HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Still doesn’t like baht buses

A matter of opinion

World Cup small talk?

Don’t mess with Eagles

A change of heart

Still doesn’t like baht buses

Editors;
In response to Patrick Lane’s letter “Re: Bus service against the wall” (Mailbag, June 6, 2006) I think it’s time to comment something. Patrick wrote, “The baht buses are part of the charm of Pattaya just as the tuk-tuks are to Bangkok.” Unfortunately I’m not so easily charmed as Patrick! What is the real charm of this suspect network of cheap Japanese pickups? Is it the lack of competition? Is it that all reasonable alternatives and choices as to standard, safety, convenience and service is absent? In Bangkok, as Patrick mentioned, all people have the self clear choice between ordinary buses, larger air-conditioned buses, smaller a little cosier air-con buses, tuk-tuks, metered taxis and motorcycle taxis! Ask yourself why doesn’t anyone outside tourist resorts want “baht-buses”? Wouldn’t they love the charm of it as much as Patrick? I really do not think it’s necessary to compare Pattaya with your hometown - that’s rather farfetched isn’t it? When will Pattaya have an efficient, reliable, modern and honest transport solution that fits the public and not only those making money from the protected Baht buses of Pattaya Ltd? Sometimes I almost believe that it is individuals like Patrick who rule the transport business or that those in power cannot resist the desire for “charm” that cries from Patrick and some others!
“Charm-Analyst”

A matter of opinion

Editor,
A couple of weeks ago, someone advised us that he was not one of those people with nothing better to do than write letters to this column, then proceeded to tell readers not to park cars in Soi Buakao. Who did he think he was reaching with this dictate? If there are readers who cause danger by indiscriminate parking, why should they not do it just to make room for someone else to? I wonder if this letter writer made his view known to the proper authorities.
‘Mailbag’ is a good forum for debate, but it is clear that many people write in merely to be heard. Often it is an opinionated misconception they want to impose on others. High on subject topics in this field was baht bus fares. Many letters told us what was definitely right, but no one supplied facts. The issue roused more comment than an alleged 5 baht overcharge warranted - perhaps an indication of the mentality level of many Pattaya regulars - but I believe a few know-alls need to realize they know nothing. According to notices issued by the Department of Land and Transport, the fare for a mini-bus (baht bus) “must not be more than 10 baht per person”. The driver is, therefore, entitled to charge this fare and is being fair when charging less to those that HE feels deserve discount. I suggest that most of the farang who argue vehemently over B5 are grappling with personal insecurity issues and need to make a stand on petty issues to feel significant.
The naive and extreme comment that the principal purpose of military is to kill people was likely provoked by the nation that seems to have a ‘might is right’ foreign policy. It must be the only nation that needs to go to the other side of the world to protect its people, at least in modern times. I read that one should view these habitual incursions as one would an oversized teenage youth that thinks he has matured mentally and is prone to clumsiness. I rather think the writer was being kind. The current supposedly ‘devout’ leader defied the supreme head of his faith - a saint-in-waiting no less - to play with the army he ridiculously is the ‘Commander-in-chief’ of, yet he has never risked his own skin for god or country. He did once serve in a conflict situation, yes. As a football team cheerleader. And I thought the people who voted for our proven-to-be-crooked condo committee chairman were yo-yoes!
The chairman I refer to smugly told an AGM assembly that allegations he had not paid the required fees for his reserved car-park space were untrue. However, a simple check of the books showed that he had paid for three months only when he owed for three years plus (over B15,000). Can the apartment owners who re-elected this person really not understand that someone who so blatantly lies to them is taking them for fools? Another truth is that some people would rather turn a blind eye than admit this. The question to me is, why did the other committee members of the time allow this fee-dodging? One apartment owner - I’m ashamed to say he was English - actually said he could ‘afford’ to be so cheated. Any wonder that he regularly is! I wonder, are there readers of this column who can similarly afford to be emasculated? How many condo owners have seen the official rules that govern how the enterprise they part own is managed? Pattaya’s real estate agents have done very well out of the boom of the past few years, yet how many of them provide the official rules to the condominiums they represent? Opportunity for a sales pitch arises, but I doubt it can be taken up by many.
T. Crossley

World Cup small talk?

So we got English commentary for the world cup after all, but I would have liked to have heard it by a Pattaya bargirl: “Sit down please, play game, play game - footbon, oiyee! sexy man have the ball, where he come from, I think Angrit, he only have ball for short time, he want for long time but him cheap charlie, now chocolate man have the ball, shirt say ‘number one Mr Aytee-em’, handsome man, he shoot hit the bar, oiyeee! pay bar!, pay bar! goal or no goal? referee say ‘up to you’. Sorry I speak English no good, only work here two days, never have farang. ‘bring, bring’ excuse me, my telephone ‘hello darleeng’ oiyee, what I can do” –
John Arno

Don’t mess with Eagles

Editor;
One of the amazing things in Thailand are that there are so many of my fellow countrymen here who think the symbol of the U.S. is a buzzard vs an Eagle. A recent letter to the editor in the Bangkok Post indicated that Thailand was of strategic military value to the U.S. The tone of the letter indicated that Thailand should be dictating the terms of a FTA with the U.S. While this type of diatribe may play well in the Thai press, I hope Thais don’t take this seriously.
In the early 90’s the Philippines over estimated their strategic worth to the U.S. with tragic political and economic results for its people. When the Japanese went head to head with the American economy in the 80’s, it resulted in a 10-year slowdown of their economy. The EC claimed they would quickly eclipse the U.S. economy, but the standard of living in many EC nations continues to decline. The reality is that Thailand is no longer the premier military asset it once was. The U.S. military is well diversified in the region and no one nation holds a trump card. Americans welcome Thailand as a partner, but partners don’t dictate terms. They negotiate agreements.
Thailand’s future is in diversification. Thais need to focus on expanding small foreign business from a variety of countries and not hitching the wagon of the Thai economy to a hand full of large international companies, especially companies owned by foreign governments. Thailand will do itself a favor by opening its doors, wide, to one of the most efficient work forces in the world (America) vs the cheap labor, marginally educated workforces of Asia – in the end, you get what you pay for. I for one, wish I could buy high quality Craftsmen or Snap-On tools in Thailand over the cheap Chinese junk masquerading as tools. Quality requires an educated work force; something Thailand needs to pay a lot more attention to. The only thing I ever learned from someone with lesser knowledge or skill was to stay away from them if they refuse to educate and better themselves. If Thailand overplays it hand, it may find that America will just walk away. Thai ego is legendary; it’s time for a reality check!
The Ant-Federalist

A change of heart

Having lived in Thailand for several years now, and having gone through the regular and normal day to day things that happen to farangs in Thailand, including but not limited to double charging, contractors not showing up on time, if at all, worthless warranties, the Thai people’s insatiable quest for money from me and even being told on one occasion that the face of a farang is not seen at all, but all farangs have the same face, the face of money, certainly you might understand my predisposition to negativity in any and all dealings with Thai people, either male or female.
This brings me to the title of this article “A change of Heart.” About a year and a half ago I was worried about somebody breaking into my place of residence, and so I hired a man who went by the name of “Mr Mac” to do some ironwork for me, gates on all the doors and bars on all the windows. How surprised was I when Mr Mac came to my home exactly on time for our appointment. He took some measurements, told me he was going to personally design something special for my home in rod iron, and gave me a price for the work. I felt it was extremely reasonable...and of course was ready for what always happens to us farangs when venturing into this kind of arrangement, but proceeded to give him the go-ahead because it was something I wanted more than what I expected to have to go through in having it done. Much to my surprise, Mr Mac came back at the exact time he said the work would be finished, installed it perfectly, and it was beautiful. He explained how he had designed it to fit my home...and truly that is what he did. I paid him the price we had agreed on...(he did not ask for more) and he gave me his card and left. Last week, a year and a half later, I noticed that one of the hinges on one of the door gates had come loose, and the gate was not closing properly. I hunted for two days, and finally found Mr Mac’s card. I called the number on the card and all the while expecting the phone to be disconnected, which I have found to be the case after only a few months with most workers and much to my surprise, Mr Mac answered the phone, and remembered who I was. It was late in the afternoon, and so we set an appointment for the next day. He showed up exactly on time again, took the whole iron door and frame off and back to his shop, returned in 3 hours, put it back on, completely repainted and perfect. I said to him, ‘how much do I owe you,’ and the reply was “nothing, it’s my service.” Well, this left me speechless. I would have never expected this to happen, and especially after a year and a half, and in Thailand. Mr Mac is totally unaware that I intended to write this letter. Thank you Mr Mac for truly being a professional at what you do, and for your fine representation of Thai people. Certainly you have caused me to have a “Change of Heart.” For anyone wishing to contract with someone totally reliable and reasonable, My Mac has my highest recommendation. His business card reads that he does tile floors, steel structures, Steel art design, Kitchen room, water pump, tap water, and Electricity. His cell phone number is 09-9131150.
William

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