In defence of smoking

Dear Editor.

I was reading the Message from a non-smoking Californian, who wanted to teach us smokers a lesson or two regarding our habits.

Well to start with, I believe this anti smoking Californian should first sweep up in front of his own doorstep. He is not much better than the Marlboro Cowboys riding a round on big Harley-Davison bikes, and further more he or she should know better that all smokers are not as bad or in the category, which this Californian has decided to put us. I can say to our defence, please look a round in Pizza Hut or Mac Donald’s or KFC restaurants and observe how many of us are violating the non smoking regulations, NONE. The same goes on airplanes and in Airports, public buildings etc. We smokers respect the rules set by the non-smokers lobbyists. It may be true that smoking is dangerous to our health, especially to us smokers. For you the non smokers you at least have the option to avoid us, You know there is a lot of none smoking areas around where you can go, but no you all seem to mix with us in the few bars or restaurants which is still open to smokers, just in order to find a reason to pick a fight with us, blaming us for destroying your health.

If you are so concerned that passive smoking is bad for you, why not stay away from this smoking oasis, and do not worry about our health. As you mentioned in your note that you were looking forward to go home to your smoke free California, please feel free to do so. At least when you are home you can sit in your own Cadillacs for hours in the rush traffic and pollute the air as much you like, destroying the ozone layer and blame it on us smokers. I do not know if you Californian has ever come to Los Angeles one early summer morning from the sea side and observed the sight of your smog pollution, caused by your cars, air-conditions and of course your industry. Personally, I think this smog is even worse for your health than some passive smoking, which you can avoid any time you like, if you had not been so busy to try to convert us smokers, or to feel sorry about your self.

I my self have now smoked for about 38 years, I am not one of your Marlboro cowboys on a Harley - Davison bike, but a commanding officer in the Merchant Marine, Captain. (Master Mariner). I am married and have two children. I am the only smoker in my family and it is accepted, we respect each other and I try to avoid getting near the others when I have a smoke. So my conclusion to your problem California is that you want to be the world police just as your government is trying.

Keep up he good work.

Captain Jens Ronning.

Don’t blame the dogs

Dear Editor,

As someone who for years has found the sight of pathetic looking stray dogs in Pattaya to be distressing, I thought Jan Abbink made some good points (letters Dec10). The dogs should be rounded up and the healthy one spayed, neuted and vaccinated. Perhaps they could then be given away as companion animals. The ones that are too sick to recover from illness or injury should in some cases be put to sleep assuming (and I Emphasise the word Assuming) that this is done painlessy. But the dogs themselves should never be blamed. They are helpless victims of a thoughtless and irresponsible society, which doesn’t treat animals properly. Rather the blame belongs to the jerks who turn their dogs loose in the street when they no longer want them, as well as the politicians who have been sweeping this problem under the rug for years.

Sincrely
Eric Bahrt

How can so many people be so lucky

Editor;

I have been to Thailand two times in the past two years. Each time I consider myself very fortunate to be able to visit such a great country. The beauty of the scenery cannot be described. The people have only treated me with respect and dignity. I hear that some people would like to move to America because they think it is somehow better than Thailand. It is like the cow looking on the other side of the fence thinking that the grass is better on the other side of the pasture. I am an American wishing I could live in Thailand. Each year I have the ability to travel anywhere in the world I choose. I however keep coming back to Thailand to see the breathtaking landscape, beautiful beaches and congenial people. Believe me when I tell you, you live in one of the best countries of the world and should consider yourself very fortunate to be born in Thailand.

Sincere
Hosh

Quenching the pursuit of feminine beauty

Dear Sir,

I hope that you are not sick of responses to Ian Foggart’s 20 questions because I would like to respond to his question No. 17- “ Katoeys.”

Having studied psychology for several years I have concluded that a beautiful transvestite or transsexual is a manifestation of heterosexual desire. The recent revelation concerning David Beckham’s habit of wearing Posh’s underwear is indicative of the desire most men have to possess part of the world of femininity.

Someone once advised all wives to shave their husband’s legs and chests and insist he wear black stockings, suspender belts etc in the bedroom as an almost certain method of preventing “ butterflying.”

A woman is a walking work of art-it is socially acceptable for her to treat her whole self as a sculpture - emphasizing and improving her visual impart with color and clothing-this treatment on top of the natural assets can evoke the emotions of envy, jealousy and the desire to possess in most men. This torment can be temporarily relieved by physical contact in a variety of ways, however in the case of the katoeys this is not sufficient to satisfy his overwhelming desire for femininity he has to transform himself into a “ woman” to gain mental tranquility and satisfaction.

Therefore it can be seen that fundamentally there is not much difference between “ real men” as Mr. Mac Foggert infers, and the transvestite and transsexual - only in the “ modus operandi” which are put into practice in order to quench the pursuit of beauty or femininity.

I can admire them and suggest that they make a colorful and exciting contribution to Pattaya - “ the fun city by the sea.”

Yours sincerely
B. Palmer

In Praise of the King

Dear Sir,

I read the letter by Ryan Smith from the USA with interest. My wife Nittaya (also Thai) also watched and enjoyed this movie in England two weeks ago. I cannot see why this film is banned in Thailand. It presented the King as an intelligent courageous leader. Although a man of his time, he insisted on educating his children in the most modern way possible at that time. He showed an interest in science and the arts. He also recognised the political realities of the day. A loving father, he promoted the value of education and self-disciple in his son. This is a quality he instilled in spite of absolute power. The result was a son still revered in Thailand after all these years. It showed no ‘bad sides’ at all. A strong ruler intelligent and fair, with a love of his people and his country.

We all know Hollywood has to have some licence but it did attempt to show the realities of life in them times. I would be proud if England had ever had such a King.

Peter Ash
York, England

Any more questions?

Dear Editor

I have today returned to England after three week stay in South Pattaya which took in the Christmas and New Year. I follow with interest the comments on a variety of subjects on the Mailbag page and perhaps as a foreigner who comes to Pattaya for the weather, the people and the general atmosphere I might be permitted to make a few comments.

Firstly the moronic letter from Ian Mac-Foggert, ( I am ashamed to say a fellow Englishman ) posing 20 questions which were not only ill conceived but a total insult to the Thai people. Why oh Why do visitors like him bother to return time after time if the place is so irritating for him? I can assure all your readers that an American wishing to buy an item from a street vendor in London will find themselves being charged more than twice the price the locals pay. Yes the Royal Garden does tend to become a “centre of business” in the evening but if the writer is aware of this, why go if it offends his expectations?

Secondly, I have been visiting Pattaya on and off for 11 years, I have watched many improvements take shape, seen many of the smaller shops expand and been delighted to see many old faces still working to ‘extract’ cash from us visitors. May they long continue to do so, us visitors are old enough, and with a few exceptions sensible enough to say “No Thanks” if we don’t like the price of anything offered. Pattaya has earned a place deep in my affection, the Thai people are a joy to be amongst so to them all may I say stay as you are, continue to be there for us foreign visitors who need not only your weather but also your fabulous smiles. May your God go with you.

Don Ford

Light up or lighten up

Please tell “A Californian” to lighten up. The smoking laws did not come about overnight in California or anywhere else. They came about through a process of consensus building. I doubt if this self styled protector of the masses has considered the effects on local businesses who would be mandated to follow his/her will. After all, when it is the will of the Thai’s they will create the consensus themselves.

I personally abhor cigarette smoke and am actually rude enough by Thai standards to insist my guests’ smoke in my garden. (I am even worse at home in Colorado in the winter) I however do not need to answer to any convention other than my own in my house. (Though please do trust in all other ways I am a good host).

It really remains the job of the person offended by smoke to make their vote known by not spending their money in a place that does not create a space for the non-smokers. Thus, the change happens when the businesses feel the pinch of lost revenue. I do think his/her reactive personal attacks on the smoker in question were truly petty (even when responding to personal attacks)

Respectfully;
Another Non-Smoker

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