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Christians celebrate the King’s 60 year anniversary
A Chiang
Mai Christian leader heading the worship.
Preeyanoot Jittawong
On the occasion of the 60th
anniversary of HM the King’s ascension to the throne, many Chiang Mai
Christians gathered to march in honor of the king at Thapae Gate on
Saturday, June 3, 2006.
Christian churches in Chiang Mai together with five Christian schools,
Prince Royal’s College, Sacred Heart School, Montfort College, Dara
Wittayalai School and Regina Coeli School affirm their allegiance to the
monarchy.
The activity started from 4 p.m. with a parade of two groups from Chiang Mai
Buddhist Place to Thapae Gate. All wore yellow shirts, the symbolic Royal
color.
Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai mayor joined in worship and both
foreigners and Thais, prayed to their God to bless the King with a long
life.
The mayor then lit candles in honor of the King and the congregation sang
the Royal anthems at Thapae Gate.
Big brother will be watching YOU!
Traffic
statement in Chiang Mai Municipality area.
Nopniwat Krailerg
Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai Mayor said that Chiang Mai Municipality
has finally received the cash for a computerized system of controlling
traffic lights for which the budget was allocated in 1999!
A traffic light control system on 96 crossroads will now be controlled by
computer that is able to manage 1,000 points. The system is also designed to
be able to check the numbers of vehicles through CCTV from 20 points
throughout Chiang Mai.
This new system is not only to control traffic efficiently but also to help
traffic police to work more smoothly and conveniently. The municipality has
spent 60 million baht to install the CCTV at 20 points and at action centers
and another 10 points known for violent events or crimes. 40 million baht
was raised from the government to support this project.
The CCTVs are able to record for 14 days and, if any unexpected situation
takes place, it can be checked from the file record.
Presently 30–40 accidents take place in Chiang Mai municipality area each
day. Furthermore, CCTVs will also be installed at Nawarat Bridge to check
water level of the Mae Ping River to warn of flooding the municipality area
and a million baht is expected to be used for this installation.
The mayor said that he believed that CCTV would improve traffic and be
convenient for tourism, including warning of impending disasters. Moreover,
it also uplifted the livelihood and tourism of Chiang Mai province and he
hoped it could reduce crimes and accidents to make Chiang Mai a better place
to live.
Fire rages through Karen student center
Chiangmai Mail Reporter
In the early afternoon of Saturday May 27 embers from a small fire in the
compound of Ban Phanthakit, a dormitory complex for Karen secondary school
students in Chom Thong district town, sixty kilometres southwest of
Chiangmai, were whipped into the air by a sudden freak storm and landed on
the grass-thatched roofs of the nearby buildings. As the heat of the flames
further fuelled the strength of the localized storm, the fire spread so
rapidly that within only ten minutes all the buildings in the centre were
razed to the ground.
The fire brigade arrived within minutes, but could do nothing but save the
Catholic church at the entrance to the compound. The school clothes, books,
computers, library, bedding and personal possessions of the students and the
Catholic Karen Sisters who take care of them were totally destroyed. Overall
damage is estimated at well over five million baht. The students have been
temporarily housed in cramped conditions at Ban Doi Thong in Tambon Doi
Kaew.
For many years it was almost impossible for Karen hill tribe children to
attend secondary school, due to lack of funds and secure dormitory
accommodation. Five years ago the Former Pupils Association of the Hill
Tribes’ Children’s Centre at Baan Mae Pon in Chom Thong district decided
to remedy this situation, and from their own savings and borrowings, and
with the assistance of a hill tribe charity and other donors, erected a
series of simple bamboo and thatch buildings for the students. The latter
grew their own vegetables and their parents provided rice and transport
costs to and from school each day.
The Former Pupils Association and its supporters are determined to rebuild
this compound, which is so important for the future of young Karen from
remote mountain villages. The estimated cost of reconstruction using
non-flammable materials is five and a half million baht. If any of our
readers would like to assist in this worthy cause, please send you
contribution to the Siam Commercial Bank, Chom Thong Branch, Chiang Mai,
Account Number 539-2-27077-7.
Pandas told to populate or perish!
 Chuang
Chuang, the bashful bear, at Chiang Mai zoo. (File photo Nopniwat Krailerg)
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Thanong Natheepitak, deputy director of the Zoological Park Organization,
has given the two Pandas Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui until next year to come
up with progeny.
“If by next year the two pandas, Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui are unable to
conceive naturally, we might apply artificial insemination. The process can
use sperm imported from other countries, not only the sperm of Chuang
Chuang. Panda specialists from China and USA will travel to Chiang Mai
especially for this process,” he said. The deputy director added that in
the past, artificial insemination of pandas had succeeded in both China and
USA, so it is not a strange procedure and is considered safe.
The plan might be applied, if by next year they have not been able to breed.
Thailand is to host a world conference of bear experts in Chiang Mai, with
specialists from the USA, China and other countries discussing new
techniques to increase the bear population.
Is there anyone out there who would like to take samples from Chuang Chuang?
Panda porno movies will be supplied by the Department of Breeding.
Chiang Saen Customs destroy bird flu vaccine and sexual tonics
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Chiang Saen Customs Officer, Patcharadit Sinsawad, together with the Food
and Drug Association (FDA), incinerated confiscated goods. The evidence
earmarked for destruction consisted of 353 bottles of bird flu vaccine, 470
boxes of Chinese medicine; kidney tonic, blood tonic and sexual tonic valued
at 4 million baht.
Patcharadit said that since the spread of bird flu in Thailand, the
government had issued orders to prohibit any bird flu vaccine being brought
into the kingdom. The Department of Customs issued orders to customs
officers in border areas to be strict in arresting any smugglers. Chiang
Saen Customs Office is another smuggling route along the Mekong border which
is close to the Golden Triangle between Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and China.
There have been continuous attempts to smuggle in this kind of vaccine since
last year and Chiang Saen Customs have seized over six cases containing
1,717 bottles of bird flu vaccine. There have also been numerous seizures of
Chinese drugs and tonics.
Patcharadit said that the production of bird flu vaccine and other medicinal
concoctions is in the south of China, and stored at the border in the South
of China at Guan Lei Port and Jing Hong Port. They are then packed in cargo
ships coming from China along the Mekong River to Thailand at the Golden
Triangle port of Chiang Saen, before being smuggled ashore.
Although the customs officers are finding the contraband hidden in the
freight cargo ships, no one on board admits to ownership of the illegal
products. Officers on board pretend that they are just the delivery boys,
and they are not responsible for the goods on board. The customs officers
seize the evidence but are not able to punish anyone for the crime.
500 year old pottery discovered at Anubarn Chiang Mai School
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
Construction workers at Anubarn Chiang Mai School discovered a two meter
deep hole in preparation to construct a four storey building. They found it
was the entrance to an underground cavity approximately three meters wide by
three meters deep, containing many items of pottery.
Archeologists were called in before the workers continued and Chinnawut
Wilayalai, an archeologist of the 8th
Office of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai said that the pottery consisted of jars,
kettles and cracked crockery. He assumed that these ceramic items might be
from the old San Kamphaeng kiln which meant that the pottery would be
approximately 500 years old.
He issued an order to temporarily stop the digging process until officers of
the Fine Arts Department could come to the site. It is believed that there
may be numerous examples of ancient pottery left beneath the basement.
Another theory is that this place might be the chamber of a pagoda linked
with the Kitti Temple’s pagoda which was built in the Meng Rai period
around 700 years ago.
Thanu Samorkham, vice-director of Anubarn Chiang Mai School said that
previously, there had been many building constructions. Ancient pottery had
been found beneath several buildings; such as crockery, jars, stone mortars
including ancient herb grinders and all the discoveries were kept in the
school’s museum.
88th Boy Scout Workshop of 17 Northern provinces
Preeyanoot Jittawong
The 88th Boy Scout Workshop
under Kingkarn Na Chiang Mai, president of Chiang Mai Boy Scouts, was held
on June 3-4to exchange opinions and to offer instruction on Boy Scout
activities. The workshop concluded that Boy Scout groups throughout the
country, especially in 17 Northern provinces, should remain impartial
politically. Boy Scouts should not take action to either support or resist
politics because it may lead to injustice. However, if any conflict mentions
the royal institution, Boy Scouts should follow their ideology to protect
country, religion and king.
Suwat
Tantipat, Chiang Mai governor greeting Boy Scouts who attended the seminar.
The 17 Northern provinces Boy Scouts held a parade to honour HM the King on
the occasion of 60th year
anniversary of his ascension on the throne finishing at the Thapae Gate on
June 4.
Boy Scout meetings throughout the country to honour the king will be held
between October and December, 2006 and around 6,000 Boy Scouts from six
regions will attend, with a thousand Scouts from each region. This will be
held at the Vajarivudh Boy Scout Camp in Sriracha, Chon Buri.
Local residents reject Ping River wall flood mitigation project
The area which has been
damaged five times by the severe floods of last year.
Krirkkit
Kanchanakorn (Student trainee PYU)
Local people who live along the Ping River in Chiang Mai met to discuss
rejection of the proposed wall along the Ping River which had been designed
by the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning and is
supposed to prevent a flood in the city. The proposed wall will be 19.4 km.
long and will cost approximately 1,390 million baht to build.
Many organizations and groups had previously submitted ideas to prevent
flooding in Chiang Mai. Other organizations such as the Social Research
Institute, Chiang Mai University, Wildlife Fund Thailand under the Patronage
of HM the Queen, Wat Gate local people, the Urban Development Institute
Foundation (UDIF) and the College of Social Management said that this river
wall project was conceived in too much of a hurry without taking time to
evaluate the true effects. In addition, most people who were affected by
last year’s floods did not have opportunity to participate in the
discussion about this project. They said if the other 35 flood prevention
projects in Chiang Mai, which they had previously proposed to the cabinet
were applied, there would be no need to construct any concrete wall to
prevent the floods.
Also, previously, there was a survey to ask the opinions of local people who
live along Ping River and after the pros and cons were enumerated, local
people rejected this project. They said that if there was too much water, it
will cause an increase in pressure to the subterranean water table and the
buildings located alongside the Ping River will be damaged. Local people
also said that there is no guarantee that building a wall can prevent
flooding, as graphically demonstrated by the failure of the water wall
projects in some provinces like Singhaburi and Sukhothai, which still face
severe floods every rainy season.
It is also possible that if the volume of water is more than the wall can
withstand, it will cause more damage to many areas along the Ping River
because the flood water cannot flow back to the river when the floods
subside, leaving stagnating pools.
Local people who have lived in Chiang Mai for a long time said that this
river wall project will destroy the uniqueness and scenery of the Ping
River. Moreover, this project is a knee-jerk solution and will only waste a
huge amount of money that should go to other more useful solutions which can
really prevent the flood; such as an alarm system, enhancing water absorbing
projects, digging water chanels, and preserving water sources.
In 2005, Chiang Mai endured the biggest floods for 30 years that were so
severe that they severely affected the city’s economy and caused
substantial damage to the property of local people, especially those who
live along Ping River. This brought about the promises from the prime
minister that the government will study the matter and construct the
concrete river wall.
Mae Hong Son Governor itchy over possible mudslides
Chiangmai Mail Reporter
Direk Konkleeb, Mae Hong Son Governor said that in rainy season there is
heavy rain in Mae Hong Son and there mudslides have already damaging houses
in Pai district. Mae Hong Son is 90% mountain and forest areas, which are
mudslide risk areas.
The province has ordered to 7 district chief officers to be ready to
evacuate people living in mudslide risk areas and informed districts to
check alarms in villages. If there were to be heavy rain for more than 1
hour in any area, chiefs of Tambons and village headmen have to inform the
district and the district will evacuate the people immediately. There are
approximately 43 villages at risk in Mae Hong Son.
Flooding in Uttaradit – now we count the costs
Chiangmai Mail Reporters
15 days after the flood in Uttaradit, 71 corpses have been found, 32 people
have been lost, 447 houses are severely damaged, and 2,278 houses were
partly damaged.
Farmland ravaged covers 106,000 rai and over half a million domestic animals
were lost. More help is being contributed by officials, organizations and
individuals. At this moment, all routes are accessible.
Officials have been able to provide 17.3 million baht in aid.
Thousands of student march for the monarchy
10,000
Chiang Mai students joined the activity at Thapae Gate.
Preeyanoot Jittawong
A student parade on bicycles on June 5, 2006, was arranged as a method to
protect the environment and to honor the king. The parade started from
Chiang Mai Buddhist Place to Thapae Gate.
Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai Mayor, presided over the activity and said
that the environment became a problem it was necessary to solve as well as
to develop society and it was a problem for all nations. Since the King
ascended the throne, he started many projects concerning natural resources
and environmental conservation. The King has used his ability to improve,
adjust and show processes to match Thai citizens’ living. “We could call
our great King the Father of Natural Resources and Environment
Conservation,” the mayor said.
Mae Hong Son upset over misuse of HM the Queen’s bamboo forest
Khajohn Boonphat And
Saksit Meesubkwang
Seksan Jairakpraphasuk, the village headman of Baan Rak Thai, near Mae Hong
Son has asked Chana Naksuriya, Deputy Mae Hong Son Governor to investigate
the situation of HM the Queen’s bamboo forest at the 3rd
Region Army and the Pai Tong (Dendrocalamus asper Back) plantation project.
In addition there were complaints of a monk being dispossessed. In reply,
Chana promised to set up an investigation committee to investigate this
matter.
Seksan said that on March 23, he received numerous complaints from local
people that there was a bulldozer and workers trespassing on 24 rai of the
HM the Queen’s bamboo plantation project. There was also a Pai Tong
plantation project nearby, belonging to Lt. Gen. Phichartmeth Muangmanee,
former general of Third Army Region who had developed this plantation in
2003-2004.
After being informed, Seksan together with a village security team armed
with shotguns checked the perimeter. The security team found a volunteer who
was friendly with officials in the area taking care of the forest clearing
activities, so Seksan negotiated with him to stop the illegal activities
Seksan also said that very suspiciously, he was informed by Decha Satthapol,
Muang district chief officer, Mae Hong Son that he and the village security
team had to return the 15 official shotguns and 150 shells and hand them
over to the district. Decha claimed that he was hired by Thongchai
Chatuchit, Mok Cham Pae TAO, Baan Rak Thai and accused Seksan and his armed
posse with threatening the other group over the alleged trespassing.
Seksan said that Decha had met with residents of Baan Rak Thai and informed
them that there would be Taiwanese financial backers together with Thongchai
Charuchit, the TAO member who wanted to use the area for the production of
Shitake mushrooms and other cold-weather plants. However, in the meeting,
there was survey of local people’s opinions. After that, a group of
workers came to remove bamboo and tea plants from the area including the
monk’s chamber from the Baan Rak Thai Temple. After clearing the area, the
ground was turned over to a ginger plantation, with several people closely
taking care of the crop, which caused dissatisfaction amongst local people.
The Village headman also said that many of the so-called Taiwanese financial
backers could not speak the Taiwanese language, but communicated to each
other in Chinese or in the Red Wa dialect or an unknown dialect that caused
people to be suspicious. More importantly, the financial backers were
allowed to trespass onto the royal area which was considered to be
incorrect. Local people wanted these financial backers to stop planting
ginger and return that area to 3rd
Region Army to plant a forest to extol HM the Queen. If there was no
response, Seksan said he would bring all the local people to chase all the
people involved to Mae Hong Son City Hall.
Direk Konkleeb, Mae Hong Son Governor said that he did not know anything
about this situation. He promised to call the district chief officer and
village headman for more information, adding that if local people do not
want the financial backers planting ginger, then the authorities will stop
them doing it.
40 million baht buys flood alarm in Night Bazaar
Saksit Meesubkwang
Boonlert Buranupakorn, Chiang Mai Mayor said that the municipality has
budgeted to install 2 warning alarms; especially for flooding in municipal
areas. The first will be installed at Kawila sub-district, at Baan Den
Graveyard, Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road. The second one will be installed in Meng
Rai sub-district, Tambon Wat Gate. These alarm posts will be 15 meters high.
Satellite system broadcasting centers will be located at 4 sub-districts.
Each point can broadcast 2 km. These projects will be started on June 5.
The alarm installation was instituted after Smith Thammasarod, the president
of the Advance Warning Commission, decided to install warning systems in
risky areas to warn people to be alert if there is any flood or mudslide so
evacuation in time is possible.. There over 20 locations for warning alarms
costing 2 million baht per point.
Thasanai Saesue, president of Night Bazaar Merchant Club said that he was
pleased that the government will install flooding alarm in city area. They
will know beforehand before losing much property like the previous year.
However, the merchants said that the government should install the flood
alarm in decent place that do not affect shops, merchants, and tourists and
make them afraid because of the a warning tower.
Water contaminated fuel oil distributed to customers
Nopniwat Krailerg
Rungnapa Ruangsoranarak complained that her car was affected by gasoline
mixed with water after refueling at a gas station operated by Somjit Chiang
Mai at Tambon Wat Ket in Muang, Chiang Mai.
She said that after refueling she drove the vehicle a short way and her car
stopped and could not start again. She called a mechanic who told her that
water was in the fuel tank.
She informed the gas station and told them that she would hold them
responsible for paying for repairs, but the station claimed that the head
office in Bangkok had to be informed before they could do anything. She
learned that four other vehicles were similarly affected and the owners then
all decided to inform police in concert.
With the police intervening, the gas station capitulated and said it was
willing to pay for all damages. The four vehicles accepted a garage that the
gas station offered but, as Rungnapa’s was a new car, she wanted it
repaired in her car manufacturer’s service center.
Police told the station to temporarily stop its fuel oil distribution until
it can be proved that water is mixed in the fuel oil. In a similar recent
case, it was found that the underground tank was leaking and, incidentally,
polluting the surrounding water table.
A million baht for ya ba from a Black Lahu
Chiangmai Mail Reporter
Police, acting on a tip off, prepared to spend a million baht to set up an
operation to purchase ya ba from a Black Lahu gang smuggling the drugs over
the Thai-Burmese border at Muang, Chiang Rai.
The sting was set up at a gas station near the Mae Korn crossroad in Muang,
Chiang Rai. A man on a motorbike carrying a black kitbag was met by
policeman in civvies who gave a signal to the ambushing police to close in
for the arrest. The offender, known as Lotu Weicheku, 32, a Black Lahu, was
carrying 30,000 pills.
He informed police that he had worked as construction day laborer for low
wages before he decided to deal drugs with other Black Lahu along
Thai-Burmese border. He had smuggled drugs in several times but had not been
detected by police.
However, once again, the big boys have gone free.
Red Wa dealer arrested with 20,000 ya ba in sting operation
Saksit Meesubkwang
In an undercover operation, police from Chiang Rai contacted the Red Wa
network in Myanmar. The drug dealers suggested a trade in the area close to
border, but the officers declined this meeting place for fear of being
attacked by Red Wa network armed forces. The drug delivery place was changed
to the entrance of Moo Baan He Go village, Mae Chan district where there was
already an armed force patrolling the area because it was known to be
frequently used by the drug dealer network from the neighboring country.
The deal was finally arranged to the satisfaction of both parties but when
the drug dealer appeared at the rendezvous, the police officers lying in
ambush sprang the trap and arrested the man who was identified as Abe Yapha,
48, a Lisu and resident of Mae Chan who was carrying 20,000 ya ba pills
hidden in his sack. He was sent to Mae Chan Police Station to face legal
proceedings.
Under gentle interrogation the accused admitted that he transferred the
package from the drug network opposite to Baan Santisuk with four other
people who were the front line delivery agents. They smuggled the packages
along the border mountainous area to deliver to the other dealers whom they
did not realize were disguised police officers.
Community radio station owner has plug pulled
Nopniwat Krailerg
Chiang Rai Provincial Court sat in deliberation on the case against Jitr
Sukhasighakhlee who was charged with violating the Radio Communication
(Community Radio) Act.
According to Thai constitution, section 40, the frequency for radio
transmitting, television broadcasting, and radio communication is regarded
as a national communication resource and not for public use. Independent
government organizations must arrange the frequency and control it for the
benefit of the nation as a whole for education, culture, and government
security and to ensure equal and independent competition.
Previously, there were many individual Community radio stations as there was
a lack of technical knowledge about broadcasting and their signals
interrupted the frequencies of main stations. The transmitters for community
radio must be less than 30 Watts and the aerial must be less than 30 meters
high with a broadcasting radius of a maximum of 15 Km. Currently. it is the
duty of Department of Public Relations to inspect and closely monitor all
aspects of radio broadcasting.
In the Jitr Sukhasighakhlee case, the court judged that the defendant was
guilty of several charges which contravened the radio communication act
1955. There were three particular cases which he violated; namely possessing
a radio transmitter without permission, setting up a radio station without
permission and interrupting radio communication. Each charge carries the
penalty of imprisonment for one year and a fine of 20,000 baht. Having been
found guilty on all three counts, he was sentenced to being imprisoned for
three years and fined 20,000 baht.
However the defendant expressed his contrition to the court so eloquently,
that the judge was moved to compassion and his sentence was reduced to 18
months jail and a 30,000 baht fine. In his defense, it was shown that the
defendant had no previous run-ins with the law, and had permanent
accommodation. Also, he had a father and mother to look after, and children.
His radio transmitter and various other appliances were seized by the
Frequency Examination Center: Area 3 Lampang.
Hill tribe drug manufacturers killed by Red Wa
Khajohn Boonpath
Up to 20 hill tribe drug workers who smuggled drugs in a Red Wa area,
opposite Pang Mapha district of Mae Hong Son, were reportedly killed because
they did not pay the Red Wa a tax.
Thai Army Intelligence disclosed that on May 31, 2006, Red Wa or UWSA
attacked a heroin factory owned by the Chinese Haw Gogang group at Huay
Salop north from Baan Khang Pla in Burma, 30 kilometres from Pang Mapha, Mae
Hong Son. The UWSA killed 17 factory workers who were Lahu, Lisu and one was
a Thai, a resident of Pang Mapha, Mae Hong Son, serving as a Thai news
source in that factory. There were only two people left alive, who were then
taken to Baan Huay Aw, opposite Chiang Dao of Chiang Mai.
It is thought this incident stemmed from the movement of 200 bars of heroin
from Baan Na Kong Moo, delivering to Taiwanese customers at Baan Pa Kluay,
Tambon Mon Pin in Fang of Chiang Mai, by Ja Pao, Paw Lee and allies. These
people did not pay taxes to the Red Wa troop so retribution was taken.
Police officers find further clues in grisly murder
Nopniwat Krailerg
A businessman whose charred body was recently found in a longan orchard at
Baan Ton Lung, near Mae Taeng on May 30, as reported earlier by Chiangmai
Mail, was identified as Seksan Sukaseme, the owner of Bua Luang Tour and
owner of a Harley Davidson spares distribution business.
With very little evidence to go on, the officers examined several possible
motives for Seksan’s murder, including robbery and even adultery.
Enquiries revealed that Seksan had received demands for immediate payment
from a group of creditors, accompanied by threats of what would happen if
the payment was not forthcoming immediately.
Pol. Col. Chamnan Ruadrew, said that his police officers are searching for
clues from many places; including the Harley Davidson distributor where
Seksan used to work. Officers were also looking for the Harley Davidson
motorbike which Seksan was known to have ridden before he was murdered. It
is believed that this crime was committed by several criminals who worked as
a team.
Police officers found clues which point to at least three of the
perpetrators of this terrible crime. The police have witnesses who overheard
the three suspects having an argument with Seksan; and have apprehended the
three men.
Ya ba pills hidden in sticky rice
Nopniwat Krailerg
A sticky rice seller was offering more than mango with her sticky creations.
Having been tipped off that she was selling ya ba pills to teenagers in
Tambon Chang Klan, Muang district, Chiang Mai, Pol. Lt.Col. Thanet
Wiboonkiat, investigation inspector of Muang Chiang Mai Police Station sent
an informant to buy the ya ba pills from the food merchant, who handed over
an amount of sticky rice with 24 ya ba pills hidden in the rice.
Licking their fingers in anticipation, Police officers showed up and took
her to Chiang Mai Police Station to face charges. She was identified as
Supaporn Rattanachomphoo, 33, resident of Muang Chiang Mai.
Supaporn admitted that she was also a food merchant in the Kampaengdin area.
Lately, she had earned less income, and had got into debt, so she had
resorted to selling ya ba pills. The regular customers who bought ya pa
pills from her, knew that she packed the ya ba pills in coffee straws hidden
in the sticky rice.
Students arrested with 18 ya ba pills as evidence
Nopniwat Krailerg
Two young men were arrested by the Chiang Mai police after receiving
information that they were involved in supplying ya ba pills to university
students.
Both Chaturong Rattana, 26, a resident of Hang Dong, Chiang Mai and
Sathapong Yonthawin or “Top”, 21 a resident of Mae Chaem district,
Chiang Mai came from good homes, so financial need could not be used as an
excuse. At the time of the arrest both were found to be in possession of 18
ya ba pills.
The police officers had been informed that Chaturon was selling illegal
drugs to people who lived in Nuan Noi dormitory Muang district, Chiang Mai.
Officers arrested him while he was resting in his room, which when searched
was found to contain eight ya ba pills.
After he was arrested, the accused admitted that he had bought the ya ba
pills from Sathapong or “Top”. Officers persuaded Chaturong to call
Sathapong and to say that he wanted more ya ba pills and asked Sathapong to
deliver the package to Chaturong’s room. Sathapong duly arrived to deliver
the ya ba pills, and the police officers arrested him. The officers searched
Sathapong and found 10 ya ba pills.
Both accused men, and the evidence, were sent to Chiang Mai Police Station.
Hopefully. both will realize that it was hardly worth the effort for 18
pills, but the could also be said regarding the arresting police. These were
hardly “Mr. Big”.
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