HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Who can I talk to about problems and poor service?

In response to Farang complaints

Better traffic law enforcement needed on Second Road

Another senseless death

An answer to the river beside Siam Country Club Road

Thank You City Hall

No flights available

Merry Christmas Pattaya

Doesn’t like the view

Who can I talk to about problems and poor service?

Dear Mailbag,

I am writing to you to help solve problems with the Electrical Authorities. I am currently renovating and redecorating a house. On two occasions the Electrical Authorities in Banglamung have removed my electrical meter from my house. Their reason being non-payment of my billing. My billing goes directly to my bank. Each time I go to the bank to reconfirm this, the bills are always paid up to date. Upon closer inspection of my bill receipt I noticed substantial over billing. The house is unoccupied and the contractor I have only uses small electrical hand tools. Normally my electric bills are for minimum charges. Each time the meter is removed my charges are close to 3,000 baht. Even though this is more electricity used, the bank still pays the bill from my bank account. Yet my meter is removed despite this. Can anything be done about this incompetence? Every time this happens I have to travel all the way to Banglamung with all my documents to plead my case. Nobody speaks in English there. I have talked to other people in my village who are being overcharged also. I love Pattaya, but my patience is wearing thin. Who can I complain to report this and put a stop to it?

R.J. Moore

In response to Farang complaints

Dear ‘farangs who write in to complain’,

Other than the unfortunate ones who booked holidays based upon the brochure images only to be shocked by the reality... Quit your whining!

You are all adults and have the will to participate in the Pattaya City circus or not. Just like the rest of life, you can’t pick and choose the parts you want and those you don’t.

Simply complaining about “how it should be” or “how it is back home” is not going to change anything and will only make your life and my reading time less enjoyable.

I realise I am ‘reply fodder’ for those individuals and collectives who use this forum to plead support and understanding for themselves, week after week, over the cheating baht bus/motorcycle hire/bar girl ... etc.

I have a simple message. Be honest with yourself. Enjoy your work, bar owning, retirements, vacations, time on the run, whatever! Just stop complaining needlessly. It is now beyond tedious!

Some interesting points as to real reasons for complaints would be cool, but to hear for the umpteenth time that the taxi guy did you for an extra 10-20 baht is, well, frankly petty.

Thailand is a beautiful, diverse nation, unfortunately you are not getting to experience much of it in Pattaya. It is as much detached from normality as is possible to be.

You either live or visit there for your own motives. Own up to yourselves as to your motivations for staying. Is it the cost of living, the beaches? There are much more economical and picturesque locations within this very nation.

Pattaya is an ‘industry’ town, like many around Asia, the place (or the water) has never been the same since the R+R days of the Vietnam War. The majority who live, visit, retire or frequent there are directly, or indirectly, participants in the entertainment trade. It’s a trickle down system from the main source of income. No honey, no money!

I am not being judgmental, it’s fun, a distraction; but what it is not is ‘real’ life for Farangs. Everybody should live life as they wish and the law will allow, just accept the reality of the situation.

It’s supply and demand. Given the choice to the ‘twen-teen something’ companion who is the object of your affection. Do you represent a soul mate, or a more immediate financial solution than being starving and being homeless?

When you embrace the truth it becomes so much easier. You want companionship, love, another ‘hostess’ for your business? It can be provided in exchange for remuneration or actual committed long-term security.

There will be no more mind games, he/she/they cannot control you with affections and you have no need to lie and make empty promises for futures you cannot (or will not) provide.

If you are continually being cheated, overcharged, waking up without your gold fillings; then take charge. Vote with your wallet! Buy a bike, go elsewhere on your vacation, move to that idyllic beach ... but you wont. It is easier to keep complaining but staying for your ‘own reasons’.

I don’t think you should accept bad service, but it seems you guys just don’t learn and keep going back for more. 18 counts for you guys too, it is the age of legal freedom of choice.

Brock Landers

Better traffic law enforcement needed on Second Road

Dear Editor,

After witnessing yet another motorbike accident on Second Road I am wondering if the authorities of Pattaya have any idea on how to regulate the extremely bad sea of traffic on this stretch of road? As with any problem you should probably look at the root of it, firstly the moronic tourists who illegally hire out the powerful bikes and ride them with their little lovers perched on the back, power bands kicking in is a constant sound throughout the day and well into the night, it is quite obvious that the majority of these “big” bike riders have never attempted to ride a machine like this before, so if they haven’t rode a bike before then even a 125cc bike is too powerful.

The other point is the people who rent the bikes, but that would be stepping on toes and taking their livelihood away, in turn it would also take away money the person who rents them the space to store their bikes on who is obviously an influential native so forget that one, corruption has already been a topic too many times.

Maybe a strict speed limit should be in place and policemen to set up traps with speed cameras at the points of where people are speeding the most? Whilst doing this they could police people on the roads who are going the wrong way on a one-way road (a regular sight). Also the crash helmet law could be enforced a bit more and the other point and this is what it’s all about is money, which could be collected from offenders and from what I see there is no shortage of them.

Driving standards over here are very bad, your typical foreigner comes over here and breaks all the rules and if they were to drive the way they do here back home then prison and a lengthy ban would be very likely, so why do people do it? Well after walking round town and being called a “handsome man” most of these aging foreigners think they are Tom Cruise and want to re-in act him from Mission Impossible.

Wake up fellas and don’t believe all what you hear, especially when it is said to you in broken English!

Mark

Another senseless death

Editor:

The story about the foreigner dying in a police cell brings a question to my mind: if he was picked up for his own protection, how could he not eat or talk to anyone for a few days? Then be taken to a hospital, refused admission for lack of proper papers, because he could not identify himself, then brought back to jail still not eating or talking and left handcuffed in a cell and die a few days later?

I thought law enforcement had a responsibility to serve and protect. This man was helpless and in the care of a group of people who did not do their job. Someone [the jail commander] should be held accountable for this terrible episode.

William L Wright

An answer to the river beside Siam Country Club Road

Editor;

Thought the person who wrote about this problem would like to know what the problem is:

There are two sources for this little river.

1. The main source is a drainage ditch that apparently originates from the large market just over the railroad bridge on the next soi above.

2. The second and much less significant source comes from a leak in the water line in Tanyawan Village.

It appears that the city might be doing something about the main part of the problem from the stacks of sewer pipe and a backhoe being used in the market area following a route that would approximate the upper end of the drainage ditch.

WDT

Thank You City Hall

Editor;

We who stay here are always moaning that City Hall should do this and City Hall should do that, so many times they try their best but nothing changes.

But I for one would like to Shout a huge “Thank You” for banning of those huge “Bomb” fireworks that have nothing to do with the Loy Krathong Festival.

The night where we were was as it should be: beautiful, enchanting, colourful, stunning, peaceful and a credit to all those ladies who for one night a year made up and dressed up and looked like magical princesses, a real credit to Thailand.

Which goes to show if you “really” want to change things for the better you can!

Regards,

M.J.B.

No flights available

Dear Editor;

Having booked flights to Thailand, I write to ask if everyone else hears the same stories from their travel agents as I do. No availability. I wonder if T.A.T realises that perhaps a reason for the downturn in arrivals from Western Europe is related to this.

This is the 5th time in a year I have had difficulty in obtaining flights. Is this because of the alliances? Readers may also recall the Chinese Ambassador giving Thailand a warning that unless Pattaya cleaned up its act they would stop citizens from touring Thailand. Pattaya, as international as it is, has catered for and blossomed through courting western tourists. Now it seems these new orders direct from central government are solely for the benefit of one nation. Surely the empty bars - not only during low season - indicate something is wrong but it has nothing to do with bars remaining open until the wee small hours. T.A.T if it aint broke don’t fix it.

Yours,

Alan Kidd

Freezing Cold Scotland

Merry Christmas Pattaya

Dear Sir,

I would like to thank everybody in Pattaya for making my holiday such a wonderful relaxing experience. The hospitality was second to none. I don’t think there is any place in the world for making you so welcome. It was so brilliant that my friends & I have booked flights for March. We can’t wait to get back to such a wonderful country & to meet some more wonderful happy people. We would like to wish everyone in Pattaya a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

Yours,

Mike

Scotland

Doesn’t like the view

Dear Sir,

Last Tuesday evening I took the family to the Loy Krathong Festival on Beach Road. It was very enjoyable with lots of entertainment especially for the 10 year old lad.

However, what ensued spoilt the whole evening - as we turned left on to the 2nd Road there was a baht bus with 3 farangs in the back, one of whom was displaying his bare behind for all and sundry to see. The performance could not be avoided as the traffic was too heavy to overtake and get away from the obscene view.

When will these scum learn that there are family people who live in the Pattaya area as well as the clowns like themselves? If they want to behave like this keep it to the bar area of South Pattaya where a few gays might just appreciate the views - I do not.

Please do not tell me that this is what it is all about; I was here before Pattaya ever existed. It was not like that then.

Bill Hunter

Banglamung

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