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LETTERS

  HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 
 
US Military Personnel and Alleged Rape of Thai Woman

Stolen motorbikes in Pattaya

Shouldn’t have to pay for pain relief

Keep people away from elephants

Singha Beer in UK

Salty language

New banking regulations

Parking Space

Drug Awareness Training Program

US Military Personnel and Alleged Rape of Thai Woman

Editor;

I have followed many of the letters concerning the alleged rape of the Thai woman. I use the word alleged, because I believe in Thai, American and English law, the accused is assumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. This premise protects the rights of the innocent as well as the guilty, regardless of how distasteful it is.

It is amazing that readers, with little first-hand knowledge of the facts or of the police/military investigation, are quick to demand prison, mutilation or death to these individuals. It smacks of vigilantism at best, which in itself is an illegal act.

I am also amazed by comments that attempt to paint all US servicemen with the brush of lawlessness and thuggery. Perhaps these same muckrakers should take a look around Beach Road any night of the week. Very few of the “trouble-makers” have any relation to the military of any nation.

As a 20 year retired veteran of the US Army, I attended several Courts-Martial of soldiers accused of similar acts. When found guilty they suffered severe prison sentences ranging from decades of imprisonment to life without parole, and justly so.

To wrongly believe that these men, if found guilty, will be set free with a mere “hand-slap” is erroneous. If found guilty, I for one hope that they are locked up and the key thrown away!

Ben

A frequent visitor to the Kingdom of Thailand

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Stolen motorbikes in Pattaya

Gentlemen:

I should preface my story by saying that I cannot prove what I believe. I recently purchased a late model Honda Dream motorcycle from a dealer in South Pattaya for a cost of Baht 27,000. Being the careful sort, I asked him for the spare key that always comes with a vehicle purchase, but they insisted that there was none.

Upon taking delivery of the bike I purchased a chain lock and was careful to apply it, even if only parking for a few minutes. The second day I had the bike, my girlfriend drove me to the bank on Pattaya Tai and left me there to get cash, while she continued to the supermarket. Some time later, I walked into the supermarket parking lot, where I saw that the bike was parked directly in front of the supermarket security guard stationed there. I joined my girlfriend inside, who had just finished the shopping and went to the checkout line. In the span of just 5 minutes, the bike was stolen! I find it highly suspicious that this should happen after I entered the store, in just 5 minutes, on the very first occasion that the chain lock was NOT applied and on only the second day I had it.

This was not the work of a thief who took time to jimmy, or pry the ignition lock. This had to be someone with a useable key (spare key?), who walked up in front of the (vigilant?) supermarket security guard, got on the bike, started it and drove away.

Since I have found out that 50 bikes are stolen every day in Pattaya, apparently all small bikes and rarely the larger cruisers. In such a small town, with such a large police force, how can 50 bikes vanish every day, leaving the police clueless? I believe my bike is surely in Cambodia by now and my lament is not for not having my girlfriend apply the chain lock, but rather having bought so new a vehicle in a thief’s paradise, without insisting that the spare key be produced.

Please sign me,

[email protected]

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Shouldn’t have to pay for pain relief

Dear Sir,

In reply to Dr M.J. Nightingale and his opinion about Martin Knapp’s complaint concerning the price of off the shelf drugs in the U.K. when bearing a prescription. I believe it was a namesake of yours who when reporting the appalling conditions suffered by the injured and sick, civilian or military, during the Crimean War, helped to bring about the social change which led to the instigation of the world’s first National Health Service.

As Mr Knapp pays a not inconsiderable amount of tax to support this system, then surely he is entitled to raise the issue of overpricing of brand name drugs by the medical services?

Surely, Dr Nightingale, you do have some knowledge of Thailand and I am sure you are appalled about the recent scandal over the overpricing of drugs by the Thai Health Ministry? Could you then please explain the difference to me?

And as a final rejoinder: Mr Knapp is known to me and is in no way ‘keeniouw’ as his myriad Thai friends will I am sure gladly explain to you. And he does not pay 20K for his round trip tickets; indeed the Captains of his chosen airline often pop back down aft for a chinwag and bowl of noodles with their most nearly frequent flier.

My mother who is 69 years old had five sisters: They all died before the age of 18,between 1932-44, of meningitis, diphtheria, T.B., etc. Poor housing, poor diet and you had to pay for the doctor. In Britain in the 30’s, shipyard workers could not afford doctors’ fees. That is why we have a National Health Service (Margaret Thatcher excepted), and that is why we can raise an issue without fear of retaliation or retribution. If you are a medical doctor, then be one. If you are an ambulance chaser, then be one.

However, like Mr Knapp I am a human being and do not see why in any civilised society I should have to pay for pain relief.

Please sign me:

Captain Colin.

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Keep people away from elephants

Dear Editor,

I am more than happy that at last ‘Nong Nooch Elephant Garden’ has got its act together. I visited the show in June ’99. I was horrified when the public was invited into the arena to indulge themselves with the elephants. The announcement was made by mike and a human mass poured into the arena, towards these tranquil beasts. I am amazed a tragedy had not occurred sooner. May I add, these people were mainly Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese and seemed to be with coach loads of organised tours. Finally, I would advise that the City Fathers, in Pattaya and Bangkok halt the parody of elephants around noisy bars and the streets with screechy motorbikes, etc, passing them.

Frances King

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Singha Beer in UK

Dear Editor,

The Great Singha debate: Bigger beer, bigger price. Whoa, no problem. Waitrose, a small UK supermarket chain, is stocking Singha Beer on its shelves. The large 355cl size is priced at 89 Baht (GBP 1.49). Expensive? Not when it has travelled over 5,000 miles for my pleasure! Other interesting information on the label is the alcohol proof - 6% by Volume. So now we know... (In the 4 local Thai restaurants, it is 150 Baht (GBP 2.50) - only slightly more expensive than in some Pattaya Discos!)

Is the bottle a slightly different shape? - I cannot remember.

Graham Hunt-Crowley

Oxford, England

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Salty language

Sir,

During the recent influx to Pattaya of some 10,000 noisy and boisterous American naval personnel, I couldn’t help but wonder whether they would all have been rendered totally speechless had the 4-letter “F” word never been invented.

Nick Fisher

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New banking regulations

Dear Editor;

One of my correspondents recently enquired about new rules being brought into effect with regard to foreigners opening bank accounts in Thailand.

It would appear that the Central Bank of Thailand did indeed issue some guidelines to the local banks on 6th June, with the intention of curtailing money-laundering activities which some foreigners have apparently been undertaking in light of the relaxed banking procedures prevalent in Thailand. These guidelines my banking friends tell me are apparently for bankers’ use only and not for disclosure to the public. (Nice of them to keep us informed, isn’t it?) However, I gather from my researching this matter that the broad situation is currently as follows:

1. Effective immediately, no new local bank accounts may be opened by foreigners except with a valid Work Permit.

2. The situation with regard to those who are holding non-resident visas (retirees, et al) is unclear, and the various local banks are apparently still seeking clarification on this point from the CBT, which they hope to have “within a month”.

3. Despite rumours going around, there is no requirement for holding land (which of course we are precluded from owning except through a company.) So owning a condo, for example, is not (yet) a CBT requirement; nor (yet) is holding a significant minimum amount on deposit (other than is already required by the Immigration Department regulations, which is a separate and unrelated issue.) Of course, each bank has within its power to make its own internal rules as regards requirements for opening/holding an account, so it will be interesting to see how each institution interprets the guidelines.

4. Existing bank accounts are, currently, unaffected. However, the Central bank is apparently seeking for the situation “to be resolved within six months” - which could be interpreted to mean that all accounts held by those without Work Permits might have to be closed within that time-frame, and non-resident accounts opened in their stead. The guidelines for the latter have apparently not yet been formulated, nor what differences will apply on such accounts from those currently available (or rather, no longer available to new account-openers). It will be interesting to see what those guidelines are, and how many Pattaya residents will be affected by these latest banking regulations-on-castors.

Rest assured I will keep readers informed on this important issue.

Sincere regards

Leslie Wright

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Parking Space

Dear Editor,

Just curious to know why the security guards from The Brau Hopf prevent anyone to park his/her car alongside their watering hole (Soi Yamato). Do they own Soi Yamato? Or do they just think that this is a normal practice? Or just another case of TIT?

Would be happy to know why...

F. Corneillie

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Drug Awareness Training Program

The Editor,

Our congratulations to the directors of the Diana Group who showed they care for the welfare of their employees by recently introducing a drug awareness training program at the Diana Inn. Drug abuse is a world wide problem and these programs are essential in the education of the dangers of drug use and how to assist those unfortunately addicted to drugs.

We do hope that the Diana Group have set an example and that other hotels and businesses introduce these training programs. They are an invaluable tool against drugs.

We are annual visitors to Pattaya and every Friday we look forward to reading the local news in the Pattaya Mail which we do by way of the Internet.

Regards,

Frank McDonald and Joe Young, Australia

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Copyright 2000  Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
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Updated by Chinnaporn Sangwanlek, assisted by Boonsiri Suansuk.

  Letters published in the Mailbag of Pattaya Mail  
are also on our website.

It is noticed that the letters herein in no way reflect the opinions of the editor or writers for Pattaya Mail, but are unsolicited letters from our readers, expressing their own opinions. No anonymous letters or those without genuine addresses are printed, and, whilst we do not object to the use of a nom de plume, preference will be given to those signed.