Dear Editor;

I’m searching for my biological family, with the last name Chantraphol.

I am 28 years old and was born as Galong Chantraphol in 1972, at Sattahip Military Hospital. My mother’s last name should be Chantraphol, but I’m not sure what her first name is - it could be Noi, but it could also be any first name.

My mother lived around or in Sattahip, maybe 10 km from Sattahip. The address then might have been Moo 4, but now could be Moo 1 or Moo 2. My mother met my father, an African-American, when he worked for the U.S, maybe as a soldier, pilot or something similar at a base nearby. Later I was placed in Pattaya Orphanage and was adopted by a Danish couple, and now I live in Denmark.

My current address: Malene Olsen, Rodosvej 63, st., 2300 Copenhagen S., Denmark, phone: 32.559795, email: [email protected]

If you see this, mom, please try to contact me.

Your daughter,

Editor;

It is good to read in the current issue of Pattaya Mail the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association (PBTA) has now joined with others in voicing opposition to the proposal, already the subject of adverse comment in your ‘Letters’ pages in more than one earlier issue, that a one-way traffic scheme should be imposed upon the section of Second Road as between the Dolphin Roundabout and the intersection with Pattaya Central Road. Opinions from such bodies are not to be ignored even by those who rule the lives of residents and visitor to the city.

Can it be, though, the substantial delay that has already been incurred in reaching a decision is due to some real doubts in the minds of officialdom - as the proposal is reported as still ‘on the table’! Long may it remain there; but is it possible that city hall has had some trouble in finding adequate and sensible alternative routes for the traffic to be displaced? There seems to be just two, and they are not sensible, one not being adequate either.

These are Pattaya Third Road, which is hopelessly remote to be seen as a true alternative, and Beach Road, quite absurd, as it has its own self-generated congestion problems. These due to uncontrolled parking of any kind of vehicle you may happen to think of, from motorcycles by the thousand, to tour buses, left for hours, in ever increasing numbers. Compared with these menaces, any difficulties arising from the presence of baht taxis, private cars, etc., pale into insignificance, although the southern end, adjacent to the Siren Bar and entrance to Walking Street suffers somewhat due to delays arising at the traffic lights at the intersection between South Road and Second Road.

If there are some small problems in Second Road, which I do not admit, those on Beach Road are real, urgent, and call for attention from city hall as a priority.

If the ‘Second Road’ proposal has really caused some doubts in the corridors of power, then let those in city hall remember the motto: ‘If in Doubt - Don’t Do It!’

Yours Faithfully,

Dear Editor,

How refreshing to read Mr. Eric Bahrt’s letter (29/12) highlighting the problems faced by vegetarians. It was a great disappointment to discover that Thailand, far from being the expected vegetarian paradise, is about the worst country in the world for any vegetarian. Restaurants with a large array of dishes usually have nothing at all for us. Usually, we have to do with ‘Pad Phak Ruam’ or ‘Khow Pad Jay’, but even then it may contain pieces of dead pig to say nothing of oyster sauce. Often, these dishes are (deliberately?) tasteless and just try ordering a vegetarian ‘Phrik Nam Pla”!

Manufacturers and restaurants alike exhibit a cavalier attitude towards vegetarians. Many vegetable foods contain beef, chicken or shrimp and only a very careful examination of the list of ingredients (not always in English) can verify if the product is acceptable. Seven different curry pastes, for example, were all found to contain shrimp. Surely, one could be made without animal remains and clearly labeled as such.

Moslems insist on Halal food and faking quickly leads to loss of business and even prosecution. The recent Ajinomoto scandal of pig tainted MSG is a good example. A vegetarian equivalent of the ‘Halal’ label would give us protection and enable us to purchase or order food safe in the knowledge that it is ethically acceptable and healthful.

There are, incidentally, two vegetarian restaurants in Pattaya. One is at the corner of Third Road and Pattaya Tai and the other in Duck Square.

Yours Sincerely,

Sir,

One had to smile ruefully upon reading of the new moves to attempt to zone Pattaya and in order to attract ‘desirables’ (families). Just whom it is who finds ‘families’ desirable? The article (Pattaya Mail 19/0/01) didn’t say but one can imagine it is the owners/managers of large hotel complexes.

Before traveling down that road city hall might be wise to ponder what happens when these establishments get too much of their own way. The ‘all-in’ package holiday becomes the norm and benefits the ‘local economy’ not one iota. Indeed, moves are afoot in some countries to outlaw the practice.

Besides this of course it is rather pretentious and fatuous to suggest that ‘families’ would flock to Pattaya, but for its long-held reputation. The un-enforced traffic regulations alone makes it dangerous for adults to wind their way through the streets, let alone kids.

As for beach and sea activities, if one wanted their child to be either mowed down by an uninsured jet-ski or speedboat being driven by some dolt who can’t even think to look where he’s going, or descended upon by an out-of-control parasailer, a trip to Koh Larn would be a must. Whilst their child was risking life and limb its parents would no doubt be getting mugged by some vendor.

In referring to ‘families’, the would-be idealists must also be discounting Europeans who make up a large part of Pattaya’s visitors. Anyone who has ever traveled ten hours and more with kids in tow will know it’s not an ordeal to be undertaken lightly. Why European families would choose to make such an arduous journey when they’re other just as suitable destinations within two or three hours reach we are left to ponder.

Personally I’ve never been one to advocate rules and regulations to control masses and preferring to believe in good-taste and common sense will prevail. A recent trip along Beach Road, however, makes one wonder. Why such persons, as whomever it was that named the All C-k & P—y Bar at Soi 9 are allowed to proclaim cerebral limitations and license premises is a mystery. Whilst this sort of fodder is made available to western media and representative of travel companies Pattaya’s image abroad will never be improved and the mindless idiots who give such establishments their patronage without even realizing they are being insulted will continue to feel at home.

Pattaya of course is the choice of thousands of visitors for attractions it already has. Although there are many bars which cater to those sad wretches of all nationalities who come to wallow in the baseness of their severely limited mentalities, many other visitors found their hearts desire here. The resort could do a lot worse than use the more positive aspect of the reputation it has and rather than attempt an impossible about-turn, merely re-direct slightly. At a relatively minimal cost a well-site ‘Fountain of Love’ wishing well, the idea being canvassed at the new central 2nd Road Pattaya Shopping Plaza would have the potential to become a world-famous landmark and provide Pattaya with new-found ‘respectable’ fame. It might also stimulate the imaginations of at least some of the socially inept who think themselves as no more than the nether region they think with (often artificially), and have nothing to offer a partner but money.