HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Thank you Immigration Department

Wastercize

I must concur

Well done Jim

Impressed with Pattaya City Council professionalism

The normalization of Pattaya

Thank you Immigration Department

Editor;
Contrary to the many complaints about the authority’s inactivity and poor services here is quite a different version:
On 22 and 23 of March I needed to go to the Immigration Office in Jomtien, now a totally different place, both in appearance and comfort compared to Soi 8.
The Counter BO 2 was manned by Pol Sen. Sgt. Major T Kamon. After inspecting the passports of my wife and me, he gave me precise instruction which photocopies were needed together with two forms to be completed for each application. He asked me to come back the next day at 8.30 hours. He also told me that I need to pay for each application of a permanent Residence Statues - THB 1,900 (THB 3,800 was my genuine understanding).
As instructed and in time I was back the next morning with all the needed plus the usual two passport photos.
He filed through the copies and accepted that all was perfect and I would now need to proceed to the ‘cashier’ to make my payment and I should be back to pick all my documents which need the chops and necessary signatures by 11.30 hours. The officer in charge of collecting the money showed me THB 7,600 was the amount I needed to pay, not as I had understood THB 3,600. I only had THB 7,000 in my wallet. I did say that this was an amount I did not have with me as obviously I understood the amount due was half of the asked, a genuine misunderstanding on my behalf.
She called Khun Kamon, who listened carefully, then proceeded to take THB 600 out of his pocket and thus completed the amount due.
There was never a question asked, when I would return to him the money. Obviously I did so when I did go to pick up my documents before lunch the same day.
Summary, and I stand to be corrected – this would never happen in Switzerland, or for that matter I do not know where else such unselfish assistance would be given.
Thank you Pol. Sen. Sgt Major T Kamon, you have distinguished yourself as a fine officer of the Immigration Department, where I am sure you need to be cool headed and have plenty of patience to deal with some of us from abroad.
Ferenc Fricsay
Nong Prue

Wastercize

To the staff of Pattaya Mail;
I wrote last week about a man who daily walks and swims the beach at Jomtien picking up garbage. This is his ‘wastercize’.
I worked and lived all over SEAsia and while the Thai people and Thailand specifically are the cleanest of the clean there is still much room for improvement as regards the amount of pollutants.
I would very much enjoy a small blurb about Gerry to see if there might be like-minded people who would be interested in claiming a small section of beach as their own to maintain and keep clean. It doesn’t take much effort and it is something people do anyway. Walking the beach here in Pattaya is like a city wide sporting event.
Please see your way clear to inform the rest of Pattaya about this project and this man. Contact me at [email protected] or see Gerry most every morning from 07:00 to whenever starting at Soi 11 working north.
Thank you
The Pat

I must concur

Editor;
I must concur with Mr. Oakes views on the, “If you don’t like it go and live somewhere else mentality.”
I would like to add that the issues complained about (less dual pricing), are surely issues that if given attention would improve the quality of life for everyone here.
Those who are quite satisfied are oblivious to their surroundings wherever they are. As long as their plate and glass are full they are happy.
In all of history we have had the leaders and followers, generally the followers will do absolutely nothing to improve the general lot, never standing up for anything.
They might also wish to consider that many of us are legitimately employed here and pay salary taxes, which probably gives us some say.
John Angus

Well done Jim

Editor;
Well done Jim Gilmore for stating ‘if you don’t like it live somewhere else’. It is refreshing to find someone else that can grasp the idea that it is no big deal at all to be charged 5 baht extra on a baht bus compared to Thais.
5 baht? Considering there is a huge difference in the income of an expat in Thailand than that to your average Thai, what is there to cry about?
All I can say to those who begrudge the price difference is, pay up or as Jim politely said, live somewhere else. You all know who you are.
Kee-niao, cheap charlies need to get a life and wake up, have a look around you and see how some of the Thais have to live, instead of counting every penny in their little bank book. Maybe then can we once and for all put an end to this embarrassing topic of conversation.
Andy

Impressed with Pattaya City Council professionalism

Editor;
As a former city councilor from Australia, semi-retired here in Pattaya City, I would like to thank the quick action of the staff I approached at the Environment Dept of the Pattaya City Council. On two occasions I complained to their office about the large amount of rubbish deposited in Soi 16, Jomtien Beach by occupants of the townhouses near the beachfront. Additionally two illegal furniture factories continue to throw and burn everything across from the townhouses creating a horrible smell almost every day.
However, the council to their credit, has sent out cleanup crews the next day after my complaints were filed with the council. When I compare the swift action of this council compared to councils in Australia with which I’m familiar, I’m very impressed with the professionalism of the Pattaya City Council. Congratulations and good luck with the fight against rubbish in Pattaya City!
Mark Spencer
Jomtien Beach

The normalization of Pattaya

Editor;
What is happening to Pattaya? Change is clearly evident. Let me give a few examples:
In the evenings many of the smaller sois used to be the almost exclusive preserve of middle-aged farangs and their Thai ladies (and occasionally boys). Now it is usual to see farang ladies, couples (many of whom seem to be Russian), families with their children and larger groups of Orientals, Indians and those from the Middle East (safety in numbers I presume).
The shopping centres are full while many of the beer bars are very quiet.
Tourist attractions are busy, bars close at 1 am.
It is significantly more expensive to stay in Thailand for more than one month and more expensive still should you overstay your visit.
Five star serviced apartments and hotels are going up and prices will not be coming down.
Old timers are complaining that the fun has gone out of Fun City.
So what’s happening? Simple. Pattaya is joining the rest of the tourist world. Pattaya is becoming normalised, by design, I believe, as much as by accident.
It is becoming blander but more acceptable.
Those that complain have simply had it too good for too long.
I’m a single male and no prude but if Pattaya is moving away from that (sex) scene towards a more inclusive approach to tourism then I for one welcome that development.
Nigel Oakes
Pattaya

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