Dear Hillary,
I don’t know if you have time to sit down with your champagne and chocolates to watch the soap movies in the evening. As I read my book and my lady friend is watching these movies I can’t help but notice how these movies give the wrong or may be the right impression of Thai people in the land of smiles. They are nearly always screaming at each other or slapping one another around the face and very vindictive. Are most of the Thai wealthy people this callous and two faced, if they are they have a lot to learn. I hope the young children who watch these movies don’t think this is the way of life. I do enjoy your Heart to Heart column and if I am able to save a few baht I will send you champagne and chocolates. Best wishes,

Ian

Dear Ian,

I am definitely on your side, Petal. The Thai soaps are all the same, melodrama, over-acting and display a side of Thailand I do not want to see. The only Thai wealthy people I know do not watch the soaps, they are far too busy making money! It is more the “ordinary” people who watch the soaps for the never ending dramas, to brighten up their lives. The danger is that young children will grow up thinking this is “normal” behavior. And when enough of them think that way it does become “normal”, but not a “normal” Thailand wants or needs. Thank you for thinking about saving up for champers and chocs for me, but I’d rather you sit down and enjoy them with your lady friend!

Dear Hillary,

I interested am very in photography art, and I am wonder if there is an art group I could join in Pattaya. I from Denmark and all major cities can join. If serious about photography will be happy. Can you tell me?

Hans

Dear Hans,

Thank you for your letter, with its quaint English, but as you say, you are from Scandinavia, so you are doing well! If I understand you correctly, you want to take arty photos of some of the local people here. However, I do not know of any photography groups catering to that branch of the arts, but undoubtedly there are ‘models’ available for a fee. Start looking in Walking Street.

Dear Hillary,

Are all Thai women completely in love with themselves and their appearance? Since the world invented cell phones that can take “selfies”, the social media like FB is just full of Thai women posing and then posting their pictures. If it’s not themselves, then it’s what they ate for lunch - as if anyone cared. Even in group shots you can see the same poses day after day, the head to one side, the knee bent, the teeth, the boobs pushed out and the same over and over again. Hillary, where can you meet genuine Thai women - or aren’t there any?

Jerry

Dear Jerry,

You haven’t seen me with “boobs pushed out” have you, Jerry. So not all Thai women indulge themselves in “selfies” my Petal. Unfortunately, you are correct that the poses all become a bit boring, and I think the girls in these photos are probably a bit boring as well. Don’t go looking at the “society” pages, and some genuine girls will come your way, but not via the social media.

Dear Hillary,

My mother is coming over for a holiday from the UK. My problem is simply where should I take her? It has been 9 months since I was over to home last. I certainly don’t want to take her to South Pattaya because she might get the wrong idea of what I do with my spare time here. I am also a little worried at how I explain the fact that the girls outside some of the bars I drink at wave to me as I drive by. I am considering having to change the route I drive home when I have Mother in the car. I have even thought about renting one while she’s here, one that the girls don’t know me in. What should I do?

Sam.

Dear Sam,

Let’s be truthful here. You are more worried that your Mum will get the right idea about what you do in your spare time! But relax, there are plenty of places you can take your Mum in Pattaya - you don’t have to line her up for Grannies-a-go-go you know. South Pattaya has also some of the best seafood restaurants around and an Italian one as well (Don Joe - one of my favorites)! Mum will love the Tiffany Shows - everyone does. Look up the restaurant guide in the Pattaya Mail if you don’t know where to go, but do take her to some local Thai places as well. Finally, don’t worry about your favorite bar. If the girls like you, they will really make a fuss over Mum. Anyway, I am sure your Mum knows what you’re like by now! Relax and enjoy having her here, you randy soul, you.