Gentlemen:

I should preface my story by saying that I cannot prove what I believe. I recently purchased a late model Honda Dream motorcycle from a dealer in South Pattaya for a cost of Baht 27,000. Being the careful sort, I asked him for the spare key that always comes with a vehicle purchase, but they insisted that there was none.

Upon taking delivery of the bike I purchased a chain lock and was careful to apply it, even if only parking for a few minutes. The second day I had the bike, my girlfriend drove me to the bank on Pattaya Tai and left me there to get cash, while she continued to the supermarket. Some time later, I walked into the supermarket parking lot, where I saw that the bike was parked directly in front of the supermarket security guard stationed there. I joined my girlfriend inside, who had just finished the shopping and went to the checkout line. In the span of just 5 minutes, the bike was stolen! I find it highly suspicious that this should happen after I entered the store, in just 5 minutes, on the very first occasion that the chain lock was NOT applied and on only the second day I had it.

This was not the work of a thief who took time to jimmy, or pry the ignition lock. This had to be someone with a useable key (spare key?), who walked up in front of the (vigilant?) supermarket security guard, got on the bike, started it and drove away.

Since I have found out that 50 bikes are stolen every day in Pattaya, apparently all small bikes and rarely the larger cruisers. In such a small town, with such a large police force, how can 50 bikes vanish every day, leaving the police clueless? I believe my bike is surely in Cambodia by now and my lament is not for not having my girlfriend apply the chain lock, but rather having bought so new a vehicle in a thief’s paradise, without insisting that the spare key be produced.

Please sign me,

Dear Sir,

In reply to Dr M.J. Nightingale and his opinion about Martin Knapp’s complaint concerning the price of off the shelf drugs in the U.K. when bearing a prescription. I believe it was a namesake of yours who when reporting the appalling conditions suffered by the injured and sick, civilian or military, during the Crimean War, helped to bring about the social change which led to the instigation of the world’s first National Health Service.

As Mr Knapp pays a not inconsiderable amount of tax to support this system, then surely he is entitled to raise the issue of overpricing of brand name drugs by the medical services?

Surely, Dr Nightingale, you do have some knowledge of Thailand and I am sure you are appalled about the recent scandal over the overpricing of drugs by the Thai Health Ministry? Could you then please explain the difference to me?

And as a final rejoinder: Mr Knapp is known to me and is in no way ‘keeniouw’ as his myriad Thai friends will I am sure gladly explain to you. And he does not pay 20K for his round trip tickets; indeed the Captains of his chosen airline often pop back down aft for a chinwag and bowl of noodles with their most nearly frequent flier.

My mother who is 69 years old had five sisters: They all died before the age of 18,between 1932-44, of meningitis, diphtheria, T.B., etc. Poor housing, poor diet and you had to pay for the doctor. In Britain in the 30’s, shipyard workers could not afford doctors’ fees. That is why we have a National Health Service (Margaret Thatcher excepted), and that is why we can raise an issue without fear of retaliation or retribution. If you are a medical doctor, then be one. If you are an ambulance chaser, then be one.

However, like Mr Knapp I am a human being and do not see why in any civilised society I should have to pay for pain relief.

Please sign me:

Dear Editor,

I am more than happy that at last ‘Nong Nooch Elephant Garden’ has got its act together. I visited the show in June ’99. I was horrified when the public was invited into the arena to indulge themselves with the elephants. The announcement was made by mike and a human mass poured into the arena, towards these tranquil beasts. I am amazed a tragedy had not occurred sooner. May I add, these people were mainly Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese and seemed to be with coach loads of organised tours. Finally, I would advise that the City Fathers, in Pattaya and Bangkok halt the parody of elephants around noisy bars and the streets with screechy motorbikes, etc, passing them.

Dear Editor,

The Great Singha debate: Bigger beer, bigger price. Whoa, no problem. Waitrose, a small UK supermarket chain, is stocking Singha Beer on its shelves. The large 355cl size is priced at 89 Baht (GBP 1.49). Expensive? Not when it has travelled over 5,000 miles for my pleasure! Other interesting information on the label is the alcohol proof - 6% by Volume. So now we know... (In the 4 local Thai restaurants, it is 150 Baht (GBP 2.50) - only slightly more expensive than in some Pattaya Discos!)

Is the bottle a slightly different shape? - I cannot remember.

Oxford, England