Aren’t safety measures required?

Editor;
Re: 7 days before fatal speedboat crash, boat operators urged to boost safety (PM Friday, 06 September 2013) - The boat operators are “asked” to install life vest and fire extinguishers? Why are they “asked” to do this? Shouldn’t the law say they are “required” to have this equipment?
Tony

Need to arrest more human traffickers

Editor;
Re: Two human trafficking suspects arrested in Bangkok (PM Friday, 06 September 2013) - It’s always good to learn that the Thai authorities are actively arresting human traffickers - I just wish there was a lot (and I mean a LOT) more because so many are allowed to traffic young girls with apparent impunity.
David

New Aussie government

Editor;
Re: Aussie government wasting millions (PM Friday, 06 September 2013) - As predicted Australia now has a new government. We realise that we need the US more then they need us. Since they saved our arse in WW11 we have followed them into 3 wars; lets hope the debt has now been paid.
What we don’t need is to listen to John Kerry and his rushing around calling a strike on Syria. This man spent 4 months in Vietnam commanding a USN Swift Boat. He earned a “Silver Star” a “Bronze Star” & 3 “Purple hearts”. On paper this looks like he was a hero, but by reading of him on Google he was mostly full of B/S. He used his 3 Purple Hearts to get him home early. (3 strikes and you win a Homer.) None of his injuries needed more then first aid treatment. Now he wants to punish Syria for using gas on its people. This can not be justified but it brings us back to the Vietnam war and the use of Agent Orange, Napalm and White Phosphorous. Killing millions of people. For 2 years the US has ignored the death of 100,000 Syrians by accepted arms but when they copy what was done by others it is a crime against humanity. Are we so naive to believe that the USARIID facility at Fort Diteck Maryland does not have stockpiles of deadly gases? This facility has been operating since the 1950s and admits they do gave these WMDs but they are for defence purposes.
It all boils down to who gets their oil pipeline up and going first, the US or Russia. I can only hope our government will be happy to stay out of it and serve out their time, collect their pensions and leave the bullying to those that know it best.
Bryan Patricks

Pattaya road works

Dear Pattaya Mail,
I trust you have many more successful editions and grow from strength to strength.
My main question or concern is rather the road works that happen in Pattaya. I have been coming to Pattaya for a number of years and been always amazed about the roads in general, the maintenance being done on the roads and also the planning and construction of the roads.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t believe I can do a better job, but I am convinced there are competent and qualified people/workers/trades men & engineers that can. I know money might be a problem, but just the placement of the manholes (on the side) might alone save a lot of money.
I have some concerns and questions:
1. Why do the manholes have to be in the road? Water runs “downhill”, so why not put manholes/drains on the side of the road? Most roads are not completely level, since they are built to have a slight list, in order for water to run off. Placing it on the sides, where no busses, trucks, vehicles and general traffic drives over it would make sense, like most other countries in the world as well as other places/cities in Thailand.
2. I noticed a lot of broken manholes covered with metal/iron plates. Why? Do the people that make the decision know how dangerous it is when it is wet & slippery? I have seen many people fall and the root cause looked like a slippery metal plate.
3. By placing the manholes and all metal/iron plates in the roads, the roads are so bumpy, because of this. Is there a reasonable and or industry best practice excuse for this? I feel sorry for people that might have an injury or pregnant women that have to travel over and via these “bumpy roads”.
Is it possible to influence the planning stages so the execution is of quality?
Regards,
Bobby

Oklahoma vs Syria

Editor,
It’s obvious that Kerry’s thinking is severely flawed. Sure, Syria might have used chemical weapons on their own people, and sure that would be a terrible thing. But it’s not America’s duty, or right, to go in their and punish them. The Syrians should be allowed to handle it internally.
Let me try to illustrate this with an analogy. The Oklahoma bombing was a terrible, tragic event. I don’t want to trivialize it at all. But what would have happened if, say, China or Russia or some other country with a big military force decided to bomb Oklahoma just to “teach those Americans not to bomb each other any more”? The American military machine would have gone apoplectic - that much is guaranteed.
Marc

Jomtien Soi 9 dogs

Editor;
I have lived in Jomtien for some years and have witnessed its growth into becoming a plethora of condo blocks and penthouses. What concerns me is while businesses are enjoying the great wealth that building condos, bars, etc., entails, basic issues cannot be addressed. Whilst Soi 9 is currently home to twenty to thirty stray dogs I am constantly seeing additions to the litters, making driving down the soi dangerous as the dogs sleep in the road and at night can make it a no go area if walking. Surely small donations from the owners of the luxury penthouses that adorn the road could sort the problem by spaying the dogs, before it becomes a no go area night and day. Just a thought.
Pattaya Paul

More on Hungarian “ghoulash”

Editor;
Re: Hungarian Goulash (PM Khun Ocha’s Cookbook Thursday, 29 August 2013 15:46) - Please note that what you call “Ghoulash” is a variation of Hungarian gulyás. It is actually called “székely gulyás” or “gulyás” made by the Székely people, a Hungarian-speaking minority of Transylvania. The name is a Hungarian one, which means “cowboy”. The word “gulya” means “herd of cows” and “gulyás” is the cowherd. So it means “cowboy soup.” Hope this helps!
Chris Szabo
 

There are two kinds of goulash?

Editor;
Re: Hungarian Goulash (PM Khun Ocha’s Cookbook Thursday, 29 August 2013) - I am Hungarian but I have never heard of two different goulash. What could be the other?
Eva

Recommends the rally

Editor;
Re: Gateway to Myanmar Oct - Nov 2013 (PM Automania Friday, 30 August 2013) - My wife and I were the first foreigners to do this trip arranged by GMS Rally from Thailand. We will really recommend this trip. GMS Rally are very professional, everything went out very smooth! Even though some of the roads are bad, you do not really need a 4x4.
Helge Holst