John Alty smuggled Sri Lankans and Iranians into Australia and New Zealand.
A SCOT suspected of running an international trafficking racket has been deported from Thailand.
John Alty, 57, is believed to have masterminded the smuggling of Sri Lankans and Iranians into Australia and New Zealand.
The convicted drug trafficker was arrested in May by Thai police acting on information passed to them by the UK Border Agency.
He returned to Britain at the weekend after being held in a notorious Bangkok detention centre for the last two months.
Alty, from Glasgow, had been running a guest house called the Squealing Pig in Hua Hin, 180 miles south of the Thai capital.
The father of two moved to Thailand several years ago and immersed himself in the country’s lucrative sex industry.
He once claimed on a website that Thai prostitutes found their work “fun” and “loved the life”.
He added: “You can take the girl out of the bar ... but you can’t take the bar out of the girl..!”
Alty – who changed his name from John Cumming in 1993 – was escorted to the airport from the infamous Bangkok Detention Centre by police.
Full Story: http://www.dailyreco...hailand-1193564
--Daily Record-- 2012- 08- 01
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Posted 2012-08-01 07:14:49
Poisonous pufferfish balls found at Samut Sakhon fish factory
By Coconuts Bangkok
SAMUT SAKHON: -- The owners of a fish processing factory in Samut Sakhon are in deep water after inspections turned up traces of poisonous pufferfish in their fishballs.
Flesh from the toxic puffers – which live in the tropical waters around Thailand – was also found in the plant’s “Smiling Fish” brand fish strings.
We guess the owners of the plant – in Tha Cheen Subdistrict of the coastal province – aren’t smiling anymore.
Phiphat Yingseree, secretary-general of Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration, said inspectors’ suspicions were aroused when they noticed some of the factory’s products hadn’t been labelled properly. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...n-fish-factory/
-- COCONUTSBangkok 2012-08-01
By Coconuts Bangkok
SAMUT SAKHON: -- The owners of a fish processing factory in Samut Sakhon are in deep water after inspections turned up traces of poisonous pufferfish in their fishballs.
Flesh from the toxic puffers – which live in the tropical waters around Thailand – was also found in the plant’s “Smiling Fish” brand fish strings.
We guess the owners of the plant – in Tha Cheen Subdistrict of the coastal province – aren’t smiling anymore.
Phiphat Yingseree, secretary-general of Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration, said inspectors’ suspicions were aroused when they noticed some of the factory’s products hadn’t been labelled properly. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...n-fish-factory/
-- COCONUTSBangkok 2012-08-01
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Black labrador bites newborn baby to death in Bangkok
By Coconuts Bangkok
A black labrador
BANGKOK: -- A labrador mauled a couple’s nine-day-old baby son to death before the dog was itself killed, reportedly by the boy’s grief-stricken father.
The tragedy happened at the family’s home on Soi Sakaengam in Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian District on Wednesday evening.
The couple, Nuchara and Thana Wichianpheuphon, had gone out when the attack took place. They had left Thana’s mother to look after their newborn son Phumjai.
Nuchara, 35, said the couple used the black labrador known as “Shogun” as a guard dog.
When the attack took place, Shogun was out in front of the house, while Phumjai was sleeping in a cradle on the ground floor. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...ath-in-bangkok/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-08-03
By Coconuts Bangkok
A black labrador
BANGKOK: -- A labrador mauled a couple’s nine-day-old baby son to death before the dog was itself killed, reportedly by the boy’s grief-stricken father.
The tragedy happened at the family’s home on Soi Sakaengam in Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian District on Wednesday evening.
The couple, Nuchara and Thana Wichianpheuphon, had gone out when the attack took place. They had left Thana’s mother to look after their newborn son Phumjai.
Nuchara, 35, said the couple used the black labrador known as “Shogun” as a guard dog.
When the attack took place, Shogun was out in front of the house, while Phumjai was sleeping in a cradle on the ground floor. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...ath-in-bangkok/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-08-03
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Posted 2012-08-03 20:42:14
Earlier story: http://www.thephuket...ivers-32400.php
Aussie started the fight: taxi drivers
PHUKET: This afternoon, police called tuk-tuk drivers and Australian tourist Peter Hulands for questioning at the police station in Patong.
Friday 3 August 2012, 05:52PM
Australian tourist Peter Hulands.
Although several of the tuk-tuk and taxi drivers present admitted being involved in beating up Mr Hulands, they insisted that the Australian started the fight, twice. (See earlier story here).
Taxi driver Chaiyan Rakwong told reporters he saw Mr Hulands’ partner, Karyn Connors, leaving Rock City, on the corner of Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd and Soi Sansabai, followed shortly afterwards by Mr Hulands, who appeared irritated and drunk.
When one of a taxi drivers asked him if he wanted a taxi, Mr Hulands abused him, and the driver responded with similarly robust language.
Continued here:
Source: http://www.thephuket...ivers-32414.php
Aussie started the fight: taxi drivers
PHUKET: This afternoon, police called tuk-tuk drivers and Australian tourist Peter Hulands for questioning at the police station in Patong.
Friday 3 August 2012, 05:52PM
Australian tourist Peter Hulands.
Although several of the tuk-tuk and taxi drivers present admitted being involved in beating up Mr Hulands, they insisted that the Australian started the fight, twice. (See earlier story here).
Taxi driver Chaiyan Rakwong told reporters he saw Mr Hulands’ partner, Karyn Connors, leaving Rock City, on the corner of Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Rd and Soi Sansabai, followed shortly afterwards by Mr Hulands, who appeared irritated and drunk.
When one of a taxi drivers asked him if he wanted a taxi, Mr Hulands abused him, and the driver responded with similarly robust language.
Continued here:
Source: http://www.thephuket...ivers-32414.php
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Posted 2012-08-04 12:59:52
Swede Fatally Stabs Thai GF’s Facebook Friend
An apparent love triangle among 18-year-olds resulted in a fatal stabbing in a Sakaew hotel room. The Thai girlfriend of a Swede had befriended a Thai student on Facebook, but the two men battled each other to death when they met.
SAKAEW – August 3, 2012 [PDN]; At the Muang Sakaew police station, Amphur Muang, Sakaew province, police were notified of a killing in the Jantra hotel in Amphur Muang.
Police rushed to the scene and found the body of Mr. Wasan Naseub, 18, a first-year university student in the Information Technology faculty. He was lying in front of the stairs to the hotel with many stab wounds in his body.
Police went to room 10 in the hotel where the stabbing occurred, where they found the suspect, Mr. Jonis Mamood, 18, from Sweden. He was sitting in the room with his girlfriend, Ms. Jeeranan Tathong, age 18.
The neck of Mr. Jonis’ shirt was torn and the room had traces of fighting that had occurred. There were many pools of blood, and a 6-inch knife was lying on the floor. Mr. Jonis confessed that he killed Mr. Wasan but said he did it to protect himself.
Ms. Jeeranan told police that she is from Sakaew province. She had previously followed her mother to live in Sweden, where she became the girlfriend of Mr. Jonis. She said she had recently befriended the stabbing victim, Mr. Wasan, through Facebook, although they had never met in person.
Prior to the incident, she had persuaded Mr. Jonis to travel to her hometown in Sakaew province. Mr. Jonis had been in Sakaew for two days when Ms. Jeeranana contacted Mr. Wasan via Facebook, because she wanted to meet face-to-face with him.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...acebook-friend/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-08-04
An apparent love triangle among 18-year-olds resulted in a fatal stabbing in a Sakaew hotel room. The Thai girlfriend of a Swede had befriended a Thai student on Facebook, but the two men battled each other to death when they met.
SAKAEW – August 3, 2012 [PDN]; At the Muang Sakaew police station, Amphur Muang, Sakaew province, police were notified of a killing in the Jantra hotel in Amphur Muang.
Police rushed to the scene and found the body of Mr. Wasan Naseub, 18, a first-year university student in the Information Technology faculty. He was lying in front of the stairs to the hotel with many stab wounds in his body.
Police went to room 10 in the hotel where the stabbing occurred, where they found the suspect, Mr. Jonis Mamood, 18, from Sweden. He was sitting in the room with his girlfriend, Ms. Jeeranan Tathong, age 18.
The neck of Mr. Jonis’ shirt was torn and the room had traces of fighting that had occurred. There were many pools of blood, and a 6-inch knife was lying on the floor. Mr. Jonis confessed that he killed Mr. Wasan but said he did it to protect himself.
Ms. Jeeranan told police that she is from Sakaew province. She had previously followed her mother to live in Sweden, where she became the girlfriend of Mr. Jonis. She said she had recently befriended the stabbing victim, Mr. Wasan, through Facebook, although they had never met in person.
Prior to the incident, she had persuaded Mr. Jonis to travel to her hometown in Sakaew province. Mr. Jonis had been in Sakaew for two days when Ms. Jeeranana contacted Mr. Wasan via Facebook, because she wanted to meet face-to-face with him.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...acebook-friend/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-08-04
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Posted 2012-08-05 16:29:30
Speed pills, crystal meth worth Bt30 million seized in Ubon Ratchathani
UBON RATCHATHANI, Aug 5- Three suspected drug traffickers were arrested on Sunday in this northeastern province with 120,000 methamphetamine pills and four packages of ‘ice’ crystal methamphetamine valued at around Bt30 million (about US$1 million).
Son Thammada, 40, Popwaree Yotha, 32, and Artit Songkroh, 29, were captured at a checkpoint on Khemarat-Mukdahan road in Khemarat district while they were travelling by a Chai Nat-registered pickup truck, Pol Col Pairoj Mangkala, deputy chief of Ubon Ratchathani provincial police, told at a press briefing.
During the search inside the vehicle, packages of 120,000 meth pills and four packages of crystal meth were found hidden in a bag. Destinations for delivery, including in Bangkok and its vicinities, were identified on each meth pill packages as well.
According to a preliminary investigation, Mr Son said that he was hired by a Laotian drug agent to deliver the meth pills to drug syndicates in the capital, adding that he was committing a drug offence for the first time.
Initially, they were charged with possession of the meth pills and crystal meth with intent to sell. (MCOT online news)
UBON RATCHATHANI, Aug 5- Three suspected drug traffickers were arrested on Sunday in this northeastern province with 120,000 methamphetamine pills and four packages of ‘ice’ crystal methamphetamine valued at around Bt30 million (about US$1 million).
Son Thammada, 40, Popwaree Yotha, 32, and Artit Songkroh, 29, were captured at a checkpoint on Khemarat-Mukdahan road in Khemarat district while they were travelling by a Chai Nat-registered pickup truck, Pol Col Pairoj Mangkala, deputy chief of Ubon Ratchathani provincial police, told at a press briefing.
During the search inside the vehicle, packages of 120,000 meth pills and four packages of crystal meth were found hidden in a bag. Destinations for delivery, including in Bangkok and its vicinities, were identified on each meth pill packages as well.
According to a preliminary investigation, Mr Son said that he was hired by a Laotian drug agent to deliver the meth pills to drug syndicates in the capital, adding that he was committing a drug offence for the first time.
Initially, they were charged with possession of the meth pills and crystal meth with intent to sell. (MCOT online news)
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Posted 2012-08-06 06:00:23
Grenades, AK-47 found on Bangkok bus
Bangkok, Aug 6, 2012 (AFP) - Thai police said Sunday they were looking for the owner of a bag left on a public bus in Bangkok with an AK-47 assault rifle, more than 200 bullets, 10 hand grenades and five mines inside.
The owner is thought to have fled when the bus broke down on the outskirts of the capital after developing mechanical problems near the end of its journey from northeast Thailand, the authorities said.
Police said it was unclear where the arms were destined.
"We are investigating and searching" for the owner, said Police Colonel Kamthorn Ouicharoen.
Thailand has seen a number of grenade attacks in the past linked to political violence and personal disputes, while gun and bomb attacks are common in the kingdom's insurgency-plagued deep south.
Bangkok, Aug 6, 2012 (AFP) - Thai police said Sunday they were looking for the owner of a bag left on a public bus in Bangkok with an AK-47 assault rifle, more than 200 bullets, 10 hand grenades and five mines inside.
The owner is thought to have fled when the bus broke down on the outskirts of the capital after developing mechanical problems near the end of its journey from northeast Thailand, the authorities said.
Police said it was unclear where the arms were destined.
"We are investigating and searching" for the owner, said Police Colonel Kamthorn Ouicharoen.
Thailand has seen a number of grenade attacks in the past linked to political violence and personal disputes, while gun and bomb attacks are common in the kingdom's insurgency-plagued deep south.
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Phuket Police investigate apparent stabbing suicide by Swiss expat
Phuket Gazette
The passport photo of the late Mr Leepert, who Phuket Police believe took his life with a self-inflicted stab wound to the chest in his rented home in Rawai yesterday. Photo: Krissada Meuanhawong
PHUKET: -- Police in Phuket are investigating the apparent suicide of a Swiss expatriate found with a fatal knife wound to the chest in his rented home in Rawai yesterday.
Chalong Police at 11:30am were notified that a male Caucasian had taken his life by a stabbing at a home on Soi Naya.
Arriving at the scene with Phuket Ruamjai Kupai Foundation rescue workers, police found the body of a man lying on the bed in the bedroom of the two-storey, detached home.
A bloodstained fruit carving knife, still in the hand of the deceased, was among the evidence collected at the scene.
The body was identified,by passport, as that of 54-year-old Swiss national Francois Leepert.
His Thai wife, who reported the death, was lying at his side crying when police arrived.
An initial investigation of the scene by Chalong Police Inspector Aekasit Pinkaew found no signs of struggle or forced entry at the scene.
Mr Leepert had died about two hours earlier, police estimated.
After their inspection, police released the body of the late Mr Leepert to rescue workers who delivered it to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further examination and storage pending funeral arrangements.
Initial questioning revealed that the deceased likely fell into a depressed, lovelorn state. According to reports, he tried to call his wife up to 80 times and sent a text message to his wife before ending his life.
“Teerak [My love] Can't stop loving you - wish you all the best - you are the woman of my dreams - good by”, the message read.
According to one report, Mr Leepert worked as a banker in his native Switzerland before retiring in Phuket six years ago.
Chalong Police will continue to investigate to rule out any possibility of foul play.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16605.html
Phuket Gazette
The passport photo of the late Mr Leepert, who Phuket Police believe took his life with a self-inflicted stab wound to the chest in his rented home in Rawai yesterday. Photo: Krissada Meuanhawong
PHUKET: -- Police in Phuket are investigating the apparent suicide of a Swiss expatriate found with a fatal knife wound to the chest in his rented home in Rawai yesterday.
Chalong Police at 11:30am were notified that a male Caucasian had taken his life by a stabbing at a home on Soi Naya.
Arriving at the scene with Phuket Ruamjai Kupai Foundation rescue workers, police found the body of a man lying on the bed in the bedroom of the two-storey, detached home.
A bloodstained fruit carving knife, still in the hand of the deceased, was among the evidence collected at the scene.
The body was identified,by passport, as that of 54-year-old Swiss national Francois Leepert.
His Thai wife, who reported the death, was lying at his side crying when police arrived.
An initial investigation of the scene by Chalong Police Inspector Aekasit Pinkaew found no signs of struggle or forced entry at the scene.
Mr Leepert had died about two hours earlier, police estimated.
After their inspection, police released the body of the late Mr Leepert to rescue workers who delivered it to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further examination and storage pending funeral arrangements.
Initial questioning revealed that the deceased likely fell into a depressed, lovelorn state. According to reports, he tried to call his wife up to 80 times and sent a text message to his wife before ending his life.
“Teerak [My love] Can't stop loving you - wish you all the best - you are the woman of my dreams - good by”, the message read.
According to one report, Mr Leepert worked as a banker in his native Switzerland before retiring in Phuket six years ago.
Chalong Police will continue to investigate to rule out any possibility of foul play.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16605.html
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Posted 2012-08-09 06:32:35
No alcohol on buses
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- The government has announced a ban on alcohol consumption on public buses.
The ban, issued under the 2008 Alcohol Consumption Control, went into effect yesterday. The order was signed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on July 23.
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- The government has announced a ban on alcohol consumption on public buses.
The ban, issued under the 2008 Alcohol Consumption Control, went into effect yesterday. The order was signed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on July 23.
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Posted 2012-08-10 07:13:15
Drunken perv hunts upskirts on Bangkok's outskirts
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- A resourceful pervert with a penchant for “upskirts” was nabbed by the cops in an advanced state of drunkenness in a hospital on the outskirts of Greater Bangkok yesterday.
Narin Ritthi, 31, was caught by Pathum Thani cops with a piece of mirror stuck to one of his shoes. He had apparently spent the morning getting drunk – and using the reflective surface to look up unsuspecting women’s skirts.
A security guard at Pathum Thani Hospital eventually detained him and called the police.
In what was described as a “matter of fact” manner, Narin told officers he had gotten up that morning and gone to a Tesco-Lotus department store.
Then he started getting “abnormal” thoughts and stuck the mirror to his shoe. He managed to get a few upskirt views before being chased out the store by a security guard. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...koks-outskirts/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-08-10
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- A resourceful pervert with a penchant for “upskirts” was nabbed by the cops in an advanced state of drunkenness in a hospital on the outskirts of Greater Bangkok yesterday.
Narin Ritthi, 31, was caught by Pathum Thani cops with a piece of mirror stuck to one of his shoes. He had apparently spent the morning getting drunk – and using the reflective surface to look up unsuspecting women’s skirts.
A security guard at Pathum Thani Hospital eventually detained him and called the police.
In what was described as a “matter of fact” manner, Narin told officers he had gotten up that morning and gone to a Tesco-Lotus department store.
Then he started getting “abnormal” thoughts and stuck the mirror to his shoe. He managed to get a few upskirt views before being chased out the store by a security guard. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...koks-outskirts/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-08-10
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Mae Sot hit by floods as Moei bursts it banks
The Nation
MAE SOT: -- Vendors in Tak's Mae Sot district were forced to suspend business on Friday when the Moei River burst its banks following days of heavy rain.
About 100 border patrol police and rescuers rushed to the scene to help evacuate the vendors from the flooding, which was about 50 centimetres deep.
About 300 shops operate along the bank of the river, which demarcates the border between Thailand and Myanmar.
A rescue centre was set up to help affected residents in Tambon Thasailuad area.
The floods also reached downtown Mae Sot after water overflowed the spillway of a reservoir. Police had to divert vehicles from Rachakarn Rassadorn Damri 2 and roads around Mae Sot's district office, which were under 70 cm of water.
Mae Sot Municipality has been declared an emergency zone following torrential rains over the past month, which have caused reservoirs and rivers to overflow.
Water in Mae Sot reservoir, located in Tambon Pra That Pha Daeng, overflowed on to the spillway and increased the level of water in creeks, triggering floods in the municipality around 10am.
The municipality office has issued a flood warning for local people to evacuate and move their personal belonging to higher places.
Meanwhile in Chiang Mai province, Tassanai Buranapakorn, mayor of Chiang Mai Municipality, had inspected 10 flood barriers along Mae Ping river after heavy rain in the area over the past two weeks.
Last year, more than 800 cubic metres of water per second flowed pass Chiang Mai Municipality but the capacity of Mae Ping River was able to handle only 500 cubic metres of water per second.
The authorities were not able to increase the river's capacity due to construction blocking the flow. There were also no water retention areas in the municipality.
"We hope that these 10 barriers will prevent Chiang Mai City from flooding this year," Tassanai added.
However, he said Pa Prao Nok community is at risk of flooding as it is in a low-lying area. The municipality could not finish the barrier construction in time for this year's rainy season and will therefore build a temporary dyke and install water pumps to drain water from this area.
Meanwhile, Thai Meteorological Department reported that the northern and northeastern provinces of Thailand can expect heavy rain during next two days. Light rain showers are forecast for Bangkok and nearby provinces
-- The Nation 2012-08-10
The Nation
MAE SOT: -- Vendors in Tak's Mae Sot district were forced to suspend business on Friday when the Moei River burst its banks following days of heavy rain.
About 100 border patrol police and rescuers rushed to the scene to help evacuate the vendors from the flooding, which was about 50 centimetres deep.
About 300 shops operate along the bank of the river, which demarcates the border between Thailand and Myanmar.
A rescue centre was set up to help affected residents in Tambon Thasailuad area.
The floods also reached downtown Mae Sot after water overflowed the spillway of a reservoir. Police had to divert vehicles from Rachakarn Rassadorn Damri 2 and roads around Mae Sot's district office, which were under 70 cm of water.
Mae Sot Municipality has been declared an emergency zone following torrential rains over the past month, which have caused reservoirs and rivers to overflow.
Water in Mae Sot reservoir, located in Tambon Pra That Pha Daeng, overflowed on to the spillway and increased the level of water in creeks, triggering floods in the municipality around 10am.
The municipality office has issued a flood warning for local people to evacuate and move their personal belonging to higher places.
Meanwhile in Chiang Mai province, Tassanai Buranapakorn, mayor of Chiang Mai Municipality, had inspected 10 flood barriers along Mae Ping river after heavy rain in the area over the past two weeks.
Last year, more than 800 cubic metres of water per second flowed pass Chiang Mai Municipality but the capacity of Mae Ping River was able to handle only 500 cubic metres of water per second.
The authorities were not able to increase the river's capacity due to construction blocking the flow. There were also no water retention areas in the municipality.
"We hope that these 10 barriers will prevent Chiang Mai City from flooding this year," Tassanai added.
However, he said Pa Prao Nok community is at risk of flooding as it is in a low-lying area. The municipality could not finish the barrier construction in time for this year's rainy season and will therefore build a temporary dyke and install water pumps to drain water from this area.
Meanwhile, Thai Meteorological Department reported that the northern and northeastern provinces of Thailand can expect heavy rain during next two days. Light rain showers are forecast for Bangkok and nearby provinces
-- The Nation 2012-08-10
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Thai senator kills cousin in hotel gun accident
Bangkok, Aug 13, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai senator accidentally shot his cousin dead as he tried to put away the 9mm sub-machine gun that he had placed on the table during a family meal, police said Monday.Boonsong Kowawisarat fatally injured Chanakarn Detkard, 46, when he mistakenly fired the Uzi at a private dining area of the Garden Resort, in Phrae province, northern Thailand, on Sunday evening.
Chanakarn, who worked as a secretary for the senator, suffered a bullet wound to the stomach and died on the way to hospital, according to local police, who said around five family members were at the hotel dinner.
Police said 56-year-old Boonsong, who is the senate representative for northern Mae Hong Son province, will be charged with causing death by negligence. He faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and a 20,000 baht ($636) fine.
Officials said it was unclear why the senator was armed at the meal.
"From our initial inquiry, the secretary's family will not sue because they were relatives and it was an accident -- he did not mean to do it," a local police officer told AFP by telephone.
-- ©Copyright AFP 2012-08-13 | AFP News Sponsor
Published with written approval from AFP.
Bangkok, Aug 13, 2012 (AFP) - A Thai senator accidentally shot his cousin dead as he tried to put away the 9mm sub-machine gun that he had placed on the table during a family meal, police said Monday.Boonsong Kowawisarat fatally injured Chanakarn Detkard, 46, when he mistakenly fired the Uzi at a private dining area of the Garden Resort, in Phrae province, northern Thailand, on Sunday evening.
Chanakarn, who worked as a secretary for the senator, suffered a bullet wound to the stomach and died on the way to hospital, according to local police, who said around five family members were at the hotel dinner.
Police said 56-year-old Boonsong, who is the senate representative for northern Mae Hong Son province, will be charged with causing death by negligence. He faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and a 20,000 baht ($636) fine.
Officials said it was unclear why the senator was armed at the meal.
"From our initial inquiry, the secretary's family will not sue because they were relatives and it was an accident -- he did not mean to do it," a local police officer told AFP by telephone.
-- ©Copyright AFP 2012-08-13 | AFP News Sponsor
Published with written approval from AFP.
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Anti-corruption commission readies case against Plodprasob over tigers
THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will meet with the Office of the Attorney-General today to arrange for proceedings to begin against Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadi over his controversial approval of the export of 100 tigers to China in 2003.
Plodprasob, who headed the Royal Forestry Department (RFD) at the time, said yesterday he was currently immune to legal prosecution because he was an MP carrying out his duty during the ongoing parliamentary session.
The Constitution provides legal immunity to legislators while the Parliament is in session.
The current session will end in December.
"I am not worried at all," Plodprasob said. He was ready to fight this case to the end if the anti-graft agency pushed for prosecution against him.
"The allegation against me is untrue," Plodprasob said.
NACC secretary-general Apinan Israngura Na Ayuthaya yesterday said he would send officials to meet with the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) today to discuss when Plodprasob should turn himself in for prosecution.
The NACC has ruled that Plodprasob abused his authority in approving the export of the tigers.
Recently, Saman Donnapee, who is now director of the RFD's Forest Land Management Bureau, asked the OAG to report on progress in the case.
In response, the OAG announced that public prosecutors had already issued an opinion that Plodprasob should be prosecuted and had informed the NACC it must bring Plodprasob before the OAG for prosecution.
"We have already drafted the prosecution documents. We can start the prosecution as soon as the NACC hands over the suspect," OAG spokesman Winai Damrongmongkolkul said.
Plodprasob yesterday complained that Saman should not have pushed for the case against him because it was not under Saman's jurisdiction.
"This case is under the jurisdiction of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department," Plodprasob said.
According to the science minister, the 100 exported tigers have given birth to more than 200 tiger cubs. They are now at Chinese zoos. Of the original 100 tigers exported from Thailand, 20 have died.
THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will meet with the Office of the Attorney-General today to arrange for proceedings to begin against Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadi over his controversial approval of the export of 100 tigers to China in 2003.
Plodprasob, who headed the Royal Forestry Department (RFD) at the time, said yesterday he was currently immune to legal prosecution because he was an MP carrying out his duty during the ongoing parliamentary session.
The Constitution provides legal immunity to legislators while the Parliament is in session.
The current session will end in December.
"I am not worried at all," Plodprasob said. He was ready to fight this case to the end if the anti-graft agency pushed for prosecution against him.
"The allegation against me is untrue," Plodprasob said.
NACC secretary-general Apinan Israngura Na Ayuthaya yesterday said he would send officials to meet with the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) today to discuss when Plodprasob should turn himself in for prosecution.
The NACC has ruled that Plodprasob abused his authority in approving the export of the tigers.
Recently, Saman Donnapee, who is now director of the RFD's Forest Land Management Bureau, asked the OAG to report on progress in the case.
In response, the OAG announced that public prosecutors had already issued an opinion that Plodprasob should be prosecuted and had informed the NACC it must bring Plodprasob before the OAG for prosecution.
"We have already drafted the prosecution documents. We can start the prosecution as soon as the NACC hands over the suspect," OAG spokesman Winai Damrongmongkolkul said.
Plodprasob yesterday complained that Saman should not have pushed for the case against him because it was not under Saman's jurisdiction.
"This case is under the jurisdiction of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department," Plodprasob said.
According to the science minister, the 100 exported tigers have given birth to more than 200 tiger cubs. They are now at Chinese zoos. Of the original 100 tigers exported from Thailand, 20 have died.
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Fatality spurs BMA to check billboards
THANATPONG KHONGSAI
THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- More than 900 billboards across Bangkok will be inspected and if they are found to be unsafe, they will be torn down, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.
The measure was announced after Janya Suwannabut, a 50-year-old mason, was killed by a falling billboard on Rama II Road in Chom Thong district on Sunday. Heavy rain and strong winds toppled the billboard.
Manaphan Wisutthiphong was the billboard's owner, police said.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has filed a police report against the owner and will rush to discover the cause of the incident, Sukhumbhand said after his inspection of the scene.
He has ordered the city's 50 district offices to quickly to inspect all billboards, estimated at more than 900.
"If any of them are illegal, they will be demolished," the governor said.
BMA executives would have a meeting today (Aug14) to discuss the safety and strength standards of billboards as well as laws against owners of illegal billboards, Sukhumbhand said. Officials will also aim to find ways to strengthen new and old billboards to prevent further accidents.
Sunday's toppled billboard had received a permit in 2004 but its owner was still in the process of requesting a document guaranteeing its strength.
Janya's head was broken when the billboard fell on her while she was fixing a company's shop. She was rushed to Bangpakok 9 International Hospital, where she later died.
THANATPONG KHONGSAI
THE NATION
BANGKOK: -- More than 900 billboards across Bangkok will be inspected and if they are found to be unsafe, they will be torn down, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.
The measure was announced after Janya Suwannabut, a 50-year-old mason, was killed by a falling billboard on Rama II Road in Chom Thong district on Sunday. Heavy rain and strong winds toppled the billboard.
Manaphan Wisutthiphong was the billboard's owner, police said.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has filed a police report against the owner and will rush to discover the cause of the incident, Sukhumbhand said after his inspection of the scene.
He has ordered the city's 50 district offices to quickly to inspect all billboards, estimated at more than 900.
"If any of them are illegal, they will be demolished," the governor said.
BMA executives would have a meeting today (Aug14) to discuss the safety and strength standards of billboards as well as laws against owners of illegal billboards, Sukhumbhand said. Officials will also aim to find ways to strengthen new and old billboards to prevent further accidents.
Sunday's toppled billboard had received a permit in 2004 but its owner was still in the process of requesting a document guaranteeing its strength.
Janya's head was broken when the billboard fell on her while she was fixing a company's shop. She was rushed to Bangpakok 9 International Hospital, where she later died.
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Ukrainian Nabbed Taking Driver’s Exam For Friend
PATTAYA:--A Ukraninan man was caught trying to re-take a Driver’s Exam for a Russian friend, who had failed his earlier attempt to pass the exam. The Ukranian also could not show police a passport when he was arrested, so he is also charged with illegal entry into the kingdom.
BANGLAMUNG- August 14, 2012 [PDN]; At 5 p.m., Pol. Lt. Col. Winai Horean, investigation officer, Banglamung police station, Chonburi province; was notified of a fraud case by Mrs. Thanyarat Meesuk, officer of the transportation department, Banglamung branch, Chonburi province.
Mrs. Thanyarat said they were restraining a “Mr. Witaly,” age 24, a Ukraine national. He had been caught using altered documents to take a driving license exam for someone else.
After being notified, the officer rushed to the driver’s exam room with a police team. When they reached Mr. Witaly, they examined his documents and passport. The documents identified him as Mr. Rustam Valiev, age 28, nationality Russian.
Mrs. Thanyarat told police that on August 10, Mr. Rustam had previously applied for a driver’s license for a motorbike and car. But Mr. Rustam did not pass both the theory and the driving part. So the exam officer made an appointment with Mr. Rustam to take the exam again on August 14.
But on that date, Mr. Rustam sent Mr. Witaly to take the exam instead of him. At first the exam officer didn’t know that it was a different person because their faces were similar. But when the officer tried to ask personal information about Mr. Rustam, the defendant could not answer all his questions.
Full story:http://www.pattayada...xam-for-friend/
--PATTAYA DAILY NEWS 2012-08-15
PATTAYA:--A Ukraninan man was caught trying to re-take a Driver’s Exam for a Russian friend, who had failed his earlier attempt to pass the exam. The Ukranian also could not show police a passport when he was arrested, so he is also charged with illegal entry into the kingdom.BANGLAMUNG- August 14, 2012 [PDN]; At 5 p.m., Pol. Lt. Col. Winai Horean, investigation officer, Banglamung police station, Chonburi province; was notified of a fraud case by Mrs. Thanyarat Meesuk, officer of the transportation department, Banglamung branch, Chonburi province.
Mrs. Thanyarat said they were restraining a “Mr. Witaly,” age 24, a Ukraine national. He had been caught using altered documents to take a driving license exam for someone else.
After being notified, the officer rushed to the driver’s exam room with a police team. When they reached Mr. Witaly, they examined his documents and passport. The documents identified him as Mr. Rustam Valiev, age 28, nationality Russian.
Mrs. Thanyarat told police that on August 10, Mr. Rustam had previously applied for a driver’s license for a motorbike and car. But Mr. Rustam did not pass both the theory and the driving part. So the exam officer made an appointment with Mr. Rustam to take the exam again on August 14.
But on that date, Mr. Rustam sent Mr. Witaly to take the exam instead of him. At first the exam officer didn’t know that it was a different person because their faces were similar. But when the officer tried to ask personal information about Mr. Rustam, the defendant could not answer all his questions.
Full story:http://www.pattayada...xam-for-friend/
--PATTAYA DAILY NEWS 2012-08-15
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Honda Civic plunges from expressway, killing driver
Photo : Anan Vijitpracha
PATHUM THANI: -- A Honda Civic car crashed into the rear of a 10wheel truck before plunging from the Udon Ratthaya Expressway in Pathum Thani's Muang district to a football field below and exploding in flames in the early hours of Wednesday, killing the driver instantly.
The accident took place at around 4.50am. Police found the charred body of a man in the driver's seat. The car registration book and a document from the Civil Aviation Training Center identified him as Manchukorn Namwichai, 25.
Security footage showed the car crashing into the 10wheeler at 4.47am before plunging into the field, The truck fled the scene.
In related news, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration earlier revealed 68 dangerous curves and 30 dangerous intersections about which Bangkokian commuters should be aware, as well as 18 Yshape elevated roadway spots that have become notorious for cars, when driven by speeding or hesitant drivers, plunging through the barriers to the ground below.
Photo : Anan Vijitpracha
PATHUM THANI: -- A Honda Civic car crashed into the rear of a 10wheel truck before plunging from the Udon Ratthaya Expressway in Pathum Thani's Muang district to a football field below and exploding in flames in the early hours of Wednesday, killing the driver instantly.
The accident took place at around 4.50am. Police found the charred body of a man in the driver's seat. The car registration book and a document from the Civil Aviation Training Center identified him as Manchukorn Namwichai, 25.
Security footage showed the car crashing into the 10wheeler at 4.47am before plunging into the field, The truck fled the scene.
In related news, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration earlier revealed 68 dangerous curves and 30 dangerous intersections about which Bangkokian commuters should be aware, as well as 18 Yshape elevated roadway spots that have become notorious for cars, when driven by speeding or hesitant drivers, plunging through the barriers to the ground below.
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Bt350m drug network in Nakhon Si Thammarat prison
PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- An Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) investigation into money transactions among Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison inmates has found a network worth Bt350 million linked to 300 bank accounts.
Investigators suspect the drug-dealing networks among the prisoners could have a cash flow of at least Bt1 billion.
The AMLO has extended the investigation to prison officials allegedly involved in or gaining from the drug dealing and is hunting for bank accounts opened for drug activities. AMLO chief Sihanart Prayoonrat yesterday reported that one five-inmate network at Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison had opened five main bank accounts linked to some 300 other bank accounts, resulting in Bt350 million flow from drug trafficking.
The initial analysis of transactions found the involvement of prison officials in the network and bank accounts, he said. Most money-transferring transactions were made to Nakhon Si Thammarat on 1,214 occasions worth Bt33 million. But the rest were scattered among other bank accounts in provinces, including Surat Thani, Songkhla, Rayong and Bangkok. "The drug dealing from behind bars, especially in Nakhon Si Thammarat, comprises many networks and gangs and the trade value is estimated to be around Bt1 billion," he added.
On August 21, when ministerial regulations on anti-money laundering come into effect, Sihanart said the drug-dealing networks would no longer be able to hire others to open bank accounts for their drug money laundering.
He said the agency was investigating five maximum-security prisons -Bang Kwang Prison, Khao Bin Prison, Khlong Prem Prison, Khlong Phai Prison and Rayong Prison - for drug dealing gang activities.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Court yesterday sentenced a former Bangkok policeman to death for having yaba in his possession with intention to sell.
Former Police Senior Sergeant-Major Pairoj Wongsrikaew was arrested last January while driving a car in Phetchaburi's Ban Lad district with 120,000 yaba tablets hidden in modified compartments. He claimed he had been hired for Bt200,000 to drive the car to an address in Nakhon Si Thammarat without knowing the vehicle had drugs on board. The court found his statement was not convincing. He was found guilty and given the death sentence. In related news, the Appeals Court cancelled the seizure of two asset items worth Bt8,000 in the drug trial of Chiang Rai orange orchard owner Anek "Sia Olarn" Sudirat, 54.
However it allowed 73 assets worth millions of baht to be seized following the lower court's ruling on January 20, 2009.
Anek was indicted by the public prosecutor in 2005 for possession of Bt1.35 million, and the case went for trial before the Supreme Court. Anek was sentenced to a 50-year jail term and Bt5-million fine by the Appeals Court while his wife and daughter were acquitted and received bail pending an appeal.
PIYANUCH THAMNUKASETCHAI
THE NATION
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- An Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) investigation into money transactions among Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison inmates has found a network worth Bt350 million linked to 300 bank accounts.
Investigators suspect the drug-dealing networks among the prisoners could have a cash flow of at least Bt1 billion.
The AMLO has extended the investigation to prison officials allegedly involved in or gaining from the drug dealing and is hunting for bank accounts opened for drug activities. AMLO chief Sihanart Prayoonrat yesterday reported that one five-inmate network at Nakhon Si Thammarat Prison had opened five main bank accounts linked to some 300 other bank accounts, resulting in Bt350 million flow from drug trafficking.
The initial analysis of transactions found the involvement of prison officials in the network and bank accounts, he said. Most money-transferring transactions were made to Nakhon Si Thammarat on 1,214 occasions worth Bt33 million. But the rest were scattered among other bank accounts in provinces, including Surat Thani, Songkhla, Rayong and Bangkok. "The drug dealing from behind bars, especially in Nakhon Si Thammarat, comprises many networks and gangs and the trade value is estimated to be around Bt1 billion," he added.
On August 21, when ministerial regulations on anti-money laundering come into effect, Sihanart said the drug-dealing networks would no longer be able to hire others to open bank accounts for their drug money laundering.
He said the agency was investigating five maximum-security prisons -Bang Kwang Prison, Khao Bin Prison, Khlong Prem Prison, Khlong Phai Prison and Rayong Prison - for drug dealing gang activities.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Court yesterday sentenced a former Bangkok policeman to death for having yaba in his possession with intention to sell.
Former Police Senior Sergeant-Major Pairoj Wongsrikaew was arrested last January while driving a car in Phetchaburi's Ban Lad district with 120,000 yaba tablets hidden in modified compartments. He claimed he had been hired for Bt200,000 to drive the car to an address in Nakhon Si Thammarat without knowing the vehicle had drugs on board. The court found his statement was not convincing. He was found guilty and given the death sentence. In related news, the Appeals Court cancelled the seizure of two asset items worth Bt8,000 in the drug trial of Chiang Rai orange orchard owner Anek "Sia Olarn" Sudirat, 54.
However it allowed 73 assets worth millions of baht to be seized following the lower court's ruling on January 20, 2009.
Anek was indicted by the public prosecutor in 2005 for possession of Bt1.35 million, and the case went for trial before the Supreme Court. Anek was sentenced to a 50-year jail term and Bt5-million fine by the Appeals Court while his wife and daughter were acquitted and received bail pending an appeal.
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Soi Cowboy Bargirl Kills Co-Worker In Drug Rage
A Soi Cowboy bargirl stabbed her co-worker to death in a drug-induced rage, after they got into a fight while getting high on “ice” in their Bangkok apartment. They had apparently argued about boyfriends, when the dispute turned violent and deadly.
BANGKOK – August 16, 2012 PDN]; At 5 p.m., Pol. Maj. Col. Mongkol Promsopa and detective officers received a report of a killing in the Dingdang district. He went to check with Pol. Lt. Col. Sane Wantong; Pol. Lt. Col. Duangchote Suwanjaras, detective inspector; the forensic authorities; medical autopsy personnel; and the Ruam Katanyu foundation team.
They rushed to the crime scene at room 918 of the 9th floor of the LA Mansion, Soi 47, sub-district and district Dingdang. The police discovered signs of a struggle, with scattered personal belongings around the room.
They found Ms. Jaruwan Sangpluem, age 24, lying dead in a pool of blood in front of the bathroom. She had been stabbed with a knife all over her body. Ms. Jaruwan’s neck was almost cut off, and her body had more than 20 knife wounds.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...r-in-drug-rage/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-08-16
A Soi Cowboy bargirl stabbed her co-worker to death in a drug-induced rage, after they got into a fight while getting high on “ice” in their Bangkok apartment. They had apparently argued about boyfriends, when the dispute turned violent and deadly.
BANGKOK – August 16, 2012 PDN]; At 5 p.m., Pol. Maj. Col. Mongkol Promsopa and detective officers received a report of a killing in the Dingdang district. He went to check with Pol. Lt. Col. Sane Wantong; Pol. Lt. Col. Duangchote Suwanjaras, detective inspector; the forensic authorities; medical autopsy personnel; and the Ruam Katanyu foundation team.
They rushed to the crime scene at room 918 of the 9th floor of the LA Mansion, Soi 47, sub-district and district Dingdang. The police discovered signs of a struggle, with scattered personal belongings around the room.
They found Ms. Jaruwan Sangpluem, age 24, lying dead in a pool of blood in front of the bathroom. She had been stabbed with a knife all over her body. Ms. Jaruwan’s neck was almost cut off, and her body had more than 20 knife wounds.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...r-in-drug-rage/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-08-16
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Four reportedly killed in Phuket discotheque fire
file photo
PHUKET: -- Four tourists were believed to be killed in a massive fire broke out at the well-known Tiger Pub in Phuket's Krathu district early Friday, Thai Rath Online reported.
Thai Rath said the fire broke out at 4:40 am on the second floor of the pub, which is a discotheque. The place was still full with Thai and foreign tourists when the blaze broke out.
Thai Rath said at press time at 6 am, fire fighters were still trying to put out the blaze. It said four bodies were believed to be trapped in the fire.
file photo
PHUKET: -- Four tourists were believed to be killed in a massive fire broke out at the well-known Tiger Pub in Phuket's Krathu district early Friday, Thai Rath Online reported.
Thai Rath said the fire broke out at 4:40 am on the second floor of the pub, which is a discotheque. The place was still full with Thai and foreign tourists when the blaze broke out.
Thai Rath said at press time at 6 am, fire fighters were still trying to put out the blaze. It said four bodies were believed to be trapped in the fire.
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French tourist dies snorkeling in Phi Phi speedboat accident
Phuket Gazette
Phi Phi Island is popular with snorkelers, but the speedboats that ferry them there from Phuket are never far away. Photo: Gazette file
PHUKET: -- A French tourist died after being struck by a speedboat while snorkeling off Phi Phi Island, near Phuket, yesterday afternoon.
Phi Phi Police named the man as Olivier Jannequin, 42 years old.
Police were notified of the accident at about 12:30pm.
Mr Jannequin was travelling with four Frenchmen. Two of them went snorkeling not far from the shore, the Phuket Gazette was told.
“While one of them was snorkeling, he heard his friend cry out. When he looked up he saw a speedboat speeding away very quickly. His friend was hit on the head and shoulder. He died at the scene,” an officer told the Gazette.
Mr Jannequin’s body was sent to Krabi Hospital pending further investigation by the police.
The Gazette has yet to confirm what action, if any, is being taken by the police to find the speedboat driver for questioning.
The news comes as another French tourist is feared to have died in the deadly fire at Tiger Discotheque on Soi Bangla, Patong, that claimed four lives early Friday morning.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...dent-16704.html
Phuket Gazette
Phi Phi Island is popular with snorkelers, but the speedboats that ferry them there from Phuket are never far away. Photo: Gazette file
PHUKET: -- A French tourist died after being struck by a speedboat while snorkeling off Phi Phi Island, near Phuket, yesterday afternoon.
Phi Phi Police named the man as Olivier Jannequin, 42 years old.
Police were notified of the accident at about 12:30pm.
Mr Jannequin was travelling with four Frenchmen. Two of them went snorkeling not far from the shore, the Phuket Gazette was told.
“While one of them was snorkeling, he heard his friend cry out. When he looked up he saw a speedboat speeding away very quickly. His friend was hit on the head and shoulder. He died at the scene,” an officer told the Gazette.
Mr Jannequin’s body was sent to Krabi Hospital pending further investigation by the police.
The Gazette has yet to confirm what action, if any, is being taken by the police to find the speedboat driver for questioning.
The news comes as another French tourist is feared to have died in the deadly fire at Tiger Discotheque on Soi Bangla, Patong, that claimed four lives early Friday morning.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...dent-16704.html
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Brit Busted For Cocaine Dealing Outside Nightclub
PATTAYA: -- A 54-year-old British man was arrested by the Chonburi Immigration Office for selling cocaine to foreigners. He told police he bought the cocaine from a friend in the Nana district in Bangkok, and re-sold it at a profit to Pattaya buyers.
PATTAYA – August 19, 2012 [PDN]; At 12:10 a.m., the arrest of a cocaine dealer was announced by Pol. Lt. Col. Rattapong Tiasood, director of Chonburi immigration office; Pol. Lt. Capt. Thanadit Thuenchamnan, vice inspector; and the plainclothes detective team.
The suspect was indentified as Mr. Duncan James McGee, age 54, British. Mr. Duncan was arrested arrested opposite the X-cite club, route 3 road, Moo 9, Tambon Nong Prue, Banglamung. Police seized the cocaine, packaged in 9 transparent plastic bags.
Police had been investigating Mr. Duncan after an undercover agent reported that a foreigner was selling cocaine to groups of foreign people living in Pattaya. The suspect had been selling cocaine in the area where he was arrested.
Police monitored Mr. Duncan as he rode his motorcycle to park opposite the nightclub. They watched him behaving suspiciously, standing and talking on his phone.The police then showed themselves and arrested him. They found the cocaine concealed in his pocket.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...side-nightclub/
--PATTAYA DAILY NEWS 2012-08-20
PATTAYA: -- A 54-year-old British man was arrested by the Chonburi Immigration Office for selling cocaine to foreigners. He told police he bought the cocaine from a friend in the Nana district in Bangkok, and re-sold it at a profit to Pattaya buyers.
PATTAYA – August 19, 2012 [PDN]; At 12:10 a.m., the arrest of a cocaine dealer was announced by Pol. Lt. Col. Rattapong Tiasood, director of Chonburi immigration office; Pol. Lt. Capt. Thanadit Thuenchamnan, vice inspector; and the plainclothes detective team.
The suspect was indentified as Mr. Duncan James McGee, age 54, British. Mr. Duncan was arrested arrested opposite the X-cite club, route 3 road, Moo 9, Tambon Nong Prue, Banglamung. Police seized the cocaine, packaged in 9 transparent plastic bags.
Police had been investigating Mr. Duncan after an undercover agent reported that a foreigner was selling cocaine to groups of foreign people living in Pattaya. The suspect had been selling cocaine in the area where he was arrested.
Police monitored Mr. Duncan as he rode his motorcycle to park opposite the nightclub. They watched him behaving suspiciously, standing and talking on his phone.The police then showed themselves and arrested him. They found the cocaine concealed in his pocket.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...side-nightclub/
--PATTAYA DAILY NEWS 2012-08-20
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Swedish man arrested for allegedly killing New Zealand tourist in Pattaya
PATTAYA: -- A Swedish man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly stabbed a New Zealand man to death following a bar fight, police said.Police arrested Andreas Ringvall, 40, and charged him with murdering Robert E Hollick, 43, from New Zealand.
Hollick was stabbed three times at his neck and back. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Following the attack at 1:40 am, Ringvall and his Thai girlfriend, Dao Pholutsa, 26, were captured by local people and were handed over to police.
Mual Samat, 34, a taxi motorcyclist, told police that Ringvall had a quarrel with Hollick after Dao played with Hollick's pet dog inside a bar. Mual said after Ringval sent his girlfriend back to his room, he returned to the bar and attacked Hollick with a knife.
-- The Nation 2012-08-21
PATTAYA: -- A Swedish man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly stabbed a New Zealand man to death following a bar fight, police said.Police arrested Andreas Ringvall, 40, and charged him with murdering Robert E Hollick, 43, from New Zealand.
Hollick was stabbed three times at his neck and back. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Following the attack at 1:40 am, Ringvall and his Thai girlfriend, Dao Pholutsa, 26, were captured by local people and were handed over to police.
Mual Samat, 34, a taxi motorcyclist, told police that Ringvall had a quarrel with Hollick after Dao played with Hollick's pet dog inside a bar. Mual said after Ringval sent his girlfriend back to his room, he returned to the bar and attacked Hollick with a knife.
-- The Nation 2012-08-21
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Flooding brings Phuket Town to a standstill
Phuket Gazette
The scene on Yaowarat Road in front of Bangkok Phuket Hospital at about 7am. Photo: Natacha Kitchakarn
PHUKET: -- Severe flooding has affected large areas of Phuket this morning, with traffic brought to a standstill throughout Phuket Town and tailbacks of more than 10 kilometers on the main arteries leading into town.
The Phuket Gazette has spoken to many motorists across the island who were still attempting to reach their destinations. One family said they had not moved for almost an hour as the traffic came to standstill in Phuket Town.
Many others said they had decided to return home as the driving conditions were too dangerous.
The Gazette will bring more details as they are received.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16719.html
Phuket Gazette
The scene on Yaowarat Road in front of Bangkok Phuket Hospital at about 7am. Photo: Natacha Kitchakarn
PHUKET: -- Severe flooding has affected large areas of Phuket this morning, with traffic brought to a standstill throughout Phuket Town and tailbacks of more than 10 kilometers on the main arteries leading into town.
The Phuket Gazette has spoken to many motorists across the island who were still attempting to reach their destinations. One family said they had not moved for almost an hour as the traffic came to standstill in Phuket Town.
Many others said they had decided to return home as the driving conditions were too dangerous.
The Gazette will bring more details as they are received.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16719.html
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Sleeping Drunk Dutchman Robbed By Greedy Gays
A 50-year-old Dutch tourist sleeping in front of a KFC on Beach Road was robbed by two gays of his cellphone and motorbike key. Witnesses called police, who arrested the gays. The pair said they first tried to wake the man, then decided to steal his stuff.
PATTAYA – August 24, 2012 [PDN]; at 6 a.m., a theft of a drunken tourist by two gays was reported to Pol. Lt. Vitsanu Chaisuwan, Deputy Inspector, Pattaya police station, Chonburi province.
He rushed to the scene with a police team in front of the KFC shop at the Royal Garden Plaza shopping complex on Pattaya Beach Road, Moo 9 Tambon Nong Preu, Amphur Banglamung, Chonburi province.
Witnesses told police that two gays had just stolen the phone of a drunk foreign tourist sleeping outside the KFC restaurant. Police then caught up to the two thieves and arrested them at the Soi Welcome Hotel Pattaya on Second Road.
They were identified as Mr. Veerasak or TonThongdaeng, age 29, address 92 Moo 5 Tambon Thaipattana, Amphur Phusing, Srisaket province; and Mr. Raklae or Tam Thongmak, age 31, address 26 Moo 7 Tambon Nongbua, Amphur Baankai, Rayong province.
Police searched the body of Mr. Veerasak and found a iPhone 4S belonging to the victim. The thieves had switched off the phone and took out the SIM card, which was found in the bag of Mr. Raklae. When police searched Mr. Raklae’s body, they found a motorbike key taken from the victim’s pants pocket.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...by-greedy-gays/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-08-24
A 50-year-old Dutch tourist sleeping in front of a KFC on Beach Road was robbed by two gays of his cellphone and motorbike key. Witnesses called police, who arrested the gays. The pair said they first tried to wake the man, then decided to steal his stuff.
PATTAYA – August 24, 2012 [PDN]; at 6 a.m., a theft of a drunken tourist by two gays was reported to Pol. Lt. Vitsanu Chaisuwan, Deputy Inspector, Pattaya police station, Chonburi province.
He rushed to the scene with a police team in front of the KFC shop at the Royal Garden Plaza shopping complex on Pattaya Beach Road, Moo 9 Tambon Nong Preu, Amphur Banglamung, Chonburi province.
Witnesses told police that two gays had just stolen the phone of a drunk foreign tourist sleeping outside the KFC restaurant. Police then caught up to the two thieves and arrested them at the Soi Welcome Hotel Pattaya on Second Road.
They were identified as Mr. Veerasak or TonThongdaeng, age 29, address 92 Moo 5 Tambon Thaipattana, Amphur Phusing, Srisaket province; and Mr. Raklae or Tam Thongmak, age 31, address 26 Moo 7 Tambon Nongbua, Amphur Baankai, Rayong province.
Police searched the body of Mr. Veerasak and found a iPhone 4S belonging to the victim. The thieves had switched off the phone and took out the SIM card, which was found in the bag of Mr. Raklae. When police searched Mr. Raklae’s body, they found a motorbike key taken from the victim’s pants pocket.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...by-greedy-gays/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-08-24
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'White lies sometimes needed'
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation
Although the global economic slump will hurt Thailand, GDP growth of 5-6% can still be achieved: Kittiratt
BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong admitted yesterday that sometimes he had to exaggerate about the country's economic growth, even though the government has been fully aware since early this year that the global economic slowdown would likely swamp Thailand.
"But [the government] must aim high in order to create confidence," Kittiratt, who is also a deputy prime minister, said.
"The finance minister needs to lie sometimes to create good feelings. The world knows this as a 'white lie'. The goal is to create confidence, which in turn benefits the country's economy as a whole," he said.
He added that he was not surprised when the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the state planning agency, revised its forecast for export growth down to a mere 7.3 per cent this year due to the slumping global economy.
The NESDB downgraded export growth but maintained gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 5.5 to 6 per cent, which is close to the government's projection, he said.
In the past, export expansion at only 7.3 per cent would not be enough for GDP growth to reach 5 per cent, he said.
The latest development of lower exports, but higher GDP, suggests that the economy has become more balanced to some extent, he said.
He was upbeat about the second half of the year, saying the economy will expand as planned by the government.
He added that the government would try very hard to boost exports and accelerate public spending.
In order to boost the domestic economy, government agencies have been asked by the Comptroller-General's Department to accelerate disbursement of the Bt2.4-trillion budget for fiscal 2013, as the government wants to depend less on exports.
"State agencies are asked to proceed with procurement procedure right now for projects that will start between October and December, so budget disbursement could be done quickly when the Budget Bill takes effect," he said at a seminar hosted by the Thansettakij newspaper.
The early procurement process will resolve the 28-per-cent delay in capital spending in the current fiscal year, he said. Also, accelerating public investment would be a boon to the economy, he said.
"Efficient public spending, coupled with consumer and tourist spending will help Thailand have more balanced growth in the future, then exports will not grow more than 10 per cent as in the past," Kittiratt said.
He viewed these factors as an advantage for the Thai economy as it will be able to limit its dependency on exports for economic growth.
Kittiratt went on to say that the Thai economy, after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, had experienced a deficit of trade in goods and services and had to depend on exports for about 15 years.
Hence, the current government sees an urgent need for the country to depend less on exports and rely more on domestic demand. However, he admitted that the Kingdom still faced the problem of budget disbursement and that domestic consumption was not strong enough.
In addition, corruption in both public and private sectors is endemic, he said.
These problems have in the past forced Thai firms to seek investment overseas if they want to expand their businesses, he said.
However, in the first half of this year, domestic private investment expanded more than 10 per cent, which is a good sign, he said.
Nakarin Srilert
The Nation
Although the global economic slump will hurt Thailand, GDP growth of 5-6% can still be achieved: Kittiratt
BANGKOK: -- Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong admitted yesterday that sometimes he had to exaggerate about the country's economic growth, even though the government has been fully aware since early this year that the global economic slowdown would likely swamp Thailand.
"But [the government] must aim high in order to create confidence," Kittiratt, who is also a deputy prime minister, said.
"The finance minister needs to lie sometimes to create good feelings. The world knows this as a 'white lie'. The goal is to create confidence, which in turn benefits the country's economy as a whole," he said.
He added that he was not surprised when the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the state planning agency, revised its forecast for export growth down to a mere 7.3 per cent this year due to the slumping global economy.
The NESDB downgraded export growth but maintained gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 5.5 to 6 per cent, which is close to the government's projection, he said.
In the past, export expansion at only 7.3 per cent would not be enough for GDP growth to reach 5 per cent, he said.
The latest development of lower exports, but higher GDP, suggests that the economy has become more balanced to some extent, he said.
He was upbeat about the second half of the year, saying the economy will expand as planned by the government.
He added that the government would try very hard to boost exports and accelerate public spending.
In order to boost the domestic economy, government agencies have been asked by the Comptroller-General's Department to accelerate disbursement of the Bt2.4-trillion budget for fiscal 2013, as the government wants to depend less on exports.
"State agencies are asked to proceed with procurement procedure right now for projects that will start between October and December, so budget disbursement could be done quickly when the Budget Bill takes effect," he said at a seminar hosted by the Thansettakij newspaper.
The early procurement process will resolve the 28-per-cent delay in capital spending in the current fiscal year, he said. Also, accelerating public investment would be a boon to the economy, he said.
"Efficient public spending, coupled with consumer and tourist spending will help Thailand have more balanced growth in the future, then exports will not grow more than 10 per cent as in the past," Kittiratt said.
He viewed these factors as an advantage for the Thai economy as it will be able to limit its dependency on exports for economic growth.
Kittiratt went on to say that the Thai economy, after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, had experienced a deficit of trade in goods and services and had to depend on exports for about 15 years.
Hence, the current government sees an urgent need for the country to depend less on exports and rely more on domestic demand. However, he admitted that the Kingdom still faced the problem of budget disbursement and that domestic consumption was not strong enough.
In addition, corruption in both public and private sectors is endemic, he said.
These problems have in the past forced Thai firms to seek investment overseas if they want to expand their businesses, he said.
However, in the first half of this year, domestic private investment expanded more than 10 per cent, which is a good sign, he said.
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Finnish Tourist Punched and Raped On Koh Lipe Island
SATOON: -- Police are hunting for a man who raped a young Finnish tourist visiting Koh Lipe island. She was walking to her room after drinking with friends at a bar, and was abducted and raped.
SATOON – August 25, 2012 [PDN]: at 9:30 p.m., a notice of a Finnish tourist being raped was received by Pol. Maj. Col. Nontapat Somboonjan, suppression inspector of Muang Satoon police staion; and Pol. Lt. Col. Komsan Sangkrai, vice director of Muang Satoon police station.
The victim, Ms. Meir, had been raped in Koh Lipe Island, moo 7, Koh Sarai, Muang Satoon. The police commanders rushed the victim by marine police boat to the hospital for treatment.
The police later took the victim to file a report with Pol. Capt. Pairoj Pijitbanjong, officer on duty, Muang Satoon police station.
During questioning, Ms. Meir told police she had come to travel and snorkel at Koh Lipe island.
Full story:http://www.pattayada...oh-lipe-island/
--PATTAYA DAILY NEWS 2012-08-26
SATOON: -- Police are hunting for a man who raped a young Finnish tourist visiting Koh Lipe island. She was walking to her room after drinking with friends at a bar, and was abducted and raped.
SATOON – August 25, 2012 [PDN]: at 9:30 p.m., a notice of a Finnish tourist being raped was received by Pol. Maj. Col. Nontapat Somboonjan, suppression inspector of Muang Satoon police staion; and Pol. Lt. Col. Komsan Sangkrai, vice director of Muang Satoon police station.
The victim, Ms. Meir, had been raped in Koh Lipe Island, moo 7, Koh Sarai, Muang Satoon. The police commanders rushed the victim by marine police boat to the hospital for treatment.
The police later took the victim to file a report with Pol. Capt. Pairoj Pijitbanjong, officer on duty, Muang Satoon police station.
During questioning, Ms. Meir told police she had come to travel and snorkel at Koh Lipe island.
Full story:http://www.pattayada...oh-lipe-island/
--PATTAYA DAILY NEWS 2012-08-26
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Posted 2012-08-28 07:19:36
By Coconuts Bangkok
Pheu Thai MP Sunai Julphongsathorn
BANGKOK: -- A Thai MP has gotten into hot water over his controversial suggestion for poor Thai women who want an easy life: “find a farang husband.”
Pheu Thai MP Sunai Julphongsathorn’s words caused a barrage of complaints on Thai web forums after a clip of his comments (embedded below) surfaced on YouTube recently.
The 12-minute video was apparently shot on August 19 at a seminar at a school in Samut Prakan.
Sunai tells the audience of around 1,000 red shirts to find a farang husband for an easy life “because European governments give you everything for free.”
Sunai went on: “Get a German husband. Get a Swedish husband. Get a Norwegian husband. People used to love [Thailand] unreservedly. But the more they loved the country, the poorer they got. The more they loved the country, the stupider they got.”
“All you need is a farang husband and their government will pay you to study,” he said. [more…]
Full story/video: http://www.coconutsb...an-easier-life/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-08-28
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Posted 2012-08-29 17:40:41
'Furious masturbators' flash Phuket expat motorist in midday moment of madness
Phuket Gazette
Keep an eye out for the recently sighted 'furious masturbators' of the jungle. If you get the urge, call the police.
PHUKET: -- An American expat has told of her shock at witnessing two men furiously masturbating by the side of the road in the Patong-Karon hills.
Long-term expat Amy Bensema, 36, was driving her motorbike home on August 19 when she spotted two naked “Asian-looking men” masturbating and shouting obscenities at passing cars and motorbikes.
The incident happened just after 4pm, a few meters before the corner where the Secret Cliff Resort is located. Ms Bensema had just finished work in Bang Tao and was en route home to Nai Harn.
She said there were lots of cars and motorbikes passing the men at the time and that at least 10 people must have witnessed the “shocking scene”.
“It was crazy. The men walked out of the jungle on the right-hand side of the road. They were naked and both were masturbating. As I got closer, I saw they were going at it furiously [sic] and one used his free hand to throw cans at cars,” she said.
As Ms Bensema got closer the men both shouted for her to “Come here”.
“They were wagging their tongues and making horrible faces at me,” she said.
“At that point I turned away, accelerated and didn't look back.”
Ms Bensema stopped at a construction site on the other side of the hill and told a security guard what had happened.
“He laughed, but then quickly apologized when he saw how upset I was. He told me to go to the police station to report the incident,” she said.
Ms Bensema stopped at a police box in Karon and then at Chalong Police Station to report the incident.
Chalong Police Sub-Inspector Sutham Sriprasom confirmed the incident was recorded and that a verbal complaint had been made. He urged members of the public to call the police if anyone witnesses a similar act.
“We are not looking for these people since it is not a big crime, but if we do catch these men then they will be charged with public obscenity and fined between 500 and 1,000 baht,” he said.
Ms Bensema, who has lived and worked on the island for more than five years, said she hoped the police could catch the men.
“It’s not safe to have people like that running around. I really hope that no one was walking up there, who knows what would have happened,” she said.
This is not the first time Ms Bensema has been the victim of “flashing” on Phuket.
“A similar incident happened to me in Nai Harn a few years ago. It’s crazy that people would do that in public. I think people should know that these things happen so they can stay safe and be careful when driving alone.”
If you witnessed the incident on August 19, or witness a similar crime, officers at Chalong Police Station can be contacted directly at 076-381247 or 191 for emergencies.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16784.html
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Posted 2012-08-30 06:03:09
Pattaya Prison Shoot out, Thai special forces mobilised
By tommydee
PATTAYA: -- An elite Thai task force was dispatched to Pattaya Remand Prison in Banglamung on Monday, following an armed attack by an unknown number of gunmen on the Prison.
One inmate was injured and over 30 spent rounds were discovered after the early morning shoot out which was from outside the prison and involved heavy firing at the exterior walls causing extensive damage.
Following the attack, two companies of Thailands finest were sent to cover the prison in case there were to be additional attacks, which there were not.
Full story: http://www.pattaya10...rces-mobilised/
-- Pattaya103.com 2012-08-28
By tommydee
PATTAYA: -- An elite Thai task force was dispatched to Pattaya Remand Prison in Banglamung on Monday, following an armed attack by an unknown number of gunmen on the Prison.
One inmate was injured and over 30 spent rounds were discovered after the early morning shoot out which was from outside the prison and involved heavy firing at the exterior walls causing extensive damage.
Following the attack, two companies of Thailands finest were sent to cover the prison in case there were to be additional attacks, which there were not.
Full story: http://www.pattaya10...rces-mobilised/
-- Pattaya103.com 2012-08-28
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Posted 2012-08-28 11:01:03
MP urges Thai women: Marry a farang for an easier life
Drug-free ASEAN in 3 years affirmed
BANGKOK, Aug 28 - Ten ASEAN member countries will reaffirm a joint intention to evolve Southeast Asia as a drug-free region in 2015—the year the ASEAN Economic Community is officially launched.
Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, secretary general of the Office of Narcotics Control Board, said that ministers on narcotics from 10 ASEAN countries and the ASEAN secretary general will meet in Bangkok on Aug 31 to exchange views and information on narcotics suppression, narcotics-related laws and extradition of narcotics criminals.
The upcoming meeting, he said, was also aimed at strengthening the relationships of member countries, given an earlier-declared joint intention to develop ASEAN region as drug-free zone within 2015.
International drug trafficking networks have increasingly intertwined especially along Thailand’s borders with Myanmar and Laos which have been plagued with an increasing number of narcotics production factories, he said.
Pol Gen Adul reported an improved drug situation in Thailand in the last 10 months when more than 65,000 suspects had been arrested on drug charges and more than 400,000 drug addicts have undergone medical treatments.
However, the Narcotics Control Board has kept a closer watch on various communities after receiving complaints from more than 4,000 communities about rampant drug trafficking. (MCOT online news)
BANGKOK, Aug 28 - Ten ASEAN member countries will reaffirm a joint intention to evolve Southeast Asia as a drug-free region in 2015—the year the ASEAN Economic Community is officially launched.
Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, secretary general of the Office of Narcotics Control Board, said that ministers on narcotics from 10 ASEAN countries and the ASEAN secretary general will meet in Bangkok on Aug 31 to exchange views and information on narcotics suppression, narcotics-related laws and extradition of narcotics criminals.
The upcoming meeting, he said, was also aimed at strengthening the relationships of member countries, given an earlier-declared joint intention to develop ASEAN region as drug-free zone within 2015.
International drug trafficking networks have increasingly intertwined especially along Thailand’s borders with Myanmar and Laos which have been plagued with an increasing number of narcotics production factories, he said.
Pol Gen Adul reported an improved drug situation in Thailand in the last 10 months when more than 65,000 suspects had been arrested on drug charges and more than 400,000 drug addicts have undergone medical treatments.
However, the Narcotics Control Board has kept a closer watch on various communities after receiving complaints from more than 4,000 communities about rampant drug trafficking. (MCOT online news)
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By Coconuts Bangkok
Pheu Thai MP Sunai Julphongsathorn
BANGKOK: -- A Thai MP has gotten into hot water over his controversial suggestion for poor Thai women who want an easy life: “find a farang husband.”
Pheu Thai MP Sunai Julphongsathorn’s words caused a barrage of complaints on Thai web forums after a clip of his comments (embedded below) surfaced on YouTube recently.
The 12-minute video was apparently shot on August 19 at a seminar at a school in Samut Prakan.
Sunai tells the audience of around 1,000 red shirts to find a farang husband for an easy life “because European governments give you everything for free.”
Sunai went on: “Get a German husband. Get a Swedish husband. Get a Norwegian husband. People used to love [Thailand] unreservedly. But the more they loved the country, the poorer they got. The more they loved the country, the stupider they got.”
“All you need is a farang husband and their government will pay you to study,” he said. [more…]
Full story/video: http://www.coconutsb...an-easier-life/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-08-28
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Posted 2012-08-29 17:40:41
Russian tourist falls to death from Surat Thani hotel
SURAT THANI, Aug 29 - A Russian tourist fell to his death from the 20th storey balcony of a hotel in the southern province of Surat Thani.
The dead man was identified only as Mr Vladimir Ruskuleshov, 26.
A bottle of an alcoholic drink was found on the balcony and his belongings, scattered in the room. included a broken mobile phone, and computer notebook. Two bottles of liquor were also found in the room.
According to the initial investigation, the victim checked in alone, but persons in the hotel said they heard shouting from the room before the body was found.
Police speculated he might have quarreled on the phone and vented his anger on his own belongings. They further speculated that he went to drink on the balcony, became drunk and fell to his death. (MCOT online news)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SURAT THANI, Aug 29 - A Russian tourist fell to his death from the 20th storey balcony of a hotel in the southern province of Surat Thani.
The dead man was identified only as Mr Vladimir Ruskuleshov, 26.
A bottle of an alcoholic drink was found on the balcony and his belongings, scattered in the room. included a broken mobile phone, and computer notebook. Two bottles of liquor were also found in the room.
According to the initial investigation, the victim checked in alone, but persons in the hotel said they heard shouting from the room before the body was found.
Police speculated he might have quarreled on the phone and vented his anger on his own belongings. They further speculated that he went to drink on the balcony, became drunk and fell to his death. (MCOT online news)
'Furious masturbators' flash Phuket expat motorist in midday moment of madness
Phuket Gazette
Keep an eye out for the recently sighted 'furious masturbators' of the jungle. If you get the urge, call the police.
PHUKET: -- An American expat has told of her shock at witnessing two men furiously masturbating by the side of the road in the Patong-Karon hills.
Long-term expat Amy Bensema, 36, was driving her motorbike home on August 19 when she spotted two naked “Asian-looking men” masturbating and shouting obscenities at passing cars and motorbikes.
The incident happened just after 4pm, a few meters before the corner where the Secret Cliff Resort is located. Ms Bensema had just finished work in Bang Tao and was en route home to Nai Harn.
She said there were lots of cars and motorbikes passing the men at the time and that at least 10 people must have witnessed the “shocking scene”.
“It was crazy. The men walked out of the jungle on the right-hand side of the road. They were naked and both were masturbating. As I got closer, I saw they were going at it furiously [sic] and one used his free hand to throw cans at cars,” she said.
As Ms Bensema got closer the men both shouted for her to “Come here”.
“They were wagging their tongues and making horrible faces at me,” she said.
“At that point I turned away, accelerated and didn't look back.”
Ms Bensema stopped at a construction site on the other side of the hill and told a security guard what had happened.
“He laughed, but then quickly apologized when he saw how upset I was. He told me to go to the police station to report the incident,” she said.
Ms Bensema stopped at a police box in Karon and then at Chalong Police Station to report the incident.
Chalong Police Sub-Inspector Sutham Sriprasom confirmed the incident was recorded and that a verbal complaint had been made. He urged members of the public to call the police if anyone witnesses a similar act.
“We are not looking for these people since it is not a big crime, but if we do catch these men then they will be charged with public obscenity and fined between 500 and 1,000 baht,” he said.
Ms Bensema, who has lived and worked on the island for more than five years, said she hoped the police could catch the men.
“It’s not safe to have people like that running around. I really hope that no one was walking up there, who knows what would have happened,” she said.
This is not the first time Ms Bensema has been the victim of “flashing” on Phuket.
“A similar incident happened to me in Nai Harn a few years ago. It’s crazy that people would do that in public. I think people should know that these things happen so they can stay safe and be careful when driving alone.”
If you witnessed the incident on August 19, or witness a similar crime, officers at Chalong Police Station can be contacted directly at 076-381247 or 191 for emergencies.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16784.html
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Posted 2012-08-30 06:03:09
Woman forced to eat MAGGOTS while locked up in Thai prison for NINE YEARS after trying to smuggle heroin into the U.S.
BANGKOK: -- When Angela Carnegie made the disastrous decision to smuggle heroin from Thailand, she had no idea how much worse her life could get.
After being caught at Bangkok airport, she was sentenced to life in a Thai prison in 1993 - where she was forced to eat rotting food teeming with maggots, sleep next to prisoners with leprosy and survive without running water.
Carnegie, from Chicago, was in her twenties and had just broken up with a serious boyfriend. Feeling vulnerable, she decided to take up a friend's offer for some quick cash by bringing a suitcase lined with drugs back to the U.S.
Thai officials spotted her immediately at the airport and she was arrested. She sentenced to life at the infamous 'Bangkok Hilton' prison.
Her experiences have been chronicled on National Geographic show 'Locked Up Abroad,' a series about inmates who have endured the hardships of foreign prisons.
'The conditions were very crowded, dirty, and unsanitary,' Ms Carnegie said of her experience on her Facebook page.
'We showered outside rain or shine, often times standing in floating sewage which overflowed from the sewage canal that ran all around the edge of the prison.'
Full story/video: http://www.dailymail...NINE-YEARS.html
- Angela Carnegie, from Chicago, agreed to carry suitcase lined with drugs
- Sentenced to life in prison in 1993 at the infamous 'Bangkok Hilton' jail
BANGKOK: -- When Angela Carnegie made the disastrous decision to smuggle heroin from Thailand, she had no idea how much worse her life could get.
After being caught at Bangkok airport, she was sentenced to life in a Thai prison in 1993 - where she was forced to eat rotting food teeming with maggots, sleep next to prisoners with leprosy and survive without running water.
Carnegie, from Chicago, was in her twenties and had just broken up with a serious boyfriend. Feeling vulnerable, she decided to take up a friend's offer for some quick cash by bringing a suitcase lined with drugs back to the U.S.
Thai officials spotted her immediately at the airport and she was arrested. She sentenced to life at the infamous 'Bangkok Hilton' prison.
Her experiences have been chronicled on National Geographic show 'Locked Up Abroad,' a series about inmates who have endured the hardships of foreign prisons.
'The conditions were very crowded, dirty, and unsanitary,' Ms Carnegie said of her experience on her Facebook page.
'We showered outside rain or shine, often times standing in floating sewage which overflowed from the sewage canal that ran all around the edge of the prison.'
Full story/video: http://www.dailymail...NINE-YEARS.html
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Manchester ex-pat gunned down as he rides home on his motorbike in Thailand
KHON KAEN: -- A murder investigation is under way after a man believed to be from Manchester was shot dead in Thailand. Stephen Phillips was on a motorcycle near the city of Khon Kaen when he was killed. Friends in Thailand said Mr Phillips, who was in his late 50s, was a retired railway worker and a keen Manchester United fan.
He had lived in the city in north-eastern Thailand for several years, but had recently moved 30 miles away to a town called Ban Phai. Foreign Office officials said they are working with the local Thai police and are assisting the dead man’s family. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Thailand on August 24. "We are in contact with the local authorities and are assisting the family."
One friend said on an internet forum for British ex-pats in Thailand that Mr Phillips was heading home on his motorbike when he was shot and killed.
Continues:
http://menmedia.co.u...ike-in-thailand
Manchester Evening News - August 30, 2012
KHON KAEN: -- A murder investigation is under way after a man believed to be from Manchester was shot dead in Thailand. Stephen Phillips was on a motorcycle near the city of Khon Kaen when he was killed. Friends in Thailand said Mr Phillips, who was in his late 50s, was a retired railway worker and a keen Manchester United fan.
He had lived in the city in north-eastern Thailand for several years, but had recently moved 30 miles away to a town called Ban Phai. Foreign Office officials said they are working with the local Thai police and are assisting the dead man’s family. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Thailand on August 24. "We are in contact with the local authorities and are assisting the family."
One friend said on an internet forum for British ex-pats in Thailand that Mr Phillips was heading home on his motorbike when he was shot and killed.
Continues:
http://menmedia.co.u...ike-in-thailand
Manchester Evening News - August 30, 2012
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Teenager gets two-year suspended sentence
File photo : Remain of the van
BANGKOK: -- The Youth and Family Court on Friday sentenced a teenage girl involved in a high-profile car crash in which nine people were killed to two years in jail.
The penalty was suspended for three years and the teenager is banned from driving until she is 25 years old.
Initially she was sentenced to three years imprisonment but the court reduced it to two years as the defendant’s testimony helped the trial.
Nine people were killed on the night of December 27, 2010, when a Honda Civic, driven by the defendant who was 16 at the time, collided with a passenger van on the Don Muang tollway.
The van then crashed into a barrier near the Bang Khen exit and some passengers were thrown from the vehicle and over the barrier onto the road several metres below.
-- The Nation 2012-08-31
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File photo : Remain of the vanBANGKOK: -- The Youth and Family Court on Friday sentenced a teenage girl involved in a high-profile car crash in which nine people were killed to two years in jail.
The penalty was suspended for three years and the teenager is banned from driving until she is 25 years old.
Initially she was sentenced to three years imprisonment but the court reduced it to two years as the defendant’s testimony helped the trial.
Nine people were killed on the night of December 27, 2010, when a Honda Civic, driven by the defendant who was 16 at the time, collided with a passenger van on the Don Muang tollway.
The van then crashed into a barrier near the Bang Khen exit and some passengers were thrown from the vehicle and over the barrier onto the road several metres below.
-- The Nation 2012-08-31
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