Unannounced security drill
frightens witnesses to machine gun ‘attack’
An apparent security drill frightened residents near the
Cholchan Pattaya Resort Saturday who didn’t realize the “attack” on a
limousine by men with automatic rifles wasn’t real.
Baht bus driver Sam-ang Nongyai, 54, reported to police
Saturday he was waiting to pick up customers on Sukhumvit Road near the
hotel north of Naklua when a black Mercedes-Benz pulled out of the resort
with a four-man escort. Suddenly a Toyota pickup pulled up and a man with an
M16 machine gun started shooting at the sedan. The loud gunfire scared
nearly all in the area.
Both cars sped off, leaving residents fearful and
wondering what had occurred.
Police, however, could not find any evidence of
ammunition on the road and suspected that it was a security drill
implemented by the military and used blank bullets in the exercise.
Annoyed police officials wondered aloud why they were not
informed of such a disruptive drill.
Necklace snatch victim
gets payback
A victim of a necklace grab got payback as well as his
girlfriend’s jewelry Wednesday, March 9 after he caught up with the alleged
teenage thief.
Methani Fusarikit, 17, was taken into custody by
Banglamung Police at the Janpen Apartments on Soi Mabyailia 24 around 7:30
p.m. after Kanika Srikanya, 24, alerted them to an attempted necklace
snatch.
The 24-year-old victim said she and her boyfriend were
driving back to their room when Methani rode by on his Honda Wave and
snatched her 50-satang chain from her neck. She fell from the bike, but her
unnamed boyfriend chased after the teen and knocked him to the ground.
Grabbed by witnesses, Methani received first aid for his
injuries before being snatched up by police and taken to Banglamung Police
Station.
Banglamung police make
large drug haul
Banglamung police netted a large haul of methamphetamines
when they arrested one member of a local drug gang during an alleged
delivery in Pattaya.
Thipawan Na Patalung, 34, was taken into custody with
1,800 ya ba tablets and 60 g. of ya ice at a McDonald’s restaurant near Mini
Siam on Sukhumvit Road March 7.
Police said Thipawan was being watched by suspected
fellow gang members from a white Isuzu pickup truck. While they allegedly
were there to provide security, the suspected former government officials
sped off when police arrived, leaving her stranded.
Burning butt starts fire
in Central Pattaya
A teenager who threw his cigarette butt out the window of
his apartment apparently set the building on fire.
Firefighters were called to the R-Con Apartments on Soi
Doodee around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 to extinguish clothes burning on a
veranda.
Somchai Kaewchol, 17, confessed he’d been smoking in his
room and threw the lit butt outside when he was done. The butt hit clothes
hanging on a line and started burning. The karaoke bar staffer said he’d
tried to douse the flames, but needed professional help … and an ashtray.
Heart-broken gay bar
worker in apparent suicide
Police say heartache may have prompted a worker in a
local gay bar to hang himself in a Banglamung apartment Tuesday, March 8.
Jakrit Somboon, 23, was found at the Way Apartments on
Soi Khao Talo 4 around 9 p.m. hung by a white cloth from a closet clothes
rack. Drug paraphernalia was scattered across the bed.
Jakrit’s former lover, 23-year-old Supachai Acharawadi,
told police the two men had dated for about a year, but broke up recently
when Jakrit alleged Supachai was seeing a woman. He claimed, however, they
still remained friends.
Supachai said he was informed of his ex-lover’s death by
friend Amnaj Janwong, 22, who was also at the scene. Police estimated Jakrit
had been dead about eight hours.
Police speculated the Nong Khai native was still
heartbroken and had been using drugs before deciding to kill himself.
Motorbike theft not what
it seems
Police say two men who claimed their motorbike was stolen
in a random hold-up in fact had their wheels stolen by the drug dealer they
went to buy ya ba from.
Thanakorn Putaka, 17, and Seksan Priprem, 31, filed a
report Thursday with Pattaya Police that their Honda Wave was stolen by four
mystery men on Soi Jurarat and Thepprasit Road.
After searching the area and finding little evidence of
any holdup, police separated the two supposed victims to get more details.
Under questioning, Seksan caved and admitted the two men made up the story
to save face.
In fact, police reported that Seksan said the two men had
gone to the soi to buy ya ba from a dealer named Bass. The dealer said he
needed to borrow Seksan’s bike to fetch the drugs, but he never came back.
Seksan said he was afraid what his mother-in-law would do
to him and called on police help, but had tried to hide his motive for being
on the soi in the first place.
Public health worker
catches burglar in house
A Pattaya public health worker caught a burglar trying to
rob his home.
Lilai Piansu, 52, alerted police Wednesday that he’d
nabbed Dechsak Saejang, 25, trying to steal valuables. The suspected thief
and intended victim were acquainted.
Police said the Trat native admitted to knowing Lilai
well and had envied the many Buddhist amulets in his house. So after Lilai
went to work, he attempted break in and steal 200 of the amulets. He didn’t
expect Lilai to come home early.
Chinese tourist drowns off
Koh Larn
Theerarak Suthathiwong
A Chinese tourist drowned after suffering leg cramps
while swimming off Koh Larn.
Geo Qinglong, 58, was pronounced dead at Bali Hai Pier
March 3. The Chinese man had no obvious signs of blunt force trauma and had
been dead about an hour.
Koh Larn lifeguards said they’d given Qinglong first aid
after rescuing him off Tawan Beach. Medics speculated he’d had leg cramps,
causing him to drown. Although Qinglong was alive after being pulled from
the sea, he died en route to the hospital in Pattaya.
