Some suggestions for city hall

Dear Editor;

We read in the Pattaya Mail that the so-called “Pattaya Reputation Salvaging Committee” is to be set up to look into certain problems. I do hope that this committee will constructively assist Pattaya’s city council further to improve the city, as they are already doing a good job in continuing to make Pattaya a pleasant place to live in and visit.

It does seem that the masses of people who have decided to reside in Pattaya or to visit it as tourists, whether they be Thais or foreigners, are happy with the way it is, and would not want it to be changed in basic character.

Of course every city or town has its problems, and so does Pattaya, but it does have a reputation for being a wonderfully lively and joyful place, utterly lacking in hypocrisy, which I suppose in itself can create envy, irritation, and annoyance to some people who come from duller, more puritanical parts of the world and hate to see others enjoying themselves too much.

May I respectfully suggest that this good committee concentrates on the real problems faced by this rapidly growing city, some of which are:

1. The public transport system. Pattaya should have a good bus, meter taxi, and motorcycle taxi service. The last is already in place.

2. The road system. Many roads are seriously potholed or unmade up (dusty). A major investment should be made here.

3. The drainage system. Although much has been done it does appear that more is needed. Heavy rain still causes considerable havoc and damage to the roads.

4. The garbage collection system. This should be such as to cover all areas and to enforce the collection of garbage rather than the burning of it, which can be very damaging to health and unpleasant to neighbours. The illegal dumping of garbage must be minimised.

5. Public parks. Now is the time, before it is too late, to assign land or purchase it for the creation of public parks which Pattaya will need in the years to come.

6. Crime. The continuation of the campaign to rid Pattaya of really serious crime, drugs, etc., including the removal of ‘unwelcome visitors’.

And finally, Pattaya would not be at all what it is without the wonderful local people, whether they be from this area or further a field in Thailand, many of them quite poor and only wanting to make a reasonable living. These people include beach vendors and market vendors who are often targeted for unfair harassment by the authorities when all they want to do is to make an honest baht in very difficult economic times. These people generally do not annoy the average resident or visitor of the non-volatile type and should be allowed, Thai style, to earn money for their rice bowl. Compared to many other tourist destinations these people are pleasant and polite and do not harass at all, but are sometimes harassed themselves which angers many visitors when they see it happen or hear about it.

Long live Pattaya! As now being promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand - “Pattaya has now become everyone’s ideal destination, providing non-stop fun and entertainment - catering to every taste and persuasion.”

Yours faithfully

Observer