Doc recommends Underwater World

Editor;
After Angie Turton’s address to Skål I took my kids to Underwater World on Sunday. My Thai driver’s license got me Thai price for entry no problems. The Turtons did a fantastic job. Neither of my children had been SCUBA diving before, but they were put at ease, adequate instruction was given in the small pool before taking them through to the deep pool. My daughter was anxious with the sharks, and so she did not spend a long time in the big pool, but my son Evan (aged 8) just loved the experience, even hitching a ride with a turtle! He wants to go back next weekend! From the Skål members’ point of view, I can thoroughly recommend the experience.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iain

Removing the beautiful beach sidewalk

Editor;
Re: Vendors bemoan Beach Road construction (PM Friday, 31 May 2013) - I am very sad they are removing the beautiful beach sidewalk next to Pattaya Beach Road. They are destroying cultural heritage! Why are they removing the beach sidewalk to create an extra lane for polluting, noisy traffic?! Who is responsible for making this stupid decision?
Koen Jochums

Previous arrest in Switzerland

Editor;
Re: Swiss man arrested on child molestation, pornography charges (PM Friday, 02 August 2013) - I have the condemnations for Mr Tschopp in Switzerland for same facts 20 years ago. He abused one of my family members. I can send it to you. It is terrible and he was convicted 2 times in Switzerland.
Arielle

It’s not the same everywhere

Editor;
Re: What is being done to increase tourist safety? (PM Mailbag Friday, 16 August 2013) - The snappy answer to this is invariably from expats who opine that it is the same everywhere so why don’t you stop complaining, etc. It is not the same everywhere. Many European municipalities are scrupulously clean and well ordered.
Dana

Loose lips sink ships

Editor;
Re: Why syphilis? (PM Mailbag Friday, 09 August 2013) - Loose lips sink ships. If you feel you must tell everyone in the waiting room your reason for being there, that’s your problem. As for invasion of humane rights. Would you consider being allowed to enter any country when you are the carrier of an infectious disease? On your application form you must have a letter from a Dr stating you have no prohibitive diseases, Thai ministerial Reg: No 14 (BE2535) i.e., Leprosy, TB, Elephantiasis or Third step of Syphilis. This was no trouble when you first made application but now you are up in arms against it. The Thais are only doing what any other country would do. Go see the Dr get your chit and don’t burst back into the waiting room smiling and telling the man its ok to sit back in the other chair.
Bryan Patricks

Improve tourist safety

Editor;
Re: What is being done to increase tourist safety? (PM Mailbag Friday, 16 August 2013) - Another example of improving tourist safety would be to stop the Thai vendors speeding along the Beach Rd footpath on their motorbikes. Some of them ride slowly which is not so bad; however, others ride very fast and zig zag around the people walking. It is rather amusing to often see police booking bike riders on Beach Rd for various offenses and turning a blind eye to the speeding bikes on the footpath right in front of them. I would really appreciate someone explaining why this dangerous practice is allowed.
John Gekko Martin

Comparisons between albums

Editor;
Re: Life at 33 1/3: Electric guitars galore (PM Friday, 09 August 2013) - Hi Carl! Yes, those comparisons between albums often do no good, but still we enjoy them... I’m not an expert on The Allmans, but realise that Duane was the “genius”, and Greg the “loyal brother”. Duane played infinitely smooth, and Greg a bit “rockier”, I think. Then came Lynyrd and recorded “Tuesday’s Gone”, one of my favourites from the American South.
See Ya,
Pekka Astrom

Missed the point

Editor;
Re: We don’t know the full facts (PM Mailbag Friday, 16 August 2013) - Michael, Thanks for that startling news, you missed the theme of my post. It had little to do with prostitution. Whereas the agency for the protection of women & children is a must in sin city they are sometimes inept in the way they go about it. My gripe is with these Farangs who go along for the ride. What do they get out of using entrapment to gain an arrest?
It brings to mind that I have a 9 year old son, he is too old to use the women’s toilet and too naive to be allowed in the gents alone. Say, for instance, I enter the toilet with him & am accosted by some farang and asked to explain myself. I would be questioned in full view of the public & when everything is explained I walk away red faced & innocent. It remains that if mud is thrown some will stick.
I have nothing but praise for the Farang who work with Sawang Boriboon as paramedics but have only contempt for farang playing policemen or even lower down the ladder for snitches. If prostitution is illegal why are not the courts overloaded with both sexes charged with soliciting?
Sean Murphy

Syphilis tests violate basic human rights

Editor;
Re: Why syphilis? (PM Mailbag Friday, 09 August 2013) - Tests like these violate any basic human rights whatever the laws are in any country. Potential workers have enough ‘red tape’ control as it is. Shame on Thailand in 2013.
John Saxon

Doc recommends Underwater World

Removing the beautiful beach sidewalk

Previous arrest in Switzerland

It’s not the same everywhere

Loose lips sink ships

Improve tourist safety

Comparisons between albums

Missed the point

Syphilis tests violate basic human rights