Interview With the Gatekeeper of Khaosarn Road

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14 May 2013, 15:37

Pol.Col. Jakkapop Sukontaraj, taking phonecall from another police officer during the interview.

Guarding the western entrance to Khaosarn Road – the famous backpacker street of Bangkok – is Chanasongkram Police Station. Although its jurisdiction extends well beyond Khaosarn Road, the iconic street is inevitably main focus of the police force.

Seated in his office next to small statue of Guan Yu,the
Chinese god of honesty and loyalty, Pol. Col. Jakkapop Sukontaraj, Superintendant of
Chanasongkram Police Station, talked to Khaosod English correspondent
about his role in maintaining safety and order in the one of the most vibrant
foreign tourist destinations in Bangkok.

Note: The interview was conducted in Thai
language.

* *
*

Khaosod English: How long have you been stationed
here?

Jakkapop: I’ve been moved here in 2010 – slightly after the confrontation between the
Redshirts protesters and the military that took place right next to Khaosarn
Road that April. But I’ve had my share of political violence; I was stationed
at Dusit Police Station before that, which means I witnessed the Yellowshirts
protest in front of the Parliament in 2008 and the Redshirts protest in 2009.

Khaosod
English: Please tell us what sort of crimes that your force has to deal
with in Khaosarn Road.

Jakkapop: General crimes, really. Some involved
narcotics crime, but mostly it’s individual consumption of illegal drugs, very
few selling or dealing.

There are also cases of theft and physical assaults.Sometimes foreign
tourists fight each other. It’s fueled by alcohol and misunderstanding, you
see.

These
crimes are generally not serious so most of the time we have the grievant
parties sort it out together at the police station.

Khaosod English: Is it
difficult to oversee this area,where there are many tourists and nightclubs?

Jakkapop: Not really. I’d say that compared with other nightlife
areas of Bangkok – like Ekkamai and Ratchadapisek – Khaosarn is much better
off. Khaosarn is destination to many foreign tourists. They are like guests. These people want to
travel and have fun, not intent on making troubles or committing
crimes.

Khaosod
English: What’s the most serious crime you have
handled so far in Khaosarn area?

Jakkapop: Murder following heated argument and knife-fights. It involved Thai persons, though. As I said, very, very few chance foreign tourists are victims of serious crimes. Mostly we have fistfights between drunken foreigners.

Khaosod
English: Is sexual harassment endemic here?

Jakkapop: We have had reports and complaints about sexual
harassment before, but I’d say it doesn’t happen a lot. Maybe it is because
many tourists in Khaosarn are Westerners, and they have their own culture and
respect.

Khaosod
English: What about the infamous gangs that trick or
cheat tourists?

Jakkapop: We don’t have much of that around here, because Khaosarn Road is residential
area where tourists stayed over, not the commercial area where tourists shop.

We do have
such problems around Sanam Luang(Royal Field), though. There are many tourists over there
each day. In that case we coordinate closely with Tourist Police and Grand Palace Police Station to solve the problems.

Khaosod English: How do
these scammers operate?

Jakkapop: They would approach unsuspecting tourists out of
nowhere, acting very friendly. Then they would convince the tourists to sightsee some temples, but
eventually they would trick the tourists into buying stuff at places like jewelry shops where they
get commissions for the purchases.

Some tuk-tuk drivers or taxi drivers also belong to the scammer network.
They know each other and have financial interest with each other.

That’s why
foreign tourists should be cautious of people who try to befriend them in suspicious manner. They
should not easily be persuaded to go somewhere because strangers suggest so. If the tourists want to
go somewhere on that day, they should plan it before they leave their hotels and stick to it.

Khaosod
English: So foreign tourists shouldn’t trust Thai people who make
conversation with them? That would go against the image of Thai people as friendly
bunch.

Jakkapop: No – I’m merely saying you can talk with people you met on your trip in
Khaosarn, but you shouldn’t automatically take everything they said for
granted.

If they
say something you’re intrigued in, it’s advisable you check about it at your hotel, using the
internet or asking the reception desk, to find out whether the strangers’ claim. Don’t be
gullible.

Additionally, you can contact the Tourist Police when in doubt, or you can come consult with
us here at Chanasongkram Police Station.

Khaosod
English: Talk about doubt, I have some curiosity to share with you. Sometimes tourists are baffled
to see staff of the street bars where they were enjoying their buckets suddenly packing up tables
and chairs from the street. Shortly afterwards a group of police vehicles and officers follow,
making sure no one places table on the street. But just when the police are out of sight, the party
is back on street again…

Jakkapop: Yes. Just like that market near the rail track
in Mae Klong where the vendors moved away from the rail as the train approaches
and get back to business again once the train is gone.

Well, I
suppose that situation in Khaosarn happens because the vendors are not afraid
of the laws. Perhaps the fine is too low, so they keep breaking the traffic
laws like that.

Khaosod
English: Don’t you think it’s better to just let them
be? Tourists enjoy these street bars. You can’t just shut them down
anyway.

Jakkapop: Look, we have laws to follow. We police
have to make sure things go according to the laws.

If someone wants to change the traffic laws, to make those street bars perfectly legal, they have to go through the procedure in
amending laws, and once the change is validated, we’d be happy to follow that
new laws.

Khaosod
English: Tell us about what your police force do in term of protecting
tourists around Khaosarn Road.

Jakkapop: Apart from routine crime suppression like patrols and
arrests in the vicinity, we adopt ‘prevention’ tactics – as in preventing potential troubles from
happening in the first place.

For example, we talk to various shops in the area – the employers, the
employees, staff, vendors and security guards – about the need to be considerate toward tourists. We
make them understand that if anything bad happens to these visiting guests to our nation, there
would be damages, both to the country and the business in the area.

We also
coordinate closely with the nightclubs in Khaosarn Road, and you know we have many of them around
here. We lay out strict rules that they have to follow: no weapons, no drugs, and no underage
party-goers.

Let me
admit it, we don’t have enough police to be stationed in every nightlife establishment at all time,
so we mostly ask for their cooperation in these matters. If they follow the laws, there would not be
problem for anyone.

Furthermore, at the police station we have free internet service for foreign tourists to find
information they might need.

Khaosod English: Do your police force have
problem communicating with foreign tourists?

Jakkapop: We
try to have translators in our station as much as possible, but we don’t have enough budget for
that. So, we rely on language skills of local people sometimes, people like street vendors and
tourist agency staff. They are all very helpful.

Nonetheless, we also have regular English courses or
programs to teach officers in our station to improve their English.

* *
*

Thaksin To Skype With Redshirts Rally On 19 May

By

Khaosod English

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14 May 2013, 14:56

(14 May) Redshirts leadership chairwoman said the exiled Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra will give speeches via Skype to Redshirts protesters during their upcoming rally on 19 May 2013.

The rally will mark 3rd anniversary
of the final military assault which ended the Redshirts protest on 19
May 2010. Until the assault, the Redshirts had been camping in Ratchaprasong Intersection and the financial district of Bangkok, demanding then-PM Abhisit Vejjajeeva to dissolve the parliament and call an
election.

Today, Ms. Tida
Tojirakarn, chairwoman of the National United Front Of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) outlined the rally
activities
in a press conference to reporters. Events include motorized convoy traveling around the city to lay down flowers
in spots where Redshirts were killed during the military operation, speeches, and lighting of
20,000 candles in the
evening.

She estimated that over 100,000 Redshirts
will show up.

Ms. Tida added that Mr. Thaksin
will skype to give speeches and honor the martyrs who died in 2010. There will also
be exhibitions showing photos and videos of the crackdown.

Meanwhile, Ms. Payao Akhard, mother of Ms.
Kamonkate Akhard (aka. Nurse Kate), the medic volunteer who was shot and killed while tending to the wounded on 19 May 2010, said she would make merit to her daughter′s
spirit at Pathumwanararm Temple – where Nurse Kate was killed 3 years ago. She said she would make merits to spirits of 5 other people
who were killed alongside Nurse Kate in that temple as well.

The religious service is scheduled to
take place at 10.00 on 19 May 2013. Ms. Payao said she would address
reporters about her experience in the last 3 years
afterwards.

Letters To Editors: 13 May 2013

By

Khaosod English

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13 May 2013, 18:39

Trang Railway complaints

Dear respected editor of Khaosod,

My wife lives in Trang and I have to use the Bkk-Trang rapid train quite frequently since I think trains are safer than other modes of travel.

However, I am quite disappointed by one trait of this mode of transport, and I have heard countless complaints from fellow passengers. The trains are always severely delayed without proper reason. You can say this almost always happen.

The train is set to arrive at 8.05, but every time I reach Trang no earlier than 9.30. On April 29th, I actually arrived at 11. No Governor of the State Railway of Thailand was ever able to solve this situation.

I’m just imagining for fun and requesting that if by some chance Governor of the State Railway of Thailand is reading this, can you please reduce the rate of delay from 100% to 60%, pretty please?

Respectfully,
Weera Wittaya

Mr.Weera,

I think we all know the meaning of the phrase “Thai trains: you either arrive or you don’t,”

However, the current Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, Mr.Prapas Jongsanguan, is an innovator and I think if he knows of your complaint, he would be very interested to improve the situation, or at least explain the delays.

Khaosod editorial team

Suggestion to hand out water containers

Dear Editor of Khaosod,

For this year’s drought, the water and flood management committee is planning to distribute plastic storage tanks filled with waters to village centers in 15 provinces, with the budget of 300 million Baht.

However, by the time the storage system arrives, the drought would have already passed and it would be already raining.

I would like to suggest they distribute Oang (folk household water containers made of clay) instead since it is more convenient and a lot cheaper.

With each family placing Oang in front of their houses, the trucks can just come and fill water in these containers.

This way is also better for families with old or handicapped members and small children who are unable to walk to the district center and get the water by themselves. Most of the people in the villages are either old or young since the working aged members are off working in the city.

Thank you
Mana

Mr.Mana,

Your suggestion will surely reach the eyes and ears of the water and flood management committee so that they can take into consideration the opinions of the villagers.

Khaosod editorial team

Nakorn Pathom Locals Worship White Buffalo Corpse

By

Khaosod English

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13 May 2013, 18:10

(12 May) Residents in Nakorn Pathom province pray to a corpse of a white-colored buffalo which died shortly after its birth.

The corpse is displayed on a shrine at Sawang Arom temple, Nakorn
Chaisri district, where scores of locals light their incenses and pray to the dead animal, asking for lucky lotto number and good fortune in their lives.
Some reached out to touch the corpse with their money, believing that its spirits would help bring wealth to them.

Pra Kru (Temple Master) Yatithammanuyuti, abbot of the
temple, said the calf was born on 11 May to a buffalo
given to the temple by one of the locals.
He told our correspondent the
buffalo suffered greatly in its labor before finally giving birth to a 20 cm. baby buffalo. Its skin was distinctively white, reminiscent of the White Elephant held sacred by Thai traditional belief.

The abbot said the baby did
not live long – it died 20 minutes later – so he had the temple staff
clean the corpse and display it on the shrine. Words spread quickly in neighboring villages, drawing large crowds to the
temple.

However, the abbot added that he had told the villagers it is
better to work hard in order to get rich than praying to prematurely born
buffalo.

Pattaya Police Bust Sex Show Hawkers

By

Khaosod English

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13 May 2013, 17:53

(13 May) Mueang Pattaya police arrested illegal tour guides, with their pamphlets for sex shows, targeting foreigners in Walking Street Pattaya.

Police said
they have received numerous reports on these illegal tour guides or sex show salesman causing
annoyance to tourists on Pattaya walking street, begging, guiding, and often bullying foreigners
into sex shows.

7 Thai male illegal guides were arrested along with their colorful pamphlets
advertising sex shows and clubs. Police said they illegally operate on Pattaya walking street.

The suspects confessed to working for sex establishments in Pattaya walking street as a
guide and sales person for sex shows, herding male foreigners into the establishments.

A
separate team of police have also arrested more than 30 drug users and prostitutes along the beaches
of Pattaya and have detained them in Mueang Pattaya police station for further
investigation.

Police have pressed charges of distributing pornographic material for
commercial purposes. The drug users were questioned and will be prosecuted according to the legal
procedures. The prostitutes were fined and let go.

Bride Filed Charge Against 'Runaway Groom'

By

Khaosod English

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13 May 2013, 16:53

(12 May) A bride filed complaint against a man who reportedly promised to marry her but disappeared on wedding day, refusing to pay neither the wedding preparation cost nor the promised dowry.

Ms. Tatchada Prachoomsarn, 21, in her bridal gown, with Ms.Pawana
Prachoomsarn, 40, her mother, along with 10 of her family and friends arrive at Mueang Lopburi police
station to press charges of spreading false information to cause financial and reputation loss
against Mr. Nattapat Holarn, 29, whom she said was her fiancee.

Ms.Tatchada said she had been
dating Mr.Nattapat for 1 year and he came to see her mother to ask for her hand in marriage. He
offered to pay a dowry of 300,000 baht in cash and gold.

The wedding, she said, was set to
take place on 12 May and has been paid for by the bride’s mother, 240,000 baht in total, all of
which the groom promised to reimburse.

Ms.Tatchada said that she woke up at 05.00 today in
anticipation for Mr.Nattapat’s arrival at 07.30 with the ‘kanmark’ – a traditional wedding procedure
involving the groom leading colorful procession to the bride′s house to ceremoniously ask her hand
for marriage – but he did not show up. She then called him on his cellphone but was unable to reach
him.

She and her mother, along with relatives and friends, then went to his house but he was
nowhere to be found. His parents confirmed that they had no knowledge of the wedding, so she decided
to go to the police station.

Right now, nobody knows where Mr.Nattapat is, which seems to
confirm that she has been duped. She pressed charges and police are now looking for Mr. Nattapat so
they can negotiate and come to a solution.

She also said that not only did she lose money
for the wedding ceremony, she feels so ashamed because she invited more than 100
guests.

Initial investigations reveal that Mr.Nattapat had 3 previous wives whom he has
divorced. A warrant summoning the man to the police station for questioning and mediation will be
issued.

Man Who 'Spent 10,000 Baht On Alcohol' Told Police He Was Mugged

By

Khaosod English

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13 May 2013, 16:37

(12 May) Fearing the wrath of his wife, a drunk man who has wrecked his motorcycle made up a story, reporting to police he was mugged in Bangplee area of Bangkok.

This incident took place at 03.30 this
morning, when Bangplee police station received radio reports that a mugging took place near
the gas station on Teparak Road., km.9. Police rushed to
the scene with investigative officers.

Mr. Chachawal
Boonmeerit, 33, was standing next to his wrecked Honda motorcycle, with multiple wounds to head face
and body.

Mr. Chachawal informed police that, before the incident, he was out having drinks with his
friends and rode his motorcycle home. 3-4 men then assaulted him and took
10,000 baht cash that he had with him and escaped. He walked to the gas station and found some
rescue workers who helped contact the police.

He told the police
he was mugged in front of a restaurant 2 km away, but when the police
took him to the scene of the crime to point out the spot, he refused to do so. The security camera
footage of the area was taken into consideration and the man was taken to the Bangplee police
station for further questioning.

Later, he admitted that he made up the whole incident
because he was very drunk, wrecked his motorcycle, and afraid his wife would be mad at him. The
10,000 baht that was allegedly stolen was spent drinking alcohol, he added.

The police eventually charged Mr. Chachawal with making false report, saying that he has caused much unnecessary
trouble for the police force and his actions should not be taken as an example.

Northern Redshirts To Join Bangkok Rally

By

Khaosod English

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13 May 2013, 15:14

Soldiers firing shots in Bon Kai area of Bangkok, May 2010

(12 May) Representatives of National United Front Of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) in charge of coordinating Redshirts activities in 17 northern provinces promised a march on Bangkok this month to commemorate 3rd anniversary of the deadly military crackdown on Redshirts protests.

Those protests started in mid-March 2010 and ended on 19 May, when the military assaulted
their encampment in Ratchaprasong intersection, central Bangkok. More than 90 people were killed in
those months of political violence.

Today, leaders of the UDD northern chapters and their
associates unveiled their plan in a press conference held at Aunty Noi Grilled Chicken restaurant,
Uttaradit province.

Some of the speakers brought copies of Matichon and Khaosod newspapers
issued during the crackdown, and leafed through the pages to show pictures of the event before the
cameras, saying these should help remind Redshirts of what happpened 3 years ago.

Mr.
Pannawat Narkmool, Uttaradit′s UDD representative, said Former PM Abhisit Vejjajeeva must be held
responsible for the deaths and injuries caused by the confrontations in April-May 2010.

They have committed violent atrocities toward Redshirts as though Redshirts are not their
fellow compatriots, Mr. Pannawat said, insisting that the protesters were fighting for
democracy.

Mr. Pichit Tamool, UDD representative from Chiang Mai, said Redshirts from 17
provinces in the north will travel by 250 buses and a number of private cars to Bangkok to join the
UDD rally there, which is set to take place on 19 May. On the evening of 18 May, he said, the
protesters will gather in Nakornsawan province before setting for the capital city together.

'Commander Red' Admirers Remember His Death

By

Khaosod English

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13 May 2013, 14:40

Maj.Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol, aka. "Commander Red"

(13 May) Supporters of the rogue general who sympathized with the Redshirts during their 2010 Bangkok protests gathered to commemorate his death at the spot where he was fatally wounded by sniper fire 3 years ago.

Maj.Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol, commonly
known as Seh Dang (Commander Red), was talking to foreign journalists
at the southern end of Redshirts
camp near Lumpini Park, on the eve of week-long military campaign to dislodge
the Redshirts,
whenhe
was shot in the head by unknown assailants. He died few days later in hospital.

Today, more than 300 Redshirts marked his death in a religious
ceremony conducted by 10 monks near the spot he was shot. His
daughter, Ms. Khattiyar Sawasdipol, was also present at the
ceremony.

Mr. Thanakorn Maneechote, representative of Seh Dang Lovers Group which organized the event, said
there are people who remain deeply fond of Commander Red.
He said the previous anniversaries were focused on politics, but this year his group wants to
focus on messages of love, faith, and mourning.

People in our group have different memories about
Commander Red, Mr. Thanakorn said.

Mr. Thanakorn added that his group planned to
march around Lumpini Park later today to honor Commander Red and demand the government to
pass Amnesty Bill so that society can start their reconciliation. Speeches and other activities are scheduled to take place this evening as
well.

Speaking to our
correspondent, Ms. Khattiyar – who is currently a Pheu Thai Party MP – said that she was glad to see so many
Redshirts remembering her father even thought it′s been 3 years since
he passed away.

It means the Redshirts are
still waiting for justice for my father and many other martyrs who
lost their lives in the 2010 protests, Ms. Khattiyar
said.

400 Thai, Burmese Workers Clash In Nakorn Ratchasrima

By

Khaosod English

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13 May 2013, 14:13

(12 May) Fights broke out between hundreds of Thai and Burmese workers wielding makeshift weapons at construction site in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

The police received the report about the violence around 12.20. The workers belong to the Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Ltd. which was assigned to constructing the offices of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) in the area.

Reports say the workers, who live on the construction site, wielded iron pipes, wooden poles, and knives as weapons. The Burmese workers also reportedly burned down the Thai worker’s camp site.

Police then informed Nong Nam Daeng fire department and rushed to the scene with more than 100 investigative officers and rescue foundation workers. After on scene investigations, the space was undergoing construction of the mast cleat. Behind the construction site is the camp site for workers to live, housing almost 500 workers.

Burmese workers were seen standing in front of the Left camp site holding iron pipes in a large group. Room number 421-422, belonging to a Thai worker, was badly damaged by fire. A Burmese worker was also stabbed in the back and was sent to Paakchong hospital. However, our correspondent added that the injured Burmese worker would not let doctors treat his wounds, made a scene, and fled the hospital.

Meanwhile, the safety manager and the foreman of the construction crew, along with translators, were trying to cool down the incident while police looked over the area.

Mr.Nattapol Sothorn, 46, safety manager of the construction crew, informed police that the incident stemmed from Sunday, which was some of the workers’ day off. Some workers were drinking and playing loud music, then a fistfight broke out.

The translator and a Thai worker entered the area and tried to break out the fight, but chaos broke out soon after, which was during the lunch break, and one Burmese worker was stabbed by a Thai worker. Then, the Burmese workers entered the Thai worker’s camp site and started burning the camp. The workers who were on duty joined in as well, Mr. Nattapol said.

The situation at the worker’s camp site remains tense, with some of the Burmese workers forming a front, with weapons, in front of their camp. Police force remained at the scene until the management staff of Sino-Thai managed to finish negotiations with the workers.

The victim or arson was advised to press charges, calling for 10,000 baht in damages.

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