HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Danger lurks on Sukhumvit Highway

Pattaya’s Con-Air buses

Jester’s Care 4 Kids fair Bigger & Better

Stung by katoeys on baht buses

Danger lurks on Sukhumvit Highway

Attention Mayor, Pattaya City Hall

Dear Mayor Niran,

I would like to bring to your attention a rather dangerous situation in Pattaya, which is shown in these photos of a week or so back. The pictures are taken on Sukhumvit Road south of the Thepprasit intersection, opposite the Caltex gas station.

This truck has fallen into a hidden hole in the side of the road, shortly after the installation of the box culvert, which can be seen at the side. Inspection of the hole after the truck had been removed showed the cause.

The sections of the box culvert have not been pushed together to interlock; there are spaces between each box of 50 mm or so. During the recent heavy rains, the water washed out of the space, eroding a huge hidden hole under the road, ready to trap the unsuspecting truck driver.

The box sections should be interlocked, and possibly also sealed, to prevent this happening in the future. This is urgent as there is ongoing work in Pattaya in installation of these culverts, particularly on Sukhumvit, and each is a potential danger until it is replaced.

I generally hold Thai construction in high regard, but this may be a new construction method, which must be done properly for the safety of all. By not pushing the box sections together to interlock, the finished culvert is weaker as well as potentially causing the holes under the road like this. I would not be surprised if this happens many times in the future.

Perhaps the fastest way to ensure the contractors do the job correctly from now on would be to advise them that they are liable in perpetuity for any damages, injuries or death resulting from substandard construction.

Yours sincerely,
Stuart Saunders,
Ban Amphur

Pattaya’s Con-Air buses

Dear Editor,

When I first saw the plans of the new air-conditioned buses quite a long time ago I was perplexed because of the intended fees - a fixed 30 baht for all distances! First I thought this must be a printing error, or is it a bad joke, or is it really real?

I guess I have good experience of public transport from living and staying in different parts of Thailand during more than 15 years but here that I will limit my story to just one example which is enough to show what I mean.

Since many years I regularly spend a couple of days in the Banglamphu/Khao San Road area in Bangkok and I almost exclusively use the buses when I move around in the city, either by the larger air-conditioned buses, the ordinary fan buses or the smaller air-conditioned buses. When I for instance travel between Banglamphu/Thanon Ratchadamnoenklaang to Ekamai eastern bus station I go with the 511 air-conditioned bus all the way. It’s a distance of about 10,5 kilometers and I pay 14 baht or 18 baht depending on the exact kind of air-conditioned bus. .If we compare that with what everybody has to pay on the new air-conditioned buses in Pattaya, 30 baht for even 500 meters – it is no wonder that first of all not many Thais will use them. They are extremely expensive by national standards! How comes? Can anyone tell us this? Where is the answer hidden? Does Pattaya belong to another country - or another planet?

Because of how it often differs in respects of which transports are available to the public? Don’t all the residents - Thais as well as immigrants - deserve decency, safety and justice where they live? Is this a new super-scam to save the almighty baht-bus-corruption from normal healthy competition?

Khun N. Aranee

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

Stung by katoeys on baht buses

Dear Editor

Most of us are aware of the groups of katoey pickpockets plying their trade among unwary tourists on Beach Road. They are now working the Jomtien baht buses, as I know to my cost.

A few tips I wish I’d followed myself:
-Carry no more money than you need, and NOT in your hip pocket.
-If a katoey sits next to you and his pal across from you, take care.
-Be prepared for an accomplice to board later,
-Watch for hands concealed under a carried garment.
-Be alert for distractions and especially vigilant when you alight.
-Try to sit at the exit.

An expensive lesson for me but the lost money was less important than my anger, resentment and general upset that I had been outwitted by a few roughly-dressed thieves who aroused my suspicions as soon as I saw them. They lifted my money as I got out and I didn’t feel a thing.

Signed
Stung

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