Dear Editor,

I am a Rotarian from New York and have been visiting Pattaya for more than twenty years. During my visits I was always happy to visit the Rotary Clubs in your city. One thing that always caught my eye and pleased me immensely was to see the Rotary wheels prominently displayed at the dolphin roundabout just outside the Dusit Resort, where I stayed. It was a familiar sight for my wife and I and would always make me feel proud when I went by it.

I was saddened to learn on our last visit to Pattaya that after having beautified the Rotary wheels with thousands of crystals, one of them was stolen. Adding insult to injury, someone decided to remove all the wheels completely.

I do understand that the reason it was stolen was because the thief thought that the crystals were worth a fortune. I also understand that the crystals were mounted at a cost of 120,000 baht. That is a lot of money. What a waste. This amount of money would have been better spent to give food and clothing, not to mention education for so many underprivileged children in your community. Rotary symbols are valued for what they stand for and not by the jewels that are embedded in it. The ideals of the Rotary wheel are ‘Service above self’ plain and simple.

I am now back in Pattaya and am saddened even more to see that the Rotary symbols have still not been replaced.

What an eyesore, not just the to see the abused space where the symbols were, but also to think how painful it would be for Rotary if the city fathers decided that because Rotarians have ignored the state of affairs completely, they will let some other organization utilize that prime display spot for their own symbols rather than to leave those ugly remnants on the city’s landmark.

This would be a real shame. Rotary is such an honorable symbol anywhere it is displayed for the community to see. It shows that there are caring people in this town who work for the betterment of society. All towns and cities anywhere in the world are proud to have a Rotary symbol displayed.

Rotarians in Pattaya, don’t lose your identity.

Yours Sincerely,

NY, NY

Editor;

Several years ago I managed to get a P.O. Box at the Banglamung Post Office in Naklua, as at that time I was having problems with my mail at the Pattaya P.O.

For about ten years I had excellent service at Banglamung, the officers on duty were polite and professional even during the temporary relocation while the new building was being built, and most importantly my mail came through without fail. This included regular birthday and Xmas presents for my son, both from abroad and Thailand. I have bragged and made many nice comments about the Banglamung Post Office. Things changed.

In early August this year my Visa card expired. When I contacted the issuing bank in the U.S. I was told they had sent a new one to the Banglamung P.O. in June. They agreed to cancel it and send me a new one, which also never arrived (in my box). My son’s birthday is in late August and my friend in Bangkok sent the usual card with 1,000 baht in it and my sister in the U.S sent him the normal T-shirt and a book. Neither has arrived. This is truly very sad. What happened?

Dear Sir:

Do you think that the management of the Royal Garden Plaza might be persuaded that having the three-dimensional image of a crashed aircraft sticking out of the building might just be considered in pretty bad taste by western (particularly) American newcomers to Pattaya? Before 11 September, of course, this strange “statue” would not have excited any comment beyond - “Weird, man!”

They might do us a service now and quietly dismantle it. How do other readers feel about this?

Sincerely,

South Pattaya

Editor,

So, what’s the point you (T. Crossley) are making? Are you saying we “deserved” what happened on 9/11 in New York? Are you trying to make us aware that we’re not perfect and we have no moral high ground because in the past we’ve done similar things as the terrorists? Or are you simply saying we should just shut up and take our medicine? Or, unlike yourself, are you just saying that we’re just stuffy and self-righteous and needed to be taken down a peg or two? Or are you merely bent on sprinkling salt on an open wound? I notice you don’t reveal your own nationality. I also notice you don’t offer any sympathy.

To be sure, our country has had its shameful moments, but great moments of which we can be proud far far outnumber the former. What other country in this great world of ours has done as much to promote the rights, liberty and freedom of man? Name one. Which country is it that the poor oppressed peoples of the world turn to in time of need? How many times have we rushed to help other countries and got nothing in return except maybe a slap in the face?

And you have the audacity to ask, “what is it that makes some people think their own patriotic litany has more substance than that of people from a different country or with different ideals” “Different ideals, you say?” Oh? You must mean ideals like where it is the norm to stone a woman to death simply because she is caught walking alone at night? Or, beating a woman senseless because her virginity is in question after marriage? Or how about the ideals of a country where hordes or people gather at a stadium to celebrate the ruthless killing of its citizens, while fellow countrymen sell popcorn to those in attendance? You would deny us our own patriotism I suppose. I wonder if there is anything in your life for which you can be proud?

You state, “There are some who find the rhetoric as to what America was built on and stands for rather tedious and hollow-sounding...” - that is, until you need our help. Then, overnight, we are your best friend... your “brother.” And you cry at our shores for help. It must be nice for you to sit comfortably and take pot shots at a country who only tries desperately to help where others only spew hatred.

The USA is no angel to be sure. We are ashamed of some things in our past. But we do move forward; forever trying to correct our mistakes - to improve and make life better. We may err, for we build a world from broken straws. Yet, we will never abandon the cause of freedom. And make no mistake, I offer no apology for our country. We are trying where others could care less.

How could we, as you claim, say that we are “better or worth more or hurt more” because we are American, for our country is composed of every culture of the world. Are you aware of the fact that our country was built on the concept that “All men are created equal”? The sun will never set on America as long as there are fighting men who stand for their principles and push forward, in spite of the yapping dogs who would only criticize her in her greatest time of need.

Might I add one closing thought... Based on your last name, I would sadly assume you are Caucasian. How ironic would it be if you were to be mistaken as a target by some religious zealot eager to fulfill his own personal jihad. One can only hope that some person witnessing the event would return your favor and start quoting Exodus, Chapter 20. I wonder what your last thoughts would be? Oh, sorry. I forgot. You have no sins.