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Letters published in
the Mailbag of Pattaya Mail will
also be on our website . 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.
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Dear Editor,
As a frequent visitor to Thailand, and particularly Pattaya, over the last 20 years, I thought it was time to voice an opinion as an English tourist. I have just returned to England from Pattaya, and have now all the facilities of using the World-wide Internet. I am very pleased to be able to read the Pattaya Mail every Friday and get the local news. An excellent way of keeping in contact with local events and enables the tourist to plan ahead. The photos are very good too. The letters you publish from "farangs" on activities and events in the area are usually very succinct and worth taking note of.
The chaos and upheaval during Songkran and Pattaya Festival week was indeed enough to put off visitors next year, if the same event is organised at Thai New year celebrations (hence your recent letter from a Hotelier). Why did motor cyclists insist on weaving their way through the walkways of the stalls down Beach Road, rather than the route down So Post Office? Even the 5-Baht taxis attempted it when the Police were not directing the traffic flow!
I’m pleased Beach Road is now much cleaner and a nicer place to stroll along. I remember it well in the bad old days! Pattaya is a fine city, but to keep it so, many things need to have tighter control by both the Authorities and the local residents. I have many things to comment on about Thailand but space prevents lengthy discussion. However, one of my biggest "gripes" concerns driving cars, motorcycles and road sense of the Thai nation! Have you published figures before of deaths and injuries on the road? It certainly increases at Songkran and Alcohol must be the major factor to the sometimes crazy behavior we all see too often.
The factors lacking are tolerance and patience! Only last week on driving to Korat, a lorry overturned on one of the twisting hill roads causing a hold-up. But being a true Englishman I waited in my lane for the road to clear! Silly! Everyone tried to get past on both sides and nearer the front. Hence we had 4 lanes abreast uphill so no vehicles could come down! Yes, a 2 hour wait for police to eventually sort it out!
I know the Rotary Clubs of Thailand did try to run a Road-sense campaign but I’m afraid little notice was taken of it. Try crossing over Pattaya 2 Road and many other major roads! The pedestrian does well to keep near the sides.
After all I have said, I will be back again soon and will thoroughly enjoy the hospitality in Pattaya and many of the other major cities and villages of Thailand that I will visit. Remember, many of us are now reading the Pattaya Mail in other countries so keep up the good journalistic work!
Alan Spinks
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.
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Dear Editor,
With all the negative letters showing up in the Pattaya Mail, I guess it’s up to me to champion the cause of all us who have a great time during the Songkran holiday.
Hey all you fuddy duddies out there, lay off a my Songkran! Lighten up. It’s only once a year and it only lasts a week. If you have someplace important to go, do what I do. Wrap up a spare set of clothes and all your valuables in a plastic bag, put on clothes you don’t mind getting wet, and change when you get there.
I guess those of you who don’t like the holiday are hung up on that Western "invading my space" thing. Wake up. You’re not in the West, kids. In case you haven’t noticed, this is Thailand and things are just a little different over here. Play along or go someplace else.
Personally, I had a great time the entire week. I couldn’t help thinking what visitors from outer space would think if they landed during the holiday. Or how about the tourists who had never before been to Thailand and didn’t know anything about the place. Would they be thinking, is it like this all the time?
Especially the "walking street" in South Pattaya when, at times, it looked like some eerie fog had settled in. Plus, all the uncontrolled, completely let-loose laughter. It was great to see so many people having such a good time, something you normally don’t see in everyday life.
Now that it’s over, everyone can go back to living their normal lives. But I for one look forward to being here next year to cut loose and have a great time during the Songkran fun!
Paul Fistel
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