Responding to “Sir Lance”

Dear Editor,
With reference to your letter by ‘Sir Lance” in last week’s Pattaya Mail may I offer the following. The article I wrote appeared in the London Times. It was subsequently acquired and published by the Pattaya Mail, to which of course I have no objection.
Sir Lance’s whinging com-plaint against the campaign to stop foreign child sex offenders operating in Thailand had a taste of “There but by the grace of God go I” about it.
It was, however, inaccurate in many respects. James Fraser Darling was reported by a fellow teacher, who was suspicious of his activities, to the CPCR in Bangkok. That is a Thai organisation, The Children’s Rights Protection Centre, which provides protection to children in a society where they are easily at risk.
When his house was raided, “not broken into” by police, certain materials were found, which are the subject of court proceedings. The booklet found was certainly not published in 1914 - unless Concorde was flying then.
No local villagers were given 400 baht to go to court. And if Sir Lance believes that a local television advertisement showing sea gypsy boys swimming is a an invitation to take them home for sexual purposes, I think he and James Fraser Darling must be one banana short of a bunch.
Sir Lance complains that there is a witchhunt on against tourists. What a load of rubbish. What is happening is that tourists coming to Thailand to have sex with children are going to find it a lot harder.
He also complains that police expropriate money from people “lured into situations”. That bribery and corruption exists within the police both in Pattaya and Phuket is quite true. In fact its endemic.
I cannot pity these foreign tourists who are allegedly ‘lured’ by children as young as seven years old into committing offences. Child offenders might consider them lucky that for many years on the rare occasions they have been caught they have been able to bribe themselves off the charges. This may be not so easy to do in the future, because those non-governmental organisations, which Sir Lance so obviously despises, are monitoring such cases closely and opposing bail.
The Thai system of justice is far removed from that which most tourists are used to in their own countries. Tourists arrested for offences against children are going to feel they are not treated fairly. Sir Lance’s letter did not, however, stir in me a deep sense of sympathy.
I hope that the fact that his letter was published in such a form was not symptomatic of Pattaya, a town which this weekend invited foreign correspondents down in an effort to improve its image.
Yours Sincerely
Andrew Drummond

The media’s lies about Pattaya

Dear Editor,
Recently a European news-paper wrote a story about child prostitution in Pattaya. The headline on the page was; “Pattaya the world’s biggest brothel”, followed by a big picture of 3 Thai girls working in a bar. According to the newspaper, the 2 girls were 13 and 14 years old and the 3rd girl was their mother, trying to sell them into prostitution.
I found the bar and the 3 girls in Pattaya described in the paper. The 2 girls said to be 13 and 14 were in fact 21 and 23 years old, and the 3rd girl said to be their mother was not in their family at all. The only truth in the article were the names of the 2 girls.
The girls were very surprised, shocked and angry when they saw their picture in a paper. They remember the 2 men who took their picture, but were told there was no film in the camera, and were told nothing about the two men being journalists.
As long as the media are allowed to write such big lie stories about Pattaya, no wonder people around the world get the wrong im-pression about Thai people and Thailand.
Can the girls see the news-paper?
Sincerely,
A. Pedersen

Use your own locks

Dear Sir,
Recently, I had an un-fortunate incident happen to me. My rental motorbike was stolen from in front of my hotel. The motorbike was properly locked and secured with a chain and lock (provided by the rental company).
I reported this to a Sompong S. at the Pattaya Tourist Police. He was a compassionate and caring person, unfortunately since this was a civil matter, he could not help as much as he wanted to. But he referred me to the local police where once again I was received with care and understanding. I wish to convey to all parties my sincere thanks.
In closing, a word of caution to those who rent motorbikes. Buy your own lock and key. It is a sure fire way to know you are the sole possessor of the key.
P.S. This incident has forced me to cut short my Thailand experience.
Sincerely,
Colin Towner
Australia

FCCT visit a success

Dear Editor,
I would certainly be remiss if I did not formally recognize your effort and the efforts of the Pattaya Mail staff in bringing together the members of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand over this past weekend. It was, in my opinion, a complete success and worth the time and effort spent. I think that the fruits of the visit will come once the “other side” has a chance to fully evaluate the positive points presented. Although we have a long way to go I am sure that through your efforts and the support of others in our community, we will reach the goal. You should be proud of this accomplishment and continue, without hesitation or reservation, along the chosen path. You know that I will support in whatever way I can within the limitations of my abilities.
Thank you for the privilege of attending the weekend affair and I look forward to the future and your continued successes.
Best Regards,
James W. Conant

Praise for the Pattaya Mail

Dear Pattaya Mail,
As a long time resident of Thailand, and a comparative newcomer to Pattaya, may I express my appreciation of your little paper. Although not a journalistic masterpiece, it does give a good picture of what goes on in Pattaya - something the Bangkok papers neglect. Keep up the good work!
Jim Davidson, Bkk

Responding to “Sir Lance”

The media’s lies about Pattaya

Use your own locks

FCCT visit a success

Praise for the Pattaya Mail