HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

A case of mistaken identity

Importing dogs into Thailand

Everyone will miss Barry’s Grapevine

Too good to last

Jomtien Beach becoming less tourist-friendly

A case of mistaken identity

Editor;

I guess you could call it the worst case of mistaken identity anyone can imagine. My wife and I own a few of condos in the Markland, a 27 storey building on the next street over from our guesthouse. It’s a bit higher priced than the guesthouse, but some folks prefer something a bit more luxurious. We got a call from Markland last night (Friday, April 12) telling us that some foreigner had decided to end it all and taken the plunge from one of the higher floors. I immediately went to see if it had been one of our tenants. However, I arrived just in time to watch some guy use a high powered hose to wash away the mess. I inquired of one of the cops on hand if anyone knew who the jumper was and he told me no positive identification could be made since there was no face left.

However, it appeared the person had long shaggy hair.

It just so happened that one of our renters had this type of hair, so we attempted to contact the room and found nobody at home. After entering the room we discovered that all personal items were in place, including passport and money. Immediately, the authorities made the assumption that this was their man and they had my wife stop by the local police station and sign some papers. Naturally they took the liberty of taking all of his belongings to the station.

In the meantime, my friend Eddy, the occupant of the condo in question, was at a local bar, the Tahitian Queen, just socializing, but not drinking, since he has been a reformed alcoholic for five years ‘yesterday’. What a better way to celebrate sobriety for five years than to go to a bar! Anyway, Eddy decided to go back to his apartment about this time and left the bar. He arrived in his condo and noticed immediately that some of his things were missing and suspected an intruder. Just about that time the cops had returned for a second look at the place and were in the process of letting themselves in. My man reacted, thinking it was the potential thief returning to finish the job and slammed the door shut. Naturally, the Thai cops being superstitious and thinking it might be a ghost since the occupant had died earlier, drew their guns and demanded the person inside open the door. After a few tense moments, Eddy opened the door and was told that he had been presumed dead after committing suicide. Well, this was all news to him and he accompanied the police back to our place. You can’t imagine the surprise when he jumped off the truck out front and shouted, “I’m alive, I’m alive”!

Would you believe that at the time of this writing, the authorities still don’t have a clue as to who it was that jumped off that building? Oh well, I guess it’s like Bernard Trink would say, T.I.T. (this is Thailand).

BJ

Importing dogs into Thailand

Dear C. Schloemer,

I have been receiving Pattaya Mail and have enjoyed reading your article’s on dogs. I will be coming to Pattaya with my Bearded Collie. I am trying get an idea of the status of animal hospitals and veterinarians in Pattaya. Also, I’ve been informed that there are no restrictions bringing my pet to Thailand, except of course for the normal medical shots. Your advise in this matter would be appreciated. I will be traveling from the United States.

Thanking you in advance,

Ron Fleitman

Dear Mr. Fleitman,

A health card with records which include current inoculations should accompany your dog. At present this is the only requirement for bringing your pet into Thailand. Whichever airline you have booked with will usually provide all information for shipping your animal and the required documentation for your destination. Airlines are very cooperative on this subject and if you are American, you will be happiest confirming whatever info you require with them.

Pet clinics and vet hospitals in Pattaya are modern, fairly well equipped and are run by English speaking vets. If your dog requires special vitamins, prepared food or medication for a chronic condition, I advise you to bring a supply with you until you can find a local supply. Neutering and spaying are done in Vet clinics with experienced Vets and post op care is supervised.

Sincerely,

C. Schloemer

Everyone will miss Barry’s Grapevine

Sir,

I have been a regular reader of Grapevine since Barry Kenyon has been writing the slot (mostly via the net). It has given me no end of laughs, and helpful tips regarding visas. Barry’s column will be sadly missed by myself, and many others I am sure. Who ever may replace him has a long road to tread to reach Barry’s quality. A most unenviable task.

Who can ever forget classics in his column like the unwanted books... ‘Shell guide to dead animals” and the new landing pad for Nasa being built at Utapao? The Manchester Commonwealth games, and the relay race with Microwaves.

Barry my friend your column is going to be sorely missed. Thank you for all the laughs you have given, and my loud outbursts of laughter, which have brought my wife running into the office to say, “What’s the matter,” for me to say, “Oh, I am just reading Grapevine.”

Good Luck & Best Wishes,

Mr Bob

U.K.

Too good to last

Dear Editor;

The improvements to Beach Road were welcome and appreciated by visitors and locals: the flowers, trees and palms creating a good impression. Alas, it was all too good to last. Look at it now! Tatty shacks and obstructions in preparation for the next Saturday night farce. For farce it is!

With the extension of the Walking Street, the vibrant heart of Pattaya has been ripped out, and replaced mostly by hordes of disconsolate people footing it to North Pattaya because there’s no other way. Even the vendors pack it in early through lack of business. What a dismal sight. And what a poor impression for visitors arriving by tour bus, only to be emptied out at Nova Lodge and wonder what the heck is going on.

The resultant traffic jams, caused by the changes, must be the worst Pattaya has ever seen, with vehicles backed up for kilometers. It even takes 40 minutes by baht bus to get from South to North Pattaya.

Why interfere with a system that was working well? Would it not be wiser for the powers that be to concentrate on more urgent matters such as smelly drains, stinking garbage and the noises blaring from advertising vans and other high decibel businesses that plague the resort from one end to the other? THAT would make people happy!

Jim Davison

Jomtien Beach becoming less tourist-friendly

Dear Sir,

I have been a regular if infrequent visitor to Jomtien Beach, the section between the police box and Pattaya Park, over the last seven or eight years and I am very concerned at the developments taking place there now. There seems to be little real justification for what, one suspects, is meant only to provide a convenient conduit for project funds into some influential person’s pocket.

A beach is a beach, after all, and not a carefully planned and ordered city public park: most tourists know to expect sand, deck chairs and umbrellas, sometimes even arranged in a higgledy-piggledy fashion ... and to have to walk to get to their chosen spot. The creation of the hard-surface walkway made good sense as does the banishment, albeit ineffectually policed, of vehicular traffic during “beach hours” (but why, incidentally, is The Rabbit allowed to drive its taxi up and down the walkway: are its residents incapable of walking like the rest of us?!).

However, the current absolutely pointless construction of a meandering footpath across the sand takes the proverbial biscuit. Why on earth is it needed? As a future motorcycle race track? Maybe. As a hazard to walkers in a few months when the stones have become unsettled in the sand and the powerful rainy season is having its effect? For sure (and where will the contractor be then, one wonders, knowing the answer all too well, wink, wink?). As a convenient way for visitors to reach their selected beach area? No. As a major reason for tourists to visit the beach? Of course not. As a justification for a person with influence to gain a lucrative contract? For sure (at least that is what many of the locals are saying).

As a tourist, one of the breed that the powers that be are apparently trying to encourage, I can say quite honestly that I do not need and neither do I want the changes that are being introduced. I like the beach, the feeling of sand between the toes, the fresh air, the easy and friendly availability of food, drink and ice-cream. To turn this natural and easy-going beach area into a regimented maze of footpaths and rigidly enforced seating arrangements is a big mistake. A large number of tourists as well as managers of the different beach areas are upset and disturbed by the rapidly descending quality of atmosphere and service that is being offered visitors.

And the harassment of vendors is another issue. Over the years I have never once been awakened or unnecessarily disturbed by any of the vendors (food, drink, ice-cream, manicure, massage, t-shirts and so on) trying to make a living on the beach. These people are pleasant and easy enough to ignore but a very welcome sight when you actually want what they offer.

I certainly do not need my beach time spoilt by the sight of dozens of police ludicrously measuring the spaces occupied by deckchairs, as happened recently. Perhaps I am missing the point and this activity is part of a Dali-esque Beach Theatre programme introduced as part of the tourist drive. In which case, could loudspeakers be introduced (as I am sure they will be shortly in any case!) to play appropriate Keystone Kops music during the important Measurement Process ritual?

And to have elderly and long-time residents taken to City Hall to explain why they were seated in their own chair and outside the defined seating area and then being told that if they cannot cope with the system they should leave Thailand is a disgrace.

What is going on? Who is responsible for making these decisions? Who was consulted for their opinion on the proposed changes? Who is the contractor? What is the budget? What are the next stages in this development? Where can we view copies of the master plan?

Please could the Pattaya Mail, as a service to its readers and as the leading newspaper in the region, provide some background to the developments at Jomtien Beach?

Sincerely,

Graham Dewey

Rabbit Resort responds:

Dear Beach Friends:

Rabbit Resort provides a free “Bunny Ride” service to every person that visits Dongtan Beach including vendors and their customers, beach goers and our guests. Flyers were distributed along the beach a few weeks ago informing everyone of our free service.

We offer this as a community service, the golf cart is non-pollutant and has no noise. This service is available 24 hours a day, you can call us anytime at (038) 303-303 and “Bunny Ride” will pick you up. Or, just wave and they will stop.

The entire beach walkway is more than 1 kilometer long and many people have difficulty walking long distances (especially in the heat and rain). This service provides all beach goers a comfortable and non-pollutant way to enjoy the entire beach. Please let us know if you would like further details.

Best Regards and Happy Beach Day!

Rabbit Resort

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