Defending non-smokers

Editor;

The law abiding citizens who wrote to the Pattaya Mail (Jan. 21-27 Issues - “In Defense of Smoking” and “Light up or Lighten up”) are certainly entitled to put up a defense against my non-smoking crusade, but the arguments you both make are hardly worth a reply. Nevertheless, I will say what I think as usual and point out a few things you erroneously mentioned.

One of you wrote that KFC, Pizza Hut, and McDonalds are smoke free areas (I could light up in any or these places) and that you respect the rules “set by the non-smoking lobby.”

Now, I do believe there are non-smoking signs plastered on the entrance doors of the Royal Garden Plaza. These signs seem to be all encompassing so why can’t you leave these fast food places and indulge in other areas of the building. Quite a few of you make your way to “Disneyland” on the third floor where you can smoke to your heart’s content surrounded by all those children. “Believe It Or Not”, I’ve even seen a policeman up there puffing away. You seem to claim that area for your very own. Very few of you are considerate enough to ask, “will my smoking bother you?”

One of you mentioned that you had an understanding with the family as far as smoking in concerned. “We respect each other.” I don’t know where you do your smoking in the family quarters, but this is a wonderful agreement and wonderful example to set before the kids. (Bye way, I am glad that you are a family man and not one of those Marlborough types.) May I ask if you have adequately provided for the family after your demise? I hope that any money you have saved for the education of your children doesn’t go for paying hospital and funeral expenses. I can say this because my father died of lung cancer at the age of fifty-two leaving the family penniless. For your information when I am home I do not ride around in a “Cadillac.”

Captain Ronning also stated that I want “to be part of the world police just as your government is trying.” Captain, I want you to know that nothing could be further from the truth. I don’t’ always agree with the U.S., but I will back the U.S. up one hundred percent when it is absolutely right. America is taking out after the tobacco companies in a big way and bringing them to justice. California, as I have said, allows no smoking in bars and restaurants and requires catalectic converters on all vehicles. Perhaps you want to blame the World Health Organization for asking Thailand to start court proceedings against the tobacco companies for health related costs.

Now, as to the “consensus making” argument of the non-smoker. With tens of thousands of horrible deaths and others living in emphysema misery, can we wait forever for people to make up their minds about smoking? Any democratic-representative government that is worth a hoot in hell will take the lead and follow the U.S. and the WHO in this matter.

I’m not advocating a prohibition on tobacco, but it’s not much better than dealing in dope.

A Californian

An entrepreneurial suggestion

Dear Sir,

If someone is looking for a business idea, I have a suggestion. We have been looking for extra staff for months now and it has become clear that Pattaya has a real shortage of job seekers at every level: skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled.

Both of the local radio stations and the cable TV stations are so inundated with companies wanting to advertise vacancies that they now have to ration these announcements. The staff-wanted column in Pattaya grows longer every week, yet responses are few and far between.

On the other hand, we hear of poverty and lack of work up-country. People so desperate for work that they get ripped-off by bogus agents promising non-existent jobs overseas. Perhaps the perception of Pattaya offering only “horizontal positions” prevents genuine job seekers from coming here.

It seems likely then that an opportunity exists for an energetic recruitment agency to build a successful business. Someone with a network of Thai friends around the country or perhaps a mobile recruitment office, in conjunction with regional radio station announcements, to match vacancies with applicants. There are probably potential staff in out-lying villages around Pattaya. How to get to them? Perhaps with loudspeaker vans.

An initial client base should be easy enough to form from the companies currently advertising in Pattaya. For a start we are looking for factory workers, sales staff and artists ranging from school-leavers to mid 30s. Many hotels, offices, shops, bars, builders and technical firms are also urgently seeking staff.

With an ethical approach and the necessary licenses, charging employers - not applicants - and avoiding the “dodgy” jobs, it really does seem to be both a real business opportunity and a useful contribution to Pattaya’s economy.

Are you there, Mr. Entrepreneur? Over to you.

Regards,
Bernie

Sanouk Handicrafts

Appreciates sound financial advice

Editor:

I found Leslie Wright’s latest article in the Pattaya Mail one of the most lucid and fascinating explanations of international economics that I have ever read. Frequently, it seems to me that economic news is usually framed in terms that are intended to arouse emotion: fear, panic, jingoism, antagonism, etc. Calm analysis and thorough reporting are often neglected in an effort to attract readers and/or viewers or to score political points.

At any rate, I have been most impressed by Mr. Wright’s articles and most especially by this latest one. All US news media have reported on the record trade deficit; very little explanation accompanied the news other than that it was a really bad thing.

What I most particularly appreciate about Mr. Wright’s articles is his ability to filter through all the hype, to maintain a rational attitude, and to express his ideas so clearly.

Just wanted to let him know that I think he is doing an excellent job and that I look forward to reading his column each week.

All the best,

K.H. Fitzpatrick

Taxi “mafia” at North Road bus station

Editor;

I have been living in Pattaya 10 years and speak reasonable Thai. I traveled back from Bangkok on the usual Rong Reung bus to North Pattaya Road bus station around 6pm (a journey I have been doing for years on and off). As you know the road is up for repairs. The Taxi mafia have seen fit to post a large notice in the bus station saying, “Beach Road 20 Baht” and then wait outside to fill their taxis with a full dozen or more. I wanted to go to South Pattaya Road along No 3 Road and asked for private charter. I asked 6 taxis separately and they all said 100 Baht. When I politely offered them 50B they eventually became threatening. I normally bypass these touts and walk across the road to a get a passing taxis at a standard fare of 5 Baht to Beach Road. I went across the road and started walking down towards 3rd Road. None of the other empty taxis would stop when I flagged them. I had to walk all the way to No3 Rd. I have never seen behaviour like this before at this bus station.

I urge you, through your excellent paper, to alert others, if similarly treated, to make complaints to the sympathetic tourist police and the Tourist Authority as I have, then perhaps this awful practice will cease. Think of the effect on unwitting tourists.

Let me say finally that there are many very good and helpful taxi drivers around (mostly during the day) but there are, as I am sure we all agree, also some truly awful ones as well.

Keep up the good work,
A concerned old timer

Extradition or no extradition?

Dear Editor,

Thank you for keeping us law-abiding farangs updated as to the case against Mr. Ullrich. This case has been dragging out for quite some time, which is not a great surprise. The last court meeting was set for 17th January but due to the absence of witnesses from the Foreign Ministry, who were engaged in other urgent matters that prevented their presence at the trial, a new date was set for the 3rd of February. Surprise, surprise! Another delay.

Mr. Ullrich is accused of entering the Kingdom on numerous occasions without a visa. Further, he is accused of tax evasion of, if my memory serves me right, Baht 72 million? He is also wanted in Germany for having committed gross fraud. There is no extradition treaty between Germany and Thailand. His lawyer states that this is due to fact that Germany is not interested in such a treaty with what he terms as ‘under-developed countries’! Why this is so could easily be determined by contacting the Foreign Ministry. But my opinion this is an extremely cheap shot by Mr. Ullrich’s lawyer and does not serve his case at all, on the contrary.

However, Mr. Ullrich was, and probably is, a very wealthy person. The case against him has all the marks of this fact. I think all commoners in this country have experienced that there is one law for us and another for the people who have connections and money. Further, I think that we who have lived here for some years know of several incidents where farangs have been caught for minor offences which have resulted in a small fine and deporting to their motherland. Whether it existed an extradition treaty between Thailand and the country in question had no influence at all!

Are there any farangs out there who believe that Mr. Ullrich will be deported to Germany? Well, think again!

Allan

Life of a stray

Dear Sir,

Re. “No compassion for animals” by Mr. Keith, in Pattaya Mail Vol. VII No. 52.

As Mr. Keith has visited Thailand often, I am amazed that he has not come to know the Thai better. It is known to be “The Land of Smiles”. The Thai often laugh in order to hide their embarrassment, to show sympathy, to show that they care.

Thailand reveres Lord Buddha’s Teachings and like Christianity, “Thou shalt not kill”. A Buddhist Monk does not crush any insect as you or I would do if they bite or bothered us, but would gently brush it away. The slaughter of animals & fish for food is done by Chinese, not Thai.

In Bangkok there is an efficient dog pound where stray dogs are picked up off the streets. If Pattaya City does not have such and institution, maybe some good citizen would suggest to the Authoritative Council to build one.

Mr. Keith’s logical method of rounding up stray dogs, give medical treatment, & put them back on the streets is drivel. The dogs would still be “strays”. They would scrounge for food or starve, get into fights, be run over by traffic, etc. & still lead the life of a cur.

Seemingly Mr. Keith is a dog-lover, therefore why not practice-what- you-preach by starting a crusade for mangy & maimed dogs?

Sincerely,
Jing

Cur-Mutt I love to wander through the streets And sniff my way around Eye on police on their beats And marking posts from ground. My meals are mostly from the bins Or maybe a kind handout But sometimes the vendor also wins And I get a foot-clout My friends in need are plenty We like the full moon night Discorded howls for the gentry A freely rendered delight To be a cur is happiness No collar or orders to obey Just roaming along is my bliss What joy to be a stray!

Copyright 1999 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, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.