Is it perhaps?

Editor:

For many who take the trip to visit "Amazing Thailand" for its culture and beaches, its inevitable that after their "clean air" experience in Bangkok, a trip to at least one island is added to their itinerary.

What is it, though, that attracts people to visit such islands as Koh Samui and Koh Samet rather than some of the local beaches? Is it perhaps that these islands provide cleaner water to swim in? Is it perhaps that you can walk on sand barefoot without any fear of cutting yourself? Is it perhaps that in some of these parts you can actually find rest and recovery without being haggled every two minutes by a hawker offering you a shirt, ice-cream, body-massage, etc. Is it perhaps that when you swim in the water, you don’t have to worry about any speed boats or jet ski’s running over the top of your head?

And why is it that many of these luxurious hotels prefer their guests to swim in their pools situated right near the beach instead of encouraging people to actually swim in the nearby seas? Is it perhaps that these hotels will have to foot the medical bill of its guests due to its own contamination of the local water via the their sewerage outlet?

Whilst the construction of a proper sewerage system has been long overdue, there are still many other issues apart from those listed above, which need to be addressed before tourists and locals alike start heading back to the beach for actual rest and play. As some tourists in Phuket are now discovering, the value for money in Pattaya is far greater than in Phuket; the other side of the coin, though, is that Phuket has far cleaner beaches.

Will there ever be actual proper maintenance and management of the surrounding bays? Will local hotels do the same next year as their Phuket counterparts have done this year in doubling their rates when this year’s Phuket tourists turn to Pattaya next year? Lets hope that local officials will get their heads out of the sand for this year and make a concerned effort in cleaning up Pattaya’s beaches and tourism.

Justin Brierty

The mayor of Pattaya and the 101

Dear Sir,

Congratulations to Mayor Pairat Suthithamrongsawat for his wise and timely stand against the government interference in what most people would see as a matter for Pattaya City and its people, the attempt to destroy the new and major attraction in the city, the "Walking Street". This was almost destroyed a little earlier when the whole length of it became impassable on foot or in any vehicle, during the laying of water pipes for the water purification scheme. We do not want this money-spinning area once more laid to waste: enough people came and looked quickly at the recent chaos, and enough more were advised by foreign travel agents to give Pattaya a miss while all this was going on.

There are enough good and cogent reasons to allow the 101 shops to continue to trade; their revenue for the city and the Kingdom surely will far outweigh any seeming advantage to result from the landfill and "permanent" pier. The present pier, once dubbed as also "illegal" by, if I am right, the Harbours Department, seems to have been quietly forgotten. The Department named must surely come under some government minister (Communication and Transport?), and as we were told that the pier had "government approval", surely the Department ought to have made its case (if it had one) much earlier than it did - which was when it was complete and a grand opening was planned. On this showing the government would be likely to approve the retention of the "101" when they were sure the last one had been pulled down!

I have only one complaint about the "Walking Street": this is that the gates are re-opened to wheeled traffic at midnight, when the shops, bars, and entertainment places are all still in full swing and the street is thronged with walkers, all enjoying this rare treat. Suddenly, and with no warning, they find that they have to jump for their lives when all kinds of vehicles bear down upon them. I don’t know that there has been an accident yet, but if not it is one still waiting to happen.

3:00 a.m. or even later would be of no inconvenience to drivers, etc., and by that time most of the establishments would be closed and walkers far fewer. Think about it, City Hall!

Yours faithfully,

John D. Blyth

More fake Viagra

Dear Sir,

I read Neil Young’s letter in last weeks ‘Mail’ and I am embarrassed to admit that I suffered the same misfortune recently. As I am getting on in years my girlfriend treated me to what I thought would be an ‘ideal pick-me-up’. The after effects were so distressing that I spent 10 uncomfortable days in hospital. My girlfriend purchased the tablet in South Pattaya from what we thought to be a reputable chemist. I hope the authorities can stamp down on these fakes before there is a fatality from the after effects.

Yours,

Davey Dodsworth,
Co. Durham, UK.

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