BANGKOK, Nov 30, 2012 (AFP) - A rubber tapper was mauled to death in a suspected tiger attack in southern Thailand, the second such incident in the area in recent years, a local official said Friday.The footprints of an adult and young tiger were found near the scene where 44-year-old Hyaya Seng was found dead Thursday at the plantation in a mountainous area of Yala province near the border with Malaysia.
"The victim lost his head and suffered deep cuts to his stomach and scratches all over his body," deputy district chief Urupong Chanakul told AFP.
He said another suspected tiger attack took place in a nearby village last year.
Thailand, a hub of international smuggling, is one of just 13 countries hosting fragile tiger populations. Fewer than 300 tigers remain in the wild in Thailand, according to wildlife group WWF.
Rubber tappers in the deep south are also often targeted by suspected Muslim insurgents who sometimes behead their victims.
-- ©Copyright AFP 2012-11-30 | AFP News Sponsor
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American podiatrist killed by motorcycle hit-and-run in Bangkok
Dr. Ian Furness of Fon du Lac, Wisconsin
BANGKOK: -- A well-known American foot and ankle surgeon was hit and killed by a motorcycle on the streets of Bangkok recently.
Dr. Ian Furness, from Wisconsin, was vacationing in Bangkok and walking down a street on Nov. 23 when he was hit by a hit-and-run motorcycle, according to the Fon du Lac Reporter.
Furness founded the Family Foot Clinic in Fon du Lac, Wisconsin in 1984.
According to the clinic’s website, Furness graduated from Marquette University and earned a doctorate in 1980 from the Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...run-in-bangkok/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-11-30
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Westerner murdered on Phuket in execution style
By Staff Reporter
PHUKET: -- From Phuket, reports are emerging of a murder investigation which has been instigated following the discover of a foreign man, thought to be of western origin, who had been either dumped or drowned in a Pond.
After the grim discovery by local residents, in the Patong Hill area, Police and forensics were quickly on the scene as the man was found tied up with rope and wrapped in garbage bags.
He had suffered head trauma and been stabbed multiple times in the head, torso and ankles, according to sources.
The identity of the man is so far unknown, however police have described him as a “westerner”, aged 40-50 years old, 6 ft tall, well built, (at approx 90 Kgs), and slightly balding.
The body was only wearing black boxer shorts when discovered. [more]
Full story: http://www.pattaya10...westerner-pond/
--Pattaya 103 FM 2012-12-01
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Gang stages shootout in Bangkok hospital
BANGKOK: -- Displaying a profound misunderstanding of the intent and function of a hospital, 10 members of a bike gang snuck into Rama II Hospital this weekend and opened fire on a suspected rival as he lay recuperating from an earlier gunshot wound.The retaliation strike stemmed from an encounter that took place earlier in the evening, when Jarutat Kamolmaharumi, a 24-year-old emergency worker, tried to break up a brawl between two rival youth gangs.
Jarutat fled the scene after hearing gunshots, but the gang members weren’t ready to let him off so easily. Assuming he was in cahoots with a rival gang, several of the youths pursued Jarutat, firing at his truck and eventually wounding one of his passengers—17-year-old Sumitra Achitanaboon.
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...ngkok-hospital/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-03
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British man drowns during escape from fight in Pattaya
By Staff Reporter | December 2, 2012
Pattaya: a British man from Cambridge, drowned after a drunken fight
The man, 28 year old Patrick Molloy, a man well known in his home county of Cambridgeshire, was seen diving into the ocean along with his two pals as they ran to escape a band of local nationals whom they are said to have aggravated and started a fight with.
The local nationals stood up for themselves and the three men fled the Marine Hotel area, running to the ocean side seafood restaurant and diving into the ocean where each was seen swimming in a different direction.
Onlookers called the authorities as the first, Molloy, began to flail in the water as he tried in vain to reach a banana boat and hold on, he was seen to fall unconscious and, with no one else near him to help, fall beneath the waterline.
Police and sea rescue services were called and boats launched to the scene, where a speedboat was also on hand to help rescue the men.
Molloy was recovered but despite the efforts of the mdecial team on hand, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
30 year old Gerry Robson swam an estimated 300 metres from the shoreline before he too was rescued and 29 year old William Lewis made it to a nearby Yacht which was occupied by tourists, where he too was resuced in an exhausted state.
the bartender at the hotel said that all three were intoxicated prior to the altercation and had been staying at the Flipper Lodge Hotel on Soi 7.
Neither of the two men were willing to give statements and Officials encouraged them to return to their hotel to shower and change before giving statements.
The British embassy has been informed
FOR UPDATE.. CLICK HERE http://www.pattaya103.com/patrick-molloy-drown-fight-cambridge/
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Surin Man Survives Hanging Ordered By Ex-Boss
A Surin truck driver was taken away to kill by group of men who tied a rope around his neck and threw him off a bridge over a busy highway. But the rope broke and the victim rolled to hide on the side of road. He told police the murder was ordered by his ex-boss, who had accused him of stealing.
SRIRACHA – December 2, 2012 [PDN]: the police of Sriracha police station received a report from local people that they had seen several men throw the body of a man from a bridge bypass, and they did not know the man’s fate.
A police team rushed to inspect at scene with the rescue officer of Sawangprateepthammasathan Sriracha foundation and police team. The incident occurred at the bridge route bypass 36 Chonburi-Rayong Moo 11 Tambon Bangphra, Amphur Sriracha, Chonburi province.
At the scene, officers found only a nylon rope tied to the handrail of the bridge. The end of the dangling rope was torn. When the officers looked below the bridge, there were many cars and trucks continuously rushing past with frightening speed and noise.
Witnesses told police that the man had fallen down to the middle of the road below. But he rolled his body to hide on the side of the road, and had barely survived by avoiding being hit by the cars and trucks. Then the man ran away into the grass forest on the side of the road.
The police and the rescue officers mobilized forces to find the man. When the man realized there were police looking for him, he crept out of the grass forest to ask for assistance. The man identified himself as Mr. Prasart Sattaboot, age 29, from Tambon Kokklang, Amphur Prasart, Surin province.
He had suffered a broken left leg, and had wounds in his right leg and head. There were bruises all over his body from being beaten severely. The rescue officer rushed to send the man to Somdej Na Sriracha hospital urgently. Before Mr. Prasart went into surgery, he told the police what happened.
At about 5 p.m., Mr. Prasart had been driving a tractor at work on the Sahaphat industrial estate. Then about 3-4 men drove up in a bronze-blue Mitsubishi pickup truck. But he could not remember the license number. The men parked the pickup truck beside Mr. Prasart. They used a chain to tie around his neck, and dragged him to get on the pickup truck and pushed his head down to the seat.
They took him to be detained at a house, where they kicked, punched, trampled and beat him. Then one of the men said to him, “You’re so bad luck that made the boss angry.”
The group of men detained Mr. Prasart in the room until late at night. Then the group of men came in and used the chain to tie around his neck, and dragged him to get on the pickup truck. After they had driven for approximately 20 minutes, one of the men asked Mr. Prasart where he wanted to be killed. “The boss said to throw you away in the reservoir,” the man said. “Where do you want to go? At Bangpakong or Bang Phra reservoir?”
Full story: http://www.pattayada...red-by-ex-boss/
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A Surin truck driver was taken away to kill by group of men who tied a rope around his neck and threw him off a bridge over a busy highway. But the rope broke and the victim rolled to hide on the side of road. He told police the murder was ordered by his ex-boss, who had accused him of stealing.
SRIRACHA – December 2, 2012 [PDN]: the police of Sriracha police station received a report from local people that they had seen several men throw the body of a man from a bridge bypass, and they did not know the man’s fate.
A police team rushed to inspect at scene with the rescue officer of Sawangprateepthammasathan Sriracha foundation and police team. The incident occurred at the bridge route bypass 36 Chonburi-Rayong Moo 11 Tambon Bangphra, Amphur Sriracha, Chonburi province.
At the scene, officers found only a nylon rope tied to the handrail of the bridge. The end of the dangling rope was torn. When the officers looked below the bridge, there were many cars and trucks continuously rushing past with frightening speed and noise.
Witnesses told police that the man had fallen down to the middle of the road below. But he rolled his body to hide on the side of the road, and had barely survived by avoiding being hit by the cars and trucks. Then the man ran away into the grass forest on the side of the road.
The police and the rescue officers mobilized forces to find the man. When the man realized there were police looking for him, he crept out of the grass forest to ask for assistance. The man identified himself as Mr. Prasart Sattaboot, age 29, from Tambon Kokklang, Amphur Prasart, Surin province.
He had suffered a broken left leg, and had wounds in his right leg and head. There were bruises all over his body from being beaten severely. The rescue officer rushed to send the man to Somdej Na Sriracha hospital urgently. Before Mr. Prasart went into surgery, he told the police what happened.
At about 5 p.m., Mr. Prasart had been driving a tractor at work on the Sahaphat industrial estate. Then about 3-4 men drove up in a bronze-blue Mitsubishi pickup truck. But he could not remember the license number. The men parked the pickup truck beside Mr. Prasart. They used a chain to tie around his neck, and dragged him to get on the pickup truck and pushed his head down to the seat.
They took him to be detained at a house, where they kicked, punched, trampled and beat him. Then one of the men said to him, “You’re so bad luck that made the boss angry.”
The group of men detained Mr. Prasart in the room until late at night. Then the group of men came in and used the chain to tie around his neck, and dragged him to get on the pickup truck. After they had driven for approximately 20 minutes, one of the men asked Mr. Prasart where he wanted to be killed. “The boss said to throw you away in the reservoir,” the man said. “Where do you want to go? At Bangpakong or Bang Phra reservoir?”
Full story: http://www.pattayada...red-by-ex-boss/
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Brit Kills Self at Koh Samui Shooting Range
A 35-year-old British tourist shot 10 times at a paper target in a Ko Samui shooting range. For his next shot, he put the .38 caliber gun under his chin and pulled the trigger. The shocked employee nearby had no time to react. Police have not found a motive for the suicide.SURAT THANI -- December 2, 2012 [PDN]; a report of a tourist shooting himself at a shooting range was received by Pol. Maj. Capt. Suteep Chadakarn, officer of the shift, Ko Samui, Surat Thani. He rushed to the scene with Pol. Lt. Col. Thanawat Sukata, detective inspector of the Ko Samui police station.
The incident was reported by the staff of the shooting gallery, the Surat Thani Shooting Association, third branch, at 33/3 Moo 2, Muang, Ko Samui.
At the scene, police found the body of the foreigner lying in a supine position. He was wearing black-and-white plaid shorts and a short-sleeved black shirt.
The man had died from a self-inflicted gunshot that went through his brain. There were traces of carbon powder from the wound under his chin. The gun he had fired was a .38 caliber with a cylinder head. His passport identified the victim as Zach Smith, age 35, nationality British. He also had 7,000 baht in cash.
Police questioned the shooting gallery employee, Mr. Sittichai Nuicharern, age 26. He told police that Mr. Zach had driven up in a black Suzuki F1 vehicle. The Britisher had rented a .38 caliber handgun and bought 21 bullets.
Mr. Sittichai followed him to the shooting channel, where people could shoot at a paper target 12 yards away. Mr. Sittichai was standing to the left of Mr. Zach while he was firing his gun. After shooting 6 bullets, Mr. Zach then reloaded another 6 bullets into his gun.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...shooting-range/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-12-04
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A 35-year-old British tourist shot 10 times at a paper target in a Ko Samui shooting range. For his next shot, he put the .38 caliber gun under his chin and pulled the trigger. The shocked employee nearby had no time to react. Police have not found a motive for the suicide.SURAT THANI -- December 2, 2012 [PDN]; a report of a tourist shooting himself at a shooting range was received by Pol. Maj. Capt. Suteep Chadakarn, officer of the shift, Ko Samui, Surat Thani. He rushed to the scene with Pol. Lt. Col. Thanawat Sukata, detective inspector of the Ko Samui police station.
The incident was reported by the staff of the shooting gallery, the Surat Thani Shooting Association, third branch, at 33/3 Moo 2, Muang, Ko Samui.
At the scene, police found the body of the foreigner lying in a supine position. He was wearing black-and-white plaid shorts and a short-sleeved black shirt.
The man had died from a self-inflicted gunshot that went through his brain. There were traces of carbon powder from the wound under his chin. The gun he had fired was a .38 caliber with a cylinder head. His passport identified the victim as Zach Smith, age 35, nationality British. He also had 7,000 baht in cash.
Police questioned the shooting gallery employee, Mr. Sittichai Nuicharern, age 26. He told police that Mr. Zach had driven up in a black Suzuki F1 vehicle. The Britisher had rented a .38 caliber handgun and bought 21 bullets.
Mr. Sittichai followed him to the shooting channel, where people could shoot at a paper target 12 yards away. Mr. Sittichai was standing to the left of Mr. Zach while he was firing his gun. After shooting 6 bullets, Mr. Zach then reloaded another 6 bullets into his gun.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...shooting-range/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-12-04
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Posted 2012-12-05 07:18:05
British man found dead in East Pattaya rented apartment
A 42 year old British man from Windsor in UK was found dead in his East Pattaya apartment on Tuesday afternoon.
PATTAYA: -- The alarm was raised by a resident at the Perfect Apartment in Soi Kao Ta Lo who noticed a foul odor coming from a room opposite his on 4th floor.
Entry was gained into the room and the body of its registered occupant Mr. Paul Antony Jones was found on the floor close to the balcony door at the rear of the apartment. He was wearing jeans but no shirt and due to the level of decomposition Police could not find any visible signs of trauma.
Drug taking paraphernalia was found inside the room in the form of a 1.5 litre Sprite Lemonade bottle which had been modified to become a drug-taking device.
Full story: http://www.pattayaon...nted-apartment/
A 42 year old British man from Windsor in UK was found dead in his East Pattaya apartment on Tuesday afternoon.
PATTAYA: -- The alarm was raised by a resident at the Perfect Apartment in Soi Kao Ta Lo who noticed a foul odor coming from a room opposite his on 4th floor.
Entry was gained into the room and the body of its registered occupant Mr. Paul Antony Jones was found on the floor close to the balcony door at the rear of the apartment. He was wearing jeans but no shirt and due to the level of decomposition Police could not find any visible signs of trauma.
Drug taking paraphernalia was found inside the room in the form of a 1.5 litre Sprite Lemonade bottle which had been modified to become a drug-taking device.
Full story: http://www.pattayaon...nted-apartment/
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Posted 2012-12-05 05:54:02
HM THE KING'S BIRTHDAY
Long Live our Guardian
Thanong Khanthong
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- On December 1st, Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Yanasangvara Somdej Phra Sangharaj Sakol Mahasanghaparinayok delivered a congratulatory message to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday today on December 5th.
His metaphoric message was subtle, capturing the spirit of the Monarchy and Buddhism that embody the Thai nation and its survival.
The Supreme Patriarch, who is the head of the order of Thai Buddhist monks, said the Thai nation has been keeping two things together throughout its history - that is, guarding Buddhism and having the King as head of state. This is also in accordance with the Buddhist precept, which expounds that "Dhamma protects those who practice Dhamma like a chatra (white tiered Royal umbrella) Royal decoration or an umbrella in the rainy season" and that "the King is the head of all human beings".
The Supreme Patriarch went on to say that Dhamma is like a big umbrella in the rainy season for those who practise all the Dhamma.
Likewise, the Dhamma Raja represents a big umbrella for the people.
The Thai nation has been blessed all along with Kings who serve like a big umbrella. Each King is endowed with miraculous deeds, depending on the circumstances of the time because the King is born into the world to restore order and maintain happiness in the land.
"The Thai people have seen how His Majesty the King has practised his royal duty - major or minor - for their benefit and happiness. His Majesty the King adheres to the Dhamma of the King without any flaws, deserving gratitude and loyalty from all Thais," the Supreme Patriarch said.
There is a 14-year gap between the 10th Supreme Patriarch of the Rattanakosin Era and the Ninth Reign. The Supreme Patriarch will turn 99 years old next year, while the King is 85 today. The Supreme Patriarch has gone through the eighth cycle of life, the King the seventh cycle of life. Both surpass their predecessors in longevity.
More significantly, both are higher beings, born into this Golden Land to share the same destiny during this momentous time. They follow their duty as guardians of the Thai spiritual and cultural heritage.
There is a hidden message in the Supreme Patriarch's congratulatory speech to the King. Twice he used the word "rainy season" to signify the present danger, from within and from without, facing Thailand. And the King, the Supreme Patriarch stressed, represents the chatra that shields Thais from the rain.
The King has ruled Thailand as head of state since 1946 during the vicissitudes of the post-World War II era. He has navigated the country through the emergence of the Cold War, the expansion of communism, the internal political turmoil marked by military dictatorship and half-baked democracy, the forced opening up of Thailand through liberalisation and globalisation and the triumph and decline of global capitalism. The enduring Monarchy helps keep Thailand's stability.
Now Thailand is hanging by a thread during this precarious time of the "rainy season". From within, the war of colours has been going on for seven years in Thai politics. First, the yellow shirts emerged to claim that they aimed to protect the Monarchy. Then the red shirts, who are clearly not in favour of the Monarchy, came out as an antithesis to the yellow
shirts. In the interval, the white shirts camouflaged themselves as a broker of peace. The black shirts came out from nowhere to shoot and run, leaving behind a fractured Thailand and a huge scar that could not possibly be cured.
The social and political polarisation is unprecedented in modern Thai history, revolving around the shadowy figure of Thaksin Shinawatra. In fact, the genesis of this Hegelian dialectic goes far back to 1932, when the elite elements, tempted by a parliamentary form of government and power for themselves, brought down Absolute Monarchy.
There followed a periodic clash between pseudo-democracy and military dictatorship - a seemingly endless thesis vs antithesis force of Hegelian dialectic, invisibly manipulated from the outside by the colonial powers. As a result, the division within Thai society and politics is bitter and irreparable. But all this time, the King as the individual and the Monarchy as the institution have merged to represent the ultimate symbol of unity of Thailand.
From without, the superpowers have long been wishing to bring Thailand under their yoke. The geopolitical conflict between the waning United States and the emerging China threatens Thailand's survival. The Yingluck government has decided to play the American card by giving away Thailand's sovereignty through the 2012 joint statement on security between Thailand and US. The King, who follows the diplomatic prudence of his grandfather King Chulalongkorn, met separately on equal terms with US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao when the two superpowers visited Bangkok to seek Thailand as an ally last month. The King helped bring a sense of balance back to Thailand's diplomacy.
What will become of Thailand as the Supreme Patriarch and the King are ageing? There are threats of a civil war from within and a highly possible spill-over from a regional, if not global, war in the South China Sea and other parts of the world. Will Thailand survive against all odds as the gentle and kind nation of the old days again?
Many Thais do believe that when worst comes to worst, Phra Siam Thevathiraj will come to Thailand's rescue. Phra Siam Thevathiraj is the City Angel. King Mongkut, who faced the threat of colonialism, realised that whenever Siam was in peril, a god would constantly guard its stability and survival. He had a golden statute of Phra Siam Thevathiraj built and placed inside the Grand Palace.
Indeed, nobody knows what will become of Thailand's uncertain future. The Thais are quarrelling over the colours of the shirts they should wear tomorrow. The government is barring the provincial governors from lighting fireworks to celebrate the King’s birthday. And the politicians are set to rewrite the Constitution to undermine the role of the Monarchy. But most Thais know that they can morally and spiritually count on the King, the Supreme Patriarch as head of the Buddhist monks' order, Phra Siam Thevathiraj and all the other sacred beings to protect Thailand during this time of great despair.
-- The Nation 2012-12-05
Long Live our Guardian
Thanong Khanthong
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- On December 1st, Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Yanasangvara Somdej Phra Sangharaj Sakol Mahasanghaparinayok delivered a congratulatory message to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday today on December 5th.
His metaphoric message was subtle, capturing the spirit of the Monarchy and Buddhism that embody the Thai nation and its survival.
The Supreme Patriarch, who is the head of the order of Thai Buddhist monks, said the Thai nation has been keeping two things together throughout its history - that is, guarding Buddhism and having the King as head of state. This is also in accordance with the Buddhist precept, which expounds that "Dhamma protects those who practice Dhamma like a chatra (white tiered Royal umbrella) Royal decoration or an umbrella in the rainy season" and that "the King is the head of all human beings".
The Supreme Patriarch went on to say that Dhamma is like a big umbrella in the rainy season for those who practise all the Dhamma.
Likewise, the Dhamma Raja represents a big umbrella for the people.
The Thai nation has been blessed all along with Kings who serve like a big umbrella. Each King is endowed with miraculous deeds, depending on the circumstances of the time because the King is born into the world to restore order and maintain happiness in the land.
"The Thai people have seen how His Majesty the King has practised his royal duty - major or minor - for their benefit and happiness. His Majesty the King adheres to the Dhamma of the King without any flaws, deserving gratitude and loyalty from all Thais," the Supreme Patriarch said.
There is a 14-year gap between the 10th Supreme Patriarch of the Rattanakosin Era and the Ninth Reign. The Supreme Patriarch will turn 99 years old next year, while the King is 85 today. The Supreme Patriarch has gone through the eighth cycle of life, the King the seventh cycle of life. Both surpass their predecessors in longevity.
More significantly, both are higher beings, born into this Golden Land to share the same destiny during this momentous time. They follow their duty as guardians of the Thai spiritual and cultural heritage.
There is a hidden message in the Supreme Patriarch's congratulatory speech to the King. Twice he used the word "rainy season" to signify the present danger, from within and from without, facing Thailand. And the King, the Supreme Patriarch stressed, represents the chatra that shields Thais from the rain.
The King has ruled Thailand as head of state since 1946 during the vicissitudes of the post-World War II era. He has navigated the country through the emergence of the Cold War, the expansion of communism, the internal political turmoil marked by military dictatorship and half-baked democracy, the forced opening up of Thailand through liberalisation and globalisation and the triumph and decline of global capitalism. The enduring Monarchy helps keep Thailand's stability.
Now Thailand is hanging by a thread during this precarious time of the "rainy season". From within, the war of colours has been going on for seven years in Thai politics. First, the yellow shirts emerged to claim that they aimed to protect the Monarchy. Then the red shirts, who are clearly not in favour of the Monarchy, came out as an antithesis to the yellow
shirts. In the interval, the white shirts camouflaged themselves as a broker of peace. The black shirts came out from nowhere to shoot and run, leaving behind a fractured Thailand and a huge scar that could not possibly be cured.
The social and political polarisation is unprecedented in modern Thai history, revolving around the shadowy figure of Thaksin Shinawatra. In fact, the genesis of this Hegelian dialectic goes far back to 1932, when the elite elements, tempted by a parliamentary form of government and power for themselves, brought down Absolute Monarchy.
There followed a periodic clash between pseudo-democracy and military dictatorship - a seemingly endless thesis vs antithesis force of Hegelian dialectic, invisibly manipulated from the outside by the colonial powers. As a result, the division within Thai society and politics is bitter and irreparable. But all this time, the King as the individual and the Monarchy as the institution have merged to represent the ultimate symbol of unity of Thailand.
From without, the superpowers have long been wishing to bring Thailand under their yoke. The geopolitical conflict between the waning United States and the emerging China threatens Thailand's survival. The Yingluck government has decided to play the American card by giving away Thailand's sovereignty through the 2012 joint statement on security between Thailand and US. The King, who follows the diplomatic prudence of his grandfather King Chulalongkorn, met separately on equal terms with US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao when the two superpowers visited Bangkok to seek Thailand as an ally last month. The King helped bring a sense of balance back to Thailand's diplomacy.
What will become of Thailand as the Supreme Patriarch and the King are ageing? There are threats of a civil war from within and a highly possible spill-over from a regional, if not global, war in the South China Sea and other parts of the world. Will Thailand survive against all odds as the gentle and kind nation of the old days again?
Many Thais do believe that when worst comes to worst, Phra Siam Thevathiraj will come to Thailand's rescue. Phra Siam Thevathiraj is the City Angel. King Mongkut, who faced the threat of colonialism, realised that whenever Siam was in peril, a god would constantly guard its stability and survival. He had a golden statute of Phra Siam Thevathiraj built and placed inside the Grand Palace.
Indeed, nobody knows what will become of Thailand's uncertain future. The Thais are quarrelling over the colours of the shirts they should wear tomorrow. The government is barring the provincial governors from lighting fireworks to celebrate the King’s birthday. And the politicians are set to rewrite the Constitution to undermine the role of the Monarchy. But most Thais know that they can morally and spiritually count on the King, the Supreme Patriarch as head of the Buddhist monks' order, Phra Siam Thevathiraj and all the other sacred beings to protect Thailand during this time of great despair.
-- The Nation 2012-12-05
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Thailand ranked 8th most dangerous country, top in SE Asia
The Nation
BANGKOK: Thailand has been ranked No 8 among countries most prone to terrorist attacks mainly due to insurgency in the deep South.
According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) covering 158 countries, Thailand is the worst in Southeast Asia and the fifth worst in all Asia. The top four countries in the list are all from Asia - Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India - where terrorist incidents were "heavily concentrated".
Thailand ranks top among the Southeast Asian countries, followed by the Philippines (No 10), Indonesia (29), Myanmar (33), Malaysia (90) and Cambodia (101). Laos has not experienced terrorism over the past decade, the report said.
While the government played down Thailand's high ranking in terms of terrorism yesterday, opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed concerns that the news would have a negative impact on the country's image.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said he did not think incidents in the Muslim-majority South could be considered "terrorism" and that it was the media's fault for creating fear among the public. National Security Council secretary-general Lt-General Paradorn Pattanathabutr agreed, saying the degree of violence in the South could not be regarded as "terrorism".
Abhisit, however, reiterated that the ranking on the terrorism index was not good for Thailand's image.
The GTI systematically ranks and compares 158 countries according to the impact of terrorism, which is measured against four indicators - the number of incidents, deaths, injured and the level of property damage. According to the institute, the 173 violent incidents that took place in the South last year - and left 142 people dead and 427 others injured - could be documented as terrorism.
-- The Nation 2012-12-07
The Nation
BANGKOK: Thailand has been ranked No 8 among countries most prone to terrorist attacks mainly due to insurgency in the deep South.
According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) covering 158 countries, Thailand is the worst in Southeast Asia and the fifth worst in all Asia. The top four countries in the list are all from Asia - Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India - where terrorist incidents were "heavily concentrated".
Thailand ranks top among the Southeast Asian countries, followed by the Philippines (No 10), Indonesia (29), Myanmar (33), Malaysia (90) and Cambodia (101). Laos has not experienced terrorism over the past decade, the report said.
While the government played down Thailand's high ranking in terms of terrorism yesterday, opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed concerns that the news would have a negative impact on the country's image.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said he did not think incidents in the Muslim-majority South could be considered "terrorism" and that it was the media's fault for creating fear among the public. National Security Council secretary-general Lt-General Paradorn Pattanathabutr agreed, saying the degree of violence in the South could not be regarded as "terrorism".
Abhisit, however, reiterated that the ranking on the terrorism index was not good for Thailand's image.
The GTI systematically ranks and compares 158 countries according to the impact of terrorism, which is measured against four indicators - the number of incidents, deaths, injured and the level of property damage. According to the institute, the 173 violent incidents that took place in the South last year - and left 142 people dead and 427 others injured - could be documented as terrorism.
-- The Nation 2012-12-07
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Posted 2012-12-08 13:41:55
Pattaya: Police release information about German national murdered in his condominium
Withholding his name at the current time as investigations begin, Police have advised that a German national has been found brutally murdered in his Jomtien Condo Apartment.
No one having seen him for 3-4 days, his rooms were opened with a pass key and the body found in a state of decomposition. Initial forensic inspection found the predicted cause of death to be a slash to his throat, although final lab tests have yet to be concluded.
The 28th floor home revealed very few clues as fingerprints were taken, the home itself did not seem to have been disturbed, with no signs of a struggle and, according to neighbours, looked just the same as it usually did.
The 66 year old is known to have enjoyed the company of various guests who came and went and the last reported sighting was of him partying with 6 Thai women in the condo. As a result the authorities are keen to interview any of the party goers if they can be located.
Initiallly Police think that the motive for his murder may have been theft, since his Wallet and Notebook computer are missing, however when his room safe was opened with a pass key, it was found to contain significant amounts of cash in various denominations.
The German embassy has been informed and further details are expected soon.
--Pattaya 103 FM 2012-12-13
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Party for 4000 auto workers turns into violent fight
Auto Workers Party turns nasty
SRIRACHA: -- Reports are emerging from Sri Ratcha, just north of Pattaya, of a massive fight at a party, held for 4000 employees of the Ford and Mazda engineering project on Friday evening.
The party, organised by Auto Alliance, the joint venture between Ford and Mazda, saw over 4000 staff enjoy an evening of celebration which was abruptly ended as a fight broke out near the stage during a Prize giveaway.
Starting as a small altercation it quickly spread to include more and more people and in the ensuing battle explosions and gunshots are reported to have been heard as the thousands of people rushed to the exits.
Many were crushed in the disorganised escape from the scene and, as crockery and cutlery along with glasses and bottles were thrown, more than 30 people, including 10 women, were injured badly enough to need hospitalisation.
Off duty Emergency medical staff were called in to deal with the injured including one person who is said to have had stomach injuries caused by a home made grenade
Full story:http://www.pattaya10...fight-thailand/
British and American Teachers found dead in Thai home
By Staff Reporter
PATHUM THANI – English and American teachers found dead in Pathum Thani Rooms on Saturday Morning
Thirty Five year old Charlie Milsom from Britain and 40 year old American Jonathan Louis were both discovered in a rented condominium.
Reports indicate that the two were discovered in an upright, sitting, position and showed signs of vomiting, they had, according to reports, been dead for up to ten hours before the grim discovery.
With absolutely no signs of a struggle in the room, the bodies of the two English language tutors were found in a relaxed and natural position as if simply watching television.
Thamakorn Apison, a close friend of Mr. Louis, is said to have explained that she and Mr. Louis had been living together for 14 years and had occupied the condominium where the two men were found, for two year. The two men, who were friends, had gone to the home and she had returned in the morning. [more...]
Full story: http://www.pattaya10...d-in-thai-home/
--Pattaya 103 FM 2012-12-08
By Staff Reporter
PATHUM THANI – English and American teachers found dead in Pathum Thani Rooms on Saturday Morning
Thirty Five year old Charlie Milsom from Britain and 40 year old American Jonathan Louis were both discovered in a rented condominium.
Reports indicate that the two were discovered in an upright, sitting, position and showed signs of vomiting, they had, according to reports, been dead for up to ten hours before the grim discovery.
With absolutely no signs of a struggle in the room, the bodies of the two English language tutors were found in a relaxed and natural position as if simply watching television.
Thamakorn Apison, a close friend of Mr. Louis, is said to have explained that she and Mr. Louis had been living together for 14 years and had occupied the condominium where the two men were found, for two year. The two men, who were friends, had gone to the home and she had returned in the morning. [more...]
Full story: http://www.pattaya10...d-in-thai-home/
--Pattaya 103 FM 2012-12-08
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25 year old mother jumps from 6th floor balcony at Jomtien condominiumPATTAYA:--A 25 year old mother of a 3 month old baby reportedly jumped from a 6th floor apartment in Jomtien late on Monday Night following a minor verbal altercation with her British boyfriend.
Police and rescue services were called to View Talay 2 Condominium Building A to assist Khun Tubtim who was lying on the ground underneath her 6th floor apartment. Also there was her Mother, Khun Somjai aged 47 and her British boyfriend known as Mr. Tim, who explained to Police that his girlfriend had returned to the apartment just before 10pm and was in an intoxicated state after spending the evening with friends.
He commented on the odor of drink coming from her and due to her emotional state which was undoubtedly exaggerated due to the level of intoxication, she apparently went out onto the balcony and jumped off.
Full story:http://www.pattayaon...en-condominium/
-- Pattaya One 2012-12-11
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Police and rescue services were called to View Talay 2 Condominium Building A to assist Khun Tubtim who was lying on the ground underneath her 6th floor apartment. Also there was her Mother, Khun Somjai aged 47 and her British boyfriend known as Mr. Tim, who explained to Police that his girlfriend had returned to the apartment just before 10pm and was in an intoxicated state after spending the evening with friends.
He commented on the odor of drink coming from her and due to her emotional state which was undoubtedly exaggerated due to the level of intoxication, she apparently went out onto the balcony and jumped off.
Full story:http://www.pattayaon...en-condominium/
-- Pattaya One 2012-12-11
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Pattaya Police arrest German in Fake Driving License Scam
PATTAYA:--A German resident of Pattaya was arrested at the culmination of an undercover operation early on Wednesday Morning, accused of offering fake driving licenses to other foreigners.
Earlier, Mr. Daniel Wetzer aged 48 from Switzerland had reported the case to Pattaya Police. He explained how he had met Mr. Arthur Grudda aged 38 in Hua Hin. The pair discussed a service that Mr. Grudda can provide for a fee of 15,000 Baht where he claimed he could obtain Thai Driving Licenses direct from the Ministry of Transport without the license holder attending a testing center. Telephone numbers were exchanged and it transpired that both men resided in Pattaya.
Mr. Wetzer was suspicious and reported the alleged scam to Pattaya Police who organized an undercover operation whereby the money was handed over in exchange for the completed license.
Full story:http://www.pattayaon...g-license-scam/
-- Pattaya One 2012-12-12
PATTAYA:--A German resident of Pattaya was arrested at the culmination of an undercover operation early on Wednesday Morning, accused of offering fake driving licenses to other foreigners.Earlier, Mr. Daniel Wetzer aged 48 from Switzerland had reported the case to Pattaya Police. He explained how he had met Mr. Arthur Grudda aged 38 in Hua Hin. The pair discussed a service that Mr. Grudda can provide for a fee of 15,000 Baht where he claimed he could obtain Thai Driving Licenses direct from the Ministry of Transport without the license holder attending a testing center. Telephone numbers were exchanged and it transpired that both men resided in Pattaya.
Mr. Wetzer was suspicious and reported the alleged scam to Pattaya Police who organized an undercover operation whereby the money was handed over in exchange for the completed license.
Full story:http://www.pattayaon...g-license-scam/
-- Pattaya One 2012-12-12
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German National Brutally Murdered in Jomtien Apartment
By Staff Reporter | December 13, 2012
Withholding his name at the current time as investigations begin, Police have advised that a German national has been found brutally murdered in his Jomtien Condo Apartment.
No one having seen him for 3-4 days, his rooms were opened with a pass key and the body found in a state of decomposition. Initial forensic inspection found the predicted cause of death to be a slash to his throat, although final lab tests have yet to be concluded.
The 28th floor home revealed very few clues as fingerprints were taken, the home itself did not seem to have been disturbed, with no signs of a struggle and, according to neighbours, looked just the same as it usually did.
The 66 year old is known to have enjoyed the company of various guests who came and went and the last reported sighting was of him partying with 6 Thai women in the condo. As a result the authorities are keen to interview any of the party goers if they can be located.
Initiallly Police think that the motive for his murder may have been theft, since his Wallet and Notebook computer are missing, however when his room safe was opened with a pass key, it was found to contain significant amounts of cash in various denominations.
The German embassy has been informed and further details are expected soon.
--Pattaya 103 FM 2012-12-13
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Party for 4000 auto workers turns into violent fight
Auto Workers Party turns nasty
SRIRACHA: -- Reports are emerging from Sri Ratcha, just north of Pattaya, of a massive fight at a party, held for 4000 employees of the Ford and Mazda engineering project on Friday evening.
The party, organised by Auto Alliance, the joint venture between Ford and Mazda, saw over 4000 staff enjoy an evening of celebration which was abruptly ended as a fight broke out near the stage during a Prize giveaway.
Starting as a small altercation it quickly spread to include more and more people and in the ensuing battle explosions and gunshots are reported to have been heard as the thousands of people rushed to the exits.
Many were crushed in the disorganised escape from the scene and, as crockery and cutlery along with glasses and bottles were thrown, more than 30 people, including 10 women, were injured badly enough to need hospitalisation.
Off duty Emergency medical staff were called in to deal with the injured including one person who is said to have had stomach injuries caused by a home made grenade
Full story:http://www.pattaya10...fight-thailand/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Busted penis prompts Phuket fighter to come forward
Phuket Gazette
MMA fighter Ray Elbe is on his way to a full recovery after suffering what he calls "one of the most unimaginable injuries you could ever suffer". Photo: Aga L Photography
PHUKET: -- Speaking exclusively with the Phuket Gazette, MMA fighter Ray Elbe has come forward about the penis injury he suffered in his Kuala Lumpur condo earlier this month.
Ray, who founded and for years ran the MMA program at Phuket’s renowned Tiger Muay Thai training camp in Chalong, urged all men who suffer a similar injury to immediately seek treatment.
“I came forward about this injury because I want people to understand the significance of the emergency. The more I researched this on Google the more I found that many men do not seek treatment immediately.
“Some guys get to the point that there is no repair because they’re embarrassed. They don’t want to go to the emergency room right away,” he said.
“I want to thank my girlfriend for how she handled the situation. We handled it the best we could, considering the outcome,” Ray added.
Ray is recovering well, albeit still with a catheter.
“The doctor expects a full recovery. The side that was torn was the side opposite that which supplies the blood. The next significant date is December 19 [tomorrow], when I go back for a checkup. Hopefully, they will remove the catheter,” he said.
Recounting the incident that caused the injury, Ray explained that he was having intercourse with his girlfriend on top. “It came out at the top and as it came down, it ended up breaking – fracturing – my penis.
“I tore the urinary tract, tore some membrane. You can imagine the shock and the horror that was going on – jumping up from an intimate moment, blood shooting out of my groin. I immediately tried to run to the shower and felt myself losing consciousness.
“I tried to walk back to the bed, at which point I collapsed – knocking myself out, giving myself 10 stitches and fracturing a couple of teeth. I came to on the ground and saw myself in a pool of blood. I immediately crawled along the floor to the bed and elevated my feet and placed a towel over my groin.
“My girlfriend was frantic. Here we are in a foreign country where most people don’t speak English. We had to call the security attendant, who called the Malaysian equivalent of 911. While we were waiting for the ambulance to arrive, there we were with all the security guards standing around us.
“As a process, it’s been terrible spending my 30th birthday like this. For those who’ve been making jokes – it’s funny. I know it’s funny, I’ve been making jokes, too.
“But [for] those who have sent compassionate emails and words of concern, I just wanted you to know that it’s really appreciated,” he said.
“Keeping it safe during sex isn’t just wearing a condom,” he added.
Over the years several top UFC fighters, including Jon Fitch, Jake Shields and Phil Baroni, have trained at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket.
The training camp’s connection with UFC also includes Ray appearing on the UFC’s reality TV series 'The Ultimate Fighter'.
When his recovery permits, Ray will join Ole Laursen at Legacy Gym in Boracay, the Philippines.
“Anyone who trained with me in Phuket is welcome to reunite,” he said.
To keep up to date with Ray’s latest news, visit MagicalRay.com
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ward-19738.html
-- Phuket Gazette 2012-12-18
Phuket Gazette
MMA fighter Ray Elbe is on his way to a full recovery after suffering what he calls "one of the most unimaginable injuries you could ever suffer". Photo: Aga L Photography
PHUKET: -- Speaking exclusively with the Phuket Gazette, MMA fighter Ray Elbe has come forward about the penis injury he suffered in his Kuala Lumpur condo earlier this month.
Ray, who founded and for years ran the MMA program at Phuket’s renowned Tiger Muay Thai training camp in Chalong, urged all men who suffer a similar injury to immediately seek treatment.
“I came forward about this injury because I want people to understand the significance of the emergency. The more I researched this on Google the more I found that many men do not seek treatment immediately.
“Some guys get to the point that there is no repair because they’re embarrassed. They don’t want to go to the emergency room right away,” he said.
“I want to thank my girlfriend for how she handled the situation. We handled it the best we could, considering the outcome,” Ray added.
Ray is recovering well, albeit still with a catheter.
“The doctor expects a full recovery. The side that was torn was the side opposite that which supplies the blood. The next significant date is December 19 [tomorrow], when I go back for a checkup. Hopefully, they will remove the catheter,” he said.
Recounting the incident that caused the injury, Ray explained that he was having intercourse with his girlfriend on top. “It came out at the top and as it came down, it ended up breaking – fracturing – my penis.
“I tore the urinary tract, tore some membrane. You can imagine the shock and the horror that was going on – jumping up from an intimate moment, blood shooting out of my groin. I immediately tried to run to the shower and felt myself losing consciousness.
“I tried to walk back to the bed, at which point I collapsed – knocking myself out, giving myself 10 stitches and fracturing a couple of teeth. I came to on the ground and saw myself in a pool of blood. I immediately crawled along the floor to the bed and elevated my feet and placed a towel over my groin.
“My girlfriend was frantic. Here we are in a foreign country where most people don’t speak English. We had to call the security attendant, who called the Malaysian equivalent of 911. While we were waiting for the ambulance to arrive, there we were with all the security guards standing around us.
“As a process, it’s been terrible spending my 30th birthday like this. For those who’ve been making jokes – it’s funny. I know it’s funny, I’ve been making jokes, too.
“But [for] those who have sent compassionate emails and words of concern, I just wanted you to know that it’s really appreciated,” he said.
“Keeping it safe during sex isn’t just wearing a condom,” he added.
Over the years several top UFC fighters, including Jon Fitch, Jake Shields and Phil Baroni, have trained at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket.
The training camp’s connection with UFC also includes Ray appearing on the UFC’s reality TV series 'The Ultimate Fighter'.
When his recovery permits, Ray will join Ole Laursen at Legacy Gym in Boracay, the Philippines.
“Anyone who trained with me in Phuket is welcome to reunite,” he said.
To keep up to date with Ray’s latest news, visit MagicalRay.com
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ward-19738.html
-- Phuket Gazette 2012-12-18
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Posted 2012-12-19 14:46:20
McDonald's Thailand imposes one-hour time limit for customers
By Coconuts Bangkok
Thai Ronald McDonald: Not creepy at all. Photo: FastFoodHut.com
BANGKOK: -- Cultural differences can be funny. For instance, in the United States, if one were to spend more than an hour inside of a McDonald’s, it could likely be chalked up to a medical emergency (“fast” food being the entire point of the operation), whereas in Thailand, hanging out in your local Mickey-D’s is perfectly acceptable behavior. Or it was, rather.
The Bangkok Post is reporting that McThai, the operator of Thailand’s McDonalds franchises, has just announced that customers will not be allowed to loiter in their restaurants for upwards of an hour.
This means no more Filet-o-Fish with [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...-for-customers/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-19
By Coconuts Bangkok
Thai Ronald McDonald: Not creepy at all. Photo: FastFoodHut.com
BANGKOK: -- Cultural differences can be funny. For instance, in the United States, if one were to spend more than an hour inside of a McDonald’s, it could likely be chalked up to a medical emergency (“fast” food being the entire point of the operation), whereas in Thailand, hanging out in your local Mickey-D’s is perfectly acceptable behavior. Or it was, rather.
The Bangkok Post is reporting that McThai, the operator of Thailand’s McDonalds franchises, has just announced that customers will not be allowed to loiter in their restaurants for upwards of an hour.
This means no more Filet-o-Fish with [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...-for-customers/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-19
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'Mr Condom' spearheads fight against Thailand's new AIDS crisis
Unsafe sex is being blamed for the alarming rise in HIV infections among young people, writes Lindsay Murdoch in Bangkok.
BANGKOK: -- Thailand's ''Mr Condom'', Mechai Viravaidya, who has saved millions of lives by raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, says his country is facing a new crisis from the infection.
"I innocently thought I had done the job … but the government has fallen asleep at the wheel. There is a total indifference to a war we have to fight," says the Australian-educated former politician whose 20-year campaign popularised condoms and led to a revolution in family planning and AIDS awareness in many developing countries.
"With a new campaign we can prevent a lot of early deaths," he says at his Birds and Bees Resort on a secluded beach near Pattaya, where restaurant diners are given free condoms.
Three hours' drive away in central Thailand, the celebrated monk Alongkot Dikkapanyo, who has seen 30,000 AIDS victims die at his hillside temple, warns that a new wave of mainly young Thais face infection. ''A big problem facing our country now is that young boys and young girls - 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 - are having sex and not protecting themselves,'' says Alongkot, who was also educated in Australia.
At least one person becomes HIV-positive every hour in Thailand, joining more than a million Thais who have been infected since the first case was reported here in 1984.
The United Nations says Mechai's campaign caused a decline of 90 per cent in new HIV infections over 12 years from 1991, which the World Bank estimates saved 7.7 million lives. [more…]
Full story: http://www.smh.com.a...1220-2bpc4.html
-- The Sydney Morning Herald 2012-12-21
Unsafe sex is being blamed for the alarming rise in HIV infections among young people, writes Lindsay Murdoch in Bangkok.
BANGKOK: -- Thailand's ''Mr Condom'', Mechai Viravaidya, who has saved millions of lives by raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, says his country is facing a new crisis from the infection.
"I innocently thought I had done the job … but the government has fallen asleep at the wheel. There is a total indifference to a war we have to fight," says the Australian-educated former politician whose 20-year campaign popularised condoms and led to a revolution in family planning and AIDS awareness in many developing countries.
"With a new campaign we can prevent a lot of early deaths," he says at his Birds and Bees Resort on a secluded beach near Pattaya, where restaurant diners are given free condoms.
Three hours' drive away in central Thailand, the celebrated monk Alongkot Dikkapanyo, who has seen 30,000 AIDS victims die at his hillside temple, warns that a new wave of mainly young Thais face infection. ''A big problem facing our country now is that young boys and young girls - 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 - are having sex and not protecting themselves,'' says Alongkot, who was also educated in Australia.
At least one person becomes HIV-positive every hour in Thailand, joining more than a million Thais who have been infected since the first case was reported here in 1984.
The United Nations says Mechai's campaign caused a decline of 90 per cent in new HIV infections over 12 years from 1991, which the World Bank estimates saved 7.7 million lives. [more…]
Full story: http://www.smh.com.a...1220-2bpc4.html
-- The Sydney Morning Herald 2012-12-21
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Bangkok police riding around with broken breathalyzers
By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- An inspection of the Bangkok police force’s breathalyzers, conducted by the Department of Medical Sciences, has revealed that almost half of the breathalyzers being carried around by Bangkok cops don’t actually work.
Niphon Popattanacha, director general of the Department of Medical Sciences, said that of the 2,558 devices his department surveyed, only 1,338, or 52.3%, functioned normally. The remaining 1,220 were either malfunctioning, or just broken.
However, before you consider running out to your commute [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...-breathalyzers/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-21
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By Coconuts Bangkok
BANGKOK: -- An inspection of the Bangkok police force’s breathalyzers, conducted by the Department of Medical Sciences, has revealed that almost half of the breathalyzers being carried around by Bangkok cops don’t actually work.
Niphon Popattanacha, director general of the Department of Medical Sciences, said that of the 2,558 devices his department surveyed, only 1,338, or 52.3%, functioned normally. The remaining 1,220 were either malfunctioning, or just broken.
However, before you consider running out to your commute [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...-breathalyzers/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-21
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Posted 2012-12-24 06:15:24
Khao Yai crocodile freaking out tourists
By Coconuts Bangkok
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Rangers are actively trying to catch a two-meter crocodile that has been spotted several times lurking by a waterfall at Khao Yai National Park.
With the New Year and holiday crowds approaching, wildlife protection authorities want to snag the croc before anyone gets hurt.
Theerapat Prayulasiddhi – the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department’s deputy chief – said that they had received many complaints about the reptile hanging out around Pa Kloi Mai waterfall.
The crocodile was first discovered and made headlines in 2009. Park rangers tried and failed to catch it at that point and gave up the search until now. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...g-out-tourists/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-24
By Coconuts Bangkok
NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- Rangers are actively trying to catch a two-meter crocodile that has been spotted several times lurking by a waterfall at Khao Yai National Park.
With the New Year and holiday crowds approaching, wildlife protection authorities want to snag the croc before anyone gets hurt.
Theerapat Prayulasiddhi – the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department’s deputy chief – said that they had received many complaints about the reptile hanging out around Pa Kloi Mai waterfall.
The crocodile was first discovered and made headlines in 2009. Park rangers tried and failed to catch it at that point and gave up the search until now. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...g-out-tourists/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-24
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Posted 2012-12-25 06:06:42
EIGHTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Tsunami warning system finally ready, after 8 years
Chularat Saengpassa,
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- Thailand now has the best warning system in Southeast Asia, eight years after the Andaman coast was ravaged by a devastating tsunami on Boxing Day in 2004.
Before monstrous waves hit Thai shores and killed over 8,000 people in six provinces along the southern coast, no one knew the tsunami was coming.
All that will change with the early alert system and instruments installed by the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) along the Andaman coast over the past eight years, backed by necessary regulations.
Now, ample time for evacuation is assured with streamlined regulations, in a bid to save lives.
The devastating waves killed 5,395 people - many of them foreign tourists - with another 2,817 people swept away or lost. Over 58,550 people were affected, including 1,480 children who lost one or both parents.
"Within two minutes (after tsunami waves start to form), we can now calculate the speed and know exactly when they will reach the shore. Messages could be sent out immediately after the calculation," Captain Song Ekmahachai, chief of the NDWC’s Disaster Warning and Dissemination Division, told The Nation in an exclusive interview.
He said alerts could be sent to the public within 15 minutes via satellite and warning towers.
To prevent another disaster from an earthquake-driven tsunami, the NDWC has set up 136 warning towers and three tsunami-detection buoys in the Andaman Sea - one near the coast and two others in the deep sea. When an abnormal tidal wave is detected, the buoys send data to the NDWC via satellite, where staff members work around the clock to monitor updates on computer screens. Many will miss the opportunity to celebrate New Year and other festivals.
The centre then double-checks data with the Thai Meteorological Department, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and other authorised disaster monitoring agencies to confirm the occurrence.
Upon confirmation, the centre calculates the wave direction and expected arrival time. This can be completed in two minutes, allowing the centre to send out correct warning messages to the public via satellite and warning towers.
Messages will be sent to the media and related agencies via 16 fax machines, 8 hotlines, hundreds of radio stations, and dozens of television stations.
The centre has the capacity to send short messages to 90 million mobile phones, but due to budget constraints, it has limited the access to some 15,000 public officials throughout the country.
NDWC director Group Captain Somsak Khaosuwan said the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will issue a regulation soon that allows the centre to broadcast tsunami warning messages whenever necessary.
"We will no longer need permission from the Television Pool of Thailand or TV station directors. We can interrupt any ongoing television programme," he said.
A directive will also be issued to designate the NDWC as the only agency responsible for issuing tsunami alerts. All other agencies and experts, including academics, will be barred from giving such alerts, in order to prevent the spreading of wrong information that may cause panic.
"They [would] just speak to the public without responsibility. We are the only ones who have the authority to send out tsunami warning messages," Somsak said.
Because the 2004 tsunami was caused by a huge quake in the Indian Ocean, near the Andaman Sea, the NDWC will also monitor earthquakes around the world, particularly ones in the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea.
Associate Professor Penneung Warnitchai, an earthquake expert at the Asian Institute of Technology, said data over the past few years suggested there had been no increase in the number of severe earthquakes in the Indian Ocean since 2004. Each year there are about 10 quakes of over-7 magnitude in the ocean. However, the damage toll could rise, as many growing cities are located in areas rated as "high-risk" for quake hazards.
The NDWC's Song said quake alerts would be sent out when a tremor of 7.8 magnitude is detected in the Indian Ocean, with its epicentre 100 kilometres underground.
To ensure people understand how to respond to warning messages, the centre also organises training to teach local residents in coastal areas on how to prepare themselves for tsunami and related disasters.
Somsak from the warning centre admitted the system could not save lives and damage without public cooperation.
"If they do not run away from the big waves, no one can help them," he said. "The only thing that can save you from a huge wave is running away to higher ground as fast as you can. Don’t stop and waste your time taking a photo of the big wave. It will kill you," Somsak said.
-- The Nation 2012-12-25
Tsunami warning system finally ready, after 8 years
Chularat Saengpassa,
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- Thailand now has the best warning system in Southeast Asia, eight years after the Andaman coast was ravaged by a devastating tsunami on Boxing Day in 2004.
Before monstrous waves hit Thai shores and killed over 8,000 people in six provinces along the southern coast, no one knew the tsunami was coming.
All that will change with the early alert system and instruments installed by the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) along the Andaman coast over the past eight years, backed by necessary regulations.
Now, ample time for evacuation is assured with streamlined regulations, in a bid to save lives.
The devastating waves killed 5,395 people - many of them foreign tourists - with another 2,817 people swept away or lost. Over 58,550 people were affected, including 1,480 children who lost one or both parents.
"Within two minutes (after tsunami waves start to form), we can now calculate the speed and know exactly when they will reach the shore. Messages could be sent out immediately after the calculation," Captain Song Ekmahachai, chief of the NDWC’s Disaster Warning and Dissemination Division, told The Nation in an exclusive interview.
He said alerts could be sent to the public within 15 minutes via satellite and warning towers.
To prevent another disaster from an earthquake-driven tsunami, the NDWC has set up 136 warning towers and three tsunami-detection buoys in the Andaman Sea - one near the coast and two others in the deep sea. When an abnormal tidal wave is detected, the buoys send data to the NDWC via satellite, where staff members work around the clock to monitor updates on computer screens. Many will miss the opportunity to celebrate New Year and other festivals.
The centre then double-checks data with the Thai Meteorological Department, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and other authorised disaster monitoring agencies to confirm the occurrence.
Upon confirmation, the centre calculates the wave direction and expected arrival time. This can be completed in two minutes, allowing the centre to send out correct warning messages to the public via satellite and warning towers.
Messages will be sent to the media and related agencies via 16 fax machines, 8 hotlines, hundreds of radio stations, and dozens of television stations.
The centre has the capacity to send short messages to 90 million mobile phones, but due to budget constraints, it has limited the access to some 15,000 public officials throughout the country.
NDWC director Group Captain Somsak Khaosuwan said the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will issue a regulation soon that allows the centre to broadcast tsunami warning messages whenever necessary.
"We will no longer need permission from the Television Pool of Thailand or TV station directors. We can interrupt any ongoing television programme," he said.
A directive will also be issued to designate the NDWC as the only agency responsible for issuing tsunami alerts. All other agencies and experts, including academics, will be barred from giving such alerts, in order to prevent the spreading of wrong information that may cause panic.
"They [would] just speak to the public without responsibility. We are the only ones who have the authority to send out tsunami warning messages," Somsak said.
Because the 2004 tsunami was caused by a huge quake in the Indian Ocean, near the Andaman Sea, the NDWC will also monitor earthquakes around the world, particularly ones in the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea.
Associate Professor Penneung Warnitchai, an earthquake expert at the Asian Institute of Technology, said data over the past few years suggested there had been no increase in the number of severe earthquakes in the Indian Ocean since 2004. Each year there are about 10 quakes of over-7 magnitude in the ocean. However, the damage toll could rise, as many growing cities are located in areas rated as "high-risk" for quake hazards.
The NDWC's Song said quake alerts would be sent out when a tremor of 7.8 magnitude is detected in the Indian Ocean, with its epicentre 100 kilometres underground.
To ensure people understand how to respond to warning messages, the centre also organises training to teach local residents in coastal areas on how to prepare themselves for tsunami and related disasters.
Somsak from the warning centre admitted the system could not save lives and damage without public cooperation.
"If they do not run away from the big waves, no one can help them," he said. "The only thing that can save you from a huge wave is running away to higher ground as fast as you can. Don’t stop and waste your time taking a photo of the big wave. It will kill you," Somsak said.
-- The Nation 2012-12-25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMIT braces for new year holidays
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand (EMIT) has amassed additional equipment and manpower to ensure extra road safety during the four-day New Year holiday break, acting secretary-general Prajakwit Lebnak said yesterday.
The 300 lines for the 1669 EMIT hotline service have been increased to 500, while the amount of equipment and vehicles for emergency services has been increased to 11,138 basic teams, 1,796 advanced service teams, 14,189 emergency vehicles and ambulances, 100 helicopters and 1,218 boats - all of which will be operated by 112,945 personnel around the clock, he said.
A senior doctor, Chatbodin Jettanasilapin, expressed worry over the increased number of new cars bought under the government's first-car policy.
Many will be in the hands |of rookie drivers, likely contributing to a greater risk of accidents, he said.
Actor and long-time rescue volunteer Bin Banluerit said drowsiness and sleeping at the wheel were dangers equal to drunk driving. He said a three-hour period near dawn from 3am was most prone to accidents, as sleepy motorists tended to drive fastest on roads during the quietest period.
Bangkok-based police have launched an anti-crime campaign from now until after the holiday break, focusing on the protection of business areas and convenience stores - especially during New Year's Eve and the four-day break.
All officers tasked with these duties are encouraged to work during the period without taking leave, said a senior commander, Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak.
-- The Nation 2012-12-25
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand (EMIT) has amassed additional equipment and manpower to ensure extra road safety during the four-day New Year holiday break, acting secretary-general Prajakwit Lebnak said yesterday.
The 300 lines for the 1669 EMIT hotline service have been increased to 500, while the amount of equipment and vehicles for emergency services has been increased to 11,138 basic teams, 1,796 advanced service teams, 14,189 emergency vehicles and ambulances, 100 helicopters and 1,218 boats - all of which will be operated by 112,945 personnel around the clock, he said.
A senior doctor, Chatbodin Jettanasilapin, expressed worry over the increased number of new cars bought under the government's first-car policy.
Many will be in the hands |of rookie drivers, likely contributing to a greater risk of accidents, he said.
Actor and long-time rescue volunteer Bin Banluerit said drowsiness and sleeping at the wheel were dangers equal to drunk driving. He said a three-hour period near dawn from 3am was most prone to accidents, as sleepy motorists tended to drive fastest on roads during the quietest period.
Bangkok-based police have launched an anti-crime campaign from now until after the holiday break, focusing on the protection of business areas and convenience stores - especially during New Year's Eve and the four-day break.
All officers tasked with these duties are encouraged to work during the period without taking leave, said a senior commander, Pol Maj-General Adul Narongsak.
-- The Nation 2012-12-25
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Posted 2012-12-26 05:48:04
TSUNAMI'S 8TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Warning towers "useless"
The Nation
RANONG: -- Crippled by robberies and inadequate maintenance, tsunami warning towers in some provinces in the South may not be able to send out an alarm when needed.
"I found that several towers were in a poor condition, with thieves having stolen loudspeakers and other equipment. The early-warning system in Ranong may not work properly," Watchara Thirarattanangkoon said yesterday in his capacity as chairman of the Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council's Ranong branch.
There are 13 warning towers in Ranong, one of the six southern provinces hit by the 2004 tsunami.
"Locals are now worried," said Wichai Sricharoen, chairman of the Bang Hin Tambon Administrative Organisation. Bang Hin is in Ranong's Kapoe district.
Wichai said the locals wanted relevant authorities to repair the towers and ensure they are in working condition.
"Local administrative bodies cannot do much because the signal is linked to the central system," he said.
He also complained that the signboards were quite confusing and people might not be able to find safe evacuation routes in times of emergencies.
Samniang Maneerat, acting chief |of Ranong's disaster prevention and |mitigation office, said a meeting would be |held to identify clearly evacuation spots in |the province.
Similar problems exist in Trang as well.
"I think the country is just 50 per cent ready to deal with tsunami risks," Parkpoom Wimantirawat said yesterday on behalf of the Andaman Foundation's Trang branch.
-- The Nation 2012-12-26
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Warning towers "useless"
The Nation
RANONG: -- Crippled by robberies and inadequate maintenance, tsunami warning towers in some provinces in the South may not be able to send out an alarm when needed.
"I found that several towers were in a poor condition, with thieves having stolen loudspeakers and other equipment. The early-warning system in Ranong may not work properly," Watchara Thirarattanangkoon said yesterday in his capacity as chairman of the Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council's Ranong branch.
There are 13 warning towers in Ranong, one of the six southern provinces hit by the 2004 tsunami.
"Locals are now worried," said Wichai Sricharoen, chairman of the Bang Hin Tambon Administrative Organisation. Bang Hin is in Ranong's Kapoe district.
Wichai said the locals wanted relevant authorities to repair the towers and ensure they are in working condition.
"Local administrative bodies cannot do much because the signal is linked to the central system," he said.
He also complained that the signboards were quite confusing and people might not be able to find safe evacuation routes in times of emergencies.
Samniang Maneerat, acting chief |of Ranong's disaster prevention and |mitigation office, said a meeting would be |held to identify clearly evacuation spots in |the province.
Similar problems exist in Trang as well.
"I think the country is just 50 per cent ready to deal with tsunami risks," Parkpoom Wimantirawat said yesterday on behalf of the Andaman Foundation's Trang branch.
-- The Nation 2012-12-26
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Irish tourist 'bottled' within 24 hours on Phuket
Phuket Gazette
Police believe the man who attacked Irish tourist Trevor Newwolm lives or works in the Soi Bangla area. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar
PHUKET: -- Patong Police are trying to identify the culprit who split open an Irishman’s head with a bottle within 24 hours of the tourist landing in Phuket.
Lt Col Jongserm Preecha told the Phuket Gazette that the incident occurred at about 1:30am yesterday.
“By the time we arrived at the scene, in front of The Pizza Company restaurant on Soi Bangla, a large crowd had already gathered. Mr Trevor Newwolm, 31, had been hit on the head with a liquor bottle by an unknown man. His attacker had already fled,” he added.
After having his head wrapped with bandages, Mr Newwolm was taken to Patong Hospital.
“We could not question him since he was really drunk when he was hit,” Col Jongserm said.
Mr Trevor arrived in Phuket on December 23 and planned to celebrate his New Year in Patong. After checking in at the Patcharin Guesthouse, he went out for dinner and drinks, the officer explained.
“We have yet to determine what might have instigated the attack. It may have been a simple argument,” Col Jongserm said.
“We are now searching for the man who hit Mr Newwolm. We believe that he lives or works in the Soi Bangla area,” he added.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...uket-19794.html
Phuket Gazette
Police believe the man who attacked Irish tourist Trevor Newwolm lives or works in the Soi Bangla area. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar
PHUKET: -- Patong Police are trying to identify the culprit who split open an Irishman’s head with a bottle within 24 hours of the tourist landing in Phuket.
Lt Col Jongserm Preecha told the Phuket Gazette that the incident occurred at about 1:30am yesterday.
“By the time we arrived at the scene, in front of The Pizza Company restaurant on Soi Bangla, a large crowd had already gathered. Mr Trevor Newwolm, 31, had been hit on the head with a liquor bottle by an unknown man. His attacker had already fled,” he added.
After having his head wrapped with bandages, Mr Newwolm was taken to Patong Hospital.
“We could not question him since he was really drunk when he was hit,” Col Jongserm said.
Mr Trevor arrived in Phuket on December 23 and planned to celebrate his New Year in Patong. After checking in at the Patcharin Guesthouse, he went out for dinner and drinks, the officer explained.
“We have yet to determine what might have instigated the attack. It may have been a simple argument,” Col Jongserm said.
“We are now searching for the man who hit Mr Newwolm. We believe that he lives or works in the Soi Bangla area,” he added.
Source: http://www.phuketgaz...uket-19794.html
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Thailand's Cola Conflict: Est vs. Pepsi
By Shane Danaher and Praj Kiatpongsan
Serm Suk announced plans to spend THB1.5 billion advertising Est. Photos: Praj Kiatpongsan
BANGKOK: -- Nearly two months after the launch of soft drink upstart Est, Thailand’s soda giants are racing neck-and-neck for the country’s carbonated crown
Ramet Rattanakansang enjoys his soda. By the 36-year-old Bangkokian’s own admission, he drinks a bottle a day, and on Tuesday of last week, that bottle happened to hold 12 ounces of Thailand’s latest soft drink upstart—Est.
A syrupy brown cola, Est tastes somewhat like Pepsi, mixed with root beer and tempered with a gargantuan helping of sugar. The soda is scarcely two month old, but so aggressive is its marketing that Est is already being mentioned in the same breath as some of its most intimidating rivals.
“I still prefer Pepsi to Est,” says Ramet, “but I couldn’t find any Pepsi cans so I have to switch to Est for the moment.”
Ramet’s brand dilettantism might represent a qualified victory for Est, but still, it can’t be anything but music to the ears of Serm Suk—the Thai bottling and distribution company that has wagered more than one billion baht in its bid to claim the top spot in Thailand’s soft drink scrum. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...t-est-vs-pepsi/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-27
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By Shane Danaher and Praj Kiatpongsan
Serm Suk announced plans to spend THB1.5 billion advertising Est. Photos: Praj Kiatpongsan
BANGKOK: -- Nearly two months after the launch of soft drink upstart Est, Thailand’s soda giants are racing neck-and-neck for the country’s carbonated crown
Ramet Rattanakansang enjoys his soda. By the 36-year-old Bangkokian’s own admission, he drinks a bottle a day, and on Tuesday of last week, that bottle happened to hold 12 ounces of Thailand’s latest soft drink upstart—Est.
A syrupy brown cola, Est tastes somewhat like Pepsi, mixed with root beer and tempered with a gargantuan helping of sugar. The soda is scarcely two month old, but so aggressive is its marketing that Est is already being mentioned in the same breath as some of its most intimidating rivals.
“I still prefer Pepsi to Est,” says Ramet, “but I couldn’t find any Pepsi cans so I have to switch to Est for the moment.”
Ramet’s brand dilettantism might represent a qualified victory for Est, but still, it can’t be anything but music to the ears of Serm Suk—the Thai bottling and distribution company that has wagered more than one billion baht in its bid to claim the top spot in Thailand’s soft drink scrum. [more...]
Full story: http://www.coconutsb...t-est-vs-pepsi/
-- COCONUTS Bangkok 2012-12-27
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NATIONAL PARKS
Booze ban loosened in parks
The Nation
Alcohol still prohibited in camp grounds
BANGKOK: -- As Thais flocks to national parks to celebrate New Year's, the ban on alcohol has been partially lifted, allowing visitors to imbibe only at park lodges. However, booze is still prohibited in the campgrounds, the park chief said yesterday.
Manopat Huamuangkaew, acting director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP), said the alcohol ban in campgrounds is to prevent loud parties and fighting.
The ban was announced by Suwit Khunkitti, the former Natural Resource and Environment minister, and followed the fatal stabbing of an engineering student during a party at Khao Yai National Park in December 2010. Violators face up to one month in jail as well as a Bt1,000 fine.
'No alcoholic beverages'
Somphong Jirararuensak, director of Protected Area Regional Office 11, said the parks under his supervision, including Thung Salaeng Luang, Phu Thab Berk and Khao Kho, would not be selling alcoholic beverages. However, visitors may bring drinks to their accommodation at park lodges and must not disturb other visitors.
Manopet urged tourists to call the DNP's 1362 hotline to check on accommodations. Lodges and camping areas are fully booked for the New Year at Khao Yai, Phu Ruea, Phu Kradueng and Doi Inthanon.
He also announced a ban on big motorcycles around Khao Yai, citing problems with noise, speeding and wildlife being run over.
Park visitors are urged not to use cooking stoves for heat inside their tents, which kill many campers each year, Manopat said.
Parks will also establish service centres in risky areas to provide assistance and security to tourists and their valuable belongings. The service centres can also contact police and rescue workers for help in emergency cases.
Booze ban loosened in parks
The Nation
Alcohol still prohibited in camp grounds
BANGKOK: -- As Thais flocks to national parks to celebrate New Year's, the ban on alcohol has been partially lifted, allowing visitors to imbibe only at park lodges. However, booze is still prohibited in the campgrounds, the park chief said yesterday.
Manopat Huamuangkaew, acting director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP), said the alcohol ban in campgrounds is to prevent loud parties and fighting.
The ban was announced by Suwit Khunkitti, the former Natural Resource and Environment minister, and followed the fatal stabbing of an engineering student during a party at Khao Yai National Park in December 2010. Violators face up to one month in jail as well as a Bt1,000 fine.
'No alcoholic beverages'
Somphong Jirararuensak, director of Protected Area Regional Office 11, said the parks under his supervision, including Thung Salaeng Luang, Phu Thab Berk and Khao Kho, would not be selling alcoholic beverages. However, visitors may bring drinks to their accommodation at park lodges and must not disturb other visitors.
Manopet urged tourists to call the DNP's 1362 hotline to check on accommodations. Lodges and camping areas are fully booked for the New Year at Khao Yai, Phu Ruea, Phu Kradueng and Doi Inthanon.
He also announced a ban on big motorcycles around Khao Yai, citing problems with noise, speeding and wildlife being run over.
Park visitors are urged not to use cooking stoves for heat inside their tents, which kill many campers each year, Manopat said.
Parks will also establish service centres in risky areas to provide assistance and security to tourists and their valuable belongings. The service centres can also contact police and rescue workers for help in emergency cases.
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Posted 2012-12-26 17:04:35
Fatal Gunfire Erupts Outside Soi 7 Go Go Bar
A 23-year-old Thai man was fatally shot outside the Silver Star go go bar on soi 7. The victim may have been accidentally shot by the gunman, who apparently meant to kill his drinking companion. Others opened fire on the gunman as he ran down soi 7, wounding him seriously as he collapsed.
PATTAYA – December 26, 2012 [PDN]; at 5 p.m., a report of a shooting that killed someone and injured several others was received by Pol. Lt. Capt. Krittha Pratumkaew, officer of the shift, Pattaya police station. He rushed to check the scene with Pol. Lt. Col. Anek Srathong U, the suppression inspector; detective forces and rescuers from the Sawang Boriboon foundation Pattaya.
The shootings occurred in the middle of soi 7, at the Silver Star go go bar in Central Pattaya near Beach Road. When police reached the scene, they found one victim lying on the ground in a pool of blood, crying out in pain.
He had been shot four times: in his right shoulder, stomach, in the middle of his back, and under his right armpit. He was identified as Mr. Wuttipong Janprakone, 31 years old, from Samrong, Pabplachai, Buriram.
He was shot while running out of soi 7, before he fell on the ground at the beach, opposite to the entrance of soi 8, about100 meters from the Pattaya police station.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...oi-7-go-go-bar/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-12-26
A 23-year-old Thai man was fatally shot outside the Silver Star go go bar on soi 7. The victim may have been accidentally shot by the gunman, who apparently meant to kill his drinking companion. Others opened fire on the gunman as he ran down soi 7, wounding him seriously as he collapsed.
PATTAYA – December 26, 2012 [PDN]; at 5 p.m., a report of a shooting that killed someone and injured several others was received by Pol. Lt. Capt. Krittha Pratumkaew, officer of the shift, Pattaya police station. He rushed to check the scene with Pol. Lt. Col. Anek Srathong U, the suppression inspector; detective forces and rescuers from the Sawang Boriboon foundation Pattaya.
The shootings occurred in the middle of soi 7, at the Silver Star go go bar in Central Pattaya near Beach Road. When police reached the scene, they found one victim lying on the ground in a pool of blood, crying out in pain.
He had been shot four times: in his right shoulder, stomach, in the middle of his back, and under his right armpit. He was identified as Mr. Wuttipong Janprakone, 31 years old, from Samrong, Pabplachai, Buriram.
He was shot while running out of soi 7, before he fell on the ground at the beach, opposite to the entrance of soi 8, about100 meters from the Pattaya police station.
Full story: http://www.pattayada...oi-7-go-go-bar/
-- Pattaya Daily News 2012-12-26
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Posted 2012-12-27 21:28:17
Russian Husband commits suicide in Jomtien Hotel after split with his Wife
PATTAYA:--A 55 year old Russian appears to have committed suicide in a Jomtien Beach Hotel and was discovered dead on Thursday afternoon.
Police and rescue services were called to Room Number 415 on 4th Floor of the Dragon Beach Resort close to Soi 16 on Jomtien Beach Road. Inside the bathroom was the body of Mr. Alexandre Ivanov aged 55. He was unusually kneeling down with a tight noose around his neck which had been tied to a metal grill over the bathroom window.
Cleaners wanted to enter the room earlier on Thursday and after repeated knocks to the door it was decided to enter with a universal key card. She was still unable to enter and the front door to the room appeared to have been locked from the inside. A security Guard climbed over the adjoining balcony and entered the room and subsequently discovered the body of Mr. Ivanov.
-- Pattaya One 2012-12-27
PATTAYA:--A 55 year old Russian appears to have committed suicide in a Jomtien Beach Hotel and was discovered dead on Thursday afternoon.
Police and rescue services were called to Room Number 415 on 4th Floor of the Dragon Beach Resort close to Soi 16 on Jomtien Beach Road. Inside the bathroom was the body of Mr. Alexandre Ivanov aged 55. He was unusually kneeling down with a tight noose around his neck which had been tied to a metal grill over the bathroom window.
Cleaners wanted to enter the room earlier on Thursday and after repeated knocks to the door it was decided to enter with a universal key card. She was still unable to enter and the front door to the room appeared to have been locked from the inside. A security Guard climbed over the adjoining balcony and entered the room and subsequently discovered the body of Mr. Ivanov.
-- Pattaya One 2012-12-27
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Posted 2012-12-28 12:17:47
Four Thais jailed over 54 Myanmar migrant deaths
BANGKOK, Dec 28, 2012 (AFP) - Four people smugglers were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison by a Thai court after 54 illegal workers from Myanmar suffocated to death inside a seafood container, an official said Friday.
The 2008 incident was the deadliest in a wave of tragedies afflicting migrants making perilous journeys from impoverished Myanmar in search of work in neighbouring Thailand, where they often end up exploited and abused.
The victims were among 121 people crammed into the six metres (20 feet) by 2.2 metres container with a broken ventilation system for the journey to the resort island of Phuket to work as day labourers.
Four Thais were convicted on Thursday of gross negligence resulting in death and of breaking immigration laws, an official from a court in the country's southern Ranong province told AFP.
The owner of the container truck was sentenced to 10 years in prison, a second defendant received nine years and a third -- who owned a jetty in southern Thailand where the migrants arrived by boat -- was jailed for six years.
A woman defendant had her sentence halved to three years after confessing, the official said.
"Three of them were granted bail of between $13,000 and $6,500 while they file appeals," the official said, adding that one defendant had been held in custody after failing to meet bail terms.
The truck driver, who fled the scene after discovering the tragedy, was jailed for six years in August 2008 having admitted to his role in the crime, the official added.
Survivors have recounted desperately trying to raise the alarm as they fought for breath in the storage box.
"No matter how many times we hit the container the driver did not pay any attention," one female migrant who was on board told Thai television.
More than two million migrant workers are registered to work in Thailand, most of them from Myanmar, labour ministry figures show, but as many as one million undocumented workers are believed to be in the kingdom.
Thailand this week extended a deadline by three months for unregistered migrants to gain a work permit or face deportation.
Huge numbers of people from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar work illegally in low-paid jobs in construction, seafood processing and clothing factories, where a lack of legal status leaves them vulnerable to exploitation.
BANGKOK, Dec 28, 2012 (AFP) - Four people smugglers were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison by a Thai court after 54 illegal workers from Myanmar suffocated to death inside a seafood container, an official said Friday.
The 2008 incident was the deadliest in a wave of tragedies afflicting migrants making perilous journeys from impoverished Myanmar in search of work in neighbouring Thailand, where they often end up exploited and abused.
The victims were among 121 people crammed into the six metres (20 feet) by 2.2 metres container with a broken ventilation system for the journey to the resort island of Phuket to work as day labourers.
Four Thais were convicted on Thursday of gross negligence resulting in death and of breaking immigration laws, an official from a court in the country's southern Ranong province told AFP.
The owner of the container truck was sentenced to 10 years in prison, a second defendant received nine years and a third -- who owned a jetty in southern Thailand where the migrants arrived by boat -- was jailed for six years.
A woman defendant had her sentence halved to three years after confessing, the official said.
"Three of them were granted bail of between $13,000 and $6,500 while they file appeals," the official said, adding that one defendant had been held in custody after failing to meet bail terms.
The truck driver, who fled the scene after discovering the tragedy, was jailed for six years in August 2008 having admitted to his role in the crime, the official added.
Survivors have recounted desperately trying to raise the alarm as they fought for breath in the storage box.
"No matter how many times we hit the container the driver did not pay any attention," one female migrant who was on board told Thai television.
More than two million migrant workers are registered to work in Thailand, most of them from Myanmar, labour ministry figures show, but as many as one million undocumented workers are believed to be in the kingdom.
Thailand this week extended a deadline by three months for unregistered migrants to gain a work permit or face deportation.
Huge numbers of people from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar work illegally in low-paid jobs in construction, seafood processing and clothing factories, where a lack of legal status leaves them vulnerable to exploitation.
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RANONG
Four Thais jailed over 54 Myanmar migrant deaths in 2008
The Nation
File photo
RANONG: -- A court in Ranong province has sentenced four Thais to up to 10 years in prison for their involvement in the deaths of 54 illegal workers from Myanmar who suffocated to death inside a seafood container in 2008.
Myanmarese workers have long been required by the Thai labour market, particularly in the fishery and construction sectors, while Myanmar people want to land jobs in Thailand due to the higher income.
The victims were among 121 people packed into a seafood container with a broken ventilation system travelling from Ranong to the seaside province of Phuket in April 9, 2008.
During the journey, seeing that some of the workers had started collapsing due to lack of air, their friends banged on the walls of the container to alert the driver, Suchon Boonplong, who ignored them. He finally stopped the truck and opened the back of the container, fleeing the scene when he saw the dead bodies.
Suchon later surrendered to police and implicated four others: the truck owner, Dumrong Pussadee, Chalermchai Warischanpleng, Jirawat Sopapanwarakul and Punchalee Chusung. The four were charged with involvement in the human smuggling network and gross negligence resulting in death.
Dumrong, the truck owner, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Chalermchai nine years, Jirawat and Suchon six years each and Panchalee three years.
-- The Nation 2012-12-28
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Four Thais jailed over 54 Myanmar migrant deaths in 2008
The Nation
File photo
RANONG: -- A court in Ranong province has sentenced four Thais to up to 10 years in prison for their involvement in the deaths of 54 illegal workers from Myanmar who suffocated to death inside a seafood container in 2008.
Myanmarese workers have long been required by the Thai labour market, particularly in the fishery and construction sectors, while Myanmar people want to land jobs in Thailand due to the higher income.
The victims were among 121 people packed into a seafood container with a broken ventilation system travelling from Ranong to the seaside province of Phuket in April 9, 2008.
During the journey, seeing that some of the workers had started collapsing due to lack of air, their friends banged on the walls of the container to alert the driver, Suchon Boonplong, who ignored them. He finally stopped the truck and opened the back of the container, fleeing the scene when he saw the dead bodies.
Suchon later surrendered to police and implicated four others: the truck owner, Dumrong Pussadee, Chalermchai Warischanpleng, Jirawat Sopapanwarakul and Punchalee Chusung. The four were charged with involvement in the human smuggling network and gross negligence resulting in death.
Dumrong, the truck owner, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Chalermchai nine years, Jirawat and Suchon six years each and Panchalee three years.
-- The Nation 2012-12-28
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One dead as holiday road danger period begins
The Nation
BANGKOK: -- The first traffic death of the "seven dangerous days" of the New Year's break was reported last night just hours after the government launched its road safety campaign aimed at cutting casualties this season by 5 per cent.
An unnamed vendor based in Sing Buri, where fatalities this year have been limited by provincial authorities to only three, was killed when a vehicle she was riding in crashed with another vehicle in Muang district. No injuries have been reported.
Last year, 336 people died and 3,375 were injured in 3,093 accidents. A 5-per-cent reduction means no more than 320 deaths and 3,207 injuries.
The Road Safety Centre set up and run by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation was assigned to oversee six measures - coordination to reduce accidents, checkpoints focused on prevention, community checkpoints, road and road sign repairs, quick access for rescue teams to accident sites and quick transfers to hospitals, and more awareness campaigns for youths and workers.
Highway Police have put up extra checkpoints and will conduct more alcohol and speed checks on stretches of seven roads with the most accidents - Phaholyothin Road in Ayutthaya; Mittrapap Highway in Saraburi's Muak Lek district, Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon, Route 304 between Prachin Buri's Kabin Buri district and Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Thong Chai district, Route 348 in Sa Kaew, and a northbound Highway 2 and southward Mittrapap Highway in Nakhon Ratchasima.
No passing will be allowed on these seven roads.
In Bangkok, 1,600 officers from Metropolitan Police have been deployed across the capital, while 10 ambulances and 300 medics have been put on standby for emergencies.
Governor Sukhumband Paribatra said the patrols would cover all transportation terminals, tourist attractions and areas at risk of crime and fire.
-- The Nation 2012-12-28
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The Nation
BANGKOK: -- The first traffic death of the "seven dangerous days" of the New Year's break was reported last night just hours after the government launched its road safety campaign aimed at cutting casualties this season by 5 per cent.
An unnamed vendor based in Sing Buri, where fatalities this year have been limited by provincial authorities to only three, was killed when a vehicle she was riding in crashed with another vehicle in Muang district. No injuries have been reported.
Last year, 336 people died and 3,375 were injured in 3,093 accidents. A 5-per-cent reduction means no more than 320 deaths and 3,207 injuries.
The Road Safety Centre set up and run by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation was assigned to oversee six measures - coordination to reduce accidents, checkpoints focused on prevention, community checkpoints, road and road sign repairs, quick access for rescue teams to accident sites and quick transfers to hospitals, and more awareness campaigns for youths and workers.
Highway Police have put up extra checkpoints and will conduct more alcohol and speed checks on stretches of seven roads with the most accidents - Phaholyothin Road in Ayutthaya; Mittrapap Highway in Saraburi's Muak Lek district, Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon, Route 304 between Prachin Buri's Kabin Buri district and Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Thong Chai district, Route 348 in Sa Kaew, and a northbound Highway 2 and southward Mittrapap Highway in Nakhon Ratchasima.
No passing will be allowed on these seven roads.
In Bangkok, 1,600 officers from Metropolitan Police have been deployed across the capital, while 10 ambulances and 300 medics have been put on standby for emergencies.
Governor Sukhumband Paribatra said the patrols would cover all transportation terminals, tourist attractions and areas at risk of crime and fire.
-- The Nation 2012-12-28
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First of 'seven dangerous New Year holidays' sees 33 killed, 322 injured
BANGKOK: -- The first of the seven "dangerous New Year holidays" saw a total 314 road accidents happen, resulting in 33 deaths and 322 injuries, the road safety management committee announced Monday.
Somchai Piputthawat, an advisor on transport business of the Transport Ministry, told a press conference that most or 33.44 per cent of the accidents happened on Thursday were caused by drunk driving, followed by speed limit violation (21.66 per cent).
Bangkokians or provincial people working in Bangkok started leaving the capital on Thursday, which was counted as the first of the seven dangerous days for the New Year holidays.
Chiang Mai was the province with the highest number of accidents or 20 accidents with the highest death toll of four and 17 injuries.
-- The Nation 2012-12-28
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BANGKOK: -- The first of the seven "dangerous New Year holidays" saw a total 314 road accidents happen, resulting in 33 deaths and 322 injuries, the road safety management committee announced Monday.
Somchai Piputthawat, an advisor on transport business of the Transport Ministry, told a press conference that most or 33.44 per cent of the accidents happened on Thursday were caused by drunk driving, followed by speed limit violation (21.66 per cent).
Bangkokians or provincial people working in Bangkok started leaving the capital on Thursday, which was counted as the first of the seven dangerous days for the New Year holidays.
Chiang Mai was the province with the highest number of accidents or 20 accidents with the highest death toll of four and 17 injuries.
-- The Nation 2012-12-28
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NEW YEAR'S EXODUS
Bus, train stations jammed as holidaymakers head upcountry
Wattana Khamchu,
Mongkhonchaowarat Tangmangmee,
Prasit Tangprasert
The Nation
Traffic comes to a virtual halt on Mitrapab Road in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday.
Passengers estimated at 300,000; 33 killed on first day of 'danger period'
BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to key bus terminals and train stations in Bangkok yesterday to get a ride back to their home provinces for the New Year celebrations.
Traffic around the terminals, such as the Morchit Terminal II, came to a virtual standstill last night, and congestion was already reported on several key roads to other parts of the country.
Millions of Bangkok residents hail from other provinces. During long holidays such as the New Year, many of them visit their hometowns. On top of this, huge numbers of Bangkokians head to other provinces to enjoy the holiday out of town.
Additional train services
Deputy Transport Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong said 24 more train trips were added to the schedule yesterday to facilitate the extra passengers. The number of carriages per train had also been increased to accommodate the demand, he said.
"Each train will get two more carriages to make sure passengers won't be stranded," he said. He believed some 100,000 passengers left the capital by train yesterday.
Transport Co Ltd, which provides bus services, believed the number of passengers would reach 200,000 yesterday.
The bus-service provider vowed to ensure there were enough seats for all.
Prasert encouraged passengers who are overcharged for bus tickets to call hotline numbers 1584 and 1490 round the clock.
"Selling an overpriced bus ticket is punishable by a fine of up toBt10,000," he said.
With the huge demand for road travel, traffic jams hit several parts of the country yesterday. Tailback along the main road through Nakhon Sawan, the gateway to the North, for example, measured nearly 10 kilometres. Traffic jams hit the province starting at noon.
Officials also prevented trucks from entering the heart of Nakhon Sawan in the hope of easing the traffic woes.
Nakhon Ratchasima, the gateway to the Northeast, also saw heavy traffic. The traffic was paralysed at various portions of the Mitrapab Road.
Accidents
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Directing Centre reported that road accidents on the first of the seven dangerous days of the New Year celebrations claimed 33 lives and injured 322 people.
The seven-day period started on Thursday.
The centre said that as many as 314 accidents took place on Thursday, causing 33 deaths and injuring 322 people.
Although road casualties were down compared with the same period a year earlier, the losses were still huge, the centre said.
Drunkenness emerged as the leading cause of the accidents. Speeding came second. Failure to wear a crash helmet was blamed for 18.59 per cent of the injuries and deaths.
Relevant organisations are now vigorously promoting the "Towards the New Year with Safety" campaign.
According to the Road Safety Directing Centre, officials manned checkpoints along roads across the country to promote safe driving. In a matter of just one day, 21,533 motorists were arrested for not having a driver's licence and 20,169 for not wearing a crash helmet.
Chiang Mai has seen the highest number of road accidents so far. As many as 20 accidents took place, causing four deaths and injuring 17 victims.
Only 11 of the 77 provinces were accident-free on Thursday. They were Kamphaeng Phet, Chachoengsao, Chumphon, Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, Satun, Samut Prakan, Saraburi and Nong Khai.
Bus, train stations jammed as holidaymakers head upcountry
Wattana Khamchu,
Mongkhonchaowarat Tangmangmee,
Prasit Tangprasert
The Nation
Traffic comes to a virtual halt on Mitrapab Road in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday.
Passengers estimated at 300,000; 33 killed on first day of 'danger period'
BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to key bus terminals and train stations in Bangkok yesterday to get a ride back to their home provinces for the New Year celebrations.
Traffic around the terminals, such as the Morchit Terminal II, came to a virtual standstill last night, and congestion was already reported on several key roads to other parts of the country.
Millions of Bangkok residents hail from other provinces. During long holidays such as the New Year, many of them visit their hometowns. On top of this, huge numbers of Bangkokians head to other provinces to enjoy the holiday out of town.
Additional train services
Deputy Transport Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong said 24 more train trips were added to the schedule yesterday to facilitate the extra passengers. The number of carriages per train had also been increased to accommodate the demand, he said.
"Each train will get two more carriages to make sure passengers won't be stranded," he said. He believed some 100,000 passengers left the capital by train yesterday.
Transport Co Ltd, which provides bus services, believed the number of passengers would reach 200,000 yesterday.
The bus-service provider vowed to ensure there were enough seats for all.
Prasert encouraged passengers who are overcharged for bus tickets to call hotline numbers 1584 and 1490 round the clock.
"Selling an overpriced bus ticket is punishable by a fine of up toBt10,000," he said.
With the huge demand for road travel, traffic jams hit several parts of the country yesterday. Tailback along the main road through Nakhon Sawan, the gateway to the North, for example, measured nearly 10 kilometres. Traffic jams hit the province starting at noon.
Officials also prevented trucks from entering the heart of Nakhon Sawan in the hope of easing the traffic woes.
Nakhon Ratchasima, the gateway to the Northeast, also saw heavy traffic. The traffic was paralysed at various portions of the Mitrapab Road.
Accidents
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Directing Centre reported that road accidents on the first of the seven dangerous days of the New Year celebrations claimed 33 lives and injured 322 people.
The seven-day period started on Thursday.
The centre said that as many as 314 accidents took place on Thursday, causing 33 deaths and injuring 322 people.
Although road casualties were down compared with the same period a year earlier, the losses were still huge, the centre said.
Drunkenness emerged as the leading cause of the accidents. Speeding came second. Failure to wear a crash helmet was blamed for 18.59 per cent of the injuries and deaths.
Relevant organisations are now vigorously promoting the "Towards the New Year with Safety" campaign.
According to the Road Safety Directing Centre, officials manned checkpoints along roads across the country to promote safe driving. In a matter of just one day, 21,533 motorists were arrested for not having a driver's licence and 20,169 for not wearing a crash helmet.
Chiang Mai has seen the highest number of road accidents so far. As many as 20 accidents took place, causing four deaths and injuring 17 victims.
Only 11 of the 77 provinces were accident-free on Thursday. They were Kamphaeng Phet, Chachoengsao, Chumphon, Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, Satun, Samut Prakan, Saraburi and Nong Khai.
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