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Pattaya’s Perfect Dilemma
I suppose it was inevitable. By inviting a host of foreign
correspondents down to see another side of Pattaya, we put ourselves under the
magnifying glass for all to see our dirty washing.
In a two page article under the headline “Pattaya’s Perfect Dilemma” the Sunday
Nation newspaper this week put that washing through the wringer making the point
that Pattaya was getting bad publicity abroad because not only of its sex image
but the growing cases of foreign crime and corruption in the local police force.
As the ‘Nation’ points out, this is not an issue new to readers of the Pattaya
Mail. WE SAID IT FIRST. We have campaigned and campaigned and campaigned and
campaigned about unethical behaviour in the local police department, and how
this town is being used by foreign criminals as a haven. This is not without its
own inherent risks.
We welcome the initiatives by the Thai Government and assurances by Dr.Virachai
Techavit, Advisor to the Prime Minister who promises action will be taken, both
on a local and national level, to sort out law and order problems. The sooner
the talking stops and the action begins, the better. Meanwhile, the majority of
tourists coming to Pattaya enjoy their holidays and are delighted with what we
have to offer them. The closest they ever get to the ‘sleaze’ of Pattaya is by
reading it about in their newspapers back home.
Invariably they say:”Pattaya is nothing like it is portrayed in the media.”
We welcome these tourists with open arms. If they ever have problems they can be
assured that the Tourist Police care and so do we.
Pattaya is not the only tourist resort with crime problems. (Phuket which enjoys
better publicity isn’t exactly crime free, but fewer people get to hear about
Phuket’s other side). The British press has labelled the Costa del Sol the
‘Costa del Crime’. Let’s make sure they keep that unfortunate title.
The campaign for “The Rebirth of Pattaya” has begun and we must stick with it.
The short term repurcussions will be felt, as the media will be writing more and
more, not only to exploit us of our short comings, but to expose and bring them
to the attention of our leaders. And we did ask them to do so. This is the only
way they can help us address our needs on a national and international level.
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Hot Stuff
With temperatures reaching record high’s in Thailand this
week of over 100 F (40 c) John Gardner, General Manager of Mercure Hotel
Pattaya Resort, has just returned from chilled Europe on a business trip. He
was greeted by staff to a ‘suit’able treat. A cool bubble bath and pampered
with grapes. ‘It was a wonderful idea’, said the smiling, 007 Boss, ‘I
didn’t have time to take of my suit, who said you could not get everything
in this wonderful resort of Pattaya.’
Nutritional balanced eating plan
by Robyn at World Class Gym
Well we’ve been talking about motivating ourselves to take a visit
to our gym, how to formulate goals, beginning on simplistic fitness plans
and today I want to look at another important factor of health, beauty and
fitness. That being, of course, our daily diet, intake of calories and basic
nutritional standards. We are what we eat.
If you need to lose weight, training and diet go hand in hand. Although the
word “diet” I am not really fond of. It sounds so rigid, stern and boring. I
prefer to call it, “nutritional balanced eating plan.” Because, let’s be
honest, who wants to live for the rest of their life on a diet? However,
what is a tangible thought and possibly is the idea of a reformed, healthier
eating plan? Something which allows us to still enjoy life and food without
it becoming an avid religious practice.
If it’s not a diet then and not written out like a set A’la Carte Menu,
where do we start? Let’s begin with the morning time. What are we eating? We
all know the value of fruit, the expression “An apple a day keeps the doctor
away” is not an old wives’ tale. Fruit cleans our system, gets our digestive
juices working and is 100% nutritional. Pineapple is excellent because this
is a fat burner. However, please fresh fruit only! No tinned, sugary,
sweetened fruit cocktail and the works. No, good old fashioned fruit, the
way it grows, the way it should be eaten. If you’re needing energy after a
hard workout, bananas are high in carbohydrates and will do the trick. Far
better than that chocolate bar or delicious donut which only provides short
term energy. Plus, the high fat content in these types of products will do
your skin no good!
OK, what about something staple in the morning. That piece of toast or
bread. Is it white or brown? Yes, brown bread is more expensive, but why?
Brown bread feeds you better. The flour used is not bleached, it’s more
filling and more than often, brown bread is baked with healthy, wholesome
seeds, rye, corn or nuts. Be selective with your bread, you deserve the
best, so eat the best. Sit down with the white loaf and see how much of it
you can eat until you feel full or satisfied. The next day do the same thing
with the brown loaf. This test should instil your faith in the value of
brown bread, which quite simply is just a little more natural than white
bread. Sure, white bread looks very appetising, pure white with green
garnish, beautiful and clean, however it does not feed you the same as brown
bread would. When eating out, request brown bread, if they don’t have it,
you don’t have to avoid white bread, just try and keep it in the cupboard at
home.
Join me next week when we’ll be talking about things like museli, dairy
products and what we put onto our sandwiches. Eat well and eat healthy!
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