Pattaya
Junta agents force cancellation of event to honor late taxi driver

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community
PHUKET: A symposium and the ceremonial opening of a conference room in honor of a taxi driver who killed himself in protest against the 2006 coup was banned by the authorities after they visited the organizers on Tuesday.
More than 10 soldiers, police officers and local officials visited the pro-red-shirt Heroes of Democracy Foundation in Nonthaburi province on Tuesday and ordered the event scheduled for Sunday to be cancelled.
Yesterday, the foundation’s manager, Vipa Daomanee, received an “invitation” to attend a “reconciliation seminar” today hosted by the junta. She was in Pattaya when she received a phone call from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) yesterday. It appears that a number of other pro-democracy activists have also been summoned for today’s “seminar”, including law lecturer Ekachai Chainuvati and mother of slain medic volunteer Phayaw Akkahad.
The invitation letter stated that those invited are people with knowledge that could help with national reconciliation.
“The military has continued calling me, but I don’t answer the phone any more. What should I do?” an obviously frightened Ms Vipa said yesterday afternoon.
“They want to see me because I am the manager of the foundation and signed the invitation letter [for the event]. I don’t feel safe, even though I work for a foundation fighting for democracy.”
She said the foundation tried and failed to negotiate with the military officers, who showed up to cancel the event.
The event was slated to include a symposium entitled “Democratic Path and What we can Learn from Nuamthong Praiwan”.
Mr Nuamthong sustained injuries after ramming his cab into an Army tank after the September 19, 2006 coup, and then he hanged himself on October 31 after a military officer challenged him, saying nobody was ideological enough to sacrifice their life for a cause.
Ms Vipa said the authorities told foundation staff that using Mr Nuamthong’s name was in itself a “political symbol” and warned that if something went wrong, they would be arrested.
Meanwhile, National Human Rights Commissioner Niran Pitakwatchara said those affected by the cancellation should lodge a complaint.
Mr Niran, however, acknowledged that given the current situation, there was little that could be expected from the rights commission. “We can summon and tell [the NCPO] that this is something that should not have been done, but they are unlikely to act on our advice,” he said.
— Phuket Gazette Editors
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Crime
Motorbike taxi attacked tourist in Pattaya because he was annoyed

A Pattaya motorbike taxi driver is saying he was annoyed when he attacked a Chilean man out of nowhereearly yesterday morning. Amorn “Jeab” Boonmee was arrested after confessing to allegedly slapping and kicking 24 year old Salvatore Andres Castromedina, breaking his nose. According Khaosod English, Amorn says he acted in a “blind moment of fury” because he was annoyed by the man.
“I apologize. I was annoyed at the tourist who came up to speak to me and I didn’t understand what he was saying. He wouldn’t go when I told him to. I’m someone who gets annoyed easily, especially at people who talk a lot.”
Amorn allegedly attacked the man on Pattaya’s famous Walking Street at about 2am on Thursday with CCTV capturing the alleged incident.
Police say the incident has damaged Pattaya and Thailand’s overall image as well as its tourism. Investigators say they are waiting for a full medical report of Castromedina’s injuries before deciding what charges to bring upon Amorn.
According to Khaosod English, Castromedina said via an interpreter that this was his first time in Thailand. He went on to explain that he was asking the taxi driver for a ride to Soi Buakhao before being attacked.
According to Khaosod English, another motorbike taxi driver was seen in the CCTV footage. 45 year old Rittisak Kulsumaso says he tried to stop Amorn from attacking Castromedina.
“I really didn’t want this to happen. It’s already hard to make money. [Castromedina] had also been drinking alcohol.”
Rittisak says he is the one who took Castromedina to the police station to file a report. He also says he turned himself in after the incident took place. Castromedina was sent to the hospital after the attack for medical treatment. According to Khaosod English, a picture shows police officers giving Castromedina a basket of chicken essence soup, wishing him a speedy recovery.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Pattaya
Another Thai man claims to have found a rare Melo pearl, shell was sold at a Pattaya market

Another Thai man is claiming to have found a rare Melo pearl. The Pattaya chef says he bought a shell from a local market a decade ago and had no idea the object inside was a rare pearl. After hearing the news about the man in Nakhon Si Thammarat finding what he believes is a Melo pearl possibly worth millions of baht, 57 year old Patipat Hatthadon took the pearl off his shelf and brought it to the Gem and Jewelry Institution of Thailand where it was declared a real Melo pearl weighing 90.10 carats.
The chef bought the shell at the Larn Poe Market in Naklua 10 years ago. He found the pearl inside, but didn’t realise what it was. At first he thought the orange pearl was just a weight, like a lead ball some market vendor put inside to make the shells heavier and up the price.
“I tried to use a knife to pierce the pearl and determine what it was but it didn’t work and I had left it on a religious shelf for the past decade, unaware of what I potentially had.”
Patipat obtained a certificate from the institution. He’s keeping the pearl at a bank and he’s filed a report with Banglamung Police for legal protection due to the value of the pearl. It might be worth millions of baht. He says he’s already been contacted by numerous collectors from across the world. He’s currently considering the offers, he says.
Earlier this month, a Thai fisherman found what he believes to be a Melo pearl possibly worth 10 million baht. He found the pearl in a shell on a Nakhon Si Thammarat beach in Southern Thailand. The news coverage, both nationally and internationally, caught police attention who say the man is a suspect in a drug case. He was arrested 2 weeks ago at his home by the beach.
SOURCE: Pattaya News
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Crime
Pattaya motorbike taxi allegedly attacks Chilean national

A Pattaya motorbike taxi driver is being accused of attacking a Chilean national, leaving his nose broken and face bloodied. 24 year old Salvatore Andres Castromedina, filed a report to the Pattaya City Police at around 2am this morning after saying he had left a nightclub on Pattaya’s Walking Street after it had closed.
“I wanted to go to Soi Buakhao but the taxi motorbike driver attacked me while we were discussing the price. I went to the Pattaya Police Station with another taxi motorbike to file a police report.”
According to Pattaya News, the man was seen on CCTV having what appeared to be a calm discussion with 2 taxi drivers on Walking Street when he was assaulted without provocation by 1 taxi driver.
Police came to the scene of the incident after the man filed a report, and found fresh bloodstains on the ground. Police then checked the CCTV video nearby which allegedly showed the suspect donning a taxi motorbike shirt. The suspect appeared to be sitting with the alleged victim before the taxi driver stood up and assaulted him by kicking him in the face multiple times, according to the CCTV footage that was viewed by The Pattaya News.
The Chilean man was sent to the hospital for medical assistance, while police located the alleged suspect and are investigating further.
SOURCE: The Pattaya News
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Thailand4 days ago
Polygamy is not under Thai law, but the lifestyle is still practiced
- Thailand3 days ago
Tourism officials aim for vaccinated travellers to enter Thailand by the third quarter of 2021
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)2 days ago
PM says Thailand will consider lifting quarantine for vaccinated tourists
- Crime3 days ago
Drunk police officer shoots and beats vendor on Bangla Road in Phuket
- Chiang Mai2 days ago
4 top tourist destinations to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccine distribution
- Bangkok2 days ago
Bangkok bars are back open, restaurants serving booze again
- Bangkok4 days ago
Bangkok restaurants to be allowed to serve alcohol until 11pm
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)23 hours ago
Foreign tourists must use Covid-19 tracking app when travelling to Thailand