Dear Sirs,

In April of 1999 a unique venture began on the island of Samui. This ambitious undertaking was the foundation of the Dog Rescue Center Samui (DRCS). The DRCS not only brought the first veterinarian to Samui, it also began a revolution in the life of the island’s beach dogs.

The DRCS has several primary goals including: vaccinating all island dogs against rabies, sterilizing female dogs and cats by operation or injection, “Ivomec” - injection against mange or washing with “Amitrax”, anti-worming for all ‘stray’ dogs and cats, providing needed first aid for all ‘stray’ dogs and cats, and educating the local population about responsible pet ownership. Their success not only means the end of unnecessary suffering for many of the island’s semi-domestic animals, it also enhances the desirability of Samui as a tourism destination by reducing the haunting misery visitors see when injured or ill animals are simply left to worsen. Due to the tremendous pressure on this organization, they are expanding to include a new ‘Dog House’ for animals that cannot be returned to local beaches for various reasons.

In order to educate both Thais and animal lovers world wide about the Center’s work, the DRCS now has a fun and informative web site at http://www.samuidog.com

If you would like further information on the Dog Rescue Center Samui, you may contact the director, Brigitte Gomm at [email protected] She would be happy to hear from you. The DRCS can also be reached at 9/4 Moo 2 North, Chaweng, Samui 84320, Phone 006677 413 422 / 413 490. Many thanks!

Sincerely,

Dear Editor;

Recently I had a letter in this paper noting that although Buddha was a vegetarian, most Thai Buddhists could care less about animals. To be fair, some Buddhists do practice what they preach. For example, when I was in Chiang Mai I was so impressed by the many excellent vegetarian restaurants I discovered there that I wrote a letter to “Good Morning Chiang Mai” urging the tourism department to promote Chiang Mai as being a vegetarian’s paradise. The editor liked my idea.

Unfortunately, vegetarians don’t have it so good in Pattaya. I don’t deny that there are Indian, Arab and Italian restaurants here which serve good vegetarian food, and even Sizzlers at Royal Garden Plaza has a great salad bar. Top’s Supermarket on 2nd Road near the Montien Hotel also has a good salad bar. Pattaya also has many fruit and vegetable stands. But while Thai restaurants in Chiang Mai, or even America, have excellent vegetarian food, Thai restaurants in Pattaya generally mix dead animals in most of their dishes. Since eating meat is a major cause of heart attacks and cancer, Thai restaurants have a moral obligation to provide customers with healthy food choices.

Although I originally became a vegetarian because I believe it’s an atrocity to eat meat, as I’ve grown older I’ve become increasingly concerned about the devastating effect that eating meat and dairy products has on the human body. So for moral, spiritual and health reasons, vegetarians in Pattaya should be shown more respect before we decide to take our business elsewhere.

Sincerely,

Sirs;

Re: your publication of 10-11-2000 article on page 8 by Leslie Wright. Mr. Wright has gotten the facts wrong concerning Brits being out of UK for only 105 days in any financial year to avoid UK tax liabilities on offshore income.

The length of time a UK citizen must spend out of the UK is 260 days not 105 days.

He or she may only spend 90 days in the UK in any tax year. And it is advisable to spend the whole of the 1st year of their absence from the UK out of the country (UK) so in fact one is not setting precedence as to one’s future movements. Although capital gains is not applicable, one would have to be out of the UK for at least 3 years minimum to avoid tax on any gains realised during the period of absence.

Yours sincerely,