HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Catch a Thai steam train next Wednesday

Grateful thanks for the Grand Night at the Opera

Land of horns

Why is nothing being done?

Enough is enough

Don’t forget the 90-day immigration rule

I’ll survive without that cig

Arab bars closing time

Catch a Thai steam train next Wednesday

Dear Sir,

Some ‘Mail’ readers may recall my series of articles in Pattaya Mail, titled "Down the Iron Road" – they may not be surprised to see this contribution to the present piece with its "Chinese" slant. We have watched the end of Chinese steam approaching for some time, and now it seems, it is almost here.

"Pacific" locomotives 850 (leading) and 824, make a rousing start from Bangkok on the "Birthday Special" of the 5th December 1994, marking another year in the life of our esteemed monarch.

But let the "Mail" not forget that the State Railway of Thailand owns – in working order – seven steam locomotives of their own, kept and maintained at their Thonburi depot. Of these, two appear in public service on three days of the year – 26th March, 23rd October and 5th December. The trains run between Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station and the ancient city of Ayuthaya and the days mark "Railways Day" – the anniversary of the first Royal Railway Journey; "Rama V" day, marking the death of that great monarch in 1910, and the birthday of our present King.

The locomotives are post-war Japanese "Pacific" formed back-to-back for photographers’ benefit – booking (at Pattaya Station) is vital, and non-Bangkokians will need two nights stay in the capital as start and finish are, respectfully, early and late. A coach tour is provided on arrival, and returns to catch the train home, in good time.

It is an enjoyable outing, now once again gaining popularity. Take a trip while you can!

Sincerely,

John D. Blyth

Grateful thanks for the Grand Night at the Opera

Dear Sir:

May I through the columns of you fine newspaper write to express my sincere thanks to all at the Pattaya Mail/ Pattaya Blatt, and in particular it’s managing director, Mr Peter Malhotra, for their unswerving support and sponsorship of the recent Opera Night dinner held in the Grand Ballroom.

From all quarters the feedback has been extremely kind and it is evident that the evening was enjoyed by many.

Such events are not possible of course without such sponsorship and may I on behalf of everyone at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort say thank you once again for your generous sponsorship and coverage of the Opera Night.

To everyone who has written and sent words of support may I take this opportunity to also express our sincere thanks. From your correspondence suggestions for future events you would like to see here in Pattaya include classical recitals, symphony orchestras, ballet performances - in addition to future operatic performances.

All these ideas will be given careful consideration but above all may I say once again thank you for everyone’s kind support to enable these events to take place.

Yours faithfully

Andrew J. Wood

General Manager

Royal Cliff Beach Resort

Land of horns

Editor;

Yes, that wonderful invention the horn. Taught in most counties as a defensive weapon when driving a vehicle. However, here in Thailand, like many other things it has a completely new meaning in life. It seems to be an extension of one’s manhood or should I say lack of it. Every day hundreds of these huge buses go horning off around Pattaya for what seems to be no particular reason. The driver, often a small chap, must be frustrated and would like to impose this frustration on anyone with a smaller vehicle.

You can spend a pleasant afternoon on Jomtien Beach and every few minuets hear one of these monsters expressing their size and importance on the beach goers. Same on Sukhumvit Road when approaching a bus stop. Why need a bus stop when potential passengers can hear the bus passing through Chonburi?

Now motorcycles are less offensive on the horn as with their drop down handle bars and GP motor tuned 125 engines they can make plenty of noise whilst keeping a constant speed. However, in many cases the rider is probably too young to know there is a horn or how to use it. Maybe the zigzagging as much as possible makes up for it. If that is not enough then maybe the driver will engage you with a pleasant game of chicken. Even if you are in a 2-ton pick up!

Richard (F.S.S.) Pattaya

Why is nothing being done?

Editor:

To the mayor and police chief of Pattaya: Representatives from both your offices have recently been encouraging citizens of Pattaya to forward complaints over excessive noise from motorbikes, but why is nothing being done about excessive noise from the "fight complex" on Second Road that continues to blast out music well into the early morning?

This morning, October 10th, 2 calls were made to the Pattaya police one at 05:11 and the other at 05:40 complaining about this noise. Both times the caller was told, "Sorry, we cannot do anything." Does this complex have a special license from the city to stay open 24 hours and blast out its music? This is not the first time complaints have been made to both offices as this noise has been ongoing for over a year and still nothing is being done about it.

How can you expect citizens to step forward to make complaints when no action is taken from your offices?

Sleepless

Enough is enough

Dear Sir;

As an expat living in Thailand for many years, I have never, until now, felt the need to communicate any negativity towards the Thai people or the Thai authorities. However, since being faced with article after article, week after week, condemning and threatening foreigners, as in your issue Pattaya Mail, dated 4 October, 2002, "... foreigners in Pattaya will be watched carefully".

I would like to suggest that all expat Americans, British, Australians, Germans, Dutch... etc., etc., who are currently residing in Thailand and especially in the city of Pattaya, which seems to be victimising expats, circulate a petition, and after a sufficient amount of signatures are gathered send this petition to the various embassies together with the newspaper cut-outs of the various articles. These articles together with the petitions, after verification, are then forwarded to the respective countries, to the government department equivalent to that of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Thailand.

I do not wish this on anyone, but how many Thais are currently living and working in my country of birth, and in fact in many other countries all over the world, with equal rights and equal opportunities. The Home Affairs or Ministry of Interior Departments would then be instructed to apply the same criticisms and double standards as we are forced to tolerate, directed against all Thais. Would the Thai authorities like their citizens to be discriminated against? Whenever an incident occurs involving a Thai, the Thai will be the guilty party, no matter what the circumstances. All newspapers will then publish a threat, made by the chief of police of every city, warning Thais that they will be watched.

I am only trying to make the point: do unto others as you will have done unto yourself. Granted, an expat criminal element does exist in Pattaya, but certainly in the minority. Why address all foreigners residing here as though they are all criminals? If the police chief is referring to the criminals then why does he not say so? Is Thailand becoming racist? I think not. Experience tells me that most Thais do have an affection for foreigners, but it would seem that the "elected" leaders are. This dangerous situation needs to be diffused.

All of you out there who will write in and say that you are a guest in Thailand and if unhappy, return home. Believe me, that will not put anything right. Again I would like to ask, how many Thais are guests in my country? When they feel an injustice is done to them, they are not told to return home, but have the opportunity to take the matter up with the authorities. Please pass this letter on to the provincial governor (Chonburi) as well as the Pattaya chief of police. Perhaps it is high time the Pattaya Mail, as the major English language newspaper in the city, supported by foreigners, takes up some of these issues with the authorities in the form of an interview and reports back to the paying readership.

Jake Antony

Don’t forget the 90-day immigration rule

Dear Editor;

I am another farang that had a problem regarding immigration officers in Bangkok that do not speak with each other. Like "Another Perplexed Farang" (previous Mailbag letter), I hoped that getting my retirement visa at this office would save me trips to Malaysia, Cambodia, etc. However, it took me 3 trips to Bangkok from my home in Korat, and even though the lady behind the counter was smiling, I had problems understanding how EMS letters can "get lost" at this office!

My last trip got me a 1-year visa. But when 1 reported to room 401 to confirm my home address (must be done every 90 days), the lady looked through a book around the dates that I sent the form and said, "can not find".

I was directed to a young female officer who said that I had to pay a fine of 3000 baht. I said that it was not my problem, that the letter sent by EMS had gone astray in the post or at the immigration office.

Fortunately I am a freelance reporter and when I produced my press card and asked to speak to her superior, she came back and said, "OK we believe you."

So beware all farang, don’t forget this 90 days rule. It can be expensive!

Einar from Korat

I’ll survive without that cig

Editor;

How can people who smoke survive 12 plus hours on a long haul flight from Europe without smoking and respect the non-smoking signs on air-liners - but can not survive a simple non stressed meal in a quality eating establishment for less than 90 minutes without "lighting up" at least 5 times?

Regards from Smoke in your eyes (hurts)

Arab bars closing time

To Letters:

Recently I stayed in South Pattaya during my vacation and noticed that two o’clock in the morning stopped nothing in Arab bars in Marine Plaza. When I walked past them, people were still sitting in the bars, loud music continued all night and was clearly audible to my hotel. Isn’t the closing time same for them too?

L.H Finland

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