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Official Chonburi Songkran Activities 2007

Chonburi governor’s strategy aims at low accident toll over Songkran

Vendors at New Naklua Market are not meeting hygiene standards says health inspector

CCTV cameras to be mounted outside all 73 branches of 7-Eleven

Police bust marijuana-by-mail operation

Canadian, American charged over obscene website

Locksmith may hold key to hotel room robbery

Tourism Authority of Thailand stages good hosting seminar

Former fashion model speaks of life after brain hemorrhage

Police ban water throwing on Sukhumvit during Songkran holiday

German Ambassador meets Pattaya entrepreneurs

Bargirl possessed by spirit threatens to jump off building

It rained today…

Question Box


Official Chonburi Songkran Activities 2007

The full on event is April 19 in Pattaya, and no doubt scenes like this will be repeated quite often again this year.

Plenty of activities are lined up in Pattaya during the Songkran festival, in addition to the “wan lai” or water throwing, and the general mayhem that is both a local custom and a tourist attraction.

Pattaya’s Kong Khao (rice harvest) celebrations are held in Naklua beginning April 18. Religious ceremonies will include Tak Bat, bathing of the Buddha image and pouring scented waters on the elders. On April 20 the Kong Khao festival will take place in Naklua near the Larn Poh market.

There will be games, including a tug-o-war on the beach, eating contests and numerous other events open to residents and tourists.

April 13-19

Koh Si Chang Songkran Tradition will be held in front of Koh Si Chang District office and Wat Juthathisthamsapharam Worawiharn, Si Chang district.

Activities: merit-making in the morning, pouring water on monks, pouring water on the hands of revered elders and asking for their blessing, water splashing, Koh Si Chang traditional folk games such as Muay Tab Jak (blind boxing), Pai Rue Ka Ta (pan boat competition) and many activities till evening when the Kong Khao tradition (feeding the spirits) will be observed and a Pong Lang music show will be performed.

April 16-17

The Kor Pra Sai tradition (Bang Sean Songkran Festival) will be held on Bang Sean Beach

Activities: merit-making in the morning, pouring water on monks, pouring water on the hands of revered elders and asking for their blessing, water splashing, sand art competition, folk tradition, concert and seafood booths.

April 18-19

Wan Lai Pattaya-Naklua: Naklua Songkran Festival (April 18) and Pattaya Songkran Festival (April 19) throughout Naklua and Pattaya.

Activities: merit-making in the morning, pouring water on monks, pouring water on the hands of revered elders and asking for their blessing, Songkran parade starts from Wat Chaimonkol at midday, water splashing.

April 19-21

Songkran Sri Maha Racha and Kong Khao Tradition (Sriracha Songkran Festival), held in Sriracha municipality’s health park.

Activities: merit-making in the morning, pouring water on monks, pouring water on the hands of revered elders and asking for their blessing, water splashing, Songkran parade and festival, cultural shows such as Thai music, Thai dance, Khon including traditional folk activities such as Muay Tab Jak (blind boxing), oiled pole climbing competition, Takraw Lod Haung (rattan ball competition), Kong Khao tradition and concert in evening.

April 20

Kong Khao Naklua (Naklua Songkran Festival), held at Larn Pho Public Park

Activities: Kong Khao Tradition in the evening and fun activities all day, such as bow and arrow competition, Takraw Lod Haung (rattan ball competition), and Muay Talay (sea boxing).


Chonburi governor’s strategy aims at low accident toll over Songkran

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

Chonburi Province has set a strategy aimed at minimizing the number of road accidents during the Songkran festival.

Komsan Ekachai, deputy governor of Chonburi said that each year during the Songkran festival government and private sector offices are closed over a number of days and this is the time when the public travel by road to their home towns to spend time with their family members. They also travel to other provinces to celebrate the festivities. Consequently, during the period there is more traffic and more road accidents than usual.

During last year’s Songkran, held from April 7 to 16, there were 106 accidents in Chonburi with nine fatalities and 108 people injured. Most of the accidents were caused by speeding, cutting across the path of oncoming vehicles, drunk driving, and driving without crash helmets.

Komsan said that to keep the number of road accidents down during this year’s Songkran celebrations, new measures would be implemented.

New procedures have been assigned by the provincial governor in cooperation with the relevant agencies, namely the police, transportation authorities, district public health officials, local administration authorities, the military, private foundations and volunteers. The operatives will carry out their duties under five strategies, namely enforcing the law, traffic engineering, public relations, emergency medical services, and evaluation and communications.

This year, said Komsan, during the Songkran period from April 11 to 17, Chonburi aims to keep the number of accidents to less than 115, although officials are estimating the figure could be as high as 135. The number of deaths should be no higher than 10, according to the strategy, although 11 are estimated. The number of injuries should be kept at below 130, with an outside anticipated figure of 153.


Vendors at New Naklua Market are not meeting hygiene standards says health inspector

Vimolrat Singnikorn

Public health inspectors have said that New Naklua Market does not satisfy hygiene standards because the merchants lack the knowledge to take care of the market.

The area holds water in the walkways, one of the reasons that the new Naklua market does not satisfy hygiene standards.

Pattaya City built the new market last year at a cost of 22 million baht, officially opening the building on November 9. The market currently has more than 20 fresh food stands.

Boobpa Songsakulchai, a Pattaya City technical health officer, says that of the 17 basic regulations governing the standards for a fresh food market, New Naklua Market is only able to pass 11 of them.

The merchants are failing to store goods in the correct manner, there is garbage being left on the floor, and at some stands there is stagnant water. All of this encourages the gathering of rodents.

One of the most important factors is that goods have to be stored at a height of at least 60 centimeters, and merchants are not adhering to this requirement.

Boobpa said that city hall needs to urgently ensure merchants follow the regulations, and those vendors who don’t meet the required standards should not be allowed to trade there.

Bencharong Jangkrajang, a 52-year-old pork vendor at New Naklua Market, said the reputation of the place amongst customers is not good. “Currently, sales are at a low point, and that is not the same as before. It is because the market doesn’t look clean and people will not buy goods.”


CCTV cameras to be mounted outside all 73 branches of 7-Eleven

Police say cameras will cover all key areas of community

Ariyawat Nuamsawat

CCTV cameras are to be installed in front of all 73 branches of 7-Eleven stores in Pattaya, following discussions between Pattaya City Hall and CP Seven Eleven Public Co Ltd.

A meeting was held on March 28, with CP Seven Eleven assistant vice president for government relations Narongsak Poomsrisaard and the company’s advisor Pol Maj Gen Montri Hasbamrer in consultation with Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and Pol Lt Col Sirichai Kruprasertwattana, deputy superintendent of crime suppression at Pattaya Police Station.

Pattaya City has requested the support of 7-Eleven in installing CCTV cameras in front of all 73 branches around Pattaya City as a way of helping to reduce crime.

Pol Lt Col Sirichai said that the high crime rate in the city and the nature of the street crimes make it difficult to collect evidence to make arrests. Cooperation from the private sector is needed to help reduce crime. Motorcycle theft is a very common occurrence, with about 300 motorbikes stolen each month, and there is an average of seven to 10 snatch-and-run crimes committed against visitors each day.

As there are 73 7-Eleven stores in the city, and as they cover every area of the community, usually in a prime location, city hall and the police are asking for permission to install CCTV cameras at every outlet.

Narongsak said that the company is pleased to be of help to society, and that community support is one of the company’s main policies. CCTV cameras are already installed inside the stores, and the company is ready to help with exterior cameras. Discussions would now be held to find a suitable place at every branch in which to install the cameras.


Police bust marijuana-by-mail operation

Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat (left) holds up a photo of alleged drug dealer Paul Bernard McAteer who is now wanted by police. His alleged accomplice, Sanonoi Polcharoen is seated center.

Boonlua Chatree

Banglamung police have arrested a Thai woman and are currently searching for a British man in connection with a drugs-by-mail operation.

The seriousness of the case was underlined by the ranking of the officials who gathered in the meeting room on the second floor of Banglamung Police Station for the April 2 briefing.

Amongst those present were Chonburi Governor Pracha Taerat, Pol Maj Gen Anan Jaroenchasri, superintendent of Chonburi police, Pol Col Noppadon Sornsumrarn, superintendent of Banglamung Police Station, Pol Lt Col Somchai Yossombat, deputy superintendent of investigation, and Pol Maj Nit Withinantakit, investigation inspector.

Miss Sanonoi Polcharoen, 22, of Buriram Province, has been charged with sending narcotics overseas from Thailand. She was arrested in possession of 425 white ecstasy pills, four packs of dried marijuana weighing 4 kilograms, seven cans of dried marijuana weighing 1,750 grams, 325 empty cans, and two sets of weighing scales.

The investigation team at Banglamung Police Station had been led to Sanonoi after the arrest of Miss Amornrat Sakaew, 31, who had been in possession of 30 ecstasy pills. Amornrat confessed she had bought them from Sanonoi.

Police sent in an undercover officer to buy 25 ecstasy pills from her, and set up an appointment in front of a house in the Chokchai Garden Home Village. At the appointed time Sanonoi arrived with the ecstasy, and the investigation team that had surrounded the area identified themselves.

More ecstasy, along with the marijuana and the cans were discovered when the police searched Sanonoi’s home.

Sanonoi said she was working with a man identified as Paul Bernard McAteer, a 43-year-old British national, who she said was her husband. The man fled when Sanonoi was arrested.

Police said the ecstasy and marijuana had been bought from a distributor at the Cambodian border. The ecstasy was sold to foreign tourists and local youngsters in Pattaya City, and the marijuana was allegedly sent by FedEx to customers in Europe and America. The couple bought the cans, put the marijuana in them, and then sealed them to send to customers. Each was for an order of 5 or 10 kilograms. The payments were transferred to a bank account.

McAteer allegedly would contact the foreign customers by himself, and the couple bought a house and land in Pattaya City as a way of laundering part of the proceeds.

Pol Col Noppadon said that the investigation team had monitored the behavior of the accused couple for a long time, but they lacked witnesses and evidence to arrest them. The breakthrough came with the arrest of Amornrat. The police are now working with the British Embassy to track down McAteer.


Canadian, American charged over obscene website

Boonlua Chatree

A Canadian and an American have been arrested on charges of producing materials for a pornographic website from an address in Pattaya, and bringing disrepute upon the Kingdom of Thailand.

John Gilbert Bowen (right) and Kyle Mark Milgram (left) are led away from their apartment during their arrest for uploading porn onto the internet.

Police investigations traced the origins of the website material to a room on the fourth floor of the Argyle Apartment Complex on Pratamnak Road. Armed with an arrest warrant issued by Pattaya Provincial Court, police raided the premises on April 5.

Inside the apartment, which was luxuriously decorated, the officers found three men. They were identified as John Gilbert Bowen, a 60-year-old American citizen, Kyle Mark Milgram, age 30 and of Canadian citizenship, and Paul Saengsuwan, 25, who is of joint Thai and American descent.

The room had been arranged as a large photographic studio, and contained installed video cameras, a stills camera in every corner of the room, and a bed. At the head of the bed were two Buddha images, and there were other Buddha figures in every corner of the room. Wherever photos were taken, Buddha ornaments could be seen.

Also in the room was lighting and audio equipment, and two computers with photo editing equipment. There were costumes, phalluses, whips, and other sexual toys, and there were also Thai traditional costumes and the tail feathers of a kinaree. Police also found videotapes and CDs, and when they searched the computers they found pictures of perverse sexual acts between men, men who dressed like women, and naked women in many poses. The Buddha figures were clearly visible in the backgrounds of the pictures.

A computer specialist searched the internet and confirmed there were many websites that had advertisements significantly damaging the image of Thailand.

The three men were taken to Pattaya Police Station for questioning. Saengsuwan said he was not involved in the production of obscene materials but that he could provide information. Police therefore questioned him as a witness. Bowen and Milgram admitted that they produced the pictures and that the materials were sent to a website. However, they stated that people who visited the website did so of their own accord. There were no less than 1,000 people a day visiting the site, and they did so at their own risk according to the regulations in their own countries. The accused men said they were not responsible for who viewed the content.

The police told the two accused that Thailand has culture, moral principles, and good traditions. Thailand is not a country that produces vulgar media that damages the image of the country.

Selling pornography is a crime in Thailand. The suspects face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of 6,000 baht.

The two men were charged with producing and selling obscene materials, and arrangements were made to have them deported.


Locksmith may hold key to hotel room robbery

Boonlua Chatree

Locksmiths are under suspicion by the police after a French family had their hotel room ransacked and their money and passports stolen.

Pattaya Police Station received a report just after midnight on April 4 that Room 346 of a hotel on Second Road Soi 5 had been burgled. Officers and forensic specialists went to investigate.

At the scene they found 41-year-old French citizen Daniel Pappas and his wife. Their suitcases had been ransacked and their belongings were scattered all over the room. The missing property included 4,500 euros and five passports. Officers took fingerprints from the room to check with records.

Pappas told officers that he and his wife and three children had come to Pattaya for a holiday. The children stayed in the room next door while he and his wife stayed in Room 346. On this evening he had taken the family out for a meal and on their return they found that thieves had taken their passports and the cash.

The door had not been forced, and when the police questioned hotel staff they were told that three days previously the hotel had hired locksmiths to replace the door locks on Room 346 and three other rooms. Police are now investigating the locksmiths and questioning staff members.


Tourism Authority of Thailand stages good hosting seminar

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn presents the opening speech at a seminar conducted at city hall on the subject of being a good host.

Narisa Nitikarn

The Tourism Authority of Thailand in cooperation with Pattaya City Hall on March 29 conducted a seminar on the subject of being a good host, with an audience of 300 people associated with the tourism industry.

Held at Pattaya City Hall, the seminar was hosted by Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, who also presented the opening speech.

Kulpramote Wannalert, director of the TAT’s tourism training network division, spoke on the objectives of the seminar, saying that Thai people have the natural advantages of being helpful and courteous, and having a bright smile. By using these qualities with tourists, a favorable image is created and visitors feel genuinely welcome.

Niran said that tourists always appreciate practical help. For example, he said, when a tourist is seen having problems reading a map, then an offer to help would be well received. It all goes towards building an image of Pattaya as being a world-class destination.

Another speaker at the seminar, Jirarat Mee-Ngam, said that as hosts, the people of Pattaya could create opportunities in which to be pleasant and helpful. Simply by smiling and being polite, and offering prompt service when dealing directly with tourists is a very good starting point, said Jirarat.


Former fashion model speaks of life after brain hemorrhage

Former model Linda Khatancharoen (2nd right) spoke with the audience and doctors from the Neuroscience Center and Rehabilitation Center at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya about the difficulties of facing life after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, and Duentem Salitul (3rd right), a close friend that has taken care of her ever since, also spoke of the problems to be faced.

Narisa Nitikarn

A former fashion model was guest speaker at a seminar on cerebral hemorrhage organized by Bangkok Hospital Pattaya on March 31.

Hospital director Dr Pirus Pradithavanij gave the opening speech, and amongst the guests were Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, the mayor’s chief advisor Itthipol Khunplome, former member of parliament for Chonburi Chanyuth Hengtrakul, and Thanet Supornsahasrungsri, former president of the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association.

During the seminar, a discussion was held between specialist doctors at the hospital’s Neuroscience Center and Rehabilitation Center.

Former model Linda Khatancharoen spoke about the difficulties of facing life after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage, and Duentem Salitul, a close friend that has taken care of her ever since also spoke of the problems to be faced.

Strokes can happen to people of either gender and of any age, but those particularly at risk are people suffering from serious stress, those who smoke or have high blood pressure, and those who have had heart disease.

The seminar was told that with the right exercise and nutrition the risks of a stroke could be minimized. In the event of someone suffering a stroke, the symptoms include numbness in the arms and legs followed by loss of consciousness, because some brain signals are not being transmitted. Urgent hospital treatment within three hours is necessary, said Dr Pirus.

Linda suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in the middle of February 2004, after she fell and hit her head on the bathroom floor. She had a blood clot 5 centimeters in diameter on her brain stem. Doctors were able to operate and remove the blood clot, which saved her life. She had to stay in the hospital for five months, but she received good moral support from her friends in the entertainment business and from relatives. Duentem, a well-known actress, is a close friend who has taken good care of her subsequently.


Police ban water throwing on Sukhumvit during Songkran holiday

Set up roadblocks to test for drunk drivers

Vimolrat Singnikorn

Pattaya police are warning Songkran revelers to stay away from Sukhumvit Road during April 18 and 19, saying that water throwing will not be allowed there, in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion and road accidents.

Police have set up roadblocks throughout the city and will be checking for drunk drivers.

Traffic inspector Pol Maj Pitakpong Krongchon said that each year the traffic along Sukhumvit during Wan Lai becomes chaotic, all the way from Laem Chabang to Jomtien. This year, he said, the traffic police committee has decided there will not be any allowance for water players in trucks to drive on the Sukhumvit highway. People can still enjoy their water splashing in the city areas and sois.

Some roads that are normally two-way will be converted to a one-way traffic flow during this period, such as the Naklua Road and some sois in Banglamung.

PVC water pipes would not be allowed for spraying water this year, as there have been so many cases in past years in which reckless water players have sprayed water into the faces of motorcycle riders, causing accidents.

Somchai Wattana of the Chonburi Public Health Department said that in an effort to reduce the usually high accident toll over the holiday, there is a strategy within the province of imposing speed limits, checking for blood alcohol levels, ensuring seatbelts and safety helmets are worn, and spot-checking for driver licenses.


German Ambassador meets Pattaya entrepreneurs

Peter Nordhues

The German Embassy held a consultation meeting with German nationals at the Amari Orchid Resort on March 27, with staff providing answers to the many questions posed.

German Ambassador Dr Christoph Brmmer met with business people for lunch, taking the opportunity to outline his views on the current situation in Thailand.

As usual with these meetings, Austrian Honorary Consul Rudolf Hofer was also present to advise Austrian and Swiss residents.

Subsequent to the consultation, German Ambassador Dr Christoph Brmmer met with business people for lunch, taking the opportunity to outline his views on the current situation in Thailand and to talk about the German aid project program.

Dr Brmmer started by describing the extra workload created for the embassy by Germany’s current presidency over the European Union. “Over and above our already wide-ranging tasks, we are now representing the European Union in Thailand. Unfortunately, we were not granted additional staff or agents to cope with the situation. Yet, we will meet all requirements,” he said with a smile.

The ambassador then analyzed Thailand’s political situation, perceiving it to be difficult. In his opinion, there has not been a political agenda since last year’s coup. This particularly affects the local economy. The control measures on capital flows as well as the Foreign Business Act triggered a fair bit of confusion and uncertainty. The impression of an antipathy to foreign investors accrued. Into the bargain comes a revision of the rate of economic growth. Admittedly, endeavors are underway to restore the confidence of foreign investors.

Slumps in the tourism industry are registered. Vietnam becomes a more and more serious competitor in this sector as well as in economic matters. The international community assesses Vietnam’s economic prospects as outstanding.

The vicious circle of violence in the Deep South is on the increase, implying more destabilization to come. The Bangkok bombings at the turn of the year contributed to the incertitude among foreigners and locals.

Public unrest is on the rise. Another critical issue is the January 19 acclamation of a new constitution. According to nationwide polls, 64 percent of the people, including Bangkok residents, have no use for the ballot. What will happen if opponents start an anti-constitution campaign that leads to a majority objection? The crisis would bolster up even more.

Then, there are also other opinions like, for instance, from Abhisit Vejjajiva. The chairman of the Democratic Party has revealed his own unease to an assembly of European ambassadors. The fact that Thailand finds itself in a politically unstable period can’t be glossed over.

In his conclusion, Dr Brmmer went into details of some current matters. After some difficulties, the charter for the benevolent society taking care of German natives in Thailand who find themselves in emergency situations through no fault of their own finally found acceptance. Now, it has the status of a non-profit society. A distribution committee has been appointed.

The German Embassy is closely cooperating with the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). Together, they take action against cases of sexual abuse of children. All suspicious activity should be reported to the relevant officials. The German Embassy will also help.

Meanwhile, announced Dr Brmmer, the “party of Germans” will take place in Bangkok on October 20. More details will be delivered at a later date.


Bargirl possessed by spirit threatens to jump off building

Boonlua Chatree

A bargirl who was said by her colleagues to be usually perfectly normal ran amok in the early hours of April 3 and threatened to jump off the building.

La-Or Janwattana went mad when a child doll spirit allegedly possessed her.

Police were called out to the Tiger Beer Bar on the Pattaya-Naklua Road. The bar is housed in a four-story commercial building, with the bar on the ground floor and the upper floors used as lodgings for the staff members. On the third floor an employee named Mrs La-Or Janwattana, a 32-year-old native of Nakhorn Sawan Province, was found smashing a slatted window.

The officers tried to persuade her to stop, but she used a broom to hit out at them and they had to back off. She was speaking in a child’s voice saying, “I was taken to be fed and taken care of, but I am not full and now they leave me.” Then she ran to the balcony of the room and threatened to jump. The police rushed her and managed to subdue her. La-Or was then taken to Banglamung Hospital for treatment.

Another staff member at the bar, 24-year-old Miss Patcharin Mahawong, told police that La-Or wasn’t crazy, didn’t take narcotics, and didn’t smoke. Sometimes she drank whiskey when she was sitting with a customer, but that was all. Before the incident La-Or had been speaking normally, and then suddenly it was as if a spirit had possessed her. She stood up and her expression changed. She started hitting the other staff members, and the customers fled. Staff tried to restrain her, but she threw them off and ran upstairs to the third floor.

La-Or’s friends said that during the evening she had been in a normal mental state, and was planning on making merit to celebrate her birthday on April 3. They believe a baby spirit doll that belonged to La-Or’s friend had possessed her. The friend had been staying in the same room, and had received the doll from a mystic in Chonburi. She had placed it on the Buddhist shrine shelf in the room, but then five days ago she had left the bar and had not taken the doll with her.


It rained today…

Reader Mike Burke sent us this photo with a note stating, “I thought you might like this picture taken on Sukhumvit at around 3 p.m. this afternoon.” The tropical rain in question came down “in buckets” on Monday, April 9. It appears that no matter how hard city hall tries, they just can’t seem to solve the flooding problem every time there’s a heavy downpour.


Question Box

Question: Jomtien Observer asks: It is just a few weeks since the two young Russian ladies were so brutally murdered on Jomtien Beach and yet, within the last two weeks, there have been two snatch thefts in this area that I am personally aware of. One I observed myself from a beach restaurant, when two men on a motorbike snatched a necklace from a woman riding pillion on another motorcycle. This was in broad daylight at about 11 a.m. The other happened to a young lady acquaintance who was dining at a local restaurant when a thief came up from behind and grabbed her gold chain. I have no doubt that many other instances have happened of which I am unaware. My question is: What are the police doing to cut down on this type of criminal activity? We have seen just a slight increase in the joint police/military patrols in this area of Jomtien. Would it not be possible to let some plain-clothes officers also patrol the streets here day and night perhaps posing as motorcycle taxi drivers or delivery boys? I would think this would be very effective.

Answer: Pol Col Sutin Suppuang, superintendent of Pattaya Police Station was the first to reply: “We need residents to be our eyes and ears. After the shocking incident in which the two young Russian tourists were murdered on Jomtien Beach, Pattaya police combined with many other departments in hunting down the gunman and finally brought him to face justice.

“We fully appreciate that many people wonder if they can be safe in Pattaya. The police department never rests in its duty to keep the peace for residents and visitors, but we know that the number of officers available to patrol a very large city area and protect a very large number of people can never be enough.

“So it is the great wish of myself and every police officer in Pattaya that members of the public work with us in increasing the level of security by keeping their eyes and ears open at all times and reporting any doubtful actions to the nearest officers.”

Pattaya City Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn also commented: “The police are fully responsible for keeping the peace and providing safety for the people. The city supports the police with funding, and gives them every support. Arrangements were recently made to have a combined force of Pattaya police and military officers working together in monitoring the city, and this has proved to be very effective.

“However, manpower is sometimes not enough, especially in instances of street crime such as snatch-and-run theft. This is why we have installed more CCTV cameras. They can be a very effective tool, both in preventing crime and in tracing the perpetrators when a crime is committed. City officials are regularly checking the condition of the cameras and trimming tree branches that might block the cameras’ angle in some areas.

“The shooting incident was a very shocking one. It was one of the worst crimes ever committed here. Now we have to learn from this, and try to prevent anything like it ever happening again.”