Doesn’t like NGOs

Editor,

Snake oil salesmen, faith healers, and traveling evangelists are all famous con artists. To this lot add a new con game - the NGO.

Although some NGOs are legitimate, many prey on the naivete of the public to secure tax deductible donations. The truth is that in most cases less than 5% of donations go to those in need. 95% goes into the NGO’s high salaries, expensive offices and first class traveling expenses.

NGOs look for high profile situations which maximize publicity and potential donations. An example was "Save the Children’s" recent action in Pakistan. After launching a highly publicized campaign against children sewing soccer balls, "Save the Children" forced the company to leave. This left the children with no source of income, which often leads them into prostitution. "Save the Children" simply left the scene with no concern about the children or families they left behind.

If the children do find a source of survival in brothels, "ECPAT", a self-proclaimed savior of children from prostitution, will likely move in and close the brothels. This will leave the children with no choice but to become street beggars and thieves.

In this world of extreme poverty, Western moral values are irrelevant and child labor and prostitution are necessary for survival.

Not only do these fraudulent NGOs solicit tax deductible contributions, but governments support them. Both Japan and the USA (through the USAID program) donate to these fraudulent NGOs. American and Japanese tax payers take note!

Frank J. Ash

Jomtien “prepares” for the games

Dear Editor,

Could you please check out the preparations for the ASEAN Games in front of Pattaya Park? Last weekend they suddenly decided to triple the size of the volleyball courts which had been finished at least 3 months ago.

At the same time, another group gouged out a channel to the sea, laid huge drainage pipes and covered the whole thing with sand, with just the pipes opening straight into the water.

Needless to say, it rained heavily on the Monday night and the water found its own course right through the new volleyball courts! The drainage pipes were blocked with filthy water, even the bulldozer was bogged in its own invention.

They have dug up the beach path and thrown all the broken concrete, cobblestones and planks of wood studded with nails down on the sand where people are walking and paddling - now a very dangerous pastime. There are huge mounds of dirt and sand everywhere - it looks like a dump.

Also a large sign tells us it’s for "Beach Volleyball and Windsurf", surely "Windsurfing". Another sign tells us it’s a "Walkin Beach" - they didn’t have room for the "G". Also rather ironic, as the dump trucks, bulldozers, and motorcycles go speeding past on the sand. Is it a beach or a road? Are there any speed limits? Do we have to wait till a child who thinks he’s playing on a beach is hit by one of these idiots?

At the moment, the whole thing will bring shame on us once again during the ASEAN Games.

Also check out the sewers on the next beach - in front of the "Adriatic Palace" hotel. The open drains from the Navy/Police camp site go past "Golden Cliff" hotel and on down to the sea. The stench is unbelievable and the drains are carrying raw sewage and wastewater straight into the sea.

Hope you can do something.

Yours truly,

John Hardcastle

A special letter of thanks

Editor;

I wish to express my deep appreciation to all of those people who contributed to saving the life of American citizen Mr. Jay Montigny, who suffered from the effects of acute respiratory failure while at home on September 18, 1998.

The immediate response of the Thai community and the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital throughout the morning of September 18 was a wonderful demonstration of the humanitarian and caring spirit of the Thai citizens of Pattaya City.

I would like to give special recognition to Doctors Ulan and Vijarinee of the Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital and their entire emergency room, intensive care unit and fourth floor nursing staff. The "baht bus" driver who immediately provided his vehicle and assistance, the two Guts Investigation Co. Ltd. security guards at the Sukhumvit Road Siemens Company who assisted with the first aid, and finally all of my residential neighbors, especially Khun Jirarat and Khun Jariya.

The entire Montigny family in the United States, Jay Montigny himself, and I are extremely grateful to you all.

With deep appreciation and thanks.

Ms. Charuwan (Tutu) Nirojrum

High time for microbuses

The Editor:

I have been reading with considerable interest your articles on the "baht-bus" system in Pattaya, and that City Hall is considering the introduction of mini- or midi-buses to the city. As a "pilgrim" who has been visiting Pattaya annually (sometimes more than once per annum), I have often pondered the feasibility of a midi-bus service. As I see it, the baht-bus is a service which provides the ultimate in flexibility and convenience, but at a price. The fares may be low, (if City Hall recommendations are applied) but the traffic congestion and pollution from the carcinogenous diesel fumes emitted from so many vehicles are a major drawback for many visitors.

Another concern which I have is that of the hours worked by the drivers. How many of us have experienced a driver who is barely awake at the wheel? I am sure this tiredness is often a contributory factor in the aggression which many, myself included, have experienced.

If the city were to introduce a "proper" bus service these criticisms would be addressed and many of the downside factors alleviated. Air-conditioned buses would also be more comfortable as all-weather transport, (no more embarrassing wet pants in July). The baht-bus drivers need not necessarily lose out from such a service, they could indeed benefit by working shorter hours after re-training to operate the larger vehicles, and by working a three-shift system they would have a better lifestyle, with a regular wage.

I am sure the uncertainty of income must be another factor in the well publicised aggressive behaviour of some. City Hall’s participation in a new venture would ensure that the set fare structure was adhered to, that working hours would be observed and that maintenance schedules were kept. The belching diesel fumes of today are often the result of poor maintenance of injection systems.

There are many modern offerings in the midi-bus market, both from European and Asian manufacturers, which would provide cleaner air for the city, and less noise pollution. These would also provide lower seat/kilometer costs than the multitude of converted pick-up trucks currently in use - a modern 6 litre diesel with one driver and 35 seats is cheaper to run than three 2.2 litre diesels with 3 drivers.

The higher capital cost of the larger vehicle is more than offset by its longer service life over that of the three pick-ups. It is, however, sadly true that the flexibility of the baht-bus would be sacrificed to some degree, but, by retaining a lesser number of vehicles for the "off-circuit", the needs of all would still be catered for. The drivers of these remaining baht-buses would probably welcome the change as it would mean less competition on the more lucrative hires.

Sad though the demise of the present hectic fun system might be, I do think that the time has come for the Queen of Asian Resorts to move on, and this is NOT because I work for a bus manufacturer! No matter what the outcome of the deliberations might be, to quote Gen. Douglas McArthur, "I shall return!"

Doug. S.

Prestwick, Scotland

Victim of credit card fraud

Editor;

I have just been a victim of credit card fraud, just the other way around. I have been an Amex Gold card member in Thailand since 1982, and as such have been participating in the membership rewards program.

American Express has been encouraging me to spend as much money as possible on the Amex card, promising me 1 mile on my frequent flyer program for each point earned. (1 point is 25 baht).

I have been spending a fortune on the Amex card over the past 2 years, thus accumulating close to 100,000 points and getting close to being able to redeem my points for 2 return tickets to Europe for my wife and I.

However, I received a letter from Amex on the 2nd of September, saying that I would now need 1.5 points to 1 mile. Instead of being close to 2 free tickets, I now could not even get 1. However, as I was a "truly valued customer", they would give me double points for money spent over the next 12 months (with no guarantee, of course, that they would not change to program again).

I feel that Amex have been misleading their "valued customers". And I would actually call their business behavior outright fraud.

I complained to the top of Amex Thailand, and received their usual public relations garbage.

I am the owner of a large international restaurant. I offer a 10% discount to big parties. What would my "valued big party customer" feel if, when settling his bill, I would only give 5% discount, but with a promise to give 15% on his next visit.

I am amazed by the way Amex treats their card holders, and instead of the usual sign on my restaurant front door, I now have a big poster sign saying, "American Express definitely not welcome."

Signed,

Future Visa card user

Getting tossed

Sir,

I write to note my displeasure at the treatment my girlfriend and I received at the hands of the apparent owner of a beer bar (name supplied) at the corner of Soi 13 and Second Road. We were thrown out of the bar for the heinous crime of only spending 370baht. On questioning the drunken owner we were told to spend at least 5000 baht. If this is the treatment tourists receive in Pattaya it is no wonder that this bar and several others stand empty.

Yours,

Ernie Lee

Brighton, England