HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Getting all your ducks in line

Kudos for police

The endless baht bus story

Town of Infinity archways

Getting all your ducks in line

Aloha Pattaya Mail;
Mahalo again for allowing my print to be seen. Last week in haste, my e-mail address was wrong, it is pollution [email protected]
I see they are painting the center of the road ways and painting parking spaces; its a shame due to the fact that they paint right past every storm drain. I would think, but who am I to think, if you have the paint and we have a problem with all of the storm drains, why not stencil, in Thai and English, “Goes to ocean no garbage”. With also a picture of a fish, due to the fact that there are millions of people less fortunate then us and can’t read.
If we don’t start setting examples, our sand box for little boys in older bodies, will die from pollution! I have been to both expat clubs, I have received a few hand claps, that plus 40 baht will get a cup of coffee. I’m looking for a select few that will not only talk the talk, but will walk the walk. If you’re not too pooped to pop or too old to scold, do something, anything, show that you care not just for yourself, but also for others, like the children or wild life.
It is never to late to make your mark and be one who gave back to this place we all live, earth. You will feel much better about yourself. “Waster-size”, bend at the waist to pick up the waste and get rid of both. It’s time to reach out and do something.
“The life of the people is in the land”
Mahalo Nui Loa, (Thank You Very Much),
The Keeper of the Ocean

Kudos for police

Sir,
I recently parked my car, probably unwisely, in an area a little remote from Pattaya, while I went for a hill trek. On return I was concerned to find three Thais there. Fortunately they were plainclothes police.
My car window had been smashed, and they were guarding the car and contents and waiting to see whoever/whatever. They would not accept my attempts to show appreciation.
There was a funny side. The driver’s side door had recently developed an annoying problem, it could not be opened, causing me to enter from the passenger side. It was due for repair the next day. The intending thief, having smashed the window, was unable to open the door. Perhaps he thought he’d encountered an advanced security system, and left empty handed.
John Angus

The endless baht bus story

Sirs,
The letter of the “concerned falang” is just one more in countless complaints since baht buses are circulating. In Miami, there are similar mini-buses touring around in the city and the beach, all for $ 1.- without limitation and unpleasant experiences with the drivers!
Pattaya, fully depending on tourists, seams to be unable to offer them correct traffic facilities with understandable tariffs. Tourists, asking the drivers about the fare for a short way, are quoted from 10.-THB to 100.- and over!
This is rather shameful in my opinion. The problem could be solved with a very simple indication outside the baht bus: inside the city: 10.- THB, outside connections: 20.- THB. Extras upon mutual agreements, etc.
And instead of advertising for dog food etc, using the space indicating the routing!
R. Bahl

Town of Infinity archways

Dear Editor,
I felt compelled to write to you after reading in the Pattaya Mail (Vol. X1V No.39 page 2) about the proposed “Town of Infinity” archways that are being discussed, to be erected at both entrances to the city of Pattaya. What a waste of city money? 64 million baht would be much better spent on the road system. If they want to beautify Pattaya and attract more tourists, then I feel they should get the road system sorted out once and for all, and 64 million baht would help to sort some of the congestion and danger spots.
As a resident of Pattaya for the last 10 years I have watched as Pattaya itself has grown and the number of vehicles & motorbikes (and not to mention baht buses, mini vans and indeed tourists buses) have increased over the years. The city just obviously does not understand the problems with the traffic and instead wastes money on novelties. Look at the electronic sign board bridge across the North Pattaya Road (outside city hall). What function does that serve? How much was spent on that?
For me the problem of traffic congestion, improper road works, frequent accidents and danger spots; and ignorant driving and parking need to be sorted out.
How many times has a baht bus or big bus stopped in front of you to load/offload passengers. They do not pull into the side for fear of losing their position in the traffic queue. Sometimes they cannot pull in because there is no lay-by, or someone else has parked on the road (car or motorcycle) because it was convenient for them to do so. Not convenient for everyone else.
Why not put concrete speed ramps (sleeping policemen) at the junctions to all major traffic intersection. For example the Dusit Roundabout. If all the entrances/exits had big speed bumps you wouldn’t get people speeding across just to be first and not let anyone in.
At the junctions to North, Central, South Pattaya Roads & Thepprasit, how many times do people jump the traffic lights? I’ve sat there sometimes waiting to go on a green light, but cannot because again ignorant drivers jump through the lights. It’s dangerous being a driver and indeed a tourist on the roads in Pattaya. How many motorcycle accidents happen daily? I saw 3 alone yesterday because motorcycles just cannot be bothered to use the correct road ways and cut across junctions, go the wrong way up roads or just have no traffic sense whatsoever.
Why not give the 64 million baht to the traffic police as an incentive to catch more traffic violators? Why not impose heavy fines? They did it with the motorcycle helmet law, but even this gets abused. Even by some policemen I see riding along or taking their children to school.
I have a few ideas that I would gladly give to the city hall if they wanted my advice. Just try and do something to make people try to be more sensible. If you slow down the traffic and make people drive in an orderly way, I am sure in the long run the flow of traffic will get better.
I have never written a letter before to the Pattaya Mail, so I wait to see if this one gets published, and if there is any response.
Yours faithfully,
Tony - Pattaya Resident

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