More Aloha

May and Mai from Jomtien.

2 helpful women on holiday from out of town.

Editor;

The Pollution Solution Group had the honor on Sunday May 29, to have 2 different sets of young girls at 2 different locations on Jomtien Beach offer their help and a cold drink. The first 2 are May and Mai and they live in Jomtien, the older 2 were on holiday from out of town.

We find that by setting examples it makes more people aware of the need for “all of us” to do our part and help in the removing of man made dangers that could harm or kill a child, sea life or contaminate our ocean.

They were all happy to get some free literature and will bring it to their schools.

Today they learned that each danger that they remove is one less chance of a baby or sea life ingesting becoming ill or even dying; also preventing our ocean from being contaminated.

They helped in the removing hundreds of toxic cigarette butts, bottle caps, plastic, foam, bar-b-q sticks and camera batteries. Many people watched and became more aware of not leaving litter behind.

The Pollution Solution Group is making a difference one day and one beach at a time.

Gerry Rasmus,

Aka KOTO Keeper Of The Ocean

Immigration closed for holiday

Dear Sir,

(Last month 16-5-2011) I went to Jomtien Immigration to renew my 90 day visa, only finding it closed. Not very happy, I was about to leave when the door opened and a female employee said to me and a few others they are open for 90 day renewals only. For all other transactions they will reopen Wednesday 18th, which I was happy about, but in the short time I was there dozens got turned away. Why can’t they put a notice in the office and on the internet stating all holiday closure dates for the year? It’s not rocket science?

Trevor William

Ed’s note: We think it was quite a nice thing they did, giving up part of their holiday to assist you and some of the others. I can’t imagine a government office doing that in the West. And as far as rocket science is concerned; you are a guest in a foreign country. It’s up to you, not them, to figure out when the holidays are. This isn’t rocket science, just look on the web. Or, you could always read the Pattaya Mail - we always announce government holidays, usually on front page.

Hitting your head against a stone wall

Editor;

I believe the comments by Dr. Prasertson are exactly what the Thai educational system needs but would require years of planning, a huge sum of money and, for the most part, many people like the good Dr. to implement.

Regrettably Thailand has none of the above. If only officials spent less time arranging festivals, changing uniforms, had fewer paid, time off holidays, meaningless award ceremonies, endless mindless meetings leading nowhere, and had the qualifications, competency, and desire to truly advance Thailand into at least the 20th century...

The Dr. should consider he is making proposals to people who planned the Air Link, a rail line to nowhere, Highway 7 without proper safe exits, upgrading U-Tapao airport, supported buying 12 military aircraft and some 30 yr. old submarines for billions ! Would, “Hitting your head against a stone wall” come into consideration here?

Don Aleman

In reply to Eric Bahrt

Dear Sir,

I once again have to put up with (reading a letter from) Eric Bahrt - I wish the Pattaya Mail would give him a rest and not publish his biased thoughts.

Eric seems to think that only talented people follow a non-meat diet. How sad that he should think like this.

Perhaps Eric should carry out some research on his pet (no pun intended) subject, he would suddenly find his opinions dwarfed by the number of meat eating intellectuals. The number of meat eaters vastly outnumbers the vegetarian variety by millions to one. Has this happened purely by chance? I think not.

What would happen to the Inuit nations if they decided to become vegetarian? Same question for the nomadic tribes of Mongolia, the African continent, South America, etc.

Come to terms with the world Eric. You and your compatriots can live in your own little world and let the rest of us battle onwards and upwards.

Bring on the filet mignon, medium rare please.

Bill Hunter

Global warming crisis

Editor;

Record carbon emissions and extreme temperature changes leave our climate on the brink. According to estimates from the International Energy Agency, greenhouse gas emissions increased by a record amount last year, to the highest carbon output in history, putting hopes of holding global warming to safe levels all but out of reach. Much will depend on what happens to emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the future, since they can remain in the atmosphere for decades.

The rise exceeds the range of normal variability, negatively impacting on the goal of preventing a temperature rise of more than 2 degrees Celsius, which scientists say is the threshold for potentially “dangerous climate change”. Last year, a record 30.6 Gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide poured into the atmosphere, mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels (gas, oil), an estimated annual rise of 1.6 Gt.

With prospects for our children’s future getting ever bleaker, a universal sustainable action plan must be devised in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and halt global warming. The Earth’s surface temperature may be 30-50% more sensitive to atmospheric carbon dioxide than has been previously reported and with more extreme temperature changes in the global mean, of possibly 15 degrees or more, concerned awareness must focus on participatory solutions now!

Dr. Charles Frederickson

‘Yim Yim’ project aims to improve Immigration Office service quality

Chonburi Immigration’s “Yim Yim” (smile) mascot is introduced at the opening ceremony for Immigration’s new service minded campaign.

Boonlua Chatree

The Chonburi Immigration Office stepped up its campaign to provide better service with the launch of its “Service Minded” campaign.

More than 80 immigration officials joined 20 other bureaucrats at the Nova Platinum Hotel for the start of the “Yim Yim” initiative. The mascot for the program was first introduced before officials sat down for lectures on the need to be friendlier and more helpful.

The program follows a directive earlier this year from top immigration officials to bring levels of service up to international standards.

Lectures covered topics such as immigration officers’ public conversations, showing proper Thai etiquette in dealings with others and illustrating a willingness to serve.

More Aloha

Immigration closed for holiday

Hitting your head against a stone wall

In reply to Eric Bahrt

Global warming crisis

‘Yim Yim’ project aims to improve Immigration Office service quality