HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

A bad experience

Personal security in Pattaya

Saddened by another motorbike laid on the road

Marathon jokes

Lovely and quiet Pattaya?

Happy ending to bad situation

We can make it … oops

A bad experience

Editor;
I would like to share a problem with other readers. I purchased an Epson printer from a South Pattaya computer dealer last year. It recently failed during the warranty period. I returned it for repair. After about 15 days, they informed me that the repair was “electric problem not covered by warranty” and a charge of 1300 baht would be imposed. This was rather high as the same printer, new with warranty and ink cartridges, is available for 1690 baht.
I went to the shop and was told they had sent the printer to a “service company”, not Epson. I wonder if the service company would have sent the printer to Epson for free warranty service after I paid their outrageous repair charge?
I next contacted Epson for more info and they said they were not aware of my printer. No one had contacted them or sent the printer to them. They did not understand what was going on with a “service company” as it was still under Epson warranty. Epson said I could and should return it to them for warranty repair.
I informed the shop of my conversation with Epson. Epson also called them directly. The shop said they would not send the printer directly to Epson. I declined to pay the outrageous charge and the printer was returned to me by the computer shop. My ink cartridges were missing when I received the printer. The staff became very nasty when I asked “where are the cartridges”. They said I did not give the cartridges to them and then walked away.
I will not be purchasing anything, ever again, from this computer shop. There are other companies that I think are reliable in the IT Center.
Myke

Personal security in Pattaya

Editor;
As a recent resident to Pattaya I feel the need to mention something that many of us may take for granted ... our personal security.
At 0500 on the 18th the home I was residing in South Pattaya was broken into while I was home asleep. The thief had rifled the drawers of the entertainment center, locating my girlfriend’s DVD player and setting it aside to take with him. He also found my waist pack ... full of goodies. He then set his sights on my laptop computer. He was trying to unhook it when I awoke, screamed and scared him off. I might add that the fluorescent lights in front of the house were burning and the place very well illuminated.
The police were summoned but did nothing except tell me I needed to go to the police station and make a report.
The thief got away with my waist pack. In it was my digital camera, Seiko watch, both Thai driver licenses (car & motorcycle), U.S. driver license, military ID, company ID, airline frequent flyer card, several other ID cards along with 3 ATM cards, 7 credit cards and 10K baht in cash ... virtually everything that showed who I was, gone! Was this robbery a set up? Probably! However, proving it will be more difficult than suggesting it.
While I am upset over the loss of these items and the hassle of having to replace these things, nothing can replace my life and am most fortunate that I was not injured or worse. Please let this letter serve as a reminder to all falang here in Thailand, do not become complacent with your personal security and property. It can be replaced, you can’t and there is no need to tempt fate. Things are tough for many Thai people and as visitors to the Kingdom we should not be flaunting our apparent wealth. Keep your valuables secured, keep a low profile and respect our hosts.
Thank you,
Jim Gilmore
Pattaya

Saddened by another motorbike laid on the road

Editor;
I become very sad every time I see a motorbike laid on the road following yet another accident. Motorcyclists are the most vulnerable people on the roads. I have lived here for many years and enjoy riding my big bike everywhere.
I just wish I was allowed on the toll roads and expressways as that would make life easier and with my bike size safer - that word gets me going. The country has a caretaker government with a caretaker prime minister, then I ask why are they not taking care of the biggest section of the country – motorcycle riders?
The law says all must wear helmets, lights must be on but in more than 50 percent of cases neither are. Take a trip on Sukhumvit, Pattaya Tai, Pattaya Klang or Thepprasit before 09.00, cross to the east side of Sukhumvit at any time of the day and you will not see helmets worn by many.
I have ridden a big bike all my life and still do. Why do I wear a helmet? Simple: to protect my head. Why are my lights on? Again simple: so people see me.
There are two things that the “caretakers” need to do: educate the population on the reasons to wear a helmet and why lights should be on, and then ensure the police enforce the laws in a fair manner, not just against the foreign tourists.
Every day I see police at schools watching children (I am sure some are underage) riding motorbikes without helmets and they do nothing. Life is irreplaceable, injury or worse to a young person is pain to many, so lets educate parents, school teachers and children on the benefits of wearing a helmet and perhaps for those that don’t comply take the bike off them for say a week.
Please could somebody also explain how children as young as 12 are allowed by their parents to ride motorbikes? Do they not love their children?
A very concerned motorbike rider

Marathon jokes

Editor;
When I complained a couple of weeks ago that the Pattaya marathon was too long it was partly in expectation that somebody would respond, as per usual in Mailbag, along the lines of: another moaning farang finding something to moan about.
Sure enough Chonburi Hotpapa went out of his way to confirm that all marathons are indeed 42ks and that the half marathon is shorter. I will certainly bear that in mind for next year Hotpapa.
Another humorless joke was my finishing time.
I did, however, raise 1200 pounds for the Burnley FC youth team. Pleased as I was with this outcome I did feel guilty at not having raised money for a local cause.
It was not easy explaining to my Pattaya contacts (OK bar girls) why they should donate 20bt but it was good to see the money flow in the other direction for a change.
My assessment was that, unlike in the west, very few people were running for charity. Mind you it would take a lot of 20bts to make it worth while.
At the risk of becoming a Moaning Minnie or even of being taken literally I will repeat my assertion. Chonburi Hotpapa please listen to me. The Pattaya marathon is far too long. We can discuss it further during next year’s race.
Nigel Oakes

Lovely and quiet Pattaya?

Dear Sir;
A problem exists here in paradise with a few building contractors disturbing residents and tourists alike. Construction noise begins way too early - at 6 a.m. in some places, and goes until way too late at some sites - past 11 p.m. If you do not live in an area affected by this nuisance, you are very fortunate. It may come someday very soon as growth continues.
A prime violator is the building site on Pratamnak Soi 1. This site has been advised by city hall officials on numerous occasions to keep the noise down to only hours between sunrise and sunset. They stop for 1 or 2 nights, then it is back to loudly defying the authorities. Two major cement jobs recently here did not even begin until 6 p.m. Why does city hall allow this violation of direct orders and for the noise to continue?
There should be hours for construction that do not disturb the tourist industry nor residents. 8 a.m. till 6 p.m. is the logical compromise for all parties.
Thank you,
Wishing to remain anonymous

Happy ending to bad situation

Dear Sir:
This story is about an honest policeman. Once recent morning I abruptly awoke at 4:40 a.m. and surprised a Thai burglar who crouched near my bed while I slept.
The startled burglar jumped out the second story window with my cell phone in hand. I went to the Jomtien Police station in Pattaya and filed my police report with no hope of ever recovering my phone.
Weeks later, a high ranking policeman called me at my “new” cell phone. Could I immediately report to the police station regarding my recent theft?
I was ushered into a private office at the police station. Police Lieut. Col. Aggadit Seemool, in perfect English, warmly invited me to sit down. He smiled proudly and remarked, “We have recovered your cell phone. The person sitting next to you has confessed. We have arrested him for theft and narcotics. Do you want to file charges?”
I said no. My phone was returned. I was stressed but unharmed during the burglary. The thief, I reasoned, had bigger problems with a narcotics charge.
The policeman thanked me for my kindness, then turned and said something to the thief. The thief turned to me, dropped his head, gave me a wai and said, “I sorry. I sorry.” As I got up to leave the room, I turned to Col Seemool and asked if their was “anything” he needed from me. The Col smiled and said no. I salute Lieut. Col. Aggadit Seemool for his efficient police work and honest conduct. He is truly a credit to the police profession.
Sincerely,
Alfred Serrato

We can make it … oops

Sent in by alert ready Colin, who comments: “There’s always something in Pattaya to put a smile on your face?”

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