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Who has to pay for the sins of the fathers
To “Confused of Naklua”, If you want to ensure prompt delivery of your Christmas cards, put them all together in one envelope and send to a friend in UK via DHL at Laem Chabang. They can be reposted individually second class within the UK. If you are sending dozens the total cost could well be less than using the Thai “Snail Post” anyway, Best regards, Keith B. Bradbury Sunny Southport
Dear Editor, I have read many of the letters regarding the recent early closing of bars and nightclubs in Pattaya. I have just recently returned from 2 weeks in Pattaya and I was shocked to see how quiet it was. The supposed police crackdown must surely be having a bad effect on business. Many people I spoke to have said this will lead to the demise of Pattaya. Many speak of going elsewhere for there holidays. I have also noticed that many nightclubs are charging the customers very high prices for drinks. Pattaya was once a very reasonably priced place, but now it has become a very expensive destination for the farang. I hope Pattaya and the authorities can come to their senses and get back to how it was. Closing bars and nightclubs will not rid the place of drugs and vice. Graham
Editor; I have been a keen reader of the Pattaya Mail for five years now and have learned allot about Pattaya in those years. I have been to Pattaya twelve times and the only reason I keep coming back is you can go out and have a drink and go shopping 24 hours. I come from England so this is a real treat for me and many of my comrades who come two, three times a year. We will all be there at Christmas and we have all said so sadly that if the bars are closing at 2 a.m. we will not return till the government gets their heads sorted out. PS sad Deano & friends from Sunderland who love the drink
Dear Sir, I was amazed to read that the new ruling on licensing hours includes a 2 a.m. closure. Here in England we are known for our archaic licensing laws in comparison to our European neighbours. That is why everyone departs for foreign soil for their annual holiday, not only to get away from our atrocious weather but to enjoy the opportunity to buy an alcoholic drink when one wants one. In my home city they are now considering longer licensing hours to entice the tourists to keep coming. Recently, with the terrorist attacks in USA, people are more apprehensive about flying and the prospect of arriving at Pattaya and then not being able to drink when one wants to will surely have an adverse effect on the number of visitors. Bob Burrows
Dear Pattaya Mail, Well, its that time of year again, when there have been so many terrible things that have happened in the world recently, many of us (who are fortunate enough to do so) are counting the days down to our annual or bi annual visit to Thailand. But this time I understand things will be a little ‘different”. For a start, many of my friends that are always in Thailand at this time have cancelled, not because of the atrocities in America, but because they feel this time the Thai government have got it very wrong. Over the years we have seen many changes to the faces of Thailand, and speaking for myself and my friends have agreed with the clamping down on problems such as child sex tourism, but come on! 2 a.m. closing? We can enjoy ourselves for longer in England! I agree wholeheartedly with the letter in last Friday’s edition, saying that by closing the bars at 2 a.m., you will not stop drug abuse or underage drinking, what you will stop is the tourist pound. People are already looking for other holiday destinations where the governments welcome the foreign currency, and not drive people away. This time you really have hit the tourist industry a shocking blow that will cost Thailand dearly. Glen From England
To the Editor: I just finished looking through the current batch of letters in the Pattaya Mail. Tourism world-wide is suffering a major decline since the recent terrorist attacks on us here in the United States. I just wanted to take a moment and let you know that I am not to be deterred or scared off by these disgusting and tragic events. Hotel reservations are and have been in place since late spring for myself and some friends. Pattaya was very kind to me this past March and I look forward to my return this coming February with a couple of friends. We will do all we can to help bolster tourism in the LOS and I look forward to returning and seeing some old friends and making some new ones also. The people of Thailand have proven they are among the most friendly folks in the world and I anxiously await my trip. Till next we meet, Jim Gilmore Vallejo, California
Disappointed with reactions to theft The Editor, In September this year I visited Pattaya for the third time. I have always found the people particularly friendly and I love Thailand. However, on this visit I had a mobile phone, gold bracelet, a cigarette lighter and Leatherman mini tool stolen from my room. I reported this to both the hotel manager and my travel representative. Both laid the blame firmly on “guests” that I had staying in my room. I can understand this stance from the hotel but I thought my travel representative would have been more sympathetic. On the day that I reported the theft to the police, I discovered that 2 hours earlier another guest at the hotel had reported the theft of a video camera and watch from his room. Over the period of the next 2 weeks there were a further 2 thefts of which I am aware. A friend lost an antique gold watch and an English couple had a camera stolen from their room. I am led to believe that all the injured parties had travelled with the same travel agent. The general feeling would appear to be that as I had a police report I could claim for the stolen items from my insurance. Whilst this may be true I feel that more should have been done to try and catch those responsible. I found their “matter of fact” attitude very disappointing. I have every intention of returning to Pattaya in the near future and would love to stay at the same hotel, but this encounter is making me have second thoughts. Billy Beattie Northern Ireland
Drugs, guns and baht bus drivers are a bad mix Dear Editor, The recent arrest of a baht bus driver for possessing illegal weapons is very discomforting. Furthermore, police suspect the driver was dealing drugs. It is unbelievable to see how little safety care is put into the existing public transport system. It is simply ridiculous. Not only are passengers in danger whilst being chauffeured by a drugged baht bus driver (many dealers are users themselves), but this also endangers other vehicles and pedestrians on the streets. The recent urine sample tests on baht bus drivers were said to be “a cause of concern”. In my opinion it is of utter importance to sort out this problem very soon. An alternative public transport method would be very welcome (other than the risky motorcycle taxis). If this is not possible in the near future, stricter regulations on baht bus drivers should be applied immediately. Such regulations should include the application of a [real] baht bus license, urine tests before start of work and afterwards, frequent courses and tests on driving skills, etc. The condition of some of the vehicles being used as baht busses is also appalling. On some occasions I even refuse to get on them and opt to wait for a better one. I have read enthusiastically your reporting on implementing a real bus system on Pattaya roads since it was first suggested a few years back. However, nothing has happened. Pattaya is growing rapidly and local authorities will have no other option than to turn to a more practical transport system. Arnie Swartz
Updated every Friday Updated by
Chinnaporn Sungwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk. |
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