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LETTERS

  HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 
 
It’s all a matter of money

The fences at Nong Nooch

Baht bus driver with good aim

Locked theater doors

Ensure bull elephants have zero contact with the public

A request to the mayor

Jomtien Vendor Problem

It’s all a matter of money

Dear Sirs,

Whatever the question, whatever the subject, it usually comes down to one thing. How much money are we likely to make at the end of the day. Rightly or wrongly in Pattaya, there is only one lobby of people who have the power to get things done and that’s the Pattaya Association of hoteliers. They are the only people who have had the sense to appreciate that “there is strength in numbers”. However, it is taking them a little longer to realize that in fact the larger hotels don’t benefit at all by the type of individual who visits Pattaya over the Songkran Festival. They have yet to learn that the sort of person who finds satisfaction in causing distress to his fellow man is not the type to spend the amount of money necessary to stay in one of the larger hotels. His or occasionally her budget will only extend to a room in one of Pattaya’s ever increasing number of guest houses or maybe a room above a bar. And whilst we are talking about bars, don’t let the bar owners tell you that they make a profit during Songkran. You only have to look and see that it is physically impossible to be throwing water over every passer by and at the same time drink your beer. Even the restaurants and places that normally attract the more soberly minded tourist lose out because these tourists cannot guarantee to arrive at their destination in a dry state and thus enjoy the entertainment. These tourists will never return to Pattaya not even outside the Songkran festivities. They will carry the feeling back with them that not enough protection was afforded them during their stay and will keep with them a feeling of animosity towards Pattaya and the officials here who don’t seem to see the long term picture. And before the letters pour in saying what a spoil sport I am and that if I don’t like it I should go home, I fully support the celebration of Songkran, I love the true Thai culture and the Thai people who (in the true tradition) celebrate this time of year. I do not however, feel that what now passes as Songkran should truly be described as The Songkran Festival. Perhaps the TAT could think up an equally catchy name that would more acutely describe the goings on that tourists would understand. Remembering of course that the word ‘festival’ would indicate a time where ‘everyone’ enjoys oneself.

Please sign me,

Unconvinced

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The fences at Nong Nooch

Dear Sirs,

The first time I visited the Nong Nooch elephant show a few years ago, I was extremely impressed, as I am sure millions of other visitors before and since have been about the freedom of interaction between the elephants and the public. In fact it was this freedom and lack of fences that made this show one of, if not the best in the world.

I remember thinking that this would never be possible in Europe or in the US and that it can only be a matter of time before somebody is injured or killed and then the powers that be will put an end to this unique show.

Finally it happened and the knee jerk reaction is to build a big fence. Well, all I can say is ‘What a shame’.

Has anybody ever checked the safety record of Nong Nooch and compared it to other shows, sports, road accidents, etc.? How many people have visited the show since it was opened and how many accidents have occurred? I expect the ratio to be millions to one.

In this life, we take risks every single day and Nong Nooch is no exception. I am all for safety and always wear my safety belt, even in taxis, but if the authorities go ahead with fences to prevent the public touching and feeding the elephants, then all I can say again is ‘What a shame’.

Jeff Hambleton,

Bangkok

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Baht bus driver with good aim

Dear Sir,

Having been a resident of Pattaya for many years, I have read the pros and cons of the baht buses here. Unfortunately, I had a new experience, which I would like to share with your readers.

At about 8.00 p.m. I flagged a baht bus down and we agreed on a fare of fifty baht (this is the normal fare for my destination). When we arrived at my residence, the driver declared I could afford more because of the size of my house. Maybe it is because I am Scottish, but I told him where to go, handed over my fifty baht and departed.

I was no sooner inside when I heard glass breaking upstairs. Upon rushing upstairs I discovered he had thrown a rock through my window. Too late to get his number, “the driver had already fled the scene”. Luckily nobody was in the room. The cost of the repair is small, but the implications are greater.

Maybe next time I will pay the extra.

Meanwhile if anybody knows of a baht bus driver who is a good dart’s player, maybe you can pass his number on to me.

Yours sincerely,

Billy Sheal

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Locked theater doors

Dear Pattaya Mail:

I have lived in Pattaya for most of the past decade, returning to the US for visits. I am currently writing from the ‘States’. In regard to Kim Johansen’ comments regarding locked theater exit doors, that same theater had a major fire in 1998. During a post-fire investigation, it was discovered that the Theater Owner-Operator was illegally operating the four theaters without any safety permits, required fire safety equipment, or other required licenses. It was just lucky that the fire occurred at night and there was no audience in the theaters. Sounds like the theater operators continue to neglect any safety standards for the audience by locking the exit doors. Also during the showing of the film Titanic, the theater operators oversold the capacity of the theater and packed patrons on folding chairs in the aisle. This is another dangerous situation that can trap the audience. I like to go to the movies from time to time, but entering those theaters fills me with fear for my life. I professionally worked in the theater industry for over 30 year and have never seen such utter disrespect for the safety of the audience.

Robert Bron,

Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Ensure bull elephants have zero contact with the public

Sirs,

Re. Is there a real elephant problem? I feel I must write that it was pretty irresponsible for Dr Iain Corness, in an editorial (and therefore officially sanctioned?) comment, to tell us that if we visit an elephant show in Thailand, we must accept that there is a possibility that we will not be going home: that there is acceptable risk involved and we have to live with it? Wrong. It is the responsibility of the zoo/safari park/wildlife park/croc farm/elephant show owners to provide adequate safety precautions so there is no risk to the customer.

In the western world this is usually provided via steel barriers... here in Thailand a move that would go a long long way to solving the problem (as mentioned by Dr Iain) would be to ensure that the bull elephant has absolutely zero contact with the public. This is not due to the males having greater tusk development than the females (female Asian elephants do not have tusks) but due to the ever present unpredictable nature of the bull elephant, particularly during must.

The only area where you should consider acceptable risk of injury from an elephant is when you earn your living as an elephant handler/trainer/mahout, and you make damn sure your charge presents no threat to the people providing your salary.

I am very interested to see if Mrs. Pavena Hongsakula receives the correct informative advice from her experts.

Martin Smith

PS - Noticed on the back page of last week’s Pattaya Mail an article about the 6th Asian Mountain Bike Championship’s entertainment being provided by, yes, you’ve guessed... a female and a male elephant. Well, I presume the name “Jim” refers to a male, unless of course you are speaking Thai.

Reply from Dr. Iain Corness: What Mark seems to have missed was my call for Risk Management. In all aspects of living there is risk - the society at large has to decide what is “acceptable”. For example, far more tourists are killed every year on Pattaya streets as a result of motorcycle accidents than have ever been killed by elephants. My call is for a reasoned approach, and as Mark points out, there is a considerable body of knowledge on elephant behaviour existent in Thailand. Let us use “expert” opinion, rather than knee-jerk reactions, and not forget why the tourists come to see elephant shows.

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A request to the mayor

Dear Mr Mayor:

There was a locals’ volleyball net which the tourists and Thai locals used to play volleyball every day at the water’s edge on the beach, almost opposite Tui’s Restaurant and Bar.

There was also a well used ping pong table which also was used by the tourists and indeed the local Thai people, again every day. Both items supplied by others for general use, at no charge. The items gave much pleasure to all players and those who just wished to sit or stand, and playing was further exercise, yes to keep fit for all.

Just recently officers from city hall came to Dongtarn Beach and removed both exercise items without any warning or explanation on why.

Some few years ago volleyball was played on the sandy beach area behind the deckchairs, and the past city hall officers said no to this and stated you must play on the water’s edge area.

Mr. Mayor, may we please have our volleyball net returned and the well used ping pong table?

Thank you,

David Ferguson - Tourist

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Jomtien Vendor Problem

Editor;

I believe I have a simple solution to the problem of constant solicitation by vendors along Jomtien Beach. I suggest a colored placard, similar to a restaurant “reserved” sign, with a polite “Please do not disturb” written in Thai, be offered to those not interested in making purchases.

David Sylstra

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