View Full Version : PattayaCrime:Dimwit incurs Damapong Wrath?
The second paragraph suggests possible dodgy dealings at Sadao. :eek: : -
German businessman Wolfgang Ullrich, who was deported out of Thailand in February 2001 for tax evasion, was arrested on Thursday at his home in Chon Buri's Pattaya area for illegal entry last month.
Central Investigation Bureau chief Pol Lt General Suwat Thamrongsrisakul said an investigation against immigration officers at Sadao border checkpoint in Songkhla was underway because of their claim that a computer malfunction on October 21 - the day Ullrich entered Thailand - made them unable to check for his identity.
Police said Ullrich flown from Germany to Cambodia, then to Penang in Malaysia before entering Thailand on the day using his genuine passport. The German has been blacklisted and barred from reentering Thailand following a request by a Munich-based court due to several criminal charges against him.
Ullrich was deported in February five years ago after being arrested in September 1998 for tax evasion. He was accused of not paying tax on an imported yacht. He served a two-year term for not paying a huge fine but was released from prison prematurely following a Royal pardon.
According to the Munich court's indictment, Ullrich was involved in an alleged embezzlement of more than US$45 million (Bt1.9 billion) from an animal-rights fund.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017870
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_09_09_49_6.htm
Man hides in a drainage hole for three days as he avoids his "friend" who wants to kill him.
A bizarre case now from Soi Nongprue in Central Pattaya. Police and rescue workers were called to the location after receiving information of a man who was hiding out in a draining hole for three days and had now emerged but was clearly scared for his life. The man in question is Khun Saireepong aged 30 who is the owner of the nearby Bunjong Garage. Three days ago he fought with a friend who produced a gun and threatened the garage owner. In fear of his life he entered a drainage hole and remained there for three days until he realized that if he remained living in sewage water he would surely die and summoned help from passers by who removed the man-hole cover and pulled him to safety. His concerned wife, Khun Ploy aged 21 who had become increasingly concerned about her Husband’s whereabouts soon arrived to take care of her hungry and tired Husband. Police have now taken up the case and are searching for the victim’s so-called friend.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_update.html
Blimey! This Pattaya City News is a bit of an insight. In the space of just two or three days, one can find articles & pictures of numerous attacks, murders, rapes and robberies. It really puts the danger to foreign tourists in perspective. Embassies were issuing travel warnings for the South way before a single foreigner had died as a result of terrorist action. Has anyone ever considered issuing a travel warning for Thailand's Eastern Seaboard? It's not even a recent phenomenon. During the Vietnam War it was considered a local sport in Chonburi to take potshots at American servicemen passing by on motorcycles.
Manhole theft also appears to be a crime to be counted in millions of baht, which is why it also leads to murder. I'm wondering why the killer wasted the price of a good bullet instead of collecting the 20,000 baht reward for manhole stool pigeons: -
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_22_06_49_3.htm
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_17_07_49_3.htm
Here's the entire list of things that pattayacitynews have rated as newsworthy in Pattaya in less than a month: -
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_update.html
HEADLINES
22-11-06
A talent contest with a difference at the Central Festival Center.
Prostitution, rape and petty crimes amongst students discussed at Provincial Education meeting.
Austrian man hurt during necklace snatch in South Pattaya.
Drugging and robbery cases involving Middle-Eastern tourists continue.
HEADLINES
21-11-06
Concerns over future flooding discussed in City Hall meeting.
The YWCA and Pattaya City Hall reading glasses presentation ceremony.
Irish suspect caught in Petrol Station after Sunday’s Jomtien Murder case.
Bag Snatcher caught in South Pattaya.
HEADLINES
20-11-06
A day out at Kow Keow Zoo with the Miss Purple Star Finalists..
Longboat Competition comes to an end at the Maprachan Reservoir.
Irishman caught and charged with murdering a Thai woman in his Jomtien Apartment.
4 Malaysian’s killed in Chonburi to Bangkok Motorway crash.
Drama as Russian Couple hunt down two thieves in Naklua.
Ladyboy arrested after necklace snatch from Dutch Tourist.
Crazed Laos National arrested after threatening Police with a knife and empty bottle.
HEADLINES
18-11-06
A weekend of Longboat racing begins at the Maprachan Reservoir.
New Chonburi Provincial Governor appointed.
Drugs, Gambling and guns discovered in North Pattaya Hotel.
German National wanted on drugs charges back in Germany, arrested by Immigration Police.
HEADLINES
17-11-06
Two Pattaya dogs win at World Dog Show in Poland
International Jazz Concert coming to Pattaya in December.
Oil slick hits Pattaya Bay.
Huoy Yai Municipality Chief shot dead.
American found dead in his Central Pattaya House.
Former Chonburi Police Officer suspected of shooting himself in the head.
HEADLINES
16-11-06
Photographic training course announced by City Hall.
Three Iranian men drugged and robbed in Jomtien Hotel.
Beware of broken grills on the Pratamnuk Road.
Violence involving foreigners continues in Pattaya.
HEADLINES
15-11-06
Six injured in Marine Plaza Hotel blaze in South Pattaya.
Accident Prevention program discussed at City Hall.
Container full of Buddhist artifacts bound for America intercepted at the Laem Chabang Port.
Laem Chabang gang arrested. Guns, stolen cars and motorbikes seized.
HEADLINES
14-11-06
Russian Tourist badly injured after bag snatch turns violent.
Russian Tourist badly injured after bag snatch turns violent.
Norwegian Man attempts to take his own life in Soi Yamoto Guest House.
Civil Volunteer accused of raping a 5 year old girl.
HEADLINES
13-11-06
Welcome party for new Pattaya Police Chief.
Japanese delegation comes to Pattaya to examine the work of the Mahathai Organization.
Body of a newly born baby girl discovered in East Pattaya Housing Estate.
Paramotor accident after a weekend of fun at the Pattaya Airfield.
HEADLINES
11-11-06
Walking Street hosts the opening leg of the 18th International Rally of Thailand.
Pattaya Police Chief gets tough on fighting crime as High Season approaches.
Stealing Steel in Laem Chabang prevented by local Police.
Another drink-related road crash in Pattaya.
HEADLINES
10-11-06
4 U-turns blocked due to safety reasons on the Sukumvit Road.
One Dead and two injured, including a Highway Police Officer in Banglamung road crash.
Two Italians arrested and accused of sex with minors.
Police Officers car broken into as he attends a Police celebration party.
HEADLINES
09-11-06
Tighter regulations for pleasure boat operators in Pattaya.
Crisis Meeting as ongoing South Pattaya Road construction work irritates City Hall officials.
Mystery surrounds a fire at a Welsh owned Bar in Central Pattaya.
Hi-Low Gambling arrest in Jomtien.
HEADLINES
08-11-06
The Naklua Market officially opens despite serious concerns from market vendors.
The Pattaya Business and Tourism Club meet in Naklua.
Pancake Vendor killed after deadly car race on the Sukumvit Road.
Retired Naval Captain killed in single vehicle road crash in Sattahip.
HEADLINES
07-11-06
Plans for a Pattaya Business School presented to Pattaya City Hall.
Welcome Party for new Banglamung Police Officers.
Armed gang members arrested by Pattaya Police.
Highway 36 claims another life as car smashes into pedestrian.
HEADLINES
06-11-06
Pattaya celebrates Loy Krathong.
Increased security for Pattaya Beach Road as Pattaya Immigration Officers and volunteers begin nightly patrols.
Man stabbed to death in Soi Neun Pleun Wan as he protects his Wife from two men.
Sub-District Government Worker brutally attacked in Sattahip Market.
English man badly hurt in Central Pattaya Road Crash.
HEADLINES
04-11-06
Young Rocker 2006 crowned in Jomtien.
Efforts to help the flood victims in Central Thailand continue.
German man arrested after armed bank robbery in Naklua.
Eight people injured in head-on crash in Banglamung.
HEADLINES
03-11-06
Land buy-back problems with the Jomtien Second Road project.
Registration for Miss Alcazar Competition takes place in Bangkok.
Eye-glass presentation ceremony at Pattaya City Hall.
Drunk Driving and drink-related road accidents on the increase.
Gang Violence leaves two men unconscious and badly hurt.
Mentally disturbed woman hangs herself in her South Pattaya Home.
HEADLINES
02-11-06
Pattaya Eastern Sound begins on Jomtien Beach.
The big Walking Street pre-high season clean-up.
Local Pharmacy raided by Bangkok Police.
Blacklisted German Mafia Figure arrested by Immigration Police.
Fire Lantern blamed for Karaoke Bar Fire on Pattaya Third Road.
17 year old shot in the head in apparently motiveless shooting in Banglamung.
HEADLINES
01-11-06
Pattaya celebrates Halloween.
Tourist Police arrest Korean National over a 6 Million Baht bounced check.
Foreign man badly hurt in Sukumvit Road crash.
Belgium man discovered dead inside his Jomtien Condo.
This is only slightly shocking in a city that sometimes pulls up to three murdered corpses out of the sea on the same day: -
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_24_02_50_2.htm
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/24_02_2.jpg
A terrible case of murder now from the southern section of Jomtien Beach, in front of Soi 18. Police Colonel Sutin, the Chief of Pattaya Police was one of many Officers to attend this case after receiving information of two foreign women who had apparently been discovered dead on the beach.
At the scene, the two women were identified as Miss. Tatiana Tsimfer aged 30 and Miss Liubov Svirkova aged 25, both Russian Nationals. They were both slumped over deckchairs. In front of them was a half-empty Whisky Bottle and can of Coke. Other items including a mobile phone and money belonging to the pair were also found suggesting this was not a robbery.
Miss Tsimfer sustained one gun shot wound to her stomach and left leg and Miss Svirkova sustained a shot to her right arm and the center of her chest. Both were confirmed dead at the scene by a forensic doctor who confirmed the pair had been shot no more than one hour before authorities arrived at the scene.
We spoke with a Security Guard who works at the nearby Ananya Condotel who mentioned that he remembered seeing the two Russian Women at around 4am. They were drinking and would occasionally go for a swim. Just before 6am, the Security Guard heard screams from the two women and 4 shots were heard. He then saw an unidentified Thai man leave the scene on a motorbike.
Later on Saturday Morning, Police Lieutenant General Asawin, the Region 2 Commander of Police came to Jomtien to inspect the crime scene. He took a few moments to speak with the press and confirmed that a dedicated murder investigation team has been assigned to this case. The team is currently inspecting CCTV pictures from cameras located along the beach and a separate unit is producing detailed profiles of both victims in conjunction with the Russian Embassy.
He confirmed that the pair checked into the Dragon Beach Resort Hotel located only 100 meters from the murder scene, on 16th February and were due to check out on 3rd March. It is believed at this point that they traveled alone. Information concerning a possible suspect points to a Deckchair attendant working in the area who failed to appear for work on Saturday Afternoon. Suggestions of a possible dispute between the Russian victims and the attendant are being investigated and Police confirm they have full details of the attendant and are currently searching for him.
We expect further updates on this murder case over the coming days and will of course bring them to you here on Pattaya City News.
I've left out the occasional good news. This particular newssite is a bit lurid, but at least it pulls few punches: -
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_update.html
HEADLINES
24-02-07
Two Russian Women shot dead on Jomtien Beach.
Monk disrobed after he is caught on camera, breaking the rules.
Mystery surrounds injured Australian man.
23-02-07
“Up-Skirt” Movie Maker arrested at Shopping Center.
Suspicious Fire at View Talay Villas.
22-02-07
3 Million Baht’s worth of “Air-Cons” donated to Police by new Hotel.;)
Finnish Man jumps to his death in South Pattaya Condo.
Suspected beach drug dealer arrested. Drugs found in baby's Clothes.
21-02-07
New Tourist Safety Unit to be set up to Police pleasure boats and other marine activities.
Drowsy German Tourist apparently drugged by transsexual on Pattaya Beach but nothing was stolen.
Former Solider arrested and charged with the use and production of fake bank notes.
20-02-07
SWAT training begins at the Region 2 Special Police Operations Unit.
5 Million Baht’s worth of damage caused in Care Audio Center Fire. 2 trapped employees suffer smoke inhalation.
Woman threatens to take her own life with a meat cleaver in Central Pattaya.
Dubai man drugged and robbed by Pattaya Beach Sex Worker.
19-02-07
Four Foreigners spend their last days in Pattaya. We report on four cases of death including a suspected suicide.
Russian caught with 10 packets of Marijuana by Tourist Police on Walking Street.
House and Hotel thefts continue. 2 cases involving foreigners.
17-02-07
Three cases from Pattaya’s increasingly active Tourist Police Division.
English Tourist robbed of nearly 500,000 Baht in cash.
16-02-07
Garbage the Subject of City Hall Meeting.;)
More police and soldiers on the beat in Banglamung.
Four people injured in boating accident.
Unidentified body found floating in Pattaya Bay.
15-02-07
Police Officer arrested as Undercover Officers crack local drug dealing ring.
Israeli men detained after brawl and suspected robbery in Hotel.
Korean fraudster arrested by Immigration Police.
Jealous Boyfriend consumes floor cleaner after he suspects his girlfriend is seeing another man.
14-02-07
New Emergency Tourist Relief Fund announced by Provincial Governor.
New wing opens at the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Police arrest two suspects wanted in drugging and robbery case from last year.
Unwanted boyfriend dowses himself in petrol as he attempts to win back his love.
13-02-07
The 6th most wanted fugitive in Thailand caught by Chonburi Police.
Petrol Station incident involving French man and his 2 year old child.
Drunken Norwegian assaults Police Officer as he attempts to escape from custody.
12-02-07
Pattaya City Hall to assist Banglamung Police with increasing security.
Finnish and Dutch female tourists robbed on Pattaya and Jomtien Beaches.
A costly mistake as Englishman’s house is robbed in Central Pattaya.
Two suspected motorbike taxi driving drug dealers arrested in South Pattaya.
10-02-07
Ghanaian man caught by Narcotics Police with 50g of Crystal Methamphetamine in Soi 8.
Drama as Buffalo falls into drainage hole in Sattahip.
09-02-07
Suspected suicide of a Swiss Man at Pattaya Park.
Two more Indian Tourists drugged and robbed from their Hotel room.
Fight night on Second Road as Russian Gang clash with Thai men.
08-02-07
Pattaya Police hold their annual staff party in South Pattaya.;)
71 year old Grandmother involved in suspicious apparent suicide.
Female Capsule exporter found dead beside the Chonburi to Bangkok Motorway.
07-02-07
Private Sector donations to help fight crime in Nongprue Municipality.
Indian Man reveals his motive behind the alleged murder of a Thai Woman earlier this week.
Korean Woman fights back and prevents rape in Jomtien.
06-02-07
4 Russian men arrested after Massage Parlor incident near Pattaya Park.
Tourist Police round-up illegal Cambodian Workers.
Armed Robbery and Bag Snatch dealt with by Jomtien Police.
05-02-07
Indian man arrested after Thai woman is found strangled in Hotel Room.
American fights back as he thwarts an attempted motorbike theft.
Underage workers discovered during Karaoke Bar Raid by District Officials.
03-02-07
Police Checkpoints continue as Pattaya Police begin to win the fight against crime.
Mentally disturbed American detained as he threatens passers-by.
02-02-07
Construction worker suffers burns as he receives an electric shock.
7 children taken to Hospital after they consumed a plant used to produce biodiesel.
01-02-07
Major rethink for dealing with street kids discussed in City Hall Meeting.
Two cases of aggravated theft leaves two female victims injured.
Two retiring sailors hurt in drink-fuelled road crash in Sattahip.
Police find few clues in the murder of Russian women
Police are offering a Bt100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer of two Russian tourists at Jomtien Beach on Saturday morning.
Investigators have few clues as to a motive behind the killings.
Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, were found dead in their beach chairs at about 5am on Saturday.
Five spent 9mm cartridges were recovered from the scene.
Post mortem examinations show one woman was shot six times and the other four times, according to Provincial Police Region 2 commissioner Lt-General Asawin Kwanmuang.
Security cameras captured a "tall man of indistinct nationality" parking a motorcycle at a beachside footpath, running up to the women and shooting them before fleeing.
Police have discounted robbery.
"From the gunman's dress - jeans and boots - we suspect he is a member of a Pattaya teenage gang," Asawin said.
Both the women worked as telephone operators in Vladimir City in Russia and were visiting Thailand with a tour group.
Asawin said the women entered Thailand on February 16. They separated from the group to travel by themselves.
"They probably had nothing to do with the transnational prostitution," Asawin said. "I have no idea what they did during the eight days in Pattaya to lead to their murder."
A counsellor at the Russian Embassy in Bangkok, Vladimir Pronin, met the police yesterday and rejected allegations in local newspapers the women were involved in prostitution.
He expressed concern for Russian tourists in Thailand.
Police set up a temporary command post at a hotel near the scene.
Twelve units have been assigned to the case that police worry might affect tourism at the popular seaside resort.
Pattaya police superintendent Colonel Sutin Trappuang said investigators were looking at prostitution, drugs and sex as motives.
Police are questioning known members of Russian gangs living in Pattaya and people at night entertainment venues on the city's Walking Street.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/26/headlines/headlines_30027896.php
One imagines that the Pattaya business community are putting the local police under a great deal of pressure to solve this case soon. Pattaya's police already get large amounts of sponsorship and gifts from the local business community. (And here I'm not yet even mentioning the sweeteners and protection money.) Doubtless, they are now under pressure to deliver their side of the bargain. There must be a huge temptation to find a scapegoat gunman: -
Suvit urges police to speed up Pattaya murder case
The Tourism and Sports Ministry Monday urged the Tourist Police to catch the murderer of two Russian tourists as soon as possible in order to restore visitor confidence, while the Association of Domestic Travel said the incident had already damaged the sector.
Two female tourists - Tatiana Tsimfer and Liubov Svirkova - were killed on Saturday morning on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya.
Tourist and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said he was monitoring the search for the killer. He called on the Tourist Police to wrap up the case as soon as possible.
Suvit stressed that the incident had damaged the tourism image of Pattaya.
For years, Russians have been the biggest market for Pattaya businesses. They spend more and stay longer that tourists from other nations. Russian tourists take charter flights from Moscow and other major cities directly to Pattaya.
Following the murders, Suvit said that the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada had responded by issuing travel warnings for Thailand.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30027932
The changes of catching the true instigator of this crime look remote when the local police chief completely contradicts the acting national police chief: -
Acting Police Chief Seripisut Temiyavej said he believed the murders could have been ordered or carried out by foreign gangs in Pattaya. He threatened to take action against Pattaya's police for failing to deal with the problem of foreign gangs.
Pattaya police chief Colonel Suthin Phuangsab said he believed the gunman was a Thai. He claimed that there were no foreign gangs in Pattaya.
Sutin is doubtless one of those policemen who occasionally contend that Thailand doesn't have any prostitution.
Police (and some local chatroom residents) keep saying that the local sex trade could be a factor in this crime, but Russian officials are fairly adamant that it is not. Here's the full report: -
Police search for two suspects in beachside slaying of Russian women
Police investigating the slaying of two Russian women who were shot dead as they waited for the sun to rise at Jomtien beach last Saturday are searching for two men, one of whom may have been a foreign national.
Video footage of the scene and a roadway show the gunman driven on a motorcycle by a tall, hefty man who appears to be a foreigner, police said.
Police believe he may have been on the same Siberian Air flight that carried the two women to Thailand on February 16, a senior police commander said yesterday.
Lt-General Assawin Khwanmueng said investigators were examining the passenger list of the charter flight, SBI 849. There were 201 passengers, including 10 children, he said.
Police have yet to determine whether the double homicide is linked to Pattaya's notorious sex trade.
Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, were found dead in their beach chairs at 5am on Saturday.
Video footage from surveillance cameras showed a lone gunman shooting 10 rounds at the victims before fleeing on a waiting motorcycle driven by another male.
Vladimia Viprovin, the Russian consul in Pattaya who is assisting police investigating the crime, dismissed speculation that the women were sex workers. Both had full-time jobs in Russia and were on their first visit to Thailand, Vladimia said.
Based on the images from the video footage, Police say the killer is a tall and thin, non-western male.
They say footage from cameras at U Tapao airport, where flight SBI 849 landed, will be checked for more clues.
Police are also questioning unregistered tour guides to identify the one the women had hired shortly after they arrived. The male guide has disappeared, but his image is on a video camera belonging to one of the victims.
Pattaya police have questioned a Russian male who knew both victims and visited sites with them. The unidentified man and another Russian male were seen chatting with the women on Friday afternoon.
Police said the motorcycle driver could be a foreign national due to his large build and height, which was up to 180 centimetres, according to footage from cameras on a major road heading to Chachaengsao that was used as an escape route.
Acting Police Chief Seripisut Temiyavej said he believed the murders could have been ordered or carried out by foreign gangs in Pattaya. He threatened to take action against Pattaya's police for failing to deal with the problem of foreign gangs.
Pattaya police chief Colonel Suthin Phuangsab said he believed the gunman was a Thai. He claimed that there were no foreign gangs in Pattaya.
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2253
But no link in The Nation. I'll go looking for it: -
Russian murders: sketch released of gunman, witness in protection
Police released a sketch yesterday of a man suspected of killing two Russian women in Pattaya on Saturday.
Officers said the image was taken from video footage from security cameras at a convenience store near where Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, were found dead in deckchairs at 5am on Jomtien beach on February 24.
Police did not clarify whether the mugshot of the unidentified man was produced from the blurry camera image - later enhanced electronically - or if it simply matched a profile in their criminal records after the visual enhancement was done.
It shows a man who appears to be a Thai in his 20s.
Pattaya City mayor Nirand Watthanasartsathorn had said earlier that police were looking for a tall foreign man, possibly from a Middle Eastern country.
Head investigator Pol Lt-General Assawin Khwanmueng said later the sketch was drawn based on accounts of an eyewitness now under protection. The officer said the witness called the sketch a "remarkable resemblance" of the gunman he saw shooting the victims.
Prize money for information leading to the arrest of the killer/s was increased to Bt500,000 yesterday from the original Bt100,000. The police hotline is 081-875-1637.
A police source said earlier that Svirkova complained to her mother she felt uneasy being wooed by some men and had felt like going home, according to a police interview with the mother.
"She told her mum Pattaya was a nice place and Thai people were great, but she felt like returning home because some men were always trying to chat to her. Then she hung up," the source said.
The mother said Svirkova's call showed no sign of fear or worry of being followed by her admirers. However, Russian media had earlier published an interview with the father of Tsimfer, who said she had sounded scared during their last chat, saying she had had some sort of threat.
The source said police had interviewed five Russian men who had hung around with both women for several days before they were shot, and that two of the men said they had sex with the women - but had nothing to do with their murders.
The source added the women also made friends with a group of foreign chopper motorcycle riders who hang out around Marine Plaza.
Police also discovered that both Svirkova and Tsimfer spent three days on Koh Lan for three days upon arrival and their last five days in downtown Pattaya.No narcotic substances were found in their bodies apart from alcohol.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/01/headlines/headlines_30028197.php
Found this: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/01/p1news/images/30028238-01.jpg
[The Nation]
Krissana Duangpibun, 20, surrenders to Chon Buri police on Thursday after he found he looks like the suspect allegedly involved in the murders of two Russian women at Jomtien Beach over the weekend. He swore his innocence but admitted he had been drinking one kilometre from the murder scene. He claimed four men stole his motorcycle.
There is clearly some doubt in the reporter's mind as to why a person who is known for robbery from tourists may not have actually stolen anything from these victims: -
A man arrested for killing two Russian women
Police arrested a 24-year-old man in Pattaya on Thursday for allegedly killing two Russian women in the Jomthien beach over the weekend.
The suspect was identified as Anuchit Lamlert of Kaomaikaew district in Chon Buri province. He had criminal record of robbing foreigners in Pattaya.
Police claimed that after long interrogation, Anuchi confessed that he killed the Russian women on Saturday. After that, he escaped by riding a motorcycle to Banglamung district and threw away a 9mm gun into a bush on the way.
It is still unclear what was his motivation of killing the ladies, but police claimed that it was just a robbery. However the slain women's belongings were untouched.
Police are now using metal detector to search for the gun at the place he claimed he dropped it.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/01/headlines/headlines_30028250.php
Have you noticed how Pattaya's rogues always head towards Bang Lamung when they get into a spot of bovver. Not so much a case of heading for a favored local mafia haunt as one of getting over the local equivalent of the county line I suspect. I believe I'm right in saying that Pattaya is a 'special administrative zone' and so probably has its own local police force structure in accordance with that status. Bang Lamung, as a separate municipality, is presumably not in that zone: -
Man 'confesses' to shooting Russians
Police last night arrested a man who they said was the gunman that shot dead two Russian women on a beach near Pattaya last Saturday.
Anuchit Lamlert, an unemployed man with a long criminal record, allegedly confessed to shooting dead Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, while they sat drinking in deckchairs on Jomtien Beach.
But, chief investigator Pol Lt General Assawin Khwanmueng, said he did not believe the victims were killed solely for their valuables - as reportedly claimed.
A police source said investigators were also looking into a potential lead that a Thai woman hired Anuchit to kill both women because one of them had a fling with her Russian husband, who owns a tourism business in Pattaya, shortly after they visited his office.
"The Thai wife was worried that her husband might get attracted to the Russian woman and later leave her for the younger girl, so she [may have] decided to whack her potential rival," the source said.
Police are still looking for the murder weapon, a Chinese-made Norinco pistol, which Anuchit said he threw into a shrub-covered plot after shooting both victims.
Civil defence volunteers were mobilised to look for the handgun at press time last night, armed with high-powered spotlights.
Police apprehended Anuchit in a rented room in Sri Racha district, and later found his motorcycle - a red Honda Wave - the same model seen in the blurry video footage from security cameras near the murder site, at a different location in Bang Lamung district.
Police records show that Anuchit had frequently snatched gold necklaces and valuables from foreign tourists in the Pattaya area.
Earlier yesterday, a Pattaya mother had taken her son to see police to prove his innocence. She said he only looked similar to the man in a police mugshot branded as the suspected gunman that killed both victims. Thasorn Sawangchuen said her son Krissana Duangphibool had nothing to do with the murder.
No photo of Anuchit was released or available last night.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/02/headlines/headlines_30028305.php
Note that in this version the gun was handed over to another person rather than being thrown away. The fraternization between the victims and a locally-based 'European' businessman is noted; as is the fact that he has a Thai wife. But here, there is only a vague suggestion that the wife might have hired a gunman out of jealousy and fear of being replaced: -
Beach murders were botched holdup, says alleged gunman
By Wassayos Ngamkham and Jerdsak Saengthongcharoen
Police have arrested a man on bail from a previous armed robbery on charges of killing two Russian women tourists at Jomtien beach last week. He was turned in by his former girlfriend.
The man was identified as Anuchit Lamlert, 24, a native of Chon Buri province, where Pattaya and Jomtien are located.
Police said he admitted the crime, saying he had tried to rob the two women, Livbov Svirkova, 25, and Tatiana Tsimfer, 30.
However, they screamed for help, so he shot them several times to silence them. He then fled on a motorcycle along Soi Chaiyapruek, which links Jomtien beach and Sukhumvit road.
Assawin Kwanmuang, chief of Provincial Police Bureau 2, quoted Mr Anuchit as saying that after the shooting he sold the gun to a person in Chon Buri city.
Mr Anuchit had a previous criminal record.
He had been charged with robbing a Korean tourist of baht, Korean won and US dollars on Jan 27. He was freed on bail.
Pol Lt-Gen Assawin said the suspect said he acted alone in the killing, but police suspected he had accomplices, such as motorcycle and gun owners.
Nongluck Sudta, 21, the suspect's former girlfriend, told police he came to her apartment, telling her that he just shot two people and needed a place to stay for a few hours.
Ms Nongluck, who is a cashier at Hollywood Discotheque in Pattaya, said she decided to go to the police to clear herself of any links to the case.
A love affair was initially established as a motive for the killing.
The victims were on a package tour, arriving in Pattaya on Feb 16. They checked in at a hotel near the spot on the beach where they were found dead in their deckchairs.
Pol Lt-Gen Assawin said police had just produced a face sketch of a suspect and had planned to offer a bounty of 500,000 baht for any information.
Witnesses earlier told police that Svirkova and Tsimfer had been regularly spotted on Walking Street in South Pattaya accompanied by a European man in his forties with whom they had developed an acquaintance.
They also took a three-day motorcycle trip to Ayutthaya before they were murdered.
Pol Lt-Gen Assawin said the European man had lived in Pattaya for a long time and had a Thai wife.
Chon Buri governor Pracha Terat yesterday gave 100,000 baht in cash compensation to the families of the two murder victims.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=117154
MCOT's TNA English News: -
Top cop: Jomtien tourist murder accomplices must be nabbed
BANGKOK, March 2 (TNA) - Thailand's acting national police chief is going to Pattaya Saturday to press local police to arrest all the accomplices of the murderer of two Russian tourists at Jomtien, a popular resort in the eastern seaboard province of Chon Buri.
National police chief Pol. Gen. Sereepisut Temiyaves on Friday told reporters that he was confident that the murderer's co-conspirators will be apprehended. Otherwise all local police officers – including the commanders and superintendents – will be held responsible for the failure.
"I've made it clear that the police must focus all their effort to prevent such crimes," Gen. Sereepisut said. "When a crime takes place, investigators must be committed to arresting the perpetrators. It's not a matter for special praise, but it is simply doing their duty."
Without stating what action will taken against negligent officers, Gen. Sereepisut said that Pattaya needs a restructuring, because there are many transnational gangsters residing in this resort city.
Thailand 's 'top cop' is apparently displeased that the prime suspect -- arrested Thursday – has not given a motive. Twenty-four-year-old Anuchit Lamlert confessed to shooting the two women to death while trying to rob them. His alleged action was reported to police by his sometime girlfriend.
Ms. Nongluck Sudta, 21, told police that Mr. Anuchit came to her Pattaya apartment early Sunday where they had lived together for several months. She was quoted as saying that Anuchit told her that he had shot two people and needed to stay for a few hours. He reportedly said that he intended to rob them.
Victims Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25 were found dead early Saturday in deckchairs on Jomtien beach, nearby Pattaya.
After allegedly committing the crime, Mr. Anuchit, the Chon Buri native dumped the murder weapon – a handgun --in a shrub-covered plot, according to Ms. Nongluck.
Pattaya police on Thursday questioned Chinnakorn Meeklee, 21, Mr. Anuchit's friend who reportedly received the murder weapon. Mr. Anuchit reportedly told his friend that he had shot the two Russian women to death.
Mr. Chinnakorn said that Anuchit was an amphetamine addict who often boasted of unusual behaviour while high on drugs, such as shooting at passing vehicles without reason.
Investigators said the suspect has a long criminal record. Early this year, he was arrested for armed robbery of foreign tourists in Pattaya and was released on bail.
Police arrested Mr. Anuchit in a rented room in nearby Sri Racha, and later found his motorcycle -- a red Honda Wave -- the same model seen in the blurry video footage from security cameras near the murder site, elsewhere in Bang Lamung district.
After the arrest of Mr. Anuchit Thursday, about 100 officers were assigned to search for the murder weapon at different places. The investigation is continuing. (TNA)
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=28233
Pattaya tourist killing gun found
Police yesterday found the murder weapon used in killing two Russian women in Pattaya on February 24.
The 9mm Chinese-made Norinco pistol was found in a pond pinpointed by a witness, who is a close friend of murder suspect Anuchit Lamlert and volunteered information to police about the weapon yesterday after Anuchit was arrested on Thursday night.
The unidentified witness bought the handgun for Bt900 from Anuchit after it was used to kill Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, while they sat drinking in deckchairs on Jomtien Beach.
He later threw it away in the pond near his home in Chon Buri's Sri Racha district after Anuchit failed to show up to buy it back as he had promised.
The witness now faces a charge of possessing a firearm without permission but will have the offence dropped in return for his testimony in court about Anuchit selling the handgun to him, police said.
Police quoted Anuchit as saying that he had merely wanted to rob the victims but had shot them dead after they yelled and screamed. He fled without taking anything.
According to police, Anuchit has committed numerous crimes, mainly robbery and mugging of foreign tourists in Pattaya.
He was temporarily released after allegedly shooting a South Korean tourist in January.
Both Anuchit and the witness are in police custody separately, and acting police chief Seripisut Temiyavej will today arrive in Pattaya to question Anuchit.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/03/national/national_30028405.php
Robbery may not motivation of killing two Russians : police boss
Acting national police chief Gen Seripisut Temiyavej does not believe the man arrested for the murder of two Russian tourists intended to rob them.
Seripisut questioned on Saturday the man personally and said he disbelieved his claim that the killings had been the result of a robbery gone wrong.
Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, were shot dead around dawn on February 24 as they sat in chairs on Jomtien Beach in Pattaya.
Seripisut said Anuchit Lamlert, 24, was the killer. He was arrested on Thursday night. However, Seripisut was convinced that the suspect had not worked alone and that his motive had not been robbery.
He was suspicions of Anuchit's claim because the victims had no valuables on them at the time except for a mobile telephone. The pair had gone to the beach for an early morning swim.
"Police have arrested the suspect, but I am not satisfied. I believe there must be a motive," he said.
Pattaya police will continue to search for accomplices, and Seripisut said he did not want a "scapegoat".
On Thursday police recovered the murder weapon, a Chinese-made 9mm Norinco pistol.
Anuchit told police he had attempted to rob the women but shot them when they screamed for help.
Police Second Region commissioner and the senior officer investigating the killings, Lt Gen Assawin Khwanmueng, said Saturday a Bt550,000 reward had been paid. Anuchit has been denied bail.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/03/headlines/headlines_30028431.php
Suspect re-enacts beach shooting and insists it was a robbery gone wrong
Police continue to seek information about the backgrounds of two Russian women murdered in Pattaya, in spite of having arrested a suspect.
Chief investigator Lt-General Assawin Khwanmueng said diplomatic channels were assisting and could turn up a motive for the slayings.
......
But police want to know if either woman had personal or business disputes at home. They arrived in Thailand with a Russian tour party on February 16.
Assawin said a Russian man had told police Tsimfer confessed to marital problems.
Police now believe Anuchit did not kill the victims because he was hired or ordered to by another, he said.
Earlier information suggested Anuchit was hired by a Thai woman who was afraid her Russian husband would leave her for one of the victims whom the husband had association with after she visited his Pattaya tour company.
Police have arrested a third suspect, Monthol Bunmee, who owns the red Honda Wave motorcycle used by Anuchit in the killings.
Monthol has been charged with withholding information about a murder while Thinnakorn Meklee, the owner of the murder weapon, has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm.
Anuchit has shown police how he located the victims and attempted to rob them. He insists he shot the two when they screamed for help.
"I killed them because I was afraid they would remember my face," he said.
However, acting national police chief Seripisut Temiyavej still doubts the claim.
"There are inconsistencies in his confession and the evidence," Seripisut said during a visit to Pattaya on Saturday to question Anuchit.
"I believe the murder may be linked to a crime organisation and there may be other people behind it."
Seripisut told businessmen who met him on his trip it was time to clean up crime and mafia gangs deeply rooted in Pattaya.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/05/national/national_30028505.php
Two motorbike taxi drivers injured in accidental shooting in South Pattaya.
An accidental shooting now from the South Pattaya Road in front of the Friendship Supermarket which left two men injured. Both men, who work as motorbike taxi drivers near the Supermarket, were taken to Banglamung Hospital in the early hours of Thursday Morning and Police Major Pongsawat from Pattaya Police Station took up the case. He interviewed both men, Khun Somjit aged 42 who was the shooter and Khun Tirapong aged 25 who was lucky to escape with his life when a bullet penetrated his chest perilously close to his heart. The shooter, Khun Somjit explained that he had recently purchased a “Pen Gun” and decided to show the weapon to his friends at the Taxi Rank. He failed to remember that the weapon was loaded and expelled one shot which caused him to sustain an injury to a finger and a further more serious injury was sustained by his friend, Khun Tirapong. Police have charged Khun Somjit with possession of a firearm and use of the weapon in a public place. Khun Tirapong has said that he forgives his friend for shooting him.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_22_03_50_4.htm
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_26_06_50_4.htm
Sea Rescue Workers arrested in drugs and firearms operation on Larn Island
Acting on four arrest warrants, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanapat and a team of officers from Pattaya Police Station made their way to Larn Island, 4kms off the coast of Pattaya on Tuesday Afternoon. They visited 4 locations, three of which led to the seizure of a gun, bullets and Marijuana. Nine Pattaya City Hall Sea Rescue Workers and two residents of the Island were arrested and taken back to Pattaya. During the operation, 50 Sea Rescue Workers were tested for the presence of Met-Amphetamine in their systems and nine of them failed the test and were subsequently arrested. The Marijuana and Firearm were taken from two locations, where Khun Sow and Khun Atorn were arrested. It is expected that the sea rescue workers found to be taking drugs will receive at least lengthy suspensions from their duties on top of any criminal charges brought against them by Police.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_26_06_50_4.htm
Karaoke Wars in Soi Beokeow leaves one bar destroyed by fire
Police Colonel Sutin, the Chief of Pattaya Police was one of many officers to respond to a serious fire which had taken hold of a Karaoke Bar located in Soi Beokeow just after daybreak on Thursday. Police and Fire Rescue Workers arrived at the scene and attended to a serious fire which had engulfed the Dai-eji Karaoke Bar. There were some tense moments as people living above the bar attempted to escape through windows and climbed along the roof to the adjoining building. We can confirm that no one was hurt in the blaze which was apparently caused by a dispute between two groups of Staff from the Dai-Eji Karaoke Bar and the New Boys Karaoke Bar located nearby. The dispute, over a customer, began just after 5am and began with an attack on the New Boys Karaoke Bar by staff from the Dai-Eji Karaoke Bar who smashed the front door of the bar and caused damage inside. After some time, a group of staff members from the New Boys Bar retaliated and, armed with weapons including guns and petrol bombs, attacked the Dai-Eji Bar causing the fire. The cost of the damage is estimated at 300,000 Baht and although no arrests have been made, Police are now searching for the two groups involved in the incident.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_30_08_50_3.htm
The link also has some quite interesting pictures.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_30_08_50_3.htm
The link also has some quite interesting pictures.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/31_08_3_2.jpg
Two men arrested after Karaoke Bar Fire in Soi Beokeow
Yesterday we reported on a Fire which had taken hold of a Karaoke Bar on Soi Beokeow and was the culmination of an ongoing dispute between two Karaoke Bars. The Dai-Eji Karaoke Bar was destroyed by a fire bomb thrown by an employee of the rival bar, the New Boys Bar located nearby according to witness reports. Two men believed to be the main instigators of the fighting, Khun Pongbon aged 23 and Khun Adisorn aged 19 were arrested at a house in Soi Saitong in Central Pattaya less than 12 hours after the fire. Police Colonel Sutin, the Chief of Pattaya Police led the man hunt and confirmed to us that he is in possession of the names of every man involved in the incident from both bars and will proceed to arrest them over the coming days. At Pattaya Police Station, the two arrestees confirmed their involvement in the fire and Khun Adisorn confessed to throwing the fire bomb which destroyed the bar. They explained that in the early hours of Thursday Morning a dispute over some customers at the Dai-Eji Bar led to a confrontation which begun with an incident at the New Boys Bar where it is alleged that a group of employees from the Dai-Eji Bar smashed the front door and opened fire inside the bar before fleeing the scene. We can confirm that no one was injured in this incident and the proceeding fire. The investigation continues and further arrests are expected in the coming days.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_31_08_50_3.htm
Details of the original case in this quote, with details of the sentence handed down to the murderer further down the page:
There is clearly some doubt in the reporter's mind as to why a person who is known for robbery from tourists may not have actually stolen anything from these victims:
A man arrested for killing two Russian women
Police arrested a 24-year-old man in Pattaya on Thursday for allegedly killing two Russian women in the Jomthien beach over the weekend.
The suspect was identified as Anuchit Lamlert of Kaomaikaew district in Chon Buri province. He had criminal record of robbing foreigners in Pattaya.
Police claimed that after long interrogation, Anuchit confessed that he killed the Russian women on Saturday. After that, he escaped by riding a motorcycle to Banglamung district and threw away a 9mm gun into a bush on the way.
It is still unclear what was his motivation of killing the ladies, but police claimed that it was just a robbery. However the slain women's belongings were untouched.
Police are now using metal detector to search for the gun at the place he claimed he dropped it.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/01/headlines/headlines_30028250.php
This is a bit of a weird thing to say:
.....
The court said Anuchit's lengthy criminal record showed he had sought to benefit himself through brutal and lawless acts, with no regard for social peace and the country's tourism image.
......
The murderer may well have sought to benefit himself thorough brutality and lawlessness in a way that terrorized some in the local community, but I somehow doubt that he had embarked on a personal vendetta against the image of the country and its tourist industry. He certainly didn't help that image, but did he really set out with that intent? :cool:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/04/national/images/30047649-01.jpg
[Photo: Bangkok Post]
Man, 24, gets death for slaying Russian women
PATTAYA - A 24-year-old man was sentenced to death by the Pattaya Court Monday for the murder of two Russian women on Jomtien beach in February.
Anuchit Lamlert got the maximum punishment after the court decided not to cut his sentence on grounds the defendant confessed - because of the weight of evidence against him.
The court said Anuchit's lengthy criminal record showed he had sought to benefit himself through brutal and lawless acts, with no regard for social peace and the country's tourism image.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30047597
.....
The reading of the verdict was attended by Anuchit's parents and siblings, family members of his victims and representatives of the Russian Consulate.
Anuchit, who at first appeared calm, broke into tears and hugged his parents upon hearing his sentence.
"Don't worry, everything is justly deserved," he was heard telling them.
Tatiana Tsimfer, 30, and Liubov Svirkova, 25, arrived in Thailand with a Russian tour party on February 16 and were shot dead by Anuchit as they sat in deckchairs on a Jomtien beach just before dawn on February 24.
Police later arrested Anuchit and seized a 9mm pistol and a red-and-black motorcycle used in the attack.
Anuchit confessed to police that he murdered the women after they resisted his attempt to rob them.
The Nation
PATTAYA
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/04/national/national_30047649.php
As featured Frontpage today:
http://www.2bangkok.com
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/31_08_3_2.jpg
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_31_08_50_3.htm
Lady boy" war erupts in Thailand – two arrested
2nd September 2007 21:34
PinkNews.co.uk writer
Scores of teenage "lady boys"and male prostitutes have been involved in a three day "gay war" on the Thailand resort of Pattaya.
The resort is popular with British tourists where teenage rent boys and so transvestite "lady boys" are available for as little as £12. Although prostitution is illegal, police are often paid to turn a blind eye to the prostitution.
It's understood that police arrested two young men, believed to be working as "lady boys", following an arson attack on a club and a separate attack where another bar was ransacked.
The attacks are understood to be linked to a feud two young men who were understood to be working as "lady boys" over a customer. During one fight a gun was fired unto a gay bar.
The Sun claims British tourists have fled the area.
The majority of the gay bars in the resort are British owned.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5342.html
Rather more detailed account in the Pattaya City News than the national English language dailies. (Six photos best viewed in original article - See link below.):
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/10_09_2_4.jpg
[Censored Photo: Pattaya City News]
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_10_09_50_2.htm
Retired German Prison Officer killed in his home
A gruesome murder now of a German Resident of Pattaya at his home in Soi Kao Tha Low. The case begins with a call to Police and Fire Fighters to attend a house fire at the location, house number 106/83 at the Egmonkol Village 2 at 7pm on Sunday. At this point, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jackgarin from Banglamung Police Station was assigned to the case. It took fire fighters 15 minutes to gain access to the house to tackle the small fire on the second floor of the house. The fire was inside the master bedroom which was locked. The house was declared a crime scene when fire fighters forced the door open and found the body of the house owner; Mr. Kurt Schmolke aged 56, a retired Prison Guard from Lahnstein in Western Germany. He had been stabbed in his face a number of times and had sustained a head trauma consistent with a heavy blow to the head. His Head had been wrapped in a plastic bag and a towel. Evidence of blood around the bedroom suggested the victim offered some resistance before he died. The mattress of the bed showed significant fire damage and was thought to have been lit after the victim was killed. 500 Euro’s and 870 US Dollars in cash were found near the body suggesting this may not have been a house robbery. Police Colonel Sarayut, the Superintendent of Banglamung Police Station was called to the scene and he begun the murder investigation at the entrance to the village. The CCTV camera located approximately 100 meters from the house had been covered by an Umbrella. The Security Guard stationed at the entrance claimed he did not know the CCTV camera had been covered up. He is now assisting Police further with their enquiries.
Back at the house, a number of witnesses came forward who offered some insight into the life of Mr. Sckmolke and what happened earlier in the day. Mr. Schmolke was known to own a Silver Honda City which was seen to be driven from his house by a foreign man and two Thai women at 2.30pm on Sunday. The car was found at 8pm in Soi 14/1 in Soi Kao Tha Low, approximately 1km from the victim’s house. The foreigner who was driving the car, Mr. Michael Schmidt aged 49 from Germany was located and was asked to accompany Police to the Station along with the two Thai Women. Mr. Schmidt claimed that he had purchased the car from the victim on Sunday Afternoon and was due to pay for the car on Monday but knew nothing of the murder which was thought to have taken place at approximately 5pm. A local noodle vendor, Khun Viranan aged 27 also approached Police and claimed she knew the victim well. She explained that on Saturday she was told by Mr. Schmolke that he had received death threats from another foreign resident of Pattaya who, as yet, has not been identified. This information is believed to be associated with a Football Gambling operation which Mr. Schmolke was involved in. Evidence including lists of German Football Teams and betting odds were found in the house.
Early on Monday Morning, Police Forensic Teams from Chonburi Police Headquarters were sent to the house and conducted a detailed inspection. A further witness has come forward mentioning that a Thai Woman known only as “Dow” was seen entering the house on Sunday, she is now being located by Police. Police Colonel Sarayut told the media on Monday Morning that they are now basing the murder investigation on two theories:
1. The Murder may be over a relationship.
2. The Murder may be related to the Football Gambling activities of the victim.
Mr. Schmolke is married and his Thai Wife, who is currently in Germany, is now on her way back to Thailand to assist in the investigation. However there is a strong possibility that a Foreigner or group of Foreigners were involved in the murder according to Police. We are keeping a close eye on developments and expect updates in the coming days.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_10_09_50_2.htm
The Nation article differs on a few details:
...........
Schmolke had been stabbed and suffocated, police said.
..........
Neighbours told police that Schmolke, who worked in the German Navy and had a Thai wife, was feuding with a foreigner over stolen belongings, which he had been planning to report to the police.
Schmolke entered Thailand on August 10 although his wife remained in Germany.//DPA
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30048396
I suppose it's possible that Schmolke had been in both the Navy and the Prison service.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_11_09_50_2.htm
Update on German Murder Case
As with any major story that hits Pattaya, we are closely following developments in the German Murder Case we featured on yesterday’s news. Mr.Kurt Schmolke aged 56, a retired Naval Officer from Lahnstein in Western Germany was murdered in his home located in Soi Kao Tha Low on Sunday Night. An intense Police investigation is now underway involving Banglamung Police, Immigration Police and Tourist Police who are using their resources to solve this case as quick as possible. We now have some updated information relating to this case.
We begin with Mr. Schmolke’s Thai Wife who is currently living in Germany. We understand that the couple were separated and intended to file divorce papers in the near future. The House is in the name of the victim’s wife, Khun Praiwan, according to her brother, Khun Tonglort, who was brought in for questioning and faced a panel chaired by Police Colonel Pairat, Deputy Chief of Chonburi Provincial Police. Khun Tonglort is one of a number of suspects who are being questioned by Police, however, a source from the Police tell us that he is low on the list of potential suspects. Another suspect is the woman known only as “Dow” who was seen entering the House on Sunday. She cannot be located at this time.
On Sunday Night Mr. Schmolke’s Son arrived in Pattaya and is now offering Police further insight into the life of his Father. There are no further developments in this case for now, as the Foreign Community of Pattaya and Banglamung are shaken once again after another foreign murder case.
Police nab suspect in German's murder
(dpa) - Thai police have arrested a German tourist as the chief suspect in the murder of fellow-countryman Kurt Schmolke earlier this week at Thailand's Pattaya beach resort, Thai police said Wednesday.
Michael Schmidt, 49, from Wurmannsquick, Germany, was arrested Tuesday night after evidence indicated he was the prime suspect in Schmolke's murder, said Major Jakarin Tuasupat of Pattaya's Banglamung Police Station.
"Schmidt still claims that he is innocent, although he admitted to being with the victim on the day of the murder," said Jakarin in a telephone interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
The body of Schmolke, who was from Lahnstein on the Rhein River in western Germany, was discovered Sunday evening when police received reports of a fire at his home in Pattaya, 100 kilometres south-east of Bangkok. Schmolke had been stabbed and suffocated.
Schmidt and a Thai woman visited Schmolke Sunday and were seen leaving in his car that afternoon before a fire broke out in his house.
Police suspect Schmidt stole money from Schmolke, although several plastic bags filled with euros and Thai baht were found in his house after the fire.
"The bags of money had been washed out of their hiding places by the firemen's water hose," said Jakarin. "We suspect he had hidden a lot more money in the house and Schmidt took it."
May expire soon:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121550
More developments in recent murder case as German Suspect is arrested
Some interesting developments now in the recent German Murder Case which we are following very closely. The woman known as “Dow”, a local Bar Worker, who was seen with the victim, Mr.Kurt Schmolke aged 56, on Sunday Afternoon, only hours before his death, has now been located and interviewed by Police. She explained that she was taken back to her home by the victim and Mr. Michael Schmidt in his Silver Honda City which Mr. Schmidt claimed he purchased from the victim on Sunday Afternoon. She also explained that before she was dropped off at her home the two men were seen arguing, however they were speaking German and “Dow” could not understand the conversation.
Forensic Officers have now concluded their investigation and two crucial pieces of evidence have been found in the boot of the victim’s car. A blood stained meat cleaver and a piece of blood-stained clothing were found. The blood is now being analyzed; however Police expect the blood to match that of the victim. This crucial evidence led Police to issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Michael Schmidt who is now prime suspect in this murder case. He was brought in, once again, to Banglamung Police Station for further questioning. He denies the allegations of murder which are detailed on the warrant, despite the evidence collected by Police and refuses to speak to Police further about the case and has chosen to exercise his right to silence pending a court appearance.
Police have been in contact with German Embassy Officials who have confirmed that Mr. Schmidt receives welfare benefits from the German Government totaling 800 Euros per month. There are also claims from other witnesses, that he would take money from the victim on a regular basis, sometimes using an aggressive manner. It is also known that Mr. Schmdit was renting a house for 20,000 Baht a month which would have left him with approximately 20,000 Baht to live on, based on his Welfare payment which is thought to be his only source of income.
The victim’s Son, Mr. Thorsten Schmolke, who arrived in Thailand on Tuesday Morning claims that his Father never intended to sell his car which was purchased for 260,000 Baht. This contradicts claims from Mr. Schmidt who states that he had purchased the car and was due to make a final payment to the victim on Monday, one day after he was murdered.
This case is now expected to continue in court as Mr. Schmidt fights to prove his innocence.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_12_09_50_2.htm
As fisherman, Muslims have probably been in the Pattaya area for centuries. You can almost imagine this guy moving in with absolutely no notion that his housing estate was in a Muslim area. He probably only got as far as admiring the sea view:
Drunken German attacks Muslim Worship Hall
Police Major Natapon from Banglamung Police Station was called to the Mike Orchid Village 1 in Soi Kow Noi on Friday Night to deal with a case involving a drunken German Resident and a group of Muslim Worshippers. Police arrived and were met by an angry group of Muslims whose prayer session was interrupted by a German Resident who entered their prayer room allegedly shouting racist profanities before an attempt was made to destroy the prayer room. Mr. Bernard Nupp aged 65, a house owner at the Village explained at the Stationhouse that he could not stand the chanting of the worshipers anymore which takes place 5 times a day and this, in combination with a night of heavy drinking, led him to confront the worshippers. Police charged the German national with causing a public disturbance and he was later released and told to respect the worshippers in the future.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_15_09_50_3.htm
Funnily enough, I get woken up by the call to prayer occasionally - if the wind is in the right direction. I'm certainly glad I don't live next to it, but it is worth bearing in mind that I could just as easily have been woken up by government propaganda announcements over loudspeakers in another part of town.
Some years back, an Australian tourist in Penang was caught cutting the mosque loudspeaker cables next to his hotel. He was immediately deported.
Continuing the recently started 2bangkok series of unusual gangland weapons ..... :
Gang of heavily armed construction workers arrested at checkpoint
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/15_09_2_4.jpg
[Photos: Pattaya City News]
Banglamung Police assisted by Civil Volunteers organized a check point in Huoy Yai Sub-District on Friday Night as part of their regular weekend activities. The checkpoint soon produced a result for the officers and volunteers when they pulled over a Ford Ranger Pick-up with 11 people on-board. The driver and passengers, all local construction workers, appeared nervous when asked to disembark and prepare for a search. A call to Police Major Pacharawit from Banglamung Police Station was made after the checkpoint officers found six knives, two wooden clubs and two modified guns which fired non-lethal wax bullets. The group of men were taken to Banglamung Police Station where they claimed they were going to a Party and possessed the weapons for their own protection. Police suspect they were on their way to a fight with a rival gang and decided to seize the weapons and incarcerate the 11 men for the night pending further investigations.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_15_09_50_2.htm
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/15_09_2_5.jpg
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/15_09_2_6.jpg
Quite a collection of knives and cleavers! I'm trying to figure this picture out. It appears the wax bullets could even be temple candles. One of the homemade gadgets above seems to be a disposable cigarette lighter connected to a sawn-off plastic bottle. At a rough guess, flaming wax bullets are somehow fired by this gadget. And what is the significance of the still wrapped bottle dispenser. Is it hair oil or liquid soap? How is that used as an offensive or 'fun' weapon? Some party!!!:confused: Or is it the spirit of choice?
Unusual homemade gangland weapons series:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=17016&postcount=10
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=17017&postcount=11
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/21_09_1_4.jpg
[Photo: Pattaya City News]
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_21_09_50.htm
Perhaps not a bad idea, although I wonder if the result might end up being rather farcical in practice:
Plans to form Transsexual Association of Pattaya discussed at City Hall Meeting.
Khun Wootisuk, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya chaired a meeting at the VIP Room at Pattaya City Hall attended by a group of Transsexuals who were supported by Khun Nayanar from the Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. They would like to set up a transsexual association in Pattaya which will allow them limited powers to “Police” themselves. The meeting was convened in response to a number of media reports detailing the arrest of transsexuals by local Police Divisions. It was mentioned that not all transsexuals who reside in Pattaya engage in illegal activities and the purpose of this new association would be to register transsexuals who resides in Pattaya who abide by the law. This would give the association members more respect in the local community and would allow them to disassociate themselves from those who break the law. They would require support from Pattaya City Hall. The association is in the planning stages and further meetings are required before the association is formed.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_21_09_50.htm
The Enforcer!
23-09-07, 10:57 AM
Funnily enough, I get woken up by the call to prayer occasionally.
Reminds me of when I was a child, and the Church bells pealed each Sunday morning to call everyone in our village to Matins. That was loud too,
The Enforcer!
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/24_09_4.jpg
[Photo: Pattaya City News]
Plonker!!!:
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_update.html
Pick-up ploughs into the Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya
A bizarre incident now from the Dolphin Roundabout in North Pattaya which occurred in the early hours of Monday Morning. Police Lieutenant Colonel Pongsawat and a team of rescue workers and Pattaya City Hall technicians made their way to the location after receiving word of a pick-up which had ploughed into the fountain at the center of the roundabout. The driver of the pick-up which featured logo’s of a popular Thai Newspaper, Siam Sport, Khun Jutawat aged 28 was clearly intoxicated and sustained minor facial injuries. A second man in the pick-up, Khun Pichitchai aged 32, who was heavily intoxicated and unconscious in the back seat of the vehicle was taken to hospital as a precaution but was released soon after. Khun Jutawat explained that he was out drinking with friends after spending the weekend in Pattaya for the 43rd World Petanque Championships. Both men are drivers for the popular Sports Media Company and Khun Jutawat explained that he was unaware of the roundabout and approached too fast. Luckily due to the late hour, other vehicles were not involved in the crash and Khun Jutawat ploughed into the center of the roundabout at a high rate of speed. He was arrested at the scene and his pick-up was eventually removed from the roundabout. City Workers will assess the damage caused to the roundabout and will send an Invoice to the Siam Sport Newspaper in due course. Khun Jutawat is now facing drink driving charges.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_23_10_50_2.htm
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/23_10_2.jpg
[Photo: Pattaya City News - Five other images available at site - http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_23_10_50_2.htm]
Tourist Police seize over 100,000 indecent images from 75 Year Old English Man
We joined the Tourist Police as they conducted a raid of room number 95 at the Diana Estate in Soi Boekeow on Tuesday Afternoon on the strength of a search warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. The room occupant is Mr. Alan Charles Mawson aged 75 from England who was suspected of possessing indecent images. A search of the room took place and officers found photo albums and pornographic CD’s. More than 100,000 indecent images and more than 300 pornographic CD’s were confiscated and Mr. Marson was placed under arrest and taken to the Tourist Police Station. We understand that Police suspect that Mr. Mawson was selling images to friends; however this is still under investigation. It is also known that he has been collecting these images over many years and other residents were aware of his actions. The British Embassy in Bangkok are monitoring the case and will offer consular services to the suspect if required.
Pattaya City News were featuring this story last night, but site congestion made it almost impossible to read the story. The Bangkok Post finally caught up on this story this morning, but with an additional accusation:
Old Briton held for child sex abuse
A 74-year-old Englishman has been charged in Pattaya with sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy.
Alan Charles Mawson, said by the British media to be originally from Cumbria in northwest England, was arrested at his Pattaya home. He has lived in Thailand for about 20 years, according to police reports.
Police charged him with sexual abuse of a child under 15.
Police said they found hundreds of pornographic photographs and videos of young boys at his home. He has lived in Pattaya, where he runs a sauna and a property-leasing company, for more than 20 years.
Mawson faces a maximum jail sentence of 10 years if found guilty.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=122923
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_17_11_50_3.htm
Lookss suspiciously like a protection racket operated by a bunch of ultranationalist wannabes. Keep your eye out for literature like this!:
Three men, working for Police Magazine, arrested for impersonating Police Officers
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/17_11_3_3.jpg
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/17_11_3_6.jpg
[Photos: Pattaya City News]
An organization known as the “News guardians of the public peace police” produce a monthly Royal Thai Police Magazine. The magazine is produced by journalists who are not Police Officers; however they have been known to use tactics to sell advertising which are not entirely lawful. This is one such case from Sattahip District where 10 complaints were received from Entertainment Complexes on Friday Night who received visits from three men who claimed to represent the Magazine. They also claimed they were Police and it would be in the best interests of their businesses to take out advertising in their next issue which will celebrate the 80th Birthday of His Majesty the King. The complaints were made to Police from Sattahip who located the three men and arrested them. They were charged with impersonating Police Officers and may face more serious charges relating to their alleged use of His Majesty’s forthcoming Birthday as part of their deceptions.
See also today's previous post in this thread
The following 'method' of drugging your victim has already been around for a few years. I doubt that the victim was overly happy to find the Pattaya City News rooting around in both his kitchen & his bedroom, but he was probably too dazed to kick the press out. Aren't our police and press wonderful?:rolleyes: :
Irish Man drugged and robbed from his South Pattaya Luxury Home
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/17_11_2_3.jpg
[Photo: PCN]
Pattaya Police Officers made their way to a house at the Ashford Gardens Estate in the Pratamnuk Area on Saturday Afternoon after the house owner, Mr. Jeremiah McCarthy aged 66 from the Republic of Ireland, had woken and quickly realized that the night before he had been drugged and robbed. He explained to officers that he had picked up two Prostitutes from the Street and invited them to his house for some late night fun. They son made their way to his bedroom and the man was soon rendered unconscious. A much publicized new form of drugging was apparently used by the two women which we will explain in full, for the benefit of others who may get caught out by the same trick. The women had placed medication on their breasts and encouraged the victim to lick this particular area. He failed to realize that he was ingesting a flavorless chemical which causes you to lose consciousness. While he was sleeping, the two women, who may have been assisted by a third party, stole his safe box which contained 150,000 Baht in cash, a laptop computer and mobile phone. Police are now investigating but hold out slim hope of catching the two women and recovering the stolen items.
Immigration arrest Egyptian caught illegally importing and selling Hookah
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/15_01_4_2.jpghttp://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/15_01_4_6.jpg
[Photos: Pattaya City News]
Police Colonel Itipon, the Superintendent of Pattaya’s Immigration Office located in Soi 5 off Jomtien Beach Road sent officers to arrest an Egyptian Man on Monday Night, accused of importing and selling Hookah which is commonly known as Shisha which utilizes a smoking pipe and burning pieces of the Hookah which is a popular middle-eastern delicacy. He was caught at a location in South Pattaya and taken back to his room where 100kg of the Hookah was found along with implements used to smoke it. Mr. Sala Ewais Salem Mohamed aged 42 was arrested and charged with a variety of offences relating to his alleged illegal activities and will go to court later this week.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_15_01_51_4.htm
Phuket! - Teashop raid nets underage hookah habitues:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=16363&postcount=10
See PREVIOUS POST in this thread on 'Eqyptian arrested for smuggling in 100K hookah Shisha' - which is completely unrelated ;) to the report below:
Foreign Tourist Police Assistants sign book of condolences at Pattaya City Hall
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/15_01_1_6.jpg
[Photo: Pattaya City News]
On Tuesday Afternoon at 1pm, members of the Foreign Tourist Police Assistants (F.T.P.A.) attended Pattaya City Hall in North Pattaya to sign the Book of Condolence for HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana who lost her battle against Abdominal Cancer on 2nd January. The group were joined by Police Senior Sergeant Major Jongrak and welcomed by Khun Wirawat, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, who thanked the FTPA’s for attending and also thanked them for their good work with the Pattaya Tourist Police. The FTPA’s are based mostly at the Walking Street Mobile Unit, 7 nights a week, at the Northern Entrance to Walking Street and assist Tourists with information and complaints.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_15_01_51.htm
jpatokal
19-01-08, 12:39 AM
...accused of importing and selling Hookah which is commonly known as Shisha which utilizes a smoking pipe and burning pieces of the Hookah which is a popular middle-eastern delicacy.
That was completely incoherent :mad:
Hookah (huqqa), shisha, nargila, hubble-bubble are all the same thing and they refer to the water pipe. The stuff you put inside is ma'sal (Arabic, lit. "honeyed" and AFAIK no connection to the Hindi masala for "spice"); as the name hints, it's basically just tobacco soaked in sugar syrup, which prevents it from burning too quickly.
But they got one thing almost right: the pictured Al Fakher is the king of shisha tobacco brands, although their canonical product is Double Apple, not mint.
jpatokal
27-03-08, 05:05 PM
Helsingin Sanomat (http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Finnish+man+stabbed+to+death+in+Pattaya+Thailand/1135235066825) (English edition):
A 64-year-old Finnish man was stabbed to death in Pattaya, Thailand, late on Monday night. As reported in the local daily Pattaya Daily News, the man was found assaulted in his room in the Grand Condotel Hotel near Jomtien Beach. The man had been stabbed over fifty times. He died of his injuries in hospital.
According to the Finnish late-edition tabloid Ilta-Sanomat, the Thai police suspect two local Thai men of the attack. The men had forced their way into the Finnish man’s room.
According to the Pattaya Daily News, the man had managed to drag himself onto his balcony to call for help. As a leg amputee, the man suffered from restricted mobility.
A woman living in the next-door room heard the man’s cries and called for assistance.
There were plenty of signs of struggle in the man's room, and a 30-centimetre-long knife was found. According to an eyewitness, a young woman had stayed over in the room and then left. The Finnish man lived in Pattaya with his Thai wife. At the time of the stabbing the wife was in Bangkok. ...
According to Backström, around half a dozen foreigners have been killed in Thailand since the beginning of the year. The latest incident took place just over a week ago in Phuket, where a 27-year-old Swedish female tourist was stabbed to death on the beach.
jpatokal
27-03-08, 05:13 PM
Pattaya Daily News (http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_25_03_51_3.html) has more details:
By the time police arrived the victim, Mr Errki [Erkki] Aaltonen aged 65 from Finland, had been taken to Pattaya Memorial Hospital, in a critical condition. He had been stabbed with a knife a number of times throughout his body. Medical staff were unable to revive him and he died soon after reaching hospital.
According to his Thai wife of 20 years, her husband had taken up with a bar worker some months ago on an occasional basis. This woman had stolen money, a mobile phone, and digital camera from him. Her husband made a police report but since then had forgiven the woman and taken up with her again on an irregular basis.
Mr Aaltonen ran a successful insurance business with his wife who was out at the time the alleged murderer came to visit. CCTV pictures from the entrance to the condo clearly show the woman arriving on a motorbike with a Thai male, thought to be her boyfriend. Police believe the woman demanded the victim open the safe inside his room and when he refused she attacked him with a knife. Police also siurmise she let her boyfriend into the condo room as well and he assisted in attacking Mr Aaltonen.
Police are aware of the name of the alleged murderer, a 27-year-old originally from Nakhon Sawan, and her accomplice, and are waiting for an official arrest warrant to be issued before they search for the pair and take them into custody. Apparently the pair made off with a mobile and about 3,000 baht in cash.
See also http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000005460 and http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000005478.
Would you want to walk hand-in-hand on this beach?:
Two South Korean Women found dead on Larn Island
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/11_04_1_3.jpghttp://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/11_04_1_4.jpg
[Photos: Pattaya City News]
Police were called to Tarai Beach on Larn Island early on Friday Morning to investigate the discovery of 2 bodies thought to be two South Korean Tourists. Specialist Forensic Officers from Chonburi joined Pattaya Police and Tourist Police Officers at the site as they attempted to determine the cause of death. Evidence was littered around the shoreline and the bodies were closely inspected by forensic teams who determined that one of the women had died after her head was smashed against a stone. It is then thought the body was dragged into the water and the second woman who is thought to have killed her, tied her hands together with the victim and it is thought she then committed suicide by drowning, using the weight of the dead woman to pull her under the water. The identity of the two women is unclear, however a torn up passport was fond on the beach featuring the name, Park Ji Hee. Witnesses mentioned that the two women were seen hand-in-hand on a beach near the crime scene, the night before the incident and there was no evidence that they were fighting in any way. Despite this, Forensic Teams are confident that a third party was not involved in the case which is ongoing at this time in conjunction with the Korean Embassy in Bangkok.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_11_04_51.html
See also today's previous post on the rather suspicious deaths of two Korean tourists on Larn Island.
From AndewDrummond.com (http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2008/04/11/may-karma-catch-up-with-those-who-framed-my-dad-april-9-2008/)
"May karma catch up with those who framed my dad” April 9 2008
Published April 11th, 2008 in General News.
‘My karma catch up with those who framed my innocent dad’, says son in Scots Gay McMafia case
Wednesday April 8th
Kevin Quill 1 2 3 4 5 6The eldest son of a Briton who was jailed on a drugs charge after claiming he was set up by a gay Scottish ‘McMafia’ group in Thailand said today he feared for the life of his father who had cancer.
In a see-saw battle with Thai justice Kevin Quill, from Halifax, Yorkshire, was convicted, acquitted, and finally convicted again, this time yesterday by Thailand’s Supreme Court after an eight year court fight.
Kevin Quill claimed he had been framed by Thai police working together with local businessmen. Judges ruled that police in the notorious resort ‘had no reason to lie’.
Outside Nonplalai prison in Pattaya, Quill’s son Aaron, 22, who flew to Thailand to attend the judgment with his 17-yr-old brother Sean, said today: “I am angry. But I am more disgusted.
“He is fairly strong but how can we be sure he will survive the brutal system in Thai jails. Everybody knows he never did drugs or even went near them”.
He said his anger was not directed at the court but at those, he claimed, conspired to fame his father for greed.
“I do not know how some people can hold their heads up in Pattaya. One can only hope in the saying ‘what goes around comes around’ The people that framed my dad know who they are ”.
Kevin Quill, 46, who is suffering from throat cancer and needs constant treatment, was first arrested in 2001. He was jailed, sentenced to six years, then acquitted on appeal, and subsequently convicted again by the Supreme Court, who re-instated the sentence.
He had come to Thailand in 2000 having sold his pubs in Halifax, Bradford and Leeds and invested £300,000 in a business hotel and nightclub with two Scotsmen.
On a trip back to England his airport car was stopped by Pattaya Police and he was ordered to go to the police station. In front of reporters Thai police opened one carton, amongst 200 of contraband cigarettes, and found just under 100 methamphetamine pills.
Quill denied any knowledge of the drugs but admitted smuggling the cigarettes, which he said, were acquired from a Thai airport policeman through his business partners, Scotsmen known as the ‘Gay McMafia’.Quill Sean Aaron
After his arrest Quill said he was removed as a director of his own company, his apartment was let out, and his car was used as a hotel limousine. His computer was also wiped of all his financial records. He had, he said, been framed.
He was subsequently given bail to fight his case. The British Consul at the time Deryck Fisher wrote a letter presented to the court saying that an Assistant Commissioner of the Thai police had admitted that Quill was framed and had subsequently apologised.
Kevin Quill’s case has been taken up by Fair Trials International in London. Their legal spokesman Sabine Zanker said: “ We are very shocked. It seemed so clear from so many people that this was a set up. We are appealing to get this man home on humanitarian grounds.”
Would you want to walk hand-in-hand on this beach?:
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_11_04_51.html
Investigation closed in the Korean death case from Larn Island
We have been closely following the case from Larn Island which resulted in the death of two Korean Female Tourists. We can confirm that the Parents of the victims, who are now known to be twins, have arrived in Thailand and have formally identified their daughters. They have been named as Miss Park Ji Hee and Miss Park Mi Hee, both aged 28. The pair have been living here in Thailand for the last 2 years and came to Larn Island by boat on 10th April at 9am. They were found dead the next morning. It appears that evidence collected suggests a third party was not involved in their death and according to Police Major General Bundit, the Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, who went to the scene on Tuesday Evening, head wounds on the victims appear to have been self-inflicted following a night of heavy drinking. The pair was thought to have hit their heads on rocks on the beach and when they awoke, they found themselves in the water. One of the twins is then believed to have tied her hands together with her sister in an attempt to save both of them from the water, however due to their intoxicated state and tiredness, they are both believed to have drowned and their bodies were then washed up on the beach. The parents of the deceased have reviewed the evidence and agree with the current Police theory which is backed up with toxicology reports and post mortem results. Police have now closed the case.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_16_04_51.html
jpatokal
17-04-08, 11:36 AM
It appears that evidence collected suggests a third party was not involved in their death and according to Police Major General Bundit, the Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, who went to the scene on Tuesday Evening, head wounds on the victims appear to have been self-inflicted following a night of heavy drinking. The pair was thought to have hit their heads on rocks on the beach and when they awoke, they found themselves in the water. One of the twins is then believed to have tied her hands together with her sister in an attempt to save both of them from the water, however due to their intoxicated state and tiredness, they are both believed to have drowned and their bodies were then washed up on the beach.
Reminds of me of the case of the Nepali guy arrested by police in Japan, who was found dead in his cell with his skull bashed in. The police asserted that he'd just gone crazy and banged his own head against the wall until he killed himself -- and they got away with it too :mad:
Poseurish name for weapons & combat trainer if ever I saw one. With a name and occupation like that, you would have to live near Pattaya. ;)
New 13 Man Special Weapons Police Unit training session at Pattaya City Hall
http://www.pattayaone.net/pic_webnews/27_06_1_6.jpghttp://www.pattayaone.net/pic_webnews/27_06_1_2.jpg
[Photo: Pattaya One News - 4 more photos in linked article.]
With the increase in crime here in Pattaya there is a clear need for a specialist Police Unit who can deal with dangerous incidents such as firearms cases. Under the watchful eye of Police Colonel Nopadon, the Chief of Pattaya Police, the new 13 man unit was put through its paces on Friday Morning at Pattaya City Hall. The group has been trained and financed by a local weapons and tactics trainer, Mr. Sifu McInnes. The group acted-out a number of scenarios for the benefit of the cameras and showed a number of their skills including a rapid decent down the outside of a building and how to remove a dangerous individual from a car at gunpoint. The group will now be on-call 24 hours a day and will deal with any serious incidents which occur here in Pattaya.
http://www.pattayaone.net/news_27_06_51.html
In fairness, Sifu seems to have a local gym of some note - and a long history of combat-training folks in Thailand. take a look at the photos on this site. He DOES have his connections, to say the least:
http://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?article=694
http://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/images/Image/200706/mcinnes1102-00.jpg
[Photo:Fight Times]
jpatokal
27-06-08, 09:04 PM
"Sifu" is a Chinese title for "Master" and is often used by pretentious gits in martial arts contexts, but I still doubt his preferred form of address is Mister Master -- presumably it's Pattaya One who screwed this up...
jpatokal
27-06-08, 09:06 PM
Ever wondered who writes up all those gory articles about farangs being slaughtered in Pattaya? Meet Herman Miller in the latest Stickman interview:
http://www.stickmanweekly.com/StickMarkII/ANormalGuyLivingInAnExtremeCity.htm
Can you tell me a little bit about your business interests here in Pattaya? I know about the website and the TV channel. Are there any more?
Well, I have got the TV news service and the website news service. Before I was involved with Pattaya City News. I had a nasty break up with my Thai partner and that is why we created Pattaya One News. I also fulfilled my dream and created a radio station here in Pattaya, PCN FM 105. The website is www.pcnfm.com. The website for Pattaya One is www.Pattayaone.net.
... How much of the writing and the photography do you do yourself?
The writing of the articles I do all myself. Unless I am not there I have an understudy do it for me. I have a team of journalists who are out 24 hours a day and they do the filming for me. I receive a script in Thai which is translated into English and then I rewrite it in English. I would not class myself as a journalist. I’m more a news writer.
Living proof that Yaba completely messes up one's capacity to discern a sensible course! Are there any brains left to examine, one wonders? This is one victim who does not have to put up with indifferent policemen:
Man arrested following attempted theft of Air Con compressors from house owned by Father-in-Law of former Thai Prime Minister
http://www.pattayaone.net/pic_webnews/28_07_1_2.jpg
http://www.pattayaone.net/pic_webnews/28_07_1_4.jpg
[All Photos: Pattaya One News]
In the early hours of Sunday Morning, Police from Dongtan Sub-Station located on Jomtien Beach were called to a house at the Ceegun Village located in Jomtien to deal with an attempted theft of an Air-Conditioning Compressor Unit. Police attended the location and spoke with the owner of the house, Retired Police Lieutenant Colonel Samen who is the father of Khunying Podchaman, the wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. One of the two suspected thieves was arrested, while the other managed to escape before authorities arrived at the scene. Khun Kritsanai aged 26 confessed to the theft back at the Stationhouse and confirmed that he intended to steal the units which he would sell to friends and the money from the sale would be used to purchase Yabba Tablets. He also bragged to Police that he had committed similar thefts on many other occasions. The hunt is on for the second suspect.
I would hardly call either Pattaya One News (or its predecessor, Pattaya City News) or the Royal Thai Police discrete. Want to know where a Damapong lives?:
http://www.pattayaone.net/pic_webnews/28_07_1.jpg
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.