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Missing English man in Thailand
Editor;
Hello, I’m just getting in touch as I have a news story / editorial piece
that I think may be of interest to you. We are searching for Ian Patrick
Lowe, who turned 70 years of age on the 5th Oct 2014. His last known address
was in Armthorpe, Doncaster, and it is thought that he has since moved to
Thailand with his Thai wife. The location in Thailand is unknown.
Ian Lowe was a member of the RAF for a time. Ian’s sister Pamela Anne Lowe,
brother Christopher Lowe, mother Nora Anne Lowe and stepfather Kenneth Lowe
all moved from Gloucestershire in the 1950’s/60’s to Australia, where
Kenneth, Christopher and Pamela are still thought to reside.
Ian hasn’t been heard of for a long time and we have set up a Facebook page
in order to find him: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Where-is-Ian-Patrick-Lowe-Doncaster-Expat-in-Thailand/574271126029207?ref=hl
I hope you are able to use this. I’m afraid we don’t have any photos of Ian
but hopefully the story is compelling enough.
Olivia Piepe
Email: [email protected]
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Will Jomtien 2nd Road sidewalks ever be acceptable?
Editor;
Years ago, when I first came to Jomtien, 2nd Road (previously Thappraya
Road) was partly without a proper surface and the sidewalks were just
natural soil and in the rainy season more or less unusable. Then all of a
sudden work began to asphalt the surface and not long after stones were laid
down on the sidewalks. It was almost a luxury not to have to walk in the
road with its heavy traffic.
Not long after the results of inadequate craftsmanship became clear. Stones
started to sink in and one had to be very careful not to trip over the now
again uneven surface. More than one year ago, for unknown reasons, somebody
had the idea to dig up huge holes every ten, twenty metres on the left and
right sidewalk from Royal Hill down past Jomtien Market. These holes
remained unprotected for a long time, then some had red-and-white painted
bamboo stick-fences and although this is about one year ago, nothing has
happened, nothing has changed to improve the situation.
Not only is this a shame for a place whose politicians consider it equal to
the Riviera it is also back onto the road and the traffic which makes
walking rather a hazardous experience.
Is there any hope that the sidewalks will be ever in an acceptable state
again?
Hans F. Brennecke
Jomtien
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Illegal beach shanties
Editor;
Free enterprise in Thailand can provide a possible income for those people
with a good business idea and who are willing to work. It is a cornerstone
of the economy, necessary for the survival of so many. But this must be done
with respect, and when an individual or company begins a business that is
not appropriate in a certain area, it must be regulated.
Directly across the Police Box at Sigma Hotel on Jomtien Beach Road past Soi
19 is Cocktails Bar. This shack of a structure not only blasts music late
into the night and early morning, disturbing visitors and residents, it is
right on the beach, on the sand, so very illegal. Yet despite many
complaints to the police and City Hall about the noise and illegal venue,
the illegal shanty continues to exist and operate daily with its oversized
speakers.
Why doesn’t City Hall and the police enforce building and business
regulations and close this business?
Respectfully submitted by
Sir William of Doodadshire
Potatoes are fattening
Editor;
Re: Chiang Mai feels the arrival of winter (PM Sunday, 05 October 2014) -
Potatoes are the most fattening item in the world! Pure empty starch with no
nutrition or energy at all. They are only good if people are starving and
need to stay a live until spring.
Rudy Allan
Check the taxis
Editor;
Re: Pattaya’s overhaul of motorbike-taxi sector stuck in neutral (PM Friday,
10 October 2014) - Why don’t they check the taxis? They never turn on their
meters and always charge 300 baht or more.
John Wayne
Tube’s the way
Editor’
Re: Pattaya’s overhaul of motorbike-taxi sector stuck in neutral (PM Friday,
10 October 2014) - All they have to do is have something similar to a London
zoned tube map, coloured departure and destinations and the colour match is
the fare price. It’s kids stuff.
Asian Ron
Please use environmentally friendly krathongs
Aloha Editor;
It’s that time of year again to celebrate Loy Krathong, November 6. One of
the primary reasons for this celebration is to worship the goddess of the
water in the expression of gratitude for the life that water gives
throughout the year.
Please think twice before buying a krathong if the base is made from
Styrofoam. It can and does kill our marine life, freshwater fish and
waterfowl, turtles, dolphins.
Our lakes, oceans and rivers are already having a big problem from the
flooding of storm drains and water resources, due to weather conditions.
The traditional krathong is a raft with a diameter of about the size of a
hand. Most bases were made from the banana stalk, while some are made of
bread and sometimes, sad to say, made of foam.
The Pollution Solution group recommends the bread base, because, whilst many
krathongs are lost in the rivers, oceans and lakes, bread will eventually
become food for fish and other animals. Even though banana stalks are
biodegradable, they take a little longer to decompose and will not harm the
environment.
We ask you not to buy the Styrofoam krathongs, as you would be adding to the
problems. Please look around; there are many very deserving krathong makers
that care, use bread or banana stalks and deserve your sale. They all have
been decorated with exquisitely folded banana leaves, flowers, candles,
incense, etc.
Many people feel that the transmission of Loy Krathong to water rids one of
problems and helps with relationships. For whatever one’s reason is to
celebrate, please also consider the environment. Enjoy Loy Krathong and
please think about Mother Nature and all living things when you buy a
krathong.
Khop khun khrup, mahalo, thank you,
The Pollution Solution Group along with Pattaya City Hall.
Gerry T. Rasmus (aka KOTO)
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Might is right so get out of my way
Editor;
Re: Beach Road is a race track for coaches (PM Friday, 10 October 2014) -
“Thai teamsters motto” Might is right so get out of my way. There is also
some strange thought that the pedestrian in Pattaya has no rights at all. In
the entire length of Beach Road there is not one controlled Pedestrian
crossing & from start to finish on 2nd Road there is only one intersection
controlled by lights (Pattaya Klang).
City hall & police are remiss in their “duty of care” for the people &
tourists of Pattaya. Beach Road should have at least 3 sets of lights for
pedestrian crossings. (Never mind flashing amber lamps or zebra crossings,
they don’t work.) 2nd Road is controlled by one set of lights for the full
length from Pattaya Tai to Dolphin Roundabout.
There seems to be something about one way streets where the traffic jockeys
for a place to be first at the next traffic jamb. Traffic on Klang can be
congested but not to the point of chaos. Buses stay in their own lanes. But
when making a left turn are forced to make a wide dangerous turn entering
the lane of oncoming traffic. This is caused by the cars & motorcycles
hogging the left lane. In some countries large vehicles display a sign on
the left rear stating, “Do not overtake turning vehicle”.
I dispute the theory that Thais can not drive. They are capable drivers but
lack “road sense”. How often have you seen someone booked for an illegal
right hand turn from a two way street into another (mostly motorcycles).
Proper way move to center of road, when oncoming traffic is clear, make a 90
degree turn into center lane then merging to the left. Thai way & some
farang move to the far side of road (against oncoming traffic). When you
can, make a turn into oncoming traffic and continue against the flow until
you can merge left into the correct lane.
Take Buakaow - maybe 3kls long and not one controlled crossing. No sidewalk
but not very wide. You can get across it easily. Doesn’t work all the time.
I have the steel rods & screws in my leg to prove it (hit & run farang).
Meanwhile, stay cool and enjoy the time you have left.
Sean
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