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Well said John

New ride experience in Pattaya

Tourism down, are you joking?

50% drop in tourism?

Well said John

Editor;
Well said John Amone, you hit the nail on the head. Foreigners must never be allowed to own land in Thailand, as it is purely selfish, profit making reasons that foreigners wish to buy land in Thailand. If you want to live in Thailand there are many options available without pricing the Thai people out of their own homes and land. Also, surely a marriage is built on love and trust, if the house is in your Thai wife’s name, so what? Do you love and trust her? If you don’t, why marry in the first place? It’s getting back to the same old thing: foreigners trying to dictate how the Thais should live their lives and what laws they should have. I don’t like every law they have, but it is their country, not ours, and if you don’t like it, you know what to do don’t you.
Mickyfin,
Burnley

New ride experience in Pattaya

Editor;
I have just returned from 3 weeks in the Pattaya/Jomtien area and have to express my delight at the new attraction the mayor has provided for tourists who travel from Pattaya to Jomtien by baht bus.
The road (forgive me for using the word road) is full of potholes, concrete pieces, road substance, and various bits and pieces just left here and there in the road. Thus the driver has to take action to avoid these items and those sitting in the bus are given, free of charge, a ride similar to the Big Dipper on Coney Island.
For an extra thrill try the ride in a rain storm. The slipping, sliding and the spray of muddy water coming at you in the bus is such a memento of your holiday you’re sure to want to do it again. And don’t forget a big vote of thanks to the mayor for this free ride. But hurry, as it’s only been like this for 3 years and it just may be gone in another 3. Maybe?
For the rest of my enjoyable holiday, thank you Thailand.
Regards,
Ray Wallis

Tourism down, are you joking?

Editor;
“Tourism down by 50% in Pattaya”, insinuating it is because of government unrest! I’ve been visiting this fine city for over 40 years now, since 1968, and have seen it evolve from the start to its present condition. I love it and its King and all the good he has done for the people. However, the real scoop is:
Goods sold all over the city with no guarantee whatsoever; prices have risen even for the smallest items as if it were Monaco or Paris. The Thai workers in over 50% of the businesses have totally lost respect for Westerners, treating them as they were trash and below them. Million dollar malls being constructed in a tropical area with no air conditioning and an obstacle course at the entrance for tourists to try to work their way through without falling, especially when wet.
At one place on 2nd Road, I have personally seen over ten people hurt just trying to enter the complex. Coffee and a piece of cake comes to about $7 US dollars at many places, twice as high as the States, London, Paris, even New York. I can go on but why waste my time.
I will continue to visit here because I love the country and most of the people. However, do not lie and say it’s government unrest keeping people away. It’s Pattaya’s greed and the inability of the city to control it’s vendors, traffic and operation. It has become the joke of the world when it comes to pedestrian safety, other than maybe Viet Nam.
It seems the city government could not care less about the safety of their tourists. That is proven every day just by watching all the traffic laws being broken. That’s my area of expertise, law enforcement. Just try to cross any Pattaya street!
If you are going to report a story, why not tell it the way it is. Yes, the world economy is terrible. However, Pattaya would still be full of tourists if managed properly and they were better cared for. That’s the real truth.
Paul Ian

50% drop in tourism?

Dear Editor;
How can there be a drop in tourism? I contacted 8 hotels for a 2 week stay covering Christmas and New Year and was informed that there were no rooms available. I did find a room finally in an undesirable location, but I am happy to have a place to stay. There must be an over supply of tourists since the room rates have doubled. I will find out in person when I arrive in 5 weeks.
Regards,
Bill Turner
California

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