Suggestions for Pattaya’s public transport

Dear Sir,

... I travelled across some 70 of Thailand’s Chiangwat’s before coming to Pattaya, all on my own. A major problem with the local city-transport here is that it operates completely different from everywhere else in the kingdom. Stating a destination, maybe sometimes bargaining about the fare, having change, etc., is generally no problem at all (outside Pattaya), and most places have a more-or-less fixed price for anywhere in the city/muang anyway.

So why is it that Pattaya does not? Because typically a tourist here will not travel anywhere else? Or maybe if so with Thai friend anyway? Also, until some 2 years ago the ordinary #48 bus from BKK conveniently set down along Beach Road and took passengers on South-Road across from the market. This has ceased, (is it) also by pressure of the blue songhthaew drivers?

Of course well aware that solutions from farangs do not work in Thailand, I will nevertheless give it a try. What about buying say 20 or 30 of the BKK-microbuses still standing idle at the Cholburi factory, because this company could not afford them anymore after the financial crisis. These could be nicely upgraded Pattaya-style. The back end could have tinted windows, a bar inside... There could be Carlsberg on draught for 69 baht or bottles of Singh with a straw for just 55, as I am sure these companies would like to sponsor. A leaflet or 2 from the now moved TAT could do away with the need in finding this now so inconveniently placed office. Maybe Miss Yasothon could be persuaded to do some khao-niao for the locals on board. The amazing Thai certainly can find more interesting ways to improve this type of service.

Then, with a fixed service so good, one would not even have to leave the bus. The songhthaews/baht buses would be out of work within a day or two, I think. They might then move to neighbouring Laos with its lack of transport and buses and the friendliness of the true Lao people will even turn the baht-bus-drivers into angels.

Dick Vis

Tour boat operators need better training

Dear Sir,

With reference to last weeks front page news item relating to the Speedboat/Tour boat collision off Larn Island, the tenor of the article appears to cast the blame for the incident entirely on the Speedboat. However, on the basis of the information provided by Prasong Methakul that the Tourist boat was heading in a direct line to the shore and the Speedboat was approaching from the right, parallel to the shore, then clearly the Tourist boat was in the wrong insofar as the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea are concerned.

Rule 15 of the ‘Regulations’ states that “when two powered boats are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the boat which has the other on her own starboard (right) side shall keep out of the way and... avoid crossing ahead of the other boat”. Rule 16 further enjoins the giving way boat to take early and substantial action to keep clear of the ‘stand on boat’. Rule 17, among other qualifying paragraphs, obliges the stand on boat to maintain her course and speed, unless/until it is so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the giving way vessel alone, in which case she should ‘take such action as will best aid to avert collision’.

Rule 5 stipulates that every boat shall at all times keep a proper lookout, which both boats clearly failed to do: more so in the case of the Speedboat. I find it astonishing that ski boats and para-sail boats, etc., are not obliged by law to be manned by two persons, as it is obviously impossible for the boat driver to navigate the boat at speed and at the same time care for the safety of the person being towed.

One would think that the Pattaya City authorities would come up with some simple form of licensing for drivers of boats plying in the service of the public, however small, to ensure that at least they are aware of the ‘Rules of the Road’ as the Collision Regulations are referred to. Such accidents as this do nothing for the image of Thailand in general and Pattaya in particular, as an attractive holiday destination; in fact quite the opposite.

Regards,
Sinbad

“Thumbs Up” for Pattaya

Dear Sir,

I realized that I was hungry when I turned into Soi Yodsak (adjacent to Soi 6). “With all these nightclubs, there can’t be a good restaurant in here,” I remember thinking.

On the Beach Road end of Yodsak, I passed a small storefront restaurant with chalk boards in front lettered in immaculate block letters depicting an ambitious array of Western and Thai cuisine. I didn’t feel like having a heavy elaborate meal so I parked and walked back to the restaurant, which was named, of all names, “Thumbs Up Restaurant”.

The smiles from the young waitresses were enough to indicate that I had made a good choice and I sat down and scanned the offered menu. There is a good mix of Western and Thai food, and not being too hungry, I settled on the Chicken with Cashew Nuts and rice. I have enjoyed various versions of this dish but never as good as what I was served at Thumbs Up.

The following week, I returned with a friend and sampled other items that looked intriguing on my first visit. The Roast Chicken with dressing is simply marvelous and many oven made roasts are offered daily. My companion ordered the Beef Pastry Pie and raved about its taste and quality.

I had to try the homemade Apple Crumble after the pregnant young hostess suggested that it had just come out of the oven. It was not a disappointment. Covered with homemade custard, it tasted exquisite and I would make a return trip just for the dessert.

We were astounded when the bill came reflecting the reasonable prices. I am always looking for a “late night place to get a light meal” and Thumbs Up certainly fills that need. Even the breakfasts looked like a bargain and I will most certainly return to try them.

Suzanne Bradbrook
Lafayette, California USA

Yet another complaint about baht buses

Dear Sir,

...What is the Tourism Authority going to do about those cheating thieves who drive the baht busses? As we know it is clearly marked in the vehicle that the fare is 5 baht. My fianc้e, who is a rather traditional Thai lady who has studied abroad and works in an international hotel in Bangkok, was reduced to tears by the antics of these bums and literally cannot believe that cheating is such an ingrained part of her culture... Working in a large hotel as she does, she now feels that every foreign visitor will look at her as a lying, conniving, thief.

We had one instance when one of these creatures drove off whilst I still had my arm in the cab waiting for my change! Imagine if I had been elderly or infirm? A serious accident could very easily have occurred, all for the sake of wanting to rip ten baht off of a farang. Luckily all I suffered was a wrenched wrist, but what if?

The particular registration of this ‘taxi’ was 20-4551 and it occurred as he turned left into the Soi which contains the Sporting Inn Restaurant.

I really fail to see how Thailand can promote itself as a tourist destination and talk about Thai culture and values when the first thing a tourist experiences when he or she arrives here is to be cheated by the airport taxis and on a continual basis when they visit Pattaya.

Thai culture? Thai values? Thai honesty? Don’t make me laugh.

I have lived in Thailand for six years and have never experienced such rudeness in Thailand. I have many decent and honest Thai friends, but they don’t work in the tourism industry, and they do not see farangs as stupid or an excuse to steal money from.

It really is a terrible representation of Thailand and in reality, 5 baht is 5 baht. Not 10 baht or 20 baht, but 5 baht.

Neither I nor my fianc้e will be returning to Pattaya as there are places in Thailand where it is possible to enjoy a holiday without the prospect of being continually cheated.

Yours sincerely,
‘Sickened’

Learning English is fun

Dear Sir,

AUA Language School started a new term at Banglamung High School on Monday September 20th and I am one of the two new Australian teachers who will be conducting lessons there. Our philosophy is “learning must be fun to be successful.”

AUA is relatively new to our wonderful city and I welcome the opportunity to teach local people locally. In the past students have had to travel to Burapha University in Bang Saen to study with AUA.

Anyone wanting to learn English, and enjoy themselves at the same time should call (038) 703 079 or call at the school for further details. This is a great way to meet new friends with similar interests.

Sincerely,
Mike Conlan

Strap on those helmets

Dear Sir,

The Pattaya police are helping save lives when they stop and ticket motorcyclists who aren’t wearing a helmet. They would, however, help even more if they stopped motorcyclists with helmets not properly fastened as an unfastened helmet won’t protect them in an accident and if they fall off, are a real danger to others on the road.

William A. Nevin

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