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.

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

Don't lump together littering and pedophilia

Dear Editor,
In your November 28 issue you published a very troubling letter from George Morris who complained about foreigners who engage in what he termed, "Thai-bashing." Under this rubric he cited those who complain about dirty and unsafe streets, sex between consenting adults, and the raping of children. At the conclusion of this letter he condemned those who speak out against the ills of Thai society on the grounds that these aberrations occur in the countries of those who are leveling the complaints.

First, I wish to point out how inappropriate it is to lump together the former issues of clean streets and consensual sex between adults, on the one hand, with the issue of the raping of children on the other. Is it his intention that we consider the raping of children in the same category as littering? In his plea for "Hands off Thailand" is Mr. Morris really concerned with maintaining dirty and unsafe streets, or is this a veiled defense of pedophilia? Am I the only reader left wondering about his agenda?

Although I don’t know of any statistics, I would assume that pedophiles are more or less equally distributed among all nationalities, and that foreigners are equally implicated in the establishment and perpetuation of the child commercial sex trade in Thailand as are Thais. So why is it that the act of speaking out against this form of exploitation is considered "Thai-bashing?’ Is it in Mr. Morris’ opinion "cultural imperialism" to defend a defenseless segment of our society against cowardly adult predators? He seems to imply that this deviation is some essential and sacred aspect of traditional Thai culture. If I were Thai, I would be offended by this suggestion. As a human being I am incensed.

Finally, Mr. Morris reasoned that if a problem exists in one’s country of origin, then one has no right to voice an opinion about it on foreign soil. To take this absurd argument to its logical conclusion, Mr. Morris has no right to complain about "Thai Bashers" since foreigners in his own country undoubtedly criticize aspects of that country as well. Come on, Mr. Morris. Hands off free speech!

Michael Catalanello
Pattaya

Turn on the lights

Editor,
Please could the authorities be asked to switch the traffic lights, at the junction with Thep Prasit Road and Thapraya Road, from flashing continuously to working in a proper manner? The high season is now upon us and weekend traffic is such that the T-junction is exceedingly busy and dangerous.

Please also, could there be some sort of warning for hirers of motorboats, jet skis etc., to stay outside the buoys so that swimmers are not put in a position of danger from high speed crafts who are unable to see them.

Many thanks and we trust the Pattaya Mail will be able to assist.

Les & Shelagh Cleaver

Important for some diabetics

Dear Sir,
While I find the information in your "Health and Nutrition Facts" informative and helpful, there were incorrect statements in the article about sugar substitutes. Sweet and Low, as sold in Pattaya and imported from the U.K., contains 3.8% aspartame and not saccharin. The difference is important for certain diabetics.

A Diet Coke can says on it less than 1 calorie per 100 grams, so while very low in calories a Diet Coke can of approximately 12 oz. has less than 3 calories but not 0 calories.

Yours truly,
William Nevins

Developed Countries

Dear Sir,
Mr. Kevin Cleary, you are complaining about the baht bus fare. You claim to have stayed in Pattaya for 7 years, then you should know that you can always call a taxi in Pattaya Taxi Centre, Diamond Taxi Service, Bangkok Taxi Service and many others, but of course not at 40 baht. You have the choice of walking for free; the exercise will do you good.

By the way, how far do you ride a taxi in your own country? I bet the driver won’t even turn the key at 40 devalued baht.

Sincerely,
Aruno Thai

Where's the windsurfing coverage

Dear Sir,
In the last week of November, the 20th Siam Windsurfing Cup was held at Jomtien Beach. More than 60 competitors from China, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK, France, Thailand & Australia participated in the event, which was also a warm up for the Asian Games windsurfing event to be held in Pattaya next year.

Most of Asia’s top windsurfers came for the event, including Hong Kong’s 1996 Olympic gold medal winner, Lee Lai Shan.

The event was organized by the Windsurfing Association of Thailand.

It would have been nice to have seen some coverage of the event in your pages.

Sincerely,
Martin Stephenson

Editor’s note: Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to get the results in time for printing. The coverage is in this week’s sports section of Pattaya Mail.