LETTERS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Thanks a million

Pattaya Chalet floods

Disaster waiting to happen

State of peaceful confusion

Some bank robberies could be avoided

More on immigration

Can relate to the problems in Pattaya

A touching story

Thanks a million

Dear Nong Suchada,
Thank you very, very much for your article about “Burglars” around Nong Yai community.

Since I talked to you last week, burglars/robbery still happens every night. The pool man told me that (teens have been) throwing stones into the houses in “Boltons Complex” near the Pattaya Arts Center and they smashed the guard boxes.

They also tried to come into my house by forced open the window, but could not come in as we have strong windows, but they left marks there.

There are many more ...

We wondered when the police or Muang Pattaya are going to crack down on the crimes around the whole town of Pattaya.

When they receive more police, I hope that the police not only patrol around the bars, I hope they come around to patrol the villages around Sukhumvit area, too.

Again, I would like to thank you very much for everything.

With best regards,
Vilai Roongroj


Pattaya Chalet floods

Editor;
Early morning on September 18, the combination of heavy rains and, according to Pattaya City sources, a broken water main quickly flooded many areas of North Pattaya. Many occupants were stranded and many residences, cars and motorcycles submerged. Substantial damage to household belongs is widespread. Municipal rescue facilities, pumps to mitigate flooding and transportation for extricating occupants, several of whom are handicapped, were taxed beyond their capabilities. As of noontime Saturday many residents remained trapped in their homes without benefit of working utilities including toilets.

There were many instances of extreme damage to lower floor apartments and bungalows. These were flooded with as much as 1.5M of water. Sewage became mixed in from septic tanks and the resultant nasty residual caused an even more distasteful mess and a possible health hazard. Local children were observed frolicking merrily and unsupervised in the ugly, brown water. At least ten vehicles and an unknown number of motorcycles were inundated and will require expensive restoration and repairs.

The attached picture was taken from an upper floor apartment at 11 a.m. at the Pattaya Chalet, Pattaya Klang, Soi Thidawan. It shows the submerged parking and swimming pool areas.

From:
R. Peterson,

Nongprue


Disaster waiting to happen

Dear Pattaya Mail,
I would like to refer to the letter from Isaan Nick in your (Sept 9) edition. The situation he mentioned has also caused me many headaches and if unsolved it will lead to a disaster.

Pattaya wants to make the streets safer? We all know the facts by law and facts by reality.

One problem is the application and or renewal of a driving license. This is only possible at the province where you are registered. Sorry, (this is) not realistic.

For example: a person born in Phuket, working in Pattaya, living in an apartment, but the owner doesn’t officially register this to avoid taxes, has to go to Phuket yearly to do required actions... (Since this) never happens, please change this major problem.

And there is another major problem. How should the kids nowadays learn what is responsibility? They must be aware and understand what happens if they do something wrong. Sometimes you only get injured, sometimes you get killed (but only one time).

Some possible solutions could be:

1. Changing insurance coverage rules by checklist: if there is more than two people on a motorbike, or if both motorbike riders are not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, or the driver does not have a valid driving license, or the driver is drunk, or the vehicle is not in proper condition, the insurance company should say, “Sorry to inform you that you violated the rules, and therefore we do not cover any cost. Best regards.” This sounds hard but there is no other way to teach it.

2. What happened to the free city buses? What about renting out these buses or other vehicles for the schools (to use) for safer transportation? How much would this cost? Are the costs too much for the parents? How much is the life of your child worth? Or other questions: Are the parents acting responsibly? If not, how do you make them responsible?

Even if the decision would be negative for safer school transportation, then what about a special driving license for kids under 15 years (any lower would be too dangerous)? BUT only under these conditions:

- Only for permission to drive to school,

- with provided motorbikes (small engines less than 100 cc),

- from the schools in special color

- special rewards if no accidents during use.

Out of this there also could be a workshop for interested kids (to learn to) repair and maintain the motorbikes.

But all this depends on strict control of violating common rules. No exceptions (driver (male or female, beautiful or ugly) of all kinds of vehicles, and any age). Please institute more traffic controls, and not only at the end of the month and on main roads.

Maybe the system of motorbike driving licenses and permissions of changing to driving bigger motorbikes (at least 2 years practice on small engine motorbikes without accident, then possible to drive bigger ones), used in Germany is not a bad idea.

What about a free checkup action for motorbikes (supported by motorbike dealers, manufacturers) where each motorbike will be checked on its condition and repaired as good as possible? Costs? Social clubs?

I understand that many people think that this and other punishment from the police (is) only (done) to get money or from a non-Thai. But actually this idea should come from higher levels (city hall) in order to save lives and should also be seen as improvement for living.

I read many times in many places “Safety first”, so please do something.

I hope that some good result will come out and in the long run they will understand and see that this is only for the best for them.

Drive carefully and jai yen yen.
Ralf Broda


State of peaceful confusion

Dear Sir,
I am pleased to say I spend my life in a state of peaceful confusion aided, I am sure, by my long association both for business and leisure purpose with Thailand.

Like many people I have always strived for perfection and I am now pleased to say thanks to the assistance of the Pattaya authorities I have achieved my goal and reached a state perfect confusion.

Basically I feel the Pattaya police do a reasonably good job under what must be described as difficult conditions. Now the latest training exploits of the tourist police volunteers, as reported by the local media, must be considered even more noteworthy than the hard won gold medals brought home by the Thai Olympic Team.

Parachute training!

At first I could not quite see how parachute training would help tourists in distress. Then, as a light aircraft flew overhead, I realised the logic behind this intense training operation. We must now be ready to see aircraft continuously circling overhead with eagle eyed tourist policemen watching for a tourist to be accosted in the city below. Then superman like he will dive from his star studded perch, assuming it’s night that is, and decent upon the villainous culprit with the full power of the law.

I am confused, I cannot help but think traffic control training would have been more useful.

Yours sincerely,
Roy Harris


Some bank robberies could be avoided

Dear Editor,
It really frustrates me when I read the news article about the robbery at Bank of Asia which took place last week. Some people are just looking for alternative to get “rich” instantly without putting in hard effort in life while putting other’s lives at risk.

These robberies could in fact be prevented by installing a security check point / metal detector for all customers prior to their entry to the bank. The security guard/ police officer can also check on the guests that are waiting for their turn, anyway … long queue in the bank is a common sight to see. Why not make good use of the time of the security instead of letting some of them act as doormen?

Someone please introduce this idea to the management of the banks.

An anonymous Thai national


More on immigration

The Editor;
Re: Your letter from Spiderman about corruption at Pattaya immigration. 500 baht! How lucky! I was asked for 8000 baht! And many of my friends hand over a lot more than 500 baht. I, myself, go to Bangkok where I am never asked for any extras if I have the required documents. This maybe should be referred to the ombudsman - please publish his number or address. Not all expats are rich and I resent the blatant demands. No one protests out of fear.

Sincerely
Fritz Hauser


Can relate to the problems in Pattaya

Greetings,
I just completed my fifth visit to Pattaya 10 days ago and now I’m home and dry in Denver, Colorado, USA. As a kid who grew up near Chicago and Philadelphia, I can relate to the problems in Pattaya. This is a place growing at an incredible pace. I enjoy my holidays there and I’m hoping the place will add more police and deal with its infrastructure problems without changing into a boring Western City like the one I live in now.

Thailand has so much growth potential! This nation has the resources in people and technology to make it a leader among nations in the next ten years. In many ways it is a lot like the young United States at the beginning of the 20th Century.

When I come to Thailand and Pattaya, I can sense the energy and the pride of these friendly people. I feel much younger than my 47 years when I’m there.

Many thanks you folks at the Pattaya Mail for keeping us farangs informed on the goings on in our home away from home. Your publication is looking much nicer on the web.

Grover Watson


A touching story

Dear Editor,
It’s stories like your latest one on the kidney recipients that make you such a great paper.
Thank you and God Bless.
Mrs. James Lexiton


Letters published in the Mailbag of Pattaya Mail
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It is noticed that the letters herein in no way reflect the opinions of the editor or writers for Pattaya Mail, but are unsolicited letters from our readers, expressing their own opinions. No anonymous letters or those without genuine addresses are printed, and, whilst we do not object to the use of a nom de plume, preference will be given to those signed.