HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Anti-Americanism and the Iraq crisis

Jingoistic Skipper

High accident rate on Thailand’s roads

Traffic in Pattaya is out of control

Stop the violent crime

Life in the fair city

Need a red light or two

Anti-Americanism and the Iraq crisis

Editor,

The rise in anti-Americanism is going to cause a lot of economic problems in the world. Reaction and counter reaction between America and countries hostile to their policies will cause problems for trade and for promotion of world peace. I don’t think it’s fair to directly blame American citizens for current U.S. foreign policy. But I think we can blame American public ignorance of world affairs that allows such a hawkish government such as the current one to be elected, and then to get away with such crass handling of world affairs.

The Vietnam war was such a long time ago, it seems the “hawks” have forgotten the lessons of that disaster. Personally, I was against the Iraq war being started. I don’t think they really needed to go to war to contain Saddam. Let’s face it, they have supported some pretty awful regimes in the past. But the “hawks” have their reasons for doing this, “dislike of Saddam”, “oil”, “support for Israel”, etc. “Hawks” always prefer the bomb and the bullet for solving irksome problems. Unfortunately, for the world, they’ve found the perfect excuse, viz 9/11.

Now that it’s begun, let’s hope that Tony Blair or indeed anyone else can restrain the U.S. administration and help to avert a complete disaster. Some other aspects of this debacle already “stink”, e.g. the awarding of Iraq reconstruction contracts to U.S. companies with links to the current administration.

What I hope is that the US military act professionally and determinedly in the urban warfare that is certain to be encountered in Baghdad. Once the Saddam regime is overcome, the quicker that the U.S. and British military can hand over to a interim U.N. administration the better for the prospects of peace in the region and a better future for the citizens of Iraq. Maybe then also anti-Americanism will start to wane.

Mr Chips

Occasional resident in Pattaya

Jingoistic Skipper

Editor;

The jingoistic comments of E.B. Skipper in Leslie Wright’s column make rather distressing reading.

President Chirac is only one of the leading statesmen and millions of people throughout the world who consider the Iraq war not only unjustified but unnecessary and far too risky and costly, both in political and humanitarian terms. Unfortunately for everyone concerned, they may yet be proven right.

I can only hope that Skipper does not bring the same black and white vision to his economic analysis.

Michel de Goumois

High accident rate on Thailand’s roads

Dear Sir,

If I may digress from the curiosity of war for a moment, one constantly reads of the high accident rate on Thailand’s roads. In fact, the lack of police intervention has resulted in the natural formation of a Darwinian system applied to those who drive in Thailand. The more stupid and unsafe drivers will die early and be removed from the breeding pool; however, the safer drivers, and those without suicidal tendencies, will have more chance of breeding, reaching old age, and passing their genes on to their offspring. Therefore, according to Darwin’s theory of natural selection, in the long term the Thais will evolve into a race of safe, smart drivers.

Before anyone has any serious thoughts about reducing the accident rate, just think: Dead people do not contribute much to the economy; however, for every road death, there must be at least ten seriously injured; a considerable financial contribution to the medical sector; and a powerful lobby. Also, to intervene in the Darwinian system could be interpreted as tinkering with nature. In these days of eco-consciousness, do you think that’s wise?

Yours sincerely,

Gwyn Parfitt

Chonburi

Traffic in Pattaya is out of control

Editor;

From time to time, Khai Khem writes a really good Social Commentary, his 28 March article was right on target. I would like to add my observations, suggestions, and 2 cents.

Traffic in Pattaya is out of control; this is obvious to the most casual observer. Three things need to be done immediately, without wavering, to bring the situation under control and set the tone for the future. One, no on street parking, period! This will force businesses and housing complexes to include parking area in their designs and relieve pressure on public resources. Two, zero tolerance for traffic offenses. Full enforcement of the Helmet Law alone would add considerable revenue to the city’s bank accounts. They could use the funds to repair streets like Soi Khaotalow. Three, ban the tourist busses from Pattaya Streets. The soil and road design in Pattaya is not compatible with either the large busses or water trucks. This would prolong the life of roads and greatly reduce some of the traffic and pollution problems in Pattaya.

Pattaya needs to implement and enforce realistic “zoning”. Things like, no noise generating establishments (bars, outdoor markets, industry) within 250 meters of housing blocks from sun down to sun up. No businesses using roadways and sidewalks as an extension of their establishments. Pattaya should discourage low quality businesses that continue to bring in uneducated labor from Thai farms and Burma. Eventually, these people are forced to supplement their meager incomes by crime. Residents and businesses should be encouraged to install video security systems to aid authorities in identifying the increasing criminal elements on Pattaya streets. The added cost of having to provide parking to marginal businesses will cause their quick demise creating stronger long-term business establishments in the future. There is little future in open beer bars that are sold over and over again never making a profit. Quality aircon restaurants with parking should replace them. Places like Hard Rock and Shenanigans draw a higher quality patron that actually spend money, in contrast to the hordes of noisy beer bars now infesting Pattaya.

Pattaya must stop playing the numbers games. A million low quality tourists actually cost Pattaya money. Over use of roads require expensive repairs, lack of water and sewage resources is all too evident. Pattaya can’t keep up with the demand for telephone lines, thus hand phones services are now over used. Electric power reliability is on the slide. A Thai recently remarked to me that Pattaya was beginning to feel like Bangkok, as if that was something to be proud of. I left Bangkok because for the most part it’s an overcrowded, low class, third world slum. Unfortunately, in the 10 years I’ve lived in Pattaya 90% of the decisions made have proven to be wrong as leaders seem to think that making Pattaya more like Bangkok is a good idea. Maybe, city administrators should vacation for a month or two in the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Hawaii, San Diego, Gulfport, Panama City, Clear Water, or Daytona Beach so they can get an idea of what world class resort areas are like. Presently, most international travel guides describe Pattaya as the “Armpit of Asia”.

Thais are always flaunting their idea of freedom. Are you free when you have to live in a gated community with bars on your windows? Are you free when you can’t get any sleep at night because a drunk is singing (screaming) in the outdoor bar next door? Are you free when someone runs a traffic light and crashes into you? No one is free, when everyone can do whatever they want! Songkran is once again upon us. Don’t hide in your homes. Take your video recorder, place it in a plastic bag and capture the action. Send copies to your embassy, travel agents, and news organizations. Show everyone that Thais are free and really know how to have fun! Seriously, I will bet that Thai’s will kill more of themselves over the holiday period than Americans soldiers will die in Iraq. Tragically, an American in a “War Zone” will be safer than a Thai in Thailand during the Songkran holiday.

Pattaya Bum

Stop the violent crime

Editor;

I’m reading these accounts of violent crime in Pattaya City with absolute horror, yet all one has to do is go for a walk down the beach to see the reason why. The homeless, drug users, mentally unstable, ladymen and now young gay boys all camping out on the beach path harassing, accosting, making life miserable for any foreigner who dares to go there.

Do you not think the tourism industry is in enough trouble already? The conflict in Iraq? This scare with S.A.R.S virus? If you don’t address the ‘obvious’ more people will get seriously hurt.

My suggestion? Take some of that near 400 billion baht in tourism revenue and establish a regular patrol to clean up the streets. Now these young Thai thugs racing around on their motorbikes, purse snatching, robbing tourists at knifepoint? How long can you ignore these problems? Maybe if the bars actually closed at 2 a.m. as they are required by law (good idea) things would improve?

Most tourists come here for a two week or one month holiday. This is not a year-round lifestyle to be adopted by these young delinquents? This current trend of the Thai people in Pattaya bad-mouthing any foreigner who goes ‘outside’ is nauseating. More amazing Thai wisdom? Where is this ‘thinking’ taught? We are seeing the consequences now.

Sober Farang

Life in the fair city

Editor;

Is this the land of smiles or land of denials? It’s deeply hoped that the recent and seasonally unusual rains have not taken the focus away from the ongoing water shortages.

The temporary fix of the ageless leaking water along Soi Siam Country Club has again resurfaced only further down the soi, turning the whole area into an ‘off road’ 4 X 4 test track. It is evident that the leak was not actually fixed and apparently only an attempt to remove the water from sight was made, which appears to have failed. Khun Sawarng was reported as saying in one of your recent commentaries that adequate water was being released for consumption daily and if this was proving insufficient it was possible this was being used for something else.

Does this sound similar to the recent toll scandal on the Chonburi motorway? Why is it the private water companies have apparent unlimited access to water and not the provincial government? Where does this water come from? Who checks and tests if it is fit for use?

The excuse that tourists have grown dramatically in numbers adding severe demand to water use is partially valid, but this cannot apply to the poor ‘high season’ experienced this year (thanks to world events). Water shortages, low pressure, etc., have existed for over 20 years in Pattaya with no apparent clear cut, long term policy to resolve the situation. Is it lack of knowledge, lack of funding or simply lack of willing?

A lot of coverage has been given in recent months to traffic woes, poor policing etc., but the real issue has not been addressed. How easy is it to obtain a driving license? Baht 300, baht 500 or baht 1,000?

What is needed is a strict and realistic driving test. How many red plate vehicles do you see driving around with signs of recent accidents? Thousands of vehicles ply the streets every day with unqualified and probably unlicensed operators. Whilst I agree with many views expressed in your paper, I believe this is the root of all problems.

Concerned Resident

Need a red light or two

Editor;

Regarding the traffic situation on soi Diana, a red light at Road 2 and Diana and Diana and Soi Buakow would help, along with making Diana one way and/or adding speed bumps.

Your paper is great.

Amish

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