HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Thumbs up for Tony’s Dog Shelter

Two foot steps in the sand

Re: Tesco Express

Pattaya is still better than Bali

Singapore - the model city

What goes on at some condominiums

Thumbs up for Tony’s Dog Shelter

Editor;
A big thumbs up and a word of thanks from many of us, for you Tony. We appreciate all you are doing for the poor dogs around Pattaya.

Shame on everybody, falang and Thais alike, who abuse, kick and beat up these poor creatures. We are asking everybody, including the city, to support Tony’s project and start to take action against any kind of animal cruelty.

I hope that the last dog we saved from being beaten daily down on Sugar Beach is doing well at the shelter. His name is Hyena and he is up for adoption. He would make a great companion; he is smart and will get used to his new master in no time.
Donations to Tony’s Shelter are encouraged. They deserve it! Thanks to Tony and staff!
Oree & Michael

Two foot steps in the sand

Aloha;
This is a sample to see if I can jumpstart some livers, of some of you retired, lonely, or out of shape, wonderful humans. Would you like to meet, greet, set examples and get fit at the same time? I always used to think that when I was waster-sizing, which is bending at the waist, to pick up the waste, and getting rid of both, that there was only two footsteps in the sand. As I got older, I realized that there has been six foot steps in the sand. Buddha and God walk with me, giving me the power to do what I do, as I now understand that I could never have done, or continue to do, alone, what I do most days (cleaning the beach).

With the power that they give me and the thank yous that I get from the children and the wildlife, it is a high beyond any drug that one could take, and it is free. Just give of yourself and the rewards are priceless. You’ll never walk alone again.

I’m starting a Nifty over Fifty, Waster-Sizing Club, starting in the Jomtien Beach area. Why not get fit and help Mother Nature at same time?
Mahalo Nui Loa
Keeper Of The Ocean
pollutionsolutionthailand @yahoo.com

Re: Tesco Express

Editor;
So “Local business people are vigorously protesting against the decision to allow Tesco Lotus to open a number of its smaller Tesco Lotus Express outlets”, and have presented a petition to city hall. No doubt they favour instead (and quite possibly are involved with) the vast number of “Seven Eleven” and “Family Marts” springing up, often in the most unlikely of locations!

Khun Suainee feels that “the proliferation of these stores (Tesco Lotus Express etc.) would increase consumption amongst Thai people, and consequently debt”. Presumably then, to decrease the number of his supporters, stores would decrease consumption, and therefore decrease debt! This is, of course, nonsense.

Tesco Lotus is a very professional and efficient organisation that will only open new outlets following exhaustive market research. They will only “set up shop” where there is a clearly identified need and business opportunity (unlike many “Thai” businesses which appear to open on a prayer and a whim, and are frequently “here today, gone tomorrow”!). And we can be sure that Tesco will look to the provision / availability of safe and adequate parking, a concept unfamiliar to most existing business operators, and to many of Pattaya’s motorists and motorcyclists!

The smaller Tesco Express format has been well tried and tested in the UK, and is successful. It is profitable for Tesco, and satisfies the needs of the consumer. This type of outlet here in Pattaya will provide “everyday” requirements at a fair price, and at a convenient location. Hygiene, and presentation will be first class. Goods on offer are likely to be predominately “Thai produce”, and staff will be Thai, therefore offering employment opportunities.

As a consumer, I for one, will welcome the addition of Tesco Express to our local shopping scene. Of the locations already noted, one is Soi Nernplubwan (east of Sukhumvit Road). May I plead for Tesco to consider the adjacent Soi Pornprapanimit (Soi Siam Country Club) also. There are few shopping opportunities in this already rapidly growing residential area, and it has no public bus or taxi routes. But I doubt that they will do so, this road being so often virtually impassable due to the potholes and crumbling drainage!

I would urge city hall to reject the petition in its entirety. And you can rest assured that if they do not, then I shall be adopting the protester’s own declared tactics, and taking my grievances to the governor of Chonburi (and beyond)!

Let me say finally that I have no connection whatsoever with Tesco Lotus, and that my own supermarket of preference / choice happens to be Carrefour! But I value the benefits to the consumer of competition, and would very much welcome not having to constantly cross the always dangerous Sukhumvit Road to “top up” my groceries”.
Regards,
Peter Hallett
(Consumer who welcomes service and choice!)

Pattaya is still better than Bali

Editor,
With reference to a letter from Bobbi & Steve Dooley from which I quote; “The crime and drunken driving is so beyond the mark that we sadly have decided to visit Bali next year where we will be much safer.”

Everyone deplores the increasing incidence of crime in Pattaya and it is hoped that the police will eventually be able to reduce this and catch the individuals responsible. Despite the crime rate, Pattaya is still safer than Bali, which in case Bobbi and Steve have forgotten, has had two mass murders due to bombing carried out by Islamic extremists in recent times. The general crime rate and any murders in Pattaya are at least aimed at individuals, not indiscriminate murder of whatever poor victim, tourist or native who happens to get in the way.

Besides the above, Thailand (and Pattaya) will always be a nicer place, because of the nature of the Thai people compared to that of the Javanese in Bali. The Balinese themselves are very similar to Thais in their friendly none grasping way of dealing with foreigners. The Javanese, however, who have flocked to Bali over the years, are offensively aggressive in trying to rip the tourist off.

Given the choice I’d opt (and I do) for Thailand and Pattaya any day. The only thing that would make me think twice would be if the troubles in the south of the LOS was to become more widespread.
David
Western Australia

Singapore - the model city

Sir;
Having recently returned from a very pleasant trip to Singapore, I would humbly suggest to the powers that be in Pattaya City, that they may wish to consider sending a delegation of city fathers on a fact finding mission to the model ‘Lion City’.

First impressions on entering Changi Airport are very impressive. Clean, with air-conditioning that works - as it should, well laid flooring (tiles or carpet), immigration officers with a friendly but efficient attitude - even a smile and the offer of a free sweet. On passing through immigration one can’t help but notice the lack of dubious looking characters touting hotel rooms and taxis.

Outside the concourse you will find clean comfortable taxis, waiting patiently at an official taxi rank, with professional friendly drivers awaiting every weary traveler. Pricing is by meter only, and drivers are trained and accountable to the Ministry of Transport. A printed receipt is also available on request. On route to my hotel I was - by this time - not surprised to observe the excellent road traffic system with well manicured reservations and verges, and well laid pavements for the convenience of pedestrians.

Walking through the main city center you become very aware of being in a safe, clean and friendly environment. Violent crime towards tourists is practically non existent since it is highly frowned upon by the powers that be. Anybody found guilty of assaulting a tourist would be dealt with severely and not just asked to pay their medical expenses, and then set free if the injured party agrees not to pursue the case, or bailed to commit similar or worse crime.

After talking with many Singaporeans I got a strong impression that they respected their leaders (government). So basically it is a case of citizens following the example set by those who rule over them - so simple when you think about it.
James Bannister

What goes on at some condominiums

Editor;
Please will you print this letter to let your readers know what goes on at some condominiums?

At the 2006 Annual General Meeting of a Pattaya condo, I was elected to the management committee in the position of Financial Officer. The previous F. O. resigned after a dispute with the English chairman of the previous 5 years, who one apartment owner (also English) had openly accused of attempts to obtain money by deception. New members such as I were ordered by this long-sitting chairman not to even look at the evidence of this matter. I soon discovered other financial irregularities. To deflect my inquiries, arguments were provoked over diverse issues and because I refused to blindly follow orders given with no authority, on the pretext of ‘unethical behaviour’ I was barred from committee meetings by other members. They seem not to consider causing unnecessary and dubious fees in the thousands of baht for external book-keeping as ‘unethical’. Nor refusal to recognise a proper and lawful appointment to the committee.

Criticism and complaints go with the job of being on any committee, yet at the particular condo are met with intimidation (my car and other property were vandalised) and attempt to discredit complainants with gossip and misinformation (putting it mildly). I don’t ask to be blindly believed, but as a duly elected but illegally expelled Financial Officer I am able to confirm first-hand that the trust and lack of knowledge of proper procedure of condo owners are exploited unscrupulously. What they should do is what my fellow committee members wilfully neglected to do, which is to not let personal bias cloud judgement and demand answers to charges and complaints made. Only those with something to hide fear questions and reply.

Whether or not I am right in the matter of dodgy financial dealings is irrelevant to the major issue. A legally binding AGM resolution being ignored by committee members makes the AGM and apartment owners irrelevant. As a matter of fact it is nothing less than organised crime.
Matthieu Frans

Letters published in the Mailbag of Pattaya Mail
are also published here.