HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Intruder again?

Water shortages

International schools

Brian the Pieman

Red means Stop!

Jester’s Care 4 Kids Fair Bigger & Better

Intruder again?

Dear Editor,

A couple weeks ago I wrote you a letter about an intruder in my bedroom at 5 a.m. I wanted to know what someone should do in that situation. You kindly printed my letter and I received a couple of answers in “Mail Bag”. One letter in “Mail Bag” said my life isn’t worth a ya ba pill in Pattaya and I should get out of town as soon as possible. The letter went on to suggest I go back to my country like the writer and his wife had done after their Pattaya home was robbed. His letter ended by saying that he gets more respect in his own country then he ever got in Thailand so it really didn’t help much with my question. A second letter in “Mail Bag” suggested an electrical bell be mounted outside your home loud enough for your neighbors to hear when an intruder was in your home.

I also got a few ideas emails from friends that could be helpful. One suggestion was to put a flashlight near my bed so I’ve done this. I was also advised that I should have a weapon of some kind near my bed for emergency protection. My intruder last month must have been in my room some time before I realized here was there and could have hit me or worse so I’ve also done this.

The general concept is that you should make as much noise as possible and hope that the intruder runs away. The best idea I got was from a Thai friend of mine Khun Maew and her idea was also the simplest, lowest-tech and most cost effective. It was to buy a policeman’s whistle and keep it near your bed at night. If you have an intruder in your home blow the whistle as loud as you can. Also remember that it has to be a policeman’s whistle. I’ve been told that the sound of a policeman’s whistle put the fear in any criminal and they’ll be gone before you can blink your eye.

In closing I’d like to say that when the intruder came it really didn’t scare me and I didn’t even think the event effected me at all until I tried to sleep the next few nights. I’d always close my eyes then open them again to see if the intruder was there going through my sox again. It’s really true when they say that after an intruder in your home you feel violated. I hope this information helps the readers of “Mail Bag”.

Always,
Gary T. Bruton

Water shortages

Editor;

I have just spent 3 weeks in Chiang Mai and now 2 weeks in Pattaya and I read with concern the problem people are having here with their water supplies. In the 5 weeks I have been in Thailand I have seen no shortage of (rain) water - the problem is clearly one of a failure to trap this scarce and critical resource.

I suspect little or nothing is being done in this country to address this issue. For example, I see no evidence of roof water being trapped in tanks. Why wouldn’t you have as a minimum requirement that all new homes should be built with gutters and tanks? This would not only assist in saving some of this precious resource but it might also alleviate some of the need for expensive bottled water that is packaged in environmentally un-friendly plastic bottles.

Peter Haslock
Melbourne, Australia

International schools

Dear Sir,

Attention to all parents with children attending the international schools: Always keep an eye on your children’s progress!

International school is one of the popular business ventures in Thailand, and that’s what it is: Business! Don’t be taken in by the massive buildings, the grandiose look and the sky high fee. Parents have to play a bigger role to ensure they get value for money. Teachers are here on 2-4 year-contracts, they wouldn’t go too much out of their way for the sake of your children. Especially, if the (mis-) management is going to make lives miserable for them the rest of their remaining time. If schools are not forthcoming and transparent with their dealing with parents, how would we know if teachers in place are qualified and experienced in the first place? How would we know if the many computers on display actually are working? How would we know if the books in library are of any use to our children? How would we know if the school bus our children are on hasn’t crashed into lamp-post today? We would not be informed by the school, for sure.

At the end of the day, only parents, as consumers, have power to make the change. For there’s nothing more school owners like better than parents with ‘drop off and go’ attitude!

Yours faithfully,
Another parent

Brian the Pieman

Editor;

Further to the announcement of the death of Brian “The Pieman” in Vol. XIII No. 35, the following message was received from his son Phil in the UK:

“Thank you so much for the flowers, they were very nice and tasteful, Brian would have approved. I hope your celebration at the bar went well. It was a lovely idea to have the party at the same time as the funeral. I am sure he was around somewhere. We were trying to arrange a wake that he could attend before his death, but the time ran out for Brian. His memory will live on for a very long time as he touched lots of people’s lives in some way and will be sadly missed by all.”

The management, staff & friends at the “Jack Tar Bar”

Red means Stop!

Dear Editor,

 This morning, Saturday, whilst enjoying another beautiful sunny morning in Pattaya, I was sitting quite happily at a set of traffic lights on Sukhumvit and North Road, waiting for the lights to change. I saw a small boy sitting on the back of his Mums bike wearing a Barcelona football shirt. “What football is on tonight?” I couldn’t remember. Our lights changed to green. I was about 3 bikes back, the boys Mum was on the front row. As she pulled away onto Sukhumvit Road, a car sped through the red lights and killed them both.  

She had done nothing wrong, both were wearing crash helmets, only pulled away slowly, the bike in front of her a Nouvo was fast enough to have been gone when the car hit.

 Since living here I have seen many people, both farang and Thai, jumping lights. But I cannot understand anyone jumping lights, let alone putting your own life in danger (like not wearing a helmet, by the way not that it would have made any difference due to the speed of the car).   

Jumping a red light is like shooting a gun at a crowd! You might miss everyone! but you might kill a 5 year old!  

And if you do it everyday, you eventually will kill someone.

 Its not difficult red means Stop!
 Alan

Jester’s Care 4 Kids Fair Bigger & Better

Editor;

For the past 3 yrs. I’ve had the pleasure of taking some children to the fair. This is through the Victory Family Church. Many thanks to Pastor Fred & Dianne along with their staff Lin-Lin. Also from the staff of Mercy Children’s Home thanks go out to Khun Am, Eis & Eamon. Not forgetting my good friend Jack Shook who assists in the sponsorship each year, a great guy with a great heart.

Some of you may ask why we choose to do this. The following list may help you understand what ‘helping others’ means. What would/can you do?

1. Luckman (f) 2 yrs. Abandoned as a baby.
2. Ben (f) 2 yrs. Mother ran away & she’s in a hospital that day.
3. Dah (f) 6 yrs. Neglected & left with 16yr. old pregnant sister.
4. Praeme (m) 5 yrs. Abandoned by mother.
5. Namphon (f) 12 yrs. Abandoned by mother.
6. Nat (f) 4 yrs. Father deserted then sent to jail, mother unable to provide.
7. Gulf (m) 3 yrs. Mother left with grandma & returned with boyfriend who sold Gulf.
8. Chen (m) 3 yrs. Abandoned by mother.
9. Muk (f) 8 yrs. Mother has health problems & cannot work.
10. Nu (m) 6 yrs. Mother escaped a dangerous home situation.

This list changes each & every year, but for those of us who are living here and have our health, it just makes you feel better when you can help someone else less fortunate than yourself, especially children.

Another lucky day for the Jesters & the Diana Garden Resort, no rain! The Diana staff did a great job & the area was set up perfectly. The day started off with a breakfast meal at McDonalds. Thai kids love french-fries! After all were fed the McDonalds staff played a lil’ circle elimination game. All the kids were winners & they left with a bag of at least 4 prizes each.

Off to the fair, where we get a great parking place so the kids don’t have to walk so far. Our first stop is to get them all new t-shirts. Some of these lil’ guys are so small that even the small shirts looked big, but they’re all happy & we’re ready to go. A couple of the HHH (Fini & Flying Frog) are watching us & they have big smiles.

Next we check the horses but they are on their “union negotiated break”. Now they want to ride airplanes. All of them get on except one lil’ girl, she’s so sad & cries. She doesn’t understand ‘next time’. All she knows is that all of her friends are flying & she’s grounded. Right next to us are the climb & bounce playpens. Some of them played very hard & got hot & thirsty. Poor lil’ Lukman was knocked over & now she’s crying. Some kids are just too big.

The kids want water & then we paint some statues, they rest & relax. All are so quiet & serious. This is one place they like. It also gives the staff a lil’ time to relax. I see another HHH lady Khun Sunflower with her big smile.

More games are played by all as we await the horses’ return; fishing for eggs = another prize, throwing darts gets you a bag of ‘Mama Noodles’, throw the balls into the hole = more prizes. The kids are happy.

Time for some ice cream & take a rest. We’re taking some photos & just relaxing. After that morning sprinkle the sun is coming out & it’s getting hot! I see some more lady hashers; Mrs. Head, queen Stella & Bow-Wow. The Pattaya Hash is well represented today. Almost as many HHH’ers as on one of our Monday runs.

We go get in line for the horses. All the kids have a big smile & seem to realize that the wait was worth it. I just hope the photos come out. It’s now after 3 p.m. & we’re all hot, sweaty & tired. Some of the kids are falling asleep. Off we go.

Jester’s, it just keeps getting bigger & better. Thanks again to you & the Diana Group, we’ll be back. As long as there are kids & as long as we’re alive.

Sincerely,
Jess Salazar & Jack Shook

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