Thieves In Pattaya Kill Police And Injure Three

[Samui Coconut]

Thieves in Pattaya kill police and injure three

Pattaya - A group of suspected thieves killed a police volunteer and seriously injured three other people including a local news reporter on Monday in Chon Buri's Pattaya City before fleeing, police said.

At 4.30am, local cable TV reporter Panupong Thongprem called police and told them he was attacked by three males aged about 18 to 20 while travelling towards Pattaya Police Station on a motorcycle.

He was on his way to the station to cover a story about thieves stealing clothes left on Jomthien Beach by tourists while they swam. Based on his knowledge of the case and the fact that they were running from the direction of the beach, the reporter believed his attackers were the beach theft suspects.

One of the suspects slashed Panupong's neck and left arm with a 30 centimetrelong knife, before they fled back towards Jomthien Beach on a motorcycle, said Pol Maj Anuchet Kardsomboon of Pattaya Police Station.

Superintendent Pol Colonel Noppadol Wongnom led police officers and volunteers in a search of the area for the suspects. Two police volunteers who caught up with the suspects, Ekkalak Meeso, 35, and Den Khajadpai, 33, were attacked and severely injured, as was security guard Ampol Jaikla, 15, near the Jomtien Pacific Hotel, before the suspects disappeared into Soi Watboonkanchanaram.

Den later died in hospital.

Noppadol said police would publish sketches of the suspects and ask the public to help in the hunt for them.

As Den died on duty, police would help pay his funeral expenses and provide his family with financial assistance and a plaque in his honour, Noppadol said. Police would also help pay the medical bills of the three who were injured, he said.

The Nation

[Samut]

Unfortunately crime is on the rise in pattaya and foreigners are most of the time the target. shall we arm ourself or leave it to the police?

[townville]

A 15 year old security guard ???

[hm1973]

Here is the PCN story. One of my journalists was caught up in the story and from what he told me today, he is lucky to be alive.

Police Volunteer dead, Journalist, security guard and two other volunteers injured as three man gang escape from crime scene.

Police Colonel Nopadon,. The Chief of Pattaya Police along with other senior officers made their way to the Pattaya Memorial Hospital in the early hours of Monday Morning to investigate a horrific knife attack which left one Pattaya Police Volunteer Dead, two volunteers injured along with a security guard and a local journalist who sustained a serious knife wound to his neck.

Also caught up in the drama was a Pattaya City News journalist, Khun Sirowet, who explained the chain of events. The story begins on Jomtien Beach when Khun Sirowet who was working with another local journalist, Khun Panoopong were made aware of a breaking story on Jomtien Beach where two Thai Tourists had decided to go for a late night swim and as they were in the water, they noticed three men were stealing their cloths and other valuables. The three men escaped and the Police were called. As the two journalists made their way to the scene, a check of the Police frequency confirmed the descriptions of the three suspects. Khun Panoopong realized that the three men had just driven past him and the journalist who is also a Tourist Police Volunteer decided to give chase with our journalist following behind on another bike. The chase took them to the front of the Jomtien Nivet Village on the Thappraya Road where one of the three man gang approached Khun Panoopong and produced a knife. At this point he swung at the journalist who sustained a penetrating cut to his neck. Our journalist arrived and attempted to assist Khun Panoopong and using his helmet as a shield, he was also attacked but was not injured thanks to the helmet. It then became a three versus two man struggle and the two journalists managed to escape and the three men did not follow.

The two journalists made their way to Hospital and at the same time, Pattaya Police and volunteers began the hunt for the three men. They were tracked down to the Jomtien Pacific Village where a confrontation took place resulting in the fatal stabbing of one volunteer, Khun Den. Two other volunteers sustained serious injuries along with a security guard working for the village.

Unfortunately the three men managed to escape and are still at large. Police are now urgently investigating this case and are pulling in every available resource to catch the three suspects who will be charged with murder and accessory to murder when caught.

Pattaya City News

Monday 5th June 2006.

[Thaipwriter]

petty thieves stealing perhaps a watch and a bit of cash off the beach just happen to be carrying a reported 1foot long knife and are prepared to kill rather than face being caught.

Shocking

[Pattaya_Fox]

A great tragedy.

My condolences to the family and friends of Khun Den and I wish the other brave men a speedy recovery from their injuries.

Let us hope that these desperate murderers are soon caught.

[britmaveric]

Awful - hope those dead RIP!

[libya 115]

I feel confident, that this being Thailand, the men who are guilty will be caught and brought to justice.

If a similar attack happened in the U.K. I fear the police response would be less efficient, and that those responsible would 'get off' on a 'technicality'; and even if found guilty, be released back into the 'community' following a European 'human rights' ruling.

[TBWG]

If a similar attack happened in the U.K. I fear the police response would be less efficient, and that those responsible would 'get off' on a 'technicality'; and even if found guilty, be released back into the 'community' following a European 'human rights' ruling.

Hi

Unfortunately all too true!

TBWG

[Mighty Mouse]

This is a tragic incident that highlights the need for police volunteers to be either fully trained and properly equipped or to be instructed not to become involved in dangerous pursuits.

The same applies to domestic security guards and journalists.

Criminals will become violent when they are cornered and most criminals carry weapons. Unless you are armed and fully trained to handle such a situation, it is best to opt out and let those who are equipped and trained confront the criminals.

I join with the rest of you hoping that these murderers are brought quickly to justice.

[johnh101]

My wife was speaking to one of the motocycle drivers who doubles up as a volunteer. He has been issued an official police radio so he knows what is going on in his area.

He told her he has never seen Pattaya as bad as it is now, his radio is a constant stream of robberies, muggings, druggies, etc.

Are the police losing control ?

[alexth]

Didn't they saw it coming from the Air Surveillance Dept.??? C'mon, that is too much and it reflects their skills and strategy. Better raiding clubs, pubs and gogo bars, it's much more safe AND entertaining.

RIP for those that died.

[Mighty Mouse]

..... his radio is a constant stream of robberies, muggings, druggies, etc.

Are the police losing control ?

What else would you expect to come over a police radio? After all, they are involved the crime business.

[Scott]

My condolences to the family and friends.

[StateSix]

If a similar attack happened in the U.K. I fear the police response would be less efficient, and that those responsible would 'get off' on a 'technicality'; and even if found guilty, be released back into the 'community' following a European 'human rights' ruling.

Hi

Unfortunately all too true!

TBWG

No it isn't. If a police officer is killed, every single other officer would be giving 100% to find the killer. Why would their response be 'less efficient', when one of their colleagues has been killed? The Police and Criminal Evidence Act may prevent them from investigating it in the same manner as the Thai police are able to, but that does not make them less efficient.

If the police investigated the offence correctly, and the CPS prosecuted correctly then they would not 'get off on a technicality'. People only get off on technicalities when the police or CPS cut corners or do not follow procedures correctly. A correctly convicted murderer will not be released on a European 'human rights' ruling either.

RIP Den Khajadpai

[johnh101]

..... his radio is a constant stream of robberies, muggings, druggies, etc.

Are the police losing control ?

What else would you expect to come over a police radio? After all, they are involved the crime business.

Yes, of Course !

What I was trying to say was that it is never ending. It is like every minute of everyday.

[teletiger]

A correctly convicted murderer will not be released on a European 'human rights' ruling either.

RIP Den Khajadpai

Quite right Statesix. They will serve at least 5 years!

regards.

[pattayamick]

This story also shows, that more police and volunteers are needed, where it all started. Namely on

Jomtien Beach.

Tourist police and volunteers are ever present in force on walking street, but none is visible on Jomtien Beach road, where the number of ladyboys and bag snatchers easily outnumbers the police. Every night lots of young Thais in large groups on motorbikes up and down on Jomtien Beach road. Why not make an effort and do a bodysearch on them.

Tourist police and volunteers please note.

Pattaya city is growing at an alarming rate, but unfortunately it seems to me that the police force is not growing at the same pace.

Edited June 6, 2006 by pattayamick

[suiging]

Must admit I have to agree with Mick. A Pattaya basher I will never be, however, the local MIB's beat coverage does leave a little to be desired. Saw some poor fellow accosted on Pattaya beach side the other week ( yes, out far to late should have been in bed ), looked like he had turned down some lady (?) in perhaps a none too polite manner and was paying for his choice by afore mentioned cow, now with friends, screaming at him at the top of her/their collective voices in a most threatening way.

Same as Mick's point, not a copper to be seen anywhere near this likely assault ( luckily for him he ran ), yet 100 yards down the street, at the entrance to Walking Street, half the cavalry were sat basking in their collective glory. Whoever on here, who may have the ear of the Old Bill, may like to drop the odd comment that the beach side boulevards, our supposid tourist havens, are fast becoming a tad wild much like certain areas of Iraq.

[cuddleypete]

My condolences to the family and friends.

[wilko]

Unfortunately crime is on the rise in pattaya and foreigners are most of the time the target. shall we arm ourself or leave it to the police?

Is this comment either accurate or helpful?????

[Kerryd]

Unfortunately crime is on the rise in pattaya and foreigners are most of the time the target. shall we arm ourself or leave it to the police?

Is this comment either accurate or helpful?????

Neither. Crime may be on the rise, but it doesn't appear to me that foreigners are the target "most of the time".

We've gone over the topic of "subjective reporting by the english language media" many times now. I also did a lengthy post on the crime rates in Pattaya compared to similar places (like Las Vegas and Honolulu). The facts showed that Pattaya was far safer than most (if not all) major tourist destinations (of a similar nature and size as Pattaya).

Probably should mention to Samut that it's not a good idea in this day and age to post your full address in your profile either.

Edited June 7, 2006 by Kerryd

[Jai Dee]

Photo-fit images released of two of the three man gang involved in the death of a local Police volunteer.

An update now on yesterdays shocking knife attack on Police Volunteers and journalists which left one Pattaya Police Volunteer dead. At Pattaya Police Station on Tuesday Morning, Police Colonel Noraboon, the Deputy Chief of Chonburi Provincial Police met with the family of the dead volunteer and offered his sincere condolences on their loss. He promised that the Police would take care of all funeral expenses. An additional donation of 30,000 Baht was given to the family by the Colonel and the Volunteer section of Pattaya Police gave the family another 30,000 Baht. The victim worked at the View Talay Villas and they gave the family an extra 5,000 Baht.

During this meeting photo-fit images of two of the three man gang responsible for the murder were released to the press. If you recognize either of these two men please inform Pattaya Police immediately.

Following the meeting, the body of the victim, Khun Den aged 33 was handed over to family members who will take him to Nakhon Rachasima Province for cremation.

Source: Pattaya City News