Overseas Thai embassies update visa guidance for foreigners - Pattaya Mail

Overseas Thai embassies update visa guidance for foreigners

Pattaya MailMay 7, 2021

Visas, extensions and reports dominate the lives of most visitors to Thailand.

Many Thai embassies, particularly those based in the EU and the UK, are revising their instructions to foreigners wishing to come to Thailand. The updates fall into two distinct time periods this year: May 1 to September 30and October 1 onwards.

May 1-September 30

The Special Tourist Visa (STV) is being completely withdrawn and the final end-date for flyers is July 2. Extensions once here are possible up to September 30 but not afterwards. The STV was introduced last year to cater for "snowbirds" and other tourists wanting a Thai vacation lasting up to nine months. It was never popular numerically and was heavily bureaucratic, requiring for example general medical insurance on top of Covid-19 cover. It might have proved more popular if travel bubbles and charter flights had been introduced, but frequent coronavirus flare-ups in Thailand and other Pacific-rim countries prevented that.



According to the Thai embassy in Bern, visas for medical tourists have now been suspended until further notice. Some other embassies, but not all, have quietly dropped medical tourism as a valid reason to request entry to Thailand. In normal times, about one million tourists a year have come under this category, the biggest single catchment being gender-reassignment and plastic surgery. No formal announcement has been made about this apparent visa cancellation, but is likely linked to the latest Covid-virus clusters plaguing Bangkok in particular.

Another cancellation is the visa-on-arrival which has been suspended until September 30. This visa covers 18 countries, China and India being the main sources, who were entitled to a stay of 14 days (plus 7 days extension) in pre-Covid times on payment of 2,000 baht on arrival in Thailand. Instead they have been told to apply for visas in their own country. There were only four European countries included in the visa-on-arrival arrangement: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and Romania.

Just another busy day at the Royal Thai Embassy in London.

The visa exempt category – 58 countries including the UK, the US and most of Europe – traditionally entitled to 30 days on arrival has survived the axe in this time zone. But their stay has been extended to 45 days because of the recent re-introduction of a two weeks' mandatory hotel quarantine on all arrivals (whether vaccinated or not) required by the Thai authorities. The visa-exempt category was formerly very popular with short-stay tourists, but is now expensive because costs include health checks prior to departure, compulsory Covid-19 insurance and an isolated two weeks' sojourn in a Thai hotel.



All other visa categories remain more or less the same in the period before the end of September. Tourists, students, retirees, foreigners with Thai families, permanent residents, business people, Elite visa holders and condominium owners are all eligible to apply for a certificate of entry from the Thai embassy in the country of departure. The documentation required varies according to the specific visa required.

October 1 onwards

All depends on the virus, but Thai embassies are outlining possible developments.

Quarantine relaxation

The plan is to allow foreign tourists and expats who have been fully vaccinated to enter Thailand to visit one of several Sandbox destinations which include Pattaya and Chiang Mai. This assumes that 70 percent of the local host population in receiving areas has been vaccinated by the end of September. The pilot Sandbox is Phuket which is scheduled to open on July 1, again provided a mass vaccination program on the island has been completed by the end of June. Assuming the Sandboxes actually see the light of day, the required documentation for entrants has not yet been stated.



The end of general medical insurance?

The termination of the STV (see above) means that general medical insurance – as opposed to specific coronavirus cover – will mostly have disappeared from embassy visa requirements. The one exception will be those applying for any kind of visa based on retirement, whether type "O" or "OA" or "X". Unless the issue is addressed, they will continue to need general medical cover to the tune of 400,000 baht (inpatient) and 40,000 baht (outpatient) on top of Covid-19 cover. Whether this idiosyncratic logic is a deliberate attempt to squash retiree applications (but no others), or a simple oversight, remains to be seen.

Jomtien Immigration has abolished the car park to provide more space for its customers.

90 days report

The unpopular three months' address reporting for expats and long-term visa holders is likely to be cancelled. It might be replaced by a computer app. which will record the relevant details and require updating only if the foreigner moves house. Such a system seems to work well in Cambodia.



Encouraging the rich

The government has set up a top-notch committee to recommend changes to immigration law from October. It is due to report in June. Leaks so far suggest there will be a new set of rules for the super-rich and those with special talents. There will likely be an expansion of the four-year Smart visa to include more digital nomads, extra bonuses for those holding the more expensive Elite visa options and the right to own land/property (not just condos) costing at least ten million baht in nominated and newly built housing estates in specific areas. The very wealthiest investors could even one day achieve permanent residency. Provided, of course, they keep on investing. 

7/5



Thailand will collect 300 baht tourist fee from all international visitors arriving in the country from next January. Thai Visa



 File photo: Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn//Credit: Daily News 

 

Thailand will collect 300 baht tourist fee from all international visitors arriving in the country from next January.

 

Speaking to Thai language news site Khaosod, Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the 300 baht fee will go towards creation of a tourism fund that will help the tourism industry deal with other unforeseen problems or hardships in the future.

 

Mr Phiphat said that if Thailand can attract 20 million tourists in 2022, then some 6.2 billion baht  could be generated for the fund. 

 

The proposal to introduce a tourist fee was first mooted in 2019 and then formally approved by the National Tourism Policy Committee in January this year. 

 

The idea behind the fee was that any money generated would be used in the management of tourist attractions as well as helping to cover the medical bills of uninsured tourists.

 

In 2019, a report by Nikkei Asia said that unpaid medical bills in Thai hospitals from tourists costs the state 448 million baht. 

 

Last year Thai media suggested that 34 baht will go towards insurance while the rest would be used for the maintenance and development tourism sites. 

 

Mr Phiphat also spoke on plans to re-open the country to foreign tourists from July 1. 

 

He said that cases would need to drop to zero before the country could implement its 'Sandbox' model.

 

Initially, Thailand had hoped to re-open Phuket to vaccinate foreign tourists, who could stay on the island without the need to quarantine. 

 

Mr Phiphat said there was still a chance the Phuket sandbox could go ahead but cases on the island would likely need to be zero and at least 70% of the island's population would need to have received the vaccination.

 

In the event the number of those vaccinated reaches its target but there are still cases being found on the island, the tourism ministry would need to seek further guidance from health officials as to whether the island could re-open.

 

🔴 BREAKING: The Thai health ministry reporting 27 deaths and 2,044 cases on Friday. Full update at 12:30pm. Richard Barrow

 





Bangkok Post Highlights 7/5

 

Foreigners to get 'equal access'.

Foreigners to get 'equal access'.

Jab booking systems to get upgrade to include everyone

A truck sprays disinfectant on to the streets in Ratchaburi's Muang district on Thursday after a spike in Covid-19 cases. Several of those infected were found to have taken part in social activities. (Photo: Saichon Srinuanjan)

Three million foreigners living in Thailand have as much right to Covid-19 vaccinations as Thais because the goal is to achieve herd immunity, the government declared on Thursday.

The policy is to vaccinate everyone in Thailand no matter whether they are Thais or foreigners. This would be carried out with people's consent and without discrimination, said Rungruang Kitpati, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry.

Some expats have vented their frustrations on social media about a lack of public information, problems registering for vaccinations and the lack of private vaccines.

"Anyone living in Thailand, be they Thai or foreign, will be able to get the vaccine if they want it," Opas Kankawinpong, head of the disease control department, said on Thursday. "No one is safe until everyone is safe."

Thailand's population is estimated at 70 million, of whom about three million are foreigners living here long-term, said Dr Opas.

"To protect this country against the novel coronavirus, we need to immunise at least 70% of the total people living here," he added.

He said the Public Health Ministry had vaccinated a vast number of legally registered immigrants in Samut Sakhon.

"Foreigners who want vaccinations can also contact their own embassy to get one," he said.

Dr Opas said the process for foreigners to register their interest would be the same as for Thais -- those in vulnerable and risky groups, such as healthcare staff, those living in at-risk areas, the elderly and those with underlying diseases, would be vaccinated first.

The government's mass immunisation programme has not started yet, since only frontline workers are getting their shots from a small stock of 2.5 million Sinovac doses.

The government's main stock is expected to come from a local manufacturer, who is set to reproduce AstraZeneca's vaccines from supplied ingredients from next month.

Pensom Lertsithichai, news division director at the Foreign Ministry, acknowledged that it was not yet possible for foreigners to apply for vaccines via the Mor Prom medical app or Line account but the Public Health Ministry was working on the issue and hoped it would be updated by next month.

"The ministry is trying their best to help foreigners, so they can either use the mobile app or contact hospitals directly and register to be vaccinated," she said.

For the second phase, she said that would start in June and run until the end of this year. The public and foreigners would be included in this phase, depending on their membership of at-risk groups.

Regarding Mor Prom, the medical application, and Line Official account platforms, she said the system did not allow foreigners to register for a jab at present, though the Public Health Ministry was working on it and aimed to have the change made by June.

"Foreigners might also be able to contact hospitals directly as soon as possible," she said.

The state sector had also insisted the only way the private sector could gain access to the vaccines was through jabs purchased by them.

"This is because vaccine producer usually does not sell vaccines to the private sector but rather goes through the government. Therefore, public entities such as the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation can act on behalf of the private sector in securing supplies," she added. 

ÅTERIGEN EN PLATS I BANGSAEN MED PÅ LISTAN !!! TIMELINE: Chonburi including Pattaya informs residents who visited places in relation to most recent Chonburi Covid – 19 cases Thursday, 6 May 2021, 19:06. Pattaya News



Pattaya, Chonburi –

The Chonburi Public Health Office last night (May 4^th) has released another timeline to inform people who went to specific places last month and this month to notify health authorities and monitor their health in regards to Covid-19. The following is an English translation of the release.

1. Fun Gym Pattaya in Soi Siam Country Club (Mit Kamon Intersection), Nongprue from April 19^th to April 20^th and on April 26^th from 6:15 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
2. Duang Phon Restaurant in Ko Chan from April 21^st to April 30^th from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.
3. Markets in Ko Chan district from April 21^st to May 3^rd from 3:30 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
4. Fun Gym Pattaya Huayyai branch, Banglamung from April 22^nd to April 29^thfrom 7:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
5. Gas shop in Ban Suan, Mueang Chonburi from April 25^th to May 4^th. Time was not given.
6. Dynasty Tire Shop Panat Nikhom branch on April 29^th from 11:00 A.M. to midday.
7. Chicken rice Jom Palang restaurant Bang Saen, Saen Suk on April 29^th from 9:30 A.M. to 10 P.M.
8. Public van from Morchit Bangkok to Wiparam Hospital Amata Nakhon in Klong Tamru, Mueang Chonburi on May 2^nd from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
9. Mister Donut in Big C Extra Central Pattaya, Nongprue from on April 18^th, 21^st, 23^rd, 25^th and on May 3^rd from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

If anyone has problems with respiratory symptoms and/or fever within 14 days from when they had visited those places, they must go to a hospital, according to the Chonburi Public Health Office.

Please inform the hospital that you visited the same place as a Covid-19 confirmed case, they continued.

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 76 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 this morning (May 6^th), a significant drop from yesterday. 

Official assures foreigners they will get vaccines. A high-ranking official has confirmed that authorities plan to include 3 million foreigners living in the country in its mass vaccination programme to protect the entire population, amid concerns over the scope of vaccine access. Bangkok Post

Official assures foreigners they will get vaccines

A man gets a Covid-19 vaccine shot at Wat Klong Toey Nai in Klong Toey district on Wednesday. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb)

A high-ranking official has confirmed that authorities plan to include 3 million foreigners living in the country in its mass vaccination programme to protect the entire population, amid concerns over the scope of vaccine access.

"Anybody living in Thailand, whether they be Thai or foreign, if they want they vaccine, they can get it," Opas Kankawinpong, head of the disease control department, told a briefing.

"No one is safe until everyone is safe," he added.

The government has repeatedly said foreigners would be offered vaccines.

But concerns among expatriates have been raised in recent weeks, with some venting frustrations on social media about a lack of public information, problems registering or confusion over private vaccine availability.

The country needs to immunise about 50 million people to achieve herd immunity of about 70% of the population, based on estimates of 67 million Thais and 3 million foreign residents, he said.

The mass immunisation programme has not started yet. Only frontline workers are getting the shots from the stock of 2.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccines.

Its main source of vaccines will be a local manufacturer set to produce AstraZeneca's vaccines after June.

Anxiety over vaccines has risen as the country deals with its biggest outbreak so far, with more than two-thirds of its 336 fatalities recorded in the past month alone.

New daily infections have been stable at around 2,000 since mid-April. There were 1,911 new coronavirus cases and 18 deaths announced on Thursday.

The Public Health Ministry is working on other ways to include non-Thais in the vaccination programme, including via mobile applications or direct contact from hospitals, according to the Foreign Ministry. 

6/5

 

Everything you need to know about Covid vaccines in Thailand right now | Thaiger





Everything you need to know about Covid vaccines in Thailand right now

By 

Tim Newton

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Which Covid vaccines are available in Thailand?

Thailand's FDA has licensed 3 Covid-19vaccines – AztraZeneca/Oxford University, Sinovac from China and Johnson Johnson. Only the AztraZenaca and Sinovac vaccines are currently delivered and available in Thailand at this time. Others will likely be approved in the next few months, including the Pfizer/Moderna mRNA vaccine (paperwork submitted) and Sputnik V from Russia.

Who imports the vaccines?

The Thai Government imports all vaccines and organises the distribution throughout the country. At this stage they have prevented private institutions or private hospitals from independently importing Covid vaccines. That situation could change as the government have publicised mixed messages about the issue in the past.

Who is receiving the vaccine now?

Whilst there has been delivery and distribution of vaccines up to date, there are more on the way with the intention of vaccinating around 70% of the Thai population by the end of the year. Only in Phuket has there been any major vaccination where a reported 22% of the island's population has received at least one dose. The second most vaccinated province is Samut Sakhon, the hotzone for the late December 2020 outbreak. The rest of the country is still sitting at around 1% or less.

Are the vaccines safe?

Yes. Despite some noise on the internet, the vast majority of people receiving the approved vaccines for Covid 19 are not displaying any concerning side effects following vaccination. Like all vaccines, there will be a small number of people with adverse reactions but the numbers are statistically negligible compared to the risks of not having a vaccine at all.

As of today (May 6), 1.16 billion people in the world have now been vaccinated – well on the way to a major milestone in the fight against Covid-19.

Be careful when consuming information on the internet and check the source of the information. If you have never heard of the source of the information before, Google them and check their credentials. There is, sadly, a lot of nonsense being published across the internet. Caveat emptor.

Who is being targeted for vaccination?

Healthcare professionals and people in the healthcare sector, populations in outbreak areas, elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions. The vast majority of people are Thai with only a small group of expats vaccinated – mostly working in the education sector.

The news for foreigners receiving a vaccination keeps changing. As it stands the foreign population are at the bottom of the list with no definitive policy on how or when Thailand's foreign population will be vaccinated.

What does the vaccination cost?

The vaccine is free to Thais, fully paid for by the Thai government through its public health system. There are no privately available vaccines at the moment, for payment or otherwise.

When will expats be able to expect the vaccine?

We simply don't know at the moment. The situation is very dynamic with foreign embassies being challenged to help their citizens. At this stage they are refusing to provide any assistance, across the board, regarding helping with vaccination of their citizens.

The Thaiger will report the latest information about this issue, accurately and in a timely manner.

Can I still go to hospital or clinics for other medical situations?

Absolutely. And you should still keep any regular appointment you may have had before this current outbreak. But it's also a good time to think ahead and stock up on any vital medications and keep the phone number of your physician at hand. Take appropriate precaution if you need to visit a Thai hospital at this time and understand that there may be longer waiting times than usual.

If you have private health insurance you should be using the services of a private hospital at this time rather than overloading Thailand's public health system.

Can I travel to Thailand at this time?

Yes. There are visas available and the borders are technically "open". But there are still hoops to jump through and paperwork to prepare. DON'T make any booking for flights or ASQ hotels, or anything else for that matter, until you have spoken to the Thai embassy in your home country, even if you intend to travel from another part of the world.

Chonburi Covid – 19 cases drop to 76 confirmed and new infections. Pattaya News



Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 76 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 this morning (May 6^th), a significant drop from yesterday.

This makes a total of 3,041 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,600 still in medical care, with seven recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.

Additionally, 1,434 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 96 were released yesterday.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi with 19, Si Racha 12, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 25, Phanat Nikhom 2, Sattahip 3, Pan Thong 9, Ko Chan 3, and 3 patients from other provinces transferred to Chonburi for medical care.

The details on today's cases given were:

1. Close contact from previous confirmed case from nightclub in the province, 1 case
2. Work in places with many people, 2 cases
3. Close contact from previous confirmed case
   • In work places, 19 cases
   • In families, 14 cases
4. Close contact from previous confirmed casesunder investigation, 23 cases
5. In the process of investigation in general 17 cases

In the last day, a total of 138 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 847 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community.

All are pending results. Additionally, another 802 people were tested from Royal mobile testing vans and are also waiting for results as officials step up aggressive community testing.

Finally, checkpoints with document requirements have been canceled as of yesterday in Chonburi BUT people are still being "requested" not to travel or leave the province but no longer need to go through a manual documentation process to get permission to leave which could put them and officials at risk of getting Covid-19.

Thailand’s pandemic credibility goes from hero to zero. Thai Thaiger / AFR



 

Thailand's global reputation for pandemic management goes down the pan

By 

Maya Taylor

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Oh, how the tables have turned… This time last year, Thailand was in strict lockdown to combat a pandemic that was raging around the globe, while countries such as the US and UK dithered over how to handle the crisis. The upshot was both western countries ended up with two of the world's highest infection rates and preventable deaths. Thailand's lockdown had a significant impact on the economy, particularly in the tourism sector, but the government's tough action then meant the country was able to curb the spread and get back to semi-normal.

However, it seems Covid-19 was simply biding its time. All it took was an overly-confident (some might say arrogant) government and a complacent public. The third wave that now has the country in its grip – in particular, Bangkok and surrounding provinces – was sparked by nightlife in the capital and so-called "hi-so" members of society, allegedly including some political figures.

At the time of writing, Thailand has reported 1,911 new infections and 18 deaths in the last 24 hours. Last month, the country reported 36,650 new cases – more than it had recorded since the start of the pandemic. A number of field hospitals have been opened in Bangkok and other parts of the country, as fears of bed shortages grow. There have been reports that some hospitals – predominantly in Bangkok – have been refusing to carry out Covid-19 testing because they don't have enough beds to comply with the government's mandatory hospitalisation policy for all who test positive.

Meanwhile, the national vaccine rollout has been slammed for its snail-like pace and the low number of doses available. For reasons known only to them, the government has decided to run with just 2 vaccines – China's Sinovac and AstraZeneca, which will be produced locally under a technology transfer deal. The company chosen to manufacture the vaccine is Siam Bioscience, which was set up by CPB Equity, an investment arm of the Crown Property Bureau. Although the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine has also gained the approval of the Food & Drug Administration, there appears to be no rush to order it.

In the meantime, countries such as the UK and the US, derided initially for their slow response to Covid-19, are racing ahead with vaccinating their populations in the hope of achieving herd immunity and rebooting their economies. With Thailand's limited vaccine supply currently off-limits to non-Thais, some expats are considering long and expensive trips for the sole purpose of inoculation.

In Thailand, people are angry and PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and his side-kick, the Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, have been blasted for their handling of the crisis. In particular, the decision to allow inter-provincial travel to go ahead over the recent extended Songkran holiday has come back to haunt them. A petition calling for Anutin's resignation has received over 228,400 signatures at the time of writing, although many see him as lacking any real power under the PM's rule, who has now taken sole charge of handling the pandemic.

The Australian Financial Review quotes Ken Lohatepanont, a political analyst based in Bangkok, who sums up how people are feeling.

"Everyone is angry right now – business leaders, SMEs, ordinary people, I've heard even the government's coalition partners are discontent. The government's worst mistake was letting the Songkran break happen. We already knew then the outbreak would be serious, and inexplicably Prayuth let everyone travel around the country, saying 'whatever happens, happens'."

SOURCE: AFR

6/5



Chonburi government asks for condo, apartment owners, landlords, etc. to help stop mingling, parties, social gatherings Wednesday, 5 May 2021, 21:21. Pattaya News



Chonburi-

The Chonburi government, in partnership with the Chonburi Department of Public Health and Public Relations, released a "request" this evening on their PR channels asking landlords, owners, juristic offices, and similar roles for "assistance" in stopping social gatherings, parties, mingling, and other similar activities from people who don't live in the same direct household in condos, apartments, rooms for rent, dormitories, etc from today until further notice.

The request is designed, according to authorities, to help stop the spread of Covid-19 in the province.

It is important to note this is not "an order" but a request for cooperation from those who run condos and similar buildings. The request follows what Chonburi Public Health Officials describe as multiple cases being traced directly to private house parties and gatherings at apartments and condos across the province.  The official government direction right now is for people to stay at home except for essential, critical travel.

Under the Emergency Decree to control Covid-19, parties and "social style" events are all currently prohibited, especially those that include drinking alcohol with large groups of people. Entertainment venues have been closed for close to a month and restaurants have been closed for dine-in since last week. Authorities spent much of the past few days focused on stopping people from mixing at local beaches as we covered here at The Pattaya News and now seem intent on stopping mixing in regards to house parties.

The "request" in Thai is below.



Sanesuk Mayor warns pit bull owner who reportedly let them wander Bangsaen area unaccompanied. “Local residents are concerned that kids and elders might be in danger or even that the dogs could get hit by a driver, injuring both the animal and the person.” Mayor Tui continued. The Pattaya News

Sanesuk Mayor warns pit bull owner who reportedly let them wander Bangsaen area unaccompanied

Wednesday, 5 May 2021, 14:13

Chonburi –

The Sane Suk Mayor has warned via social media and local news media an owner who reportedly let their two pit bulls wander unaccompanied around the Bangsaen area earlier this week.

The Sane Suk Mayor, Narongchai 'Tui' Khunplome said through his public relations accounts, "I have received multiple complaints from local residents they saw two pit bull dogs were walking on a street near a beach in public without their owner present. This is not the first time and after further investigation, we have determined these are not strays but appear to be allowed to wander by their owner."

"Local residents are concerned that kids and elders might be in danger or even that the dogs could get hit by a driver, injuring both the animal and the person." Mayor Tui continued.

"The Sanesuk municipality law states that pets should not be in public without an owner. Owners should also clean up all waste from their pets." Mayor Tui added.

The Mayor did not identify the owner in public by name.

The Pattaya News notes that we get multiple complaints on a regular basis about stray animals in and around the Pattaya area but have rarely heard about Sanesuk in regards to stray dogs, or animals allowed out without their owner, as opposed to Banglamung.  Since Covid-19 caused many people to leave Chonburi and some abandoned their pets while other animals moved into areas without tourists or people, the population of stray animals has greatly increased in Banglamung especially. The issue is polarizing, with many residents divided on what should be done in regards to the stray animal situation.

The general, and humane, method of control supported by most major animal rights associations, including the Soi Dog Foundation, is to spay or neuter, vaccinate and release animals back into their natural environments for multiple reasons as this prevents more aggressive dogs from moving into the territory or animals being confined to what are described as by animal rights advocates as woefully inadequate pounds. Of course, if the animal is aggressive or unfriendly, animal rights foundations support their removal from the streets.  Thailand does not, as a general practice, euthanize animals for religious and cultural reasons.

It is worth noting there were no reports of these particular dogs being aggressive or unfriendly, just that several residents were "concerned." The original post by the Sanesuk Mayor has now had 7000+ likes and 900 comments regarding the situation, with polarized opinions on the situation.

The concern of local residents follows an owner passing away after being attacked in the Pattaya area by his pitbull last month.

Read more about the previous story in the link below.

UPDATE: Owner passes away after being attacked in Pattaya area by his pitbull yesterday