July 25, 2015
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PhuketGazette.net PHUKET’S LEADING NEWSPAPER... SINCE 1993 PhuketGazette July 25 - 31, 2015 Now inside THE NATION every Saturday 68 Pages / 20 Baht ‘BOOZE BAN NOT AS SWEEPING AS FEARED’ Mum of dead 7-year-old seeks justice THE mother of the 7-year- New law old girl who was killed after their pick-up truck crashed into a Phuket sinkhole con- only effects tinues to demand justice, as well as 10 million baht in compensation for the tragic businesses accident last year. 300m from Full story Page 3 technical BUSINESS colleges, universities Kata Group Resorts readies for listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Establishments within 300 meters of universities will be prohibited from selling alcohol to combat underage drinking. Photo: Chutharat Plerin PROPERTY Mr Hughes says that there are other numbers than property value to crunch. By Kongleaphy Keam hundreds of tourism-related businesses of In Phuket, there are 106 primary educa- LIFE&STYLE alcohol-sales licences due to their prox- tional institutions, four technical colleges A COLLECTIVE sigh of relief could be imity to schools on the island. and two universities, as well as 122 private heard from Phuket officials as clarifica- “I am worried about the definition of schools that are not included in the system, tion of a national alcohol-sales ban ‘educational institutions’. I hope it will be according to the Phuket Primary Educa- officially arrived this week. clarified exactly which types of schools tional Service Area Office. The ban, passed by the Cabinet and fall under that definition,” said Mr Pairuch The clarification made it official that signed into law by Prime Minister Gen ahead of the official announcement. only businesses within a 300m radius of Prayut Chan-o-cha, forbids the sale of al- “My initial understanding is that the law the four technical colleges and two univer- cohol within 300 meters of an ‘educational will name only universities and technical sities will be affected by the ban. institution’. However, what qualifies as an colleges as ‘educational institutions’. This “Before this new law, the Department Thai-quality boats winning educational institution was originally un- is better, as many big businesses, such as of Excise issued alcohol sales… races in island’s expanding clear, leaving Phuket Excise Office (PEO) Central Festival Phuket, would be affected marine industry. Chief Pairuch Kulima prepared to strip by this if it applied to all schools.” Continued on Page 5 2 PHUKET GAZETTE July 25 - 31, 2015 all residents on Phuket to con- Korean tourist serve power to prevent outages from July 21 to July 25, as a drowns in sea major gas-field supply line in Phuket Raceweek the Gulf of Thailand will be at Bang Tao upgraded during this period. A KOREAN tourist, who alleg- “To assist people, the PEA edly ignored hotel staff when has set up a help center for warned about the dangerous updates about power outages. waves, drowned on July 17. sees exciting finale If people have any issues about Seunchei Yang, 20, was power supply, they can call recovered by Outrigger Laguna 1129 at anytime of the day,” Phuket Beach Resort employ- said Phanumas Limsuwan, ees. He was pronounced dead director of maintenance and on arrival at Thalang Hospital. operation section of the Provin- Police confirmed that the cial Electricity Authority beach was closed with red flags. Area 2 (South) Nakhon Si “There were warning signs Thammarat. written in five languages – in- – Woranut Pechdee cluding Korean – that said, ‘Do not enter the water due to big waves’,” said Lt Peerasit Nhu- payan of Cherng Talay Police. Park employee – Kritsada Mueanhawong arrested with Crackdown on 2kg of grass KHAO Lak-Lamru National tour businesses Park employee Kathachai Pan- boonthong, 36, was snagged with more than two kilograms continues on of marijuana on Monday. TWELVE tour companies with Mr Kathachai confessed to foreign shareholders suspected police that he had been deal- of using Thai nominees to ing drugs to international Many close races provided sailors and spectators alike with an exciting show for the grand maintain control over their tourists and teens in the area businesses were given five days finale of the multi-day event at this year’s Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek. For the full story, visit PhuketGazette.net. Photo: Guy Nowell for a ‘long time’, Takuapa to prove their legality. District Chief Manit “Only four companies were Pianthong explained. able to provide us with docu- them for concealing informa- already filed a notice with Mr Kathachai was charged ments to prove that they are not tion.” – Kongleaphy Keam Chalong Police in case there is with possession of a Category using Thai nominees,” said Mr need to go to court to be com- 5 drug with intent to sell. Santi, declining to name any of pensated for the damages,” – Kritsada Mueanhawong the companies inspected. Department of Marine and “The other 12 were either Gov leads 500 Coastal Resources Phuket of- closed or did not have adequate fice chief Thanet Munnoy said. papers. They were given five bikers on ride bikers will face on the day. – Kritsada Mueanhawong Krabi, Trang days to submit documents. IN ANTICIPATION of a Governor Nisit Jansomwong “If they fail to do so, they nationwide Mother’s Day led a brigade of 500 bikers drug network will be charged 4,000 baht for ‘Bike for Mom’ event on Au- through the 26-kilometer route. the first day past the deadline. gust 16, a practice ride was held “The participants should School robbed cracked open If they are two days late, we in Phuket on July 19 to deter- ride slow. This is not a race. We of B240k of KRABI Police tapped into a will take legal action against mine what issues, if any, the will boost safety along the route prison drug network this week by arranging more police offic- with the arrest of three dealers ers to supervise,” he said. electronics with 180,000 ya bah (metham- “We will also make sure POLICE are hunting for a phetamine) pills and more than island residents are aware of criminal or criminals who 7 kilograms of ya ice (crystal the event so that they can avoid swiped 240,000 baht worth of methamphetamine). getting stuck in traffic jams tablets from Satree Phuket Surasak Thangkam, 32, and during the ride.” School’s science-math center. Kullarat Wachariseawin, 35, – Kongleaphy Keam “Forensic Police have been caught with the drugs, named contacted to collect finger Ajchara Pawthong, 36, as their prints from the room. Mean- supplier. Ms Ajchara allegedly Marine life while, we are reviewing CCTV works with her husband, who footage to determine the num- is currently incarcerated at feared hit by ber of suspects and possibly Khao Bin Central Prison in identify them,” Phuket City Po- Ratchaburi, to order the drugs. sunken ship lice Deputy Superintendent “All three suspects were Chao Phomna told the Gazette. charged with possession of a LOCAL officers have filed a – Kritsada Mueanhawong Category 1 drug with intent to preemptive notice to Chalong sell. Mr Surasak and Ms Police over the recovery of a Kullarat were also charged with wrecked 67.6 meter-long multi- Islanders told possession of an illegal firearm purpose cargo vessel in fear and ammunition, said Krabi that a significant amount of Vice Governor Narong Wonsiv. damage has been done to the to conserve “Ms Ajchara denied the coral reefs along Koh Hei. charges, but Mr Surasak and “We are worried about the power usage Ms Kullarat accepted them.” loss of marine life and have THE Energy Ministry alerted – Kritsada Mueanhawong July 25 - 31, 2015 PHUKET GAZETTE 3 American fugitive wanted for fraud arrested in Phuket Russians saved LOCAL police arrested an American fu- tion reported. Mr Werner was arrested in a rental room gitive on July 18 who was wanted for an “A warrant for Mr Werner’s arrest was in Patong by Phuket Immigration Police from island off estimated US$2 million (about 68,995,000 issued by the New York State Supreme and Phuket Tourist Police on July 18. baht) internet fraud case in New York. Court on May 12,” Lt Col Teanchai Police seized an Acer computer, an Karon Beach Theodore Andrew Werner, 48, was pre- Chompoo, Phuket Immigration Police in- iPad, mobile phones, customer records and sented in a press conference led by Maj spector, told the Gazette on Tuesday. other devices. Gen Charn Wimolsri, deputy commis- “We were then contacted by the CIB to “His passport has now been revoked by sioner of the Central Investigation Bureau find Mr Werner. It had been discovered the US Department of State. He is being (CIB), in Bangkok on Monday. that he entered Thailand on a Non-B Edu- held in Bangkok and will be deported to Mr Werner had allegedly been duping cation visa on September 11 last year. His the US soon to face justice in his home others to wire him money for business current education visa was valid until Sep- country,” said Col Teanchai. and stock market investments, The Na- tember 3 this year.” – Chutharat Plerin Mum calls for daughter’s justice By Chutharat Plerin THE distraught mother of a 7- Mr Engle and Ms Eleena were rescued after a jet-ski accident. year-old girl who was killed after their pick-up truck TWO Russian tourists were crashed into a Phuket sinkhole safely rescued from an island continues to demand justice, as off the coast of Karon Beach well as 10 million baht in com- on Monday night after their pensation for the tragic acci- rented jet-ski died mid-ride and dent last year.