HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

So-called airport scam not a scam

Second Road - Taking your life in your hands

Hidden charges

New tourist visa in India

Tourism - don’t break it again

Water shortage, again

Weekend parking ban

So-called airport scam not a scam

Editor;
Regarding the so-called scam at Suvarnabhumi airport over people bringing in cigarettes and then being fined: This seems to becoming the current urban myth of the new airport, that Thai authorities are actively targeting people for ... what? Breaking the law. Thailand allows visitors to bring in one carton (200) cigarettes duty free. If people wish to bring in more then they are breaking the law, as simple as that.
I am amazed that people would want to buy cigarettes at European duty free prices and bring them here to Thailand, where you can buy them cheaper at Lotus.
Regarding the confiscation of all the cigarettes, if you choose to ignore/break the law, then you must be prepared to suffer the consequences. I am aware that in the past many visitors brought more than the legal limit in via Don Muang and nothing was said. However, it is the law and as such it may pay visitors to start their trip by respecting the laws of the land they are visiting, regardless of the manner in which they are enforced (or not) by the authorities.
Regards,
Freddie Clark

Second Road - Taking your life in your hands

Dear Editor,
Having lived in Pattaya for 3 years and visited for many years before, it is clear for everybody to see the increased amount of traffic makes it virtually impossible to cross Second Road safely. There is just no break in the traffic and crossing is hampered by the baht busses.
Surely a simple solution would be positioning traffic lights by the Royal Garden Plaza with a police box. This would enable everybody to cross the road safely all along as this would create a much needed break in the traffic.
I’m sure both residents and tourists visiting our city would benefit from this and the inclusion of a police box would reduce the idiotic actions of some motorcyclists who obviously have no regard for their own or other people’s safety.
David,
A concerned resident

Hidden charges

Editor;
Just a little warning about a new inn on Soi Buakhao. I booked a room there at the beginning of November for a discounted rate to cover the two months I would be staying in Pattaya. Three weeks after the booking a friend said they had brought in a new pricing for the rooms, which said cleaning for stays over one week would be done once a week. I went back to the apartments and asked if this was so and they said yes. When I told them I was not told this when I booked, I got the usual Thai not speak English mode. Upon that I asked to speak to the manager and asked her what she could do about not being told at the time of booking; then she told me the good news. To have your room cleaned would cost 100 baht with no change of sheets or towels - to have them change that would cost you 250 baht for each change, which over two months is quite a lot of money. So you see readers, it pays to get everything in writing and try and avoid those hidden charges.
Worried Customer

New tourist visa in India

Sir,
The following was reported in the Times Newspaper 1st December: “Delhi: India has announced a long-term, multi-entry tourist visa for people from 18 countries. It will be valid for 5 years, provided each visit does not exceed 90 days, the government said. France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Iceland, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Japan and Vietnam are included on the list.”
Seems like the Indian government has adopted a sensible approach to tourism in order to attract foreign currency and investment. One must still cross a border every 90 days to keep things legal. However, it is hoped that this requirement will create employment (investment) for local businesses by creating a demand for visa runs!
James Bannister

Tourism - don’t break it again

Editor;
Ref. ‘Travel and Tourism’, Friday 17th November: “All the planets are aligning for Pattaya to enjoy a boom.” Yes, but planets revolve around a sun, and in this case the sun is Pattaya’s entertainment industry. You’ve been fortunate enough to get a second chance - Don’t damage it again! Easy to break: hard to make.
Leon Palmer (via email)
Oxfordshire,
United Kingdom

Water shortage, again

Editor;
Three weeks ago you printed a letter from me asking the Pattaya Mail not to print any more articles from the water dept. saying there would be no more water shortages in Pattaya.
Just for your information, today, Thursday, November 23, we have had no water supply to our home, or our neighbor’s homes for three days now.
Can anyone at the water dept. explain this?
The bad thing is, if this goes on for a month and no water, I will still get a bill from the water dept. for 85 bt even though my meter has not moved a click.
Charlie Brown
Soi Keow Noi
Pattaya

Weekend parking ban

Dear Editor,
Re: ‘Weekend parking ban for vehicle rental operators’: they are still taking up all the parking on Beach Road at Pattaya Klang. I could not park to eat at Pink Lady (again). Businesses that invest in land and facilities are being deprived of business.
Thank you,
F B

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