Editor;

John Neilson’s letter (Baht bus bum rap, PM 6/29/01) stated that there are no exceptions to the “rule” that in an auto accident, the person who rear ends another vehicle is always at fault. I can think of two exceptions, both of which I witnessed and both of which involved a baht bus.

The first involved a baht bus that, without warning, swerved violently from the outside lane across to the sidewalk to solicit passengers, leaving traffic behind with no option but to swerve wildly to try to avoid the maniac. Unfortunately, one motorcycle had no place to go and ran into the back of the baht bus. Another car just barely missed the baht bus, and if the motorcycle driver had gone to the inside he would have hit the pedestrians. If he had gone to the outside, he would have surely been run down by the car.

The second incident may be stretching what Mr. Neilson is referring to, but again it involved a motorcycle and the back of a baht bus. In this case, the baht bus screeched to a halt, again to solicit customers. The motorcycle was able to stop in time, but had nowhere to go when the baht bus backed up and ran into the motorcycle.

I don’t know how either of the above accidents were resolved, and I don’t know if either were what the original letter writer had witnessed. I only know that in both cases, the baht bus driver was at fault.

Sir,

One can only agree with T. Crossley (PM 29/6/01). Anyone would think that the people who object to constructive criticism being made are totally happy with their lot. I venture to suggest their preference wouldn’t bear too much scrutiny or arouse too much envy. One must remember, however, that not everyone is suited to ‘community living’. Some people feel so insignificant (usually justifiably) they are only able to feel noticed by making a nuisance of themselves. These are the juvenile-minded sort who seem to come out of the woodwork during Songkran in Pattaya and are jubilant about it lasting for a whole week. I actually wonder if the regional office of TAT wouldn’t do well to promote this period abroad as ideally suited to the mentally challenged. A lot of these seem to come here then anyway but there are certainly many more!

The ‘silly season’ T Crossley referred to continues I see. As a resident of four years I have yet to have sight of this ‘partying’ that goes on after 2 a.m. and that mailbag contributors keep referring to. During my occasional forages at this time I see only the occasional male slouched at bars and who by this time has downed enough drinks to launch into or submit to a groping routine. Partying is of course a relative term and some visitors appear to apply it to sitting in a bar complex with each bar competing to have the ‘bubble-gum music’ track being played heard. Sophisticated taste in music, dress or entertainment, farang-wise anyway, is not to the fore in Pattaya. It does, however, have its fans and of which I am one. That does not mean to say I am blinded by its many faults. There is unfortunately a prevailing attitude in authority here of ‘if it ain’t Thai it ain’t right’ and which even seems to apply to ideas. Contrary to what some would have it be believed Pattaya is not the only place that partying goes on and to compare it as one writer does to Spanish resorts that have the formula off to a T is plain ridiculous. Given that the predominant hair-colour here is grey that is perhaps a good thing anyway. We all know what the majority of farang visitors come to Pattaya for and it certainly isn’t late drinking. A talent for attracting females ‘back home’ is I suggest one that few possess. It does take all sorts though and in any event my understanding of the complaints that have been penned is that they do in fact refer to various Thai establishments and which with impunity set up anywhere they choose to.

Sir,

I read with interest T. Crossley’s letter last week, and I can quite understand his frustrations with the noise from the adjacent bowling green in the early morning. I hope he can get the situation resolved. But I doubt if this is a personal vendetta against him. It’s always been the practise of Thai’s who are working outdoors to start work at the crack of dawn, so as to get the days work done, and also to get the bulk of it done before its too hot to do much! Just ask any Thai farmer. Mr. Crossley didn’t mention if he had approached the bowling club and asked why they started work so early, but it might be worth a try (take a Thai friend to translate accurately), you never know, he might be surprised. I have found Thai people to be very understanding and helpful on most occasions, particularly if you are polite and civil about it.

But there was one statement in his letter which was rather uncalled for. He stated (referring to those who didn’t share his views) that Pattaya is “the desired destination principally of those whose mentality is incapable of rising above hip-level and who expect others to be limited to the same base, if not non-existent, quality-of-life aspiration”. Mr. Crossley, you don’t know for a fact that those people even fitted into that particular category, so please don’t categorise like that simply because they had a different opinion than you. Everyone is entitled to their opinions (even you!).

But lets not forget one thing. We are all guests in this country...its not our country...we don’t have a say in how its run, that’s up to the Thai people at the polling booths. they, and they alone can make changes happen.

I think you will find that if you complain to any Thai about the short comings of their country, they will agree with you up to a point, but when it gets to the point of constantly going on and on and on (sometimes about things that appear trivial to them) they soon start saying, “Go back home if you don’t like it here” (so its not just the remarks of hip bending falangs on a one week stay). It’s a common view among Thais. I know, because my wife is Thai (I live here - BKK), and I have mentioned some of the letters in Pattaya Mail to her and her friends...thought they might find them humorous. Not so, in fact they were not too pleased, I can tell you. But that’s not unique to Thailand...go to any country in the world and say you are not happy about this and that, you will soon be unpopular with the locals.

So please, Pattaya Mail readers and local residents...try to bear in mind that the Thais themselves don’t like being told how to run their own country. They know there are shortcomings, and improvements could be made, but if we are going to point out those shortcomings, lets try to do it with some friendly advice! But on that note...it would seem that the letters published in the Mail are being noticed, because I see from recent articles in PM that City Hall is attempting to rectify certain problems that everyone agrees need attention (such as zoning). What success they will have remains to be seen, and I think Mr. Crossley summed it up rather nicely when he said that City Hall needs to enforce it’s regulations - is that possible in Thailand?

Regards,

Bangkok