HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

TOT phone booth blocking footpath

A good word for the baht buses

Pattaya is in terrible state

Fed up

Pattaya’s blight

TOT phone booth blocking footpath

Dear Pattaya Mail,
This afternoon I took some pictures of a TOT’s phone booth that is situated on a footpath right in front of the Pattaya Tourist Police Station opposite Soi 6 (Soi Yodsak), Pattaya 2nd Rd. Please consider putting this TOT’s irresponsibility as a complaint to the mayor or place it in the paper. The installation of this phone booth is definitely creating physical danger and mental disturbance to local as well as visiting pedestrians.
Local Pedestrian

A good word for the baht buses

Dear Sir,
I recently had the task of looking after a party of 12 who had never before visited Pattaya and therefore had no idea where they were going. For the paltry total sum of 120 baht each evening, we could hire our own baht bus which took us from their hotel in Naklua to any restaurant I had booked, wherever the location.

Now think about this: I was happy as it was an extremely easy and convenient way of getting my party around, all the drivers were happy because they had a full bus for a while (by the way, far from charging me double the Thai rate, they all actually thanked me for the business by giving me a freebie!), and more importantly, my guys who were on their annual golf holiday were more than happy because for the ridiculously low amount of 10 baht each they were delivered door to door!

The baht buses are one of the best and cheapest public transport services surely to be found in any tourist resort in the world. True they charge “us” double, but, like all the attractions available here, they are optional.

I do agree in principle with the “anti-overcharging” campaigners, but to be honest, if 5 baht is all you’ve got to complain about, life can’t be that bad can it? Mind you, I am fully aware that if we all got “ripped off” for 5 baht each for 2 journeys a day, our living expenses would spiral by a massive one bottle of Heineken (or 2 Leos) a week!
Ian Ashenden

Pattaya is in terrible state

Dear Sirs;
I have been coming to Pattaya with a friend of mine for the last twelve years for two months in January and February and have seen a number of improvements over the years, but what has happened this year?

It is in a terrible state, pavements on Second Road dug up and just left, the Beach Road is like a bomb site in places. Why do this in the height of the tourist season? The traffic is worse than ever and the air pollution is terrible.

Also for the first time in the twelve years I experienced crime in the fact I had my wallet stolen on a baht bus by a gang of so called “friendly” Thai people. I have been told they do this a lot by distracting you and then stealing your wallet. What annoys me most is that I donated a large sum of money to the tsunami fund and donate money to Pattaya Street Kids Charity to buy bedding and supplies for a home and pay for their Christmas party - and they do this to me.

Also, if you befriend someone beware of all the hard luck stories they tell you. They play on your sympathy to get you to part with your money. Yesterday I was taken to a Pattaya slum and what a difference; these poor people were so lovely. The young and old and the children came running to me for cuddles. They have nothing and live in all you can describe as shacks which you would not let a dog live in, but they did not ask for money or anything, only just to be friendly. They were so warm and seem to be very happy with what they have. Perhaps these other people should live like this for a while and they would know what real poverty is about.

I went with the Mercy Mission who go about twice a week to take rice, water and milk for the children. They do a fantastic job. I hope to go to others in this coming week.

So beware of your wallet and valuables while a tourist in Pattaya. I think this may be my last time here, which will be a pity. I think next year I may go to Blackpool!
From Brian Eames
Peacehaven, England

Fed up

Editor;
I would like to inform Mr. H.L. Bloom that I did not say that baht taxi drivers were hitting farangs with a bat or anything else for the 5 baht fare. I was trying to warn other farangs that they may have this in there taxi and may use them if they get angry enough.

If you check the back issues of Pattaya Mail you will find a story about a farang man on his motorbike on Soi 2 being assaulted with a bat or piece of wood by a baht taxi driver just because he sounded his horn. The baht taxi was blocking the exit of Soi 2 and he wanted to get past. I have also read a story of a baht taxi driver being caught by police with a loaded gun in his taxi all because he was scared someone was going to kill him.

I don’t think this is a laughing matter - it is sad, but I do think your idea of everyone paying the same taxi fee would work and it would die out. But this is wishful thinking as you can see by the different letters on this subject.

This problem has been going on for a very long time; I for one have been cheated by them so many times and not just for the legal 5 baht fare. I once flagged a taxi down at Soi 2 and I was only going up the road to Palm Gardens Hotel, but I did not have any small money. I gave the baht taxi driver a 50 baht note and he just drove off nearly taking my arm off.

I could tell you a 100 more stories how I have had to face up to an angry baht taxi driver for paying the legal 5 baht fare. I am fed up with all the problems so I now walk the short journeys around Pattaya as it’s better than all the fighting. You can’t change anything with the baht taxi drivers as they are a law on to themselves and there are not enough police to help you in this matter.

I would also like to say to all farangs that it is a matter of principal as I would not expect to pay 50% more for my shopping at Tesco Lotus just because I am a farang or my electric bill or water bill. The baht taxi is a relic, a thing of the past when Pattaya was a small city, when traffic was light but now in a city that’s growing every year there is no room for them.

If the Pattaya council were to make the right decision and modernize the transport system and forget the corruption then Pattaya in the near future would have a good, fair transport system for all the people of Pattaya. If they don’t make the right decision then in 2 or 3 years time you will not be able to move anywhere in Pattaya City because of the traffic jams. I hope for everyone that lives here that they make the right decision.

Yours,
Alan

Pattaya’s blight

Dear Editor;
This is not the usual complaint about baht buses, but a list of facts.

I have been visiting Pattaya since 1990. I have seen it grow into what I now see as a “modern” city, with regard to shopping, entertainment, accommodations, restaurants, and service in most of these areas.

However, I am afraid to say that Pattaya is still in the “dark ages” with regard to transport.

I am not actually against baht buses as a means of cheap, convenient public transport. Having said that, since my first few visits to Pattaya I have refused to patronise them because there are probably 2-3 times too many of them on the roads, resulting in lines of them, resembling trains, blocking traffic on beach and second roads. All are trying to pick up and (overcharge) a few meagre locals and tourists, who are in most cases just strolling or shopping.

They are constantly blasting their horns, creating noise pollution to go with the noxious fumes spewing from the noisy un-maintained (third world) diesel wrecks.

The drivers ignore all road rules, causing traffic hazards by stopping when and wherever they want without warning and not using indicators to turn or warning lights to show they are stationary. They are rude by taking no notice of other drivers or pedestrians, and there is no other word for it, “stealing” from the hand that feeds them.

I can rent my own scooter for as little as 100 baht a day, which means I don’t have to deal with these people personally and am free to go where I please, and when.

A friend who lives in Pattaya says that the local government can do nothing about this plague, because of the graft involved.

I’ll be back (on my scooter).
Steven Mc

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