HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Prostitution is prevalent in many fields of everyday commerce

Poisoning the air

Farewell Pattaya

Statins reprisal

Did I miss the point?

More on importing dogs in Thailand

Family still looking for closure

Prostitution is prevalent in many fields of everyday commerce

Dear Editor,

The revelations about Bali’s Kuta Beach “Cowboys” made in Khai Khem’s Social Commentary (3 May issue) were indeed interesting. I wholeheartedly agree that the ‘oldest profession’ in the world is not about to disappear in the foreseeable future.

I would suggest however, that being in the privileged columnist position he is, particularly with Pattaya being one of the “hotspots” for the profession, he takes the opportunity to do great service to both resort and type of work (where appropriate).

I say this because I have always believed Pattaya has the potential to drag sex, paid for or otherwise, out of the gutter in the minds of those who believe that it is the rightful place. I would also like to take the opportunity to express my belief that it is the suppression of this most basic of natural instincts that has led to the human being, supposedly the most advanced of the animal species, being the only one suffering so much confusion over sex.

I understand social anxiety disorder in the field is widespread, and one only has to look and listen to ascertain that phobias and obsessions are almost par for the course. The world over, politically correct titles are being applied where previously the particular job description had a derogatory ring to it.

According to my limited research, the word prostitute was originally a verb, not a noun, and was defined as “to sell for base gain”. That would suggest prostitution is prevalent in many fields of everyday commerce, and particularly politics. It was perhaps during the English ‘Puritan’ era that the word began to be applied to sex workers, and when laws began to be set down.

In those times, even now in many quarters, ‘courtesan’, then commonly used, would be far too enticing a word to use in drafting legislation. Put simply, the application of the P-word was an early example of extreme political sexism.

The truth is, if a person does the work willingly and believing trading sexual favors does not necessarily result in one “selling one’s self”, the use of the word is distorted. Indeed, to refer to a female selling herself would suggest that having sex without exchange of coin would mean that she gives herself away. A satisfying notion for a male control freak perhaps, but these days very wide of the mark.

Notwithstanding that the P-word is therefore a bit of a misnomer in any event; perhaps Khai Khem would agree it is time for a more modern “in-with-the-times” replacement. A worldwide movement for the abolition of inappropriate use of the word could, very appropriately start in Pattaya. “Comfort provider” and “physical therapist” are two alternative titles that spring to mind. Any suggestions from readers? I would also be interested to know of the Pattaya Mail’s female columnists’ views on the subject. Incidentally, these views are taken from a book titled the Mynahs, which I hope will be published later this year.

T. Crossley

P. S. According to The Lonely Planet Guide to Thailand, “prostitute” was an inaccurate translation of an Asian word describing sex worker.

Khai Khem responds: Mr. Crossley, Your letter regarding my comments on prostitution was obviously sincere. You have an admirably open mind toward women and those who rent their bodies for sexual pleasure. I think my May 3rd column expressed my awareness of this particular livelihood adequately for the space in which I was afforded.

I found your appeal for new, more modern words and phrases, which could describe this trade and those who practice it very interesting.

But since there are already dozens of English words and phrases which could be, and often are (which I will not list here) used as euphuisms for prostitution, I chose the one that readers could recognize most easily.

But more to the point, even if we all band together and freeze the word “prostitute” out of the English-speaking community (starting in Pattaya) how can the “movement” sabotage the other thousands of languages and sub-languages which are still spoken around the world; all of which must certainly have much slang and many phrases which cast a demeaning label on a hooker?

I recognize your motives are noble. I simply miss the point. Perhaps it all lies with us as individuals to show respect to each other on a one-on-one basis. Actions will always speak louder than words of any language.

Poisoning the air

Editor;

Mr. Christiansen is irritated by the non-lethal dousing he received during Songkran. I noticed that he is a smoker. I find it ironic that he is so excited about a temporary discomfort, while he inhales poisons and even worse, fouls the air of those around him, I imagine, on a daily basis.

John Angus

Pattaya

Farewell Pattaya

Dear Pattaya Mail,

Thank you for the wonderful years of reporting on what used to be our beloved city. After reading all the restrictions the local government is instituting, I no longer desire to make my yearly trip there. It’s really too bad. I always enjoyed the freedom I felt while in Thailand.

The Thais should hold onto their culture and forget about trying to mimic Western society. After all, they have existed thousands of years, why try to mimic Western society?

Why can’t people simply learn to leave well-enough alone?

Thanks, Pattaya, for the years of pleasure you’ve given me. I guess everything must come to an end.

Michael Johnson

Statins reprisal

Sir;

Have there been any trials of the prophylactic use of statins in people who have had no heart problems? I suspect not, since the time scale would need to be life long. When were the “safe” limits set in stone and on what basis?

In my own case the results have fluctuated around the top limit without any substantial reduction. I certainly hope to enjoy life in Pattaya (at least during the winter) for many years; but who was it who said that everything he or she enjoyed was illegal, immoral or fattening?

As I depart I should like to thank Dr Corness for his regular insights into the big words of medicine and I trust he will forgive my insistent questioning. My master was not Hippocrates, but Socrates; yet I shall quote the former. “Life is short, but the art is long, the opportunity fleeting, the experiment perilous, the judgement difficult.”

Yours faithfully,

Peter Mitchell

Did I miss the point?

Editor;

In your Friday the 10th of May paper, you used appr. 20% of page 4 telling me that the police had arrested a beach vendor for selling fake watches.

Did I miss a point here? I cannot figure out if the big news is that the police arrested a vendor or arrested only one!

I have lived in Pattaya now for 2 years, and beside food, maybe all the things I buy are copies or fakes (I guess there is no money in “copy-milk” or “copy-chicken-liver”).

Or maybe I have missed the really big point? Maybe all the famous brands in have opened “secret” factory outlets at Beach Road and forgot to tell people about it?

If you (or the police) take a walk at Beach Road up where the high Soi-numbers are, you can buy DVD’s of the latest movies before they show them at Big C. If you buy, you may get one with very strange sub-titles, the word “orangu” popped up several times on one of them, and if you see the movies all the way to the end, you can also see people leave the movie-theatre where the copy was made. But do not worry, it is all included in the very cheap price. (And at the same table the vendor had appr. 250 VCD’s containing men and women being very nice to each other, which is quite a surprise in a country that “greases out” topless women from Amazon tribes at the National Geographic Channel.)

I think that the “copy-business” shows the big problem that under-developed countries have in trading with, let’s say Europe. I can buy very high quality copy cloths here in Thailand for less than 20% of the price in my home country. In my opinion this shows the only way of imperialism that is possible in our time. I would not be very surprised if the same factory in Thailand produced both the 4000 bath shirts for the European market and the 800 baht copy for the tourists coming here.

Solution? I have none, but my wish is that the police either let the beach vendors in peace, or really crack down on all the copy business, but then, give me a fair warning, because I need to do some heavy shopping before they get into action.

KS

Pattaya

More on importing dogs in Thailand

Dear C Schloemer,

I was interested reading your answer about importing dogs in Thailand as we will face this problem in September.

We thought it would be simple but staying in a hotel we met 2 different couples who explained us it was very difficult for them to sort the matter in Bangkok airport where they spent nearly 6 hours to clear the dogs.

So I decided to go to Bangkok airport myself and try to get an answer to try to avoid these 6 hours running from an office to another, filling papers and so on... while the dogs after 15 hours flight keep on waiting.

I was told, even if the papers from abroad prove inoculations, the dogs have to be checked by a veterinary doctor in the airport.

The veterinary service is located in terminal one near carrousel number 6 (that’s what I was told). So I think the best is first of all to try to take a flight landing at this terminal, otherwise you will have to give the dogs as they are not allowed to go through customs before being checked.

Second thing I was told is that the services are open from 8 a.m. till 4.30 p.m., so you have to take a flight reaching I think as early as possible to finish the procedure before it closes; otherwise you may not be allowed to leave the airport with the dog and they would spend one more night there.

Last thing I was told is for the doctor to be there, the company we travel with has to inform his office in Bangkok airport for this office to inform the veterinary service a dog is on board so and so plane, so the doctor would be there.

I tried, being there to get the forms which have to be filled and which seems to be located in different offices of different buildings but it was impossible and this is supposed to cause quite a lot of running around.

Last thing, this info is valid if you have the dog with you in hand luggage and not in a cage as a cargo. In case of cargo I was just told it is very complicated and I could not get more answers.

We will arrive with 2 small yorkies of 4 KG each and they will already be hungry, tired and scared after 15 hours flight, so as animal lovers we would like to get out as soon as possible to be able to let them drink, eat, and walk some.

Anyway, I hope my info is right and will help M Fleitman.

Dominique

Family still looking for closure

Editor;

Mrs. Gaal’s letter in the 10 May edition is heart wrenching. Not knowing a solution about her son Joey’s “murder” at a hotel in Pattaya is devastating to the family and friends. I have personal experience with a family member who is MIA from the Korean conflict. Just a difference of degree. Ironically, my first visit to Pattaya was 1989. Hopefully, Mrs. Gaal will obtain the answer to her request no matter what the “closure” will be. Justice is closure.

Mike K. - the Pale Rider
Castro Valley, CA, USA

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