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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Stray dogs

4 years on bicycle on Jomtien Beach Road

Thinking of coming to Thailand?

Proper planning prevents poor performance

Dangerous road crossings

Re: Letter from Sir Frog

Water problems

Stray dogs

Editor;
I saw the article about stray dogs in Sattahip. I thought the idea of giving the dogs a special dinner for Christmas day was brilliant.
My question is, where in Sattahip is this place? Are tourists allowed in, can they take any of the dogs on walks, can tourists help out, and finally can you make a monthly payment of some kind or direct debit, to help these poor dogs out?
I’ve always said if l won the lottery the first thing I would do is open a stray dog home, but what is being done in Sattahip, seems fine. Sad part is I have not won the lottery.
I arrive next week, and nothing would give me more pleasure than spending my time with these dogs, cleaning the kennels, taking them on walks, or most important, giving them some love, and scooby snacks. Please reply to my email robertsplaine @btinternet.com, if anyone can tell me any more about the place.
In memory of John, the dog in Sunee who had no hair, just black skin, and a tuft of hair at the end of his tail. The softest dog if there was one.
Robert P Splaine


4 years on bicycle on Jomtien Beach Road

Editor;
I bicycle on Jomtien Beach Road, and consider myself very lucky not to have been hit by a car/truck/motorbike. The main problem is speed, especially motorbikes. When they try an emergency stop they lose control. Speed-bumps would help, but I am not keen on them. I find the safest way to bike on Beach Road is the wrong way, (as I) can see any problem, and avoid. Double parking narrows the road I have to use, and puts me in more danger. Baht buses are just same where ever, if they see a possible fare the brakes go on, with no thought of who is behind. But maybe some large speed limits signs would be a start, and being enforced. Instead of the police spending all day stopping non-helmet users, and the latest, seat belts in the back seats. Is this a law in Thailand?
If a baht bus stops and a bike runs into it, with the biker ending up in the rear of the bus, would constitute a fare?
Matt Jomtien


Thinking of coming to Thailand?

Dear Editor,
This letter is for your “Cheap Charlie” readers: If you can’t afford 10 baht for a bus ride, Thailand is probably too expensive for you. If you can’t afford 30 baht to sit in a beach chair, Thailand is probably too expensive for you. If your main source of nourishment is supposed to be free buffets at beer bars hosting birthday parties, Thailand is probably too expensive for you. If you are considered “poor” in your home country, wherever it is, Thailand is probably too expensive for you. I am sick of the sour faces and constant complaints of Thailand visitors that feel everything should cost next-to-nothing when visiting this tropical paradise. Next time, stay home! I’m here to have fun.
Regards, Bill Turner
Los Angeles, USA


Proper planning prevents poor performance

Dear Ed,
It’s been a while since I had a good rant, and I just couldn’t let this one go without commenting ...
I’ve just been reading an article on one of your rivals’ websites about many homes and businesses in Central Pattaya being without mains water for over a week, due to the failure of a major pump at the water distribution centre and a delay in obtaining the necessary spare part. It seems to me that the failure is the water authority themselves by not having the requisite spares on-hand to effect repairs in a timely manner. Of course, it is neither practical nor economical to hold an infinite number of spare parts in stock to cover every eventuality, and this may be an unforeseen major breakdown, but would it be unreasonable to suggest that perhaps one complete “spare” pumping unit could be positioned on-site (or strategically elsewhere in-country) so that when there is such an occurrence the faulty unit can be removed and the spare dropped-in, with minimal down-time incurred?
I assume that the spare part is coming from abroad, hence the delay, but what about the other provincial distribution centres? Have they even been contacted to ascertain if they have spares? Far be it from me to cast aspersions on the senior administration of our esteemed local water authority, but instances such as this do make one wonder ... Heads would roll in any private enterprise showing such incompetence in their supply chain management.
Okay, I’ve got it off my chest. Thank you for your indulgence.
Yours Sincerely,
Alan Gray


Dangerous road crossings

Dear Editor;
I am probably wasting my time writing this as no one will do anything about it but it makes me feel like I am doing something about it. The Banglamung traffic office or city hall who take care of the roads in East Pattaya should come and have a look at the new roads that have been constructed along the railway line and cross all the major roads that lead to Sukhumvit Road. This road is not finished yet but is allowed to be used, anyone with common sense should know that you don’t allow a new road to be used until you have all the traffic controls in place first. I see at every crossroads on Soi Country Club and the railway bridge at Soi Nernplabwan that it’s a free for all with a lot of bad accidents with many people getting hurt. Its only a matter of time before someone is killed. The people in Pattaya City Hall don’t seem to care about the citizens of this city or they would close this road and the other one running along the other side of the railway until they install traffic lights before someone gets killed.
Regards,
Alan


Re: Letter from Sir Frog

Editor,
Having spent longer here than “Sir Frog”, I have a suggestion for him (someone whose livelihood may depend on foreigners in Pattaya, therefore whose opinions may be suspect). Throw away those rose-colored glasses and face the truth about crime, traffic, public transportation, etc.
Statements like “nobody drinks tap water in Pattaya” are not answers. The bus system in Pattaya is a joke although baht buses are fine for destinations which are on the route - but I could take the time to fly to Honolulu and hail a metered taxi there before I could find one in Pattaya. Anecdotal stories like not having been pulled over by the police or not having been robbed are also not answers, since Sir Frog’s travels may be limited to the same, safe places and routes with which he’s become familiar over the years, unlike the travels of a tourist exploring Pattaya.
I think that attitudes like that of Sir Frog only slow the rate of improvement in Pattaya (it does improve a noticeable amount every year, I’m happy to say); and I think voicing constructive criticism speeds the solution of problems which exist in Pattaya, as they do in all fast-growing areas around the world. I wonder if Sir Frog would tell a complaining tourist face-to-face in his establishment (assuming he has one) to go away and not come back - this is certainly not helpful to promoting tourism.
A. Ferron


Water problems

Editor;
I am writing to you regarding the continuous problem of town water off Soi Country Club across from Lake Mabprachan. I have a house with my Thai wife in Eastern Park across from Lake Mabprachan on Soi Country Club.
1. What is annoying is that the water board is doing nothing in terms of telling their customers what the problem is. Example: last month out of a total of 30 days I received water in about 5 of those days. They are quick to demand payment (245 baht, company house rates), but the service is terrible. In the end I have to buy water to maintain a certain standard of living (shower, cleaning and bathroom facilities).
What I would like you to do is write about this and see if the water authorities will wake up.
Eric Mathers
Eastern Park

Soi Country Club



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