Parking is a problem

Dear Editor,
Coming back from town I noticed two of the big plots of land between 2nd-and Beach Road cleaned, and in spite of being very dusty, immediately used as parking lots. Maybe there is hope that the city will create sufficient parking space for the visitors from Bangkok? Even close down the Beach Road full length for any motor driven vehicle and re-route the traffic to 2nd and 3rd Road?

I really feel sorry for all the Bangkok visitors trying to catch the lovely breeze in the Bay of Pattaya, only to get stuck in another horrendous traffic jam, which could easily be avoided with a bit of organisation.

Greetings from your Hotelian

Looking for lost friends

Dear Editor,
Between 1990 and 1997 I visited Pattaya every month on business. Over the past year I have been unable to do so much to my regret. However, I am a little worried about my friends at Yai Bar in Soi 8 and wonder if they are still well. Does Yai still own the bar? Is mama well? You know the kind of questions. If anyone can help update me my email address is [email protected]

Thank you,
Alan Bell

Suggestions for next year's Songkran

Dear Sir,
The two letters in this week’s Mailbag in your paper should be carefully studied and considered by those at City Hall who have once again perpetrated the outrageous ‘Festival Week’ in the resort. They show clearly that only a hooligan fringe of visitors is attracted to this annual disaster, that those who might come here at this time are being warned away by overseas tour operators, and that the closing off of many streets and key Sois for the reasons so succinctly set out in the letter from Mr. Modro of Bangkok is not acceptable to anyone.

There is plenty of waste ground not far from the Beach Road/Second Road area which could well be used to locate the hundreds of stalls, that is if they are really needed at all.

City Hall should be really concerned that their actions are actually keeping away from the city people who would otherwise be filling the hotels and using the facilities offered. I put it that the following action should be taken for 1999:

(i) Restore the Songkran three-day holiday to its correct date in line with the rest of Thailand. To think that a national new year celebration could be moved at the stroke of a pen is the height of local government arrogance.

(ii) If a ‘Festival’ is really needed, it must be at a period far removed from Songkran; if is too near, there will be some who think they can get on with water-throwing at other times of the year.

(iii) Songkran should be seen as the Thai and Buddhist event that it really is, and it ought to be accepted that many visitors find the happenings at that time most unpleasant.

(iv) The ‘Festival’, if there needs to be one, ought to be firmly based to encourage, not deter, foreign visitors to the Kingdom. Details of the events should be made, here and in other countries, in local languages, so that all may decide to come or not on the basis of factual knowledge.

Where did Khun Sophia Thepjug view the ‘gentle’ water throwing? From some place of safety, I am certain! There was nothing gentle about events in Central Road on Sunday evening, at the time of my return from Bangkok and beyond, nor was there any shortage of multi-coloured powder to smear on all who passed by.

But I am sure that uncaring City Hall will not listen, nor heed the clear warnings of the public. I am already planning my travels for mid-April, 1999.

Yours Sincerely.
John D. Blyth (Five years a Pattaya resident).

Why complain about Songkran

Dear Editor,
Here I am back in Blighty after a very short stay in my second home in Pattaya. This time, however, it was my first time witnessing the mayhem and fun that goes with a ten day long water fight. I travelled to Buriram and Surin, where most of the time being a farang I was the object of everybody’s attention (all in excellent taste), and a great time was had by all. Finally I ended up back in Pattaya for the final weekend, or H2O Armageddon as I think of it now. However, reading your paper last week, I read that it was not everybody’s cup of tea (or water). I cannot understand why, instead of whinging at the customs of a country that they are only guests in, they don’t do the opposite of me and (take) off back to where they came from for the duration of Songkran.

Yours soakingly,
Martin J Knapp

More disdain for Pattaya's Songkran practices

Dear Sir,
Boy, do I hate the ‘Pattaya Festival’. I also hate Songkran in Pattaya. Instead of being blessed with water, one is assaulted with it. This is in Pattaya. For a truly ‘Thai’ Songkran, I usually go to the provinces of Isan, which are ‘Lao!’

The kids and teenagers have fun throwing the water around like mad, but adults are respected.

It shows one the real Thailand to have a young person walk up to you, give you a polite Thai Wai and then sprinkle water on your shoulders. A few people my own age have poured a large bucket of water on my shoulders in Isan.

This is done in a respectful manner between equals.

Drunken people who throw water in your face in Pattaya are giving the whole Thai nation a bad name. Chiangmai might be a bit similar.

For a true Thai Songkran, visit the rural areas and meet real Thai people.

You can avoid the boring ‘Pattaya Festival’ at the same time.

Hard Core Country Fan

Enjoy the delights of Songkran Day

Dear Sir,

Once again I’ve come up with a verse, after reading in Vol. IV, No. 17 grumbles about Songkran.

Those who do not enjoy our Thai Festivals, should stay in their own country and I am surprised the hotel manager has a dull view of Songkran, as it is well known that holiday period is the time most resorts are fully booked up.

We went down south to Chumporn and could only stay for 5 days, because every bungalow/hotel was fully booked over the Songkran period. While we were down there, it was a delight to see hundreds of Thai families enjoying themselves along the soft, white, sandy beach. Above all, the site was clean and every proprietor friendly, giving good service. We will certainly visit this beach again.

Presently I will present my succinct verse!

TO SONGKRAN WHINGERS

Thailand, known as The Land of Smiles.

Fold come for pleasure from many miles.

Yearly festivals are enjoyed by all

Many derive from Beliefs enthrall.

‘Blessings’ bestowed on Songkran Day

Should give delight instead of dismay.

On a hot day what could be better

Drenched with cool water, amends being sweatier.

When Rome, do as the Roman’s do.

Joining in celebrations and do not rue

That you are now in The Land of Smiles!

(Yim-Yim)