PATTAYA DAILY NEWS (Thailand) 24 July 06 Snake Charmer goes Beserk in Pattaya (Jacques Biermann)
In his attempt to tout visitors paying a visit to the Snake Show, the man went crazy and lashed out at one of the unlucky lady visitors.
For the simple reason over price negotiation, the Snake Charmer vented his anger over a foreign lady, who had asked to post with his slimy snake friend. The man became enraged and lashed out on the poor lady,
On 18th July 2006, at 15.00 pm, Police Constable Suriya Variwongs, an Investigation Duty Officer of Pattaya Police Station, received a report that a female foreigner was physically abused in a local Bar Beer in Soi Diamond, Walking Street, Pattaya.
Acknowledging the report, Police Lieutenant General, Sutham Chaoseethong, Police Inspector, led a team of officers rushed to the scene and found the victim Mrs. Denberra Dalone, aged 43, from Scotland, had her left cheekbone bruised. She had apparently been involved in a fight and had parts of her body swollen and bruised.
The injured lady testified that a Thai man, who had a python as a pet and provided photo taking service, had punched her twice in the face, after they could not agree on the price over photo taking. The injured Mrs. Denberra Dalone requested the officer to press charges because such offence would have a knock-on-effect on the image of Pattaya and its Tourism, as well as to safeguard further incidence from happening. The Police mobilized their forces and went about to capture the Snake Charmer as he went about his business and was taking refuge in a nearby area. Later, the Police were able to arrest Sakul Arampra, aged 36, who attempted to flee the police on a motorbike upon their arrival. He managed to escape as far as his rented apartment in Soi Samrueng, South Pattaya area as the police caught up with him. As for his pet python that he used for the show, he hid it in a drainage somewhere before taking off. The police escorted him back to the station for further questioning.
Mrs. Denberra Dalone and husband together with their friends were able to identify her tormenture who had punched her. Mrs. Denberra stated that she was a regular visitor to Pattaya. Before the actual incident they were all having a drink in the bar till they met Mr. Sakul, the Snake Charmer and his friends, who were walking and showing their pythons and invited the tourists to take picture with the snake. The cost for having a photo taken with a snake was 200 Bahts each. They had agreed to take a total of 3 pictures and paid 700 Bahts. After the agreement, she and her friends took picture and paid the agreed amount, but they were ordered by Mr. Sakul to pay an additional of 300 Baht, which was not part of the deal so the temper flared.
Mr. Sakul started shouting and yelling and calling all his friends to side up with him, then Mr. Sakul jumped and delivered a heavy blow twice on Mrs Denberra‘s face. Her husband and friends, as well as the bar girls who were on the scene, tried to stop him. But the gang members of Mr. Sakul encircled them and try to ward off anyone from interfering. After that all the bandits separated and fled the scene. Luckily, the police were able to catch up with them later. Mrs. Denberra, sadly mentioned that " she felt very sorry about this incident. She, herself, had asked her husband and friends to come and visit Pattaya, which she thought was a very beautiful city. Much to her dismay and disbelief, she would think twice about visiting the city again in future. This incident had left her very disappointed, and upon her return to Europe she would tell all her friends about the bad experience that had befallen upon her and of how bad Thai men could be.
Upon being arrested, Mr. Sakul, the commiter of the crime, was appeared to be in a state of intoxication. He claimed that the injured had cheated him over the price of a photo and had scolded him causing him to lose his temper. He felt so enraged and intimidated by her remarks, so decided to give the woman a mean punch before making a quick getaway. The man was retained under police custody and later charged with having a python without a proper license under the Wild Animal Protection Act, as well as, charges of grievous bodily harm offences.
Snake Charmer goes Beserk