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ANDAMAN Edition Volume 18 Issue 25 June 18 - 24, 2011 Daily news at www.phuketgazette.net 25 Baht Hero cop recovers Traffic officer shot three times in Kata street shootout By Janpen Upatising Having already escaped capture by Cherng Talay police, the pair TWO of Phuket’s most-wanted were wanted in connection with criminals are off the streets for- numerous reports of motorbike ever following the heroic actions theft around the island. of a Chalong Police traffic cop Last Sunday Sgt Maj now recovering in hospital from Hatthaporn was on routine duty multiple bullet wounds. on Saiyuan Road when he received From his bed at Phuket Inter- a report that the notorious “fat and national Hospital, Sgt Maj skinny” were heading his way Hatthaporn Thongkhawbua re- aboard a white-and-yellow counted his gunfight with Yamaha Fino. 21-year-old Somkid Kongtin and “I parked my car, called for Adisorn Thongyon, 18. backup and waited in front of the Chalong Police traffic officer Sgt Maj Hatthaporn recovering at Phuket International Hospital. Photo: Janpen Upatising The pair were well known to Alpina Nalina Resort on Khet Kwan times I pulled the trigger. I was in Hatthaporn was left at the scene, the scene, a nearby building site. police, who even nicknamed them Road,” he said from his hospital shock. All I could think about was sitting up but unable to move, he Somkid was rushed to Patong “fat and skinny” based on the no- bed. survival. Later, I just noticed that added. Hospital and then transferred to ticeable differences in build. “About 15 meters from where I had also been shot in the right “A few minutes later, police re- Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Adisorn, aka “Skinny”, had al- I was standing, they stopped their leg,” he said. inforcements arrived and followed Town. He died on Tuesday night ready been arrested once on a motorcycle. The fat man riding “After that the pair rode past them. I was put into an ambulance from his injuries. handgun violation. pillion suddenly pulled out a gun me and headed to the hotel exit to and sent to Patong Hospital. On Despite sustaining three gunshot Somkid had been under police hidden inside his shirt and shot me flee the scene. As they passed, I the way, I was told that my fel- wounds, Sgt Maj Hatthaporn’s scrutiny since leading a public pro- twice in the left leg,” he said. shot at them many times without low officers were able to arrest condition was not critical. test against Cherng Talay Police Falling to the ground, Sgt Maj thinking. All I thought was ‘I must them and that both had been hit “No bullets penetrated bones or following the accidental shooting Hatthaporn drew his gun and be- stop them’,” he told the Gazette. several times by shots from my important body parts. I was hit death of a 12-year-old boy at a gan returning fire. Despite the barrage of bullets, gun,” he said. twice in the left thigh. One bullet Cherng Talay internet cafe in 2009. “I can’t remember how many the duo continued on. Sgt Maj Adisorn was declared dead at Continued on page 2 Airport gets first woman director Run Paradise By Pimwara Choksakulpan as the escalators, “I think it is a challenge to take up this elevators, chairs, position because former directors [also PHUKET International Airport marked his- platforms, check- called ‘general managers’] were all male. tory on Wednesday when Duangchai in counters and But with my experience as deputy director Condee arrived to take up the post of gen- toilets. This must of Suvarnabhumi Airport, I am sure I will eral manager of the facility. be done before be able to cope with the stress and manage Ms Duangchai, a senior executive at the high season things well here,” she said. Airports of Thailand, was previously starts,” she said. Ms Duangchai, who has received the Deputy Director (Commercial) at Ms Duangchai Thai chivalric title of Companion (fourth Suvarnabhumi Airport, became the first added that she will Duangchai Condee class) of the Order of the White Elephant, woman to hold the top position at Phuket also boost security replaced Acting Flying Officer Passakorn A full report of all the agony and ecstacy Airport. at the airport by installing 53 more CCTV Surapipith, who took charge after Prathuang that was the 2011 Laguna Phuket “The first thing to do is to improve the cameras, in addition to the 56 cameras al- Sornkham was summarily transferred on International Marathon. See page 42 condition of the facilities in the airport, such ready in operation at the facility. January 20. 2 PHUKET GAZETTE PHUKET NEWS June 18 - 24, 2011 Patong unites against News vote buying and selling Phuket’s three tsunami direct-detection buoys By Pimwara Choksakulpan back online. Page 5 PHUKET’s top cop held a rally in Patong last Friday urging the 1,000 Books or so people in attendance to vote in the July 3 election and to avoid The Gazette reviews a vote buying and selling. series of short stories Participants included Patong about Thailand.Page 14 government officials, police offic- ers, tuk-tuk drivers, local residents, school children and Food ladyboys. Check out a charming “I have heard a lot of talk about little corner in old vote buying and selling in Phuket – it can become quite competi- Phuket Town. Page 16 tive,” Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pekad Tantipong said Superdogs during his address to the crowd. Dogs that save in water, “The Royal Thai Police head- quarters has ordered us to take disaster zones and help action against this sort of activity autistic kids. Page 20 and we are campaigning to inform Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pekad Tantipong explains to the people that they must respect their press that the rally was being held to urge people to vote in the July 3 Gardening voting rights,” Maj Gen Pekad general election. Photo: Pimwara Choksakulpan warned from the stage. The crowd paraded from Soi Patong Sports field. Another such Go bananas and grow “Not only will vote buyers be Bangla on to Thaweewong Road rally was scheduled to be held at some bananas! Tips arrested as happened in the past, carrying banners with anti-vote- the Heroines’ Monument on June and tricks. Page 28 but sellers as well,” he added. buying slogans and ended at 16, Maj Gen Pekad said. Sport Bullets fly in Kata street shootout FC Phuket hammer Hornbills 4-1 at home From page 1 last Saturday. pierced muscle tissue and was Page 41 removed, while the other is still in my leg. The doctor said the bullet is not dangerous to surrounding tissue and can be removed at a Police manhunt continues later date,” he said. A third bullet entered and ex- ited through his right leg, doctors for Karon karaoke gunman said. “The doctor said I was for- POLICE are still searching for fied only as “Bang Pu”. Both men tunate. Because no bullets hit Surachai “Bang Chai” Thongkong- allegedly witnessed the shooting bone, the wounds should heal in mai, who is wanted for the shoot- but have yet to be questioned by about two weeks,” he said. ing of a karaoke bar owner in police. Sgt Maj Hattaporn’s efforts Karon after an all-night drinking Although police initially believed have not gone unnoticed by top session on June 6. the shooting was related to drugs, police brass. Somwong “Lui” Saemin, 42, Chalong Police Duty Officer “Phuket Provincial Police Com- Rescue workers rush Somkid ‘fat’ Kongtin to hospital. Photo: Yodsak Jarana was allegedly beaten then shot in Chianchai Duangsuwan said a mander Pekad Tantipong visited the shoulder and abdomen at his warrant for Surachai’s arrest had me and told me to rest for a month staff at Club Med know that he “I feel proud that I was able to Kon Lar Fun Karaoke and Restau- been issued as the cause of the or longer, until I am well enough has been working hard for a long perform my duty as a police of- rant on Patak Rd at about 7am. shooting had yet to be confirmed. to return to duty,” he added. time to protect people of Karon. ficer, but I also feel sorry for the Surachai was identified as the “We still do not why he was Supit Boonjun, human re- “All our staff are impressed with two dead. Even if they were gunman by Anusak “Darid” Kung- shot. We have to question the vic- sources manager of Club Med his bravery and thought we should thieves, they were still people,” he thong, 19; Surasak “Sak” Hankiew, tim, who is now being treated at Phuket Resort in Kata, paid the pay a visit. So, I am here as a rep- said. 21; and Weerasak “Dam” Longrak, Vachira Phuket Hospital. fallen officer a visit on Wednes- resentative of the Club Med staff,” Sgt Maj Hatthaporn’s said she 20. All three were arrested by po- “His condition is improving, but day and presented him with a she said. was shocked to hear about her lice on the day of the shooting. he still cannot talk much,” Lt flower basket. Despite widespread praise, Sgt husband’s injuries, but also proud Police are also seeking Wirat Chianchai said. “I do not know Sgt Maj Maj Hatthaporn still feels some of his actions in stopping the two Sawatdee and a man so far identi- – Janpen Upatising Hatthaporn personally, but all the unease at the loss of life. thieves. June 18 - 24, 2011 PHUKET NEWS PHUKET GAZETTE 3 Asian JV proposes ‘Bangkok skytrain’ for Phuket THE latest firm to present itself as a con- with no interest and no concession [agree- the entire construction of the project,” he said.

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