One reader’s look around

Dear Sir,
The recent news in ‘Winebibber’s’ column that the boys in ‘Gay’ bars must now wear shorts and not the time-honoured briefs was implemented by an unwelcome visit of Bangkok police; the local lads did their bit very soon by additionally calling for shirts to be worn. Managers who can afford it may get round the latter by stuffing a sufficiency of high-value Baht notes into the appropriate hand. Some bars, too, have been told to dim the lighting. Not since the days following the 1991 military coup have such measures been ordered.
Interested to see what was going on in places where ladies dance, which are seldom, if ever, reported on, I went on a small tour of inspection the other night with a friend. A ‘Gay’ bar and a ladies bar, each of the plusher kind were visited.
The latter had pushy doormen with leaflets, thrust at all who passed by, and there was much shouting of ‘sexy show! - sexy show’; the leaflet claimed ‘over 100 girls’ - not all one night, it seems, as we saw less than twenty including waitresses. And were the young - very young in some cases - lady dancers clad in a similar manner to the boys we were to see later? Not at all! - Each appeared wearing two brief strips of cloth, one to cover the nipples, the other somewhat lower down. All this ‘modesty’ went to the winds at once, and all danced as naked as they were born. Lighting was very bright, unlike the ‘Gay’ bars.
We did not stay for the ‘sexy show’, but inquiry reveals that at least part of it follows a well-know course, in which a number of unusual objects are inserted in turn into the vagina. These commonly include a razor blade, a large banana, a beer bottle, either for removing the top or for use as a projectile, and a felt-tipped pen, for writing with both hands free. Despite all these attractions, the attendance would not have paid the rent.
We didn’t think the ‘Gay’ bar would be the same at all; it wasn’t. Dim lighting, the boys, far more numerous than the girls just seen, and all in very proper shorts, danced their routines in a manner that suited their restrictions. Nothing, of course, was seen that a maiden aunt could object to. There was no show, and I think they would become extinct, as little could be done without infringing the new rules. Surprisingly, the place was almost full.
The startling difference in what may be done cannot, surely, be put down to a wish to ‘reduce prostitution’, or it would have been necessary to apply strict rules all round. Also, it is likely that prostitution would be more likely to arise where the girls, rather than the boys, are dancing. The term ‘Gay Bars’ is not correct, of course, for very many ladies of all ages visit them, not with your editorial approval, as we know! Anyhow, as prostitution is illegal in Thailand there ought to be no need to ‘reduce’ it - it ought not to be there.
So, what’s it all about, I wonder?
Yours Faithfully,
‘6867’

Temple annoys neighbour

Dear Sirs:
I have no intention whatsoever of criticising the Buddhist religion. I consider it a great religion, certainly worthy of participation and belief. How ever, that doesn’t excuse the antics of those responsible for the temple on S. Pattaya Road. There seems to be absolutely no consideration for the sur-rounding community or the effect some temple activities might have on others. The Chaimonkol Temple has become a cesspool of pollution. I have watched it for the past four years and with additional development have come problems. These problems only add to those already at the site.
There is a gorgeous temple now being built, but it sits in a dust bowl. The dust bowl is used for all types of fund raising activities that create enough noise to wake the dead. The five day Chinese New Year is a good example of one of these activities. The boom-boxes were so loud that one had to have ear plugs to sleep, and one had to curtail any activity requiring a reasonable amount of quiet until it was all over. All this noise left one depleted, exhausted , and very angry.
It is the same for the adjoining crematorium. Here building activities are also taking place. The number of cremations has increased and the amount of unfiltered smoke has increased. The music is loud and continuous. It starts early and continues late.
I might also mention in passing that the flea bitten dogs have their way at night. They snarl, bitch and fight it out. The garbage pit at the rear now burns throughout the entire day, and motorbikes race through the temple grounds like it were the Indianapolis 500.
If one wants a nice, quiet place to stroll and meditate, they won’t find it on South Pattaya Road. The grounds are a mess. The only re-deeming feature is a mosquito lake that poses as a cornerstone of civility.
Rather than a sanctuary for all that’s good and holy, we have pollution and blight. We need questions and answers. Surely community pollution laws apply also to temples, or is religion a law unto itself?
Pen Arai.

Misplaced fines

Dear Sir,
Manee Pinthong (Mailbag last week) has re-iterated what I have said several times in the pages of Mailbag; enforce traffic laws. Forget the daft idea of 2000 baht fines for dropping a paper bag on the street, its a none starter as far as I can see. Who’s going to fine the dogs for knocking over rubbish bins or the wind for strewing garbage the length and breath of the street? No, personally I would prefer to live in a safe town with a bit of litter around than in the cleanest place around where I take my life in my hands every time I venture on the public highway.
Let’s start these 2000 baht fines where they would really do some good to the quality of life around here. Let’s hammer the “persons of illegitimate birth” who continue to storm their way through red traffic lights, forcing the people who have a green light to give way. Let’s really go to town on people using the gap between the kerb (or parked cars) and the oncoming traffic as a contra-flow system. Let’s stamp on the practice of crossing the dip on Sukhumvit Road and then driving on the wrong side because someone’s too lazy to go to the next approved U-turn.
These are just three of the most dangerous driving faults around, and let’s not forget that these are all endangering lives - my life and your life as well as everyone else. To start to eradicate them takes only the will-power from someone in charge. Half a dozen policemen could be torn away from their normal duties of inconveniencing 6000 motorists every time a big-wig comes a-visiting, or sitting playing with the buttons on traffic light controllers, or even sitting in their sunshades at junctions watching the world go by, to start blitzing one danger spot every day. Today - catch everybody who passes a red light on a Pattaya/Sukhumvit junction. Tomorrow - catch everyone who starts their motorbike outside Chaimoongkon market and drives up the wrong side of the street - and so on. One different offense every day in a different place, and people will start to get the idea about safe driving practices. Think of the incentive offered - get stopped at the South Pattaya/Sukhumvit junction for running a red light, have to forfeit your keys and find transport to the police station to pay a hefty fine, and then go to find your vehicle again would make most people think twice about trying to save 10 seconds off the journey by ignoring a red light - well it would me!
Perhaps Mayor Pairat would be interested in a new slogan - “Pattaya - A Safe City”.
Best Regards,
Peter Eades

One reader’s look around

Temple annoys neighbour

Misplaced fines