Open letter to our readers

Many of you have recently been forced to endure the brunt of a letter writing campaign by one, and only one individual who has come to the conclusion that his extremist views are the only ones acceptable in today’s world.

Pattaya Mail’s policy has always been to take the middle path in our views and writings, and what we publish about Pattaya and her citizens. We never have, and never will, condone prejudice of any kind.

We occasionally receive letters to our Mailbag department from people who, for one reason or another, have built up animosity towards, and hold a grudge against the local populace, and who viciously condemn the Thai people for their open, carefree attitudes on issues these particular letter writers take extreme prejudice against. It has been our policy to refrain from publishing these letters to avoid insulting the intelligence of our readers. This will remain our policy.

It should also be known that the staff of Pattaya Mail is limited in what we can do about issues that are brought up by our readers. Our policy in this regard is to pass on the information to responsible authorities. It is then up to them to decide what action, if any, is to be taken.

If one particular letter writer, as in this recent case, decides he has nothing better to do than sit at home and write hundreds of letters condemning your newspaper for what he wrongly believes is our acceptance of beliefs contrary to his own, then so be it. There is little we can do about a case such as this.

We offer our sincere sympathy to this individual and hope that somehow he may find peace of mind.

Editor,
Pattaya Mail

Another “dog gone” complaint

Dear Pattaya Mail,

I hope that you have been forwarding these dog complaint letters to the appropriate personnel in the city who probably also read your publication.

I have been a frequent and long term visitor to Pattaya for over ten years and just had to throw my comments in on this serious issue of stray dogs roaming the streets. For the 2nd time in 2 weeks while traveling along the Jomtien Beach roadway a loose and untagged dog has run out into the street and attempted to bite me. I did nothing to provoke the dog, was traveling at a slow speed with a quiet Honda Dream. Jomtien is overrun with these loose and mangy beach dogs pestering tourists.

When driving along 2nd Road I found that the dogs are braver than ever walking directly out in front of my motorcycle. (I am sure your readers are thinking of options to this scenario).

While visiting one of the local wats I observed some tourist families also exploring the area. A young girl in the group attempted to give one dog a biscuit and was nearly mauled by the others that went into a frenzy. The consequences could have been horrific for that little girl. She and her family were terrified.

My point being is the dog issue is getting around back home and will eventually impact tourism. I want to ask the city how much it would cost to purchase an old minivan and hire a few animal control officers, even part time, to collect the strays. At this point in time I am not even going to suggest an adopt a pet program because these dogs are in such poor shape it would take a fortune to get them back proper. I think the readers understand what needs to be done. It is no fun for any visitor to have to go through injections in regards to a dog bite with no hope of recovering compensation from its owner.

In closing, I am not only complaining but would like to be part of the solution if requested. Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,
Kevin Ouimet

A road nightmare for the boardroom

Editor;

Having recently returned from Pattaya and suffering the “Road Destruction Company’s” idea of road construction, I saw with interest an article in a London newspaper.

“The controversial Newbury Bypass is to be closed for resurfacing work - just ten months after opening. Contractors need to replace the damaged asphalt surface of the road, which carries 30,000 vehicle a day.

The Highways Agency said “It is clear the surface will not last its intended life span,” therefore the contractor will have to replace the surface.

The contractors, Costain Civil Engineering, will be footing the 2.5 million pounds (150,000,000 Baht) bill for the work and no cost to be levied to the taxpayer. “

I am certain it would cause many heart attacks in the boardroom if Pattaya used the same type of contracts when building roads. Possibly, they would get it right the first time in that case.

Graham Hunt-Crowley

Thanks Jesters Motorcycle Club and Siam Steel Mill Services

Editor;

Two Friday’s ago at our weekly computer club gathering, Susie mentioned we should take our street kids, who are learning computers, to the Jesters Motorcycle Club Children’s Fair at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. Knowing these children well, I told her they would be too embarrassed to be there when they had no money to participate and the Fair would just not be “fair” to them.

Susie approached Kim, Woody, Graham and the powers that be, and obtained sponsorship for the kids. On Saturday morning on the 4th, after their computer class, Lek crammed 12 of them (6 others were still too apprehensive to go) into a baht bus and off they went to the beautiful and for them, off limits grounds of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. It took only 10 minutes for these timid kids to become fully absorbed in the activities, and they were playing side by side with the more fortunate kids.

They ate Bob’s Big Boy hamburgers, Benihana stir fry, Italian ice cream, Indian food, and LOTS of Pepsi’s. They played basketball, slid down the hill, painted some ceramics, and of course played on the computers and won potato chips.

All 12 of them sat for more than an hour with the teachers of the ISR, painting and drawing pictures. They participated with the Chicken Lady in her egg games. Most had their faces painted (which made it very interesting trying to keep track of them all in a sea of painted faces), and all paid at least 5 visits to the balloon man. That poor balloon man really worked hard, even Woody braved the long line to get his balloon.

The kids met, and were assisted by many members of the Jesters (and Alice Poulsen, of course) in their activities. When they reluctantly had to leave the fun, they were given T-shirts which were large enough to fit even the most corpulent among us. The size didn’t matter a bit to these kids!

They also had a chance to meet the Sisters from the Fountain of Life, and as a result, they will be welcoming kids from the Fountain of Life who will be joining us for computer instruction on the weekends.

Any one wishing to view these kids in action, stop by any Saturday or Sunday morning between 0900-1300 at Jeep’s Joint, corner of 3rd Road and South Pattaya Road.

Though Lek and I are still knackered from chasing the kids around all afternoon, they had a great day and it was the time of their young lives. Wall to wall smiles on this, their once in a lifetime day. It seemed as though some of the Jesters had as much, or more fun than the kids!

Thanks to all who helped the kids and a special thanks to the Jesters.

Sincerely,
Jeep (founder) and Lek (president) of the Computers for Thai Kids Charity Project

web page: http:\\www.ptty.loxinfo.co.th\~glenp

Bank Rates

Dear Sir,

With reference to Alan Smiths letter about bank rates. The Bangkok Bank two months ago put out on its web site that it was only going to pay 1% interest to none resident accounts. I mentioned this in a letter to Mr. Lesley Wright who has now confirmed this, whether or not this applies to people living outside the country but maintaining property there (you have a Thai address) I don’t know, perhaps Lesley will enlighten us.

Yours sincerely,
John C. Birmingham

Walkway or raceway?

Dear Sirs,

I note with interest that the new Walk way between Pattaya and Jomtien is well under construction and it is looking very good.

I’ve walked this route now for over the past year. I’m just wondering that when it is finished, what is to stop the boy racers on their motorbikes from the Jomtien end using it? Even at present quite a number use it to sit and gawp at people using the Pattaya Park swimming complex.

As it is they have no respect for people walking along, even using the short piece of walkway at the bottom of Pattaya Park it seems that they have to race along it.

A long term resident.

Yours sincerely,
Jay Dee

Copyright 1998 Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
370/7-8 Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, Chonburi 20260, Thailand 
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596; e-mail: [email protected]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek.