HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Keep up the good work

You’re still the best!

Good news for tourism?

Happy New Year

Killing the goose

Improving Pattaya’s tourist appeal

Keep up the good work

Dear Editor:
I would like to commend you for publishing my letter “Liberty is a well-armed lamb” in your December 21st edition which pointed out that vote buying was still common practice in much of Thailand. I really didn’t think it would get published because of the subject. I spoke with my wife again this morning about last week’s election and she indicated that the government didn’t allow the practice. I have long admired the Thai military and HM the King for the preservation of liberty for the Thai people. I find it interesting that America’s founders always expected the “military” and “statesmen” to raise armies against the politicians who would use the power of government against the people. This “correction” cannot take place in a vacuum; a strong and ever watchful press is a key requirement for the liberty of men.
My wife, and evidently from the results, many other Thais had to hold their nose and vote for the person they thought was the best man for the job. My wife said she voted for the people she thought had a “good heart”, but still don’t trust them. I told her, “Trust, but verify!” Without the courage of the press (in recent years freedom of the press was ranked very low in Thailand under the civilian government), a variety of postings on many blogs, and the presence of international observers, I don’t think the results would have been as stunning as they were. It remains to be seen if this is a turning point in Thai politics where politicians will need to now work for the people to keep their positions. This will be up to the people and the press.
Here in America our two-party system turns out such poor candidates that most Americans simply don’t bother to vote. Multiple parties are a good thing, you get some real choice! Corruption is also a problem in America. In some places of America, the dead still vote early and vote often. Some of our leaders now want to remove the requirement to show identification to vote and even want to allow “foreigners and criminals” to vote in our elections; talk about opening things up to fraud. America’s founders tried to create something new, a Republic. It’s technically a good idea, but unfortunately, we keep trying to make a Democracy of it! Throughout history true Democracies have failed, and for very simple and basic reasons. It will be interesting to see the results of our upcoming elections. Maybe a more factual press, true and open debates, and Thai political observers would help? I admire Thai society in how HM the King, the army, and religion, have evolved to curb the excesses of the civilian government and thus provide a great degree of liberty with a minimum amount of anarchy. Though a little less anarchy in Pattaya would be welcome! I really think that Thailand has come closer than us in creating the society envisioned by America’s founders. This is just one of the reasons I think we can learn a few things from Thailand.
Again, I commend the Pattaya Mail in taking on a taboo subject and hope the recent election has opened a new, and better, chapter in Thai politics. Keep up the good work!
Pattaya Beach Bum

You’re still the best!

Hello Pattaya Mail,
Just think, this time last year I was living in Germany and enjoying a German beer. This year, I am still enjoying a German beer, but I am now living in Thailand. Unbelievable things can happen in the span of a year.
Also, congratulations on having the best newspaper in Pattaya. Thanks for the poem to brighten everything up. I’m a big fan of the guy that does your interviewing on T.V., I believe he is English. I’m sure you will agree with all the guys here at Crazy Dave’s, that he is an asset to your television program. Tell him to drop by for a free beer.
That’s all for now.
Paul and Linda Moorehead

Good news for tourism?

Dear Sir,
Having just arrived in Pattaya, I am surprised to see that there are very few visitors here, slightly confused, as I had been led to believe that this was a party town in high season? Have I been misinformed or just come at the wrong time of the year? I must say I am a little disappointed so far in my choice of holiday destination and hope very much that I will find something positive in the next few days to remember my vacation by! Otherwise, I shall not be returning. Has anyone, any holiday experiences of Krabi or Phuket? Perhaps I’ll give these a try in the next few days as your newspaper extols in this week’s issue, “Good News for Tourism”.
Mark Wallace
Brisbane, Australia

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Pattaya Mail and all the contributors,
Another year has flown by and I am still alive, thank God. Pattaya Mail is still the best reading material in Thailand. Your writers are so talented and seem to be able to write about everything and anything that’s important. I would also like to commend B. Phillip Webb for the New Years poem. Andrew Watson is also very gifted. Paul Strachan on your T.V. program is a favorite of Fred, my husband. Peter Cummins is a precious soul for the boating enthusiasts. All in all, you are the very best at what you do. We, here in Pattaya, are so fortunate to have a paper of your high standards and ethics.
Regards,
Ruth and Fred Daigon
Mira Loma, California

Killing the goose

Editor;
A group of my friends and I were watching the fireworks and reflecting on the good times in Thailand and Pattaya in particular this New Years Eve. It was a candid and friendly conversation. Normally we old farts stick together, not figuratively speaking, but in general thinking.
The consensus was that Thailand was fast becoming “not user friendly”. None of us are rich by our standards but would concede that our standard is much higher than the Thai standard. However the Thai’s are increasingly making it apparent that unless we have, or profess to have really big bucks we are not welcome for extended stay. Simply put, come on - spend your money and get out. Many of us have Thai wives, girlfriends, etc., and we collectively feel we have treated them extremely well, as well as all Thais and there families in particular.
The government is slowly but methodically killing the preverbal goose that is laying the golden egg. The goal posts keep moving and the laws which were never user friendly from the beginning keep moving in the wrong direction.
To a man, each of us has always met the current requirement for money, but it keeps changing. We are not now nor have we ever been a burden on the Kingdom of Thailand. We are basically “retired”, play by all the rules and love it for all the well known reasons.
The consensus was, “There are better and friendlier places to go, for instance the Philippines.” Several of the participants mentioned that they have most recently explored the possibility of moving to the Philippines based on the current money exchange and the ease with which English is spoken and understood! We all agreed that the handwriting has been on the wall for quite awhile, but is now near critical mass.
We collectively feel that we have contributed to the general well being of Thailand as well as individual Thais. Why don’t they want us to remain, we helped them get where they are today, and now they’re killing the goose that laid the golden egg!
Fled the scene

Improving Pattaya’s tourist appeal

Editor;
Here is an open letter to the elected officials of Pattaya, plus the TAT. If you want to attract quality foreign tourists, you must offer them the quality and safety that they expect (require).
What needs to be done in Pattaya to improve its image for foreign tourism:
1. Repair walkways along the Beach Road to eliminate holes, cracks, and other impediments for walking.
2. Re-grade walkways on Beach Road to eliminate collection of water pools (mosquito abatement).
3. Finish the move of utility cables to underground.
4. Remove obstacles on Beach Road sidewalks (phone booths, vendors) so people can actually walk on them.
5. Stop people from driving motorcycles on the sidewalks.
6. Do not cut down shade trees for the CCTV cameras. Move the cameras to a lower location on their poles, or place on the other side of the street.
7. Remove the silly statues of children from the sidewalks. Space is already limited. Place them on those cute brick areas that were created.
8. Replace the round benches provided with ones that will not tip over.
9. Build more benches of cement along Beach Road, but not on the sidewalks.
10. Provide lifeguards at lifeguard stations full time during the daytime located along the Beach Road.
11. The ocean water is full of garbage and pollutants. Remove it.
12. Have the city garbage trucks pick up trash at times with less cars for them to block (early morning). Stop sorting trash as they go. Just pick it up, and leave. Sort at a central location. Spend minimal time on Beach Road.
13. Insist that the motorcycle rental dealers do not use all the parking on Beach Road.
14. If all people must wear a helmet while driving motorcycles, insist the police and their children do the same.
15. When gangs of Thai youth walk on Beach Road and intimidate people, remove them!
16. Leave the Beach Vendors alone. Charge them a small license fee, and stop chasing them all over. Waste of resources.
17. Insure an adequate amount of water by enlarging the reservoir next time it is empty again. Why was this not done last year when the reservoir was almost empty?
18. Eliminate power outages.
19. Insist that all karaoke lounges close at the same time as bars (2:00 am).
20. Stop trucks with loudspeakers from playing music or commercial message too loud.
21. Stop song taew drivers from ripping off tourists. Post standardized rates in the seat area.
22. All song taews must stop within 18 inches of the curb, not in the lane of traffic. Holding up traffic should be a fine of 200-500 baht.
23. All song taews can only stop at designated spots, located near intersections with sois, indicated with a signpost and red/white stripe painting.
23. Large buses can only stop at designated parking areas, within 18 inches of the curb.
24. Improve the Soi Buakhao Market with cement floors, similar to Naklua Market.
25. Inspect weights and measures of gas stations and at fresh markets to insure customers get what they pay for.
26. Collectively raising the hotel room rates without offering any improvements only serves to annoy consumers. Offer good value, not higher prices for the same old tired rooms.
Sign me,
A Helping Hand

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