HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

CNN International is a most welcome addition

Police wanna-bees

Thanks for stopping by

Voice against the new monorail

Re: motorbike accidents on Buddha Hill

What to do with old cooking oil

Replying to John from Yasothon

Why wear gold chains?

No empathy for gold chain theft victim

CNN International is a most welcome addition

Editor;
CNN International is a most welcome addition to Sophon cable as, apart from anything else, it is such a relief to no longer have to endure the incessant, mindless ‘musak’ inflicted upon us by BBC World service, or the clones who present their interminable, boring weather forecasts.
Fox News is entertaining at times but, despite its claim to being fair and balanced, is more or less the mouthpiece of the Republican Party. CNN International is relatively impartial although I believe it admits to favouring the Democrats. This is no bad thing as the USA is in danger of electing a Republican president who may die in office and leave the country in the hands of an unelected [woman] who is even more likely than McCain to lead us into another world war.
European Michael

Police wanna-bees

Dear Pattaya Mail,
Thailand, and specifically Pattaya, is always looking at how they can improve in attracting tourists. Here is a suggestion from a law abiding citizen, both in Thailand (for seven years) as well as my own country: Start by disbanding the ridiculous foreign unit of the Volunteer Tourist Police.
I understand the authorities meant well when the concept was started, but they made one huge mistake, calling them “police.” This has obviously brought out every foreign wanna-bee cop who never could make it on the police force in their own country and pinned a badge on them. Unbridled power goes to people’s heads, and this is apparently happening with these people.
If the original concept was to have a unit of foreigners who could “help” tourists in need find their way around, get help with translation and have questions answered when they are confused, then the unit should have been called “Tourist Helper” and given them an official non-authoritative white shirt. Those volunteers who wish to help at the police station could still do so and “help” tourists through the system if they fell at odds with the law or were victims of a crime.
Thailand needs to get the word “police” off of these guys and make them “helpers” with no police authority of any kind and then they would truly have something beneficial. Of course, how many would still volunteer? I’d venture to say most of them would turn in their “volunteer police” shirt and badge and you’d never see them again. So be it. The real helpers would still be around.
Michael Smith

Thanks for stopping by

Editor;
To all readers: as one of the local restaurants here in Pattaya who advertise for your business, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has visited Grappa Restaurant at Woodland Residence Suites. Many times you come to have enjoyed our food and service and then depart without realizing how much our staff appreciate and enjoy having you. Sometimes we are not able to express our thanks to you during your dining at Grappa, but hope our food and service encourages you to return. All of the Grappa staff enjoys each one of you and look forward to seeing you again.
News outlets as this one are a benefit to not only you, but to all of us who enjoy reading the entertainment and news it provides and our thanks to them as well for their continued reporting efforts and support to the community.
Thank you for spending some time with us in Grappa.
With best regards
Mark
Grappa Restaurant
Woodland Residence Suites

Voice against the new monorail

Dear Editor;
According to the artist’s rendering, the monorail running along Beach Road will eliminate what little sidewalk that exists that is not already taken up by vendors. This will leave tourists with no other options than running the katoey gauntlet that patrols the beach walkway. What will happen to the dozens of pesky tailors when they can no longer harass tourists on the sidewalk with a “Hello Boss” and a sweaty handshake? Will they have to get jobs dancing in Boys Town? Look carefully at the picture. How do we access and exit the cars? No stairs or elevators are shown, but they will take up valuable space. Also, will there be handicapped access as many older visitors will need it to utilize the system? Just a few thoughts on this foolhardy plan which will waste millions of baht and do nothing to better the city.
Regards,
Bill Turner
California USA

Re: motorbike accidents on Buddha Hill

Editor;
In regards to the last issue, “A simple solution to motorbike accidents on Buddha Hill”: If you really are concerned Peter, take some pictures of the danger area, go to city hall, and speak to Apichart Puetpan deputy chief administrator of Pattaya City. He will take care of it or direct you to the right department. If you really are concerned you have only just begun. By giving up now, odds are you and others will see more brain matter in the middle of the road. Keep Pattaya Mail posted on your success. The right ending to this story would be that you spoke to the right people and now you are saving lives; then and only then your work is done.
Health & Happiness,
KOTO

What to do with old cooking oil

Sir,
I applaud Dr Prapon Tangsrikiatikul with his insight about used cooking oil. However, the question arises as to how to dispose of the old oil. I am sure much of it ends up being poured down a drain, which clogs the drain and we have flooding.
This problem exists in the UK also; we have recycling centres for glass, cardboard, and used engine oil, but nothing for cooking oil, so I surmise it ends up being dumped down the drain here also, or carted of in a container to be dumped in a land fill sight.
There was a day when the stuff used to be collected to be used in preparation for animal food and you where paid for it. They also collected it to be recycled, and for use in cosmetics. I think it all came to end when the cost became unprofitable.
I am sure a recycling plant based anywhere in the Kingdom and was prepared to pay the smallest amount for the used cooking oil, would encourage all to take the oil to a local pickup site where they could get a few baht for it.
Good for the environment, good for the drains and good for the Thais. Not to mention the price of the recycled cooking oil.
Mario

Replying to John from Yasothon

Editor,
Before replying to the above, may I please applaud PM on your stand against the use of violence in the protests in Bangkok. I love Thailand and Thai people and it makes me feel sick to see Thais shedding blood on the streets of Bangkok. Whether it is the protesters who lost lives and limbs or the policeman that was stabbed in the liver with a sharpened flag pole while following orders I condemn it and the leaders of both parties should decide that enough is enough.
On a lighter note I would like to thank John from Yasothon for his reply to “Pattaya real estate -what now”. John if you are a guy that resides in Pattaya and has a house in Yasothon then I am sorry if my reply is a bit harsh. However, you made assumptions about me so here’s my overview of you. I suspect that you’re one of these guys who visited Thailand, maybe Pattaya, got hooked up and probably lived in Pattaya for a while but then moved to Yasosthon where it’s cheaper. I first came to Pattaya in 78, have had a home here for 18 years and a business here for 11 years and feel that I am qualified to know real estate, at least in Pattaya.
I have to say I can only find one redeeming feature in your response which I thoroughly agree with and that is your home should be your home and not a way to make money. The rest sadly is drivel.
Rest assured John if or rather when the laws are revised there will not be a huge influx of people the size of Manchester descending on Yasothon or Thailand. You are safe in the knowledge that your tiny expat community will not be invaded and this is probably at the core of your thinking. You maybe have a right to worry if foreign companies continue to buy rice land but that will still not necessarily impact on the ability of Thais to afford their own home.
The US housing crash was caused by George W taking restraints off the loan market and unscrupulous, uncontrolled brokers signing up anybody to mortgages that they had no hope of sustaining. Conversely I am talking about cash money that would come into Pattaya to buy houses and condos that many Thais and some foreigners are developing.
I applaud any foreigner that chooses to come to our fair city and invest money whether it be to open a bakery or build a condominium. Starting any business in Pattaya is tough and requires much local knowledge and a lot of hard work regardless of the nature of that business. That person deserves to own his own home whether he is married or not.
It may surprise you to learn I am not in the real estate business nor am I a developer. I am in fact a hotelier and yes my house and resorts are in companies with my missus as majority shareholding. That doesn’t make it right, it just makes it easier.
Who invented this daft idea that Thais will not be able to afford houses etc., if farangs own houses in Pattaya? Oddly you are not alone in this premise.
Richard Franklin

Why wear gold chains?

Editor;
(I) have been living in Pattaya for many, many years but still see people running around with a lot of gold on their body. Never understood why they do this - the bar fine might be even higher. And then they complain that they get robbed. Do I dream? Or do those people live in a world that does not exist? In any case - they should not complain. It was up to them.
Peter Stubenkastl

No empathy for gold chain theft victim

Editor;
I empathize with Terry’s frustration in dealing with the tourist police, but what are you doing sporting a 5 baht gold chain? Don’t you read the Pattaya Mail, which reports at least one case of chain snatchers every week? Can’t say I empathize with you there.
Khun Ron

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