Boonlua Chatree
Five men have been arrested for the killing of a karaoke lounge hostess whose body was found under a bed in an apartment building near the Siam Country Club on October 4.

With police watching closely, Suwit (foreground) and Kusulaiman reenact the murder.
Police had been searching for a man described as being overweight and narrow-eyed, who was believed to have been the last person to see the deceased alive, and a man fitting his description has been named as the ringleader.
Ms Weeruna Samniang, also known as Noi or Pingping, age 28 and a resident of Payao had been a receptionist at Mona Lisa Karaoke, an entertainment venue for Korean people, located on the Pattaya-Naklua Road opposite the Star Dice Pub. Her killers had bound her hands and feet and strangled her, hiding her body under her bed in room number 108 at the For Men Apartment, in Porn Prapanimith Road, near the Siam Country Club Golf Course.
During preliminary investigations police gathered a description of a man who was believed to have been the last person to visit the deceased woman’s room. He was described as being overweight, narrow-eyed, longhaired, standing about 170 cm tall, and with a tattoo on his arm. The man had driven away in a gold Toyota Vios that had belonged to the dead woman.
Pol Lt Gen Jetanakorn Napeetapat, commander of Police Region 2, formed an investigation team that included Pol Maj Gen Bandit Kunajak, commander of the Chonburi Provincial Police and his deputy Pol Col Pairat Supasawat, and Pol Col Sarayut Sa-Nguanpokai, superintendent at Banglamung Police Station.
Investigations allowed the team to draw up a list of five prime suspects who were staying at a rented room in Central Pattaya, and warrants of arrest were obtained from Pattaya Provincial Court on October 12. Armed with the warrants, police entered the premises while the suspects were asleep in the room, and took them to Banglamung Police Station for questioning.
The five were identified as Suwit Chokdee, a Rayong resident age 23 and also known as Ai Tatee, Big or Ai Pai; Kusulaiman Sanya, 24, of Satul; Charoen Kongfuk, 25, of Chonburi; Thikorn Kosum, 24, of Prachinburi; and Atid Intholo, 15, of Rayong. Police discovered in their possession a blue-grey Nokia 1112 cellphone that had belonged to Weeruna.
All five confessed to the murder, saying that the purpose was to steal the dead woman’s property.
Police took the five men to re-enact the crime at the For Men Apartment. Suwit admitted to carrying out the killing, saying he had tied Weeruna’s hands and feet with rope and used the tether of a kangaroo bag to strangle her. Kusulaiman helped him put the body under the bed. The dead woman’s car was then driven to a used car lot in Rayong, where the killers tried to sell it for 50,000 baht. The car dealer deducted 9,000 baht from this amount, knowing the vehicle to have been stolen. Therefore there was only 41,000 baht to divide five ways.
Pol Lt Gen Jetanakorn said the five men had previously worked together at New York Karaoke on Soi Buakao. Suwit, who knew Weeruna, formed the murder plan with the intention of stealing her car and selling it. After the killing, the five had divided the money and stayed together until the police came knocking.

Young wives at high risk of contracting HIV says health ministry

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Thailand’s young wives are at high risk of contracting AIDS, says the Ministry of Public Health, owing to their partners straying and not using condoms.

Dr Mongkol na Songkla, Minister of Public Health.
The ministry puts the risk factor at high for at least 45 percent of young single people and young married women.
A seminar was staged on October 5 at Pattaya City Hall by the ministry in association with the National Health Insurance Bureau in the Rayong area, the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center, and the ITV television station.
The purpose of the seminar was to exchange opinions, experiences and advice on the treatment of HIV-related medical problems. Dr Mongkol na Songkla, Minister of Public Health chaired the seminar, which was attended by Chonburi hospital officers.
Dr Mongkol said that in 2007 the accumulated data showed that there were 1,102,628 AIDS cases in Thailand, of which 546,576 were still alive. During this year, 14,000 new patients have been recorded. The majority are teenagers and housewives, in the latter case 45 percent having contracted the HIV virus from their spouses.
The results of data for 2006 from the Epidemiology Bureau on HIV prevention amongst pre-college students found that 21 percent of juveniles had sexual experience, and that 12 percent were female. Only 25 percent of Thai juveniles used condoms, of which 11 percent were female. This was because they trusted their sexual partners.
The number of patients receiving anti-HIV medicine is continuously increasing. In August this year, 138,726 patients took anti-HIV medicine under the care of the Ministry of Public Health.

Pattaya takes stand at Moscow show

(From left) Akarawit Thaepasit, assistant director of TAT Central Region 3 Office, Satit Nilawong, assistant director TAT Southern Region Office, Thai ambassador to Russia Supot Theerakaosal and Witsanu Charoensilp,
director of TAT in Moscow.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Pattaya had an extensive presence in Russia at Leisure 2007, the travel and lifestyle exhibition held in Moscow, to promote tourism to the Russians, currently Pattaya’s largest overseas market.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 3 Office organized the Pattaya stand at the show, which took place over the period September 24 to 29.
During last year, 482,587 Russian tourists visited Pattaya, an increase of 39.44 percent over the 2005 figure. This year, during the first two-thirds of the year, there have already been 558,608 Russian visitors. From hotel reservation data and primary data from tourism agencies, it is already known that Russia is now Pattaya’s largest single market.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn, Pattaya City permanent secretary Sittiprap Muangkoom, and deputy city clerk Sutham Petket joined Chaiwat Charoensuk, director of TAT Central Region 3 Office and assistant director Akarawit Thaepasit on the visit to Moscow.
On September 26, 2007, the Thai ambassador to Russia, Supot Theerakaosal, visited the Pattaya stand and recommended that the city should hold a festival at least once a year, due to the interest amongst Russian people in visiting Thailand.

Color-coded vests handed out as motorcycle taxi riders register

Organizing system necessary to prevent criminal activity

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
More than 7,000 motorcycle taxi riders in Pattaya are being issued with new-style waistcoats as part of the program to ensure that proper identification and documentation is registered for each rider and that consequently the system is better supervised.

Pratheep Jongsuebtham (left), Banglamung district chief, and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn (2nd left) distribute the motorbike taxi waistcoats.

In a separate move, about 200 motorbike taxi riders registered with the police on October 13, which was National Police Day, to act as volunteers in the crackdown against street crime, the riders offering to act in conjunction with the police in reporting suspicious behavior.
On October 10 at Pattaya City Hall, Banglamung district chief clerk Pratheep Jongsuebtham and Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn distributed waistcoats to the motorcycle taxi riders in Banglamung District who went along to register their details and obtain new licenses.
The taxis have been divided into four zones, each zone designated by its own color. Yellow signifies the North Pattaya Zone, from Soi Photisarn to Central Pattaya; green is for the Central Pattaya Zone, from Central Pattaya to South Pattaya; red is for the South Pattaya Zone, from South Pattaya to Walking Street; and blue is for the Jomtien Zone, from the Thepprasit-Dongtan Curve to the Pattaya City limits.
Pratheep said that Pattaya City has a budget of 860,125 baht for Banglamung District to organize the motorcycle taxis. Regulations stipulate that all riders register their driving records and identity cards before they are issued with the new vests.
He said that there are about 7,000 motorbike taxi riders at 676 ranks. The information is registered with the Land Traffic Department.
“There have been criminal elements hiding amongst the taxi riders and crimes have been committed against visitors,” said Pratheep. “If there is no official registration, then that is a weak point in the system and there is no way of preventing criminal activity.”
Pol Col Sutin Suppuang, superintendent at Pattaya Police Station said that the riders who registered to act as police volunteers are in a unique position to act as the eyes and ears of regular police officers.
“They will be able to do a very valuable job in helping to monitor the streets,” he said. “Pattaya Police Station does not have enough officers to patrol every area on a 24-hour basis, and the motorcycle riders are continually on the streets, observing everything.”
The volunteers have been briefed on watching out for suspicious characters and reporting to the police station.

ICCA Congress is an opportunity to showcase city as events venue says deputy mayor

(From left) Panga Vathanakul (MD of Royal Cliff), Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay, Deputy Governor Chatpong Chatphuti, Natwut Amornvivat, president of the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB, and Pisai Panomwan Na Ayutthaya, member of the Pattaya City Council, cooperatively announce the event.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The 46th ICCA Congress and Exhibition that will take place in Pattaya over the period October 27 to 31 will be an ideal occasion to promote the city as an international meetings and events venue and is also a growing sign that the city is already taking its rightful place on the world stage, says Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay.
Verawat was speaking at a press briefing at Pattaya City Hall on October 9, announcing the arrangements for the congress that will take place at PEACH, in the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
He said that 80 countries will be sending more than 700 representatives, which would generate at least 70 million baht in revenue, in addition to providing a showcase for the city to promote itself in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.
Verawat added that city hall was working in cooperation with the police to clear away vehicle rental services and prostitutes from the seafront, saying that this presents a negative image of the city.
The Thailand Conventions and Exhibition Bureau believes that Pattaya has the potential to increase its MICE business eightfold over the next few years.

Students to attend camp in anti-drugs campaign

(From left) Pattaya deputy clerk Chanatpong Juabmee, Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon and Thawatchai Rattathanyu, Pattaya’s Education Department director.

Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
A campaign launched by Pattaya Education Department to try and prevent the spread of drug taking amongst schoolchildren includes a spell at an educational camp for more than 1,500 youngsters to make them aware of the dangers of narcotics.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon on October 3 held a meeting at Pattaya School No 8 for the directors of all 10 schools under Pattaya City jurisdiction along with all department heads within the Education Department. Pattaya deputy clerk Chanatpong Juabmee also attended.
Wattana said that a campaign amongst the schools was important because drug problems amongst the young are spreading. The city has a responsibility to protect its young people, who represent the future, and to make them aware of the dangers of taking drugs.
A project has been launched in which children at the primary school class 6 level from all 10 schools will participate. A total of 1,500 students will be divided into five groups who will attend a series of educational camps near Yanasangwararam Temple in Sattahip.
The first group will consist of students from schools 2 and 3, who will attend the camp from November 13 to 15. The second group will be drawn from schools 4 and 5, attending camp on November 19 to 21. The third group, from schools 6 and 7, will attend from December 18 to 20. The fourth group, from schools 8 and 10, will be at camp from December 24 to 26, while the fifth group, from schools 9 and 1, will attend from December 27 to 29.

Sanctuary gears up for high season

Bunsrang happily jumps through a ring.

Ariyawat Nuamsawat
The Sanctuary of Truth has organized a number of new activities for the tourism high season during the last quarter of this year, along with a special discount ticket that covers the period October 15 to December 25.

Bunrod greets a tourist with a kiss.
Samruay Krirkpongpun, director of sales and marketing said that one of the main attractions is the dolphin show that takes place twice a day, at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Two dolphins originating from the Gulf of Thailand, a seven-year-old Irrawadee Dolphin named Bunsrang and a 22-year-old Bottlenose Dolphin named Bunrod are the stars of the show.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy other activities on the 80 rai of open land next to the Sanctuary, including horse and elephant riding, and Thai martial arts.
The sanctuary is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be contacted on 038 367229-30 or go to www. sanctuaryoftruth.com for more information.

Language is the key to success says German ambassador

Michael Albers
Members of DSU-Treff, the German-speaking business club, gathered at Hans Fine Dining on Third Road on October 2 for their regular monthly meeting.
Chairwoman Elfi Seitz introduced the German ambassador to Thailand, Dr Christoph Brümmer, to the members. His Excellency was accompanied by Gerhard Einheuser, head of the Consulate, and Reinhard Mecke, third secretary of Consular Affairs.

DSU-Treff Chairwoman Elfi Seitz interviews German ambassador to Thailand, Dr Christoph Brümmer for Pattaya Mail Television.

Elfi said that in order to strengthen ties to Pattaya, Dr Brümmer has been traveling to the resort quite frequently.
Unfortunately, the bilateral relationship between Thailand and Germany has come to a standstill following the coup d’etat. This was partly due to the exaggerated response of the EU countries following the changeover of power, Dr Brümmer said.
He had recently met with Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrats, who explained that the ecological aspect would play a major role in the party’s manifesto. The Foreign Business Act (FBA) and the investment control measures would be revoked. Thailand should open its market to foreign investors again. With the kingdom’s statutory restrictions, competitors like Vietnam and Malaysia are growing larger and larger. The ambassador said, however, that it is unclear at this point how these plans would be put into practice. Currently, it doesn’t look as if one political party can win an absolute majority.
Dr Brümmer kindly took time to answer questions. An interesting debate about the residential guidelines for foreigners to the EU arose. Thais who want to move to an EU member country for the purpose of marriage have to establish proof of rudimentary language skills prior to their departure. This way, the ability of basic communication in everyday life in the host country is ensured. There are about 100,000 Thai-German married couples, said the ambassador.
It goes without saying that a language course is an absolute necessity, he said. A1-Level language skills of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) must be proven. People who acquire a vocabulary of about 600 words and who can express specific needs in basic grammar should not have a problem in passing. It is an advantage if applicants possess basic writing skills, such as those needed for filling in forms.
Preparatory German courses are offered by the Goethe-Institut in Bangkok as well as in many private schools all over Thailand. Examinations for German courses are, however, exclusively taken directly at the Goethe-Institut. The multimedia self-instruction set “redaktion-D” is available on CD-ROM, enabling those interested to acquire basic language skills from home. The examination fee for the A1 certificate is 6,600 baht. Intensive courses can take about four to eight weeks.
In order to grant the ambassador some time to eat, Gerhard Einheuser and Reinhard Mecke stood in for him and supplemented the lecture with interesting details.
Dr Raimund Cerny concluded the afternoon. The media director of the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce gave a brief PowerPoint review on the wine journey to Germany, which was covered in all the main international newspapers of Thailand.