An American protest

Dear Sir,

I would like to reply to the unfortunate man who had his car stepped on and damaged by the American soldier.

I do feel quite terrible about the way in which you were treated by this fellow and his rude ways. However, I think it is quite unfair of you to lump all American soldiers in the same category. As an American and a daughter of a US Navy veteran, I can tell you that these sorts of displays are NOT encouraged or tolerated in our military forces. I’m sure that this soldier is going to be handled in a very strict manner, possibly even losing his rank. Besides, I’m sure that if you had gotten the information from the two MP’s, you would have a chance to get compensation for your expenses and damages.

I notice that you emphasized often that he was a "killing machine", implying that Americans are just a bunch of violent creatures. Let me ask you, how many soldiers do you know who are not "killing machines"? Would it make any sense for them to not know the ways of fighting? And what of his compatriot, the man who did not step on your car? Are you going to assume that he would have committed the same crime if his friend had not beaten him to it? Sounds like you attacked him for his gesture, anyway! You were the one who resolved the issue with violence, not him! You ran into a soldier who probably had had too much to drink and not enough leave time to me, not a raging maniac bent on your destruction, and you decided to take your political views to blows. You say that you won’t be back to Pattaya until American vessels no longer dock there; well, that’s going to be a long time. I have a feeling that you’re going to have to find another place to drink beer until you get American-hating out of your system.

You should keep your political views to the cocktail hour and the podium instead of the streets, my friend. Sounds like they will only get you a broken pair of glasses and a shirt missing buttons.

Signed,
A proud, non-violent American

Apologies for Unpleasant Experience

Dear Pattaya Mail,

This letter is to apologize for this man’s car. Pattaya Mail issue #22.

Sir, Unfortunately, you met an American who displayed no sense of remorse for his actions to your car. I too am an American military man, and I agree with you that this jerk was arrogant for not apologizing to you for his actions. When I visit Pattaya I behave like a gentleman, in public or in private, with anyone I meet in Pattaya. Unfortunately, many of my comrades do not display this gentlemanly behavior while outside of the U.S.

While I can’t speak for my government, I will apologize for this one military man’s damage to your car. Please, if you feel compelled to write again about this incident, send an email to the military branch of the United States that this man may belong to; you can easily find it using a search engine like Yahoo.

Again, I’m sorry for this jerk’s damage to your car and for causing you to lose your temper in front of your family.

Sincerely,
Terry E.

Horologically unsound

Dear Doctor Corness,

With reference to your article on P 21 in the Pattaya Mail of 21 May last I would like to remark that in astrology Aquarians (people born under the Aquarius sign) are AIR people and NOT WATER sign people.

As you state that you are born in November chances are that you are a Scorpio and that makes you a water sign after all.

Studying the Aquarian horoscope to solve the water problem in Thailand is therefore a waste of time. To clarify:

Gemini, Libra, Aquarius - Air
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces - Water
Aries, Leo, Sagittarius - Fire
Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn - Earth.

Yours sincerely,
Monique Haans (Aquarius)
Dr. Corness’ reply:

Dear Monique,

Thank you for the dissertation and I am indeed relieved to know that underneath all the dampness I am really a water person after all. However, my reference to Aquarius in the article was because Aquarius is the "Water Bearer" as seen in the Symbol and Glyph. However, I will desist further dissection, since my reference book on Astrology states that "Aquarians are innovative, unconventional and sometimes eccentric and are therefore often targets for attack by narrow minded people."!

Wants compensation for stolen motorcycle

Dear Sirs

I am writing to you after an incident occurred, which after coming to Thailand for 9 years, still baffles and annoys me.

I have been staying at well-known estate condominium off and on for the last 3 years. The rooms are not cheap but the facilities and security have always been a good bet; until now.

On the same day, 2 motorbikes were stolen, one of them being mine. The other bike, only 2 months old, had an estate sticker on it, which allows them to come and go as they please. I had a ticket which is recorded on entry and exit. Both the estate and security service refused to compensate for a bike with a sticker. With a ticket, the security service will give a maximum of 10,000 baht but they are not obliged to do so. The couple who, in good faith, parked their motorbike in a supposedly secure area, are now 50,000 baht poorer.

The estate does not accept responsibility, even though they are employing the security service to put peoples’ minds at ease. 10,000 baht will only buy 20% of a new bike, which means the motorbike rental company will be coming to me for the rest of it. I have been using the rental company in Soi Yamoto for several years with no problems, and lucky for me, the owner is a good natured person.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is trying to promote Thailand as a holiday destination, but instances like these will only put people off. Pattaya is now being promoted as a ‘Family Destination’.

My advice to tourists: at certain places, 24 hour security doesn’t mean anything. Don’t rent a bike - if it’s stolen you’ll have to pay to replace it. Better you don’t bother coming here at all.

Regards
Steve Hodgkiss

Another experience with Barclays

Dear Sir,

I have just read in Mailbag the letters dealing with Barclays Credit Cards and feel obliged to reply.

I have now been resident in Thailand for almost four years and in my second year I was advised by the Bank of Scotland and the National Westminster Bank that my credit cards would not be renewed on the due dates.

The reason given was that their experience in Thailand was not good and forwarding them by mail was a poor risk. I wrote to both banks offering a collection from a UK bank but this was declined.

Around the same time, Barclays Card Services wrote to me indicating that I could arrange collection from one of their branches, a new card when my existing one expired.

I replied, giving them a Leicester branch and an approximate date of collection to be made by a friend. All his details were provided to them.

Regrettably, when he called as arranged, nobody at the branch knew anything of the agreement to provide a new card.

On his return to Thailand I again contacted Barclaycard Services who then advised me that they were no longer issuing credit cards to residents in Thailand. I referred them to their earlier letter but this could not be traced.

During this period I received eight letters from six different employees of Barclaycard. Although they all worked for the same division of Barclaycard, they seemed totally at variance with each other. It was pure farce and eventually I received at least two letters of apology regarding their confusion over their own policy.

I should mention that both my private and company accounts had been with Barclays Bank PLC for over fifteen years and I held their Visa card for all that period.

In fact my home bank account is still with Barclays. The only company I could find that would issue credit cards to Thailand is the MBNA International Bank.

In view of the aforementioned I find Mr. Freeman’s reply from Mrs. J. E. Pell of Barclays Bank almost as amazing as Thailand!

In the circumstances I would be most pleased if Mr. Freeman could send a copy of this letter to Mrs. Pell. I would be more than interested in her reply.

Yours faithfully,
John Hopkins

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Created by Andy Gombaz, assisted by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.