Immigration warns foreigners against illegal visa extensions

Do it right, pay a fine - do it wrong, face jail

Police Colonel Jiraphun Issarankul Na Ayuthaya, Head of the Immigration Bureau in Pattaya, is warning foreigners to be cautious with whom they get their visa extensions. Immigration has received reports that there are certain private companies who do not go through the proper or legal channels when processing visa extensions.

Police Colonel Jiraphun Issarankul Na Ayuthaya.

On the 17th of April they arrested three foreigners on the grounds that the visa stamp on their passport did not look genuine. They were British, Syrian and German nationals. The foreigners admitted that they did not actually leave the country when their visas were extended. They said they gave their passports to a private company in Pattaya to do it for them for convenience sake. The service cost six to eight thousand Baht per extension.

Colonel Jiraphun gave a brief explanation of the legalities of foreigners extending their visas:

1. Should the visa expire, the holder should get an extension at the immigration office in Pattaya. In this case the holder of the passport will be fined 200 Baht for each day of overstay, not exceeding 20,000 Baht.

2. In the case where the passport holder hires a company to extend his/her visa for him/her without him/her leaving the country, the passport holder will not be fined for overstay, but will instead be arrested, charged and will have to stand trial.

Colonel Jiraphun continued, saying that 60 day tourist visas and 90 day non-immigrant visas can be extended for the same length of time once more, and that he has the final say whether or not he will extend a visa.

Pattaya police implement changes

New policies to “better protect and serve the public”

Police Colonel Pinit Sacharoen, Superintendent of the Pattaya Police, called together 65 police commissioners for a meeting to disclose and discuss new regulations laid down by the Commander in charge. The meeting was also to review plans to better protect and serve the public. Furthermore, he discussed the need to fine-tune means of assisting the problems tourists face and to bring internal operation procedures up to standard.

Pattaya’s top policemen gather to implement recent changes to the department.

The Pattaya police station has recently undergone both external and internal refurbishing. Delegation of the responsibilities of each department have also been reassigned.

Police have now been posted to different sections, such as an investigation counter, an inquiry counter, a counter for lodging reports, a counter for recording reports on a daily basis, a fines counter, a public relations counter and a "Officer on duty" counter.

Security cameras have also be installed in several areas of the police station.

Police are no longer allowed to park directly outside the police station, and should park in such a manner to make it easy to drive off in case of emergency.

As for the suppression division, they need to immediately follow up and record incidents reported by foreigners.

Lastly, the police station now looks more appealing and courteous than before.

Pattaya’s marketing plans for “Down Under”

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, in conjunction with the city council, have embarked on an aggressive marketing plan to increase tourism from Australia and New Zealand.

This will take the form of a "Road Show" of Pattaya’s tourist attractions that will tour Sydney and Melbourne on the Australian leg, then Auckland and Rotorua in New Zealand.

Councilor Sutham Panthusak said that it has been some years since there has been any direct marketing, and tourist numbers from "Down Under" have fallen.

The meeting was attended by tourism and hospitality representatives, including Khun Sopin Thappajug from the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association.

The T.A.T. has agreed to produce a video of Pattaya’s attractions to be screened on the Road Show, whilst Thai Airways will be the principal sponsor of the air travel. The Pattaya Mail will be involved in producing a tourism booklet or magazine to inform the Australian and New Zealanders of our city and its much improved facilities.

It is hoped that by sending the Road Show during June, the southern winter, the promise of our warm climate will be an additional attraction for potential visitors to Pattaya.

The Road Show committee says that their plans are well underway for the trip and they have co-opted some Australians based here as advisors for the project. This is certainly a forward step for our administrators that should benefit Pattaya and the economy of this region.

“Greatest Charity Football Competition” raises over 100,000 Baht

They weren’t necessarily the area’s top athletes, but they did put on a show. And although only one goal was scored in the match itself, the main goal of the competition was definitely scored.

The VIP Team, led by Somchai Khunpluem (Kamnan Poh) trudged out onto the football field only to be defeated 1-0 by the Stars team.

On Sunday, April 25th at Pattaya School #7, the all-star team of Maeng Po Lo Kluen defeated VIP Chonburi 1-0 in what was being billed as the "Greatest Charity Football Match".

The match itself may not have been "great", but the over 100,000 baht raised for local schools certainly was.

The main goal of the match was to raise funds for school children in order to modernize 10 schools in Pattaya as, "Many of the schools in Pattaya are still desperately lacking study equipment."

Pattaya Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat headed a committee of local dignitaries to both organize and participate in the match. The VIP Chonburi team was made up of these local dignitaries, while the Maeng Po Lo Kluen team was stocked with some of Thailand’s brightest stars.

Somchai Khunpluem (Kamnan Poh), Mayor of Saensak Municipality, chaired the opening.

The atmosphere of the match was reportedly exhilarating and entertaining. In particular, the V.I.P team who, by the looks of it, must have benefited from the much needed exercise as their bellies bounced just as much as the football itself. However, the cheering of the crowd kept them persevering until the end of the game.

Although Maeng Po Lo Kluen won the match, the true winners were the students of Pattaya schools who will receive new computers and study equipment bought with the funds raised from this, the "Greatest Charity Football Match".

Indigent dies of chest illness

Lacked money for proper medical care

On the 22nd of April, Officer Somchai Noppasree from the investigation division of Pattaya police received a report that a dead man was found in an isolated field on Second Road.

The area is usually occupied by people who collect garbage from the streets for resale, and by drug addicts. It has become a no man’s land at night.

Police questioned Boonma Sukpreasert, an employee working at the beach, who told police that he knew the deceased as "Lek". The deceased had made a living selling old and discarded rubbish and garments at traffic lights around the city.

Boonma continued, saying that Lek contracted a disease in his chest some time ago. He had no relatives or family, only a girlfriend who lived in Bangkok. Boonma said he tried to help him by feeding him and looking after him, and that some people pitied him and sent him to the hospital.

Doctors gave him some medicine, but it didn’t help as he couldn’t afford to continue. He experienced increasing pain until one day when Boonma went to check on him he realized that he had passed away.

Police recorded the incident and took the body to the Boriboon Foundation to await a relative to claim the body.

Danish tourist arrested for rape

Molested two 13 year old boys

Ib Axel Jensen, age 67, from Copenhagen Denmark was arrested this week for allegedly continuously molesting two 13 year old boys.

Two 13 year old boys point to 67 year old lb Axel Jensen, who they accuse of sexually abusing them.

A local accomplice, known only as Anan (surname unknown), 20-25 years of age, is being sought for questioning in the case.

The two young boys escaped from Jensen and reported to police that he had forced them to have sex over a three day period.

Police received the report at 2:30 a.m. on Friday, April 23rd, and immediately sent a squad to pick him up. But upon arriving at his residence in Soi S. S., police learned that he had already fled the scene.

Witnesses told police that Jensen got in a green Daihatsu car and drove in the direction of South Pattaya Road. Police eventually located Jensen in Sunee Plaza off Soi 17 and brought him to the Pattaya police station for questioning.

Jensen denied the charges and refused to sign the police report acknowledging the charges.

Police are holding Jensen, awaiting trial for performing homosexual acts with two minors, both aged 13. The case has been turned over to Police Major Sumet Hanwisai.

The two youths told police that they came to Pattaya with relatives two years ago. They became acquainted with Mr. Anan (last name unknown), who used force to persuade them to visit Jensen. The youngsters claim they were not interested, but Anan repeatedly beat them until they agreed.

Mr. Anan allegedly sold the two boys for the price of 500 Baht per night. They were forced to stay with the farang for three days. Finally, the two boys were able to escape to police authorities.

Pattaya Police Commander, Colonel Pinit Sacharoen stated that he will push this investigation and have Mr. Jensen stand trial. He will also issue a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Anan for questioning and to stand trial for the offence of forcing the two minors under 15 years of age to perform homosexual acts.

Tourist police capture gang member

Caught selling speed

Nineteen year old Trai Rong Ngamsaen, an alleged drug gang member, was arrested for selling amphetamines on April 16.

Drug gang member Trai Rong Ngamsaen was arrested for selling amphetmines.

A group of police performing a security inspection during the Songkran Festival spotted Trai Rong sitting against a wire fence dispensing something to a group of juveniles. The miscreants were in front of an unnumbered house in Soi Nern Plap Wan behind Thamasutawad Temple, Banglamung.

As the police approached to investigate the juveniles fled. Police gave chase and captured only Trai Rong; another 10 escaped.

Trai Rong was found to have 15 orange Ya Ba pills (amphetamines) on his person, and cash received from selling the drug in the amount of 2000 baht. All was seized as evidence before taking him into custody at the Pattaya tourist police station.

During questioning, Trai Rong confessed that the drugs were obtained from his relative who instructed him to sell them at the price of 100 Baht per pill. After distributing the drugs to juveniles in the area, only 15 pills were left in Trai Rong’s possession when he was apprehended.

Police authorities are retaining Trai Rong to stand trial for the offence of possession of class 1 illegal drugs with the intent to distribute.

Police arrest gunman at a check point on Soi 17

Routine check turns up illegal weapon

Police occasionally set up check points at various isolated or dangerous locations. On the 11th of April at a check point set up on Soi 17, police stopped a Nissan NV. They searched the car and found nothing illegal. Yet when they searched the driver they found he was carrying a .38 pistol holstered to his hip and a total of 12 rounds of ammunition.

Police confiscated the weapon and took the man to the station for further interrogation.

The man confessed that he was on his way back home to Udon Thani. Since he had certain enemies there, he bought the weapon to protect himself.

Police charged him for carrying a weapon without permission and possessing a weapon without a license. He now awaits trial.

Motorcycle parts thief arrested

Found parked outside highway police building

Police last week arrested Ekachai Methasuwan, 18, for possession of stolen motorcycle parts. Ekachai was sitting in a suspected green Toyota pickup, Bangkok registration, outside the highway police.

Ekachai told police that the owner of the truck, his boss, Mr. Peh, had fled when he saw police approaching.

Ekachai Methasuwan, 18, was arrested for possession of stolen motorcycle parts and illegally carrying weapons.

Police searched the vehicle and found many motorbike parts and two hand guns. Ekachai told police that the guns and the parts belonged to Mr. Peh.

Ekachai went on to say that he only knew that he sold the parts as second hand goods to shops in the Pattaya area, but did not know where they came from.

Police seized the pickup, stolen items and guns for further investigation.

Sparks Pub owner drowns at Jomtien

Korean national dies after domestic quarrel

The owner of Sparks Pub, Mr. Li Hsing Kuo, aged 45, drowned on the 6th of April at Jomtien Beach.

Mr. Li Hsing Kuo, a Korean, has been living in Thailand for several years. He married a Thai woman, Khun Suk Sanketjit, and had 3 children.

He came to Pattaya about a year ago and opened the Sparks Pub on South Pattaya Road, at which time he began to live with another woman, Mrs. Suwiwan.

Suk Sanketjit, Li’s first wife, told police that she and the children came to visit Li and were met by his minor wife. All three began a fierce quarrel that got physical.

However, allegedly they came to an understanding and went to Jomtien Beach to cool off.

Li wandered off to the sea, unnoticed by his wives. Soon after, some tourists came and told them that there was a foreigner lying still on the seashore. They ran and found him already dead.

Police escorted the two wives to the station for further interrogation.

54th IFALPA conference held at the Royal Cliff Grand

Founded in 1948 to represent the interests of airline pilots at all levels within the industry, IFALPA is a worldwide federation of national pilots’ association. It is structured to provide a democratic forum for developing and promoting a common pilot viewpoint on all matters which impact upon the piloting profession and to provide a system of mutual support for members experiencing difficulties in the social and professional fields.

The Federation was initially established to provide a counterpoint to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal and from a founding membership of thirteen national associations had grown steadily to embrace some ninety member associations. More recently, the development of the air transport industry has seen a number of other standard-setting organizations assume an important role in the regulation of civil aviation. IFALPA seeks to be represented at the meetings of all those external bodies at which discussions take place and decisions are made which directly affect the interests and role of the airline pilot.

Many meetings with different topics are held throughout the year, usually always in a different place throughout the world. This month, the 6-day annual conference was held in Pattaya at the Royal Cliff Grand with two working techniques, ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ - Plenary and Committee respectively. A total number of 247 delegates attended with 181 accompanying persons. Amongst them, all the principal officers of IFALPA, the regional vice presidents, committee chairmen and the IFALPA secretariat staff present in Thailand. One of the most honored guest speakers was Thamnoon Wanglee, managing director of Thai Airways.

Thamnoon Wanglee President of Thai Airways International (4th from right), Captain Rob McInnis, President of the International Federation of Airline Pilots Association IFALPA (4th from left), Captain Phisut Thitapas, President of the Thai Pilots Association THAIPA (2nd from right), Captain Roger Mulberge, Principal Vice-President of IFALPA (2nd from left), and Captain Sa-ad Sobsatrasorn, Executive Vice President Operations, Thai Airways Intl. (3rd from right).

Captain Rob McInnis, president of IFALPA, said in his welcome address, "It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome all IFALPA delegates, observers and accompanying persons to the 1999 conference in these beautiful surroundings of Pattaya, Thailand. Our hosts, the Thai Pilot’s Association, under the leadership of the president, Captain Phisut Thitaphas, are to be commended for accepting the challenge of hosting this event." He explained the agenda and promised some new and innovative ideas to be presented. He then added, "The globe becomes a smaller place every year. I believe that the aviation industry and the pivotal role we play in it have a major influence on human progress and development. The decisions you make at this conference will help shape the future and determine our effectiveness as an international organization. The challenges are many but working together we can ensure the global pilots’ voice is heard loud and clear."

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.