Pattaya Mail — Letters

It is noticed that the letters herein in no way reflect the opinions of the editor or writers for Pattaya Mail, but are unsolicited letters from our readers, expressing their own opinions. No anonymous letters or those without genuine addresses are printed, and, whilst we do not object to the use of a nom de plume, preference will be given to those signed.

Give us your opinion on any subject.

Letters published in the Mailbag of Pattaya Mail will also be on our website

Sutham Phanthusak back on track

Editor;

I was really surprised when I read your article headlined, "Micro Bus proposal receives new life". Stupid me who never thought the Pattaya system had a "life"! How good it was that we had a PBTA and that they recognize the fact that we have an immense public transport problem in our city.

I do indeed salute Mr. Sutham Phanthusak for taking his hat and leaving in January, 1995. It takes courage to do what he did. I know from personal experience.

Sitting there meeting after meeting, and just hitting the wall every time he proposed the question of introducing a micro-bus system in Pattaya. What frustration this man must have experienced! Remember that the micro-bus system was expected already in June 1994!

Let us all be happy that Mr. Sutham is back again in the city council and that the mini-bus system again will be proposed in the next meeting. If the council this time does not understand the immensely importance and improvement in the public transport has, so help me God!

As a farang with vast experience in this field here in Pattaya, I could fill this paper with incidences and it would be very tempting just for the sake of supporting Mr. Sutham, but I choose to refrain.

However, it is we and the tourists who suffer and have learned by experience through years of humiliation of paying double fares and taking abuse on top of it.

Dear Mr. Sutham, when you propose the mini-bus to the city council, which I’m sure you will do, and if you succeed, you have not only won a great personal victory, but you have done thousands of people a great service. And Pattaya will have taken one more step forward to becoming Amazing Pattaya!

Good Luck,
Allan

Report all incidences of child sex

Dear Sir,
After reading Barry Kenyon’s article in this week’s issue (Child Sex and Recent Thai Law) I am confused. All I have been hearing and reading lately is that we should all be conscientious and report all incidences of child prostitution. My understanding has been that this refers to paid sex with anyone under the age of 18, although the consensual age remains at 15. In Kenyon’s article it seems to say, well never mind it’s not really illegal as long they are 16 or 17.

I do understand that Kenyon is saying that the law appears not to be enforced but perhaps you could check with the local authorities and find the answer to two simple, yes or no questions. (1) Should people report instances of prostitution involving 16 and 17 year olds? and (2) if they are reported will the authorities act on the reports?

If the answer to either of the above is "no", why are the laws on the books in the first place?

Perhaps other readers would be interested in this information also.

Thank you,

Trying to do what’s right

Editor’s reply: The answer to both of your questions is Yes. There is, however, the question of burden of proof. Law enforcement efforts center on "busting" "entertainment" venues, checking ID cards of employees, and arresting underage (under 18) sex-workers and the owners and managers of those establishments. As far as arresting "customers" of the underage sex-workers, unless the 16-17 year old sex-worker presses charges, which in most cases isn’t likely, proving the charges is nearly impossible. It’s important to remember that prostitution of any kind is illegal in Thailand, even though this law in respect to men and women over the age of 18 is mostly "winked at".

Old values die hard

Dear Sir,
Recent letters have decried the pit falls which can overtake travelers to Penang in search of the increasingly rare "Crested Tourist" or "Lesser Spotted Non-Immigrant Visa". Alas, despite their popularity, these are a sight given only to the most fortunate of people.

This letter is to highlight the latest rip-off to be hysted onto the unsuspecting traveler who chooses to make the trip to Penang via Thai Railways. Firstly, there were a number of ticket price hikes (presumably to pay for the new carriages which came into service on 1st January). Then there were several increases in the price of food on the train.

Now it appears that the people in authority have decided to abandon the age-old custom of offering their guests a drink of water. Yes, you’ve guessed it, the previously obligatory bottle of drinking is to be given no more. However, you won’t be surprised to learn that all is not lost, the staff is offering the same bottles of water at the knock down price of 10 Baht per bottle. It is not clear whether the 10 Baht eventually ends up in the coffers of the Thai Railway Authority or in the pockets of the staff.

I dare to speculate thus because another new development is that you will receive an official receipt for any food that you purchase on the train during the trip, thus indicating that the railway management have tightened up the whole "travelers food-fare" procedure. Unfortunately, this has also led to the pineapple slices being now wafer thin and the ‘Spicy Prawn(s) Soup’ in fact only containing a single, solitary prawn, and the soup bowl itself had been reduced in size to a mere 50% of its original size.

Needless to say, the food prices remain at their previous exorbitant level. The answer is to take your own water (or other beverage) and sandwiches. You won’t be very popular, but you might just about save yourself the price of something really satisfying.

Good Travelling,
Neil Stone

PILC October Fayre

Dear Sir,

The committee of PILC were quite upset regarding the negative write up in last week’s edition. Many people have worked very hard to get this fayre off the ground and we felt that the article gave no reference or regard to this point.

The PILC October Fayre was held on Tuesday the 7th of October at the Royal Cliff Grand Hotel. The Fayre is our main fund-raising event of the year and was a tremendous success, with a substantial amount being raised for our Welfare Fund. So my heartfelt thanks to all those members, guests and vendors who helped contribute to the success of this event.

The venue, provided by the Royal Cliff Hotel, was a delight to be in and numerous vendors and buyers commented that the natural light helped to set off the goods to advantage.

We wish to thank the Royal Cliff management and staff for their help in making the day so enjoyable, with a special thank you to Marc Sayer for all his support. We would also like to thank them for their generousity in providing the Poop Deck and Terrace where the Fayre was held.

Jo Hall
President PILC

Strong cuppa found

Dear Sir,

We were sorry to read in the Grapevine column last week of the Bolton couple’s unsuccessful hunt for a strong cup of tea in Pattaya.

Had they dropped into Jit’s place on their way from Jomtien to Naklua, they could have enjoyed a strong cuppa - made with real English tea bags for just 15 baht.

For those liking their brew to be of the consistency of tar, Jit will always throw in another tea bag at no extra charge. Coincidentally, she says that she has served some monkeys in the past, but doesn’t think that these were attracted by the P.G. tips!

Nevill

St.Peter enters the fray

Dear Sir,
With all his dictionaries, St. James still gets it wrong.

If the present perfect tense in English (or any other language) indicates that an action started in the past and is still occurring, then I’m.

St. Peter

Desperately seeking Cindy

Editor;

Hi, I was working in Thailand for two years and living in Jomtien. I have since returned and heard from my pals that Ms Burbridge became Miss Thailand World. Does she have a fan mail address? I would like to write and send a belated congratulations from Australia, as I’ve only just thought to find my favourite newspaper on the Internet. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards

Mark

Editor’s reply: Any letters to the Cindy fan club can be sent to Pattaya Mail via
e-mail: [email protected] or by regular mail to PO Box 155, Pattaya Thailand. All messages will be forwarded.