News from Angeles

Dear Sirs;
Angeles is alive and well!
Having just returned from Angeles City, Philippines, I thought I should write to you so that you may be able to clear up some of the rumours that are circulating, i.e., you can’t get a drink, all the bars are closed, etc.
As an expat I have to do a visa run about every nine weeks. As I live about 8 km from nowhere I usually travel to Pattaya, stay with a friend and try to find someone who is also going on a visa run. This is especially true if it’s a Penang run, for after the first few trips it can be a long trip if you are by yourself. For the last few years I have tried to include the Philippines as one of my visa destinations, sometimes two or three times a year.
Two trips ago I was going to go to Angeles but on arriving in Pattaya was put off by rumours that the bars were being shut. So after reading an article in the Pattaya Mail, I went off to Phnom Penh. Great, very enjoyable, couldn’t speak the language but still great.
On the next trip, the Philippines, on arrival in Pattaya, “don’t go there”, “can’t even get a beer there now”, “you’ll regret it if you go”, “I was there last week, glad to get back”, (have since been told that it was in fact the friend of a friend of a friend, etc.). Well, no problem, look out Phnom Penh. This guy hadn’t been before and wanted someone to show him around. Maybe not quite so enjoyable this time.
Well this trip it’s got to be Penang. I’ll find someone in Pattaya who’s going and tag along, we’ll just have a drink at the Best Friends bar. At the bar I met an American who lives in Olongapo, “That’s near Angeles, isn’t it?” “Sure is buddy”, “Shame it’s all closed down”, “Never has been buddy”, “You sure?”, “I live there, but... Forget it.” “Can I tag along?”...
So that’s how I arrived in Angeles City by luck, certainly with no real intention of being there for this trip, and how it has changed. A San Miguel now costs 15 pesos instead of 14, all day long at the Tourist Bar on Fields Ave., and a packet of cigs is now 17 pesos at the supermarket. But the most obvious change and the best, at least as far as I’m concerned, is that you are not harassed or shouted at by the doorgirls every-where you walk. Thank you Mr. Mayor or President Ramos.
Now on a more serious note, it would seem that the mayor requested the bar owners to close for two days, these were holy days in the Philippines, and the bars closed, although there were restaurants open and there was also a disco in a nearby town, with a shuttle bus from Angeles. But it is so easy to see how rumours can start.
Added to this, a few bars were closed by the mayor because of fire risk or that the premises did not conform to hygiene requirements, but once the improvements were carried out, the bars were allowed to open again. According to several of the bar owners or managers, there was only three bars closed at any one time. Maybe Pattaya could learn something from this, especially the state of some of the toilets.
As for the entertainment, in my view the quality of entertainment has improved. The Midnight Rodeo is still going strong for the Country and Western lover, and they have 2 good groups there. There is now a live group at Illusions that plays a lot of sixties and seventies music. Connections and Private Dancer have singers and a sing-a-long if anyone decides to join in, and many do. Some of the bars open at 2 pm, and you can still get good food at Woody’s and Margaritaville, open 24 hours. Most bars have happy hours, beer from 20 pesos.
So Ron, Mike, Fred, no I don’t regret going. Every-where was open, and the changes are for the better. Except of course that peso on a San Miguel. In fact I enjoyed it so much that instead of coming back on Friday I stayed until Tuesday and went to Subic. That was good as well, maybe I wouldn’t live there but I know where I’m going for my next visa.
Terry Barnett

Fitness park needs clean-up

Dear Sirs;
On Tuesday, June 10, 1997, I decided to go to Pattaya Fitness Park to hopefully be able to finish a book in quiet and beautiful green surroundings.
Arriving at the park at 2 pm, I found that the first parking area halfway up the hill was empty except for 2 garbage collection trucks. There was no shade to park the car under and anyway it was too hot to sit in the park midday where there was no wind. I decided to go to the top of the park where I found a shady parking spot.
Down two flights of stairs where there are 2 pavilions selling food and drinks. From the area came loud music which could be heard all over the area. Being thirsty, I ventured down to the pavilions. The first thing I noticed was 2-3 tables with young locals sitting and consuming large bottles of beer. From one side of the pavilion I saw 3 locals sitting and singing karaoke songs.
I bought my soft drink and snacks and decided to sit on one of the 10-12 benches on top of the fitness park. I chose a bench in the middle. Behind me were 3-4 workers repairing or servicing a lamp post. Down in the park I could see a number of people maintaining the park which looks very neat and well maintained.
However, having sat down to start to read, I looked more around and shame, shame, the whole area where I sat was filled with empty beer and whisky bottles, empty food and soft drink containers, paper and snack wrappings, etc.
After around 15 minutes of reading I looked down and saw 2 young men leaving in a very intoxicated state. One of them fell on his back, head first and after I saw blood coming out of his hair.
Furthermore, one of the other benches near me sat another young local. I noticed he continued to change benches both to the right and to the left of where I sat. He continued this suspicious behaviour, and little by little did the repairmen behind me move away. Other visitors left, so after 1/2 an hour I was sitting alone with this character continuing his switching of benches. Because of this strange behaviour I decided to leave, because I did not feel comfortable, although the spot is less than 300 m from the police box on the hill.
I wonder now what would 2-3 week tourists think if they ventured up to the fitness park and saw the day-life of this area when I, as a 12 year resident, felt uncomfortable?
The next day I thought that maybe I had come at a “wrong time” regarding the dirty area, so I went up again at 5 pm. The area was in exactly the same state, or maybe worse. The area was full of joggers, both locals and foreigners, so obviously the fitness park is a popular spot to exercise. However, the loud karaoke music, the drunkenness, and the dirty area on top down grades the otherwise beautiful area.
May I please recommend the relevant authorities to take a look themselves and try to improve the situation, to the benefit of the image of Pattaya Fitness Park as a secure place to exercise and relax?
Joern Nielsen

Letters from our Internet readers

Sirs,
Wow, this is terrific. My family visits Thailand/Pattaya yearly, and having the Pattaya Mail online is a terrific way to stay current with the happenings around the area. We’re thrilled to have found you on the Web! Thanks... looking forward to reading your paper each week!
Nancy in San Antonio, Texas, USA

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Sirs,
Thank you so much for putting the Pattaya Mail on the Internet. I am always hungry for news of Pattaya.
Atonment Lutheran Church

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Sirs;
Every year during December and January I’m in beautiful Pattaya.
While I’m there I always read your newspaper. So I’m very happy I found you on the WWW. So I can have all the news during the time I stay in Zurich/Switzerland.
Thank you!
A. Keiser

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Dear Sirs,
Just a message to say that I’ve had a great time in Pattaya and will recommend it. I went there by myself from 2nd to 15th May and have just got back to England. The people are very friendly (slightly crazy) and always willing to help with any situation. During my stay I’ve learnt a lot about Thai life, culture and food. The country has totally opened my mind to a place that is virtually undiscovered to most British people.
Thanks Pattaya,
Scott Morris

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Hello,
I enjoy reading your newspaper very much. It is a must-read when I am in Pattaya and now that it is on the Internet I am a regular reader in Australia... Congrats on your excellent newspaper and your recent anniversary.
Keith Hillier
Journalist and sports commen-tator, Melbourne.

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Dear Editor:
What a JOY it was to find you on the internet. I really enjoy being able to keep up on everything that’s happening in Pattaya. Living in the U.S., I don’t get much of a chance to hear much about Pattaya anymore, so it is a pure delight to connect up with you over the internet. Feels like I’m back with the family.
Keep up the good work!
All the best,
John Deegan, Chicago

News from Angeles

Fitness park needs clean-up

Letters from our Internet readers