Holiday in Pattaya News

Ghanaian arrested with 1.5 kg of ‘ice’ at airport.

2012-02-14T02:32:00.000+07:00

A Ghanaian man on Monday was detained for smuggling 1.55 kg of crystal methamphetamine, also known as 'ice,' at Thailand’s main international airport, according to customs officers. Yeboah Kwame, a 36 year-old Ghanaian, was captured Monday morning on arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport with 1.55 kg of ice in his stomach and intestines, Rakop Srisupa-at, Director of Customs Department’s Investigation and Suppression Bureau, told a news briefing.The detainee flew Ethiopian Airlines from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to Bangkok. On arrival, he behaved suspiciously and tried to evade customs officials.The customs officers asked to conduct a body check and an X-ray scan inspection when objects, later identified as 70 packages of crystal meth, were detected in his stomach and digestive track.The suspect said he swallowed the packages before heading to Thailand, intending to deliver them to an Ethiopian drug dealer at a hotel in downtown Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area.Initially, the suspected drug smuggler was transferred to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau police for further investigation.

Tourist Police arrest illegal Russian Tour Company Worker in Central Pattaya.

2012-02-14T02:30:00.001+07:00

A Russian National, accused of working illegally in Thailand, was arrested by the Tourist Police in the early hours of Monday. Mr. Victor Shchigolev aged 32 was caught by Officers, working at a table in Soi 10 off Pattaya Second Road. Officers report he was selling tour packages to Russian Tourists and although the company he worked for, World of Chang Co Ltd, was registered as a Tour Company, Mr. Shchigolev did not possess a work permit which allowed him to sell the tours. The evidence was collated and will now be presented to the Courts who will decide how to proceed.

Great Young Monk in Thailand.

2012-02-14T02:27:00.002+07:00

Pattaya Beach in Thailand.

2012-02-14T02:25:00.003+07:00

Couples face off in Valentine's Day ordeal.

2012-02-14T02:22:00.000+07:00

Lips locked at all times.Including for bathroom breaks and meals.

Is the less than romantic challenge facing Thai couples trying for the kiss to blow away all kisses at a Valentine's Day marathon.Seven couples have brought their lips together in the Thai beach resort of Pattaya, some 100 km (62 miles) southeast of Bangkok, hoping to break the world record for longest continuous kiss - which currently stands at nearly two days.The marathon kicked off on Sunday and will go through Valentine's Day, with prizes and glory for the pair that manages to hold out longer than 46 hours, 24 minutes and nine seconds.That record was set in 2011 by Lakkana Tiranarat, 31, and her husband, both back this year for another go."We'll try to do better than last year but maybe just for a little longer. We'll see how tough the other competitors are but we'll do our best," Lakkana said.Each couple has a space of 1 square metre (yard) to prove their affection for each other.Food and drink must be taken through a straw. Teeth brushing would also risk breaking the locked lips and result in disqualification.The toilet is off-limits for the first three hours of the contest. After that, lips still together, they must be accompanied by a referee for any later bathroom break.Suggesting the contest has more to do with ordeal than romance, the organisers noted that the number of contestants has fallen by half from last year's marathon."The world record last year of 46 hours, 24 minutes and nine seconds is very difficult to beat. Contestants have to be patient to prove their love," said Somporn Naksuethrong, general manager of Ripley's World Pattaya.The record-breaking couple stands to gain a diamond ring worth 100,000 baht and a hotel gift voucher for 200,000 baht -- as well as, presumably, very sore lips.

Great Thai Pole Dancing Girl.

2012-02-13T00:41:00.001+07:00

Buffalo Girls Documentary Thailand.

2012-02-13T00:38:00.000+07:00

Brutal Thai boxing bouts see boys and girls as young as SIX fighting as ‘entertainment’ for tourists.

2012-02-13T00:36:00.002+07:00

Thai children as young as six are battering each other in brutal boxing matches as entertainment for baying crowds of tourists.

Boys and girls are risking broken bones and brain damage as they kick, punch and knee each other in the Muay Thai boxing bouts held in bars.

British, American and German holidaymakers are queuing up to see the sickening spectacle which has arrived in the country’s holiday resorts from remote villages.

U.S. film-maker Todd Kellstein, whose movie Buffalo Girls is about two eight-year-old girls who take part in the ‘sport’, described it as ‘horrific’.

‘We are talking about little kids punching and kicking each other for money. The tourists watch the bouts and tip the fighters after they finish,’ he told the Sun.

‘Before I saw my first fight, I was in no way prepared for the brutality that takes place on a daily basis.

‘These kids are small but they are tough and well-trained. The power and accuracy behind their blows is terrifying and what’s really scary is they fight without any kind of headgear or protection.’

Los Angeles-based Kellstein attended 300 fights as part of his research, and said fighters would show ‘no mercy’ and keep attacking even if their opponent was knocked unconscious.

His film focuses on Stam and Pet, both eight, who are also professional Muay Thai prizefighters.
Set in small villages throughout rural Thailand, the film chronicles their journey as they fight in small underground arenas to win prize-money to help provide for their families.

Despite the film being set in rural areas, Kellstein said the barbaric bouts also took place in tourist hotspots.

He said he saw children regularly becoming concussed. And one 11-year-old was kicked so hard in the kidney he dropped to the floor like a rock.

But he said he could not condemn the fights, which first started in rural villages of Thailand. He said they gave children an extra way to earn money for their families.

And he added: ‘In the end I decided it was not my job to judge another country’s culture.’

Pattaya Telephone lines and cables.

2012-02-13T00:33:00.001+07:00

Pattaya Telephone lines and cables, including 2 Thai men, what are they doing in the middle of the night there?

Body of a man was found floating in the sea

2012-02-13T00:31:00.000+07:00

The body of a man was found floating in the sea approximately 8 nautical miles from Jomtien Beach. Rescue Services based at Bang Saray were called-in to collect the body which was first discovered by a fishing vessel which was in the process of laying nets when they spotted the body.

Police later inspected the body and could not determine if it was that of a Thai or foreign national. He was fully clothed and because of a piece of rope tied around his stomach, Police suspect he may have been murdered.

A full post mortem examination will take place in the next few days to determine the exact cause of death, which for now, remains a mystery.

Ramon Dekkers Highlights

2012-02-12T01:42:00.001+07:00

One of the best fighters ever. A Living Legend, Ramon Dekkers.

Watch Pattaya's Hottest Dancers Battle It Out.

2012-02-12T01:40:00.001+07:00

For What They Love Most : Hard Ca$H.

Underage girls, migrants found during go go raid in South Pattaya.

2012-02-12T01:36:00.003+07:00

And again.

Will this be slowly the end of the nice entertainment venues in Pattaya.
Why nobody follows the rules and laws about ages.

Chonburi police raided several Walking Street go-go bars, arresting at least one of the owners on human-trafficking charges after finding underage and Laotian girls dancing on stage.

The raid, which also saw police enter several go go's on Walking Street’s Soi 15, kicked off a general crackdown on Walking Street bars. Police were out in force each night afterward, shutting down all businesses at 3 a.m. sharp, including places such as the Insomnia disco which historically has flouted legal closing times and remaining open until well after sunrise.

Stabbing will be normal in Pattaya, lock the knifes and scissors.

2012-02-12T01:33:00.002+07:00

They will love you na, your Thai gf can be your best friend.

German Knifed By His Drunk Thai Girl Friend in Pattaya.

A 58 year old German quarrelled with his Thai girl friend, a fight broke out and the man was stabbed in the back.

Pattaya pole dancer at the Kitten club.

2012-02-12T01:30:00.000+07:00

Return of Pattaya flooding catches city hall off guard

2012-02-11T04:14:00.001+07:00

Unaccustomed to rain this time of year, Pattaya residents were caught in unexpected flooding in South Pattaya, showing that, despite months of dry weather, Pattaya City Hall has done nothing to alleviate storm-drainage problems.
As usual, it took as little as two hours of steady, but not torrential, rain to paralyze the intersection of South and Sukhumvit roads with a meter of water.

Both lanes were inundated with water springing up from the drainage pipes, which couldn’t release water into the sea fast enough. Water flooded roads and surrounding homes and damaged many cars and motorcycles.

Problems also surfaced in the usual spots in downtown Pattaya, from Second Road near Soi 11 & 12 and Third Road. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation rushed in water pumps, but to little result.

The episode was a nasty reminder of the weeks of flooding Pattaya incurred during the rainy season and promises made by city officials to clean out drains and improve on a dismal record of flood relief. While skies have been clear nearly every day since early November, apparently nothing has been done to clear the drains.

Police impersonator steals money from South Pattaya Market Vendor.

2012-02-11T04:12:00.000+07:00

A Police impersonator is suspected of stealing money from a SouthPattaya market trader on Thursday afternoon. Police were called to the Market area at the front of Soi 7 on the South Pattaya Road and were met by Khun Anuchai aged 63 who explained that a man, claiming to be a plain-clothed Pattaya Police Officer, approached him and said he had just been transferred to Pattaya and wanted to meet local business people.

He spoke with Khun Anuchai and attempted to befriend him, leaving contact numbers with him with an assurance that if he needed Police assistance at any time of the day or night, he would be there. The man said his rank and name was Police Senior Sergeant Major Sanchai.

He then asked if he could sit and watch the television at his stall for a while. Khun Anuchai went to serve a customer and when he looked back, the so-called Police Officer had gone and his money had been stolen from a money box located close to the TV.

Police confirmed that an officer with the name given by the suspect, does not work at Pattaya Police Station and based on a description of the man and the license plate number of his motorbike which was recorded by a fellow vendor, they will now attempt to locate and arrest him.

Israeli suspected of shoplifting from Central Pattaya Shopping Center.

2012-02-11T04:07:00.003+07:00

An Israeli Tourist was arrested close to Big C Extra in Central Pattaya on Thursday Night accused of shoplifting. Mr. Or Balila aged 22 was chased by security guards from Big C Extra after he was seen, with a friend, leaving the store after making no attempt to pay for clothing items..!!

Guards were only able to detain Mr. Balila and his friend, who is also thought to be Israeli, was able to escape. Police arrived and arrested Mr. Balila outside the 69 Karaoke Bar, further up the Central Pattaya Road and took him to Pattaya Police Station where it was determined that he had purchased items such as Vodka, energy drinks and chocolates in the Big C store and on their way-out they allegedly stole clothing items from a sports store, which is also located on the second floor and stuffed the items inside the Big C shopping bags..!!

A total of 33 individual items were taken with a combined value of 5,000 Baht. Mr. Balila was charged with theft and is currently on remand pending Court proceedings despite denying allegations of theft.

GERMAN TOURIST STABBED AFTER REFUSAL TO PAY FOR PATTAYA PROSTITUTE.

2012-02-11T04:05:00.001+07:00

A German tourist was stabbed repeatedly by a Pattaya Beach Prostitute who he decided not to pay for. Police and rescue services were called to

A German tourist was stabbed repeatedly by a Pattaya Beach Prostitute who he decided not to pay for. Police and rescue services were called to the Marine Plaza Hotel in Soi Beokeow in the early hours of Friday and were met by Mr. Manuel Kregel aged 58 who was covered in blood.

Khun May aged 28 is believed to have stabbed Mr. Kregel in his back and hands after he failed to pay for sexual services she provided to him in his 5th floor apartment.

The weapon used in the attack was seized as evidence and Khun May was taken to Pattaya Police Station. Mr. Kregel was taken to Hospital where his wounds were treated. The Police investigation continues.

Oh Oh..Two Pattaya Lady boys in school uniforms.

2012-02-10T02:32:00.001+07:00

PATTAYA IMMIGRATION ARREST FUGITIVE AMERICAN AND 7 UGANDAN SUSPECTED PROSTITUTES.

2012-02-10T02:30:00.003+07:00

Another fool and 7 African whores..!! Before deported, put them at least foe a few years in a Thai prison, they will like the horny LB's and other Thai boy's behind the bars...!!

Immigration Police have announced the arrest of an American fugitive and 7 Ugandan women accused of being prostitutes.

Mr. Dray Matthew Pleuger aged 36 is wanted on drug related offences in USA according to a communication received by the American Embassy in Bangkok and is believed to have escaped to Thailand to avoid prosecution.

He was located and arrested at a small bar located at the entrance to Soi 5 on Pattaya Beach road and will shortly be deported to USA in conjunction with the Embassy.

Immigration Officers arrested the 7 Ugandan women on Pattaya Beach, in the early hours of Tuesday. They were seen to approach foreign tourists and propositioned an undercover operative. They were taken to the Immigration Office and charged with loitering with intent to commit a criminal offence.

The Colonel stated that he will seek to cancel their visas to reside in Thailand and deport them to Uganda at the earliest opportunity.

Big Brawl Stopped By Pattaya Police.

2012-02-10T02:28:00.000+07:00

Right after midnight on Monday, the Police Pol. Col. Somchai Sunawanic received a report that 2 big gangs of Pattaya teenagers, with some 30 kids in each gang, were about to start fighting each other on Beach Road.

Officers were the Deputy Suppressing Inspector Pol. Lt. Paiboon Lao-ha-cha-na-wat therefore was assigned to suppress this tough teen encounter, before any severe damage could occur.

When the team of police approached the scene, the teenagers scattered, but 20 of them were apprehended and tested for drug use. There were No positive results from the tests, a bit of good news, however, they were still underage, and their parents will be notified of their children’ behaviors, and the kids will also face probations.

Well done Boxer.

2012-02-10T02:22:00.002+07:00

What a bastard to hit that couple who walking there.
Som Nam Na. He had to hit harder and more and more.
Great job and Well done Boxer.

Nothing is for free in Thailand.

2012-02-10T02:19:00.000+07:00

Great female Thai police in Pattaya, Thailand.

2012-02-08T03:46:00.002+07:00

For the most of the men a great picture. Guess they will like the pic. Have a little fantasy or you don't like to be locked by her. Please lock me Angel.

Police arrest, fine and set free gaggle of Beach Road prostitutes in Pattaya.

2012-02-08T03:41:00.003+07:00

Police once again showed their intent to rid Beach Road of prostitutes by rounding up yet another 59 women and ladyboys before allowing them to return to the “coconut bar” after paying small fines,

The latest sweep with uniformed officers and volunteers hauling in 45 suspected working girls and 14 transvestites to the Pattaya Police Station.

All were released after fines that usually run 200 baht.

Police claim tourists continually complain about prostitutes and drug use along the beach, but, to date, the Pattaya police force has done nothing to permanently address those concerns.

Six "Men in Brown" on a Motorbike in Pattaya, Thailand.

2012-02-08T03:39:00.001+07:00

DON'T BUY CROCODILE STUFF, TIGER BLANKETS, IVORY FROM ELEPHANTS

2012-02-08T03:37:00.002+07:00

A blanket inspection of tigers in zoos and other captive animals has been ordered in the wake of a fresh seizure of tiger skins and carcasses and other protected wildlife from a major smuggler at a Bangkok home.

An official from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) said the skinned tigers could have been obtained from one of the zoos. So, the inspection, when done, would reveal a head-count and other details of animals at all premises and likely evidence of any that had gone missing.

Deputy director-general Theeraphat Prayoonsitthi said DNA checks of tigers was not viable as an inspection measure, as only a few had been collected to date under a DNP project at Huay Kha Khaeng wildlife reserve in Kanchanaburi.

Tiger skins and carcasses along with meat from elephants, zebras and lions were found at the house. Seven suspects implicated a man known as Od Bang Kruay as the trader and smuggler behind the slaughter. They allege that he took orders from foreign buyers - to provide them with the meat and skins.

There are around one million protected or wild creatures in zoos and private enclosures in Thailand, but 80 per cent of them are birds and avian species. Around 300 zoos have permission to keep tigers and other felines.

Money to burn.

2012-02-08T03:30:00.002+07:00

A Chon Buri man was jealous his father gave cash to his brother, so he stole a million baht from the family business, and burnt it.

Police will not press charges against a man who admitted to destroying 1 million baht worth of 1,000-baht notes in a fit of of sibling jealousy.

Worapan Rojsattarat, 30, turned himself in to police after learning they were tracking down the person who destroyed the banknotes.

He has admitted to destroying the notes out of anger towards his father, Worapong Rojsattarat, who over the past two years had given the cash to his brother.

The money was intended to help sustain the brother's gold shop business in Pattaya.

Police said Mr Worapan admitted to his father that he had embezzled the money from the gold shop business over two to three years and then destroyed it.

The damaged banknotes were found in a rubbish bin about 30 metres from Mr Worapan's Rung Charoen gold shop in Chon Buri's Bang Bung district.

The 1,000-baht banknotes had been both burned and slashed up. Mr Worapong decided to contact Pol Maj Gen Chamnong Rattanakul, chief of Chon Buri police.

Pol Lt Gen Panya Mamen, chief of Police Region 2, said no charges were pressed against Mr Worapan because it was his father's money.

"His father doesn't want to press charges, so no charges have been filed," he said.

He noted that burning the notes in this case does not constitute a criminal offence as Mr Worapan had no intent to make disrespectful alterations to the portrait of His Majesty the King on the notes.

Pol Maj Gen Chamnong said Mr Worapan's action was not intended to insult the monarchy.

He said the Bank of Thailand will examine the damage caused to banknotes and decide how much can be reimbursed.

It is unlikely that Mr Worapan will get a full reimbursement, he said.

One of my 5 Boyfriends slept with another Pattaya working girl.

2012-02-07T03:31:00.001+07:00

I'LL NEVER TRUST MEN AGAIN.

Human trafficking police raid 4 South Pattaya brothels.

2012-02-07T03:29:00.002+07:00

Arresting 29 alleged prostitutes and the owners of four buildings where they congregated.

The raid came after officers received complaints that young women were being pressed into solicitation outside a shophouse on Soi Daeng Dum and Thepprasit Soi 12.

Sixteen women were apprehended while allegedly soliciting customers outside the building. Each were brought to Banglamung Police Station, fined 500 baht each and released.

Three Russians accused of smoking Marijuana in front of South Pattaya restaurant.

2012-02-07T03:25:00.002+07:00

Som Nam Na...They think they have a free card to do all here.

Police were on routine patrol when they caught the strong odor of Marijuana outside the Restaurant where patrons are often seen using Hookah pipes.

On this occasion the Russians were seen placing Marijuana on the Hookah’s and were approached and arrested.

Mr. Evgeny Ukolov aged 30, Mr. Ivshin Genwani aged 28 and Mrs. Ukolva Oksana aged 30 were taken to the Police Station and all urine tested but were found not to have consumed other illegal drugs such as Methamphetamine.

3.53g of Marijuana was seized and placed into evidence and they were charged with possession of a class 5 drug.

Bulgarians arrested in suspected ATM card-skimming scam in Pattaya.

2012-02-07T03:22:00.002+07:00

Two Bulgarians have been arrested for allegedly using skimmers and cameras to steal ATM card numbers and passwords across Pattaya.

Plaiyski Ventseslav, 40, and Ralev Borislav, 42, were taken into custody in a wooded area east of Soi Buakaow Jan. 19. Police had chased the duo into the jungle after Krungthai Bank employees called police alleging the two were installing electronic card skimmers and wireless cameras at its ATM booth.

The gear had been removed from Krungthai by the time the cops showed up and the Bulgarians were suspected of dumping the equipment in the woods. Police recovered only the plastic skimmer tray, but not the hard drive on which card numbers were recorded.

A subsequent search of the pair’s Soi Buakaow guesthouse rooms, however, uncovered a stockpile of electronic card information and the two were arrested by Transnational Crime Coordination Center investigators on charges of stealing and copying electronic card numbers and counterfeiting.

Investigators alleged that that Bulgarians had been rigging number skimmers and tiny cameras to record passwords at various ATMs in Pattaya and warned ATM users to always cover the keypad with their hand while entering passwords.

Popular Thai Pub raided by Pattaya Police.

2012-02-07T03:20:00.001+07:00

Also favorite Thai local pubs will be checked.

The popular Thai Damnan Chon Pub was raided by Pattaya Police at the north-end of Pattaya Third Road. At the time over 300 patrons were inside and after the music was turned-off and the lights were turned-on, Police began checking for underage patrons and those who were either under the influence or in possession of class 1 drugs.

At the end of the operation, three patrons were arrested and charged with consumption of a class 1 drug after failing urine tests and 15 patrons were found to be under the age of 20. The manager of the venue was arrested and taken to Pattaya Police Station for further questioning.

The Pub is expected to open as usual this weekend. Guess they paid off all very quickly to open again.

Three injured as two rival gangs meet at South Pattaya petrol station.

2012-02-07T03:19:00.001+07:00

Three injured as two rival gangs meet at South Pattaya petrol station.

Two rival gangs were involved in a shootout at a South Pattaya Petrol Station in the early hours of Saturday. Two gang members were injured and one member of the public who was caught in the crossfire also sustained injuries.

After a few verbal exchanges, guns were produced and a total of 5 shots were expelled before the two gangs fled, leaving the injured gang members behind.

Police are currently investigating the shooting and are examining security camera footage from the Petrol Station but as yet, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.

These junior mobsters playing in the street with their little guns. Soon they’ll grow up and become a real big problem. But who cares at Pattaya as long as the money keeps rolling in. Its getting worse.

Flash floods cause traffic chaos around Pattaya.

2012-02-05T02:34:00.002+07:00

Begin February and Pattaya flood again after heavy rain fall, unbelievable.

Unseasonal heavy rain hit Pattaya on Thursday Afternoon and into the evening causing the usual chaos as poorly maintained drains failed to cope with the sudden influx of rainwater.

The usual areas suffered from flash flooding including the Sukhumvit Road where extra police were deployed to assist motorists through the areas which were under as much as 1 meter of water which led to traffic chaos for a time until the water eventually drained away.

Two Irish men arrested by Police following stabbing at Central Pattaya Bar

2012-02-05T02:28:00.002+07:00

Welcome in Amazing Crazy Pattaya, Thailand.

Two Irish nationals were arrested by Pattaya Police in the early hours of Friday, accused of being involved in a fight at a Beer Bar which left two Thai men with serious stab wounds and two other foreign patrons with minor facial injuries.

Police were called to the Pattaya New Plaza Beer Bar Complex on Second Road close to the Central Pattaya Road intersection where staff of two Bars, the Pussy bar and Boom Boom Bar, reported a fight between two groups of foreigners, which started after two of them demanded a refund of Bar Fines paid for two Bar Girls earlier in the night.

Two Thai men, one working as a security guard at the complex and a local motorbike taxi driver, stepped in to attempt to stop the fight but were then allegedly stabbed by one of the foreign fighters. The two men thought to have started the fight were soon located and arrested at their house located in Soi 17 in South Pattaya close to the Land Department Office.

At Pattaya Police Station, Mr. Darren Delaney aged 39 and Mr. Thomas Plunkett of the same age, both originating from Dublin, Ireland but with strong Liverpudlian accents, were questioned and Police reported that Mr. Plunkett stated that he admitted to stabbing the two Thai men in self-defense. Khun Promar aged 41 was stabbed in his neck and chest and Khun Yongyut aged 23 was stabbed in his stomach. For now both Irish men are being held pending further investigations.

684 million Baht extorted from taxi bikes.

2012-02-05T02:24:00.002+07:00

EACH MONTH..!!

Taxi motorcyclists nationwide pay Bt 684 million each month in protection fees to so-called mafia, an inquiry initiated by a son of Deputy PM Chalerm Yoobamrung found yesterday.

Wan, the newly appointed adviser to the transport minister, led the inspection of a number of taxi motorcycle queues in Bangkok, reportedly following a request by taxi motorcyclists. The first queue inspected was at Sukhumvit Soi 70/5, where the motorcyclists said they paid Bt45,000 each month to "protectors".

The motorcyclists said the protectors had also dispatched 20 unregistered riders to pick up passengers, resulting in their income being cut while having to still pay the monthly protection fees. Wan and Chalerm Changthongmadan, head of the Association of Taxi Motorcyclists of Thailand, vaguely identified who the protectors were. "This queue is located in areas under the influence of a retired Army general and military officers come to collect the fee," he added.

They did not mention the role of local police or traffic police who were supposed to tackle the problem but were not present during yesterday's inspection of several locations.

Quoting the association's head and other taxi motorcyclists, Wan said lawfully registered riders, who totalled around 190,000 nationwide, had to pay Bt120 each day to protectors, in addition to monthly fees. "This could amount to Bt684 million each month that the protectors have been enjoying," he added.

There are 4,453 queues registered with district offices, as of 2003, while there were around 1,000 non-registered queues operating illegally, he said. Wan inspected a few other queues in Sukhumvit and Bang Na areas during his tour yesterday. "I cannot tell you the time frame for dealing with the issue but it will be reported to the prime minister," he added.

To start tackling the problem, Wan said he would seek help from his father Chalerm, to register the 1,000 queues - which would see their licence-plate colour changed to yellow. He called on taxi motorcyclists to file complaints with the police or petition him directly, if they were attacked by the protectors after refusing to pay the fees.

Weekly highlights Thailand.

2012-02-05T02:21:00.002+07:00

Lese majeste law debate splits Thammasat, the govt admits rangers killed innocent people in the South, and the flood prevention plan going nowhere.

Cancer is believed to be the No 1 killer in Thailand accounting for about 20 per cent of deaths in the country every year.

Southern anguish; Shooting deaths in Pattani and Narathiwat mark another grim day in restive far South, where 33 people were killed in unrest last month.

Culture blasts Simsimi; The culture minister is worried that Simsimi will cause social and family problems, and says it's not normal for people to talk to a chat bot, as the ICT minister says the Simsimi developer has agreed to censor swear words and personal rights violations from the smartphone application's Thai vocabulary.

Mystery of dead fish floating in Sea in Bang Saen.

2012-02-03T03:43:00.001+07:00

PATTAYA JOURNALIST FEARS FOR HER LIFE FOLLOWING HOME INTRUSION IN SOUTH PATTAYA.

2012-02-03T03:42:00.000+07:00

A possible attempt on the life of a local journalist working for an English Language Newspaper took place at the Rung Far Condominium in South Pattaya..!!

Khun Anandar aged 44, who works for Pattaya Today Newspaper explained to Police that she was in the shower when a man, dressed only in underwear and with a white towel over his shoulder, reportedly entered her room through the front door and pulled the cable off a free-standing fan, exposing the live cable.

At the time, Khun Anandar had her TV on and the volume set to high. As she showered, the safety cut-out switch was activated and her electric shower and lights went out.

She opened the door to the bathroom and saw the Thai man, who then ran out in the direction of the 9th floor Fire Exit and was seen to walk up to the 10th floor. He escaped before Police arrived.

A burn mark was seen on the floor close to the entrance to the bathroom, and curiously items of value including two mobile phones were not taken, suggesting the man may have intended to harm Khun Anandar rather than steal from her. Police are now investigating the incident, however the suspect remains at large for now.

Thailand to promote cooperation in cultural industries with Bay of Bengal countries

2012-02-03T03:40:00.000+07:00

Thailand to promote cooperation in cultural industries with Bay of Bengal countries.

The Cabinet has given the green light to the Ministry of Culture’s proposal for Thailand to consolidate relationships with the Bay of Bengal countries by signing an MOU on the establishment of the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Commission and the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory, which is hoped to be signed later this month.

Cultural industries, by definition, are the various businesses that produce, distribute, market, and sell products and services of creativity, cultural knowledge and intellectual property with social and cultural meaning.

BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), allows Thailand to build strong relationships with countries in South Asia, namely Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal, through bilateral means.

New style Thai monk anno 2012.

2012-02-03T03:34:00.003+07:00

Is this the new style Monk in Thailand?

This is not a type monk i saw always in Thailand, the last years it's changed. It seems to be that many Thai men come out from the jail be a monk and go to the temple, another way is there not for them! Yes the old way, the criminal way. I really don't like to see this.

‎10 MILLION BAHT SEIZURE OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS AT SOUTH PATTAYA SHOPPING MALL

2012-02-02T03:33:00.000+07:00

Bars and Go go's...Street Vendors...and now the copy items at the shopping malls!

Over 10 Million Baht’s worth of counterfeit branded items were seized during a raid of a shop located in South Pattaya on Tuesday Night. The officer who is concentrating his efforts on cleaning up Pattaya at this time, announced the seizure of nearly 2,000 individual items.

The items feature well known brands such as Gucci, Prada, Rolex and many more and were seized from a shop located at the Pattaya City Walk Complex off Pattaya Beach. At the time, Khun Ampaiporn aged 36 was working inside the shop and was arrested. Police are now tracking down the owner of the shop and the official line from the Police suggests the seized items will be destroyed in due course.

A Thai joke for sure! It will be destroyed....ehmmmmmmm

Pattaya Entertainment venue inspection.

2012-02-02T03:31:00.001+07:00

Another Entertainment venue inspection in Pattaya was dispatched on Tuesday at 1:30 am by the Pattaya Police.

Pattaya Hooker Use "Knock Out Drops" On 70-Year-Old Brit.

2012-02-02T03:29:00.000+07:00

Pattaya Working girl Use "Knock Out Drops" On 70-Year-Old Brit.

The most are really Bad bitches with them fake shit smiles!

A bald British retiree was drugged with a strong hypnotic by a young woman wearing a hat who stole his belongings worth 400,000 THB. The woman is on the run and the police on the case.

At scene the officers of Sawangboribul Pattaya Foundation were told that Mr. Brian Herbert age 70, nationality British had transferred to Banglamung hospital.

A witness Ms. "Pat", the cashier on duty from 22:00- 07:00 said, that at 01.00 a good looking woman in jeans wearing a hat, age circa 20 was waiting for the lift with Mr Herbert looking suspiciously for the security cameras.

New a go go walking street Pattaya.

2012-02-02T03:25:00.002+07:00

The "Beautiful hello welcome inside Thai girls" on the street of the new A Go Go (yes another One) "The Lighthouse" at the famous Walking Street in South Pattaya.

BARTENDER STABBED TO DEATH INSIDE SOUTH PATTAYA GO-GO BAR.

2012-02-01T03:42:00.001+07:00

A Bartender at a Walking Street Go Go Bar was stabbed to death by a waitress on Monday evening. The incident occurred at Alcatraz Go-Go Bar.

The dead man was allegedly stabbed in his chest by Khun Wasidar aged 35, a waitress at the bar, who had been in a relationship with the victim for the last 10 years and the pair had a 2 year old child..!!

A tearful Khun Wasidar denied stabbing her boyfriend despite strong evidence contradicting her claim. Other staff members revealed how the couple would argue on a regular basis and on this occasion Khun Wasidar wanted the key to their motorbike which was in the possession of Khun Yordchai.

The bike was parked on Walking Street and was in danger of being seized by the authorities due to a no-parking order in force along Walking Street from 7pm. For some reason the key was not handed over and a fight between the pair began, during which, Khun Wasidar is alleged to have picked-up a knife and stabbed Khun Yordchai in his left chest area.

Police arrested her and took the blood stained knife into evidence and later charged her with murder. She is currently on remand pending Court proceedings.

Major crackdown on unlicensed bars around Pattaya begins.

2012-02-01T03:40:00.001+07:00

The FIRST 15 entertainment venues will be closed! Where is Pattaya going!

Following direct orders from the Chonburi Police Commander over 30 late night venues were checked by Police and District Officials in the early hours of Tuesday and many irregularities were found.

Officers went to Bars in many areas, including North Pattaya, Walking Street in South Pattaya and Jomtien. They checked staff and patrons but were mainly looking for venues which were either unlicensed or operating outside of their license conditions.

15 venues were found to be unlicensed and the managers and owners of them were detained and taken to Pattaya Police Station. A number of patrons and staff members who were not carrying their Thai ID cards, which is a requirement under Thai Law, and were also arrested.

A report of the evening’s operation will now go to the District Licensing Unit who may impose permanent or temporary closure orders on venues found to be operating illegally.

Pattaya Fabulous Fourth Pattaya International Bed Race

2012-02-01T03:38:00.000+07:00

Tourist Police chief says Pattaya ‘completely safe’ from terrorist attack.

2012-02-01T03:34:00.001+07:00

Pattaya Tourist Police seeking to blunt damage to tourism from foreign government warnings of a possible terrorist attack in Thailand are asserting the city is completely safe from attack.

Tourist Police superintendent Lt. Col. Arun Promphan said Jan. 17 there was no reason to believe there will be any terrorism dangers in Thailand. He said Pattaya was not named in any warnings, but a number of local tourists “panicked” after listening to what he called “one-sided material” from the foreign embassies.

In Pattaya, he said, the tourist police are working with Chonburi provincial officers to patrol popular areas. Forty full-time officers, 170 police volunteers and 30 foreign police volunteers have been deployed.

With this in mind, it can be affirmed that the threat of terrorist attacks in Pattaya is not something to be concerned or panicked about, Arun said. Pattaya City is completely safe from terrorist attacks.

However, in case anyone suspects something is amiss, they can contact Pattaya Police at 1555, he said.

Russians trapped in Pattaya following collapse of Tour Company.

2012-01-31T02:45:00.000+07:00

Following the collapse of a well known Russian Tour Company, more than a hundred Russian Tourists are now stranded in Pattaya as their return air tickets and hotels they were staying at have not been paid.

The Lanta Tour Company, which was established in 1991 and was one of the largest tour operators in Russia, filed for bankruptcy on 28th January. Many of their customers were staying at the Ambassador City Hotel in Jomtien and Town-in-Town Hotel in Central Pattaya who both filed a Police Report at Banglamung Police Station on Sunday against Lanta-Tour Thai Co Ltd, which is located at the Wonderland Estate in East Pattaya.

Since Saturday the Russian Embassy has been assisting the Tourists who initially had their belongings effectively seized by the Hotels who refused them access to safe-boxes until the situation had been resolved. The tourists are now being offered alterative accommodation and have purchase new tickets back to Russia where they will lodge formal complaints with the Russian authorities..!!

Welsh victim of drugging and robbery at South Pattaya Hote.

2012-01-31T02:44:00.001+07:00

A 69 year old British man was drugged and robbed of valuables after he took a woman he had just met, back to his room. Police and Rescue Services were called to the Jasmine Villa Hotel on Soi Beokeow on Sunday afternoon and to the room of Mr. Brian Richmond aged 69 from Mountain Ash in South Wales.

He was in a confused state and evidence of a disturbance inside his room was clear to see. Mr. Richmond’s room safe had been forced open and items of value including a gold ring, gold necklace, wrist watch, mobile phone and personal documents were taken, according to Mr. Richmond who confirmed that in the early hours of Sunday he had invited a woman, thought to be aged in her twenties, back to his room after meeting her nearby.

Mr. Richmond was escorted to a waiting Ambulance and taken to Hospital as a precaution and Police will ask Mr. Richmond to construct a photo fit image of the woman when he is able to do so, as they look to locate and arrest her before she reoffends.

Russian loses his clothes following late night swim on Pattaya Beach.

2012-01-31T02:43:00.000+07:00

A Russian Tourist arrived at Pattaya Police Station early on Monday Morning wearing only his underwear after his clothes were stolen while he went for a late-night swim on Pattaya Beach..!!

Mr. Sergi Marushko aged 30 explained to Police that he decided to go for the swim at the northern end of Pattaya Beach and when he returned to the beach his clothes had disappeared and there were no witnesses who could explain who took them..!!

Inside his trouser pocket was 1,500 Baht in cash and luckily his credit cards, passport and other personal items are safely locked up in a room safe back at his Hotel. We understand that one kind hearted Police Officer purchased a T-Shirt and pair of shorts for Mr. Marushko who returned to his Hotel where he awaits news from Police about the recovery of his shirt and trousers.

Forbid Night Time swimmers in sea and swimming pools.

Thai lady bitten by American Pit bull from her husband.

2012-01-31T02:42:00.000+07:00

Mother accused of selling her daughter to foreign tourists in Central Pattaya.

2012-01-28T00:11:00.001+07:00

The Child and Women Protection Unit, a division of Region 2 Police, arrested a Cambodian Mother of three who is accused of attempting to sell her 14 year old daughter to foreigners for 80,000 Baht.

Complaints by foreign tourists were made to the Police Unit who dedicates the majority of their time to suppressing Human Trafficking operations. The family was tracked down to a market in Soi Boekeow in Central Pattaya and when they spotted Police they attempted to escape.

The father of the children was able to escape, leaving the three children and their mother, Mrs. Hieng aged 32 to face officers and the allegations made against them. Mrs. Hieng was arrested and the three children, who also beg for money in local bar complexes, have been taken into care pending further investigations.

Initially Mrs. Hieng has been charged with entering Thailand illegally after she was found not to be in possession of a passport.

Thais at risk as birdflu breaks out in Vietnam.

2012-01-28T00:09:00.000+07:00

H5N1 OUTBREAK.

The situation in Thailand is being closely monitored after a report confirmed an H5N1 outbreak in Vietnam and the subsequent culling of 2,500 chicken in a province near Mekong delta, the Public Health Ministry said yesterday.

Thailand is now facing two risks: a seasonal migration of birds and cool temperatures, which helps the virus multiply.

The ministry is also urging members of the public to report poultry deaths and not touch the carcasses, while those involved in disposing the bodies should wear full protective gear. s.

The ministry said that between 2004 and 2006, there were several confirmed H5N1 cases in Thailand, of which 17 had turned fatal, though there were none afterwards. All government hospitals have been told to closely survey every case of flu, lung infection and pneumonia, which have similar manifestations to H5N1.

Customs official transferred over assault aired on YouTube.

2012-01-28T00:06:00.002+07:00

View controversial footage inside.

The Customs Department on Wednesday transferred back to headquarters a senior official based at Suvarnabhumi Airport who allegedly assaulted an airport security officer while refusing to be patted down.

Director General Somchai Poonsawat said the C-7 official, who was identified only as Sombat, will face an investigation into the incident, which occurred on January at in the airport. The investigation will take about 30 days.

Footage from a surveillance camera of the alleged assault, which has appeared on YouTube, shows the official walking through a security check. However, he refuses to be patted down after a security alarm beeps.

Apparent suicide of Macedonian at his rented house in Jomtien, Pattaya.

2012-01-28T00:04:00.001+07:00

Apparent suicide of Macedonian at his rented house in Jomtien, Pattaya.

The body of Mr. Edevit Zengoski aged 37 was found hanging from steel spikes positioned along the wall close to the front entrance. A leather belt was tied around the spike and around Mr. Zengoski’s neck. Police estimate he had been dead for less than 1 hour.

Transsexual stabbed over pickpocket plan on Pattaya Beach.

2012-01-24T03:45:00.000+07:00

A transsexual was stabbed in his face during an argument with another transsexual on Pattaya Beach who wanted to pickpocket foreign tourists.

Khun Noppadon, who was heavily intoxicated received medical treatment at the scene of the incident on Pattaya Beach in front of Soi 5 and explained that he was sitting and drinking with other transsexuals who suggested they pickpocket foreign tourists who walk-by so they can raise extra money to buy more Whisky.

Khun Noppadon refused to be part of any criminal activities and entered into a fight with one of his so-called friends who produced a knife and stabbed Khun Noppadon in her right cheek.

Khun Noppadon who explained how the group would meet at the beach every night and drink Thai Whisky together. Police are now searching for the suspected attacker.

Two different stories...One on the movie and One written...Which One is the truth?

Scary dam situation in Thailand.

2012-01-24T03:42:00.001+07:00

The water levels in the dams are scary and be a danger soon..!! The raining season starts in May and it's still raining in Thailand.

Water should be released from major dams in the North to prepare for new inflows.
The amount of water held in many dams, especially Bhumibol and Sirikit dams in Tak and Uttaradit provinces is critical.

Officials should start releasing water in the dams right away as we have only a few months left before the rainy season arrives in May.

Thailand working Girls.

2012-01-24T03:40:00.000+07:00

Each year women and girls from poorer towns and villages (Isaan) in Thailand flock to cities like Bangkok and Pattaya to work in bars, gogo bars, brothels and massage parlors.

Some are sold outright by their families as slaves where they may end up locked in closed brothels. Others are sent by their families to work in the lucrative tourist sex trade and return the majority of their incomes back home.

The most have children of their own that they are hoping to give a better life. But in far too many cases, that dream never comes true.

Police raid fails to find topless gambling den.

2012-01-23T03:15:00.003+07:00

Bangkok police yesterday took a gamble on finding an illegal casino featuring topless hostesses in Sai Mai district but ended up with a losing hand.

A team led by Deputy Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Saroj Promcharoen raided a commercial building believed to be the venue for the den but found nothing.

Information indicated the building might house the den in which topless girls waited at gaming tables to attract punters. Photographs of the girls were widely circulated on the internet last week.

But the raid found only a cold drink freezer and many closed-circuit television cameras. No gambling equipment was found.

Investigators were told the building might have been used for a special casino opened over the New Year and then closed. Pol Maj Gen Saroj said the owner would be questioned.

Nude, lewd and rude: The photos that shocked police - and titillated web surfers.

He said it was also believed the building was used as a gambling den in the past but closed because of last year's floods. Sai Mai district was badly hit by the inundation.

The photographs of the casino which appeared on the internet showed two female attendants wearing only panties and standing at a high-low dice gaming table surrounded by male gamblers in an enclosed room.

Rak Thailand Party leader Chuvit Kamolvisit, a former massage parlour operator, told police he believed the casino was in Sai Mai district.

Pol Maj Gen Saroj said a model known as Sun Marisa would be summoned for questioning as she closely resembles one of the topless girls in the photographs.

Investigators will continue to check Mr Chuvit's casino information and drastic action would be taken if any of it is true, he said.

City police chief Winai Thongsong said he did not believe local police were involved in the illegal casino.

Pol Lt Gen Winai said it was not necessary to set up an inquiry panel to investigate Sai Mai police or to transfer the Sai Mai police chief.

A source at the Crime Suppression Division said the CSD has obtained information that the den was set up by a man known as "Chai Sai Mai".

Foreigners in Thailand.

2012-01-23T03:08:00.000+07:00

If farangs behaved the same way in 80% of Thailand like they do in Pattaya and other sex zones they would be either staying in the Bangkok Hilton, chopped up into small pieces or less painfully deported and banished from the country..!!

People don't realise what they see and do in Walking St, Soi 6 , Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy really is as close to the real Thailand as we are to the moon..!!

Believe it or not.

2012-01-23T03:03:00.000+07:00

Tattoo's for a girl make her down in Thailand!
Kissing in public is still disrespectful!
Don't touch the head of a Thai!

And the last One : if you have the chance to date a girl from farawayburi...Never put your flip f;ops on the first date. Normal shoes is very important.

I know that the most only see Pattaya and think i talk bullocks. Go to see some other places in Thailand and you will see what the real Thai like and is.

View over Pattaya in 1970.

2012-01-23T03:01:00.000+07:00

Great view over a very quiet Pattaya.

200,000 Baht bag snatch in North Pattaya

2012-01-22T05:12:00.001+07:00

Inside the bag was 3,500 Euro’s, 25,000 Baht, 50,000 Baht’s worth of gold and a mobile phone. Why she was carrying so much cash and gold at this late hour was not explained.

"We have all read at least 15 similar stories in the last 10 months. Farangs money/gold in girls bag, makes a little call earlier on and then gets napped by a passing thief! mmmm yes indeed.

‎130 Police Officer raid popular Central Pattaya Pub.

2012-01-22T05:11:00.001+07:00

130 Officers from Pattaya Police, Chonburi Police and the Anti-Human Trafficking Division, conducted a raid on a Central Pattaya Pub in the early hours of Saturday. The raid was led by Police Colonel Yongyut, Deputy Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, who led officers to the Idol Pub on Pattaya Third Road, following complaints the venue was open after its permitted operating hours.

The venue was indeed open and they were told to stop the music and turn on the lights and prepare for individual searches of patrons and staff members. A total of 8 people failed urine tests, confirming the presence of Methamphetamine in their systems and were subsequently arrested and later charged at the Police Station.

The Manager of the venue was detained pending further investigations. The venue is expected to remain open for now.

Police search for underage and foreign prostitutes in Pattaya

2012-01-22T05:09:00.000+07:00

The Tourist Police in association with officers from the Anti-Human Trafficking Division of Region 2 Police conducted a raid of two well-known entertainment areas in Pattaya where Prostitutes are known to operate.

Officers went to Soi 17 off the Tepprasit Road and to the South Naklua area in search of underage prostitutes and foreign prostitutes who may have been sent to Thailand to work in brothels as part of a Human Trafficking network.

On this occasion all suspected prostitutes were over 18 and no foreign nationals were found. Despite this, 20 of them were taken to Pattaya Police Station for profiling and each of them were fined and then sent on their way

Speeding Russians plow motorcycles into Thai family.

2012-01-22T05:06:00.001+07:00

Seven people were injured when two Russians racing large motorcycles crashed into a yogurt cart.

Speeding their powerful Suzuki choppers down Sukhumvit Road after midnight Jan. 8, Denis Fatykhov, 37, and Vadiv Shitchenko, 26, swerved to miss hitting a public bus and plowed into a motorbike-and-sidecar yogurt stand carrying Puempol Buankhum, his wife Khwanta Cheuncharoen and their three children ages 3 months, 10 and 13.

The Poor Boy Loses his Fingers.

2012-01-21T05:28:00.001+07:00

Five Year old Boy Loses Fingers to Cheese Blender.

Weekly highlights.

2012-01-21T05:27:00.000+07:00

After about six months in the office, the cabinet was given a major shakeup. In the far South civilians continue to be murdered, but for elephants in the wild there appears to be some good news, after two were found slaughtered in Khaeng Krachan national park..!!

The biggest news of the week was undoubtedly the cabinet reshuffle which saw 10 ministers of the Pheu Thai Party axed, 10 new faces brought in and six incumbents swapped positions.

Nalinee Taveesin, the newly appointed Prime Minister's Office minister

2012-01-21T05:16:00.001+07:00

Egg price to rise soon, consumers warned and Nalinee Taveesin, the newly appointed Prime Minister's Office minister, is a major shareholder in 25 companies that run businesses ranging from cleaning services and air ticketing to spas and telecommunication...!!

Appointed as the Thailand Trade Representative (TTR) by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government in August, Nalinee holds a 4-per-cent share in those companies and serves as a director in eight of them..!!

Many of the businesses also have another politician - Kriengsak Chareonwongsak - as majority shareholder. Kriengsak is also an honorary consul-general of Zimbabwe..!!

She is on a US blacklist because of her alleged business links to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. In November 2008, she was described by the US Treasury Department as being a businesswoman who facilitated a number of financial, real-estate and gems-related transactions on behalf of Mugabe's wife Grace.
Many of the businesses also have another politician - Kriengsak Chareonwongsak - as majority shareholder. Kriengsak is also an honorary consul-general of Zimbabwe..!!

She is on a US blacklist because of her alleged business links to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. In November 2008, she was described by the US Treasury Department as being a businesswoman who facilitated a number of financial, real-estate and gems-related transactions on behalf of Mugabe's wife Grace.

Russian brother and sister arrested by Pattaya Immigration.

2012-01-20T04:52:00.001+07:00

Two Russians, claiming to be brother and sister have been arrested by Immigration Police, accused of multiple counts of theft from various hotels around Pattaya. Mr Denis Skvortsov aged 31 and Miss Antolina Pavlova aged 23. Items thought to have been stolen by the pair, including foreign currency, wrist watches, Visa cards and perfumes were on-show and a number of the victims were also present. The pair was known to have committed the crimes at hotels such as The Hard Rock and Bella Express and they would use one of three methods. The first would involve renting a room and waiting for cleaning staff to arrive at the neighboring room. The pair would pretend to occupy the room and wait inside until the cleaners had finished. The second would involve Miss Pavlova meeting with a guest and going back to their room for sex. At some point she would steal items herself or would steal the room key allowing her brother to return at a later time to steal items. The pair were caught as they attempted to leave Thailand via a land border checkpoint in Chantaburi Province and then taken to Pattaya. Both are facing multiple counts of theft and are being held on remand pending Court proceedings.

It looks like that the Russian Bastard spent all of it on ladyboys..!!

5 year old traps hand in cheese grinder.

2012-01-20T04:50:00.001+07:00

5 year old traps hand in cheese grinder at Central Pattaya Restaurant.

A 5 year old boy was rushed to Hospital on Wednesday evening after he placed his hand in a Cheese Grinder at a Scandinavian Restaurant. The boy aged 5 and nephew of the restaurant owner, was taken to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital with part of the Cheese Grinder so medical staff could remove his hand from the machine in a controlled manner.

Khun Bootpar aged 45, the owner of the Globetrotter Restaurant and Hotel in Soi 7 off Pattaya Beach Road, explained that her nephew was inside the kitchen and out of curiosity, approached the machine and in a split second placed his hand inside. The boy screamed in pain and thanks to quick-thinking staff, the machine was turned off and rescue workers were called to assist in taking the boy to Hospital.

Doctors determined he had suffered 4 broken fingers and was put-to-sleep while they removed his hand from the steel portion of the grinder which had trapped his hand.

Pattaya Paradise.

2012-01-20T04:24:00.000+07:00

To a man that has been to Pattaya once, it becomes a place he dreams about. Pattaya is so far removed from the politically correct world it is actually intoxicating. But as with being intoxicated, foolish choices are made often with disastrous results.

For the person on holiday, 2 weeks in Pattaya can be the reward for dealing with the world for the other 50. Men can be men without having to answer to someone who is trying to force them into a mold that does not fit and by no means is natural. Men enjoy freedom as much as women enjoy shopping without the need to pay for what they buy.

For the most part Pattaya is all about sex, beer and general fun. For a man who has scored a zero on his sex life at home, romping in bed with as many young beautiful Thai women as he has the stamina for is a dream come true. After all sex is part of the purpose of life, so why not partake in the reason we are on the planet.

Cabinet reshuffle announced

2012-01-19T04:18:00.000+07:00

A cabinet reshuffle, involving 16 ministerial posts, has been announced in a royal command, effective from today.

The royal command was countersigned by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

In this reshuffle, six existing ministers were moved to take new positions in the cabinet, 10 left out of the cabinet line up, and 10 appointed to fill up cabinet seats.

The six ministers moved to new cabinet posts are:

1. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong, to be Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister;
2. PM's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon, to be Deputy Public Health Minister;
3. Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa, to be Deputy Prime Minister;
4. Deputy Finance Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, to be Commerce Minister;
5. Transport Minister Sukampol Suwannathat, to be Defence Minister; and
6. Education Minister Woravat Au-apinyakul, to be PM's Office Minister.

Ten new ministers appointed to the cabinet are:

1. Nalinee Taweesin, as PM's Office Minister;
2. Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, as PM's Office Minister;
3. Tanusak Lek-uthai, as Deputy Finance Minister;
4. Nathawut Saikua, as PM's Office Minister;
5. Charupong Ruangsuwan, as Transport Minister;
6. Chadchart Sitthiphan, as Deputy Transport Minister;
7. Arak Chonlathanont, as Deputy Transport Minister;
8. Suchart Thada-thamrongvej, as Education Minister;
9. Sakda Khongphet, as Deputy Education Minister; and
10. MR Pongsavas Svasti, as Industry Minister.

The 10 who were left out of the cabinet are:

1. Pol Gen Kowit Wattana, as deputy prime minister;
2. Krisna Seehalak, as PM's Office minister;
3. Thirachai Phuvanatnarubala, as finance minister;
4. Pornsak Charoenprasert, as deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister;
5. Kittisak Hatthasongkhroh, as deputy transport minister;
6. Pichai Naripthapan, as energy minister;
7. Surapong Ungampornvilai, as deputy education minister;
8. Boonruen Srithares, as deputy education minister;
9. Torpong Chaiyasarn, as deputy public health minister; and
10. Wannarat Channukul, as industry minister.

Top Dog Drug Dealers Arrested in Pattaya.

2012-01-19T04:16:00.001+07:00

Criminals were caught with 110,244 Yah Bah tablets, 16 guns, 6 cars and pickups worth over 40 million Baht.

Fushion disco and nightclub opens in Pattaya.

2012-01-19T04:13:00.002+07:00

Opening of Biggest Disco and Night Club in Pattaya. Welcome to the biggest Russian/Indian night club in Pattaya with great DJ's from India...!! Also performances from Indian and Russian dancers. Oh Oh, The Two nations getting be friends in Pattaya.

Death confirmed for cop murders in Thailand.

2012-01-18T04:13:00.000+07:00

The Court of Appeals Tuesday upheld a death sentence against a former military officer for killing two policemen and injuring another during a 2007 drugbusting operation.

Major Chanon Chinnawong, 46, was convicted of shooting Pol Sen Sgt Major Manoch Srilakorn, Pol Corporal Sawai Arjnongwa, and Pol Lieutenant Sarit Aksorn on April 11, 2007 as he resisted their attempt to arrest him and his drugtrafficking accomplices at an apartment in Bangkok's Din Daeng district. The shooting killed Manoch and Sawai, and also injured Sarit.

The Court of Appeals, however, overruled the guilty verdict against Manoch's accomplices Sukhum Juajamjan and Witoon Niyakij because it was unclear as to whether they too used weapons.

According to the Court of Appeals, Sukhum and Witoon will remain in detention pending review by the Supreme Court.

TARGET BANGKOK.

2012-01-18T04:08:00.001+07:00

Terror suspect planned Bangkok attack..!!

Hezbollah planned Mumbai style attack on Chabad Bangkok, Khao San restaurants..!!

Pattaya Immigration arrest fugitive Austrian.

2012-01-18T04:07:00.001+07:00

Pattaya Immigration Officers arrested an Austrian man on Monday afternoon, who is wanted in relation to multiple offences in his home country..!!

Mr. Reinhard Ferdinand Adem aged 39 who was subsequently arrested in Soi Khopai in South Pattaya and transferred to the Immigration office in Jomtien. The Colonel explained that Mr. Adem is wanted in Austria in relation to unpaid Child Support totaling more than 7,000 Euro’s and in his absence received a jail term of 5 years. Mr. Adem is also wanted in relation to 10 cases of internet fraud. Immigration is also aware that Austrian Police wish to speak with Mr. Adem in relation to a case of murder but have no further details on this. Mr. Adem will be deported to Austria in due course.

British Tourist Killed At Shooting Range in Pattaya.

2012-01-18T04:02:00.002+07:00

R.I.P.

Bomb cache busted.

2012-01-17T05:27:00.001+07:00

Atris Hussein,, a Swedish citizen.

Police have uncovered more than four tonnes of bomb-making material gathered and stored by suspected Mideast terrorists in a warehouse just south of Bangkok as investigators try to piece together the role of a Swedish-Lebanese in the plot. The Swedish passport used to enter Thailand and carried by Mr Atris when he was arrested last week.

Stockpile of explosive materials found outside Bangkok.

2012-01-17T05:15:00.000+07:00

Looks the news on tv what they found in a town house..Massive storage..!!

Stockpile of explosive materials found..!!

Police have found more than 4,300 kilogrammes of urea based fertiliser and other materials used for making explosives in a building in Samut Sakhon's Muang district after the arrest of a middle-east terrorist suspect, national police chief Priewpan Damapong said Monday.

More than 200 police raided a three-storey commercial building in Mahachai area after Atris Hussein, a Lebanese man carrying a Swedish passport who has suspected links to the Hezbollah militant group was arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport on Friday evening. He confessed that explosive ingredients were hidden there, Pol Gen Priewpan said.

He said 4,380 kilogrammes of urea based fertiliser, 260 litres of ammonium nitrate and 400 electric fans were found on the second floor of the building. The police also discovered many pairs of slippers, A4 paper and 400 table fans on the ground floor.

The terror suspect told investigators that the terrorist group had not been planning attacks in Thailand. It just wanted to hide the components in Thailand. They were then to be concealed inside table fan boxes and shipped to other countries, according to the suspect, Pol Gen Priewpan said.

He said the suspect had rented the building from Kritsana Promchana on Jan 1, 2010 and the explosive materials had been hidden in the building for quite some time.

"Mr Atris wanted to tell the Thai people that they should not be worried as there will be no terrorist attacks in Thailand, definitely," said the police chief.

Assistant police chief Charamporn Suramanee said the urea based fertiliser and ammonia nitrate will be kept at the military's Quartermaster's Department for further inspection.

Pol Lt Gen Charamporn said possession of these items made a person liable to a five-year prison term and a fine of 50,000 baht.

Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Winai Thongsong said Mr Atris will remain in police custody and the national police chief would decide on issues of extradition and deportation.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expressed confidence that security authorities can control the situation.

She said Pol Gen Priewpan had briefed her on the discovery of the explosive materials.

"More security staff have been deployed to many public areas and people should not be worried about their security," Ms Yingluck said.

When reporters asked her about Israel's comment that an attack would occur before Feb 12, the premier said there will be no such incident before that day.

Japanese X-Rated Movie With Thai “Actress” Use BKK Airport.

2012-01-15T21:43:00.000+07:00

A Japanese porn production company used Suvannabhumi airport as backdrop. The script is about a Thai air hostess approached by a Japanese man and taken to a room on Sukhumvit road. The porn movie is on VCD and on the internet. The police is investigating the evidence including CCTV footage from the airport.

This is not the first time that Thailand is used a backdrop for a porn movie. But this case was widely critcized after people found that the porn movie producers had used Suvannabhumi airport as part of the script. There are now questions about the security at Suvannabhumi international airport.

The reporter found a copy this XXX movie at the Klong Thom market, the vendor said that he copied the film from the internet. Now he is selling hundreds of VCD per day.The film is two hours long. The first scene is from Suvannabhumi airport where a beautiful flight attendant introduces herself in Thai. Japanese subtitles are included.

Air Hostess : “I have been working for an airline since two years. I graduated from the well known university. I enjoy working with a good company, a good position, I travel to Europe very often. I like brand name products and works of art. Sometimes I think that I would like to live in Europe. That would be good.”

Air Hostess : “About my boy friend, there are some isues that I am not satisfied with.”

After talking to the camera, the air hostess walks across to the the departure hall at Suvannabhumi airport and a Japanese guy walks up to her. Talks to her. Takes her suitcase. And unwillingly she walks with him towards the carpark. Next scene the car is on the express way. Inside the car that the air hostess and the Japanese man who was harassing her.

She is trying to resist him all the time, “What are you doing?, where will you take me to?”, she says. He face shows anger.They arrive at Sukhumvit road. Next scene in the room and the air hostess asks the Japanese guy. “Why you bring me here ?”. Another man enters the room. They grab her and throw her on the sofa and then the x-rated scenes start.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya Utayo, Office of the National Police said, that the statistics show that very few x-rated movies have been produced in Thailand. But these films can ruin the image of Thailand and the police will coordinate with the ICT ministry to block websites and companies distributing x-rated movies produced in Thailand.

Flooding in South Thailand.

2012-01-15T21:42:00.000+07:00

Still going on.

Rough weather conditions in South.
Flash floods, landslides, mudslides predicted for southern provinces.

Weather conditions in the lower Gulf of Thailand will get rough over the next few days, the National Disaster Warning Centre (NDWC) warned yesterday.

It also warned of possible flash floods, landslides and mudslides in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat from yesterday to Monday.

"All concerned authorities need to monitor the situation closely," Wanchai Sakudomchai, director of the Southern Meteorological Centre (East Coast), said. He added that the South was facing the impact of a lowpressure ridge moving into Malaysia.

He said the waves could be up to four metres high along the southern region's east coast.

"Small fishing trawlers should not go out to sea," he warned.

How to swear in Thai.

2012-01-14T02:26:00.001+07:00

Foreigner arrested in Pattaya with drugs.

2012-01-12T16:45:00.001+07:00

Benjamin Cox, 22, was arrested at a police checkpoint near Rungland Village in South Pattaya. On him, police found 2.25 g. of crystal methamphetamines.

Officers said Cox, fluent in Thai, claimed he was a frequent visitor to Thailand and bought the drugs earlier in the evening on Walking Street for his personal use. However, upon investigation, police claimed Cox had previously been identified as a Walking Street drug dealer.

Thai student Nazi dress-up day

2012-01-12T16:39:00.002+07:00

*Thai student Nazi dress-up day causes outrage.
*Foreign parents and teachers appalled by the costumes
*Thai teachers 'did not understand' the controversy
*School asked to put the Holocaust on the curriculum

They had been meticulously planning their costumes for quite some time.
The annual summer sports day had a long tradition of fancy dress and, eager to impress, the pupils of Sacred Heart Catholic School kept their outfits under wraps for weeks.
They wanted to surprise their parents and teachers as they made their entrance at the school in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
And surprise them they did. With a flourish and a fanfare, they revealed their costumes - to outraged gasps from the crowd.

The smiling pupils arrived at the school dressed in full Nazi regalia and carrying large Swastika flags, leaving foreign parents and teachers open-mouthed.
Leading the march into the sports ground was a girl dressed as Adolf Hitler - complete with toothbrush moustache - seemingly unaware of the offence she had caused.

She was followed by a procession of pupils dressed as SS guards - brandishing plastic machine guns.
Stunned ex-pats were appalled. Surely the pupils were aware of what the Swastika and Nazis represented?

Apparently not, as it emerged that not even the Thai teachers at the school understood what all the fuss was about.
A teacher at the school said: 'It was all very embarrassing. Traditionally the students wear fancy dress on the summer sports day and they like to keep everything they are preparing quiet. Nobody saw any swastikas around the school before the event.
'But then on sports day when we saw these Nazi storm troopers we were appalled. We told the Thai teachers that this was not on. But they did not understand what was wrong with the display.'

Today, a delegation from the consulates of Britain, the United States, France and Germany descended on the school to protest about the controversy - and called on teachers to put modern history and the Holocaust on the curriculum.
They left the premises after the school told them no malice had been intended.
Chiang Mai is a popular retirement destination for many Europeans and Americans, some of whom lost relatives to the Nazis.
A British parent added: 'It could have been worse. They could have been marching to the 'Horst Wessel Song or Bomb Oh Bombs on England."
The school's principals did not want to comment about the incident, but a spokesman said: 'We did not know what the students had planned. No offence was intended.'

This is not the first incident of its kind in Thailand. In 2007 about 200 students from a Bangkok school dressed as Nazis for their summer sports day, Sieg Heiling as they strutted around.
Kanya Khemanan, a director of the Thewphaingarm School, was forced to apologise to the Los Angeles-based Holocaust museum Simon Wiesenthal Centre following the incident.
Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center said at the time: 'We are long past the time when such incidents take place in Asia that can be excused due to "alleged" ignorance of the Nazis' atrocities during World War

Surin TV Director Marries His Dead Girlfriend.

2012-01-11T17:32:00.002+07:00

The news of a North Eastern Thailand tv director marrying his dead fiancée became viral on the social media with 50,000 sharing the news on-line.

The news became the “Talk of the town” on Facebook and YouTube after ” Chadil Deffy ” or Deff Yingyuen, stated his love for his late girlfriend, Sarinya or “Anne” Kamsook. Much to the surprise of his friends, on January 4, Deff posted the message on his Facebook page, inviting his friends to an wedding-cum-funeral rite for his longtime girlfriend at a local temple in Surin Province.

The couple had been together for a decade. They made a promise to get married before the bride died in an unexpected car accident. Deff said their wedding was postponed due busy schedules and his decision to continue his studies before he was going to settle down in a matrimony with Sarinya.

January 9, 2012 [PDN]; This bizarre wedding ceremony together with the funeral of the corpse of the bride was held at Tri Vivek temple Moo 9 Baan Sadao Tambon Nabua , Amphur Muang, Surin province. The corpse of the bride was Ms. Sarinya or “Ann Kamsuk” age 29, address 82 Moo 10 Baan Sakom, Tambon Chaneang, Amphur Muang, Surin province. The bridegroom , also known by his nickname “Dave” occupation director of television programs.

Both of them fell in love while studying at the Eastern Asia University ten years ago and had planned to get married but the woman had died on the evening of January 3, 2012.

During the funeral ceremony, the groom seen in a black smart suit putting a ring on the finger of his late girlfriend. This was posted on the Facebook and YouTube and it spread like wildfire.

There were many wreaths from her friends and relatives and from actors, singers and fellow students from the Eastern Asia University.

It was reported that during the funeral ceremony of Ms. Sarinya, Mr. “Dave” her boyfriend had ordained as a novice monk to give merit to her for the last time.

The reporters tried to contact for the bridegroom for an interview but failed to contact him.

Customs official transferred over assault aired on YouTube.

2012-01-11T17:26:00.001+07:00

View controversial footage inside..!!

The Customs Department on Wednesday transferred back to headquarters a senior official based at Suvarnabhumi Airport who allegedly assaulted an airport security officer while refusing to be patted down.

Director General Somchai Poonsawat said the C-7 official, who was identified only as Sombat, will face an investigation into the incident, which occurred on January at in the airport. The investigation will take about 30 days.

Footage from a surveillance camera of the alleged assault, which has appeared on YouTube, shows the official walking through a security check. However, he refuses to be patted down after a security alarm beeps.

In the footage, the official is showing whacking the officer's ears with both hands. The official then points to his badge and the junior officer bows apologetically.

The video was posted on YouTube on Monday and by Tuesday it had attracted many thousands of angry comments.

Somchai said the official in trouble was a chief of passenger services at the airport responsible for crackdowns on contraband and narcotics.

After the incident, the junior officer saw a doctor, who diagnosed injuries to the eardrum. He also filed a complaint with the police.

Deadly Motorcycle accident in Pattaya.

2012-01-09T23:49:00.000+07:00

Gruesome Find at Garbage Dump Pattaya.

2012-01-09T23:30:00.001+07:00

Transport operators plan gas protest.

2012-01-09T03:55:00.000+07:00

Transport operators will lay siege to the Energy Ministry on Monday to protest against the government's plan to float the price of natural gas for vehicles, president of the Land Transportation Federation said on Sunday.

Yu Chianyuenyongphong said about 300 NGV-fuelled private passenger buses, inter-provincial buses and trucks would block Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in front of the ministry's office buildibng tomorrow at 8am to demand the government reconsider its plan.

The government plans to gradually increase the price of NGV from 8.50 baht to 14.50 baht per kilogramme over the period of a year, starting from Jan 16.

An increase of 6 baht per kilogramme of NGV would raise transport costs by 20-25%, Mr Yu said.

He said the NGV price hike should not be carried out at this time because bus and truck operastors were still struggling to cope with the effects of flooding last year.

The labour minimum wage, which was set to increase to 300 baht per day in April, would also affect them, he said.

Operators of taxis and tuk tuks will also hold a protest rally at the Royal Plaza, starting at 9am tomorrow.

Goodbye and thanks for the memories.

2012-01-09T03:54:00.000+07:00

It was great meeting you, 2011.

And I'm not trying to be nice. You picked up where 2010 left off and, boy, what a job you've done. You took our already grave crisis and gave it extra dimensions. Old illusions have been wiped away but you sowed the seeds for new ones. Which is good. You know, "What doesn't kill you…" and all that.

I'd written how the 2010 floods diluted all the political "colours", albeit temporarily, but you gave us the real deal, which proved how utterly naive I was. Your floods, bigger and more devastating than those unleashed by your predecessor, amplified rather than cured the political divide. I've learned an unforgettable lesson: Most humans think it's better to drown than change their political beliefs.

You gave us Yingluck Shinawatra. That was some trick. You showed that, in Thailand, beauty is not in the eye of the beholder. Here, beauty is determined by which side of the political polarity you are on. Either Yingluck was graceful on the international stages or she was an embarrassment. Either she is innocent or she takes the whole nation for a ride by pretending to be perpetually clueless.

In many ways, you took us back to the beginning of 2008. Only this time it was a charming, youthful sister of Thaksin Shinawatra instead of an aggressive, stop-me-if-you-dare Samak Sundaravej. In circumstances when the late Samak would have yelled to an inquirer, "You failed to get laid last night or what?" we got Yingluck's sweet smile followed by, "Oh, really? I didn't know that until now."

But you were a far cry from being a sugar-coated 2008. All the necessary, unmistakable signs have been given on what sort of trouble your successor will bring. Some people are even talking about slicing up the country like a cake. Three years ago, I would have laughed at that. Today, I greet that kind of prediction with a silent prayer.

You have had fun elsewhere as well, haven't you? I just wish your predecessors had empowered the opposition in Burma like you did for "the Protester" in other places. But at least it's all coming together for Burma, or so it seems. Thank you for that, and here's hoping that 2012 won't take your great work for the Burmese and flush it down the drain.

You put away Osama bin Laden and ended the secretive life of Kim Jong-il. In the case of the former, I don't expect the striptease shame at all key international airports will come to an end when 2012 takes over. I'm not a North Korea expert, but that country's status quo seems to have solid back-up and 2012 should comfortably bring down the fog of mystery on the regime again.

Hope your successor makes Thailand and Cambodia grow up as a couple. They have ridiculed themselves with their kiss-kiss-bang-bang relationship, and that should stop. With the Preah Vihear conflict entering a new chapter and Thaksin Shinawatra hovering ever closer, I fear the worst, though.

You laid Steve Jobs to rest, in the process reminding me to express my debts of gratitude to the likes of Christopher Columbus, Thomas Alva Edison, the Wright Brothers, brave Thai ancestors and so on. I mean, if we keep "connecting the dots", we owe our existence to everything.

Hopefully, your successor will accelerate the production lines of smart phones and tablets and end the bragging period of the owners of iPhone4S and iPad2; 2012 must do to tablets and smart phones what you did to hi-definition TVs. Don't get me wrong. Jobs was a great man, but the "price" issue spoiled it for me. Credit to you for giving androids greater opportunities.

Japan should bounce back, because despite the tsunami, the economic tone you set for Asia as a whole is not too bad. We shall see what 2012 will do to the West, which seemed relatively immune to natural and political catastrophes but was made to look fragile by you where money in the bank is concerned.

I hate to say this, but you made me dread Facebook. Before you start lecturing me on freedom of expression, let me tell you that I'm absolutely fine with online extremism, fanaticism and even obscenity. It's seeing good, apparently solid relationships disintegrating before my eyes that got me. How can people who know each other well break up over things that they don't really know about?

Thanks for giving us ambassadors who tweet, and for the Wikileaks suspense. Reading about Julian Assange is like watching "Fringe": you can't tell who is playing for the wrong team or which is the wrong team to begin with. Will 2012 clear the air on the guy? I doubt it.

Tell your successor to give me some good movies for the grown-ups. I understand the need to cater to the new generation, but girls torn between handsome creatures of the night are becoming a boring theme. On the domestic front, you showed us Thai teens can dirty-dance with the best of them. Again, thank you for that. (I'm not being sarcastic, if that's what you're thinking.)

You made me go to the cinema less and less. I'm certain it's not just me. I can't see how 2012 can change that, although movie theatres are still far from seeing their last sunset.

Well, the farewell is getting too long here, so my final gratitude is for the fact that after your predecessors kept teasing us about e-book (self-publishing in other words) opportunities, you have made the "dream" seem more real than ever before. I'm sure 2012 will see to it that my goodbye note to him 12 months from now will be read more in digital format than in print.

Thanks for all the memories, and good luck.

DSI plans foreigner proxy firm crackdown.

2012-01-08T05:10:00.001+07:00

The proxy game..!!

Foreigners including gangsters are using backdoors and loopholes to get into businesses where they're not really allowed - and the DSI is not amused..!!

The Department of Special Investigation will crack down on foreigners, some of whom are gangsters, who illegally exploit loopholes to operate businesses which are normally off-limits to them.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit unveiled his plans after the cabinet had given the agency the authority to investigate nine more categories of special cases including human trafficking, computer crime and foreign business.

Mr Tharit said executives were deciding how to to crack down on criminals this year.

The DSI will target transnational criminals who have exploited loopholes in the legal system to use Thai nominees to run businesses not open to foreigners, as their influence was expanding.

The state was losing huge amounts of taxes and revenues as a result of such schemes, he said.

Under the Foreign Business Act 1999, businesses such as newspaper publishing, radio broadcasting, television, logging, rice farming and land trading are off-limits to foreigners.

Other businesses covered by the law such as sugar-making or mining must be majority-owned by Thais.

The law, however, has a loophole in that it does not forbid foreigners from holding a majority on the board of directors or having control over voting rights.

Mr Tharit said many foreigners have sought to invest in prohibited businesses by using Thai proxies to operate on their behalf.

Businesses which foreigners have entered include rock-blasting and crushing, sugar mills, tourism, engineering and architecture.

He said foreigners are behind the operations of many of these reserved businesses in Koh Samui and Phuket and several other tourist provinces.

Previously, many of these foreigners held land through Thai nominees for their own use, but now they are expanding their influence into new sectors such as real estate, land development and building condominiums, Mr Tharit said.

The DSI had also heard reports of a group of foreign gangsters extorting protection fees from other foreigners.

Mr Tharit said some of these foreigners had used Thai nominees to set up shell companies and used them as a front to launder money and transfer the laundered money overseas.

Others are involved in passport forgery and human trafficking, he said.

Mr Tharit said the DSI would have to take an aggressive approach to cracking down on these activities before Thailand enters the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

The futility of South Thailand.

2012-01-08T05:04:00.002+07:00

South's seemingly lost cause.

As fellow troops and experts investigate yet another soldier killed by insurgents in Narathiwat, count the cost: Eight years, 5,000 killed, 160 billion baht - without a sign that security forces have the situation under control, let alone see victory..!!

More than 160 billion baht has been spent to deal with violence in the southermost provinces since it flared up eight years ago with little success to show for it, a security expert said.

The insurgency flared on Jan 4, 2004, when a group of armed militants raided an armoury of the 4th development battalion in Narathiwat's Cho Airong district of and made off with a huge cache of war weapons.

The raid marked the renewal of insurgent violence in the southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and some districts of Songkhla. The violence has continued ever since with few signs of abating. Mr Chaiyong said the southern violence has claimed more than 5,000 lives and resulted in more than 10,000 injuries. The death toll includes ordinary citizens, religious leaders, Buddhist monks, local government officers, teachers, policemen and soldiers.

A total of 1,629 firearms have been stolen and used against state authorities and civilians since the raid. Only 484 have been retrieved so far, Mr Chaiyong said.

He said various agencies have been set up to cope with the southern insurgency. But it appears there is little they can do to contain the violence.

He also noted that state authorities have been given authority under the emergency rule imposed in the region to carry out raids and arrest and investigate people suspected of being involved in insurgency.

However, 75% of the cases brought against suspects have been dismissed by the courts because of a lack of evidence.

Over the past eight years, only one case has been fought through to the Supreme Court. The court eventually acquitted the suspect.

The state had to spend about 1.5 million baht to pursue the case, Mr Chaiyong said.

A government source said Pol Col Thawee Sodsong, the newly-appointed secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre, plans to pay compensation to all victims of violence in the southernmost provinces and to give amnesty to those charged in connection with political cases.

WHERE IS THE RICE?

2012-01-06T20:57:00.000+07:00

Ministry in hunt for missing rice..!!
Shortfall in mortgage scheme draws audit..!!

The Commerce Ministry will order rice millers to report their stocks to verify information, as only 4.7 million tonnes of paddy, an unusually low amount, has entered the mortgage scheme.

Permanent secretary Yanyong Phuangrach said the ministry is concerned about the accuracy of the information, so the fresh reports will help adjust the government's rice policy to match the actual situation after the flood crisis.

He said there were only 2,000 tonnes of paddy being pledged at the barn out of a total of 4.7 million tonnes pledged with the government since the programme began this past Oct 7, with the scheme set to end by Feb 28.

"There should be over 10 million tonnes of paddy harvested in the main crop, but the amount entering the government was unusually low and far below the projection," he said.

"Rice millers and exporters say they don't have much rice in stock. The ministry is wondering where has all the harvested rice gone?"

The government originally aimed for 25 million tonnes of paddy to enter the scheme, later revising down the projection to less than 10 million tonnes after the floods, which destroyed some 10 million rai of cultivation area, or 7 million tonnes of output.

The budget for the project is now projected at 100 billion baht, down from 430 billion baht.

Farmers get 15,000 baht for pledging a tonne of 15% white rice paddy and 20,000 baht for pledging a tonne of Hom Mali paddy.

Six charged for Phuket resort GM stabbing.

2012-01-06T20:55:00.000+07:00

Six charged for Phuket stabbing..!!

Hollywood actor Renner caught in brawl..!!

Six staff members of the Carnala-Rachada Pub in Phuket Town have been arrested for allegedly stabbing and assaulting Sri Panwa Resort General Manager Vorasit Issara early yesterday morning and charged with attempted murder.

At a police conference, the six men are identified as Jarungsak Sawangkij, 29, from Krabi, Suriya Kraipian, 33, from Bangkok, Nareubate Tednok, 18, from Trang, Natthawut Kongplub, 19, from Surat Thani, and Suchart Palae, 26, and Wasan Poethong, 20, from Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

Phuket police said to the Gazette later that Hollywood actor Jeremy Renner, along with Vorasit's driver, Noppadon Preechawai, also suffered minor injuries in the melee. Yutthiphong Simngarm, a friend of Vorasit, has sustained cut wounds for covering Vorasit's body with his.