|
Providing help for
strays
Dear Sir,
In reply to Jing’s letter “Life of a Stray” in
Pattaya Mail February 4, I agree with some of her sentiments. But
definitely not all. Yes everyone is aware that this is the land of smiles.
Many people are familiar with the precepts of Buddhism, not to take life
and to display loving-kindness. Some also may have noticed that most
butchers and slaughter house workers are of religions other than Buddhist,
some Moslems, some are Chinese. The point that Mr. Keith was attempting to
make in his January letter of “No Compassion for Animals” was that it
appeared to him that the average Thai does not generally extend that
compassion and loving-kindness to animals.
Mr. Keith’s idea of an animal refuge here is a great
one and certainly not drivel. I believe he did not propose ‘rounding up
strays off the street’ but rather form a shelter to take in any
unwanted, injured and ill strays. Give them rabies and distemper
injections, vet treatment and neutering before offering them for adoption
/ sponsorship or release where suitable. Similar to the Handicap Animals
shelter in Bangkok that was featured in last week’s Pattaya Mail story,
“Who Cares.”
Mr. Keith made the remark about all animals, not just
dogs, and their treatment is a reflection of the society in which they
live. He is indeed practising what he preaches and was instrumental in
starting an appeal for all mangy and maimed animals here. I for one
thoroughly endorse this idea. And I will pledge 2000 baht a month to a
refuge organization here, not a lot, but if we can get some others to do
the same it will help.
I am happy to help in any other way, printing flyers,
web page design. I am really pleased that some people have decided to do
something at last. Count me in and thank you,
Rob <www.spydasweb.com>
Dumping waste on Soi 17
Dear Pattaya Mail,
I have been wanting to write a letter to your newspaper
for a while and finally got enough nerve to do so. I recently moved to
Pattaya from Koh Samui where I had been living for almost four years. I
was astounded to see both sides of a main road (Soi 17) in the city used
as a dumpsite. I have been involved with environmental challenges in Samui
and we have created some great answers to environmental challenges like
waste management by getting the community involved with local government.
Does anyone notice this area or does anyone really care?
One solution would be to consolidate the area and make the area capable
of accepting waste intentionally. If containers or holding cells were
used, for example, a scheduled pick up could be initiated which would keep
the area relatively clean. It is not uncommon also to find the whole area
around Suk Sabai Villa engulfed with plastic fumes from burning trash in
this area. Any suggestions? e-mail - [email protected]
Tom Rossetti
An animal shelter is
possible here
Dear Sir,
Through the Mailbag page, I would like to thank the
Pattaya community for their response to the suggestion of forming an
Animal Refuge Society. Having lived here for two years I thought I was the
only person who noticed the appalling animals here. I hasten to add I am
not an animal nut or collector, but I just cannot bear cruelty and
suffering if there is something that can be done to help.
After appealing to the community for expressions of
interest and help in any way they could, I am touched that people DO care.
One organization has pledged 2000 baht a month and local vet Dr. Nop, has
offered his services, as have others their time and expertise.
What a welcoming beginning. The idea of a refuge is a temporary holding
facility where animals can be given much needed vet care, then spayed and
released or adopted or fostered out if suitable. The concept is large; it
needs a lot of organizing and community support before it will even get
off the ground. The great thing is that here is something everyone can
contribute towards, be that time, care, brainstorming, networking,
fundraising or whatever it takes. Perhaps we could call it P.A.W.S.
(Pattaya Animal Welfare Society)?
Last month I visited a refuge for animals in Bangkok that proved the
concept will work here - if we want it to. Surely we can set up a small
home and away station here! We still need more people to be involved
before we set up the first meeting. Please help. Reply to [email protected]
or dedicated fax (038) 231675. Let’s get this show on the road.
Mirin MacCarthy
I.nternet S.lowest
P.rovider
Dear Editor,
In answer to the article of 28/01 “Not liking any
local ISP”. I have the same experience with Loxinfo as the writer of
that article, but mine is even worse. I also receive a lot of junk mail
and Loxinfo can’t solve the problem. So if I receive mail from other
people who did not send me any mail, I ask myself “who receives my mail
also?” I’ve complained several times about this problem and I have
sent the mail-header in order to correct this problem, already 20 times
but nobody seems to be able to correct this problem.
Also their connection speed is very low. I know my settings are fine.
The problem is that most ISP ‘s are overburdened.
The 56k number (258000) is mostly not accessible; if you’re lucky (1
in 50 times) you get connected. I’ve complained about that also but I
get no answer from Loxinfo. So now I want some compensation for the lost
time because I have bought 50 hours and the only (poor) connection is at
the 28k line.
If there are more people with the same problem, send an email to
[email protected] with subject Quality Loxinfo. I will forward all
those emails to them so they can’t say, “Everything here works
fine”. Together we’re strong.
Yours faithfully,
Herman Puts
Too many relatives
Dear Ed,
It’s almost time for me to stuff my kit-bag full of
fake Rolex’s, sweat shirts and football kit, and head back to the icy
wilderness of Kent for a couple of months. One last letter though.
Many times have I read all about the best eating places
in Pattaya, and duly oblige by trying most of them out when in town. Most
definitely the best tip was Lungsawai (my wife’s spelling) at the far
end of Jomtien.
I must offer my tip now for anyone visiting Surin.
Situated on its own lake by the banks of the vast Hoy Sanang Reservoir,
one discovers the delightful Chinam eating palace. Each table, whatever
the size is situated within its own floating straw hut. All of these
individual restaurants have their own toilets and washrooms, and if one so
desires, one can even retire to a rest room for a snooze after a hearty
meal. There are no seats as such, just mats and cushions, but a chair will
be brought for you if required. The only drawback is that the menu is only
in Thai, but then what do you expect in Thailand?
I entertained one of my numerous relatives’ weddings recently, and
invited the bride, groom and a handful of friends to the restaurant for a
slap up wedding feast afterwards. The nine of us ate and drank our fills,
the food was excellent and the service wonderful. The cost of my moment of
generosity? A mere 1,060 baht. Which brings me to my second subject.
I mentioned that this was a wedding party, one of the many I have
attended over the years I have been married (all concerning relatives).
When my father died ten years ago, all my mother had left was me and my
younger sister. I wonder if the dear old soul realises that now she is
related to half of Thailand, a good few Cambodians, a splattering of
Laotians, as well as various Swedes, Germans, Swiss, Austrians and most
likely a couple of Eskimo’s, Arapaho Indians, Lapps and the odd Nigerian
or Maori. Funny old world we live in.
Martin J. Knapp
Tongue firmly in cheek
Dear Sir,
I have followed the correspondence consequent upon Mr
Ian Macfoggert’s 20 Questions to you and I feel compelled also to reply.
Implicit in Mr Macfoggert’s questions is a vicious
attack upon the integrity, honesty and charm of the majority of the Thai
people and I hope my experience can help put the record straight.
I visited Pattaya for the first time in December and on
my last nights stay there I took a stroll along Beach Road. I met a
charming (and may I say most attractive) young local lass nicknamed Skampy.
I immediately had a great rapport with Skampy and as we strolled along the
beachfront Skampy introduced me to many of her friends who were equally
charming, courteous and affectionate.
Unfortunately a bit later that evening I discovered
that I had lost 3500 baht from my back pocket. I think I dropped it when
speaking with Skampy and her friends. Fortunately Skampy was not only
sympathetic to my plight but insisted to accompany me back to my hotel to
make sure all my valuables were in my room.
Regrettably my misfortune continued as in the morning I
discovered a further 6000 baht missing. I had slept heavily that night and
so it seems had Skampy.
I was leaving as I had to be at the airport in a few hours. Once again
however luck returned to me as Skampy promised to report the matter to the
hotel and the police, she refused to take any “reward” for all her
help and even arranged a baht taxi to take me to the bus station.
Do your readers not agree I was blessed to meet such a charming and
unselfish person as Skampy?
Yours sincerely,
Simon Seplestein
Police bars and farang
bars different?
Editor;
Last Friday evening they closed all the bars in Sois
2/7/8/9 and a lot more in the rest of the town. I heard it was because of
the elections, and they were not allowed to serve any kind of alcohol. We
all understand some Thai rules that are to be followed, but if you’re
not noticed, how in God’s name can we know what’s happening? Some
people had to pay fines up to 20,000 baht without knowing what’s going
on. This is ridiculous, but the worst part was all the bars owned by
police officers or other bigwig people stayed open. Don’t we all pay
taxes and follow the rules? Can somebody explain to me that kind of
embarrassment to avoid more of these kinds of problems in the future?
Concerned tax paying expat
Valentine wish
Dear Editor,
My partner Steve and our friends Philip, Kevin, Andy
and Vicky are all regular visitors to Pattaya. We come in May and November
as we enjoy the resort and its warm and friendly people. So every Friday
we log on to see what is happening, so we don’t miss out on anything. So
as a surprise would it be possible for you to wish my partner a happy
valentine on the 14th February and tell him I love him dearly. His name is
Steve O’Kane.
Lynda
A vote for King Taksin
Dear Editor,
Whilst I heartily agree with the choice of Khuns Fassbind, Thappajug
and Fr. Ray as millennial personages, surely poor old King Taksin could at
least have had a mention. He reputedly founded the place after all.
Chuck Pringle
Copyright 2000 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] |
Letters published
in the Mailbag of Pattaya Mail
are also on our website. |
It is
noticed that the letters herein in no way reflect the opinions of the editor or writers
for Pattaya Mail, but are unsolicited letters from our readers, expressing their
own opinions. No anonymous letters or those without genuine addresses are printed, and,
whilst we do not object to the use of a nom de plume, preference will be given to those
signed. |
|