HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Rude behavior at the bank

Pity to see elephants roaming the streets

UBC going down fast

Enjoyed Khai Khem’s words on kids

Walking on the beach

Sports Bar “payoff”

Suggestions for a better beach

Local company does what it can for the disabled

Regarding driving in Thailand...

Rude behavior at the bank

Dear Editor,

Two of my guests went to the Thai Military Bank at Second Road on the corner Soi 13/4, at 20.00 h. to change US$100. Counting the exchanged money immediately at the counter they noted that they got only 3,376 baht, or 1000 baht less than they should have. After complaining long and after long discussions, the clerk finally gave the missing 1000 baht to them.

Walking from there to Walking Street they were grabbed from behind in front of Alt Heidelberg Restaurant and pulled back by two men to the Thai Military Bank outlet at Beach Road. They were pushed inside and in rude words the (men) asked the woman to get her clothes off and went into the pockets of the gentleman to search for a 1000 baht note. These people really believed the guests were hiding 1000 baht! Of course nothing was found.

These people, my guests, were staying at the Royal Wing Hotel. On behalf of my guests I warn all tourists and would like to have an explanation from the bank officials.

Axel Borsdorf

World of TUI Service

Niroj Thairat, Pattaya Branch manager replies:

To the Editor,

This letter is in response to the minor altercation reported to Pattaya Mail involving two foreign tourists exchanging currency at the Thai Military Bank exchange booth on Pattaya 2nd Road and a B1,000 oversight by the bank employee.

A lengthy argument was described after the money exchanged was identified as short in the amount of B1,000, which the employee made up for. Additional accusations were also presented against the employee for rude conduct during the transaction, which ended up taking place in the area of South Pattaya’s Walking Street.

The matter was looked into and all employees working at currency exchange booths with the bank have been questioned. The bank has ascertained that an incident as described by the two tourists did indeed occur and the bank employee was found to be in error when making a mistake in counting the money being exchanged.

The employee handed over the difference after recounting the amount; however, the employee became uncertain whether the count was accurate or if B1,000 too much was exchanged. Unsure, the employee ran after the two customers on the street wanting to confirm the amount once more.

The language barrier intensified the misunderstanding causing the two customers to perceive the employee’s actions (wanting to recount the amount) as incorrect and out of the ordinary. Although, according to the bank employee, there was no rude behavior exhibited and the employee clearly understands that it is necessary to be polite when questioning customers.

Regardless, an argument resulted and according to bank procedures the employee is supposed to stop immediately in such a circumstance and conduct a full accounting of all cash on hand to clearly ascertain any discrepancy identified. The employee’s failure to follow bank procedure has been identified at fault, which lead to doubt and the ensuing altercation. The bank has taken disciplinary action and the incident has been reported to superiors.

The bank wishes to apologize to both customers for the inconvenience and our gratitude is extended to the Pattaya Mail newspaper for providing the conveyance to address and respond to such issues in order to take the necessary corrective measures insuring efficient service continues and that customer trust is maintained.

Mr. Niroj Thairat,

Pattaya Branch Manager

Pity to see elephants roaming the streets

Dear Sir,

It’s a pity to see elephants, once a symbol of “Siam”, roam the city streets to eke out their living. This can be harmful to both animals and human beings. I overheard that several provinces in Thailand face the same problem.

I’d like to ask the public to stop giving money to the mahouts, and the authorities concerned to forbid this dangerous act.

Regards,

Borvornchai Chirachon MD

Sriracha, Chonburi

UBC going down fast

Editor;

Most of my friends are dropping out of UBC and I may be next. Not only has their programming gone down hill but their attitude seems to indicate they no longer care about their customers.

Last year I used to circle the enticing attractions in their monthly guide and look forward to watching good movies and events. This year I go day after day without any circles in the guide. The Turner Movie Classics was cancelled and this month they failed to televise the Winter Olympics. The same dated movies play again and again.

I tried to make a payment at the local UBC Office, who now claim they no longer accept payments. They laughed when I criticized the programming and said most everyone feels the same as I do.

Without competition, I assume there is no hope for improvement. Such a shame to see what could be a wonderful amenity turn into something no one cares to watch.

Gary Hacker

Pattaya

Enjoyed Khai Khem’s words on kids

Editor,

I thoroughly enjoyed the article in your February 22nd edition by Khai Khem (Social Commentary). I have been in Pattaya for some years. My request is about Khai Khem’s commentary entitled “Kids can ruin your life”. Would you do me a favor and Fax me back the article translated into Thai. I want my Thai friends to read it.

Bill Roeder

Walking on the beach

Editor;

Whoever thought out this idea to make the Beach Road a walking street from South to Central Pattaya will definitely get my “Sour Grape” award for this century.

Endless traffic jams - worse than Bangkok for sure - even with lots of policemen trying to sort things out. It was nearly impossible to get from North or Central Pattaya to South, unless you took the bypass through Chonburi.

And how were cars supposed to go after turning into one of the sois leading down to the beach? Oh, I know, U-turning in a soi that is narrower than the car is long and then going up against the one-way traffic. Really clever!

I saw 3 people using the road at 13:30, all others were using the beach promenade or the footpath along the shops. How many millions did the poor shops lose in turnover due to that utter nonsense called Walking Beach Road?

Sam from Bangkok

Sports Bar “payoff”

Editor:

The (alleged) 200,000 baht pay off by the owner of the Sports Bar in Sunee Plaza to make all charges just disappear stabs at the very heart of the governor’s efforts to clean up Pattaya. It would first be best to clean out the corrupt officials that tarnish Thailand’s reputation much more than any bar or show possibly could.

Putting the men and women that work the bars out of work means that extended families go hungry or that the worker can no longer pay for his own schooling. No one forces patrons into these bars; they go there by choice.

The cleanup efforts are misdirected. First clean up the graft and corrupt politicians as these ruin the reputation of the honest hardworking ones.

I wonder who will pay or help the 12 boys that were arrested in the Sports Bar? It sure isn’t fair that the owner can buy his way out and the boys remain in detention.

I love Thailand and its people and fairness needs to be done.

Concerned

Suggestions for a better beach

Dear Editor,

Regarding Pattaya Beach, we have just had our second holiday here. Thailand is seen as an exotic holiday by foreign tourists, for beautiful beaches, sun and sea, wonderful culture and smiling people.

Whilst Pattaya is all of this and much improved by the promenade and water treatment, a walk along the beach from the north end is hardly a walk in paradise. The debris, dirt, dogs and discarded litter is disgusting. The plastic bags are a major pollutant and have the unfortunate habit of wrapping themselves around your legs when you venture into the sea. A revolting experience!

Pattaya exists on the tourist trade and for every tourist who goes home talking about a polluted beach there will be X-number of people put off from visiting. Here are my suggestions:

1. A levy on every tourist room, charged to hotels, etc. for a small amount per person to cover the cost of employing beach cleaners.

2. A tractor pulling a rake along the beach will gather up rubbish including the offensive plastic bags.

3. Moe litter bins should be provided

Pattaya is a wonderful wealth of experiences but the dirty beach is not one of them. And tourists do want clean sand and sea as part of their Pattaya holiday.

Mr. and Mrs. A.F. Chauk

England

Local company does what it can for the disabled

Dear Sir,

We have noticed in recent issues of the Pattaya Mail and other publications the sudden interest shown for the care of disabled people in Thailand and Pattaya in particular. Long overdue one may say. May we blow our own trumpets a little re’ this subject.

Our real estate department has for some years been active in locating homes suitable for the disabled. Because of one of our partner’s previous involvement in working with disabled folk in the U.K. we have a unique insight into their needs and requirements. We have the full U.K. and European specifications and guides for building homes suitable for disabled people and have advised and assisted various construction companies with building design specifically for the disabled. We gather, all the correct and approved material is available in Bangkok.

We will continue to assist disabled people in any way we can whether it be sourcing a new home or converting an existing home to suit disabled needs.

I really do feel the needs of disabled people have been ignored for too long and people with just a bit of compassion can do a lot to help.

Cheers,

Paul

S.C.R. Homefinders Co. Ltd.

Regarding driving in Thailand...

Dear Pattaya Mail,

With regard to “Driving in Thailand” from “A concerned driver”... For the past 19 months I have been living in Pattaya. The thoughts and views expressed in this letter were as if the writer had read my mind! I have heard many times that there simply are not public funds to pay for a larger traffic enforcement force. Has the consideration ever been that with the fines paid for traffic violations there would be funds to pay the additional police force for traffic? That is, so long as the fines are actually paid to the courts and NOT to each officer at the time of citing a offense.

And, along the same line, are the speeds driven and the posted speed limits. The investment of funds for radar used to enforce the speed limits could turn a good profit for the city from fines paid (again, not paid to the officer stopping the motorist) for speeding.

It is well and good to have the laws to protect each driver and passenger of a motorcycle or motorbike by requiring them to wear helmets. However, the law ought to be for ALL, including the police officers! It is absurd to expect the population to obey the law when the one who’s job is to enforce the law, equally, openly break the same law.

Signed:

Still in Thailand

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