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Pattaya heralds in the New Year with parties
and prayers for peace and harmony in the country
Celebrations continue despite bomb blasts in the capital
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn pops a bottle of
Champagne at Bali Hai.
Staff Reporters
Pattaya saw in the New Year with its usual dazzling style, with thousands of
visitors from Bangkok, the nearby provinces, and overseas joining in the fun
that was focused around Bali Hai Pier.
For three consecutive nights, starting on Friday December 29, the crowds
gathered for the lineup of events that really did feature something for
everyone.
 Tony
Malhotra and Opp Akkharaphon emcee the 3-day events at Bali Hai.
There was, however, a shadow cast over the proceedings
with the news of the bomb blasts that occurred in nine separate locations in
Bangkok on New Year’s Eve, and which resulted in public celebrations in the
capital city being curtailed. Security was stepped up even more highly than
usual in Pattaya, but there were no incidents.
The main stage at Bali Hai Pier attracted a particularly large crowd for the
New Year countdown on December 31, with Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and
city councilors and officials on stage to lead the crowds in singing and in
paying respects to Their Majesties the King and Queen. Then 2,000 yellow
balloons were released into the sky and 200 fireworks exploded to welcome in
the New Year 2007.
 Hard Rock Hotel held a great celebration as usual
around the swimming pool under the concept “35 Years of Rock & Roll.”
Niran said that before the countdown, for the safety of
tourists he had asked Pattaya and Banglamung police along with volunteers to
tightly monitor the crowds and look for suspicious persons or materials at
different spots including Larn Pho Naklua and Walking Street.
Pol Col Suthin Sappuang, commander of Pattaya Police Station said that
before and during the festive days officials were present at congested areas
and checkpoints to keep the situation trouble-free and offer continuous
security.
Pol. Col. Thanankit Bunyasing, Superintendent of Sub-Division 2, Tourist
Police Division, said his officials and 200 volunteers were checking at Bali
Hai Pier, Walking Street, hotels, shopping malls, and other crowded areas to
watch out for any signs of a disturbance.
Vigilant police called out explosives experts from the Royal Thai Navy Base
to examine a suspicious looking box that was left in the basket of a
motorcycle in the parking area of Central Festival Pattaya, but the box was
found to contain only clay dishes. A Toyota Corona car that burned out on
North Pattaya Road was examined by police and forensic experts who found the
fire had been caused by the LPG tank leaking and was not an act of sabotage
or terrorism.
Despite the threat of subversive action, the parties went on. All hotels in
town held New Year celebrations, some quite elaborate, and at midnight the
entire coastline in Pattaya was lit brilliantly by fireworks spanning from
Jomtien to Naklua and beyond.
Rockin’ in the New Year at the Dusit Resort Pattaya.
At North Point Wong Amat there was a mini concert
and delicious cuisine.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo revealed a newly replanted
flowerbed to welcome in 2007 and the imminent Chinese New Year of the Pig.
The Captain’s Corner restaurant delighted guests
with and appearance by Elvis and a BBQ buffet.
The Montien Hotel organized international cuisine
and fun shows for guests with a Black and White theme.
Dr Iain and Som Corness present a New Year’s gift to
Apple.
Annie & Peter Cummins (center) with friends say
goodbye to 2006 and hello to 2007.
Students from Pattaya School No 8 perform a
traditional Thai musical show around the swimming pool at Diana Dragon.
Guests enjoy an evening of international foods at
the Dusit Resort Pattaya.
Amari Orchid Resort and Tower held New Year’s Eve
Gala Night 2007 under the concept Atlantis - the Lost City.
It’s costumes galore at the Mata Hari.
Entertainers at Bali Hai Pier begin the
celebrations.
Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa highlighted Thai
traditional culture by presenting five different shows.
Police and 200 volunteers were sent out to check at
Bali Hai Pier, Walking Street, hotels, shopping malls, and other crowded
areas to watch out for any signs of a disturbance.
Pattaya’s big new sign is backlit by fireworks.
2007 balloons are released into the night sky at
midnight.
Local folks present alms on New Year’s morning.
City Hall officials offer food to monks to bring
luck and prosperity in the new year.
The Pattaya Mail team wishes you and your family a
great 2007!
5 die in Christmas Eve crash on Sukhumvit
Five people were killed when the BMW they were
traveling in hit a power pole on Sukhumvit Road on Christmas Eve.
Boonlua Chatree
Five people were killed when the car they were traveling in hit a power pole
on Sukhumvit Road in the early hours of December 24.
The accident happened in front of the Pattaya Iron Steel Center Shop near to
Jittapawan College. The car was speeding in the direction of Chonburi.
Police, Sawang Boriboon Foundation officers and a physician from Banglamung
Hospital were called to the scene where they found that the vehicle, a black
BMW series 312i, had plowed into the front of the iron shop and then hit a
power pole. All five people in the car were killed on impact.
The driver was Acting Sec Lt Sarawut Jitcharoen, age 34, a resident of
Bangna who was director of the transportation division of a company in
Bangkok. Dead in the passenger seat next to him was Wittaya Jitcharoen, 41,
a Samnakthon Municipality councilor and cousin of Sarawut.
The three people sitting on the back seat had been thrown out of the car by
the force of the collision. They were identified as Poolsak Inthanop, 36, of
Chachoengsao, Hiram Phosri, 43, of Samutprakarn, and Suthi Phopirom, 31, a
resident of Chonburi and general manager of the Mum Aroi restaurant in
Banglamung. The bodies were taken to Banglamung Hospital.
Police found a half-full bottle of Samus imported whisky in the car.
Investigations have established that Acting Sub Lt Sarawut, the owner of the
car, was with his cousin Wittaya celebrating and a group of their friends at
the Mum Aroi restaurant located behind Banglamung Police Station, which was
where Suthi worked as general manager. They had been drinking, and left the
restaurant intending to go to their homes. Acting Sub Lt Sarawut was driving
at a high rate of speed, and lost control of the car, ramming the shop and
then hitting the power pole.
Suwat to lead new Nongprue Municipality Council
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Elections for the leadership of the newly formed Nongprue Municipality
Council have resulted in Suwat Rachatawattanakhun, formerly leader of the
Nongprue Sub-district Council, being appointed council president.
 Suwat Rachatawattanakhun was appointed president of
the newly formed Nongprue Municipality Council.
The first council meeting was held on December 21 at the
Nongprue Municipality Office, with Chonburi Deputy Governor Komsan Ekachai
presiding and Nongprue Mayor Mai Chaiyanit attending.
Komsan presented a badge of office to all the members and outlined the
policy of the new council, which includes a commitment to further develop
the city and its services.
Votes were then cast for the council leadership. Suwat was elected council
president, Preecha Wongsiriwimon vice president, and Somchai Chimwiset
secretary.
Mayor Mai expressed his satisfaction at the progress of the newly formed
Nongprue Municipality, and reiterated his commitment to serving the
community.
Life jackets to be enforced on tourist boats
Tourists traveling by boat between Pattaya and Koh
Larn will be required to wear life jackets, and boat operators will be
prohibited from overloading their boats.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya City Council has requested police to be strict on tourist passenger
boats traveling between Pattaya and Koh Larn, insisting that all passengers
wear life jackets and that boats not be allowed to travel if overloaded
after the Chonburi governor stressed the safety of tourists and their
property during the New Year holiday period.
Passenger boat operators who violate the regulations will be severely dealt
with.
Pattaya City Council in cooperation with Pattaya police and tourist police
are inspecting the Pattaya to Koh Larn passenger boats after discovering
that tourists are not being directed to wear life jackets. During an
inspection officers found 150 tourists not wearing life jackets while boat
operators claimed that tourists refused to cooperate.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn said that from now on, in order to protect
tourists and their property, strict inspections of all trips would be
carried out by Pattaya Sea Rescue Services and police officers responsible
on a daily basis to reduce the risk of death in the event of accidents.
The inspections, which are the idea of Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat, were
planned as being especially intense during the New Year holiday period.
Pol Lt Col Wuttichart, superintendent of Pattaya Tourist Police said that
boat operators must cooperate. No proceedings will be taken against
violators on this occasion, but future violations will be dealt with
strictly in accordance with applicable laws.
Mobile services unit presented to remote community
Narisa Nitikarn
Ha Thanwa Community in the Sukhumvit Soi 45 area has been presented with a
mobile services vehicle under the Community Development Project.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, with Itthiphol Khunplome, chairman of the
Pattaya Mayor’s Advisory Committee and members of Pattaya City Council also
present, handed over the vehicle to community representatives on December
19.
 Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn has his blood
pressure checked at the mobile services vehicle after the opening ceremony.
More than 1,000 members of the community had lobbied for
the mobile services unit, which received a budget allocation of 250,000 baht
from the Office of Community Potential Development.
The vehicle will provide services in an area stretching from the adjacent
Roongruang Community in the north to the Nernplabwan Community in the south,
along the Sukhumvit-Pattaya Road.
The mobile unit will provide household medicines and news and services
supplied by Pattaya administrators and public health volunteers. Service
days will be fixed after a meeting of the relevant parties.
Equipped with coin-operated water dispensers, the unit will provide safe,
clean drinking water costing one baht per liter.
Python foiled in bid for Mac meal
Officers measure the hungry python that tried to
make their pet dog into a meal.
Patcharapol Panrak
A hungry python that crawled into a Navy sentry box in the hopes of eating a
dog named Mac was captured and released into the wild.
Rotchana Thammasathan Foundation’s radio control center in Sattahip received
a call for help at 6 p.m. on December 19 from 21-year-old Navy officer
Bunyuoen Kamnung at the Company 3 security guard office, Sattahip Naval
Base, to say that a 5-meter python had slithered into the Ban Thung Prong
sentry box where it intended to consume Mac, a Bang Kaew breed of dog
renowned for its intelligence.
Rescue officers arriving at the scene found Bunyuoen and fellow officer
Channarong Panmata trying to pull the 100-kg python out of the sentry box,
aided by Mac, indignant at being regarded as a snack, who was barking
furiously at the snake.
The rescue workers had brought a ring chord which they dropped around the
neck of the python and then hauled the hissing serpent into a gunny bag.
They then took the bag to the top of Laem Poo Chao hill, near the Prince
Chumporn Shrine, an uninhabited python-haunted area, and released the
captive snake.
Bunyuoen said that during the previous night, when he was on duty at the
guard box, he had seen a python slithering over towards Mac, who was asleep.
He called a friend to help him, but the snake escaped into nearby bushes.
Today it had crawled back and had a second crack at eating Mac.
Clearly the python was hungry and had a predilection for small dogs, but in
this case a Mac meal was to evade him and it is only to be hoped that he
finds another meal to go at his new hilltop home.
THA meeting discusses ways of combating crime wave
(L to R) Thanet Supornsahasrungsri, president of the Pattaya Business
& Tourism Association, Chatchawal Supachayanont, president of THA, and Pol.
Col. Suthin Srappuang, superintendent of Pattaya Police Station discuss
laying out a plan to solve the crime problem in Pattaya.
Narisa Nitikarn
The Thai Hotel Association Eastern Chapter led a meeting on December 21 at
the Dusit Resort to attempt to lay out a plan for tackling the crime wave in
Pattaya City.
THA Eastern Chapter President Chatchawal Supachayanont and Pol Col Suthin
Srappuang, superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, jointly presided over
the meeting, which was attended by Thanet Supornsahasrungsri, president of
the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, THA members, Tourism Authority
of Thailand Central Region 3 representatives, and the media.
Pol Col Suthin said that great concern was caused on December 15 when a
Russian female tourist was shot in the back during a robbery. Chonburi’s
governor had been greatly disturbed by the case and had gone to visit the
victim at Pattaya Memorial Hospital. However, the police have not yet been
able to arrest the wrongdoer.
This destroys much of Pattaya City’s image, because this was the second
Russian victim of violent crime within a very short period of time. Russian
tourists currently form one of Pattaya’s largest visitor groups. The
governor has subsequently invited the cooperation of the Provincial Military
in Region 14 and the Navy in helping the police patrol areas perceived as
being at risk.
The majority of those arrested in connection with street crime in Pattaya
are teenagers, many of them under the age of 18, said the superintendent.
Catching them requires the help of the entire community, individuals,
communities, business people and official organizations. Everyone has a duty
to cooperate, especially places such as pawnshops that can report any
suspicious transactions to the police.
“Moreover the tour guides need to be shown how to help ensure the safety of
Thai and foreign tourists,” said Pol Col Suthin. “The reason criminals
choose foreigners to be their victims is because they have short stay
periods in Thailand, communication problems, carry lots of money in cash,
and they walk alone at night.
“It’s not only a local problem but it’s already a countrywide problem.”
Chatchawal proposed a foundation to support tourists who become victims,
which he said would help the image of the city and at least help to assure
visitors that the Thai people are concerned about them.
Chaiyot elected chairman of Pattaya Mass Media Club
Pattaya Mass Media Club elected Chaiyot Phoopattanapong,
head of news at Sophon Cable TV Pattaya, as its new chairman on December 8.
Also elected to the management committee were three Pattaya Mail reporters,
who take up the positions of vice chairman, treasurer and public relations
officer.
Chaiyot Phoopattanapong was elected Pattaya Mass
Media Club chairman.
Vying for the position of chairman were Chaiyot and Surasak Tummanon, who is
a senior reporter on the Siam and Ban Muang newspaper. Chaiyot came out on
top with a significant margin, and takes the position for two years.
Suwanthep Malhotra, Amponn Saemphaew, Tanasap Sa-Id, and Ms Wisa Chimdee
were all elected vice chairmen. Yodchai Wongborisut was elected secretary,
and Ms Narisa Nitikarn was elected treasurer. Ms Sa-Sipattakorn
Rojanaritpichet was elected receptionist, and in charge of public relations
is Ariyawat Nuamsawat. Committee members are Damri Muangkaew, Tanachot
Anuwan, Supakarn Akanan, Sakchai Prangtong, and Mrs Sirikiriya Palayiam.
Chaiyot said after the voting that every member of the committee bears a
responsibility. Pattaya is developing fast, he said, and there are many new
young reporters who have good ideas and who will supply the expertise and
energy to carry the media forward into its next phase of development.
The new committee also paid tribute to former vice chairman Santi
Lammaneenil, who passed away in November last year.
YWCA discusses problems facing women and children
Dr. Sumol Narkchalerm, consultant to the Royal Thai
Army, advises on how to protect women and young people in modern times.
Narisa Nitikarn
Chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center Nittaya Patimasongkroh on
December 15 led a seminar at the Diana Garden Resort on the dangers facing
women and children and how to counter them.
Also addressing the gathering of women’s group representatives and social
welfare workers were Dr Sumol Narkchalerm, consultant to the Royal Thai
Army, and Valaiporn Viriyakovint, general secretary of the YWCA of Thailand.
Dr Sumol said that with the growing industrialization of Chonburi,
Chachoengsao and Rayong provinces would come greater problems of broken
families, homeless children, human trafficking, and narcotics.
In Pattaya City the problem is especially acute and with its reputation as
an international tourism center the temptations for children are all the
greater.
“We know the problems are happening, and the government and private
organizations must have a basic plan for policy, strategy and tactics in
order to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control,” Dr Sumol
said.
Valaiporn said that the way to stabilize the situation facing women and
children begins with the family. In past times parents took care of their
children closely and gave them a warm family life, but nowadays parents must
work hard. They have significantly less time to take care of their children,
and tend to give them material things in an effort to compensate.
Consequently the children lack a warm home environment, and problems stem
from there.
Nittaya said the purpose of this seminar, organized with the Chonburi
Association, was to raise awareness of the difficulties and to bring
together organizations that can form a support network for the future.
Piyarat Siriwattana wins monument design competition
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
City hall has awarded the prizes for the winning designs in the competition
to create a monument commemorating His Majesty the King’s role in developing
sailing and water sports in Thailand.
On December 26 Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presented Miss Piyarat
Siriwattana and her team with the prize for their winning design.
 Mayor
Niran Wattanasartsathorn presents the award to Miss. Piyarat Siriwattana.
The competition attracted 24 competitors, and Miss
Piyarat was named as the winner on December 4. She and her team won 300,000
baht, a plaque and a certificate.
Second place went to Chinavorn Viengwisaet and his team who won 100,000
baht. There were three third place winners who won 50,000 baht, namely
Bunhome Haemsan, Thamasak Rachthaisak and Sommai Yangthamphote.
Piyarat said she wanted to create a tourist attraction and that the design
took her and her team quite a long time to complete.
Niran said that the beach would be surveyed at the proposed site in front of
Mike Shopping Mall and a budget will be allocated for the memorial to be
constructed. He added that the budget would be around 50 million baht and
construction would commence in one to two years’ time.
Miss Isaan 2006 pageant is highlight of successful Best of Isaan festival
(left) Itthipol Khunplome (left), chief advisor to
the Mayor of Pattaya City, and Chanyuth Hengtrakul (2nd right), former
Chonburi MP, present the winning prizes to Miss Isaan 2006 Ms. Sarinya
Thong-Ngob (3rd from left), the 1st runner up Ms. Thanaporn Sridama (2nd
from left) and Ms. Jiraporn Sritapan (the 2nd runner up), at the Best of
Isaan 2006.
Narisa Nitikarn
The Miss Isaan pageant organized by the Isaan Club in conjunction with city
hall over the period of December 16 to 17 was won by a contestant from
Chaiyaphum, 22-year-old Ms Sarinya Thong-Ngob.
The competition was the highlight of the Best of Isaan 2006 event held over
the two-day period, organized under the direction of Kamlar Benjawanich,
president of the Isaan Club in Pattaya.
Also featured was a display of OTOP products and a Pong Lang music show, one
of the best-known arts of the Isaan region.
Pattaya was felt to be an excellent showcase for the arts and crafts of
Isaan, and to promote tourism to the region, given the large number of Thai
tourists who visit the city. The event was also well supported by Isaan-born
Pattaya residents, who form the largest proportion of any of the regions
living in Pattaya.
The competition to choose Miss Isaan was the highlight of the festival,
attracting more than 30 participants from Isaan. A 22-year-old Chaiyaphum
resident, Ms Sarinya Thong-Ngob, was the winner. The two runners up were Ms
Thanaporn Sridama, 20, and Ms Jiraporn Sritapan, a 16-year-old Banglamung
School student. The winners received, in order, 30,000 baht, 20,000 baht and
10,000 baht, along with trophies and sashes.
Kamlar said that this year marked the 16th consecutive year for the Best of
Isaan festival, and that it had once again proved to be a big success. There
are many Isaan people living in Pattaya, he said, and they are proud of
their origins and are eager to take part. The festival also promoted the
region as a tourist destination and as a producer of OTOP handicraft
products.
After deducting expenses, the amount raised by the festival will be used to
fund scholarships for needy Isaan students.
Chonburi’s new governor speaks about former job in the South
Narisa Nitikarn
Members of the Chonburi Rotary Club held a welcome party at Sriniyom in
Chonburi on December 21 for Pracha Taerat, the new governor of Chonburi
Province.
Leading the celebrations was Weerasak Udomprasert, president of Chonburi
Rotary Club.
 Governor Pracha Taerat talks with Rotarians about
how to win the hearts of the people in the 3 southern border provinces.
Governor Pracha spoke about his previous work in the
three Southern border provinces, and how his administration had followed a
difficult strategy for suppressing terrorism by winning the hearts of the
people.
He said that as governor of Narathiwas Province he had gained an intimate
understanding also of Yala and Patthanee provinces, places that today are
regarded with a degree of fear.
Governor Pracha said that the key means of resolving the insurgency include
educating young people in systems of government, in ensuring the army is
strong and dedicated, and making sure that jobs are plentiful and well paid.
The assembled Rotarians found the talk given by the new governor to be both
enjoyable and stimulating, and he received warm applause at the end of the
evening.
Business and industrial sectors urged to save energy
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Alternative Energy Development and Energy Conservation Department at the
Ministry of Energy brought a team to Pattaya on December 14 for the 2nd
Energy Be Rich seminar, held at the Long Beach Hotel.
 Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh presided over
the second “Energy Be Rich” seminar at Pattaya.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh presided over the opening
of the event, which was designed to encourage the business and industrial
sectors to conserve energy.
Academics and business operators who had been successful in energy
conservation talked about their experiences and provided knowledge. The
event will be held at 12 provinces throughout the country, including Nakhorn
Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Lampang, Lamphun, Nakhorn Sawan, Songkla, Surat Thani
and Bangkok.
Sarrat Prakobchart, an engineer with the Technical and Efficiency Promotion
Division of the Alternative Energy Development and Energy Conservation
Department, said that the country’s energy costs increase every year.
In 2005 the amount of money earned by Thailand exporting rice for the entire
year was enough to buy only one month’s supply of imported energy. Over the
next five years, that amount will double.
The communications and transportation sector consumes 37 percent of the
total energy while the industrial sector consumes 30 percent. Cooperation is
needed to reduce these figures and conserve the country’s energy
consumption.
“In September 2006, 1,200 operators participated in the project resulting in
savings of 200 million baht. Over the past five years more than 2,000
operators have participated in the project resulting in savings of 1 billion
baht per year,” Sarrat said.
Regional Tourist Police superintendent
says city’s crime problems can be solved by hard work
Narisa Nitikarn
Pol. Col. Thanankit Bunyasing, Superintendent of Sub-Division 2, Tourist
Police Division isn’t worried by the enormous problems facing Pattaya and he
relishes the challenge of his new position, saying that problems can be
solved and remain solved if they are tackled methodically.
 Pol. Col. Thanankit Bunyasing, superintendent of
Sub-Division 2 Tourist Police Division.
Interviewed by Pattaya Mail on December 19, Pol Col
Thanankit Bunyasing said that he looks forward to his new responsibilities
and that hard work is the answer in tackling all the challenges and
problems.
For the past three years Pol. Col. Thanankit has been superintendent of
Sub-Division 3 Tourist Police Division, with an area of responsibility that
covers Provincial Police Stations 3 and 4 in the Western Region. Most of the
tourists in the area are interested in environmental matters, and there are
not a great number of visitors, so the problems the police have to tackle
there are not particularly large or acute.
On November 1, 2006 he was promoted by Pol. Maj. Gen. Panya Mamen, commander
of the Tourist Police Division, to the position of superintendent of
Sub-Division 2, which covers a large area of regions 1, 2 and 3 in the east,
west and central Thailand. The scope of his responsibilities now includes
Pattaya City, a tourism epicenter with a burgeoning crime rate that places
residents and visitors alike in danger from criminal activity.
Pol. Col. Thanankit says that solutions are needed as a matter of urgency,
but that a methodical approach has to be used, compiling data to use as a
base upon which to build programs and strategies that will succeed in the
long term.
His initial period in the job will involve studying not just the problems at
hand, but the way in which the police have been working, because each
province uses different methods based largely upon the number of tourists
there.
Pattaya City is a town where most problems are found, says the new
superintendent. The problems revolve around personal safety for visitors and
their property. But the police are lacking personnel, and the volume of work
is more than they can handle. They need help and cooperation from the
government and private sectors.
Other developments have been helping the work of the Pattaya police. A
foreign volunteers police project has been established to support work with
overseas visitors, which is of great help in overcoming cultural and
language barriers.
During his 26-year police career, Pol Col Thanankit has built a sound
reputation for combating crime and solving other problems on a long-term
basis. If he is able to bring these skills to the regions under his
responsibility, especially Pattaya City, it will be of enormous benefit to
everyone who visits here.
There is also a website www.touristpolice.net where visitors can contact the
police, and complaints can be filed via the 1155 telephone number.
Hornbills released into the wild
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Nine hornbills were released into the wild by Khao Kheow Open Zoo on
December 26, National Wild Animal Preservation Day, as part of a program of
breeding this protected bird.
 Hornbills that have reached the appropriate age for
breeding were released back into the wild on Wild Animal Day
The zoo, working in cooperation with the Ministry of
Natural Resources and the Environment, has succeeded in breeding Oriental
Pied Hornbills, one of 13 hornbill birds that are found in Thailand.
Working under a government budget for the period 2005-2007, the zoo has been
breeding a number of the small birds, implanting a GPS device, and then
preparing them for release. The first two were released in August.
December 26 saw the release of nine more Oriental Pied Hornbills, with a
ceremony led by Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat dedicating the event to His
Majesty the King’s Diamond Jubilee.
The birds, three males and six females, were aged between four and five
years, the natural age at which they start to breed.
Governor Pracha also distributed certificates to attending schools and
official departments, including Preservation Administration Bureau 2,
Bangpra Wild Life No-hunting Area, and Bangpra Wild Animal Preservation.
The Oriental Pied Hornbill is a protected species of bird under the Wild
Animal Protection Act of 1992. The size found in Thailand is 65cm, and the
male is a little bit larger than the female. They live in humid virgin
forests, dry virgin forests, Tengrung forests and mixed forests.
The bird is found in the North, upper South and in the East. They eat fruit
and small animals (snakes, chameleons, crabs, shells). The hornbill can be
used as an index for forest perfection, in the event one is found.
Thieves in car snatch Russian woman’s bag
Vadim Parmskov, Elena Kocharing and their two
friends were victims of snatch thieves.
Boonlua Chatree
Thieves in a car stole a bag from a group of Russian tourists in the early
hours of December 20 as the visitors were passing the tourist police box on
the road leading up to Pratamnak Hill.
Police called to the scene found four Russian tourists. Two of them were
named as Vadim Parmskov, 27, and his girlfriend Elena Kocharing, 25.
Parmskov said the couple along with their two friends had been riding on two
motorcycles to see the view of Pattaya from the top of the hill.
As they were traveling slowly up the hill a gold and bronze Honda Accord
with two people inside drove up alongside. The man sitting in the passenger
seat rolled down his window and snatched the bag Kocharing was carrying. The
car then sped away up the hill, past the police box and out of sight.
The Russians said the two men were aged about 20 and had a Middle Eastern
appearance. The theft almost caused them to lose control of their
motorcycles but they were able to park and file a complaint at the police
box. The officers radioed for help and a roadblock was set up in the
direction the thieves were traveling, but they had already gotten away.
Parsmkov said the four friends were celebrating Christmas in Pattaya. They
had ridden on their motorcycles to have food at Walking Street, and then
decided to see the view from the top of the hill before going back to their
rooms. It was then the bag was stolen.
Unemployed gay bar worker stole because of hunger
Supachai Tumachan (seated, left) snatched Luger
Spenner’s bag because, he said, he was hungry.
Boonlua Chatree
Police on routine patrol in South Pattaya found themselves in the happy
position of having a snatch thief run into their arms still clutching his
stolen goods when they were passing Marine Plaza on Pratamnak Road in the
early hours of December 18.
Supachai Tumachan, 21, ran out from the soi beside the Marine Plaza Hotel
and slap into the patrol. He was closely followed by his victim, 38-year-old
German national Luger Spenner. Supachai was holding a bag that contained 960
euros, 4,555 baht, a PC Palm Pilot, and documents.
Supachai said that he had snatched the bag because he was unemployed after
being fired from a gay bar on Soi Sunee. He had run out of money to buy
food. He was hungry and strolled around Walking Street in the hopes of
finding a foreign victim. He was really hungry when he passed by Marine
Seafood and saw a foreigner eating in the restaurant. The man had placed his
bag on the table, so Supachai snatched it and fled.
Supachai said it was his first snatch theft. He wouldn’t have done it if he
had work and money for expenses.
Spenner said he was a businessman importing goods between Germany and
Sweden, and that he regularly came to Pattaya for vacation. He was staying
at Sawasdee Court on Soi Buakhao. He had been strolling on Walking Street
and was hungry, so he stopped to have a meal. He left his bag on the table
as the restaurant was full of customers and he didn’t believe there was a
risk of it being stolen.
Couple arrested for stealing from Irishman
Boonlua Chatree
A man and woman have been arrested for stealing property from an Irish
visitor.
The victim, 60-year-old Thomas Keenan, reported to police that he had had
1,500 baht, an MP3 player, a Walkman radio, a VCD player and a Sony camera
stolen from his room at NCC Apartment in Naklua.
 Suspects Montree Chairatt and Ratree Seedaed point
to the property they stole from Irishman Thomas Keenan.
Police investigations established that the thieves were a
man and a woman, and they were traced to a house in Soi Noree, where they
were arrested.
The two were identified as Montree Chairatt, 33, a resident of Ubon
Ratchathani who had four amphetamines in his possession and was charged with
possession of class 1 narcotics and theft. The woman was identified as Mrs
Ratree Seedaed, 37, of Bangkok who was in possession of the stolen property
belonging to Keenan and was also charged with stealing.
Norwegian who fled arrest warrant is seized on charges of sex with underage boy
Boonlua Chatree
Police acting under an arrest warrant issued in April by Pattaya Provincial
Court have tracked down and arrested a Norwegian man on charges of lewd acts
against a 14-year-old boy.
 Norwegian Bjarne Gunnar Ugulen (right) was arrested
on charges of sexual misconduct.
Bjarne Gunnar Ugulen, age 66, was found at an address in
Piamsuk Village in South Pattaya during the evening of December 19. He was
taken to Pattaya Police Station, where he denied the charges.
The warrant had been issued on April 1 and related to lewd acts with a
14-year-old boy at the NN Apartment on Soi Yensabai in South Pattaya. Ugulen
evaded arrest by moving to Piamsuk Village but was eventually traced.
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