Pattaya Mail’s senior reporter Boonlua Chatree celebrated his 60th birthday with friends from the Pattaya Amulets Club.
The 40-year police-beat reporter has worked for both the Pattaya Mail and Ban Muang Chonburi paper. Friends joined him at the Buffalo Market to sing and dance.
Chatree was born Dec. 21, 1954 in Muang District of Samut Songkhram, home to one of Chatree’s beloved amulets, the Luang Por of Ban Laem Temple.
Born to a poor family, he left home at age 12 and got his first mass-media training from a joint German-French foundation. He then went on to Thammasat University where he earned a journalism degree.
Pattaya Mail’s senior reporter Boonlua Chatree (back, center) celebrates his 60th birthday with friends at the Buffalo Market.
He has covered crime and cops since 1975 and won several reporter and journalism awards from various government and private groups.
Chatree said he has worked hard, even when confronted with dangers and difficulties that have taken the lives of journalist friends. He said working this long in journalism means he is both much loved and hated by those he has reported on.
Boonlua prepares to share his birthday cake with friends from the Pattaya Amulets Club.
