Thursday 31 July 2014

TMN Cable TV Present Computer Equipment to Banglamung Police

At Banglamung Police Station a ceremony took place where Khun Somsin the Managing Director of TMN Cable TV presented Banglamung Police with computer equipment and Cable TV equipment as well as a souvenir TMN Cable TV clock to adorn the wall of the police station and no doubt ensure that police officers and police station staff turn up for work on time.

Banglamung Police Colonel Thamnun thanked Khun Somsin for his company's kind donation and stressed that the computer equipment would be a valuable aid in police investigations and the fight against crime in the Banglamung area.

75 Year Old Severely Injured Crossing Sukhumvit Road Pattaya

Pattaya Police and a Rescue Foundation Unit rushed to the scene of an accident on Sukhumvit Road after they received a report of a pedestrian being severely injured.

At the scene they found a Khun Mana aged 75 laying in a pool of blood he had suffered a broken left leg and serious head wounds. He was transported immediately to The Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital in Sattahip for emergency treatment.

The lady driver Khun Suwaree aged 47 said that the victim had walked out in front of her vehicle. She tried to brake but could not avoid the collission. Police have yet to question eyewitnesses and of course the victim Khun Mana if he survives.

Khun Suwaree I applaud your courage in staying at the scene and not doing a runner as so many Thai drivers do However I speak as an ex-driving instructor - You plough down a 75 year old man and are sorry your attempt to brake did not work - I wonder who taught you to drive if anyone ever did - it certainly wasn't me.

Elderly Motorcyclist Killed by Hit and Run Driver in Sriracha

Another hit and run accident. This time in Nong Kham near Sriracha claiming the life of a 70 year old gentleman. Nong Kham Police and a Rescue Foundation Unit rushed to the scene of the accident to find the lifeless body of Khun Paitoon aged 70 and his nearby Honda Wave motorcycle. Khun Paitoon was laying in a pool of blood and had suffered a broken skull.

Eyewitnesses said that they saw the motorcycle driven by Khun Paitoon being hit by a vehicle but they could not give a description or make of the vehicle. Fortunately or unfortunately if you happen to be the callous driver a number plate was left at the scene.

Police expect to be able to trace the owner of the vehicle very soon. Meanwhile the body of Khun Paitoon was transported to Leam Chabang Hospital for a full post mortem to be carried out before his body can be released to relatives for funeral rites to be carried out.

Children Rescued From Home Imprisonment in Bang Bung, Chonburi

Khun Janjira who is a social worker for The Department of Social Development and Human Security, Chonburi, along with Chonburi police officers went to a house in Moo 1 NongPhaiKaew District of Amphur Bang Bung. She had received a report from concerned neighbours that 2 teenage children were being held in a room in the house for a long time.

In a bedroom in the house they found a Khun Wiroj aged 40 along with 2 of his daughters, aged 19 and 5 years old. The room was in a terrible state and so were the girls. They had been locked in the room by their father for 2 years and it appears that they hadn't washed for that two years.

Khun Chemchoi the 74 year old mother of Khun Wiroj said that her son worked together with another daughter selling flower garlands. She admitted that her son had mental health problems.

Khun Wiroj was taken for a mental health facility for assessment and the two girls given a physical examination before being taken to a Pattaya Orphanage where it is hoped they will be given remedial care to help them recover from the trauma of the previous years incarceration.

Two years before neighbours sound the alarm and call in the authorities - the mind boggles.

Wednesday 30 July 2014

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital Gastroenterology Conference

Dr. Piya Assistant Director of Bangkok Pattaya Hospital gave the opening remarks at an event hosted at The Center for Gastroenterology and Liver - Bangkok Bangkok Hospital entitled Conference on Current Innovative New Approach to the development of cognitive therapy approach to new technology.

The conference is held to consider the beneficial in patients of new technology and advanced medical procedures and support so that patients with gastrointestinal and liver disease can be treated with the best of medical practices. A series of lectures followed on such topics as The Complications of Cirrhosis of The Liver.

There were over 100 representatives attending the conference, doctors and nursing staff from Bangkok Pattaya Hospital as well as other hospitals and medical facilities in the region who attended to listen to the experts and share their knowledge and expertise in the field of Gastroenterology.

Preparatory Meeting for The Pattaya Food & Hoteliers Expo'14

A meeting was held at The A-One The Royal Cruise Hotel Pattaya to promote an event The Pattaya Food & Hoteliers Expo'14 which will be held at the Peach Room of The exhibition and convention centre at the Royal Cliff Hotel.

There was an impressive array of officials to officially launch the preparations for the prestigious Pattaya Food & Hoteliers Expo'14 which will be held for the eight consecutive year between the  15-17 August 2557

Mr. Sakon Phonluk-in (Councilor of Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization as a representative of Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization), Mr. Rattanachai Sutthidechanai (Deputy Chairman of Pattaya City Council as a representative of Pattaya city), Mr. Atthaphon Wannakit Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Pattaya Office], Mr. Phet Chinboot (Director of Food Institution, Ministry of Interior) and Mr. Phuriphan Boonnak Director of Domestic Marketing Promotion Division, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

International cooking teams competing from 10 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea Republic, Australia, China, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand will compete for The Pattaya City Culinary Cup trophy presented courtesy of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand.

There will also be an art competition - the Tour Thailand's Best Hospitality Art Competition Award 2014 and other competitive events including professional floral arrangement, bed-making, Thai massage and aroma massage and my favourite a Bartending Competition.

Three Drug Dealers Arrested in East Pattaya

Senior Police Officers from Chonburi, Banglamung and Nongprue Police forces held a joint press conference at Banglamung Police Station to announce the arrest of several drug dealers and the seizure of a sizable quantity of illegal drugs.

First to receive the star treatment in front of the perp of the day cameras was Khun Woramet aged 27 who was arrested at the Pattaya Reunreung Village in Soi Kaotalo. He had 50g of Yaa Ice (Methamphetamine) on his person. A search of his home revealed just over 1kg of Yaa Ice. The police also announced the seizure of some of his tools of the trade - portable scales, a Nokia mobile phone and a Honda Wave motorcycle.

Next up were Khun Gamon aged 39 and Khun Munchalee aged 26 who were caught in Soi Khao Noi in East Pattaya with 6g of Yaa Ice and 165 Yaa Baa Tablets. They were in a Honda Civic vehicle which with all likelihood they will never get the pleasure of driving again as it was taken into evidence as well.

Cambodians 1 Dead 1 Injured Siracha Motorcycle Crash

Police officers from Nongkham police station in Sriracha and a Rescue Foundation Unit were called to the scene of a road accident with reports of one person seriously injured and one fatality.

At the scene on the road that goes to Nongprue in Nongkham district they found a Honda Wave motorcycle that appears to have collided with a power pole.

Both the rider and the pillion passenger were Cambodian. The driver Mr. Tangtoo aged 23 was dead on scene and the pillion passenger Mr. Yong was seriously hurt and transported immediately to hospital in Leam Chabang for emergency treatment.

Witnesses said that the two Cambodians worked nearby and prior to the accident they went to buy beer at a convenience store. It is almost certain that the deceased rifer was drunk and whilst returning home at some speed crashed into the power pole.

Chonburi Man Punches Out Mirror Nearly Bleeds to Death

Chonburi volunteer rescue workers were called in to provide assistance to a man who in an intoxicated state had had a row with his girlfriend and then had a row with a mirror and almost bled to death in the bathroom.

They arrived at the home of Khun Yutthana age 46 behind a restaurant in Moo 1 NongMaiDeang. They found Khun Yutthana slumped on the toilet brandishing a knife. There was blood everywhere. 

Apparently Khun Yutthana and his girlfriend Khun Suphaporn aged 35 had had a ding dong after Khun Yutthana arrived at the restaurant to try to make up after a one year break up.

The make up didn't happen and Khun Yutthana disappeared to the bathroom. Still in a rage he punched out the mirror and sustained some serious wounds. He then went to bed, slept a while and then returned to the bathroom where he almost bled out.

Khun Yutthana was taken to hospital for emergency treatment to fix up his wounds - as for his relationship with Khun Suphaporn there is no news whether that has been fixed up.

Monday 28 July 2014

Spanish ATM Skimmer Slammed Up in Pattaya Cells

Senior officers from Police Region 2 held a press conference to announce the arrest of a foreign national who is thought to have netted millions of Baht with a card skimming scam.

The foreigner a Spaniard Mr. Fernando Manuel Navaro, was arrested by Chonburi Provincial Police Special Investigators and found to be in possession of a wide range of equipment used to relieve Thais and other foreigners of their hard earned cash stored in their bank accounts. 

Investigators seized a card skimmer, laptop computer, 109 ATM cards and over 1,000 blank cards. It is thought that he had been operating for weeks placing his scanner on various ATM machines at commercial banks in the Pattaya area and had netted millions of Baht. Some of the proceeds were then transferred to his Romanian bosses back in Romania.

The money making Manuel can now look forward to an extended holiday in Thailand courtesy of the Thai Courts and the Thai Department of Corrections.

Chonburi Motorcyclist loses to Two Electric Poles

Chonburi Police and volunteer rescue workers rushed to the scene of a motorcycle accident on Beach Road Chonburi near Moo 1 in Amphur Muang. They found a wrecked Honda Zoom motorcycle laying in the road and close by the unconscious body of it's rider Khun Kems aged 24 originally from Lampang Province. 

It appears that he had lost control of his machine whilst travelling at high speed hit the kerb and ricocheted off two electric poles situated in the central reserve.

Khun Kems had suffered severe head and facial injuries and was rushed immediately to Chonburi Hospital for emergency treatment.

Lesbian Drug Dealers Arrested in Sattahip

Sattahip police and security officers from the Special operations Center for Strength on Narcotic Drugs, Sattahip took part in a raid in Sattahip district that netted two drug dealers.  Khun Ampa aged 30 and her lesbian girlfriend Khun Ampai 25 Officers found 27 Yaa Baa (Methamphetamine tablets) which were hidden in the bag of Ms. Ampa. The drugs were seized by the officers to be used as evidence in future legal proceedings.

Under questioning the young ladies admitted to the fact that they had been dealing in drugs for a long time and gave up the name of their supplier.

They said that they had bought 50 Yaa Baa tablets from an agent and had also another 20 Yaa Baa from a Khun Ancha aged 20 who was also a drug agent operating from PluTaluang golf club who had stolen the tablets from yet another drugs dealer.

Military officers went to the golf course to arrest Khun Ancha but he escaped on his motorcycle and was finally run to ground at a house in Plutaluang. Khun Ancha had a homemade gun in his possession and told the officers how he had stolen the drugs. This sorry story will be continued.....

Sattahip Drugs Dealer Caught in his Honda Civic

Sattahip Police got wind of an upcoming drugs delivery going down and set in motion an operation to give the delivery driver a surprise.

Police and drugs suppression agents staked out a location in Plutaluang district. The drugs dealer was on time and as he pulled up in his Honda Civic the officers moved in surrounding his vehicle. The driver tried to escape by bouncing his Honda off the surrounding police vehicles. He was not successful in getting away and was removed from the vehicle.

The suspect “Mac Lo Sib” aged 20 was searched and officers found 18 Yaa Baa (Methamphetamine Tablets) and placed under arrest for illegal possession and distribution of a class 1 narcotic substance.

A little gentle persuasion back at the police station soon found “Mac Lo Sib” participating in a singing competition where he gave up details of his supplier Mr. Kritnarong or Boom Phosri, aged 21, who is a suspected drug agent in Amphur Ban Chang, Rayong province.

Banglamung Hospital Donation Box Theft

Banglamung Police were called in to investigate the theft of money from a donation box at Banglamung Hospital. Police found that the large clear plastic donation box located next to a ground floor elevator had been forced open and all the money removed. A hospital porter had called the police after receiving a report from a nurse who was leaving the hospital at the end of her shift.

They noticed a CCTV camera pointing directly at the box but when they went to the security control room on the third floor they found that the CCTV camera had not been working at the tine of the theft.

The box was set up by the lift at 8am and stored aware at 6pm every day. The purpose for the box was to collect donations to buy new medical equipment for the poorly funded Government hospital. It is not known how much money was in the box. 

Police collected latent fingerprints at the scene and will compare with criminal records when they get back to the station.

Mystery Strangulation at Na Jomtien Government Housing Complex

Na Jomtien police, just south of Pattaya and a unit from The Sawang Rojanatham Rescue Foundation were called to attend and give assistance to a young man found unconscious at a Government Housing Scheme in Na Jomtien.

At the scene in between Buildings 69 and 70 they found a young man laying unconscious on the ground and bleeding profusely from his mouth. Initial thoughts were that he may have been strangled by an attacker. He was transported immediately to a local hospital for emergency treatment.

Meanwhile police are making inquiries around the housing estate to try to establish the identity of the young man, what happened to him and of course who was the person or persons who attacked him.

Saturday 26 July 2014

Nongprue East Pattaya Dust Pollution Complaints

A delegation of residents from Baan Mabatatai Village in East Pattaya made their way to Nongprue District Offices to lodge a formal complaint about pollution they and their fellow residents were suffering due to a major construction project laying new sewers and drainage systems near their homes.

Members of the media had already taken a look at the area and their reports supported the residents complaints that they were all suffering tremendously from dust and dirt kicked up by heavy machinery including 10 wheeler trucks and back hoes that was causing a severe nuisance.

Contractors were not dealing with the problem and attempts at dust suppression were totally inadequate. Householders could not open doors and windows for normal ventilation which was making it unbearable to live in these homes especially during the period of hot weather that the area had been experiencing lately. 
Homeowners needed to clean the dust on a daily basis. Respiratory problems were affecting especially old people and children in their Communities.

Khun Charoen The senior officer of Nongprue Municipality in charge of overseeing construction projects in the district listened to their complaints and promised to contact the contractors and try to resolve their serious concerns.

Sattahip Buddhist Shrine Sets Home Ablaze

The Lord Buddha must have been in a bad mood this week when candles offered at a home shrine set fire to the shrine and spread to furniture and furnishings causing a major blaze.

Sattahip Police, Fire Rescue Vehicles and a quick response from the electric company - yes they do have a quick response team rushed to the scene a two story house in Moo 2 of Soi Yang Ngam in Sattahip.

Smoke was billowing from the ground floor at the rear of the house. Electricity workers had already turned off the power when fire fighters arrived to take over from the 20 or so neighbours who were attempting to tackle the blaze with buckets of water.

The fire had engulfed the whole room and it took firefighters a while to extinguish the blaze.

Kittipongkosol aged 30 said that he had lit some candles and put them on the home Buddhist Shrine as he dis every day and then took a walk outside not realising the possible consequences. It seams that the initial fire may have been exacerbated by his 84-year-old grandmother's mattress which was located near the shrine.

Pattaya Police Road Checheckpoints

Traffic checkpoints are a common sights on the streets of Pattaya like the one on Pattaya Second Road the other evening between Soi's 10 and 11.

Motorists and motorcyclists consider them a pain in the nether regions as well as a major inconvenience. The police officers may seem petty in checking that drivers have the correct paperwork for their vehicles and driving licences and ID Cards. Fining someone for not wearing a helmet or ensuring their passenger wears a helmet may seem like a money making operation for the city. But there are reasons - like saving lives - not wearing a helmet is just plain stupid and can often prove a fatal mistake when one considers the driving skills of the local Thais and the preponderance in an International resort of foreigners who are too drunk to realise that they should not be in charge of a potential lethal machine.

And of course searches of stopped vehicles sometimes bring to light weapons and drugs that when seized makes Pattaya a safer place for everyone.

Car Driver Burnt Alive in East Pattaya Crash

Nongprue Police, Fire Engines and a Unit of The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation were dispatched to provide assistance at a serious road accident in East Pattaya where a car had rammed into the back of a truck and burst into flames.

Rescuers arrived on the scene on Route 36 near The Bira International Racing Circuit to find a white Toyota Yaris with Rayong plates totally engulfed in flames and rammed under the rear of a 10 Wheeler lorry. Rescuers concentrated on containing an LPG fire from a ruptured gas tank on the Toyota. It was not until the fire had been extinguished that they could get to the charred remains of the driver.

There was no ID for the driver and the description tall and thin leads police to think that he may have been a foreigner.

The driver of the truck Khun Panom aged 55 who was transporting steel from Bang Yai in Nonthaburi to Rayong Province said that he was driving his vehicle normally when he felt a thud and heard what he thought was a bomb going off at the rear of his vehicle. He had tried to get the driver out but was beaten back by the flames.

The body of the deceased driver was transported to Banglamung Hospital for a full post mortem to be carried out. Meanwhile from the details of the wrecked Toyota the police are trying to shed some light on his identity.

South Pattaya Drugs Raid

Police Colonel Supatee, the acting Superintendent of Pattaya Police held a press conference at Pattaya Police Station where he announced the results of a joint Police Royal Thai Navy operation that resulted in the the arrest of 5 people who are suspected of running a drug distribution business from a house in South Pattaya along with the seizure of a sizeable amount of illegal drugs.

After receiving information that a house in Moo 10 Egmongkol Village 2 Housing Estate in South Pattaya a team of Pattaya Police and Royal Thai Navy personnel raided the premises where a number of suspects were detained. Khun Sagon aged 39, Khun Galayagon aged 42, Khun Bemigar aged 25, Khun Panasanan aged 27 and a 17 year old were taken to Pattaya Police Station for interrogation. 

1.6kg of Marijuana and 35g of the class 1 drug Yaa Ice (Crystal Methamphetamine) and other bags of suspected drugs that are yet to be tested were seized. As seems to be the norm in the drugs trade nowadays home made firearms and ammunition were also found and confiscated.

These types of drugs raids focusing on drug distributors are becoming more prevalent lately as the powers to be Police and Military increase their operations to get the dealers of these evil substances and the evil substances themselves off the streets and out of the hands of local teenagers.

Friday 25 July 2014

Banglamung White House Project

Banglamung District Officers have been touring communities in their jurisdiction to explain a new scheme to the local residents in the continuing fight against drug use in the area. The officers gathered together community leaders and citizens to explain the White House initiative.

The White House Project calls for mass drug testing in the community. People who tested positive for drugs would have a public notice pinned to the house to tell everyone that this is a home of drug users.

This project has proved to be a positive exercise in shaming the drug addicts and focussing the members of the community on those whose actions are doing harm to their own lives and the lives of others.

Major Drugs Haul in Chonburi

Police Colonel Surapon of Police Region 2 Command held a press conference to announce the results of a drugs suppression operation that resulted in a major seizure of drugs, firearms and ammunition.

Police had information that a house in Moo 5 of Tambon Bang Phai, Chonburi was being used to store drugs for distribution that were part of a major drugs network based out of Chonburi Prison. A Khun Wattana aged 32 and his brother Khun Komon were the individuals targeted and subject of a Court order issued by Chonbuir Court for a serch of two premises in Bang Phai and Nongkangkok Districts.

The subsequent raids turned up trumps. 32,000 Yaa Baa (Methamphetamine Tablets) 13.12 gm of Yaa Ice, one 38mm handgun and one 9mm handgun along with 100 rounds of ammunition were found and seized as evidence.

Under questioning the suspects gave further details of the operations. The drugs were stored in the house and phone calls would come from drug kingpins in Chonburi prison. They would then arrange for the drugs to be delivered to smaller drug dealers for distribution to customers in the Chonburi area. Thei cut around 20,000 Baht per delivery.

It is probable that they won't be needing cellphones to talk to their drug bosses in Chonburi Jail anymore. They can simply chat over a bowl of rice soup at breakfast.

Drugs, Guns in Sattahip

A drugs sting operation in Sattahip went wrong when the suspected drugs dealers twigged on to the prescience of undercover agents and did a runner on their motorcycle. 

The operation in Moo Baan Khaobaisri in Plutalaung District was aimed to snare Khun Jakkree aged 28 and Khun Por aged 18. Their plan was to make a drugs buy of 5 Yaa Baa (Methamphetamine Tablets) When they realised that the customer was actually a police officer they fled at high speed on a Honda Wave motorcycle. Police gave chase and the Yaa Baa fuelled felons crashed their bike and hoofed it into the woods. The police found a mobile phone, a home made gun and ammunition under the seat.

A large number of officers pursued them into a nearby wood and came under fire from the fleeing youths. It is reported that 8 shots from a 9mm handgun were fired in the direction of chasing officers.

The individuals are known to dangerous with previous charges for drug dealing, firearms and attempted murder. Police and military units are on high alert and the search for these dangerous gunmen continue.

Nigerian Murder Suspect Arrested in Pattaya

Police officers from Region 2 Police Command held a press conference to announce the arrest of a Nigerian murder suspect who had been on the run since May.

Two months ago a Nigerian man was brutally murdered by his fellow Nigerian friend at a house in Soi Khao Talo in East Pattaya. The victim Mr.Jude Chukwu aged 32 had got in to an argument over money that he had borrowed from his friend Mr. Nmamaka Onwuhafua aged 32. The argument turned into a fight and resulted in Mr. Onwuhafua attacking his friend with a sword and bludgeoning him with a rock.

Mr. Onwuhafua subsequently fled and hid out in Bangkok. Police had received information that he had returned to Pattaya to live with his Thai wife. Police officers moved in and arrested him in a room in Four Man House, South Pattaya.

Mr. Onwuhafua who played football for Chaiyapoom Fc prior to the murder confessed to the killing and now faces a trial before a Thai Judge.

Painter Murdered in East Pattaya

Nongprue Police and a Unit of Sawangboriboon Rescue Foundation were called to attend the scene of a possible murder in their area. They rushed to the scene - a single story house under construction in Nongmaikan Soi 17. In front of the house slumped over a table they found the body of Khun Paisitong aged 32. He appeared to have been hit over the back of his head with a large, heavy blunt object.

On the table and scattered around were whisky and soda bottles indications that a lengthy drinking session had taken place recently. The victims wallet was found nearby but was empty. His Honda Wave motorcycle was also missing.

The owner of the house Khun Saphaporn aged 48 told the police that Khun Paisitong was employed as a contractor to paint his new house. There was also a team of 4 Cambodian workers but they were missing.

It was another worker Khun Ali aged 42, who arrived for work at the house who found the body. He said that when he left the night before the victim and the Cambodian workers were drinking together. It was known that there was a dispute over unpaid wages.

The police think that this dispute resulted in an argument and the death of Khun Paisitong. They are urgently looking for the missing Cambodian workers.

Thursday 24 July 2014

Thailand OTOP Silk Products Booths For Pattaya Beach Road

Pattaya City Hall was the venue for a preparatory meeting to discuss details of an upcoming handicrafts event that will be held between the 31st of July and the 4th of August.

The event will see 150 booths along Pattaya Beach Road to promote OTOP (One Tambon One Product) products to tourists and local residents.

A major feature of this years OTOP  push will be Thai silk from the Northeast of Thailand. Silk and Silk Products from Roi Et and Kalasin provinces are deemed amongst the best in Thailand. There will be many booths selling these fine artisan products as well as exhibitions showing how the silk is spun and fashioned into beautiful silk cushions, silk garments, silk purses and everything else silk related.

Pattaya, Jomtien Bag Snatching Gang Caught

Police Colonel Supphathee Boonkhrong Deputy Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police Station and Acting Superintendent of Pattaya city police station along with other senior police officers held a press conference at Pattaya Police Station to announce the arrest of 4 Thai youths involved in a bag snatching incident in Jomtien.

Mr Oleksiii Vasylev, aged 27 a Russian national had reported to the police that he was walking along Soi Chayapreuk back to their room at Baan Suan Lalana with his wife when 4 youths riding motorcycles had pulled up alongside them and one of the pillion riders had lent over and dragged his wife's bag from her shoulder and then driven off at high speed.

The bag contained an iPhone 5 mobile along with 3,000 Baht and 1,500 Lao Kip. He gave the police a description of the robbers and a partial license plate with just the number 17 as he couldn't read Thai.

An alert went out over the police radio network and the thieves were soon spotted entering Soi Korpai 94. A search of the area and tip offs from some locals led them to a rented house where the 4 individuals were found cowering in a room and were soon placed under arrest and the bag and it's contents recovered.

Khun Chokchai aged 16, Khun Thossaporn Noksiri, aged 19, Khun Sahathas Ko-phae, aged 19 and Khun Phiriya Chimloy, aged 19 all face serious charges of aggravated robbery and a long vacation courtesy of The Thai Department of Corrections.

Sattahip Sea Turtle Conservation Center Suffers Oil Pollution

Journalists were invited to take a stroll along the beach at the Thai Navy's Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Sattahip. But it wasn't the sea turtles that they were invited to view it was a nasty 200 meter long oil slick clinging to the water's edge.

Officials said that the slick had become bad in recent days and seemed to be even worse in the early morning as the tide came in. The slick was creating a bad smell that wafted the full length of the beach. Fortunately it seams that the turtles had a good sense of smell and were giving the beach the elbow or giving it the flipper whatever way you want to look at it the presence of oil was not a good thing and officials worried about the pollution of t he turtle habitat and the local marine habitat that was home to dozens of species.

Coast Guard and Naval assets have been deployed to try to find the source of the sticky, smelly pollutants.

Murderer of American Tourist in Pattaya Caught 8 Years Late

A joint press conference was held by Pattaya police and Pattaya Tourist Police to announce the arrest of a suspect wanted for the murder of an American tourist in 2006.

It is thought that the suspect Khun Krittsana aged 42 had been arrested and questioned about the murder of Mr. Tony Lindsey from Hawaii who was stabbed to death on Pattaya Beach Road opposite Soi 7. The man who stabbed Mr. Lindsey was allegedly the husband of Khun Krittsana a Khun Supot aged 35 who disappeared after the murder.

The murder was a result of afight that broke out after the two man had an altercation about the fact that Mr. Lindsey had not paid for sexual services with Khun Krittsana and had assaulted his wife. How Khun Krittsana was released after being interviewed about the murder is unclear. However she went off the radar and a warrant for her arrest was issued by Pattaya Provincial Court.

Khun Krittsana was eventually arrested 8 years later working on a construction site in Central Pattaya. She says she split up with her husband soon after the murder and doesn't know his whereabouts. The police now think they have new information that could lead to the apprehension of Khun Supot and expect an arrest to be made soon.

Sattahip Garage Owner Busted With Yaa Baa in His Underwear

Sattahip Police used a 61 year old female drug addict to make a sting drugs buy from a suspected drug dealer. Officers set up the sting to take place at a location opposite The PTT gas station at Km 1 in Sattahip.

The deal went down with the undercover lady purchasing 3 Yaa Baa (Methamphetamine tablets) for 900 Baht. At this point the drug suppression agents jumped in and nabbed Khun Thongla Tienjan the 47 year old owner of a local garage.

Not only did he just sell 3 Yaa Baa tablets but the police also found another tablet of Yaa Baa hidden in his underwear. It is not known if he was hiding anything else in his Y-fronts.

The 4 Yaa Baa tablets, a Honda Dream motorcycle, 900 baht in cash and his underwear were seized as evidence. Khun Thongla confessed to being a major drugs dealer and said he had been doing it for years to pay for his own methamphetamine addiction as he wasn't earning enough from his garage business as his wife took all his profits and gave him nothing to buy drugs.

Bangkok Taxi Crashes 3 Illegal Cambodian Workers Injured in Sattahip

Sattahip Police and rescue workers were called to attend a serious road accident in their district involving multiple casualties. At the scene on Route 344 the highway from Chonburi - Baan Bung they found a yellow and green Bangkok taxi overturned in the bushes at the side of the highway. There were signs of devastation on the path to where the taxi ended up. Poles, signs and other debris was everywhere.

Three Cambodians in the taxi were injured and were treated on scene and then transported to hospital for further emergency treatment.

The driver Khun Somchai aged 42 had received minor injuries. He told the police that he had been hired to drive the Cambodians from Samrong in Samut Prakarn Province near Bangkok to their destination in Baan Bung. He said that a pick-up truck had cut him off and he had tried to avoid it. His taxi then left the highway, careered out of a control and smashed into a light pole before ending up upside down.

It turns out that the Cambodians were illegal migrant workers and were being transported to another work location. It's unsure whether they will face deportation when they recover or whether Khun Somchai will face charges for his role in their transportation.

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Dutch Drugs Kingpin in Pattaya Arrested at Pheonix Golf Course Sattahip

The Phoenix Golf Course south of Pattaya was the scene of a raid by officers from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), The Department of Special Investigations (DSI), The Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), the Office of the Attorney General and Huay Yai Police.

Their target a Dutch national and his Thai wife. The operation stems from information supplied by The Dutch Embassy in Bangkok who had found out that a Dutch fugitive Mr. Johannes Petrus Maria Van Laarhoven aged 53 from The Netherlands and his wife, Khun Mingkwam aged 35. were wanted by Dutch Authorities in relation to a charges of cultivating and selling Marijuana dating back to 2008.

When he came to Thailand it is thought that he was laundering proceeds from his drugs business at the rate of 500-600 Million Baht per year. It is suspected he opened a company and allegedly laundering 5-600 Million Baht per year.

The pair were found at home in their luxury house on the grounds of the golf course. During the raid on Wednesday, Land Title Deeds, Vehicles, Jewelry and cash with a total estimated value of 50 Million Baht were seized, along with the two houses situated on his plot of land inside the Golf Course.

It is expected that following legal procedures in Thailand he will be formally handed over to the Dutch authorities for extradition back to The Netherlands.

Major Loan Shark Netted in Naklua, North Pattaya

Nongprue police and their Royal Thai navy minders continue unabated in their shark fishing operations around the Pattaya area. Their target this week a luxury house in Moo 5 of Suan Rungrote in Naklua North Pattaya. The alleged loan shark was Khun Prasert aged 33, who was accused of running an illegal money lending business.

Khun Prasert, his wife Khun Jaruwan aged 31 and four other men in the house thought to be his debt collectors were arrested and taken away for further questioning. In the raid police seized 5 computers, paperwork relating to customer accounts and a number of vehicles and motorcycles.

Khun Prasert's loan operations in Pattaya are thought to be part of a larger loan sharking operation. Raids were carried out simultaneously in Chanthaburi Province south of Pattaya. However the authorities believe that the have the head honcho in custody.

Dead Turtle on Jomtien Beach Pattaya

Russian tourists in Jomtien kicked up a stink this week about a smelly problem on Jomtien Beach. After receiving phone calls from the indignant Ivans the authorities came along to investigate.

A large dead turtle had washed up on the beach and it's decomposing presence was causing discomfort to the tourists as the putrid smells wafted further and further along the beach. Municipal authorities examined and recovered the body the turtle and Pattaya Fisheries Department officials took it away to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Khun Janthiporn aged 51 a nearby deck chair operator said that it was not unusual for dead turtles to end up on the beach but this was an unusually large one and provided an unusually big stink.

Former Thai Buddhist Temple Boys Steal From Sattahip Temple

3 former temple boys are in deep trouble with the police and in deeper dooda with The Lord Buddha after they were caught stealing from the donation box at Pa Yoob temple in Amphur Sattahip.

The 3 boys aged 13, 15 and 16 were apprehended by a monk at the temple as they were making off with money from the donation box along with food and drink items that had been donated by members of the public. The boys said that they needed the money to play online games and confessed that they had stolen from the temple many times before.

The abbot of Pa Yoob temple said that the 3 boys were ex-temple boys of his temple and they had been caught stealing before but he felt sorry for them, forgave them and made them leave the temple, but they came back and were caught stealing again so he decided it was time to call the police.

Pattaya, Jomtien, Koh Larn Island Thieves and Drug Addicts Rounded-up

Pattaya Police in the process of solving one snatch and grab crime and arresting the culprits are now in the process of following up and arresting associates of the low lifes and the people they fenced their illegal gains to.

This all stems from the case of a Mr. Lim Sylvian aged 36 a French national lost 80,000 Baht’s worth of gold as he rode on a Baht Bus in Soi Chayapreuk in Jomtien on 20th July when it was snatched by a couple of guys on a passing motorcycle.

From CCTV coverage in the area they made the first arrests of Khun Supagiet aged 20, Khun Surachai aged 23 and Khun Somsak aged 33 who were members of the snatch and grab gang.

They then moved in on the fence - Khun Suwat aged 33. He was arrested after he was found in possession of the stolen items which he had purchased from the gang. In addition, 2 Buddhist Amulets, 2 Gold Rings, 57,000 Baht and a Glock 17 handgun with 36 bullets were seized.

The gang were operating from Koh Larn Island. Police took a day trip to the island and netted other members of the gang along with another 10 drug addled youths men and women who tested positive for recent consumption of narcotics.

Home Stolen in Huay Yai Pattaya

Thais will steal anything if it's not screwed down and if it is screwed down they will nick a screwdriver to do the job.

Huay Yai police south of Pattaya were called in to investigate the theft of a home from a farm in their district. Yes someone had nicked a house. The house turned out to be a 40 foot container converted into a temporary residence. There were several containers on the property the origins of which still remain open to speculation. 

Khun Payunsuk aged 61 who owns the farm believes that the home removal service was carried out by two former employees. Police had CCTV coverage of the site and the alleged theft of the container home. They went on to arrest one of the Mr. Shifters a Khun Par aged 35. They are now looking for Khun Par's brother who has temporarily removed himself from the area.

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Young Man Found Floating Off Sattahip Beach

Sattahip police and a unit of The Sawang Rojanatham Rescue Foundation responded to reports of a body being found floating off Dongtan Beach near Sattahip Naval Base.

The body which had probably been dead for 2-3days had no identification on him. He was about 20-25 years old 170cm tall and was wearing a grey shirt and a pair of orange boxer shorts covered in cartoon figures.

Experts found no wounds or signs that a murder may have been committed. The body of the deceased was transported to a Sattahip Hospital for a full autopsy to be carried out. Meanwhile police are canvasing communities in the local area to see if they can find a family that may be missing a young man matching the description of the deceased.

Drug Suspect Caught Evading Police in Jomtien

Pattaya Police Officers manning a traffic checkpoint in Jomtien called for the driver of a Yamaha Fino to stop but he ignored the request and rode off at high speed. Officers set off in persuit. The driver abandoned the motorcycle outside the Beach Condo on Jomtien Second Road and hoofed it into the woods.

The police radioed for assistance and the area was flooded with police officers and police volunteers. They eventualy spotted the individual hiding near a water tank in Casa Jomtien Village.

The police searched Khun Pai aged 17 and found evidence to suggest that he was running drugs and that is why he did a runner when he spotted the police. Khun Pai denied any involvement in drugs. However the police dis not believe his story and placed him under arrest pending further investigations.

Pattaya Jomtien Boombox Pick-up Reveals Boys Toys

Pattaya Police have instigated extra patrols in the city called Eagle Patrols to provide a visible presence and be available as quick response units to back up existing police patrols.

One of these Eagle Patrols was flying around Jomtien when their eagle eyes or rather eagle ears were drawn to a certain Isuuzu pick-up truck. The truck was one of those annoying trucks that have numerous speakers and blast what they call music at all times of day and night.

The eagles swooped in and decided to do a stop and search. It didn't take long for them to get their claws into some juicy items. They found 23 rounds of ammunition for an M16 Assault Rifle, A bullet proof jacket, Handcuffs, a Gun holster and a Police ID pouch.

The driver of the vehicle Khun Thana aged 19 from Sakon Nakhon Province said that he had left his job as a security guard at a pub in Pattaya and had stashed his gear in the truck. As for the ammunition he had no idea if they were live rounds or not as they were just toys and he had never used them.

So the boy and his toys were taken to Pattaya Police Station ans everyone in Jomtien can sleep a little quieter tonight.

Vietnamese Invasion of Pattaya

The Vietnamese invasion of Pattaya continues. Lat week it was the turn of senior police officers from Vietnam to pay avisit to their counterparts aat Pattaya Police Station. This week it was the turn of Pattaya City Hall to play host to a delegation of senior Civil sector Vietnamese Officials.

A formal dinner was held hosted by Khun Rankit Ekasing, The Deputy Mayor of Pattaya to welcome Khun Lem Hu Fuak the Consul General of Thailand in Ho Chi Minh City along with officers from the provincial peopl'es committee.

The banquit ended with the Vietnamese being presented with the keys to the city of Pattaya and being wished a pleasant stay in the International tourist resort of Pattaya.

Next on the list maybe a delegation from Yorkshire and the exchange of blackpuddings and whippets but don't let the whippets anywhere near the Vietnamese.

Nongprue Pattaya Handicrafts Meeting

Khun Mai The District Chief Officer of Nongprue District in East Pattaya held a meeting in the 5th floor meeting room at Nongprue District Offices to discuss training in handicrafts for the community. Volunteer groups from Chonburi and Banglamung joined in at the meeting.

Handicraft training sessions particularly in the production of artificial flowers, silk flowers and perfume handicrafts were suggested as a good way to stimulate part time income in the community especially for low income families. Participants at the meeting shared their knowledge and experience on the subject. The results being that Nongprue is hoping to become a more prosperous and more pleasant smelling area.

Monday 21 July 2014

Nongprue Pattyaya Drugs Bust

Sattahip Drugs Suppression Agents along with a military security detail took part in a sting operation to snare a known drug dealer.

The agents took up position near  a motorcycle repair shop in Moo 8  of Nongprue District in East Pattaya. One of the agents went in undercover and made a drugs buy with 2,400 Bah in marked notes.

Once the deal had been completed other agents came in to effect the arrest of Khun Wichit aged 23 and Khun Namchai aged 24. They were charged with illegal possession and distribution of a Class 1 narcotic Yaa Baa (Methamphetamine)

Khun Namchai said that he had turned to selling drugs to pay for milk for his new born baby - I wonder if he had visited a 7/11 lately baby milk is not that expensive.

Sriracha Homeowner Shoots Intruder

Sriracha Police and a Unit of The Sawang Prathip Rescue Foundation rushed to the scene of a home invasion that had turned bloody.

At the scene in Moo 9 of Baan Bangphra, Sriracha. they found the homeowner Khun Suriya aged 45 standing guard over one of the intruders a tall man about 30 years old who was not going very far very quickly as he had been shot in both legs by Khun Suriya.

There was blood everywhere, bullet holes in the walls and shell casings littering the floor. There was also a steel pipe laying near the disabled intruder.

Khun Suriya said that he was sat eating with his wife when they heard noises at the front of the house. This noise then moved to the rear of the house. He got up and opened the door to find some men trying to break into a storeroom with a steel pipe. When confronted one of the men attacked him with the steel pipe. He managed to close the door grab a .38mm gun and emptied it into the direction of the intruders.

The intruder was given first aid at the scene and then under police escort was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment to his serious gunshot wounds.

Englishman Allegedly Stabs Filipino Girlfriend in Sattahip

Sattahip Police were informed of a fight between a foreign couple in their area. There were indications that there was one person receiving injuries and had stab wounds. They rushed to the scene along with a Unit of The Sawang Rojjana Thammasatharn Rescue Foundation to provide assistance.

At the scene in the Navy House village they were met by an Englishman Mr. Sreven David Sapsford aged 46 and his 22 year old filipino girlfriend Miss Lot. Miss Lot had wounds to her leg. She was given first aid at the scene and then taken to to the Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip for further emergency treatment.

There was broken glass everywhere and blood stains on the floor. The Police questioned Mr. Sapsford. He told them that he had been drinking with his girlfriend and a friend of his. He was angry because his girlfriend and his friend were making eyes at each other. A fight ensued, he grabbed a kitchen knife, his girlfriend went to protect his friend and he said that Miss Lot crashed into a mirror cutting her leg in the process.

The police didn't think that his story was credible and arrested Mr. Sapsford taking him to Sattahip police station for further questioning. They will now also interview Miss Lot to see what her her side of the story reveals.

2 Minor Injuries Motorcycle Pedestrian Accident Jomtien Pattaya

Pattaya Police and a Unit of The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation were called to attend a motorcycle accident on Tappraya Road near the traffic lights at Soi Tepprasit

At the scene they found an overturned Honda Click motorcycle laying in the road. The driver of the motorcycle Khun Benz was sitting nearby nursing injuries to his foot and also nearby a young lady who had injuries to her face.

It appears that the young lady was trying to cross the road with some friends when she was struck by the motorcycle that no one had seen coming. Khun Benz said that he was returning to his motorcycle taxi rank and no chance to avoid the collision when the lady stepped into his path.

Sattahip Squid Boat Taken Over by Drug Crazed Cambodian Crew

The Thai captain of Squid fishing vessel Phithak mongkhon was faced with a crazy problem. His Cambodian crew had gone crazy - literally. The crew had consumed Yaa Baa (Methamphetamine) Yaa Baa in Thai means drug crazy and had now run out. They demanded that he return back to shore so that they could purchase more Yaa Baa and threatened that they would kill him if he didn't comply. He Complied turned the boat around and headed back to port in Sattahip. 

The delirious crew went off to buy more drugs. The captain headed straight to the police station. Sattahip police and officers from the Special operations Center for Strength on Narcotic Drugs, Sattahip went out on their own fishing operation to net the 5 insane squid catchers.

The five crazy Cambodians Mr. Nueng, aged 35 (the head of gang), Mr. Serd, aged 22, Mr. Nat, aged 23, Mr. Nak, aged 25 and Mr. Song, aged 30 were soon in cuffs and in police cells waiting for their deliriousness to deplenish before they are questioned and more than likely charged with serious drugs offences and more serious charges resulting from their actions aboard the squid boat.

Burapha University Chonburi Community Visit to Elderly in Banglamung Pattaya

Students from Burapha University along with Officials of Banglamung District held a luncheon for elderly folks at The general hall of The Banglamung Social Welfare Development Building.

The students had brought along much needed personal supplies for the old folks including - toilet paper, adult diapers, and soap powder.

There was a happy atmosphere as the elderly folks in attendance thanked their benefactors. Then they all got down to a good old sing song.

Saturday 19 July 2014

Winner Pub Soi Buakhao Pattaya Raided Again

There appears to be no substance to the rumour that The Winner Pub & Karaoke Bar off Soi Buakhao may soon be renamed The Loser Pub & Karaoke Bar.

This popular pub for after hours Thai patrons was slapped with a 30 day closure order on the 5th of Jly for licensing infractions. The authorities had an inkling that the entertainment venue was flaunting this order and Banglamung District Licensing Officials on orders from The Governor of Chonburi decided to pay another enforcement visit.

Officials who had foregone their beauty sleep arrived around 4 am to find about 100 patrons sitting, listening to music, dancing and imbibing alcoholic beverages. The DJ was turned off and the lights turned on and the patrons and staff and the scrutinations began. 3 staff were found to be under 20. 19 revellers had left their ID cards at home. Officials seized 10 Shisha paraphernalia and 1kg of Shisha Backy

The cashier Miss Sukhuma aged 21 was duly nicked but the manager had mysteriously disappeared just prior to the raid. A new closure order for 60 days is in the offing and officials warned that if this is not observed then the Winner Pub will be definitely named the Loser Pub abd shut permanently.

Another East Pattaya Loan Shark Beached

Greenpeace have told us repeatedly that sharks are an endangered species. Tell that to the bloody victims world wide who drag themselves out of the water on a daily basis with shark teeth bites from sharks that shouldn't exist any more.

In Pattaya however sharks are being hunted relentlessly nowadays with the hope that they will not just become an endangered species but they will be extinct completely.

Nongprue Police were on the hunt for the latest loan shark on their target list. nd it was a high level fishing party that reeled in this scourge of the streets. 

Khun Sakchai Taengho The Banglamung sheriff, Police Captain Khomphan Director of Joint Operations and Intelligence, Police Colonel Phisit Proyrungrot Deputy Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police Station, The Acting Superintendent of Nong Prue police station, Banglamung District Officers and of course not forgetting naval officers from Sattahip Naval Base together effected the arrest of  KhunThanaset  aged 33 a gang of loan shark suspected of running a high interest loan business. He was arrested at his lavish home in Nonprue District and officers seized numerous ledgers, bank account passbooks and other incriminating evidence.

Complaints had been received for a long time that this shark was charging interest rates of up to 60% per month. Despite the high rates he had no shortage of customers who were short on their rent and were prime targets for this unscrupulous individual and his network of agents. The authorities think that he was making about 500,000 Baht a month from his illegal business.

Turkish Not Delighted by Falling Pole in East Pattaya

The foreign resident of a house in Moo 4 of Baan Ekamongkol 5  in Soi Khao Talo in East Pattaya was shocked when power pole toppled over crashing through trees and ending up perched on his house. 

The guy in residence Mr Mano a Turkish national was not delighted and was not hurt in the incident, neither was the house. But there remained the damaged trees downed pole and maze of electric cables. He made a complaint at Pattaya Police Station and soon maintenance workers from the electric company were soon on scene, cut off the electric supply and set to work replacing the downed pole and electricity cables.

Neighbours in the area said that leaning poles were a common occurrence and sometimes they just fell over. Mr Mano said that he had nothing against leaning poles - he had many Polish friends but it was a bit much when they decided to land on his home un-invited.

Multiple Vehicle Pileup on Route 36 Huay Yai South of Pattaya

After receiving a report of a multiple vehicle pile up on Route 36 with a fatality and several persons injured Huay Yai police and units of The Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation rushed to the scene to provide assistance.

At the scene at Baan Klong Yai in Khao Mai Kaew District they found an 18 wheel lorry. At the rear was a black mercedes saloon with extensive damage and nearby a damaged Toyota Vios car. The driver of the Toyota Vios Khun Siriphan aged 34 was injured. Medics administered first aid at the scene and then transported her quickly to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital for further emergency treatment.

The 50 year old driver of the Mercedes from Bangkok was crushed in the drivers seat and did not survive the accident. After removing his body from his wrecked vehicle the deceased driver Khun Surachai was transported to hospital for a full post mortem to be carried out.

The driver of the lorry Khun Tongchai aged 29 along with his wife and small child all sustained minor injuries and were treated on scene but did not require hospitalisation.

It appears that the truck carrying dried fish from Rayong Province had reached this point of the highway and was going quite slowly as it went up a steep incline. The Mercedes in poor lighting conditions ploughed into the rear of the truck followed by the Toyota Vios.

Pattaya Girl From Buriram Smoked Out of Her Drugs Stash

Pattaya Girls from Buriram are not the smartest on the planet - trust me I know the ex wife from Buriram lucked out when she sold the 5 million Baht Benz I bought her well she didn't know that I had stashed my 2 million Baht savings in the boot.

Talking about boots and Buriram girls the fine boys in brown also known as Pattaya police officers also know about the boot trick.

Officers had received a tip off that a certain young lady from Buriram was selling marijuana to Thai teenagers and not so teenage tourists arond the city.

Clutching a card with the ladies name on it given to them by the intelligence section at Pattaya Police Station they went on the hunt. They seeked her here they seeked her there and were about to give up the seeking when one of the officers who was not from the intelligence unit turned over the card to find the ladies address was written on the back.

So with the intelligence info complete they proceeded to the residence of Khun Narin aged 40 in Soi Daengmo in Central Pattaya.

They searched her person - nothing - they searched her room - not a whiff of Marijuana. Then an officer took another look at the suspect. She was from Buriram and she was wearing boots - ahaha putting two and two together he made the right answer five. He searched her boots - still nothing. Meanwhile his partner who was closer to a full shilling checked her wardrobe and in a shoe box which the boots had been purchased in he found a block of dried Marijuana weighing 700g

The happy policemen with happy grins on their happy faces escorted the girl from Buriram to Pattaya Police Station and happily handed over the block of dried Marijuana that had now dried out from 700g to a mere 600g

Friday 18 July 2014

Pattaya Retail Road Show 2014

To Face or not to face that is the question that faces us. Facebook or Face as it is known in Thailand is just one of the online tools to feature heavily at the Retail Road Show 2014 at the Holiday Inn this week.

Khun Wong from The Thailand Software Industry Association opened the show which aims to promote Thailand Software to entrepeneurs from the travel and tourism sector in Pattaya.

It was stressed that getting on boardis essential not only to optimizing the Thai marget where more people every day are Face to Face than before but also with the forthcoming entry into The ASEAN community being able to Face is even more important.

All well and good but if you are going to promote on the Internet your hotel, restaurant or tour operation to tourists all over the world face to face to a face who can't understand a word you speak is not the best way to go. Teach your staff the language of International tourism - English So Entrepenuers you have to face it. It will be far more beneficial to put on a better face when you face off with a potential customer on Facebook.

The Boutique Hotel Pattaya Demolition Another Hitch

After the surrender of Billionaire Khun Alongkorn to Pattaya Police Station after a warrant for his arrest was issued by Pattaya Provincial Court for modifying one of his properties  - The Boutique Hotel on Soi VC in South Pattaya and his subsequent release after paying 200,000 Baht of a 500,000 Baht bail figure Officials from the Engineering Department of Pattaya City Hall could finally start work on the demolition of the offensive property.

Khun Alongkorn and his legal team had been putting off the day of reckoning for moths if not years I lose track exactly how long.

The engineers arrived at the 13 story hotel that should be a 7 story hotel to find the front doors to be chained and padlocked. No problemo - they had foreseen this slight problem and blot cutters had been brought along. Their first task after gaining entry was to cut off and s secure the utilities like water and electric.

What they hadn't foreseen despite the demolition orders and the chains and padlocks the electric meters were merrily whirring around. There were still tourists resident in some of the rooms. The engineers halted their operation to get advice from Pattaya City Hall.

The saga continues.

Latest Pattaya Motorcycle Taxi Driver Meeting at Pattaya City Hall

Khun Sakchai Teangho the deputy Mayor of Pattaya took the drivers seat at a Pattaya City Hall meeting room to chair yet another meeting to hear progress on the matter of motorcycle taxi drivers registrations. The last meeting was convened to hear progress on the motorcycle taxi drivers registrations which at that time was in progress. This meeting was held at the end of the period for compulsory registration of Pattaya motorcycle taxi drivers.

11,267 people had registered as Pattaya motorcycle taxi drivers in the four different areas designated in the district as being motorcycle taxi driver zones.

The commitee would now schedule another meeting to discuss these figures and consider issuing licences to operate as a motorcycle taxi driver in the zone that they had been registered. Then they would issue vests to the motorcycle taxi drivers which used to be the role of the mafia that controlled the motorcycle taxi drivers. Another duty of the motorcycle taxi driver mafia was to set and enforce minimum fares for different journies according to the length of the journey, the time of the evening, whether it was raining or not, the length of the ladies skirts and the nationality of the person requesting transportation i.e Thai or Farang.

Pattaya City Hall are keen to set their own requirements on minimum fares to be fare to the riders and passengers which seems fair enough as long as farangs get a fair crack whether the weather is fair or foul.

Vietnamese Police Invade Pattaya

A group of high level Vietnamese officials visited Pattaya this week. Their first stop was Pattaya Police Station. No they hadn't become the latest tourist victims lining up to make a police report they were indeed senior Vietnamese Police officers paying a courtesy visit to their Thai law enforcement counterparts.

Police Colonel Supatee the Acting Superintendent was on duty to greet the vietnamese delegation led by Major General Dr. Phan Huak Ha, a Deputy Director-General of the Vietnamese Police Force.

The aim ofthe visit was to share knowledge and experience on their ways of law enforcement especially in an international tourist resort scene and learn more about the work undertaken by the Royal Thai Police force in Pattaya. They were given a tour of the 5 star facilities at Pattaya Police Station and the tour culminated with a you show me yours I'll show you mine display of firearms by the Provincial Police Commando Unit.

All this promoting good relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Thailand must have been thirsty work as the joint contingent were last seen heading towards Walking Street.

2 Injured in East Pattaya Motorcycle Accident

It was a dark day for a couple of Darkside motorcycle riders when they crashed in Soi Nernplubwan East Pattaya. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Foundation were called to the accident scene at the entrance to soi MabYaiLia 1 on Soi Nernplubwan.

There were two downed motorcycycles a Yamaha Fino and a Honda Click as well as long traffic jam in all directions. The young lasy aged about 22 had already been transported to hospital. The young man who was riding the Yamaha Fino ws laying unconcious in the road. Medics gave first aid at the scene and he was also rushed to hospital.

Eyewitnesses said that the Honda click had slowed to make a turn into soi MabYaiLia 1 and was rammed from behind by the Yamaha Fino rider.

Unfortunately just a normal day in East Pattaya

Gas Leak Accident at Laem Chabang Port

Whoops dropped it!! or something similar in Thai came from the lips of a crane operator unloading cargo from a vessel at Laem Chabang Port.

Oh Sugar!! was the cry when the gas cylinder split open and ruptures spilling gas. 

Oh my God!! along with further expletives came from the port officials when they realized that only did the cylinder contain Butyl Acrylate which is poisonous it was also highly inflammable.

The alarm was sounded and port authorities and emergency services responded. Whilst the officials considered their options to deal with the leakage of dangerous chemicals representatives from factories In The Laem Chabang Industrial Estate nearby came to the scene to assess whether to evacuate their workers. The Marine Department finally made a decision and had the ship towed out to see while the gas dissipated.

A good day eventually for Laem Chabang Port and The Marine Department but not so good for local citizens and school children from a local school. Some passed out, others suffered severe irritation from the corrosive gas and staff at Laem Chabang Hospital were kept busy with 60 people neading medical attention.

Thursday 17 July 2014

Owner of Boutique Hotel in Soi VC Pattaya Surrenders to Police

The tale of the Boutique Hotel in Soi VC South Pattaya drags on and reached new heights this week. The hotel is subject to a demolition order from Pattaya City for allegedly being modified with extra floors.

Cout order after court order, raid after raid has so far come to nought. The reason - The owner Khun Alongkorn aged 47 a reputed billionaire from Bangkok thinks he is above the law and so can build above the other buildings on his road with impunity. He has extended the building from 7 floors to 13 floors - an unlucky number for Khun Alongkorn despite the number in his bank nbalance

Pattaya City Hall are concerned that the structure is unsafe and a potential death trap for the mainly foreign tourists who stay there. 

Khun Alongkorn flanked by a team of legal advisors surrendered himself at Pattaya Police Station. A meeting was held, chaired by Police Major General Sanit, the Acting Commissioner of Region 2 Police, Khun Komsan, the Governor of Chonburi Province, Khun Ronagit, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya and Police Colonel Supatee, the Acting Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station.

The result bail had already been arranged for 500,000 Baht and his lawyers had arranged a preliminary payment of 200,000 Baht to secure his immediate release. How big is your chump change wallet?

Chonburi Entertainment Venue Raids

Under directives issued by The National Peace Keeping Council Chonburi police launched a series of raids in the city of Chonburi aimed at clamping down on illegal activities in entertainment venues.

20 officers took part in the raids and paid a visit to check on licencing documents and staff at the venues. They were looking at the ID cards of the staff it is illegal to employ persons under 18 at an entertainment venue. They also conducted urine tests to check for anyone using illegal drugs.

Venue owners were warned that these checks would be on-going and if they wanted to avoid closures than should get their act together and make sure that there wore no infractions of the law at their business premises.

Drunken German in Pattaya Overturns his Honda

The radio control centre of the Tappraya 2310 Foundation received a report of a road accident in Pornprapanimit Road and dispatched a volunteer rescue unit to provide assistance.

At the scene near Chokchai market they found a Honda car that had overturned and a Hyundai vehicle that had sustained damage. The overturned vehicle was blocking the road and a long traffic jam had built up.

The driver of the vehicle Mr. Man a German National had also sustained damage to his right eye. He was stood by his vehicle and didn't seem to be in too much pain as the alcohol he had consumed seemed to be working well in numbing the effects of the crash.

The driver of the Hyundai Mr. O who was not driving at the time of the accident but parked at the side of the road was not a happy chappy to have met up with the drunken Deautchlander in such circumstances. Mr. Man was given first aid at the scene and was just getting bandaged up when Nongprue police arrived Hello hello was ist dast. Dast was ein Honda.

Large Raid on Huay Yai Village Near Pattaya

After receiving tip offs that a village in Huay Yai District, just south of Pattaya was a hot bed of criminal activity including being a major drugs haven in the area around 200 District Officers along with Royal Thai Naval Officers and Police Officers carried out an early morning raid.

Baan Tunglahaan has around 700 homes and a population of around 1,700 folks The raid led by The Sherrif of Banglamung Khun Rankert Ekasing. They sealed off the area and then concentrated on a predetermined series of targets.

First on the list was the home of of the former village chief, Khun Wisit aged 58. Immediately they struck lucky. 4 9mm guns and 50 rounds of ammunition were soon uncovered. Khun Wisit showed them the proper documentation for the weapons. Then they found a stash of CD's containing pornographic images. Not mine Khun Wisit said - they belong to my son - he needs to get a life or even better a wife.

The officials decided not to press any charges and moved on to the next target. There was no one home and a cursory search found sweet fanny adams.

At the next targeted premises the householder was questioned about a firearm that was discovered. The houseowner Khun Sompong aged 45 showed them the registration papers. He had a nice looking classic sports car, again the paperwork was in order. His home was a tasteful wooden style Thai home. Where did he get the wood from. All legally obtained he stated although he didn't have registration papers for each plank of wood.

As the targets were being targeted the rest of the officials who didn't want to be accused of thumb twiddling randomly drug tested a selection of villagers - whoops 8 tested positive.

She sheriff of Banglamung, 200 District officers, police officers and Navy officers - 8 drug users - a good morning and a shot over the bows for criminals on the Eastern Seaboard.

Human Trafficker, Loan Shark Captured by Police Military in Sattahip

A press conference was held at Sattahip Police Station to announce the result of a recent joint police - military crime suppression operation. The operation was in accordance with crime suppression policies instigated by The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) that intends to eliminate trouble and suffering to Thai people from various crimes all over the country.

There was a fine aray of police and military officers dressed in their finery at Sattahip police station, including Captain Khomphan Ouppalanon (Director of Joint Operations and Intelligence, Sattahip Naval Base), Pol.Col. Chonnaphat Nawalak (Superintendent of Sattahip police station), Pol.Lt.Col. Niphon Pomsanarm (Deputy Superintendent), Pol.Lt.Col. Pawatchai Sudsakhon (Deputy Superintendent) and loads of other members of the navy and police who are too low in rank to be worthy of a mention.

The criminals on parade today Mrs Nong Phimphannee, aged 48, Cambodian national. It is alleged that she is an illegal alien running a human trafficking operation to bring in other illegal aliens and placing them in jobs. Sort of like an Illegal worker Manpower service. She was arrested with incriminating evidence that documents the un-documented workers and the fees collected. Obviously she should have placed herself in a suitable Accountancy job.

Next was her younger brother Mr. Thanasak aged 28 who is charged with being an alleged loan shark preying on poor Thai victims who he would make poorer by charging them extortionate interest rates. as well supplying illegal workers to the Bang Sarey District. It is alleged that Mr Thanasak was ripping off military families by charging 20% interest per loan to sailors’ housewives in the navy area.

With the closing down by the police/military of these dangerous criminals we can all sleep a little easier in our beds.

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Former Thai Army Man Drowns off Pattaya Beach

The body of a Thai man was found floating a couple of hundred meters out in Pattaya Bay. The body was recovered by a speed boat which brought it to the beach across from The Royal Garden Plaza. for examination.

The body was partially clothed in a pair of jeans. There was no sign that he had received any injuries or wounds and the police think he may have got into difficulties maybe with cramps or maybe due to intoxication and drowned. He appered to have been dead for about 2-3 hours.

Later some belongings were discovered at the old Jetty close to the entrance of Walking Street belonging to a former member of the Thai Military Khun Chalerm aged 30 including a Thai Military ID Card and a shirt and pair of shoes.

The deceased was transported to hospital for a full autopsy to be carried out which should shed some light on how this young man died.