HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

One hot Christmas

Government would kill tourism with 1:00 a.m. closing

Pattaya is equated with ladyboys

Three wishes for the New Year

The pleasure is in the giving

Will return to pay respects to Fr Ray

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

One hot Christmas

Hi all,
Our Christmas wasn’t the best. On the 24th at 0900, we had a fire in the building that houses my charity project. I’ve attached a picture of the computer room. What computers the fire didn’t destroy, the water hoses from the firemen took out.

They still haven’t determined the cause of the fire. It was a bit iffy getting out of the building upstairs with all the kamoy (theft) bars and doors being locked, but I did finally manage with help from neighbors on the roof 5 stories up. I got my niece out also who had succumbed to smoke on the 3rd floor and I was able to resuscitate her thanks to my old military training.

Getting out through the roof without panicking in all that smoke and carrying my niece over my shoulder, was also due to my military training. So everyone is safe. The computers for the kids, and the building are not exactly in good shape, however.

I held the raffle of the set of lawn bowls I had won from the 9-time world champion, for my “Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project” on the 25th. We raised 15,000 baht for the kids through the raffle. It certainly couldn’t have come at a better time as it turns out.

Hope your Christmas was a good one and your new year brings you all the best.

The lightly charred Jeep Creature

Government would kill tourism with 1:00 a.m. closing

Sir,
I read with dismay that PM Thaksin Shinawatra requested that the ministry look into the possibility of moving the closing time of nightspots forward to 1 a.m. to counteract social problems.

Reports now suggest that the “Overseer of the social order crusade” Mr Pracha Maleenond is to call a meeting of agency representatives to discuss the subject.

Unfortunately Thailand, as with most other countries, does have social problems that have to be dealt with, but to inflict a 1 a.m. closing upon Pattaya would be utter madness.

This government may not like the idea that a lot of tourists are attracted by nightlife, and not temples, but it is a fact.

I love this country, and I’m saddened by the fact that the Thai economy will suffer greatly when the tourist dollars go to other countries around the globe, whose tourist industries must rub their hands with glee when they see the damage the Thai government is considering inflicting upon its no. 1 industry.
David Cartner

Pattaya is equated with ladyboys

Editor,
I always have pleasure in reading the online version of your magazine and the print version whenever I visit Thailand. The only thing which deeply offends me is the repeated bigotry of a number of readers and also editing staff against ladyboys.

I think ladyboys constitute a significant part of Pattaya’s brand mark and make a great contribution to its economy with the likes of Alcazar, Tiffany etc., and for my part, visiting Pattaya 2 or 3 times a year for the last 10 years, I only have good memories of my contacts with them. All over Asia, Pattaya is equated with ladyboys.

Personally, I have never been cheated, beaten or stolen by any of them although I do not deny that some of them, as among any other group of individuals, might indulge in such behavior.

Moreover, I consider my life has truly been enlightened by the contact with my ladyboy friends. They are wonderful human beings, showing great courage and dignity, love for their parents, a deep sensitivity, a great sense of friendship and true kindness as they suffer so much unwarranted discrimination from base and cruel individuals, both Thai and Farang, who make a point to hit at what they see as weaker than them. All in all they are our brothers (or sisters), they neither need nor ask for anything else than being treated as normal decent human beings.

I am not a ladyboy and do not know how it is to feel, be or become a ladyboy.

Just live and let live and take a lesson from them.

Regards,
Frank Blanchard

Three wishes for the New Year

Dear Sir,
At this time of the year, we all look forward to the bright and prosperous future that 2004 might bring. Here are just three wishes that I hope might be realised in the months ahead:

Firstly, that the large, unkempt, bearded gentleman, who has lived, on the pavement, outside of a main Thai bank on Pattaya Tai, be ‘adopted’ and housed by a charitable organisation. He has been there for as long as I can remember, laughing to himself, asking passers-by for ten baht, other times asleep, unconscious to the fact he has publicly evacuated his bowels for all to see. He clearly needs help and demands our pity and action.

Secondly, it is a chagrin to myself and many other tourists and residents of Pattaya to see so many stray dogs. Many are diseased or injured; surely they should be rounded-up, attended to, or out of mercy ‘put down’.

Thirdly, I hope that this fine ‘Pattaya Mail’ publication will cease to print letters from tourists and residents alike who object to paying 10 baht instead of 5 baht (which local Thais pay) for journeys made on a baht bus. These same tourists/residents think nothing of drinking several bottles of beer on a night out, which in total cost is more than the total ‘extra’ in baht bus fees they pay on a whole year. My advice is; have a night in, pay ten baht, with a smile for a whole year! Even concessionary (pensioner) public transport fare in the British Isles is 40 pence (30 baht).

Happy New Year to all who have shown such kindness to me during 2003. I have not been without troubles of my own, but I awake each day in Pattaya with a renewed strength, which apart from the Chang beer originates from the goodwill and kindness of my fellow friends and acquaintances in ‘Fun City’. A special mention please, to Bill Pounder for baking me an outstanding Christmas cake, with extra marzipan, and his generous donation to a leading charity for distressed donkeys, for which I am a patron.
Ignatius Riley

The pleasure is in the giving

Hi Again Dear Pattaya Mail;
I can’t think what Fridays would be like without you. Straight into Heart to Heart, then onto mailbag then onto money matters. Catch up on the less important items later.

A lot of mailbag letters seem to be complaining about a lack of logic in whatever authority; don’t they know by now the only place to find logic in Thailand is in the dictionary? It’s all part and parcel of Thai charm, like not saying thank you. Farangs don’t seem to understand the pleasure is in the giving, a thank you is superfluous!

Mr Max from Bangkok whilst agreeing with me on the visa issue took issue over the rich bastards bit. Poor sheltered baby, living in Bangkok. Years ago a very nice Belgian gentleman on Dongtan Beach let me into a wonderful secret. Money tree seeds are available, only 2 million baht each, if nurtured with tender loving care in 6 months they start producing 1,000 baht notes. (1 million will get only 500 baht notes).

Word of warning, I grew my first one on the balcony and of course the first notes got blown away, but they grow happily indoors, bathroom’s the best place. Of course where to buy the seeds is a closely kept secret, but another 1 million baht will get him the information. Another word of warning, make sure the seed packet has an official government stamp on it, there are some fakes around! No official stamp on packet no buy.

As to the bastard bit, I came 10 years after my last brother, look like no other member of the extensive family, Mum loved me to bits, Dad not very much. I don’t mind, the rest of the family are not so good looking whilst I am so handsome, and of course rich, rich, rich.

Please don’t print my name and address, I’d have to charge another 1 million for information, which would be a bit unfair as I have so much already.
RW

Will return to pay respects to Fr Ray

Editor;

It’s been a while since I have visited the Pattaya Mail, but as I opened it today I saw where Father Brennan had passed away in August, and saw the article about the 100th Day Commemoration. What a “shock” as I read this. Father Brennan - how many people has this man of God touched over his lifetime?

I had the pleasure of knowing, visiting, and supporting his work at the Orphanage during my 20 years in Asia. Even this was only a short time in knowing Father Brennan. His legacy will live on through his work and those who he helped so much.

In March I hope to be back to Pattaya for a few days to pay homage to the late Father Brennan.

Thank all of you at Pattaya Mail for the great job your doing.
R. Ball
Akron, Ohio
USA

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

To the Editor and Staff especially to Saichon Paewsoongnern who does the Friday updates, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Many thanks for keeping me and others in touch with the fun centre of SE Asia. Great publication guys, here’s some virtual chocolates for Hillary and Champagne for all of you.

Regards and Best Wishes,
David
Bunbury, Western Australia

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