|
It’s all a matter of
money
Dear Sirs,
Whatever the question, whatever the subject, it usually
comes down to one thing. How much money are we likely to make at the end
of the day. Rightly or wrongly in Pattaya, there is only one lobby of
people who have the power to get things done and that’s the Pattaya
Association of hoteliers. They are the only people who have had the sense
to appreciate that “there is strength in numbers”. However, it is
taking them a little longer to realize that in fact the larger hotels
don’t benefit at all by the type of individual who visits Pattaya over
the Songkran Festival. They have yet to learn that the sort of person who
finds satisfaction in causing distress to his fellow man is not the type
to spend the amount of money necessary to stay in one of the larger
hotels. His or occasionally her budget will only extend to a room in one
of Pattaya’s ever increasing number of guest houses or maybe a room
above a bar. And whilst we are talking about bars, don’t let the bar
owners tell you that they make a profit during Songkran. You only have to
look and see that it is physically impossible to be throwing water over
every passer by and at the same time drink your beer. Even the restaurants
and places that normally attract the more soberly minded tourist lose out
because these tourists cannot guarantee to arrive at their destination in
a dry state and thus enjoy the entertainment. These tourists will never
return to Pattaya not even outside the Songkran festivities. They will
carry the feeling back with them that not enough protection was afforded
them during their stay and will keep with them a feeling of animosity
towards Pattaya and the officials here who don’t seem to see the long
term picture. And before the letters pour in saying what a spoil sport I
am and that if I don’t like it I should go home, I fully support the
celebration of Songkran, I love the true Thai culture and the Thai people
who (in the true tradition) celebrate this time of year. I do not however,
feel that what now passes as Songkran should truly be described as The
Songkran Festival. Perhaps the TAT could think up an equally catchy name
that would more acutely describe the goings on that tourists would
understand. Remembering of course that the word ‘festival’ would
indicate a time where ‘everyone’ enjoys oneself.
Please sign me,
Unconvinced
The fences at Nong
Nooch
Dear Sirs,
The first time I visited the Nong Nooch elephant show a
few years ago, I was extremely impressed, as I am sure millions of other
visitors before and since have been about the freedom of interaction
between the elephants and the public. In fact it was this freedom and lack
of fences that made this show one of, if not the best in the world.
I remember thinking that this would never be possible
in Europe or in the US and that it can only be a matter of time before
somebody is injured or killed and then the powers that be will put an end
to this unique show.
Finally it happened and the knee jerk reaction is to
build a big fence. Well, all I can say is ‘What a shame’.
Has anybody ever checked the safety record of Nong
Nooch and compared it to other shows, sports, road accidents, etc.? How
many people have visited the show since it was opened and how many
accidents have occurred? I expect the ratio to be millions to one.
In this life, we take risks every single day and Nong
Nooch is no exception. I am all for safety and always wear my safety belt,
even in taxis, but if the authorities go ahead with fences to prevent the
public touching and feeding the elephants, then all I can say again is
‘What a shame’.
Jeff Hambleton,
Bangkok
Baht bus driver
with good aim
Dear Sir,
Having been a resident of Pattaya for many years, I
have read the pros and cons of the baht buses here. Unfortunately, I had a
new experience, which I would like to share with your readers.
At about 8.00 p.m. I flagged a baht bus down and we
agreed on a fare of fifty baht (this is the normal fare for my
destination). When we arrived at my residence, the driver declared I could
afford more because of the size of my house. Maybe it is because I am
Scottish, but I told him where to go, handed over my fifty baht and
departed.
I was no sooner inside when I heard glass breaking
upstairs. Upon rushing upstairs I discovered he had thrown a rock through
my window. Too late to get his number, “the driver had already fled the
scene”. Luckily nobody was in the room. The cost of the repair is small,
but the implications are greater.
Maybe next time I will pay the extra.
Meanwhile if anybody knows of a baht bus driver who is
a good dart’s player, maybe you can pass his number on to me.
Yours sincerely,
Billy Sheal
Locked theater
doors
Dear Pattaya Mail:
I have lived in Pattaya for most of the past decade,
returning to the US for visits. I am currently writing from the
‘States’. In regard to Kim Johansen’ comments regarding locked
theater exit doors, that same theater had a major fire in 1998. During a
post-fire investigation, it was discovered that the Theater Owner-Operator
was illegally operating the four theaters without any safety permits,
required fire safety equipment, or other required licenses. It was just
lucky that the fire occurred at night and there was no audience in the
theaters. Sounds like the theater operators continue to neglect any safety
standards for the audience by locking the exit doors. Also during the
showing of the film Titanic, the theater operators oversold the capacity
of the theater and packed patrons on folding chairs in the aisle. This is
another dangerous situation that can trap the audience. I like to go to
the movies from time to time, but entering those theaters fills me with
fear for my life. I professionally worked in the theater industry for over
30 year and have never seen such utter disrespect for the safety of the
audience.
Robert Bron,
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Ensure bull
elephants have zero contact with the public
Sirs,
Re. Is there a real elephant problem? I feel I must
write that it was pretty irresponsible for Dr Iain Corness, in an
editorial (and therefore officially sanctioned?) comment, to tell us that
if we visit an elephant show in Thailand, we must accept that there is a
possibility that we will not be going home: that there is acceptable risk
involved and we have to live with it? Wrong. It is the responsibility of
the zoo/safari park/wildlife park/croc farm/elephant show owners to
provide adequate safety precautions so there is no risk to the customer.
In the western world this is usually provided via steel
barriers... here in Thailand a move that would go a long long way to
solving the problem (as mentioned by Dr Iain) would be to ensure that the
bull elephant has absolutely zero contact with the public. This is not due
to the males having greater tusk development than the females (female
Asian elephants do not have tusks) but due to the ever present
unpredictable nature of the bull elephant, particularly during must.
The only area where you should consider acceptable risk
of injury from an elephant is when you earn your living as an elephant
handler/trainer/mahout, and you make damn sure your charge presents no
threat to the people providing your salary.
I am very interested to see if Mrs. Pavena Hongsakula
receives the correct informative advice from her experts.
Martin Smith
PS - Noticed on the back page of last week’s Pattaya
Mail an article about the 6th Asian Mountain Bike Championship’s
entertainment being provided by, yes, you’ve guessed... a female and a
male elephant. Well, I presume the name “Jim” refers to a male, unless
of course you are speaking Thai.
Reply from Dr. Iain Corness: What Mark seems to have missed was my call
for Risk Management. In all aspects of living there is risk - the society
at large has to decide what is “acceptable”. For example, far more
tourists are killed every year on Pattaya streets as a result of
motorcycle accidents than have ever been killed by elephants. My call is
for a reasoned approach, and as Mark points out, there is a considerable
body of knowledge on elephant behaviour existent in Thailand. Let us use
“expert” opinion, rather than knee-jerk reactions, and not forget why
the tourists come to see elephant shows.
A request to the
mayor
Dear Mr Mayor:
There was a locals’ volleyball net which the tourists
and Thai locals used to play volleyball every day at the water’s edge on
the beach, almost opposite Tui’s Restaurant and Bar.
There was also a well used ping pong table which also
was used by the tourists and indeed the local Thai people, again every
day. Both items supplied by others for general use, at no charge. The
items gave much pleasure to all players and those who just wished to sit
or stand, and playing was further exercise, yes to keep fit for all.
Just recently officers from city hall came to Dongtarn
Beach and removed both exercise items without any warning or explanation
on why.
Some few years ago volleyball was played on the sandy
beach area behind the deckchairs, and the past city hall officers said no
to this and stated you must play on the water’s edge area.
Mr. Mayor, may we please have our volleyball net
returned and the well used ping pong table?
Thank you,
David Ferguson - Tourist
Jomtien Vendor
Problem
Editor;
I believe I have a simple solution to the problem of
constant solicitation by vendors along Jomtien Beach. I suggest a colored
placard, similar to a restaurant “reserved” sign, with a polite
“Please do not disturb” written in Thai, be offered to those not
interested in making purchases.
David Sylstra
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]
Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted
by Boonsiri Suansuk.
|
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. |
|
