PhuketGazette.net PHUKET’S LEADING NEWSPAPER... SINCE 1993 PhuketGazette December 31, 2016 - January 6, 2017 Now inside THE NAT I ON every Saturday 24 Pages / 20 Baht ‘WE EXPECT THEM NOT TO EVER COMMIT ANY CRIMES AGAIN’ Mayor, RTN in beach bed tug of war The Royal Thai Navy stepped in to overrule the Patong Mayor’s decision regarding raised sand-beds at Patong Beach, declaring them illegal. The Mayor had previously ruled that Royal pardon the beds were legal within 10 per cent zones. grants Phuket prison Full story Page 4 inmates early release into society BUSINESS By Kritsada Mueanhawong THE FIRST batch of prisoners was re- leased from Phuket Prison on Christmas Day, following the announcement on De- cember 11 of a Royal pardon to release 30,000 prisoners nationwide to commemo- rate the start of the reign of King Rama X. Video, 360 degree images Phuket Prison Commander Somkit and smart graphics lead Kammang presided over the event as a the way in e-commerce and crowd of relatives stood outside the prison content marketing. walls, waiting to welcome 147 of the 1,590 Page 11 inmates who qualified for the first round of release in Phuket. PROPERTY “These prisoners, of which 21 were women, were known for their good behav- ior during their imprisonment and had already completed one-third of their full sentences,” confirmed Mr Somkit. “Most of them were incarcerated for sexual offenses, drug-related crimes and property damage. “About 80 per cent of the prisoners set to be released were charged with drug-re- Banyan Tree launches ex- lated crimes. We have set up workshops clusive Angsana Beach- so they can be educated on how to live bet- front residences near Bang Tao Beach. ter lives and integrate themselves as skillful, Page 18 contributing members of society. We expect them not to ever commit crimes again.” According to a Royal Gazette statement, early release was granted to the convicted Emotional family members and relatives of the released prisoners gathered outside, unable LIFE&STYLE persons who were under detention, doing to hold their own as they saw loved ones walking free. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong public service as punishment, had been released on probation, had less than a year Convictions of those sentenced to death a provincial governor, a judge and a pub- of jail term to serve or had served not less would be commuted to life imprisonment, lic prosecutor – to consider releasing than one-third of their jail term, who were the Royal Gazette said. well-behaved inmates under the Royal par- blind or seriously sick, as well as females “Death sentences will be commuted to don. Convicted rape-murder offenders, serving a jail term for the first time who life imprisonment,” the statement read. drug traffickers and people jailed for pub- had already completed more than half of “This is the first opportunity since His lic fraud were ineligible. “After inmates are released, relevant the jail term. Majesty’s ascension to show his mercy,” Second edition of the Thai- agencies will check on them to prevent re- The Royal pardon was also granted to the statement added. “This will provide a land Yachting Forum high- offending,” he added. prisoners over 60 years old and had served chance for these individuals to behave as lights important industry Mr Kobkiat also said that people in jail not less than five years or at least one-third good citizens.” requirements. of the jail term, as well those under 20 years Corrections Department Director-Gen- for violating Article 112 of the Criminal… who had done more than half of the total eral Kobkiat Kasiwiwat said that each Page 17 jail term or had less than two years to serve. prison had set up a committee – including Continued on Page 4 2 PHUKET GAZETTE December 31, 2016 - January 6, 2017 14-year-old Tsunami remembrance dead after bike ceremonies held in Phuket chase at Saphan ONE 14-year-old died and an- other was injured as a chase to Police hunt for recover a stolen motorbike ended with a car collision at Wichit bike Saphan Hin on December 27. Lt Col Chaleaw Thaihoo of burner Phuket City Police as well as a rescue team arrived at the Bang POLICE are hunting a for man Yai Canal intersection about who ran away after setting fire 9:40pm. to a motorbike near Surakul The motorbike was origi- Stadium in Wichit on the morn- nally stolen from a house ing of December 22. behind Rajabhat University on “The suspect, named only as December 26. The owner, Kwan, lives near the area. Ac- named as Kanoot Dumcher, 19, cording to witnesses, he drove filed a report to the police, ask- the bike out of his house about ing them to check CCTV 10:30am, set it on fire and then footage. ran off,” confirmed Maj “Mr Kanoot and his friend Narong Muangkhuang of were riding around all day try- Wichit Police. ing to find the stolen motorbike Rescue workers rushed to themselves,” said Col Chaleaw. the scene and managed to When they spotted it, a chase douse the flames in 10 minutes. ensued and the fleeing perpetra- The motorbike, however, was tors were hit by a car that was completely destroyed. turning left. The turn signal of “Luckily, there was no the car was on, but the driver is other damage caused. We About 200 locals, tourists and provincial dignitaries gathered at Patong Beach on the evening of December under investigation regardless.” have yet to learn the motive 26 to hold a candle-lit remembrance ceremony in front of Loma Park on the 12th anniversary of the “When we arrived, a behind his act. We searched deadly tsunami that struck the island on the morning of December 26, 2004. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong heavily-damaged motorbike his house, but he has not been was lying nearby two uncon- back there,” said Maj Narong. Station three times during the scious 14-year-old boys. One “We hope to find him soon Marine Police week of December 22, causing Ya bah dealer received a head injury while the and call him in for an expla- the officers there to panic and other had labored breathing. nation.” fuel up tourists’ send for rescue workers. arrested on a After CPR was administered, – Kritsada Mueanhawong “The snakes might have both minors were rushed to stranded boat come into the building during whim in Phuket Vachira Phuket Hospital, where the floods, but although the one of them was declared PHANG Nga Marine Police floods are gone, the animals re- A DRUG dealer was arrested rescued a tourist yacht that ran dead.” Chicken eating mained hiding inside,” said with about 2,000 ya bah (meth- The colonel told Gazette out of fuel in the middle of the Patong Police Superintendent amphetamine) pills at Phuket sea on December 24. that the motorbike had alleg- snake nabbed Chaiwat Auikam, who has is- Bus Terminal 2 on Thepkra- edly been borrowed from the Officials received a call for sued orders to renovate the sattri Rd on the evening of De- help from Thomas Karl, captain original thief. The minors’ building in order to prevent cember 24. names are being withheld by in Krabi of SY Dolinghoo, who reported such incidents from happening Sarawuth Koraneesak, 23, the coordinates. the Gazette, while the car SNAKE catchers on December again. had bought the pills in Bangkok driver’s name has been with- 21 bagged a six-meter-long “It took us about an hour to The snakes were discovered for delivery to a customer in reach the location, which was held by police. python outside a house in in a small building next to the Phuket. He was waiting for the – Kritsada Mueanhawong Krabi, where more than 45 about 8 miles west of Koh Ra. main police station, which customer to come and collect chickens have gone missing There were also two tourists houses a drug fighting unit, of- them when he was arrested. this month. and two crew members on fices and a small cafeteria for The pills were estimated to Home owner Suwat Maijan, board, all of whom were very officers. be worth about 400,000 baht. 55, who has a chicken coop in glad to receive our help,” said Police have been clearing “Our officers were just do- Missing man’s his yard, called in the snake Phang Nga Marine Police out their belongings to check ing their usual patrol duty, but catchers when he spotted the Chief Chaiyapol Yaiying. for more snakes that might be they noticed Mr Sarawuth be- body found 20-kilogram reptile slithering “During the long holiday, we lurking in dark places. having suspiciously, so they A MAN’S dead body was away from the coop, leaving a will keep an even closer eye on “This is extremely danger- asked to search him. They found in Wichit on the after- trail of dead chickens behind. marine activities. So, if you ous, not only for officers, but found him in possession of nine noon of December 27. Police “I had about 50 chickens in need any assistance, feel free to also for visitors who come into plastic bags filled with the il- believe it to be a murder, as they the coop but every couple of reach out at 1196,” he added. the station. I have ordered that licit pills,” said Lt Col Chatchai saw signs of the body being nights a few of them would dis- – Kritsada Mueanhawong the building be demolished and Choonu of Phuket City Police.