father of the Nation for their province. The society then eases communication and aids in coordination with other departments and societies (which are not connected in any way politically) for public development activities.

The national committee met in Pattaya on September 5, and after honoring Santsak with the title of Model Father of the Nation for Chonburi, chose Grand Sole Hotel on Pattaya Second Road as coordination center for Chonburi.

Chonburi Vice-governor Weerawit Wiwatwanit (left) and Air Marshal Pokai Wongkasikorn (right), president of the Model Father of the Nation Society.

Santsak Ngampichet’s 5 children are Poramet Ngamphiches (a member of the provincial committee), Ekasit Ngamphiches (Pattaya City secretary), Seksan Ngamphiches, Miss Ailada Ngamphiches, and Komkrit Ngamphiches. All of Santsak’s children have successful careers, lending credence to Santsak being a model father.

The Model Father of the Nation Society in its present form was set up on December 6, 2002. Before this time, members met under a different organizational structure, as an assembly made up of yearly and long-term memberships. This was eventually disbanded, with members assembling for the last time in February 2000. In December 2002, membership formed into a society, which now has only long-term memberships. The current president of the Model Father of the Nation Society is Air Marshal Pokai Wongkasikorn.

The society has since gained in stature and effectiveness. The political arena has taken notice, and realizing the importance of the society, on September 5, Chonburi province sent Vice-Governor Weerawit Wiwatwanit to participate in the meeting to acknowledge the society, their plans and activities.

Santsak Ngamphiches is an advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Sports. He is a successful businessman and local politician.

Suchada Tupchai

Over the last week Pattaya residents have received a rude awakening. Front-page headlines in the national Thai dailies splattering news of ride-by theft, robberies, muggings and gang-related shootings in Pattaya. The work of vicious, hot-tempered teenagers on the highway to destruction. Their reasoning: satisfaction and revenge, leaving innocent bystanders wondering whether they might be the next victims, and when.

The majority of these crimes are not committed by adults but by pre- and post- pubescent teenagers between 14-20. As they grow, anger, rebellion and confusion regiment their lives; many are from broken families and afraid of what the future may bring. Without the traditional family unit to turn to, they turn to their peers, their friends who often lead them down a destructive path, leaving shattered lives and dead bodies by the wayside.

With no one to turn to and consult, they see their lives no more than a day-to-day struggle for identity. The victims are those who would berate and verbally abuse them for their actions. The harsh reality has seeped into every corner of society, locally and throughout the nation.

We, as a society, try to disassociate ourselves from the problems - “It’s in another city, town or province”. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s time to plan, to organize and take action, implement and enforce the law. But easier said than done, and it’s only scratching the surface. It’s not the only solution if we as a society are to save our own future.

The traditional family institution must be maintained, children, young and old need love, attention and understanding, which appears to be something of the past and sadly lacking in the present. The breakdown in family values, nurturing and forgiveness have been replaced by economic gains, leaving the body and pockets fulfilled but the hearts and minds severely lacking nourishment. These teens need to feel as if they have a future, a place in the world and not just pawns on the chessboard of life.

Apart from the family, schools - the educational institutions - were a source of social interaction and learning. Teachers cared for their students’ welfare. This has changed as they focus on academic education, leaving other important aspects such as emotional and social education behind. Schools, colleges and universities in Thailand have lost their humanity and opted for a more quantifiable education. Without balance in either of these institutions, Thailand’s youth are left in an insensitive condition that facilitates a violent reaction to the environment around them.

Over the years these reactions have become more than just a ripple, they have become a wave of violence in society where everyone pays the price. Many feel that it is too late to stop the violence among the nation’s youth, appearing more than what it is. They don’t realize that the solutions lie with them and very close to home and within their own family units. That’s where it starts and finishes, with the present and future of Thai youth.