HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Volunteering

Wanted supporter

Re: KFC torturing John Arnone

Bike week traffic no surprise

Chickens and turtles

Be careful where you step

Someone agrees with me?

Volunteering

Editor;
In response to the man in Jomtien beach: Do you need a permit for volunteer work? Technically yes. But if you are involved with a recognized service or charity club; Rotary, Optimist, Jesters, YMCA, and a host of others, you have nothing to fear.
I have been involved with Rotary and Optimist over the last seven years and have never heard of anyone being harassed by Immigration for doing volunteer work.
If you really want to get involved with something worthwhile, then by all means contact one of the clubs that are making a difference in the Thai communities throughout Thailand.
Webb Phillips

Wanted supporter

Dear Editor;
My original reaction when I saw John Arnone (Feb 27) had written a response to my KFC letter was: Oh no, I don’t want to argue with that guy anymore. But to my amazement he actually agreed with me! (Well, sort of).
While my opposition to KFC is a result of their abuse of chickens his opposition is due to the bad service he got from them and thus called himself an “unwanted supporter” of mine.
But that where he’s wrong. There is no such thing as an unwanted supporter. I don’t care if you’re opposed to KFC because you don’t like Colonel Sander’s beard. We need all the help we can get!
But if people would like to learn more about how KFC chickens suffer click into kentuckyfriedcruelty.com. And then be prepared to vomit!
Eric Bahrt

Re: KFC torturing John Arnone

Editor;
I thought John Arnone quit Thailand more than a year ago when he professed that things here in Thailand weren’t just right. He (left) for greener pastures. Not, it seems.
In John’s letter of complaint of February 27, he bashed KFC for a lot of things that can all be put under the heading of: Things at KFC aren’t done, for me, the way they are done back home.
Why should the KFC menu here be the same one used in the States? Why should John be surprised when the word came from the manager in the back that John’s special dinner wouldn’t be cooked his way despite the assurances of the sales lady up front? Why should the Thai KFC web site be in English? Why should John enter his birth date according to his Christian calendar?
So, now Arnone is Eric Bahrt’s self appointed right hand man because he couldn’t chow down on boiled alive chicken cooked his way. Look out Eric.
Al Reynolds

Bike week traffic no surprise

Editor,
It was no surprise to me to read the response from “disappointed expat” with reference to the Pattaya Bike Week. The weekend was a stunning success and a credit to Burapa MC and to the City of Pattaya. I witnessed the mayhem at the gate and true to say there was no police presence whatsoever regarding traffic control. We have never required a police presence inside the event, as it has never been required, as there is never any need. But we have certainly required police for traffic control outside.
I attended all the meetings at city hall and indeed traffic officials of the highest rank also attended. Perhaps too much emphasis was paid to getting people to the event with not much thought given to logistics in also getting them out. Also, it is worth noting that up to 6 p.m. on Saturday attendance was about 15,000, which was easily handled regarding entry. Between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. some of that number wanted to go home whilst possibly 35,000 wanted to get in for the rock concert; hence the problem. I estimate that in the region of 10,000 actually gave up, turned round and went home.
To all those so badly delayed and inconvenienced I offer sincerest apologies on behalf of Burapa MC, with a guarantee of addressing this problem fully next year. If the event is in the same location then a simple exit contra-flow to the left away from incoming traffic will be introduced which will solve the problem at a stroke, together with more staff on the car park.
I know that everyone attending the party had a great time and I will also say that the event next year will be bigger, slicker and with the very best of music and features. It is without doubt now the biggest event of its kind in S.E. Asia and I suppose this year a victim of its own success. But please come next year in the middle of February and we will get you in and out without problem or inconvenience, I promise.
Ride for peace, ride safe,
Richy

Chickens and turtles

Editor;
What interesting lives the expats live in Fun City. This week, a five hundred word letter on chicken dinners; next week’s unmissable post, tortoise escapes from zoo. Thrilling!
Mickyfin Bly

Be careful where you step

Aloha Pattaya Mail;
Now that the tides are changing our beaches are starting to experience more rubbish, sea urchins, star fish and sand dollars. The outgoing tide will always leave things behind, so be more aware where you put your bare feet. Sea urchins have brittle spines that can brake off into your foot, like slivers, and are hard to get out. The star fish are harmless. We often throw them back into deeper waters to give them another chance for survival, as they will die out of water.
Also a friendly reminder to smokers: Please don’t leave your butts behind, unknowing children up to two years old put everything into their little mouths. A toxic butt can become stuck in their throat, choke them to death or be swallowed and also kill them. Bottle caps also pose a problem. If you happen to be in an area where you see butts and bottle caps where a baby or unknowing animal could ingest, if your aware and care, doing something about it like removing them from harm’s way will not go unnoticed.
Being in tune with nature and your surrounding’s is being part of the solution not the pollution. We here at Pollution Solution want to be the first to thank you for reaching out for the voiceless. If you’re living here or on holiday please help us take care.
Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank You Very Much)
Gerry Rasmus

Someone agrees with me?

Editor;
Wow, I’m honoured, someone agrees with something I have said. I’m sure that if all the moaners really looked at the things I’ve said, instead of getting riled, there would be more that agreed with me. Take the foreign ownership issue for instance, backs up, knives out, nothing more than slumdog millionaires trying to make a buck on the backs of the Thai people.
Mickyfin Burnley

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