Another Thai angel

Editor;
Re: Angels are still amongst us (Mailbag Friday, 23 November 2012) - Hi Barry, I don’t claim to be anyone special. I am just another falang living a dream. 12 years ago I met a Thai woman in a bar. I don’t claim she was a maid or only a cashier. I tell it as it is. We got on well together and were married and settled down in the village.
Several years ago I had a hip replacement and this woman nursed me back to health. She also stayed by my bedside during my stay in Hospital. A few years passed and I was run down by a motorcyclist. I was again in the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. Tua stayed with me and sent to the village for further help. Two young men came down and helped look after me.
I had let my insurance lapse and my money was tied up on fixed term deposits. The people in my village mortgaged their land and came up with 250000 T/baht so I could have the operation done. The full cost was T/B 700000. I was wheelchair bound for 3 months and my Thai carers stayed with me all this time. No one ever asked for payment but I believe if you call the tune you must pay the piper.
The years rolled on and last year I was back in the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. This time I spent 5 weeks in ICU and Tua rarely left my side. After I was transferred to a ward, Tua and my son lived in the hospital room until my discharge.
Life has not been kind to my wife and I wish she could have done better than me. I love her dearly and count my blessings. So mate, you are not alone and I wish you all the best.
Sean Murphy

Of course there is beach erosion

Editor;
Re: Beach erosion continues to cause concern (PM Friday, 16 November 2012) - Of course there is erosion. This erosion results last not least from the speedboats, jet skis and tourist boats operating too near the beaches. With their propellers the sand is washed out into the sea. Nature also takes part - but not too much.
Talks about the situation (whoever organizes them) will never end and will bring no solutions as nobody really understands the real cause of eroding. Look at the beaches at Rayong City: They built stonewalls into the sea there leaving several small bays full with sand inviting for a fine bath. And these small beaches will never erode. Same examples you can find in many European seaside resorts. But to build such walls at Pattaya’s beaches seems to be impossible as here in town money reigns and it would not be possible to pick up the Asian, Russian, etc., tourists directly from the main beach at Beach Road - which brings a lot of money to many pockets.
Lung Sen

Keep empty buses out

Editor;
Re: Traffic is getting worse (Mailbag Friday, 30 November 2012) - Part of the solution has to be a minimum number of people on each tour bus or the bus is not allowed to travel in the inner city / congested zones. I see too many buses (big ones) with only 5 or 10 passengers on board. This may impact a few bus drivers and tour companies but the long term impact of not treating the issue will hit the local economy harder. My query is: how do we lobby the local government in this respect?
Mike

Not blowing in the wind

Editor;
Re: Pattaya Beach a big ashtray (PM Baywatch Friday, 23 November 2012) - Aloha Baywatch. It is so refreshing to know that the Pollution Solution Group has not been blowing against the wind, standing alone, on Jomtien Beach for the past 11 years. We have put up and handed out thousands of informative posters in Thai and English, with pictures. We are now putting together posters in Russian. We have removed thousands upon thousands of toxic cigarette butts from the gutters and beaches, also assisting 4 mothers this past 11 years, 3 of their babies chocking on a toxic butt, 1 on a bottle cap. Fish also eat, some die and some we eat. Cigarette butts endanger children, wildlife and contaminate waterways and our soil. Imposing fines is the only thing that will work for the hardcore, I don’t care, kind of smokers. There are many smokers that do care, understand the dangers and dispose of their butts properly. Too many don’t know or care, they need a wake up call and fines will do that.
Gerry Rasmus

Time lessons

Editor;
Re: Timely advice (Hillary Friday, 30 November 2012) - Option 1: After just 4 years I taught my Thai wife to be on time by not waiting, several times. She got the hint after arriving at our announced meeting place 20-30 minutes late and I was gone. Did similar with dentist - had 3 p.m. appt. and at 3:30 I left with no explanation. Did this once more and next appt. on time.
Option 2 (for the strong hearted): Be a day or two late with her “allowance”.
Don Aleman

Need more shopping malls

Editor;
Re: Pattaya: Second Home to the World (PM Tuesday, 27 November 2012) - With millions of visitors coming to Pattaya each year and a huge market the city needs to have more shopping choices. Other venues similar to Central Festival need to be developed as in the future people will be heading straight here from Suvarnabhumi Airport instead of going into congested Bangkok.
Patra

A lot of work to be done

Editor;
Re: Pattaya: Second Home to the World (PM Tuesday, 27 November 2012) - I have been to Pattaya 12 times over the recent years and there is still a lot of work to be done to improve everything. The sidewalks are uneven and there are a lot of pot holes for pedestrians to twist an ankle. Cleanliness of the city streets, and trash build up in vacant lots need to be addressed. Pride needs to be instilled in the city workers in keeping their city clean. Do a great job and be proud.
Ted Hunt

Another Thai angel

Of course there is beach erosion

Keep empty buses out

Not blowing in the wind

Time lessons

A lot of work to be done