HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Speedboat tragedy comes at a bad time

Concerned about Pattaya

Great stories on the tsunami

Yes!

Congratulations from the community

Touching poem so true

Mother Nature is not all to blame

Beach Road

Speedboat tragedy comes at a bad time

Dear Editor,
The speedboat tragedy off Samet comes at a very bad time for the Thai tourist industry as it endeavours to recover from the tsunami disaster. It is clear that many foreign tourists are going to conclude that a holiday in Thailand is one from which they may not return alive and this must have an adverse influence on future bookings.

It is essential, in future, that all the relevant Thai authorities do everything in their power to guarantee tourist safety through proper warnings and appropriate regulation which must be rigorously enforced, without fear or favour. It is clear that Pattaya has a serious problem with speedboats and this is not simply a question of safety.

Recent reports in the Pattaya Mail indicate that there is some official concern with regard to speedboat operators who are ripping off tourists visiting Koh Larn. In fact, the problem is much wider. At the moment the boats are not properly licensed and regulated and current operations from the area adjacent to the new Bali Hai Pier are inviting tragedy. There are far too many boats operating in relation to the facilities available and one is aware of serious safety risks on a daily basis, both at sea and on shore. It is an urgent matter to do something about this before loss of life occurs.

The new landscaping and innovations around Pratamnak Hill are a very welcome addition to Pattaya’s amenities. Unfortunately, they are already being seriously threatened by the parking of excessive numbers of speedboats in the area on the Jomtien side of the Pier. These are launched in the early morning and return late afternoon to the general detriment of the area. The boats are launched after being towed by ancient and foul-smelling tractors. During much of the day it is difficult if not impossible to drive through onto the new road along the shore and walking or running through the area is both unpleasant and extremely hazardous. In addition, there is a great deal of very unpleasant noise pollution which seems to grow worse by the day as more boats arrive. Mud and oil in considerable quantity is being dragged onto the new road by boats and tractors and the road edgings are rapidly being destroyed. At this dry time the water comes mainly from boat washing rather than rain but with wetter weather the problem will become much worse.

Large amounts of taxpayers money is being spent on the new facilities, but these are in danger of being wrecked and rendered inaccessible by the speedboats. It is clear that the boats perform a useful service for the local tourist industry and it is intended to provide permanent location and service arrangements for the boat operators. However, this must not be at the expense of other amenities and public access and enjoyment of the area. No doubt, the boat-owners are a powerful and well-endowed lobby group with some influence. Sensible owners are aware that proper regulation and control is the only way to make the system work. Prompt action in the Bali Hai area needs to be taken now.

Steps can be taken immediately with regard to parking and launching of boats as well as the use of other vehicles in the area. This is a matter for the police. Other authorities need to look into the question of registration and regulation. However, these activities need to be co-ordinated.

At the present time boats frequently come too close to shore in the area below Pratamnak Hill. Apart from the noise pollution problem this causes there are dangerous rocks just below the water surface and all boats should be kept well clear of the shore. Speedboat operators are well aware of the risks but others are not. This applies, in particular, to water-skiers and small leisure boats which seem to be totally uncontrolled. There is a tragedy waiting to happen here in Pattaya unless the authorities wake up and it would appear that Thai nationals are just at much at risk as farangs.
Pattaya Resident
Royal Cliff Condominiums

Concerned about Pattaya

Dear Sir,

I am on my way back to Poland after a much-disturbed trip to Pattaya.

I was told by the tourist bureau here that Pattaya is very pretty, clean and safe.

I found opposite to be truthful.

Pattaya is very dirty and not very pretty at all. Big holes all over the beach and very dangerous to walk. And the persons at market who cut my wife’s bag to take money from her.

Why didn’t the police do anything about these problems? In Poland when a tourist is attacked or crime committed, the bad man is sentenced to a longer time in jail for a crime against a tourist.

I am very saddened for the people who lost their lives in the tsunami tragedy. I pray to God to bless their souls and take them to heaven.

I think the Pattaya Mail newspaper is a very honest newspaper and you wrote nice stories and pretty poems about the persons who lost their lives.

Excuse my English I try better tomorrow.

Sincerely
Stromin Drosky

Great stories on the tsunami

Hello Pattaya Mail,

Thanks a million for the in depth coverage of the disaster areas hit by the tidal wave.

As always the Pattaya Mail is at the forefront of all news in Pattaya, and this time you have gone beyond what I would call the norm, in your coverage of the areas hit hardest by the tsunami.

Also a thank you goes to Phillip Webb for his two excellent poems on the tsunami.

One more thing, by you actually interviewing people that were caught up in the havoc that took place on December 26, you gave your readers (I think) what they were really interested in.

Thank you for your continued reporting on the disaster in Southern Thailand.
Brenda Starr
A dedicated reader

Yes!

Dear Sir,
A resounding, yes! yes! yes! is in order for the Pattaya Mail and its staff!

You have once again soared above the clouds in your coverage of the carnage and aftermath of the Tsunami.

Your in-depth coverage of this horrendous tidal wave and beautiful poems has once again demonstrated to all of Pattaya why you are #1 and the best at what you do.

God be with you.
Sincerely,
Carl Carruthers
Wilson, North Carolina

Congratulations from the community

Dear Sir,
Congratulations are very much in order! You and your staff should be commended for such an excellent job you guys have done covering the various stories in and around Phuket about the destruction of the tidal wave or waves.

All our prayers go out to the victims and families.
Cordially yours,
Alice Ray

Touching poem so true

Dear Sirs,

The poem, Last of Each Day was a very touching poem and made me realise just how important each day is. The author, is completely correct in his analogy, that today could be our last day on earth.

I am an avid reader of the Pattaya Mail and look forward to each issue.

Sincerely,
Gayle Kvernland

Mother Nature is not all to blame

Dear Sirs,

My gripe is not with your paper but with the politics of the devastation in that region.

I don’t feel the blame of the devastation is to be completely on Mother Nature alone.

How about the politicians that have eased the code restrictions on building to close to the water line.

Perhaps the politicians have been pressured or influenced by entrepreneurs whose love for money goes beyond the respect for love and Thailand.

When the time comes for rebuilding to take place, I just hope that the environment and the restrictions to build will take president over the greed that some people seem to have had in the past.

Thank you for your fine coverage thus far on the destruction that has taken place in south Thailand.

Also, I would like to challenge your poet in regards to writing a poem that captures the inner-soul and thoughts of a Tsunami victim. I enjoy his poems very much but would like to see him focus on the present situation in south Thailand rather than a generalization of terms.

I always enjoy the articles by Suchada Tupchai.

Best of everything to you and the Pattaya Mail.
Felix Frampton
Ontario, Canada

Beach Road

Dear Sir,

The following poem and attached cartoon were inspired by a recent walk along Beach Road with some visiting relatives.

Ian Frame
Jomtien

Beach Road
The tourists stared in disbelief
At a promenade which had come to grief;
Everywhere that one did gaze
Stood groups of tourists in a daze.

Powerful drills had bored these holes,
The work equivalent of a million moles;
And many months had already gone,
Yet still the construction work lingered on.

There were slabs, holes, craters deep,
And plastic pipes beside sand in heap.
Across the pavements like spaghetti laid,
These pipes a formidable challenge made.

Athletic tourists jumped these things,
Whilst others wished they could grow wings
To fly along Beach Road with ease,
Avoiding such injuries as skinned knees.

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