HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Czech beauty contestants

Be aware on full baht buses

City hall reads it right

Experiment to close Beach Road postponed

A special type of moaner

Shirtless in paradise

Stop boat businesses?

Czech beauty contestants

Dear Editor,
The article and photos of the contestants for the Miss Czech 2008 was quite interesting and it seems like a good publicity stunt for Pattaya. When I continued to scroll down the page, I am reading online in the U.S., I came across the picture of Tanyarat Jirapatpakorn, Miss International Queen for 2007 from the Tiffany Show. Her beauty blows the Czech contestants out of the water, and she wasn’t even born female. It must be depressing for these poor contestants to be surrounded by some of the most attractive women, and “almost” women, in the world. Next time some falang country sends their contestants to Pattaya, please only print pictures of old hags so there won’t be any negative comparisons or hurt feelings.
Regards,
Bill Turner, USA

Be aware on full baht buses

Dear Editor,
This is a reminder to tourists and expats to be aware of pickpockets on full baht buses (songtaews) when travelling from Soi Buakhao to Second Road via the Pattaya Tai market.
I was unfortunate to lose B1500 which had to have been taken from my pocket by a Lady Boy on this route. Though I was holding on to the rail at the back of the bus she/he forced her/his way into my seat and carried what appeared to be a shopping bag. At the Second Road crossroads people alighted and at this point the suspect swapped seats to my other side of me to talk to her/his friend. The bus was still full and the shopping bag was placed across her/his lap and across my knees. This is when I presume the crime was committed as light fingers were out of view of other respectable passengers. Another possible accomplice, a rough looking Thai who looked like an ex boxer helped me alight when stood on the foot rail. I paid my fare and when checking my pockets (too late?) found I had been robbed. Since it was darts night at Cheers Bar I was able to run up my usual check bin which I paid the following evening and was sustained by sandwiches and a beer leg win. Thank you “mine hosts” Colin and Stan for that.
I am a long time regular visitor to Pattaya (twice a year for 22 years) and though I have been robbed in Bangkok years ago, this is my first bad experience in Pattaya.
I read Pattaya Mail every week both here and on the Web back home in Newcastle, England and remember reading a similar story last year, so though I was aware of the risk it still happened to me. To cap an awful weekend Man. U have just thrashed my team Newcastle United 6 - 0 but that is another story!
Cheers,
Alan Hughes

City hall reads it right

Editor;
The mayor and city fathers decreed that a one-day celebration was enough for the international New Year (now past) and for the Chinese New Year (up-coming February 7). The question is - can we therefore hope that when it comes to the celebration of Thai New Year (Songkran) that there will be an equally sensible decision to call for a single day for water (Wan Lai)?
Can we hope that at most a three-day celebration will be called for in line with the rest of Thailand rather than the horrendous 10 days or so we have had to suffer for the last few years led, needless to say, by the mindless farang louts who seem to have no concept or respect for Thai culture but only to become drunk during the daylight hours and drench all and sundry who pass by?
Can we hope that the respectful mourning for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani will bring a decree from the mayor and members of city hall restricting the stupid and senseless behaviour seen to be prevalent over recent years with the introduction of high-powered water guns and cannons that have caused many deaths and injuries to motorcyclists and pedestrians forced into the paths of vehicles? Might some bye-law be promulgated and enforced to arrest anyone caught in possession of such instruments, imprisoned, then later deported and blacklisted for crimes against Thai culture?
It has been suggested that zones be created on the beach where water is plentiful thus not depleting the precious content of the reservoir of drinking water. The zones on the beach are already used for water activity and could be at North, Central and South Pattaya, Dongtan Beach, North and South Jomtien beaches. At all these places, suitably demarcated, those who really feel they need to “play water” can do so to their hearts content 24 hours a day if they feel like really getting wet at high tide. They would not interfere with the lifestyle of shopkeepers, restaurants, business people and tourists who prefer to keep dry for the week before and after the Thailand designated 3-day festival of which only one is a Wan Lai (water day).
The parade would of course go on as usual when everyone would expect to be “sprinkled” by the monks and watered by others.
Please, city hall fathers, try this year to contain the senseless behaviour in and around Pattaya for the time before and after the national traditional celebration. Many millions of baht leave the country along with the ever-increasing numbers of Thais and foreigners who choose to go to neighbouring countries for this two week period. Many businesses also choose to close at this time because of the loutish behaviour perpetrated by, unfortunately and sad to say, hooligans from foreign countries who invade the city at this time. They are doing our fair city no favours by being here.
Allan D

Experiment to close Beach Road postponed

Dear Ed and readers,
So the experiment to close Beach Road was postponed. Of course it had to be because the car comes first, and things such as pedestrian bridges, traffic lights in Second Road, and access only to serve hotels, bars, etc, by way of the sois between Beach and Second roads plus a huge car park before all vacant land is snapped up, have to be part of the overall plan.
But at last, influential people such as the governor of Chonburi have visualized such as I have by way of my cartoons and letters, the eventual transformation of Pattaya’s front from a dangerous polluted race track into a colorful panoramic spread of lawns, trees, bushes and flowers, such as Nong Nooch, probably the most beautiful parkland I’ve ever visited (which deserves much more publicity) and could serve as the template for Pattaya’s sea front, making it the envy of Asia.
So governor, it’s not so much as to how it could happen as to when it will happen?
Yours sincerely,
Dorian Farmer

A special type of moaner

Editor;
I want to inform Colin Farrang that it takes a special type of moaner to put people down who are trying to do the right thing (Please stop the moaning, PM Dec 28). No matter where they are or in which country, instead of Farrang moaning about moaners he could be doing something more constructive, like me. He could be saying something about the traffic and sidewalks in Pattaya. Evidentially, he lives near a golf course and doesn’t have to put up with the dangerous conditions that a pedestrian has to put up with on some roads and sidewalks here.
It doesn’t make any difference where I am or where I am from if I see something that can be improved I will say something about it. I am from the U.S. I would hope that any traveler seeing deplorable conditions would do the same. If you go to L.A. Mr. Farrang, there will be many things for you to “moan” about. I hope you take the time to do so. Write to the L.A. Times. I will be looking for your letters. Just try to be less reverential and less positive. Try to do some good.
Raymond Standiford
Pattaya

Shirtless in paradise

Editor;
Ah! - The cool days’ weather is finally in Pattaya. Gone are the hot, humid, rainy days of summer. Locals are donning their sweaters and coats, sometimes for protection from the sun’s rays. And foreigners are sporting their array wardrobes.
The cooler temperatures, and a strong invitation from his good friend Bob, is what made Tom finally escape his daily routine and take the flight. Wanting to sleep of his jet lag, and not wishing to impose on Bob’s small home, Tom opted for a rental. When he was well rested and ready to socialize, he gave Bob a call, who recommended one of his favourite haunts. After some good food and a couple of drinks, they looked out to the sidewalk at the zoo passing by. Bob was with his lady Noi, and was surprised and pleased that Tom had found a cute and pleasant companion Aoh.
Then Noi sighed loudly as a couple of farangs not wearing shirts walked by. Bob asked her what was wrong. “In Thailand we are taught to do whatever we want at home, but when we go out, put on come clothes,” and looked at the 3 for a response. When Tom looked puzzled, thinking Pattaya was supposed to be a beach town party central, Aoh joined in with her better than passable English, “They are guests in our kingdom, but they no honour our customs. You see Thai man outside with no shirt on?” Bob admitted that it was rare, limited to the beach and for street people. “Shirtless is classless,” said Noi. “Especially pompoi farang sweating. Same same small pants farang on Pratamnak Soi 5 who got skis with wheels. He thinks because he rich he can do anything he want. No respect Thai people.”
Tom’s eyes widened as though he had an epiphany. Travelling is an education, with new life experiences as varied as there are destinations, and as many as one’s self can be open to. But that there are rules for dress as well as for behaviour really didn’t occur to him as fully as in the present. To be respectful of another country’s customs and dress accordingly helps to blend in and bridge the gap.
So Tom bought the next round, and toasted Noi and Aoh for the lesson learned. The ladies just smiled.
Sir William of Doodadshire

Stop boat businesses?

Editor;
Reading your article on January 18 about the boat operators it might be better for everybody if they stop all their business. Less noise, less danger and above all, less pollution. It says in 20 minutes they use 300 baht on gasoline, which means about 30 litres an hour. So they need a tanker truck standing on the roadside?
Dutchie

Letters published in the Mailbag of Pattaya Mail
are also published here.