Rats on the beach

Editor,

As a long time resident of Pattaya, I have often enjoyed sitting on Beach Road, watching the world go by. In times past I have spotted the occasional rat (four legged-long tailed variety) shooting up a tree or darting across the pavement heading for the cover of shrubs.

Due to a variety of reasons, it had been quite a few months since I last enjoyed an hour or two sitting down by the beach until quite recently, when I have maybe sat there on three or four occasions of late. To my horror I have seen what can only be described as “loads” of rats, scurrying all over the place! One being so tame, it came within feet of where I was sitting to check out an empty burger box someone had dropped; totally ignoring my attempts to “shoo” it away!

Perhaps the reason for this sudden population boom has something to do with the laying of the new road, this activity has maybe disturbed the rats and set them on the move? Who knows, but the fact remains they are there in abundance and need clearing out!

Surely, the presence of these disease carrying vermin is totally unacceptable and it is high time the authorities do something about them! Rats are, in my book public health hazard number one and have no place in any society! I read in last week’s Pattaya Mail where an additional 1.5 million baht has been called for to increase the waste disposal budget; even by Thai standards for a city the size of Pattaya, this is a joke!

Pussycat

Soi 17 rubbish dump

Dear Sir;

I have written on this subject before but as it seems to be getting worse I sometimes wonder whether the authorities concerned ever read Mailbag. I do realise that English is most likely not their native tongue so it might be a kind service if the Pattaya Mail let them have a translation.

Has Soi 17 off Thepprasit Road been designated as a municipal rubbish dump? The further one goes down this soi the worse it gets. It used to be fairly clear of all kinds of dumped rubbish and there was even a notice to the effect that dumping would mean a fine of two thousand baht. The notice has long since disappeared.

There are plenty of other examples of irresponsible rubbish dumping which are a disgrace to the image of Pattaya.

Action, please.

Yours faithfully,

Observer

Tips for Internet Cafe Security

Editor; One of the world’s best-kept secrets is how to keep a public/shared computer from memorizing the sites visited, info entered on forms, and passwords. I finally learned:

Alt+T: Drops down “Tools” Menu.

O: Selects Internet Options.

Clicking “Content” tab then “AutoComplete” button leads to instructions to erase information already stored and prevent storing any more. I try to remember to do this any time I use a public computer, even one I’ve used before.

Richard L. Montgomery

The Infamous Soi 13

Sir:

Soi 13 is still a deathtrap for pedestrians. They are faced with speeding motorcycles and vehicles twenty-four hours a day, in both directions even though it’s posted as a one-way street. “Alley” would be a better description. To make it even more dangerous, cars are parked on both sides. I read in your paper recently that the police were going to crack down on bad drivers, but perhaps there are just not enough police available to monitor Soi 13. Also, they are building three huge new condos/apartments on the soi. I wonder if anyone did a survey regarding the traffic impact this will have on the street?

Kevin F. Cleary, Pattaya

Thank you Mr. Ash

Editor;

Thank you Mr. Ash for your comments. Even though we are the supposed “super power” of democracy, we tend to be the whipping boy of not just foes, but in some cases, of our allies. Not to worry, there is enough dissension within our own ranks to prove that our system based on Anglo law works for the common good in almost all instances. Same, same for the UK and most western countries, I presume. Thank you for your support.

Mike Kasarda-the Pale Rider
California, USA