Correcting the syntax

Dear Sir:

I found the terminology on your article on ‘art songs’ ill-researched. Art songs are definitely called Lieder in German.

French melodies are not ‘art songs’. True ‘art songs’ in French are called Lied.

A canzonetta is a ‘semi-serious’ songs with a ‘popular’ text. A song with a serious poetic text is a Canzona.

Songs by Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven are called ‘songs’, not lieder.

Not until Schubert were songs with piano called lieder. Lieder means that the text is by a poet and not a ‘lyric writer’. Lied also connotes an equal partnership between voice and piano in expression of the text.

I believe the writer of the piece is referring to Brahm’s Wiegenlied or ‘Lullaby’. To my knowledge, he did not write a Schlummerlied, or ‘Sleeping Song’.

I am looking forward to the concert, but believe it is the Pattaya Mail’s responsibility to give correct information to readers.

Thank you

Picky Musician

Not bothered by double pricing

Editor:

I have no objection to two-tier pricing at tourist spots, per se. Many tourist spots in the US do the same, featuring a ‘season pass’ price for those having a local address.

However, when I went to Pattaya’s Million-Year Stone Park & Crocodile Farm in February this year, and the lady ticket seller said to me, in English: "Two hundred fifty baht, please," I objected, in Thai, that the sign posted over the window clearly said, "Pu Yai baadsip baht." I, while clearly no Thai, was just as clearly a Pu Yai.

The lady changed to Thai to explain that the 80 baht price was for Thai residents only, and she asked me for my driver’s license. I assured her that my driver’s license was from the state of Georgia and I was a non-resident, farang tourist who just happened to read, write & speak Thai; that charging Thai guests 80 baht while charging tourists 250 baht was okay by me; but the sign said Pu Yai and I am Pu Yai. She let me in for 80 baht.

While inside, I photographed a teen-age, Russian blonde sitting on a crocodile without paying the photo charge because, as I explained, "Chan my ow ty jalakay; ow daa pu ying (I did not want to photograph the croc, but the girl.)

All in all, I found Thai prices more than fair.

Sincerely,

Richard Montgomery

Warner Robins GA, USA

What do you call an elephant in the dark?

Editor:

We call it very dangerous. We fear that there will soon be an accident involving an elephant on the streets of Jomtien, Pattaya or Naklua. Mahouts often amble along the roadsides in search of customers to ride or feed their elephants. At night is very difficult to see them; they appear as a big dark empty space. Someone might be tempted to call an elephant in the dark a parking place and drive straight into one. Please, someone, put something reflective on these elephants, preferably not a car.

Corina & Nicholas

PS Would Andre -Pierre do a centerfold?

Doesn’t miss an issue

Hi there,

Got your actual issue of Pattaya Mail in hand and feel that I must let you know the following:

I am a German, living in Thailand for 12 years, and have made Pattaya my home for the last 6 months. As a German citizen, I of course explored all of these German newspapers that are available here and found them all somehow interesting and am buying them once in a while.

But after I first got your issue of Pattaya Mail in hand, I now make sure not to miss a single issue.

Most informative and actual. In other words the Best, that from my point of view, is available in a western language in our beautiful city here. My compliments to you. How you can do this for only 20 Baht an issue is a miracle to me. Keep up with your good work and thanks in the name of many of your readers I have recently been talking to.

Klaus

Obituary for a buddy

Editor,

I write this note with heavy heart, as I lost a very good and loyal friend yesterday! He had been sick for several weeks and the good doctor could only attempt to give us hope that his days weren’t numbered. However, after suffering for sometime, I had wanted to call in Dr. Jack Kavorkian, but my wife, being the devout Buddhist that she is, told me that it wouldn’t be proper in this country. So, I waited for the end and suffered along with him until last evening, when he decided he’d had enough of this life and checked out in his own way. Naturally, everyone employed at BJ Restaurant broke into tears, as they had grown to know and love my friend, almost as much as me! Sometime later, we placed him to rest on the beach that he had marked as his turf during the nine long years he lived with us. It was a good life for him, as he was, without a doubt, the man-in-charge at BJ’s. Nobody could give him any stick, since he weighed over 60 kilos and could chew up pork chop bones like candy. Unlike most fine animals which are purchased in pet shops, this guy was given to me as a pup of 7 weeks by a very close friend, Doc Kevin Mitch, and I’ve thanked him every day since. My man, T-Bo will be sorely missed here at BJ Guesthouse, as we are left with only the memories of the ‘big’ beautiful German Shepard. So, good-bye T-Bo, YOU DA’ MAN!

And God Created Dog

If you own a dog, you probably can not deny the following declaration on creation:

On the first day of creation, God created the dog.

On the second day, God created man to serve the dog.

On the third day, God created all the animals on earth to serve as potential food for the dog.

On the fourth day God created honest toil, so that man could labor for the good of the dog.

On the fifth day, God created the tennis ball, so that the dog might or might not retrieve it.

On the sixth day, God created veterinary science to keep the dog healthy and man broke.

On the seventh day, God tried to rest, but he had to walk the dog.

Well, in closing I’d just like to express my appreciation for all you dog lovers and hope that you all have many more wonderful moments with your favorite pooch, later...

Your man on the beach,
BJ

Strange beings on Beach Road at night

Dear Editor,

I have been a regular visitor to Pattaya for the past 3 years, but I must admit that I am now somewhat saddened by the complete deterioration in the atmosphere along Beach Road after the hours of darkness. This has nothing to so with the broken street lamps, the occasional dead dog, or even the noisy motorbikes, but it is the accumulation of human "garbage" that should be a cause for concern.

Beach Road at night, or even late afternoon, is now crawling with dozens of "katoeys" of all ages and nationalities, and other assorted weirdos. I have even seen a farang "kateoy" regularly patrolling the strip, although fortunately nobody has yet been attracted to it. Why can’t this thing be locked up? Nobody wants to visit Pattaya and see this kind of thing.

Before Christmas there was some lunatic dressed as a priest and chasing little boys. I gather he was deported, but is now back again after a free shave and haircut courtesy of the local jail, at his regular table upstairs in the Royal Garden Plaza! And then there is another resident falang weirdo, this time always carrying 2 heavy briefcases, wearing a black leather hat, tie, long trousers and dripping with sweat who can be seen most days reading a prepared script and shouting into a child’s plastic toy walkie-talkie, ranting and raving like Hitler at the Nuremberg rally!

So where are the police foot patrols, the dogs, the horses, that we once had? Beach Road used to be a safe place in the evening but now it certainly leaves a lot to be desired.

Yours sincerely,

"Grimbling"