Bangkok Southern Court dismisses judgement application brought by Alastair 'Ally' Cooper.

Bangkok, 24th November 2014

Alastair 'Ally' Cooper

Bangkok Southern Court today dismissed a summary judgement application in a civil damages claim in a defamation case brought by Alastair 'Ally' Cooper against Brian Goudie, Drew Noyes and David Hanks.

Cooper,  a UK offshore worker,  is suing the trio for damages of THB 5,000,000 (GBP 100,000) alleging comments made in a Google 'blogspot' were defamatory.

The case was filed under Power of Attorney given by Cooper to Kanokrat Booth, but the Court found that case documents had not been served according to law, and accepted defence submissions that the summary judgement application was invalid and the  case was flawed by procedural error, and must now go to a full trial.

Lawyers for Goudie, Noyes and Hanks following the order for dismissal being handed down immediately advised the Court that a counter claim would now be filed, and consideration given to an application to stay proceedings pending the outcome of criminal charges already filed against Cooper.

Lawyers advised the Court that Goudie has filed a case under Thailand's Computer Crimes Act against Cooper as a joint defendant with journalist Andrew Drummond, and Noyes has filed a similar case in Pattaya - both cases are awaiting summonses being served.

Cooper had previously described his case as a 'guaranteed winner'.

#andrewdrummond #allycooper

Police seize property after client of Sukanya Pechan reports alleged fraud.

Sukanya Pechan

Pattaya police yesterday (10th November 2014) seized a property, and froze all transactions in relation to the property at Pattaya Land Office.

In an investigation into the activities of Thai National Sukanya 'Suk' Pechan (สุกัลยา  เป๊ะชาญ), police moved rapidly to ensure that the property could not be resold pending completion of their investigations.

Following a report of fraud being made against Sukanya Pechan, who formerly ran 'P S Consulting and Travel Co. Ltd' in Pattaya, police issued a temporary restraining order against the property to prevent it being sold or transferred.

The case was previously reported last week and the alleged fraud came to light after the UK expat owner requested Ms. Pechan to hand the title deeds over as he intended to sell the property and buy a condominium.

Following searches of company records, and a search at the Pattaya Land Office, it was discovered that Ms Pechan had incorporated a company - on the instructions of the client - on 25th January 2012, transferred the property into the company, and then on just 16 days later on 10th February 2012 took out a KAYFAC redemption option loan against the property for a  third of the value of the purchase price.

The client, who paid THB7,500,000 (GBP150,000) for the property, faced the prospect of the redemption option expiring, asked police for urgent assistance. Police were satisfied there was sufficient evidence to act, and moved quickly to seize the property.

Ms Pechan, who now operates P S Legal Group in Cha Am, was tracked down by John McDonald after Pattaya Provincial court issued an order in black case 680/56 freezing Ms. Pechan's assets in the Thai resort town.

Following the initial report on this case,  at least two other expats have come forward to discuss their dealings with Ms. Pechan.

Ms. Pechan will face Court on December 6th.

'Pattaya Glory' faces arrest - Boonrod Baikrathok 'ransacked' premises of previous employer.

Boonrod 'Nang' Baikrathok

Police have been told a partner in Pattaya Glory Real Estate, a property manager and real estate agent based in Jomtien, near Pattaya in Thailand 'ransacked' a property belonging to her previous employer.

Ex Pattaya Soi 6 'freelancer' Boonrod 'Nang' Baikrathok, is expected to be charged with theft and property damage within two weeks after a long running police investigation, allegedly hampered by interference by 'external forces'. 

Viacheslav 'Alex' Shvedov

Her Russian business partner, Viacheslav 'Alex' Shvedov, is now aware of the allegations against Baikrathok, but has not yet made any comment.

Baikrathok has already admitted to police that she removed company assets from the premises of Jimi International, but is said to have claimed they were removed for 'safekeeping' - police interviewed Baikrathok last month and told her to simply return the assets to the company premises and no action would be taken.

Baikrathok has apparently failed to comply with the request to return the assets and formal charges are under preparation - Baikrathok will be summonsed by police to be formally charged and if she fails to appear police will request an arrest warrant be issued.

Police have now taken statements and documented the assets removed, and have photographed what is described as 'extensive' damage.

Door lock - busted with jackhammer.

Baikrathok is said to have been previously instructed not to enter parts of the premises rented to third parties and did not have keys, and to gain entry allegedly had a Thai builder 'Ot' jackhammer a wall to remove a security door.

Office - stripped

Company  offices are said to have been  stripped of all computers desks and office equipment, and all corporate documents taken out.

Air conditioners and compressors were removed, cables and piping cut out and broken conduits discarded.

Air con - cables cut and broken conduit discarded.

Office premises were stripped of desks, chairs and equipment.

A spokesperson said yesterday ' Ms. Baikrathok has been given every opportunity to replace the assets and return the premises to the condition they were in when she was appointed as manager, and has failed to do so.




The premises gave been closed for over a year and Ms, Baikrathok will now face both criminal charges and civil proceedings to recover losses.

The shareholders have no wish  to see Ms.Baikrathok prosecuted, but she has left us no choice.

Obviously we would advise anyone contemplating appointing Ms, Baikrathok as a property manager to give careful consideration before doing so'.

Baikrathok has not made any comment.

London Evening Standard Correspondent Andrew Drummond faces prospect of second criminal conviction by Thailand's Supreme Court.

Pattaya, 4th November 2014

London Evening Standard Correspondent Andrew Drummond - convicted in Thailand's Supeeme Court.

Following a report earlier this week that London Evening Standard correspondent Andrew Drummond  was convicted in the Supreme Court of Thailand of criminal defamation, further details have now been provided.

Drummond is the foreign correspondent of the London Evening Standard in Thailand.

This site previously reported that in a case going back to 2004, the Thai Supreme Court had overturned the ruling of the Region 2 Court of Appeal given in 2007 that reversed Drummond's original conviction in two cases filed by James Lumsden and Gordon May.

Lumsden filed two criminal cases, one in 2001 and the other in 2004.

We can now clarify that last weeks ruling was only  in relation to the first case filed, and Drummond will face the Supreme Court again on December 16th in the second case that was filed by Lumsden.

The cases relate to an article published in The Bangkok Post - the newspaper was also sued but settled out of Court.

In the first case, Drummond was originally convicted by Pattaya Provincial Court in 2004 and received a two month suspended jail sentence, but filed an appeal. The Region 2 Court of Appeal quashed the convictions in 2007.

The Supreme Court has now reversed the Court of Appeal decision in the first case and sentenced Drummond to two months jail (suspended for one year),  fined Drummond THB 20,000 (GBP400) and placed him on probation. There is no right of appeal, and the judgement of conviction is final.

Drummond has also been ordered to publish the Supreme Court judgement three times in The Bangkok Post and Pattaya Today newspapers within ine month of the judgement.

Since the May cases arise essentially from the same facts and circumstances it is widely speculated Drummond will also be convicted in the Lumsden case on December 16th.

Drummond was convicted earlier this year in Pattaya Court in another criminal defamation case and sentenced to four months jail (suspended for one year), and faces at least five new criminal trials early next year in cases brought under Thailand's tough Computer Crimes Act.

Following Drummond's conviction becoming final, Lumsden is expected to request the status of Drummond's press credentials in Thailand to be reviewed.

The Supreme Court decision has not been reported in The London Evening Standard, or on Drummond's blog, and The London Evening Standard has not yet responded to a request for a comment.

#andrewdrummond #allycooper

Gun toting Jomtien real estate agent Andrew 'Andy' Mathews released on bail - denies allegations of violent past.

Gun toting Andy Mathews - denies violent past and gun play.

A UK expat from Wolverhampton was released on bail yesterday from Pattaya Provincial Court.

Andrew 'Andy' Mathews was arrested on Friday in Jomtien after a warrant for his arrest was issued on 20th October 2014.

Gun toting Mathews (pictured above) was described in Court as a violent convicted criminal with a fixation for guns, knives and knuckle dusters and using off duty police to threaten and intimidate in the Jomtien area.

Mathews was taken to Court yesterday, and advised that a second warrant in another case had already been issued,  and a third was pending.

Mathews is being prosecuted by his ex German business partner, Rolf Haupt, allegedly  following a series of threats and hundreds of harassing emails and SMS messages.

There have allegedly been several altercations between Mathews and Haupt where Mathews has confronted Haupt in Jomtien.

Lawyers told the Court there are fears for Haupt's safety and objected to Mathews being released on bail, saying his violent history and the recent threats were sufficient to justify Mathews being remanded in custody.

In granting bail, the Court gave Mathews one last chance and imposed strict conditions that Mathews must not contact Haupt, or any witnesses, and must stop all threats and harassment or he will likely be arrested and remanded in custody.

Mathews has three previous convictions in Thailand in recent years for violent offences, including two convictions assault occasioning actual bodily harm and aggravated criminal trespass in company. Mathews entered a commercial premises with three armed off duty police officers, and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 19 months in prison (suspended for two years).

Mathews, pictured above with another off duty police officer during some 'gun play',  vehemently denies his violent past, his criminal convictions for violent offences, and any association to violence, threats, firearms or police 'friends' being used to threaten third parties.

Mathews has been released on bail of THB 200,000 (GBP 4,000) and warned he must not contact plaintiffs or witnesses, or his bail will be revoked and he will be remanded in custody until trial.

Mathews is expected to be summonsed by police in a new case in which it is alleged he has been sending Plaintiffs and witnesses death threats.

US Expat Brian Wright convicted of child sex offences.

Pattaya, 27th October 2014

Brian Wright

US Expat Brian Wright was convicted of child sex offences in Pattaya Provincial Court of child sex offences last week and sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Following a long trial, Wright was convicted of several offences involving sex with a minor, in this case a girl of 12 years old.

Wright was convicted under ss. 277 and 317 of The Criminal Code of Thailand, which carries a potential jail sentence per offence of between 7 and 20 years.

Wright was transported to Nong Plalai prison.

Wright is expected to file an appeal to the Region 2 Court of Appeal, and may be able to be released on bail pending appeal.

Beauty Clinic charged with fraud - expat co-owner Michael Goulet charged with posing as a 'medical doctor'.

Pattaya, 2nd November 2014

Following an earlier article exposing a Jomtien Beauty Clinic owner who has been indicted for fraud, this site has received correspondence regarding the allegations made against Thonglor Clinic, and Canadian Expat Michael Goulet who allegedly fraudulently posed as a cosmetic surgeon and medical doctor,

Goulet had a further case this week where Goulet gave evidence regarding an attempted extortion attempt by Drew Noyes and Wanrapa Boonsu, and copies of that evidence have now been made available to this 

After our original article was published a transcript of Goulet's evidence was provided to this site, and revealed:

1. Goulet, who in social circles was widely believed to be a cosmetic surgeon, is in fact a veterinary surgeon;

2. Goulet's 'surgical experience' is limited to small animals, such as dogs and cats;

3. Goulet admitted Thonglor Clinic has previously sold unlicenced treatments;

4. Thonglor Clinic in Bangkok was previously raided by Consumer Protection and FDA officials and a large amount of unlicenced products seized.

Following the evidence given by Goulet being translated, David Hanks - who had been treated by Goulet filed criminal charges - which were accepted by Pattaya Court last month.

Goulet is now on bail awaiting trial and has been told he must not leave Thailand pending trial.

Following complications post treatment, Hanks has now been told he faces the prospect of major corrective surgery, and Thonglor Clinic has refused to name the product used.

Hanks previously asked Thonglor Clinic to provide medical records, and the request was refused, but following the case being accepted, it is likely a subpoena will be issued.

In addition to the case above, Thonglor Clinic faces a joint prosecution with UK journalist Andrew Drummond after Drummond posted extracts from Hanks' medical records online - that case is now with the Royal Thai Police.

Drummond of course is a twice convicted criminal, after being convicted of defamation of Hanks in February 2014 in Pattaya Court and sentenced to four months jail (suspended for one year) , and most recently just last week was convicted by the Supreme Court of Thailand and jailed for two months.

Drummond faces five new criminal trials next year filed under Thailand's Computer Crimes Act, one of which has been filed by Hanks following Drummond allegedly misreporting Goulet's evidence in 'The Scottish Sun' - Drummond will pay bail in that case on November 13th 2014 at Koh Samui Provincial Criminal Court.

Supreme Court of Thailand convicts British journalist Andrew Drummond

Pattaya, 2nd November 2014

Andrew Drummond - convicted by Supreme Court of Thailand

The Supreme Court of Thailand has this week  convicted British journalist Andrew Drummond of criminal defamation.

In a case going back to 2004, the Thai Supreme Court has overturned the ruling of the Region 2 Court of Appeal given in 2007 that reversed Drummond's original conviction in a case filed by James Lumsden.

Drummond was originally convicted by Pattaya Provincial Court in 2004 and received a two month suspended jail sentence, but filed an appeal.

The Bangkok Post, originally a joint defendant, settled out of court.

The long running Court battle is now at an end, as the Supreme Court is the final level of appeal, and Thailand's highest Court has reversed the Court of Appeal decision and entered a judgement of conviction in decision number 2137/2557 announced on 27th October 2014.

In reversing the Court of Appeal decision, the Supreme Court sentenced Drummond to two months jail (suspended for one year) and fined Drummond THB 20,000 (GBP400) and ordered the full text of the judgement be posted in the Bangkok Post and the Pattaya Mail newspaper 3 times within 30 days.

Drummond was convicted earlier this year in Pattaya Court in another criminal defamation case number 9819/2555 filed by Drew Noyes and David Hanks,  and was sentenced to four months jail (suspended for one year).

In addition, Drummond faces at least five new criminal trials early next year in cases brought under Thailand's tough Computer Crimes Act.

The Lumsden and May case pre dates Thailand's the Computer Crimes Act.

Plaintiffs are expected to request the status of Drummond's press credentials in Thailand to be reviewed.

Drummond has not reported his conviction by the Supreme Court on his blog.

Company Director Boonrod Baikrathok to be charged with theft and fraud.

Pattaya, 2nd November 2014

Boonrod 'Nang' Baikrathok

A Thai national, Boonrod 'Nang' Baikrathok is to be formally charged with large value theft and multiple counts of fraud, along with two others.

Ms. Baikrathok, said to be an ex Pattaya Soi 6  'freelance' worker is to be charged in relation to the removal of company assets from the premises of her employer Jimi International Co. Ltd, along with two other women, Kanya Srilaard from Bangkok and Jindaporn Tungkaew from Chonburi.


Police informed the major shareholder on Friday 31st October that all inquiries are now complete, all evidence logged, and Ms. Baikrathok and her co accused will be summonsed presently to be formally advised of the charges, said to relate to theft of assets valued at approximately THB2,000,000 (GBP 40,000).

Ms. Baikrathok will also face Court in Koh Samui on what has been described as a 'large number of charges' amid allegations she had been forging signatures on company documents, including company cheques.

Ms. Baikrathok had previously advised police as the company director she believed she had authority to move assets, and police advised that to avoid prosecution she should simply return the items. The deadline to return the items has now expired, and accordingly formal charges will be brought.

Ms. Baikrathok is now employed in a real estate office called 'Pattaya Glory Real Estate' and her new employers have apparently also been made aware of the pending charges.

Following the theft of the company assets, documents and photographs from stolen telephones and computers, including pornogaphic images and videos apparently showing Ms. Baikrathok in a number of sexually explicit poses appeared on the internet.

Ms. Baikrathok initially blamed Brian Goudie for posting the images, but police have advised lawyers for Goudie there is likely no case to answer, and Goudie has never been contacted by police in relation to the matter.

Goudie is now apparently intending to  sue Ms. Baikrathok and journalist Andrew Drummond -  who also accused Goudie of posting the images - for making false police reports, criminal and defamation and charges under Thailand's tough Computer Crimes Act.

Drummond is already a convicted criminal, having been sentenced to four months imprisonment (suspended for one year) on 3rd February 2014, and on 13th November 2014 will be formally indicted in two cases under the Computer Crimes Act filed by Goudie, and a defamation case filed by David Hanks.

A Drummond supporter, Andrew 'Andy' Mathews was arrested on 31st November 2014, following an arrest warrant being issued from Pattaya Court and is said to have been transported to Nong Plalai remand prison pending applying to be released on bail.

Goudie, previously a friend of Mathews, coincidentally was at Dong Tan police station finalising the case against Ms. Baikrathok when Mathews was arrested.

Goudie said on Friday ' I am glad the case against Nang will finally be brought to Court, and of course she still has the opportunity to return the assets.

It was a shock to see Andy arrested - I know he has had some sort of disagreement with Rolf Haupt, but did not realise it was so serious to warrant being remanded in custody.

In relation to the posting of photos on the net,  I will say what I have to say in Court - police have however told my lawyers there is no evidence whatsoever that I had any involvement, and accordingly I intend to prosecute'.

Defamation case against Andy Hall dismissed.

Bangkok, October 2014

Phra Khanong Criminal Court this week dismissed the first defamation case brought againt human rights activist Andy Hall.

In dismissing the case, the court said the police probe, which stemmed from an interview with television network Al-Jazeera, was flawed as it did not involve a Thai state prosecutor from the start. 

The Court found there had been an irregular investigation, as police and prosecutors had not complied with s. 120 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Court in ruling found:

The investigation was not legal, which means the plaintiff has no legal right to file a complaint... the court dismisses the case.

Hall says he will now take legal action against those involved in the flawed investigation., and was qouted as saying:

Thailand's law enforcement officials should be held responsible for their unlawful conduct. Thailand's justice system should be commended!

Hall still faces further civil and criminal cases filed by Natural Fruit under Thailand's tough Computer Crimes Act, and alo a USD 10 million civil damafes claim.

Expat real estate agent Andrew 'Andy' Mathews remanded in custody.

Pattaya, November 1st 2014

Andy Mathews

Andrew Ronald Mathews, 49, a UK expat from Wolverhampton, who has been working in Thailand for several years, was not granted bail and was remanded in custody.

Mathews is now in police custody.

Nong Pla Lai Prison

This site previously reported that a fugitive real estate agent had been arrested when Mathews was taken into custody yesterday afternoon.

Mathews was arrested after failing to appear in Pattaya Provincial Criminal Court on October 20th 2014, in a case filed by German national Rolf Haupt, and the Court issued an arrest warrant.

Mathews was aware of the warrant from Pattaya Court and went on the run, but his life as a fugitive was short lived after he was spotted by Haupt's staff just metres from Haupt's office at Ocean Residential Properties in Jomtien.

Mathews faces at least three criminal cases, and following death threats being reported to police by Haupt and two other witnesses, the prospects of Mathews being released on bail have been described as 'slim'.

Mathews has three previous criminal convictions in Thailand, and may have to now serve two previous suspended jail sentences totalling 22 months, given after he was convicted of various offences in 2011 and 2012 in the same Court.

Mathews has already been summonsed to appear in Court in another case,  and will face a bail hearing in a further case in November 17th - sources say given his previous failure to appear, his recent convictions, two previous suspended sentences and ongoing threats to witnesses, Mathews may well be held in custody until trial.