Phuket

Thai police, FBI arrest “most-wanted” paedophile

Published

18 years ago

August 21, 2001

Thai police, FBI arrest “most-wanted” paedophile | The Thaiger

BANGKOK (AFP): An American paedophile rated by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as one of its 10 “most wanted” fugitives was arrested this morning in the Thai capital. Thai police working with FBI officers collared 48-year-old pianist Eric Franklin Rosser, who is charged with producing and possessing child pornography and exporting it to the United States. After his arrest he was paraded in handcuffs in front of the media, and photographed behind a desk stacked with evidence including books and videotapes. Rosser, an internationally-known musician who once played keyboards with US rock singer John Mellencamp, was arrested in February last year but absconded after being released on bail of one million baht (22,250 dollars). The self-confessed paedophile is accused of being the mastermind behind a child pornography ring based in Bangkok, where he operated a piano school for well-to-do children and played in the city’s top hotels. Thai police said that after fleeing Thailand Rosser took refuge in several European countries, including the Netherlands, Britain and France, before returning to Thailand on a fake passport. He worked in Bangkok as a language tutor for two months before his arrest today in a suburban street. Rosser now faces deportation to the United States where he has been indicted by a federal grand jury on six counts of producing and distributing pornography. After his arrest last year, a major Bangkok newspaper published a letter from Rosser in which he confessed to sexual acts with children and pleaded for understanding.

Phang Nga

Phuket’s hotel and property players look north

Published

51 mins ago

March 22, 2019

Bill Barnett

Phuket’s hotel and property players look north | The Thaiger

by Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com

One of Greater Phuket’s real estate and hotel market’s that has a decided buzz of late is the area north of Phuket over the Sarasin bridge in Phang Nga.

In Natai Beach, the entry of the Baba Beach Club and nearby Akyra has created renewed visibility for the broad West Coast stretch of white sand beach, extending north beyond Phuket.

Two upscale hotels are in the development phase in the vicinity, with one being flagged to an international hotel operator.

Up at the 1,000 plus rai Thai Muang mega-project, movement is once again underway, as is a nearby massive Japanese-led mixed-use project including a golf course.

Land values are currently running amuck in the Koh Kloi area where the AOT (Airports of Thailand) has reportedly acquired land for an upcoming Phang Nga airport which will provide Phuket with a second gateway alternative.

Premium land transactions are taking place, with the most notable being the recent trade of the former oceanfront site in Bodan that was to be at various stages first a Raffles and later a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.

Looking at Phuket’s light-rail initiative, one knock-on effect will be the eventual linkage between the island and larger connection to a broader rail terminus in Koh Kloi. This will likely spur real estate speculators to acquire peripheral locations.

As Phang Nga’s West Coast four land highway expansion moves forward to Khao Lak and beyond, Phuket’s Northern neighbor is seeing a renewed push in its tourism, property and infrastructure.

Phuket

Motorbike rider dies after colliding with ten wheeler truck in Thalang

Published

3 hours ago

March 22, 2019

Kritsada Mueanhawong

Motorbike rider dies after colliding with ten wheeler truck in Thalang | The Thaiger

A male motorbike rider has died after colliding into the back of a ten wheeler truck in Thalang early this morning.

Thalang Police were notified of the accident along Thepkrasattri Road in the southbound lane through Thalang at 2am this morning. The conditions were dry and road was clear of traffic.

Emergency responders arrived to find the ten wheelers truck and driver, 55 year old Sirichai Konghom, waiting at the scene.

Nearby was a damaged motorbike. The 20 year old driver, Ittiphon Rodnokkaew, died at the scene.

Sirichai told police that he was driving from Surat Thani to Phuket. When he arrived at the scene he heard the sound of a collision at the back of his truck.

Police are continuing their investigation.

Phuket

Boating no-go zone set for HRH Princess Sirivannavari visiting Phuket

Published

3 hours ago

March 22, 2019

The Thaiger

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is visiting Phuket today to inaugurate a new marine research vessel. A boats no-go zone has been set.

The Phuket Marine Office has announced “Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is visiting Phuket today to inaugurate the new marine vessel at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC)”

“The official ceremonies is from midday to 5pm, No boats may enter in the special zone during HRH Sirivannavari’s visit from midday to 5pm which are…

1. Latitude 7º48’42.36” North Longitude 98º22’21.70” East

2. Latitude 7º48’01.74” North Longitude 98º22’08.56” East

3. Latitude 7º47’49.25” North Longitude 98º24’33.99” East

4. Latitude 7º47’03.49” North Longitude 98º24’12.01” East?

For non-nautical types, here’s a more helpful map. The exclusion areas are between the PMBC and Koh Lon in Chalong Bay