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Happy to learn to live to learn
Dear Editor,
I am writing about George Benedikt’s weekly Column “Learn to Live to
Learn”. I must say that I am utterly delighted by this recent addition to
the already excellent Pattaya Mail! As a parent living in the Eastern
Seaboard, I couldn’t find Mr Benedikt’s articles more relevant.
Over the past 4 years that I have been living here with
my wife and two sons, I have had many problematic experiences with
international schools and the people who run them. I am sad to say that I
have met people very much like the ones Mr Benedikt sometimes describes in
his articles, but fortunately, people can now be warned about such people!
It is good that now finally someone is talking about
those issues that we parents often think about but are afraid to raise for
fear of our children being victimised and treated unfairly by the school. It
is true that when you’re being shown around a school, it is sometimes
difficult to question what they are saying, especially if you know that they
are not being totally truthful.
Bravo to Mr Benedikt and the Pattaya Mail!
Perhaps some international schools, or indeed all schools, could learn from
The Beatles? After all, like their famous song suggests, “All you need is
love”.
Pleased as Punch
Immigration - A very different experience
Sir,
Having read the various letters in Pattaya Mail recently regarding
experiences at Pattaya Immigration, it was with some trepidation that I
presented myself there last Monday morning for my annual Retirement Visa
renewal.
Duly armed with all the required papers and documents as
very helpfully specified on the Pattaya Immigration website, I waited at the
desk clearly marked ‘Retirement Visa’ until I was indicated to present
myself to the man at the desk.
I handed over my papers and sat down whilst he
scrutinized them. He then asked me for the fee of 1,900 baht (which is the
correct amount) and I handed over two 1,000 baht notes, promptly receiving
100 baht back in change. No hint or other suggestion of any additional sum
was ever even intimated at.
After some time I was handed a small card and told to
return the following afternoon.
On so doing I went to the desk of a lady captain who
smilingly handed me back my passport with my new one year visa duly stamped
in it.
All done promptly and efficiently and with no hassle or
no request of ‘tea’ money; in fact no problem whatsoever.
The fact that I had researched and made sure I had all
the required documents and met all the qualifications (e.g. money, age,
etc.), went dressed like a human being, i.e. not formally but with a proper
shirt and trousers, acted like a human being, spoke politely and softly, and
observed the usual polite courtesies – this couldn’t possibly explain
why my experience was so different from your other correspondents – or
could it?
Yours,
Peter Wheeler
Obstructive access on Jomtien Soi 4
Dear Mailbag,
As a regular visitor to Pattaya I normally stay near the action on Beach
Road but for a change a looked at Jomtien. I found a most agreeable hotel in
Soi 4 on Jomtien Beach. The only problem was that I simply could not drive
in and out of Soi 4 without a problem. For some inexplicable reason there
are food trucks parked bang in the middle of the road at the junction with
Jomtien Beach Road.
At night the problem escalates with the arrival of double
the amount of carts and I simply don’t try to get out directly as it is
impossible and the vendors appear a little aggressive if I do try, so I take
a frustrating detour through Soi 3 or 5.
Here is the strange bit; neither Soi 3 or 5 has this
problem; they have exactly the same pattern of access but it is always clear
night and day. I have been here long enough to know that nothing is for
nothing and somebody somewhere is taking some rent from these people but
this is the public highway! There also appears to be some rather dubious
looking electrical connections around the vicinity of these carts. I asked
the manager of the hotel who simply shrugged and said “we’ve tried”.
Apart from this Jomtien Beach does it for me.
Best Wishes,
Ian R Blyth (Ireland)
Beware of youth motorcycle gangs in Pattaya
Editor;
At the risk of sounding like an alarmist, I decided I needed to share the
following experiences with my farang friends who may drive on the roads of
Thailand.
I had a disturbing experience last evening when turning
off south bound Sukhumvit onto Soi Khotalo here in Pattaya. As I rounded the
corner I saw the road was blocked by several motorcycles parked askew with
lights on and folks running about. At least one pickup was attempting to get
by the motorcycles and drivers. The crowd was shouting, pounding on the
windows and kicking the doors of the pickup hard enough to cause denting.
Obviously there was some kind of ugly confrontation going on. I didn’t see
any weapons, thank goodness. I got past the area as quickly as possible
without harm. I have to admit I was frightened for myself and family,
however.
Additionally, a couple times in the past month on
Sukhumvit I’ve come across large numbers of young Thai motorcyclists (like
50+) in a gang convoy going slowly to block motorists then cutting
recklessly back and forth across the road, obviously hassling them and
daring them react somehow. I’ve backed off and gotten away from those
scenes as quickly and covertly as possible too. I’ve heard reliable
reports that it’s popular lately for these young hoodlums to carry
handguns, home made and using 12 gage shotgun shells.
In five years of driving all over Thailand, these are new
experiences and are quite disturbing. Since the city doesn’t provide any
substantial alternative activities for the local kids, and police don’t
seem up to controlling these gang situations, I offer a ‘heads-up’ for
those of you who may confront similar situations.
Don’t mess with or challenge these kids. It’s not
worth it.
Bobby
Teenagers in Pattaya being misled
Dear Editor,
I wish to voice my opinion as follows:
Our neighboring country, Singapore is considered to be
one of the city-states in the world with the lowest crime rates.
I would recommend the concerned city officials to
carefully study its system, comparing the differences & similarities
between the 2 societies and identify the main reasons as why Pattaya has not
been successful in getting rid off the unwanted crimes committed by
teenagers in this small but messy society.
Singapore’s official takes careful measures to protect
the growth of its youth to ensure that these young people will be able to
develop themselves into strong individuals with ability to become the
backbone of the nation; for example, they implement strict media censorship,
strong education level, extra curriculum activities (ECA) / sports
compulsory for all students … while our youth are constantly exposed to
the harmful factors and attractive nightlife after school hours which will
mislead them in the wrong direction.
What we have read from the news headlines is actually the
end-result of the problem which we failed to handle properly in the first
place. The task is a tough one but we should never let the problem worsen
over the period of times.
I believe that the primary concern and focus for us and
the city’s official should be the safety and health issue of the public.
Instead of concentrating on multi-million baht projects for the time being,
I would like to propose to the governor to tackle the root cause of all
problems in the society, which are:
- Education
- Safety & health related issue
Thank you,
A Thai national
Pickpockets target Pattaya baht taxis
Editor;
I was pick-pocketed on a baht taxi 2 days ago. I discovered 2 more cases in
the last 3 days simply by word of mouth, so it could just be the tip of the
iceberg.
All the cases involve 2 girls and a couple with a baby.
They sit unusually close to you, even when the taxi is not crowded. Their
technique is to distract you with conversation or passing the baby between
them. They seem to be boarding the taxi near Royal Garden Plaza on 2nd Road.
A friend of mine noticed the loss, confronted them, and found his wallet
underneath the baby.
So be warned: Don’t carry anymore money than you need
for your night’s or day’s entertainment or shopping. Secure your wallet
well. Be very, very alert if anything out of the ordinary is happening that
distracts your attention. Sit at the rear of the taxi if possible, where you
are least exposed to prying fingers during the journey and as you exit.
Perhaps some of the farang volunteer Tourist Police could
act as decoys to catch these criminals. They must be stealing thousands of
baht per day, and leaving many tourists with a very bad impression of
Pattaya.
Robert,
North Pattaya
Cartoon reality
Dear Sir,
The cartoon Pattaya Vultures (24th Sept) is very apt. However, the efforts
of the city police to control these pests is unjust. I say this from a
tourist’s observation, as I recently saw on Jomtien Beach a “chase” to
catch one of these sellers. When caught his wares of food were confiscated
and the police simply drove off (perhaps it was a co-incidence that it was
tea-time). The poor victim was left without wares, money or even a court
appearance just because he was slower at running than all his compatriots
who continued their beach selling. Surely such confiscation (stealing) is
illegal in Thailand without proper justice procedures and free meals for the
police at the expense of the poor should be stopped. I was pleased to give
the seller a “donation” for his rough justice.
Colin Manvell (England)
Update on strange shopping experience
Editor;
Blisstel did finally reply to my question regarding the copying of credit
cards when making a purchase over 10000 baht. They have told me that it is
not a company policy but rather a bank policy that requires them to ask to
copy a credit card as well as the ID when the customer makes a purchase over
B10000. I contacted my card company and was told by their security
department that this is an unsafe practice and recommended that I shop
elsewhere. Once again, at least Blisstel paid me the courtesy of a reply.
Dennis Bird
Banchang, Rayong
Card game is a simple answer
Editor;
Regarding the recent letters complaining about increased crime in Pattaya
and lack of police interest, may I offer a simple suggestion? If you are
unfortunate enough to be victimized by these punks, when calling the police
do not state you are or were a victim of a burglary or violent crime.
You’ll be lucky if maybe 1 or 2 cops show up several hours later. No, the
only way to get an immediate and overwhelming response is to report to the
police some sort of gambling taking place in your home. A simple card game
with ten baht on the table reported will result in a truckload of police at
your door in a matter of minutes.
Scott Benson
Pattaya
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