HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Theft and fraud

What happens when it rains?

Show courtesy to pedestrians

Re: Environmental vandalism

Thank you Honda Thailand

Theft and fraud

Dear Sir,
I would like to bring to your attention an incident of fraud and theft directed against me by one of the staff at a hotel in Pattaya. The following statement is a summary of what happened on the 6th of February 2007.
I would think that this incident should come to people’s knowledge since it would probably make tourists and others more careful and observant against crime.
I arrived in Thailand on the 6th of February 2007 and checked in at 13.00 hours. At about 14.30 hrs the same day I deposited my American Express Card, 2 Swedish ATM bankcards, cash, passport, driving license and various personal belongings in one of the hotel’s safety boxes. The staff who was responsible for the deposit was at that time alone at the reception desk. In connection with the deposit, I signed for the safety box in the hotel’s register. I deposited my belongings and the staff at the reception desk handed over my key for the safety box. The safety box was locked with two keys, one stayed with the hotel as master key. When I signed for my safety box, I did not memorize which box I had signed for and nor did I memorize which number was on my key. I locked my key into my suitcase in my hotel room. I took for granted that I had received the right key. I had stayed at the hotel in 2006 and trusted the staff.
On the 7th of February at about 23.30 hrs, the staff on duty at the reception desk asked me if I had forgotten my safety box key number 19, which according to him, I had signed for and now was laying at the reception desk. I answered him that I kept my key locked up in my room. At this moment, I suspected that something wrong had happened. I collected my key and I now discovered that I had received key number 32 instead of number 19 which I had signed for according to the key register.
The staff, who had deposited my belongings, now had access to my key and the hotel’s master key. He then stole certain items from my safety box. Strangely enough, he did not take my passport. He stole my American Express Card, ATM bankcards, cash, driving license, wallet and other personal belongings.
The employee in question had started his employment the same day, the 6th of February. At about 14.45 hrs he suddenly left his working place and did not come back. He had obviously been planning this action and was waiting for a suitable guest who he could cheat and deceive.
Later in the evening of 7th of February, I found out that he had used my American Express Card and one of my Swedish ATM cards for various purchases.
In spite of the fact that key number 19 had been laying at the reception desk from about 14.30 hrs on the 6th of February until 23.30 hrs on the 7th of February, no staff at the reception desk reacted. Nobody contacted me. A check of the register over handed out keys would immediately have revealed that key number 19 belonged to me. If I had received my key soonest after 14.45 on the 6th of February, I would have been able to terminate the use of all my bank cards at this very moment. Now the cards were not terminated until about 23.30 hrs on the 7th of February.
On the 8th of February, one of the supervisor staff told me that she, on the 6th of February, just before the newly employed staff suddenly left his work, had asked him why key number 19 was laying at the reception. He had then answered that a guest probably had forgotten it. In spite of the fact that she new that a guest probably had forgotten it, she did not check to whom the key belonged and she never contacted me. I was in my room until 19.00 hrs on the 6th of February and back in my room about 23.00 hrs the same evening. I was also available most of next day the 7th of February.
One would say that I should have checked that I received the correct key for my box but since I had not memorized which box I had signed for, it would not have made any difference. After all this is not an excuse for a hotel staff to commit a crime. If a guest forgets his key at the hotel’s reception desk, the guest should of course be informed immediately and if the guest is not available, the key should be locked up in a safe place.
The staff who stole my belongings has committed a serious crime and the hotel is fully responsible for the incident.
So far the hotel management has not admitted any wrongdoings. They have handed over the case to their insurance company. In my opinion the case has been delayed by both the hotel management and the insurance company. I am not interested do discuss this matter with the hotel’s insurance company. The settlement should be agreed upon between the hotel and myself.
I have not received any apology and not a word of compensation for the inconvenience which this incident has caused me.
The theft has been reported to the police in Pattaya.
Yours sincerely,
Jan Lilja

What happens when it rains?

Dear Pattaya Mail,
With Regard to Arthur Gordon’s letter on building pedestrian subways under 2nd Road instead of bridges, what happens when it rains? Will people be supplied with scuba equipment to get through the flooded subways?
Thanks,
Steve English

Show courtesy to pedestrians

Editor;
There is so much in Thailand that us farangs can learn from the compassionate and tolerant culture that is rooted in Buddhism. But in one respect the Land of Smiles is sadly wanting - the contempt it shows for pavements, footways and road crossings.
Churchill said that a society can be judged by the way it treats its prisoners. You can also tell a lot by how it treats pedestrians, who are in general the very young, the very old, the sick and the frail.
Pattaya has an appalling record in this respect. I bought a house in View Talay Villas three years ago and to escape injury walking the short distance from the gate to Jomtien Complex you have to be fleet of foot, foolhardy and lucky!
There is no proper pavement anywhere along the route and when it comes to crossing Thappraya Road you have to make a desperate dash hoping that drivers will take pity and show courtesy. Many do not.
As the new road which will thread its way past View Talay Residences and the Chonburi Revenue office is currently under construction, can I put in a passionate appeal for proper facilities and crossings to be provided for the environmentally friendly who chose to use legs rather than wheels when using the shops restaurants and bars.
And could I also remind those responsible for these things that the Thai economy is heavily reliant on tourism - and that visitors spend 90 percent of their stay on foot.
Malcolm Richards

Re: Environmental vandalism

Editor;
Re: Environmental vandalism in the Mail Bag - I, too, have been shocked by what appeared to be savage attacks on trees, as Hobbs complained to the February 23 - March 1, 2007 Mail Bag. But the trees seem to grow back as beautiful as ever. Could it be the Thais know what they are doing?
Asks,
Happy Lee in Yasothon

Thank you Honda Thailand

Editor;
I wish to thank Honda Thailand and the Honda shop at Pak Chong for all the help they gave me after my 200cc Honda broke down when I was on my way to sort my visa out. (Pak Chong to Pattaya) I knew within three parts where the fault was. Honda sent a employee out from Bangkok and the part was fitted. I never had this service in England, having had Hondas for 43 years on the road and racing.
Thank you Honda and thank you Thanyarat at Honda for all you have done.
Bernie O’herlihy
Nong Saray Pak Chong

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