HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Beware unscrupulous internet cafe operators

Congratulations!

Delete your computer history

Smoking ban hopefully not yet cast in stone

Letters from Turkey arrive empty

Farang complaints: another take

Beware unscrupulous internet cafe operators

Dear Sir,

All computer users who access secure web sites from internet cafes should be made aware of a number of readily available shareware programs that can record keystrokes. This information is stored in a hidden part of the computer’s hard drive and can be easily retrieved at a later time by an unscrupulous operator.

In the hands of a criminal the secretly recorded password to your bank account could have less than desirable consequences.

Internet cafe customers may well be advised to use alternative means to access the funds in their bank accounts.

Mick from Down Under

Congratulations!

Editor;

Over the last few weeks interested readers and viewers of the local media have been informed of the various activities and events in our community, organized by the committee of the Gay Festival 2002, to raise money for HIV victims and drug addicts. A grand total of an unbelievable amount of more than 4 million baht was the final result. This was thanks to the tireless efforts of committee members and volunteers who worked very hard for a year to achieve this accomplishment.

With utmost gratitude I want to congratulate the men behind the scenes, the team and all volunteers who made this fantastic result happen which by their tremendous effort will give hope and new life to branded people of our society.

Knowing from own experience what it takes to be actively involved in charity activities, I’m extremely impressed by this achievement.

Furthermore it is proof that “actions speak louder than words”. In this context we must also keep in mind that charity has always two winners, those who serve and those who receive. Thank you all again; you did a marvelous job.

Bruno C. Keller,

President 2002/2003

Rotary Club Jomtien-Pattaya

Delete your computer history

Dear Editor,

First, let me tell you how much I enjoy your newspaper. I always buy it when I am in Pattaya, and it’s just great being able to read it on-line when I’m away.

I have read several letters concerning people using the internet shops around Pattaya and having their web sites revisited by unscrupulous employees. While I am in no way an expert, here are a few tips which should prevent anyone from committing fraud on-line this way.

1. When you use a password to get into a secure site, be sure you log out or sign out when you are through doing your transactions.

2. Especially if you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, just before exiting the browser, click on the “History” button in the menu bar. A window will open on your screen. This device stores all the web sites visited. To erase them, click on “Today,” push the “Delete” button, and verify that you do want to delete it. This will prevent anyone from knowing or being able to access the sites you visited.

3. Be sure and exit the browser before you leave.

I hope these tips will help.

Wayne Hoover

Castell’Anselmo, Italy

Smoking ban hopefully not yet cast in stone

Editor;

I was hardly surprised to be chastised for my views and comments on the new anti smoking laws in restaurants, etc.

“Frequent Farang” needs to do his homework, however, as many restaurant owners are already feeling adverse effects with takings falling and not rising as he predicted. One restaurant in a busy Bangkok shopping centre for example is reported to be losing huge amounts of business as it relied heavily on visitors stopping in for a meal and a smoke. Some restaurateurs I have spoken to tell me that their receipts are down although the numbers eating appear normal for this time of the year. The conclusion they draw is that smokers are rushing their meals.

The main effect apparently has been that wine sales are down (substantial tax losses to the government may follow from this) and of course cigar sales are now non-existent, leaving some with large stocks that will now rot on the shelf. I would add that I would never smoke a cigar in any eating-house. Perhaps “Frequent Farang’s” judgement was impaired by his apparent stronger need for sarcasm but I still thank him for his views.

I must say, however, that the eloquent words of “Amber Surdeno” are difficult to disagree with, even for me as a smoker. We have all been guilty of spoiling the enjoyment of non-smokers in several types of situations and can only blame ourselves for what is happening now to spoil it for us also.

Given the choice I think most of us smokers would prefer to have our own smoking areas because we are more comfortable not having to look over our shoulders to see which way the smoke is blowing. Many restaurants can easily accommodate this situation, although of course not all.

The main problem with the anti smoking lobby is that for many of them it has to be all or nothing to give them the chance to gloat at their victory regardless of the way it spoils our enjoyment even if an alternative compromise could be found. At Bruno’s for example there are three completely separate dining areas and one could be used by us smokers without affecting any non-smokers at all.

All I am asking for is moderation and the right to continue to perhaps hurt myself without affecting others.

Here is an interesting point, however. I smoke a brand of cigarette that has probably the lowest tar and nicotine content of any on the market called Silk Cut Ultra. They also produce far less smoke and odour than a normal brand. Marlborough Lights, which have about the lowest tar and nicotine content of any cigarette available in Thailand, still have around nine times more of both these substances. My own G.P. who is a friend and smokes himself tells me that whilst still harmful low tar and nicotine content cigarettes are without doubt less harmful to health.

Here is a fact. True low tar cigarettes are not even available in Thailand and I have to rely on many of my friends using their duty free limit to bring them in for me, as do many foreigners who live here. If the authorities really want to help us with our habit perhaps they could consider allowing imports of popular low tar brands and slapping perhaps another 50% tax on the import with this going toward the 30 baht health scheme to the benefit of all.

In the UK the cost of a pack of cigarettes is four times higher than Thailand with huge amounts of revenue going to the exchequer. I for one would not mind being given the chance to pay more for a product that will perhaps add a few years to my life yet still allow me to enjoy my admittedly bad habit.

The government has asked for a full report from the restaurant associations after one month to see how the law is affecting them so perhaps nothing is yet cast in stone.

B&A Bream

Letters from Turkey arrive empty

Dear Sirs/Madams,

I would like to bring to light a bad situation in Thailand. The Thai post office doesn’t work very well. I think freedom of communication is not free in Thailand. I want someone to hear my voice and help me.

I’m from Turkey, my name is Fevzi Dintas and I am 24 years old, male. I send many letters to Bangkok and I put some things in the letters, postcards, hand writing, little gifts. And I post them from Turkey to Thailand. Somehow my letters have been picked up (opened). Someone steals the things which I enclosed in the letters and my friends don’t receive my letters and gifts safety. I don’t like this job, I don’t like this way and I want someone to take this information seriously and help me.

Why doesn’t the Thai post office work very well? Why can’t they keep peoples’ letters in a safe? Where is freedom of communication? Isn’t it a crime to open the letters in Thailand? Can everyone who finds letters open them? I’m very disappointed of this Thai job. Please someone should do something and make this stop, and every person should send letters, free, safely, without anyone pick the letter.

I hope someone will take interest in this complaint and will let the interested departments know so they can solve the problem. Then I’ll be very glad and maybe many people will be glad for this.

Thanks for your interesting newspaper,

Best Regards,

Fevzi Dintas

Adana Turkey

Farang complaints: another take

Editor;

In response to Mr Brock Landers who states that complaining foreigners (I wont say Farangs, because this is now an acknowledged derogatory word through constant usage) shouldn’t complain.

Mr Landers fails to realise, as do the majority of Thai’s who milk these people, that they are not all wealthy globetrotters who can afford to vacation anywhere any year. Many foreigners save for a few years for their “dream holiday” and the local travel agent is definitely not going to lose his commission by mentioning all the negative aspects of their expensive all inclusive tours to the Land Of Smiles. I have seen many legitimate complaints here from families who are not here for the “nightlife” but to enjoy a beautiful experience in an exotic foreign land.

Unfortunately for many the reality is nowhere near the posters and pep-talk they got from the guy selling them the ticket/package.

You say to everyone: don’t complain live with it. Why? If people have been led to believe their hard earned money is being spent on “package A” and then find they received “package B” why should people not complain Mr Landers? You equate frequent returners and long stay residents with one time tourists, again why? The fact is that most people who write to Pattaya Mail have generally travelled here more than once, are at least at a rudimentary level, aware of the seamier side of Pattaya and the scams/rip offs. The fact is that if Thailand wants to rid itself of the image that has been created over many years and, to an extent through its own culture, then they must listen to the complainers and try to address their grievances. Mighty oaks through small acorns grow Mr Landers, a 10/20 baht rip-off may be petty to you but if you can stop that then maybe you can stop the 100/200 baht rips offs and then the 1000/2000 baht rip offs.

Everyone who lives here/works here/visits here, does so out of their own reasons but to just say stop complaining and accept the status quo is not addressing the root problem. There are problems in Pattaya and we all know there are, and if they are to be addressed then people need to voice their concerns, be it a “petty” 10 baht rip off and an aggressive baht bus driver, right up to why people keep jumping off condo’s.

Regards,

Freddie Clark

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