Pattaya News Flash - The Source
Breaking News
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October 2013
Click here to read our September 2013 News.
Pattaya's new Beach Promenade
NightWalker published new Pictures from Pattaya's Beach Promenade.
Fuel leak
Fuel leak
A Thai Airways aircraft had to delay a flight from Sapporo to Bangkok because of a fuel leak in the wing tank.
Flight TG671 with a Boeing 777-300 was immediately postponed.
THAI president Sorajak Kasemsuvan said there was nothing unusual about the incident, which could occur with any plane or airline...
Royal Skyway
Another accident with an aircraft
On 17:30 a small aircraft from Royal Skyway reported problems with its front bogie to Phitsanulok's tower.
The captain announced an emergency landing. To lose weight and kerosene he flew the aircraft about 90 minutes above Pitsanulok's airport.
At about 19:00 the pilot decided to land the plane. The aircraft touched the runway more or less unharmed. Non of the pilots, instructors and passengers are injured.
An aircraft from Nok Air that usually is serving Phitsanulok at about 19:30 had to wait for the reopening of the airport and landed at about 20:55.
Ghosts ride free
On October 31st, 2013, ghosts will get an unlimited free ride on the Airport Link's city line.
People wearing ghost costume can ask for a free ride from Airport Link officials at ticket booths.
Loy Kratong posponed
The Prime Minister's Office secretary-general said the government has not imposed a ban on festive activities following the passing of the Supreme Patriarch on October 24th, 2013.
Let's hope Pattaya's Police got this message too!
Pattaya's Teddy Bears
Pattaya Days reports from the City's Teddy Bear Museum.
It's located at Markland Village on Pattaya's Beach Road, at the entry to Soi 1.
Railway not ready
The State Railway of Thailand has postponed the reopening of the northern line to Chiang Mai.
Rains and a manpower shortage mean the November 1st deadline to complete repairs will be missed.
The company needs another month to finish work on the route from Sila Art station in Uttaradit to Chiang Mai.
The 300-kilometre northern sector has been closed since September 16th.
The State Railway of Thailand recorded 23 derailments on the northern route this year.
New Rip Off
The directors of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) decided to increase the passenger departure charge for domestic and international flights by 100 Baht.
If approved by Thailand's aviation authorities the departure tax for domestic flights will rise from 100 Baht to 200 Baht and from 700 Baht to 800 Baht for international flights.
Don't expect any service improvements at Thailand's airports.
Thai Politics
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, the loser of Thailand's parliamentary elections of 2011, tries to come back to power with lies and fabricated corruption figures.
Abhisit Vejjajiva was born in England and allegedly attended Eton College and earned bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Oxford.
Obviously Mr. Abhisit already forget everything he learned.
Blaze destroys Walking Street Area
A blaze, apparently triggered by an explosion, destroyed part of Pattaya's famous Walking Street area.
At least 20 buildings are damaged, new agencies report.
The fire started at about 2.30pm at a construction warehouse shop or at a restaurant on Phratamnak Road.
Please click for the pictures and the latest information.
Thailand's 500-Baht entry fee - a Rip Off!
Thailand's Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong repeated his 500-Baht charge to enter Thailand from October 18th with new and modified arguments.
The fromer Medical Fee is now an Entry Fee to increase the quality of tourists entering Thailand.
According to Thailand's highly educated Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Phurisrisak every other country is collecting entry fees from foreigners...
Thailand's Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong expects the new entry charge will take effect from January 1st, 2014.
Read the full story about Thailand's new Rip Off!
Phuket same Pattaya
Phuket same Pattaya, but different, a report published by Bangkok Post concludes.
Same, same - but a lot more expensive - NightWalker adds.
Fire at Phuket's Karon Plaza
A fire destroyed seven clothing and shoe shops at the well-known Karon Beach Plaza outdoor market in Phuket.
The fire break out just before 18:00 on October 19th and spread quickly.
Massive Fire in Bangkok
Massive Fire in Bangkok
A massive fire near the the Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway and Klong Toey Customs Department damaged about 50 wooden houses in Chum Chon Rom Klow community in Klong Toey slum.
Klong Toey district has provided temporary shelters and assistance for the about 200 people affected from the fire.
Pol Col Katechakaj Nilpradab, superintendent of Tha Rua police station, said a man known as Nut poured fuel into his house and set it on fire after strong argument with wife. Witnesses report that the couple has fled the scene.
After the police arrested the couple at a department store on Bangkok's Rama IV on October 21st, the woman admitted on October 22nd she set her house on fire during an angry quarrel with her husband...
Dishonest Thais
Starting from July 1st, 2013, the Japanese Embassy has stopped requiring visas for Thai tourists.
Now Japan reports that a large number of Thai tourists had exploited the no-visa rule by staying illegally in the country.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul had to warn his compatriots that it was possible Japan would consider ending the visa relaxation for Thai nationals if many end up overstaying their time allowed to stay in Japan as tourists.
Thais seeking to work in Japan have to apply for a work visa, the Minister said.
Egghead's Blah-Blah
On October 16th Thailand's highly educated Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who also chairs Thailand's Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC), informed the press that he is confident that the flooding in the Central Plains and the East will be gone by next month.
Every child - and even the most stupid Tourist - in Thailand knows that the Kingdom's rainy season ends during November. It happens since centuries.
It's one of the many reasons to celebrate Thailand's famous Loy Kratong festival.
It's a commonplace:
No rain, no floodings.
Thailand's problems with its Railways never ends!
Yesterday night a freight train was travelling from Nong Khai to Nakhon Ratchasima when nine empty railcars derailed near Non Sung Station.
The derailment happened about 21:25.
There were no injuries, Police said, but train services between Bangkok and Nong Khai had to be halted.
We couldn't get any information about the cause of the incident.
Thai Government plans to collect Medical Fee from Tourists
Thailand's Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong informed the press yesterday that his Government plans to collect Medical Fee from Tourists.
According to the new regulation foreigners who stay in the kingdom for more than three days would be charged 500 Baht. Visitors who stay three days or less would be charged 30 Baht a day.
Thailand's Public Health Minister said that parts of the fees would be used to compensate medical service costs for foreign tourists.
At the time of writing it is still not known which agency would be in charge of collecting the fee.
If some other ministries (e.g. Police and Military) should fellow the decision of the Health Ministry, making holidays in Thailand will get a lot more expensive - without any benefits for tourists.
News from Soi 6 & 7 and Soi Pattayaland
On Soi 7, a few meters from 2nd Road only, a new Coyotee Club and Guesthouse with the name Shooters is announced.
On Soi 6 the Sex(y) in the City Bar, the Six Table Restaurant, Red Light Bar as well as Lisa Bar closed their doors.
Super Show
On Soi Pattayaland 1 (Soi 13/3) the Super Show Bar and the Cupid Bar closed.
Phuket's SuperCheap Store destroyed
On October 16th at about 21:40 a fire broke out at the Phuket SuperCheap Store, trapping shoppers and staff in the deadly confusion.
We learned that hundreds of shoppers and an estimated 1'000 staff were inside the burning shopping complex.
More than 50 fire trucks rushed to the site of the blaze, and at least 300 firefighters were involved.
People were screaming and trying to leave the area.
It seems that an electrical short circuit had ignited gas tanks.
No information about possible victims.
Phukets authorities remained tight-lipped during whole the night.
SuperCheap Store
Update (Oct. 18th): Still no reports of casualties available, but Phuket's Deputy Governor said that the Employment Department will do its best to look for new jobs for the 700-1'000 staff of the completedly burned down store.
According to our latest information Phuket's megastore had 2'736 people on its payroll.
Two people who allegedly worked in the store are missing.
Phuket's SuperCheap Store did not have appropriate fire exits. It was poorly equipped to cope with fire and had no adequate access for fire trucks, Lt Col Bandit Pradapsuk, vice-chairman of the Association of Siamese Architects said...
ATR-72
Lao Airlines plane crashed into Mekong River
On October 16th, 2013, at about 16:10 (local time), an ATR 72 (not an ATR-73 as mentioned by some media) turboprop plane from Lao Airlines crashed into the Mekong River at Don Khong, about 8 kilometers from Pakse International Airport, on the Thailand and Cambodia Borders.
The plane left Wattay airport in Vientiane at 14:45.
According to our information all 49 people (44 passengers and five crew members) abord were killed.
The first information we obtained from Thai foreign ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee. He said there were 39 passengers and five crew aboard the plane. He got his information from the Thai Embassy in Vientiane.
Those killed were mostly Lao nationals, but a list published by Lao Airlines notifies that five passengers came from Thailand, five from Australia, three from Korea, seven from France, one from the US, one from China, one from Taiwan and three from Vietnam.
Lao's State-run news agency KPL quoted a witness saying strong gusts of wind blew the plane off course.
Despite a warning from the aviation control tower at Pakse Airport not to land at the airport because of the poor visibility caused by Typhoon Nari, the pilots insisted on attempting to land. After strong winds buffeted the aircraft, the pilots tried to raise the nose of the aircraft but were blown off course and crashed into a rocky island in the middle of the Mekong River.
According to an ATR statement, the aircraft that crashed was its latest ATR 72-600 model.
ATR is a European turbo-prop aircraft co-manufactured by Airbus parent EADS and Italian aerospace firm Finmeccanica.
Thai Lion Air
New Thai Airline
Thai Lion Air is a planned new Thai low-cost airline.
It is a joint venture between Indonesian based Lion Air and an unknown Thai partner and plans to commence operations by the end of 2013, probably on November 1st.
Thai Lion Air will serve regularly scheduled domestic and international flights from Bangkok and other cities in Thailand and will operate services out of Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport.
Bangkok-Chiang Mai seems to be Thai Lion's first domestic route. Its Boeing 737-900ER will fly from Bangkok Don Mueang to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta too.
Ride a Yellow Plated Motorcycle Taxi only
Thailand's Motorcycle Taxi Drivers must undergo training in traffic regulations, driving conduct and must pass criminal record checks to obtain a yellow licence plates from Thailand's Land Transport Department.
Taxi drivers must register by November 30th, 2013, or risk facing legal action, the department's Deputy Chief announced.
Passengers should choose licensed drivers only.
Salvage the Nation
Thailand's Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, mainly recruited members of Bangkok's notorious but still powerful Elite, are back on the streets again to salvage Thailand.
With every new demonstration the former Yellow Shirt movement use a new name to attract Thailand's media and to undermine Thailand's reputation in the world.
Addicted Thais
Surveys show that
Thais spend an average of 32 hours per week on the Internet
18 million Thais are using Facebook
3 million Thais are addicted to illegal drugs
2.7 million children in Thailand are addicted to computer games
About 30% of all Thais aged 15 and over are alcohol drinkers and are drinking about 8.5 litres of alcohol per year
19.5% of Thai males and 4.1% of Thai females have an alcohol problem
About 60% of traffic accidents are a result of drinking and driving
We estimate that 99.99% of Pattaya's Coconut Ghosts are addicted Smartphone users.
News from Soi 6 & 7
On Soi 7, a few meters from 2nd Road only, a new Coyotee Club and Guesthouse with the name Shooters is announced.
On Soi 6 the Sex(y) in the City Bar and the Six Table Restaurant closed their doors.
WARNING
Dreamliner
The Nightmare continious
Japan Airlines (JAL) reports new problems with Boeing's Nightmare called Dreamliner.
JAL had to turn around two of its 787 aircrafts during flights due to technical problems.
On a flight from San Diego to Tokyo one of the two anti-ice systems failed.
On a flight from Moscow to Tokyo an electric glitch rendered six of the seven toilets unusable.
Boeing's so called 'High Quality' Dreamliner has been hit by a spate of technical and safety issues in recent months.
New Traffic Fees & Fines in Bangkok and Chiang Mai
Bangkok City Police propose a hefty increase in registration fees for more than 10-year old vehicles.
According to Deputy City Police Chief Adul Narongsak older vehicles are more likely to break down and are therfore responsible for Bangkok's traffic congestion.
The lovely Police man said, he hopes that those who choose to continue running older vehicles will keep them in good condition to ensure they run well and are safe to drive.
The new fees would not apply outside Bangkok, he added.
Update:
Adul Narongsak back-pedalled on his plan to increase annual registration fees on old vehicles after he was attacked by negative feedback in the media from car users.
In fact Bangkok's streets are filled with parking taxi-no-meter, food vendors and their chairs and tables, selfish drivers as well as by Policemen stoping vehicles and motorbikes simply to extort tea money.
This brainless official needs brain surgery, people wrote. He should solve problems, not create them, the writers added.
Chiang Mai Transport Office Chief Chanchai Kilapaeng announced the opening of a service centre to curb road accidents caused by tourists who are unlicensed drivers and/or unfamiliar with Chiang Mai's roads and the local traffic laws.
The planned office is supported by Tourist Police, Traffic Police, Immigration Police and Chiang Mai's Transport Office.
Police will start cracking down on foreigners violating traffic laws or driving without an appropriate licence from November 1st, 2013.
Beach Road Racing Circuit
Inspired by the news mentioned above, Pattaya City Hall is considering to fine road users driving their vehicles below the 60 km/h mark on Pattaya's new Formula #1 approved Beach Road Racing Circuit...
The End of Chinese Travelers' Boom?
China introduced new regulation for tour companies.
China's new tourism regulation bars tour operators from adding non-advertised extras to packaged tours.
All packages must be all-inclusive, covering travel, accommodation, visa costs and tour guides.
The regulation prevents increasing expenses for Chinese tourists.
As a result Chinese tour operators nearly doubled their package prices.
For a one-week trip to Thailand, Singapore or Malaysia tourists from China have to pay now 51'000 Baht, up from 31'000 Baht.
Let's hope the new regulation hamstrings the widespread cheating of China's tourists in Thailand.
Pilot lost control
Pilot lost control
On Sunday morning a plane from Thai carrier Nok Air skidded off a runway in North-Eastern Thailand.
Flight DD8610 left Chiang Mai at 07:25 and was landing at Udon Thani airport between 08:35 and 08:45 (depending on the source).
The pilot told officials that he lost control of the aircraft, an SAAB 340B turboprop, on touchdown.
The airline itself blamed a glitch in the engine but gave no other details.
According to Narong Ponlaiard, vice governor of Udon Thani, a Nok Air officer attributed the accident to the broken landing gear.
Hopefully none of the (about) 25 passengers and crew aboard were injured.
According to Nok Air the plane was chartered by Siam General Aviation Company Ltd, which is known as Nok Mini.
Nok Air is a subsidiary of Thai International Airline.
On September 8th, 2013, Thai Airways TG679 from Guangzhou crash landed in Suvarnabhumi Airport at 23:30. It was a Sunday too...
In August 6th, 2013, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Nok Air skidded off a runway in southern Trang province.
Railway services in Thailand
Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt was making an inspection trip on the Wong Wien Yai-Mahachai (Samut Sakhon) railway route.
He found that the carriages are very dirty and look like they have not been cleaned for a long time.
Most automatic doors of the trains are out of order.
Nearly all toilets are out of order. They not even had running water.
Moreover, the track is deteriorating, forcing the trains to run slowly.
Obviously people in this country don't understand the term maintenance.
High-Tech in Pattaya
Sophon Cable TV
During rain Pattaya's most popular local cable TV distributes nothing else but snow.
Pattaya Firework
City Hall announces another Pattaya International Fireworks Competition.
It will happen on November 29th & 30th, 2013, and will provide a market selling locally (?) made products, a carnival-style parade, shows and concerts.
Adventure-filled Pattaya Holidays
Adventure-filled Holidays
You don't have to book Adventure Holidays in funny town Pattaya.
Adventures are already included in your package - free of charge.
ByBlos A Go-Go closed
At the end of September 2013 ByBlos Club A Go-Go closed.
NightWalker already reported on June 21st of this year that the bar is on the block.
Byblos was located at the Soi Phratamnak entry to Soi Diamond.
The US Embassy in Bangkok remains open
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate General Chiang Mai remain open to the public. As always, our priorities remain providing safety, security, and service to U.S. citizens. We are open for all consular services, including visa processing, the Embassy said in a statement.
US government began its first partial shutdown in 17 years after Congress failed to break a partisan deadlock by a midnight deadline.
The shutdown idle as many as 800'000 Federal Employees.
The incident shows again that most politicians are not interested in the well-being of a country and its citizens.
Drink Milk!
Thailand's Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong claims that Thailand's young people are too short in stature.
The average height of 18 and 19-year-old boys is 167.1 centimetres, and 157.4cm for girls, a study by the Ministry reports.
According to Thailand's Public Health Ministry the short stature is attributed to low milk consumption.
Young Thai children should drink two to three glasses of milk a day, older children should drink two glasses daily, Minister Pradit says.
The lovely man forget to tell how big the glas has to be...
Dummköpfe
During August 2013 the Swiss Army decided that the enemy in its wargame will be France.
Switzerland's Commanders created a scenario in which France had split up into several regional entities, following a political and economic crisis.
Whoever does do the planning for Switzerland's military manoeuvres seems to be a complete idiot - but in good company with other Military Commanders all over the world.
Police News
Lucrative Child Prostitution in Pattaya
Kanjanas Memanas, manager of Human Help Network Foundation Thailand, claims that child prostitution in Pattaya is so lucrative that it enjoys police protection. Furthermore, it is being conducted on ships anchored off the Pattaya coast.
After an international travel website said that Pattaya is one of seven places in Thailand that travellers should avoid due to frequent crimes, Royal Thai Police decided to mobilise more officers to boost the city's crime-busting capacity.
The additional officers come from Thailand's Highway Police, Marine Police, the Crime Suppression Division and the Immigration Bureau.
The new police taskforce will be led by deputy police commander Pol General Wuthi Liptapanlop.
On July 31st as well as on August 10th, 2013, Pattaya Police and some of their supporters from Banglamung, Chonburi and Nongprue insisted that Pattaya is clean...
No Joy during 15 days
Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, the national police chief, asked entertainment venues across the country to refrain from holding joyful shows and performances for 15 days, from October 25th to November 8th, to mourn the loss of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, Thailand's Buddhist spiritual leader.
The 15-day period could be further extended, he added.
On October 25th Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced the extension of the period to mourn the late Supreme Patriarch from 15 to 30 days.
A few hours before the Royal Household Bureau announced that His Majesty the King has ordered the extension of the royal mourning period for His Holiness the late Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara Suvaddhana Mahathera to 30 days.
Pattaya's Police show the teeth
Only a few hours after the announcement of the national police chief, Police Colonel Suwan Cheawnawinthawat, the lovely Superintendent of Pattaya's dirty Police Station, mobilized his officers and ordered them to inspect entertainment spots all over Pattaya.
Pattaya's Police disallow the playing of music and limit trading times to 02:00 until November 8th, 2013, he told his officers.
If somebody disobeys the order, the police can arrest the lawbreaker(s) immediately, the Superintendent added.
To show their power, Pattaya Police acted as ordered and made arrests at two entertainment spots.
Dirty too
National Police Chief Adul Saengsingkaew transferred Pol Col Worapong Nanthaluck, chief of Tha Uthane police station to Bangkok.
His Police Station was dirty. It had not been maintained properly. The paintings on the building are in a particularly bad state, Chief Adul said. Pol Col Worapong Nanthaluck not even was able to provide a crime report for the station's jurisdiction.
Bravo - Chaiyo!
Yot Areewong
Police Sen. Sgt. Major Yot Areewong saw a tourist collapse in front of Tony's Gym on Pattaya's 3rd Road.
He immediately called for medics and started a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (CPR) to the tourist.
Traffic Police Officer Yot Areewong did an exemplary job, he saved the live of the 78-year old man from Finland.
Dirty Police Station
National Police Chief Adul Saengsingkaew issued an urgent order via police radio to transfer Pol Col Sanan Boonphuen, the superintendent of Muang Chachoengsao Police Station, to the Operation Centre of the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok.
A visit to Chachoengsao Police Station by Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Ek Angsananond revealed a dirty Police Station, not in line with cleanliness and tidiness policies set by the national police chief.
Dirty Soi 9
When Lt. Gen. Kawee Suphanant, the new head of the Royal Thai Police for Region 2, visited Pattaya's Police Station on Soi 9 he found dirty, flooded and stinking restrooms and jails.
He ordered Pattaya Superintendent Lt. Col. Suwan Cheaonawinthawat to immediately clean the entire station.
Lt. Gen. Kawee took the opportunity to tell Pattaya Police that a Thai Police Station must look clean and professional and its official have to work for the well-being of the citizens - and not vice versa.
Update:
In full contrast to the Chachoengsao Police Station case, mentioned above, we believe that the replacement of Pattaya's Superintendent doesn't help.
To improve the work of Pattaya's Police whole the staff has to be replaced.
Everything else would be useless patchwork.
Policeman disappeared
Pol Maj Gen Thanet Sunthornsuk, Chief of Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Police, said the Police is searching Poowanart Chuthong, a 24-year old Special Forces Policeman working in Patthalung province.
Mr. Poowanart was escorting a drug shipment worth about 32.6 million Baht as a gunman and disappeared in the wood after a wild car chase with the Police.
Police shunted
Pol Maj-Gen Naret Nantachote, commander of the Provincial Police Region 1, removed five Policemen from their positions at Bang Yai and Bang Bua Thong Police Stations in Bangkok.
The five Police Officers allegedly are involved in a gambling den in their area of supervision.
Resolute measures will be taken against any Police Officers who are found to be involved in drugs or gambling or taking bribes, Pol Maj-Gen Naret Nantachote said.
Mr. Naret should supervise Pattaya's Police Stations too.
But the best
is yet to come:
We update NightWalker's News Page as soon as we get new information.
Pattaya News Flash October 2013 - The Source
NightWalker's News
from the City where your Passion is still a Possibility©
I had a Dream of a Free Internet
Barack Obama, David Cameron, the NSA and GCHQ destroyed it.
Loy Kratong Chaos
October 25th 2013:
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced the extension of the period to mourn the late Supreme Patriarch from 15 to 30 days.
October 25th 2013:
Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew, the national police chief, asked entertainment venues across the country to refrain from holding joyful shows and performances for 15 days, from October 25th to November 8th, to mourn the loss of His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, Thailand's Buddhist spiritual leader.
October 25th 2013:
The Superintendent of Pattaya's dirty Police Station, mobilized his officers and ordered them to inspect entertainment spots all over Pattaya. Pattaya's Police disallow the playing of music and limit trading times to 02:00 until November 8th, 2013, he told his officers.
October 27th 2013:
To Honor Thailand's late Supreme Patriarch the Tourism Authority of Thailand has postponed the annual Loy Krathong celebrations.
October 28th 2013 at about 18:00:
TV News report that Loy Kratong will happen as usual, but parties will be postponed.
October 28th 2013 at about 24:00:
TV News report that Loy Kratong will happen as usual, only alcohol will be 'postponed'.
October 29th 2013:
The Prime Minister's Office secretary-general said the government has not imposed a ban on festive activities following the passing of the Supreme Patriarch on October 24th, 2013.

Loy Kratong is one of the country's top tourist attractions. Every year hundred thousands of tourists from all over the world fly into the Kingdom to celebrate Thailand's beautiful Loy Kratong Festival.

TiT (This is Thailand)
Speak before you use your brain
Pattaya Police launched crackdown on Shisha Bars
On October 29th, during the early morning hours Pattaya Police swept South Pattaya bars in a search of venues illegally selling Shisha.
The Police issued warnings for the illegal practice to stop or prosecutions would follow.
The heading District Chief did not elaborate on the current crackdown on Shisha.
Perhaps he has his very own aversion for this kind of smoking - or he sees another lucrative money gathering opprtunity for Pattaya's Police Organisations.
Fact is that in most countries the smoking of waterpipes is legal.
Nevertheless, Shisha cafes are a great concern to councils because of the involvement of underage children and the health risks they pose. Usually Shisha bars are not breaking the smoking ban if 50 per cent of their exterior wall space is open, meaning it is illegal to smoke the pipes inside cafes and bars.
Many people are unaware of the health risks from smoking the flavoured tobacco, which can be as damaging as cigarettes.
In civilized countries the police is committed to disclose the reason(s) for a crackdown.
Update October 30th, 2013:
Chonburi Provincial Governor Nakhomsan Ekkachai announced that the selling of Baraku herbal liquor and tobacco type product known as Sisha have to be in accordance with the Liquor Act of 1950 and the Tobacco Act of 1966.
All bars selling or providing access to these products have to acquire licences or be closed down.
To get a licence, the bar operator is required to submit details of the bar for inspection by municipality authorities.
Observers claim that Chonburi's enterprising Authorities just found another way to participate in Pattaya's vibrant Nightlife.
City Hall installs Key to Paradise on Beach Promenade
On Pattaya's new Beach Promenade City Hall installs Key(s) to Paradise.
Click here for more information about Pattaya's new Beach Promenade
Blaze on Soi Pratamnak
Blaze on Soi Pratamnak
Blaze on Soi Pratamnak
A blaze, apparently triggered by an explosion, destroyed part of Pattaya's famous Walking Street area.
The fire started on October 22nd at about 14:30 at a restaurant on Phratamnak Road.
The blaze damaged at least 20 buildings.
At about 18:30 whole the area between Marine Plaza and the Southern end of Pattaya South Road was still without lights.
Police blocked Soi Pratamnak.
Smoke was in the air and made breathing difficult and perhaps deleterious for health.
Only minor injuries or casualties have been reported so far.
It seems that Pattaya's Firefighters have the situation under control.
Blaze on Soi Pratamnak
Blaze on Soi Pratamnak
A large part of Soi 16 was still in the dark at 18:30.
As usual in Thailand, there was a real information chaos: The first information about the incident we got from TV Channel 3. The TV station broadcasted a News Break saying that an explosion destroyed part of Pattaya's Walking Street. About 30 minutes later we learned that the blaze happened on Soi Pratamnak. At 15:44 Mcot.net, Thailand's leading(?) news agency, reported fire occurs at Walking Street zone in South Pattaya; three building already damaged. At about 19:00 a member of the firebrigade informed us that there were no deaths. Just one man - a rescue worker - suffered a minor leg injury, he told us. Nevertheless, whole the evening people told us that up to 10 people died. We where told that the fire started with explosions in a back storage room where thinner and other highly flammable chemicals were stored. Later news agencies told us the fire started from the liquid gas cylinders in an Arabian restaurant. The cylinders allegedly exploded before the fire spread out. At about 02:00 Channel 3 said that fire originated at an Indian restaurant. More probable is the thesis that sparks from welding equipment used to construct a steel roof initiated a fire at a nearby Arabic restaurant. Other sources speculate that an electroshock caused the fire. Experts announced that it will take about 3 weeks to determine the real cause of the blaze.
There was a chaos on Pattaya's streets too. Soi Buakhaow, Pattaya's 1st (known as Beach Road), 2nd & 3rd Road as well as South Road reported traffic jams. Perhaps because of the contemporaneous thunderstorm we and the other drivers couldn't spot any traffic police...
At School No. 8, just in front of the incident, not traffic police but privat individuals directed the traffic out of the danger zone. Obviously the members of Pattaya's Police Organisations do not know the word work - or simply ignore it.
It seems that with the exception of Pattaya's Firebrigade nobody really knew what happened.
The blaze shows again that the kind of building shophouses in this country is more than dangerous. Fire walls are completely unknown in the Kingdom or are considered needless. Roof trosses in Thailand are acting as fire accelerators. Failure to comply with Thailand's lavish building regulations can be corrected by generous donations to the acting official(s).
Pattaya prepares for another High Season
Mr. Pee
The Mr. Pee Bar can be found on Pattaya's Beach Road, a few meters only from Mike's Shopping Mall. Where else?
Beefeater
Pattaya's famous Beefeater reopened after a successful renovation...
French Steak House
but the French Steak House at the same location closed and is on the block.
All Seasons
All Seasons opened its Loft at 2nd Road's The Pattaya Avenue as an All you can eat Steak house. Price starts at 299 Baht/person.
2 Nite
The 2 NITE Bar replaces Dream's Coyote Club on Soi 8.
MoKa LoCA
Across from Soi 7's Happiness A Go-Go the MoKa LoCA Bar opened.
Fry Day
Every day is Fry Day at Soi New Plaza's Fish & Chips Take Away. A native Irish Cook is preparing cheap meals from 14:00 to 02:00 just in front of your eyes in an open kitchen. Soi New Plaza is located opposite Soi 7 and 8 and connects Pattaya's 2nd Road with Soi Buakhaow.
Madin Hotel
The all new Madin Hotel is located on Soi Carrefour, just opposite of BigC Extra! To book please call 089-6773560.
For sale
The Italian Pizza, also known as Jazz Cup Coffee & Beer Bar and located at Pattaya's 3rd Road's entry to BigC Extra!, is on the block.
For sale
Hub Bon Chicken, located on Pattaya's 3rd Road between Central Road and North Road, serves tasty chicken at reasonable prices.
Scotties
All in one: SCOTTIES Restaurant, Mini-Mart & Laundry, located in the Car Park of the Center Condo on Pattaya South Road, just after the conspicuous and unmistakable Chaimongkon Temple.

To be continued
Soi Lengkee
99 Baht - or less!
Tuck - the name of the lovely cook that runs this small restaurant on Soi Lengkee - prepares tasty, but great value food.
Friar Tucks is located on Soi Lengkee.
Soi Lengkee connects Soi Buakhaow with Pattaya's 3rd Road and is the 'extension' of Soi Diana.
Friar Tucks
Renovated KFC Outlet opened at BigC Extra!
Renovated KFC Outlet opened at BigC Extra!
Many of Pattaya's Pharmacies are using the wrong Sign.
If you look out for a pharmacy here in Pattaya, you can find stores selling drugs with any kind of sign. Many of the shop owners are using the Swiss flag or the Red Cross sign to show the public that they don't have the vaguest notion of the medicaments they are selling.
Swiss Flag
Swiss Flag
Red Cross
Red Cross
Veterinary Flag
Veterinary Flag
First Aid
First Aid Sign
Pharmacy Flag
Pharmacy Flag
Pharmacist's Mortar
The mortar and pestle is an international symbol of pharmacists and pharmacies.
When Rihanna, an international pop star, visited Phuket a few weeks ago she shared many of her experiences in that Resort on Twitter and Instagram, including a photo of her holding a Loris, a furry primate with large eyes and a long tail, which is native to South-East Asia and a protected species in Thailand.
Along with Elephants and Orang-Utans, however, the Loris is often peddled by touts as a photo opportunity for tourists.
Local wildlife advocates have alerted authorities to the picture.
Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNWPC) has responded by urging residents to help identify where Rihanna was pictured holding the slow loris. A ridiculous action. Almost every single tourist in Phuket knows where to met the animals...
Nevertheless, DNWPC deputy director-general Theerapat Prayurasiddhi announced to send officials to look into accusations of wildlife abuse if he receives specific information about where animals are being... Phuket is big. We need more information before we can act, he said and added that some zoos had obtained a licence to possess wild animals for tourist entertainment. If the picture was taken at a registered zoo with legal permission to keep animals, then we can do nothing.
Loris can be photographed on Pattaya's Walking Street too, just a few meters in front of Pattaya's Police Check Point. We already reported a few times about that case, but nothing ever happened. But in the case of Rihanna's picture, Phuket's Police had to act fast. Thailand's Ministry of Natural Resources and Phuket Governor had to set up a sting in Phuket's Bangla Road area of Patong beach to arrest a 20-year-old man and 16-year-old teenager. During the raid Police also confiscated two lorises.
In her tweets Rihanna also reported about Phuket's sex shows. According to Officials such shows were against the law in Thailand. The authorities and law officials have surveyed the area to arrest and fine those involved, Bangkok Post reported. Nevertheless, the shows still happen - and, we bet (even if it's against Thailand's law), the Loris will be back soon too.
On October 15th, 2013, 48-year-old Somchai Suprungruang was on his way from his home to a local market, where he worked as a butcher.
As almost every day he was travelling on his motorbike in Nakhon Pathom's Kamphaeng Saen district when an unknown number of gunmen ambushed him with three shots in his head.
Pol Col Sombat Ornsomboon, superintendent of Kamphaeng Saen Police Station, said that Police suspect the attack was carried out for political reasons. The victim was No 7 on the Kamphaeng Saen district candidate list. The district council election is announced for Sunday, October 20th, 2013.
Political motivated homicides are still a widespread custom in this Kingdom.
Pat kaprao is one of Thailand's favourite dishes. It's nothing else than plain rice topped with pork or chicken, holy basil leaves and (sometimes) a fried egg. Pork or chicken must be marinated in soybean sauce with some sugar and pepper. It is served with pungent chili and garlic.
But, at least according to some senior officers from Thailand's famous Army, it stinks!
Pat kaprao is popular with the poor, with middle income-earners and rich people alike. Nevertheless, it's now banned in the canteens at Army Headquarters to ensure their superiors are not distracted from their vital duties.
It seems you have to have very special qualities to be a Senior Officer in Thailand's Army: An exceptional good noise, but no brain.
You remember:
On December 26th, 2004, when a tsunami destroyed a large part of Phuket, Thailand's Army ordered its troops to Koh Samui to prevent another disaster. It took hours until the Officers at Army's Headquaters realised that the tsunami can't target Koh Samui.
Whole the world joked about the stupidity of Thailand's Commanders. Obviously history repeats itself...
Last month we published another set of Miraculous Stories from Amazing Thailand.
Dead End
Pattaya's New Beach Promenade: Dead End at North Pattaya.
The wall close the access to the (existing) sidewalk heading for North Pattaya's Roundabout and Thai Airways's Office...
Dead End
For more pictures from Pattaya's New Beach Promenade please click here.
We blah-blah
Parking only for Motorcycle-rental agents
On July 9th, 2013, Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and Banglamung District Chief Sakchai Taengho announced loudmouthed that City Hall will start a crackdown on the makeshift businesses. They also promised the clearing of sidewalks to free parking spaces, including bus parking and large motorcycle rentals.
As predicted nothing happened:
Almost all parking areas between Central Road and Walking Street are still occupied by Motorcycle Taxi Drivers, Food Vendors and Motorcycle Rentals.
Lakota
UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter
Mi-17V5
Russian transport helicopter Mi-17V5
On October 8th, 2013, Thailand's cabinet gave the green light to the Army's proposal to buy six UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters and two Russian-made military transport Mi-17V5 helicopters. The Royal Thai Army claims that the purchase had been planned for a long time and it was necessary.
It seems that the Army as well as the Government forget that the Army already owns more than 200 helicopters. But: Fewer than half of them are ready to fly! Moreover, annualy a few of the Army's helicopters crash.
Another Helicopter crashed on October 9th, 2013
Just to proof our report, a helicopter from Thailand's Anothai special task force under the Forward Command of the Internal Security Operations Command plunged into a canal in Songkhla's Thepa district.
The helicopter was inspecting high-voltage transmission towers between Pattani and three districts of Songkhla when its pilot lost control of the aircraft and flew it into the high-voltage power lines.
After an emergency landing in the Sai Bo La Yu Canal the pilot and the 10 officers on board were able to jump out before the helicopter sank...
Contemporary Art in Pattaya
Food for Pattaya's Nature
Pattaya's Beach Promenade
Pattaya City Hall is preparing its 3rd 'Meeting Point' just a few meters in front of Pattaya's famous Beer Garden.
Pattaya Paloma
Pattaya Paloma
Pattaya Paloma
Nightworks for a 24-hour long Lightshow to choose and buy your very own street-, park- and gardenlight(s).
Without Helmet
Without wearing a helmet my motorcycle runs faster - a lot faster, even with 3 people.
Taxi Driver in Pattaya
Please Click for: Mike Baird's Cartoons
Mike Baird's Shirts & Mugs
Please Click for: Mike Baird's Pattaya T-Shirts
Cartoonist Mike Baird designed Exclusive T-Shirts and Mugs.
You can order them directly from the Soi 6 Corner Bar
or the Soi 3 Around The Corner Bar.
On Facebook you can purchase the funny goods too!
Be happy to live in Pattaya
Breakfast, as served in good old England...
PAdventure Holidays in Pattaya
PAdventure Holidays in Pattaya
PAdventure Holidays in Pattaya
PAdventure Holidays in Pattaya
October 16th, 2013, Pattaya Beach Road
Thailand's leading Beach and Familiy Resort presents:
Pattaya City Hall wastes your money
Produced, installed during May 2010 and paid, but never used.
BigC extra! likes to write English
The Gangsters running America's National Security Agency
monitored calls of 35 world leaders, The Guardian reports
It's time to arrest and punish this gangsters and their abetters.
The Gangsters running America's National Security Agency
have tapped Chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone since 2002!
Barack Obama's spokesman Jay Carney not even denied it!
The Gangsters running America's National Security Agency
It's time to arrest and punish this gangsters and their abetters.
Never forget:
It's not your Face and not your Body that makes you sexy in Pattaya.
It's your MONEY!
More Information
The Godfather's Story
The Kunplomes
Lesus
Mistakes in writing you can find everywhere in Pattaya, even is this highly professional publication.
Now we are happy to inform you that our kind of writing got a copycat in the Vatikan:
On a newly stamped coin the Vatikan was spelling JESUS with an L.
According to Experts it's highly obvious that the designer of the coin is a regular visitor of this world known Beach Resort. Pattaya's well documented slip virus is highly infectious. Since a few years it can be found all over Thailand.
Fully contrasting Pattaya's habits the Honourables in Rom pulped their Corpus Delicti immediately.
Nobody is perfect.
Don't trust these men
They support criminal organisations officially known as NSA and GCHQ
Germany's weekly Der Spiegel proves that a liar is governing the US.
A 28-year-old British man has been arrested on suspicion of hacking into US military and US government computer systems.
Please understand:
Only NSA and GCHQ have the right to hack into other peoples computer systems and to steal confidential information.
Everybody else will be punished!
That's today's democracy and judicature.
Be aware of the NSA
The National Security Agency has built a network that can access as much as 75% of all U.S. Web traffic. With the help of Great Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), they control whole of Europe too.
We all should defend freedom like Nelson Mandela did it, or Julian Assange, Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden do it today.
Chris Inglis
Chris Inglis, Deputy Director of the US National Security Agency, claims that the job of the NSA is to exploit networks to collect intelligence in cyberspace and to defend certain networks - but not carry out destructive acts.
The NSA has a responsibility to break codes, make codes and to defend signals communications of interest.
Click here to read his view of the case.
Andrew Parker
Andrew Parker, the head of Britain's Security Service, believes that Intelligence Officials in both the US and Britain have the right to retain the capability to access everybody's information, messages, e-mails and contacts.
This impertinent Official even asserts that leaks cause enormous damage to make public the reach and limits of GCHQ (and NSA) techniques.
Nevertheless, The Guardian and its editor Alan Rusbridger announced that they plan to publish more revelations from Edward Snowden despite Andrew Parker's warning.
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party, still believes that data leaked by ex-US intelligence worker Edward Snowden and fortunately published by The Guardian, has damaged UK's national security.
The contrary is true:
The data collected by Great Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) damaged the integrity and security of every single citizen in Great Britain and in the rest of this world.
President Francois Hollande
On June 9th, 2013, France's President Francois Hollande announced that Europe's debt crisis is now over.
On October 2nd, 2013, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said that the economic recovery in the eurozone remains weak, fragile and uneven. A further support for the banking sector could not be ruled out...
Some 50 years ago my teacher already told me:
Stupid people make their living as politicians.
Francois Hollande seems to be France's proof of that rule.
October 13 2013:
The Government of the United Kingdom proposed a Royal Charter on Newspaper Regulation.
The charter was written by politicians, imposed by politicians and controlled by politicians.
It marks the end of Press Freedom.
Nip it in the bud!
October 13 2013:
Sir David Omand, a former Former No 10 adviser, claims that the leaked surveillance programme details have been the most catastrophic loss to British intelligence ever.
But British Business Secretary Vince Cable says that Edward Snowden performed a very considerable public service.
Sir David Omand is wrong.
He has to learn that our world needs a lot more 'Snowdens'!
Last Month
Opened:
Puphaya Budget
All Seasons Loft
English Rose
XD Cinema Walking St.
Russian Cafe Walking St.
Asia Backpackers
Relocated:
Schnitzel Wirt Naklua
Closed:
Champagne A Go-Go
Central Station Soi 8
Jungle Bar Soi Yamato
The Rising Sun
The Lincoln 3rd Road
Big Event:
For more information
click September News.
Throwaway Mentality
The average lifecycle of tablets, smartphones and notebooks has shrunk to only about three months currently, down from six months originally.
It is due to the frequent changes in consumer purchasing habits and the fierce competition between the manufacturers.
With a 3-month lifecycle it's impossible to include real quality tests during the development of the product.
You get an embryonic non-sustainable throwaway product. Think about!
Intel got the Lesson,
but Microsoft?
Our source in China reports that Intel plans to release cheap CPU's for products using the Android platforms in the second quarter of 2014.
Intel has already offered subsidies for its Bay Trail-T processors including Atom Z3740 and Z3770.
Nevertheless, with pricetags between US$29 and US$37 Intel's CPUs were less competitive compared to ARM-based quad-core processors.
Intels new entry-level processors will cost between US$15-20.
Let's hope Microsoft will fellow and will announce new, better and cheaper versions of its operating systems.
Desktop Computers and Laptops do not need touch screens.
China goes France
Dongfeng Motors
Dongfeng Motors will purchase a 30% stake in PSA/Peugeot-Citroen for US$1.63 billion.
PSA already has a partnership with Dongfeng, one of China's large car producers.
Dongfeng Motors
BMW look-alike front
Dongfeng Motors runs a subsidiary in Thailand and sells some of its product under its DFSK brand.
Quality Problems
During last year Thailand's Government distributed 860'000 China made 7-inch tablet computers to Prathom 1 students.
A report shows that in the meantime about 30% of the tablets have broken.
The One Tablet PC per Child policy was implemented last year.
Not so High-Tech
Do you know that Germany's High-Tech Cars are not so High-Tech as their advertisements suggest?
Audi, BMW, Daimler (also known as Mercedes Benz) and Porsche are still not able to design and produce 'luxury' cars with low CO2 emissions.
Porsche's Cayenne still distributes over 200 grams of CO2 with every kilometer it runs.
The EU likes to reduce the fleetwide CO2 emissions from 130 grams to 95 grams per kilometer by 2020.
But Germany's 'High-Tech' car manufacturers aren't ready for the challenge...
Adobe hacked
An unknown person or organisation had hacked Adobes accounts and had stolen the data and credit card details of 2.9 million customers.
The unidentified hackers also stole the source code for a number of Adobe products.
We don't give up!
Mobile application developers indicated that they will not quit BlackBerry 10 or Windows Phone 8 developments.
Some developers claim that they will stay in the BlackBerry 10 or Windows Phone 8 camp because the smartphone market has been filled up with too many of Apple and Android applications.
NightWalker's Technology News
Warning #1
Do not ride Jet Ski in Pattaya!
No progress on jet ski saga:
Pattaya City Hall still doesn't do anything to stop the scam!
All the announcements made during last year were City Hall Blah-Blah only...
As long as jet ski vendors - respectively their victims - fill up our officials' pockets nothing will happen!
Warning #2
Do not sit under a Coconut Tree!
Before you sit down on Pattaya's Beach Promenade please check if there are some coconuts above your head. Dropping coconuts can be deadly.
They kill worldwide 150 people every year.
Warning #3
No Thai Ladies please!
Warning #4
Avoid mosquitoes, they spread the Dengue Fever
August 19th 2013:
Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the Public Health Ministry to strengthen its efforts in tackling dengue fever.
The number of infection cases in Thailand has tripled to about 90,000. It was twice higher than the five-year peak in 2010.
Date-rape drug warning
According to Pattaya Police, it is common in this resort that foreign tourists get drugged and robbed in their hotel rooms, apartments or houses by prostitutes or ladyboys.
Latest incident(s):
Thailand's Medical Services Department (MSD) warns all hospital users nationwide of a gang of life-threatening thieves. Reject all kinds of drinks offered by strangers!
Ladyboy Pick-Pocket Gangs on Pattaya's Beach Promenade
Ladyboy Pick-Pocket Gangs are working almost daily on Pattaya's Beach Promenade!
Latest incident(s):
No Nuke Please!
Never forget Chernobyl, Hiroshima & Fukushima!
October 20, 2013:
October 1st, 2013:
Contaminated Rain water:
4 tons of radioactive rainwater has seeped into the ground after overflowing from a storage container. The level of radioactive substances in the water just after the storm was 160 becquerels per liter. That's five times the government limit for releasing water into the ocean.
August 22nd, 2013:
Thailand's Science and Technology Minister Phiraphan Phalusuk is vowing to push for the construction of nuclear power plants in this country.
Stop him immediately!
This stupid man doesn't know what he is speaking about!
Pattaya has Rooms
Pattaya has Rooms
79 Baht
Clothes still can be cheap and/or sexy - if they don't bear your brand: 79 Baht - NEW not second hand!
The moocher touted during London's September 2010 Fashion Week that the time of cheap clothes has definitely gone! Miss Lagerfeld is a unconvincable babbler!
Pattaya likes Fun
No Praking
Unknown Security
Dessing in Thailand?
Still problems with Copyright Designs?
BigC's Internet
BigC claims in its latest flyer (October 24th - November 6th, 2013) that Samsung's Galaxy Young S6310 supports Facebook as well as Twister...
Do you know more stupid people than the members of the Republican Party, the gravediggers of the United States of America?
Silly PitPit writes the News
Alitalia got a 500m €uro (£425m; $678m) rescue package to fly 1st Class into its bankruptcy.
Silly PitPit recommends
The designer of Vatikan's Lesus coin should get the Nobel Prize for Creativity.
Avoid GM Foods
Genetically Modified Foods are healthy for their designers wallets only!
Last Word
Enjoy Pattaya - as long as you can.
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