Lending a helping hand

Editor;

While the Pollution Solution Group was removing trash from the beach at Jomtien, two lovely Thai girls also started to help. We are always honored to have concerned people reach out and take a part in making their surroundings safer for those that have no voice in the matter.
Gerry Rasmus

Shut-up or die

Dear Editor;

The other day I was sitting along Beach Road when I saw two Thais passing out pamphlets advertising McDonald’s. I smiled to myself as I thought what would happen if I was passing out pamphlets advertising one of the vegetarian restaurants in Pattaya. Before long someone would say: “Stop forcing your vegetarian lifestyle on us.” Or, “Why don’t you go to India.” (Actually I’ve been to India and the restaurants there use so much cheese and butter they can hardly be called vegan paradise!)

When the “McDonald’s” woman offered me a pamphlet I didn’t insult or ridicule her. I simply said: “No. Thank-you.” Nor did I run to the nearest internet and post a comment on a website stating that I hope that woman dies - which is exactly what my horrible and vile critics have said about me. In fact, I have the dubious distinction of being voted on one website as being the one person everyone hopes most would die.

And that’s the difference between me and them. While I hated what the woman with the pamphlets was promoting I didn’t hate her or wish her harm. But my critics believe everyone such as McDonald’s, KFC and other animal tormentors have the right to express their views, and vegetarians should either shut-up or die. Their attitude tells you much more about them than it does about me.
Eric Bahrt

Email to UK Prime Minister David Cameron

Editor;

Below is an e-mail I sent to UK Prime Minister David Cameron 2 days ago. I hope you find it interesting and worthy of space in your newspaper.

Dear Mr Cameron: I hope you enjoy your Xmas holiday with your friend, Mr Abhisit, here in Thailand.

An idea for a present, which would benefit, not only your host but also approx 1,500 British expat OAP’s living in Thailand, which would save your DWP millions into the bargain:

Give us the indexation on our state pensions (to which we are entitled) and you will find that many more would come out here to retire, saving you millions in health care alone. I read that every person in Britain over the age of 60 costs the NHS over 6,000 UK pounds every year. Also, the economy of your host’s country, Thailand, would benefit from the extra money in our pockets.

Further, you could give pension indexation (to which they are entitled), to over 550,000 British expat OAP’s in many other countries throughout the world, such as Australia, Canada and South Africa. Once again, this would be good for your DWP and the economy of the various countries to which each person chose to retire.

Our forces fought in 2 World Wars for “Freedom”. I presume this included the “Freedom of Movement and Choice”? The fact that our pensions have been frozen, would appear, to me, to be a blatant act of discrimination. Can I ask you to try to put this “wrong” right, it would be a wonderful Xmas present for all of us, as well as for Thailand and England.

Merry Xmas to you all,
Des Gillet

Lending a helping hand

Shut-up or die

Email to UK Prime Minister David Cameron