HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Don’t let the murderers win

Is it safe?

Pattaya tourism & scouts

Fooling the foolers

Foreigners do a lot of good charity work in Pattaya

Too much noise takes the fun out of the holiday

Concrete blockage

Don’t let the murderers win

Editor;

I am coming to Pattaya for the fifth time on 1st November. I was in Bali in May. I am 73 so I suppose I haven’t much time left - nevertheless I would not let the activities of terrorists stop me travelling.

I come from the UK where each year 3000 people are killed by motorcars. I still cross the road, I still drive my car. The chances of being ‘taken out by a terrorist are so remote we mustn’t let them think we are over influenced by their mindless murdering. If we do they have won!

It is easy for me to talk because I am not taking a young family with me when I travel, but the odds are just the same. All we can do is be careful and if we believe in any religion say our prayers.

Bryan

Is it safe?

A letter to Pattaya Police;

Currently in Europe on the national news it is stated by governments that Thailand is on high risk of terrorist attacks on tourists. It is well known that many bombings are by car and bus bombs.

With the obvious danger associated with Pattaya, can I ask the police what measures are being taken with respect on cars and buses parked on the Beach Road and Walking Street?

Will it take another Bali massacre before the police stop parking in these areas? Can you imagine 200 bodies in pieces?

Can I ask that the police and government take clear and obvious measures to protect tourists BEFORE it may be too late.

Yours;

Name and address withheld

Pattaya tourism & scouts

Editor;

Re: The International Scouts are coming (to Rayong) - close up Pattaya’s entertainment industry over the coming high season.

Whilst over ninety percent of Pattaya is promoting Thailand’s tourist drive, a small, powerful and misinformed segment is actively destroying their efforts - unemployed people are not an asset to anyone. By closing the bars, etc., the workers are forced onto the streets where they do become a nuisance and horror of horrors will be seen by the lusty lads from Rayong if they decide to make the thirty / forty mile trip each way. Doubtful.

Let’s realise when the bars are gone, the hotels are gone, followed shortly by all the malls, superstores, restaurants and beauty parlours, etc., and what are you left with is one desolated, empty, run-down fishing village, minus the fish and the people that are able to catch them. In short social disorder. How does a hundred baht to the dollar sound? No tourists, another Ethiopia.

Wake up and protect the assets that you have, namely the vibrant nightlife and those that make it possible. Tell the authorities that when we answered their questionnaires as to why we came to Thailand and we answered “Thai temples and Thai culture,” ninety nine percent of us were joking but unfortunately they did not realise this and have based their marketing accordingly. What a fiasco!

P.S. I believe that they are now confiscating the ‘barbecue pigs’ from outside the bars?

Tom Clancy,

Australia

Fooling the foolers

Editor;

I would like to tell you a true story that happened in Pattaya. My friend arrived at his destination and discovered that he had lost his wallet. He assumed that it would be gone forever. However, on arriving home he received a telephone call from a person that had found it.

My friend’s wife, a Thai, took charge of the telephone conversation. She felt that the caller was probably a Burmese national. She asked about the contents of the wallet. All credit cards, driving license etc. were present, but the wallet was void of money (always is) when found!

The caller asked if the farang wanted it back and if so how much was he prepared to give for it’s return. 500 baht was offered, but the caller decided that wasn’t enough and, as it was a farang, 10,000 would be more appropriate.

A venue for further discussion was agreed upon and my friend, his Thai wife and two Thai friends (plain-clothed policemen) went to meet with the finder. After some discussion the finder still required 10,000 baht for the handing over ceremony to commence, even though he was warned that it was illegal. He didn’t know that policemen were present.

One of the policemen then agreed to his demands, opened his money belt and placed a police id and handcuffs on the table. At this, the finder frantically threw the wallet on the table and ran as fast as he could.

Sign me:

A satisfactory conclusion...

Foreigners do a lot of good charity work in Pattaya

Dear Sir,

I would like to further add to the comments make by Jake Antony in his letter published in your edition of October 18. It should be pointed out to the Thai authorities that many of the foreigners who reside in Pattaya are involved in a great deal of social work that benefits many underprivileged Thais. One cannot ignore the excellent work performed by such organizations as the Jesters Club, The International Ladies Club, the various services clubs and the newly formed Pattaya Expats Club.

Also one must consider the work performed for many years by Fr. Ray in building the Pattaya Orphanage, the homes for the blind and the disabled together with the old people’s home. While Thais belong to this religious order these services were founded by foreign clergy and are still maintained by them. Also there are many foreign volunteers who still today keep these services running.

Lastly, I must mention Baan Jingiai House, which is a small orphanage in Pattaya. If it were not for the support of foreigners this worthwhile organization could not exist. One foreigner alone contributes 800,000 baht per annum while many other foreigners provide donations of essentials such as soap.

Unfortunately, a few foreigner residents are now asking themselves why they should support any local charities when the official police view appears to be that all foreigners are suspect and should be carefully watched.

Teddy Bear

Too much noise takes the fun out of the holiday

Dear Sir,

My holiday, and that of many others, has been destroyed by the constant noise coming from a sawmill right beside our resort hotel in Jomtien. Why is a sawmill allowed too operate for16 hours a day 7 days a week within earshot of several hotels and many residents? The noise starts at dawn and finishes well after dark, sometimes 10 p.m. It is so loud that it will cause hearing problems to anybody nearby and that includes many hundreds of holidaymakers.

Complaints to the management at the hotel, the tourist police, restaurant owners and management at nearby hotels have all fallen on deaf ears. Maybe they are all deaf after living with this noise for so long. They all smiled and said there was nothing they could do.

Don’t they care about the lost trade caused by this constant noise? Don’t they care about the bad reputation this industrial noise gives to Pattaya?

After many trips to Thailand I’m afraid that the inability to have a holiday in relative peace will drive me and my many friends to another country.

Regards

Mykel Smythe

Concrete blockage

Editor;

Congratulations to the Tourist Authority of Thailand for constructing a concrete arch at the entrance to Jomtien Beach that not only was unnecessary but blocks drivers view and forces people to walk in the street. The money could have been used to but the markers back in the water to protect swimmers from the jet skis.

Michael Mott

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