Removing dangers from the beach

Editor;

Taking out the buried post on Jomtien Beach near Soi 3 was not an easy job. There was much hammering on the cement upright to break it down. A beach chair vendor told me it’s 2 to 3 meters deep, so I just beat the heck out of it, brought it way below the beach level, broke off the wires, covered it, did a small dance to pack down the sand and moved on to the also protruding fence post. This I beat so badly I could pull it out. Of course I dug some deep holes with both before I did my thing. In all it took maybe an hour of blood, sweat and no tears, during which time some vendors that sell their wares stopped by, shook my hand and went their way.

Many people have hurt themselves quite badly on these two very dangerous posts that were protruding a foot above the sand and when the tide is high, people don’t see them. They have been there for many years. A friend reminded me of them and the dangers.

The Pollution Solution Group

KOTO

Gambling is illegal

Editor;

Gambling is illegal but there is a state lottery. Hypocrisy? Poor Thai people encouraged to gamble their hard earned money at really bad odds, with next to no chance of winning anything. I can remember when I was a kid, Sunday afternoons my Mum, aunts and grandparents would get together and play ‘Beat Your Neighbours’ for coppers. I can’t imagine the police kicking down the door and carting them off to the Nick and maybe having to take a urine test.

John Arno

Another ATM victim

Editor;

Reference your report in the current edition of Pattaya Mail of ATM scams. You can add another tourist victim to your list.

Having drawn some cash at my bankers, UOB at Second Road, I discovered that my whole holiday savings of 77,000 baht had been written off, leaving me without any money.

On enquiring at the bank, and they showing me security ATM video footage, my passbook showed that indeed the whole of my account had been scammed.

I was not aware that the man behind me, a farang, who had changed his position, must have seen my PIN number despite my usual precaution.

I was further disillusioned having discovered that he could have accessed any ATM without my Visa card, which rarely left my hotel room safe!

Now, of course, these ATM scams happen all over the world, so my grief is not with beautiful Thailand and its mostly wonderful people.

Having spent three months’ stay in Pattaya for each of the past 11 years, and visiting Thailand for over 20 years, I will never again be coming to Thailand, or at least to the now crime ridden Pattaya. A ‘family resort’? I will be advising any family I know to avoid this place at all cost for their safety.

Sincerely,
Norman Wallis

Removing dangers from the beach

Gambling is illegal

Another ATM victim